Have you ever felt like you’ve become lost in your own life? Many men struggle to talk about their problems and mental health and grew up believing that to do can be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure. There is also a lack of open discussion in society around men’s mental health, especially aimed at mid-life men. As a result, at times many men can feel alone and lost in their own lives. In this podcast series, I talk to mid-life men about their stories; the challenges, the turning po ...
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How to Stop Poisoning Your Mind and Body, with Christian Elliot
40:04
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40:04Have you ever wondered why you feel physically unwell when you're emotionally stressed, or why even small lifestyle changes can dramatically impact your mental and physical health? In this episode, we dive into the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit with Christian Elliot, holistic mind and body health expert. We explore how unresolved emo…
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How the 12 Steps Can Change Any Life, with Ian Morgan Cron
40:44
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40:44In this episode, my guest is Ian Morgan Cron, bestselling author, psychotherapist, and Enneagram expert. Most people hear “12 Steps” and think of Alcoholics Anonymous. But what if we told you this programme isn’t just for people struggling with alcohol or drugs? What if it could help anyone - including you - break free from unhealthy patterns, dest…
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Losing a Father to Suicide and Learning to Live, with Will Castle
42:44
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42:44In this deeply personal episode, Will Castle shares his experience of losing his father to suicide and the years of silence that followed. He reflects on the complexities of his childhood, his father’s struggles, and the moment everything changed. Will speaks openly about the grief, isolation, and self-destructive behaviour he experienced in the af…
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Even Olympians Struggle with Mental Health, with Jack Green OLY
41:45
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41:45In this compelling episode, two-time Olympian Jack Green shares his raw and deeply personal journey through elite sport, mental health struggles, and the pursuit of fulfilment beyond medals. At the peak of his career, Jack was competing on the world’s biggest stage, yet behind the scenes, he was battling depression, anxiety, and bipolar tendencies.…
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How to Release Your Emotional Baggage, with Cedric Bertelli
37:14
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37:14In this episode, I'm joined by Cedric Bertelli as we dive deep into the hidden mechanics of emotional pain, trauma, and healing. Our guest shares his insights from years of research on how the brain forms destructive emotional patterns - like anxiety, fear, and self-doubt - and, more importantly, how we can break free from them. Why do we numb our …
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Why I Ran 401 Marathons in 401 Days, with Ben Smith
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43:30What does it take to survive bullying, internalised shame, and two suicide attempts and then go on to run 401 marathons in 401 days? In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Ben Smith, whose remarkable journey from a troubled past to a world-record-breaking challenge is nothing short of extraordinary. Ben opens up about the pain of child…
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The more eyes on your shame, the less control shame has over you, with Warren McKee
53:37
53:37
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53:37In this episode, join us for an unforgettable conversation with Warren McKee, an Iraq War veteran who came home to face the depths of PTSD, addiction, and homelessness, only to rise as a resilient entrepreneur and life coach. In this raw and inspiring episode, he shares his harrowing journey from the battlefield to rock bottom and how he rebuilt hi…
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Workplace Mental Health: A Survival Guide, with Tom Oxley
37:09
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37:09In this episode, I am joined by Tom Oxley, a workplace mental health consultant, trainer, and support specialist whose TEDx talk on mental health has inspired over three-quarters of a million viewers. Years ago, while forging a fast-paced career in advertising, marketing, and PR, Tom hit a wall. His relentless schedule and lifestyle eventually caus…
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Wake up: Stop Numbing, Start Living! with Patrick Sperry
47:39
47:39
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47:39In this powerful episode, Patrick Sperry reflects on how perfectionism created an endless cycle of striving and dissatisfaction. From giving up a promising professional soccer career to chasing a dream of being a rock star in Hollywood (and a stint as David Beckham’s body double) his journey took him through heartache, creative highs, and personal …
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How to be Resilient: Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight! with Adrian de Courcey
32:37
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32:37Ever wondered how to stay calm and grounded while pivoting careers in the midst of chaos? Meet Adrian de Coursey, whose professional path took him from corporate strategy at Shell and Johnson & Johnson to running a small family business during the height of the global financial crisis. In this candid interview, Adrian reveals the high-stakes challe…
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Overcoming Unshakable Unhappiness: Remove that rock from your shoe! with Dr Adam Dorsay
51:33
51:33
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51:33Are you craving more energy, deeper relationships, and a stronger sense of purpose, yet somehow, you are caught in a cycle of “unshakable unhappiness”? In this illuminating conversation, I sit down with psychologist and Silicon Valley executive coach Dr. Adam Dorsey to explore how tapping into the power of authentic connection can transform every a…
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Healing Unresolved Trauma to Reclaim Your Life, with Mike Skrypnek
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49:30In this raw and powerful episode, we talk to Mike Skrypnek, an international bestselling author, men’s mental health advocate, CEO of Grow Get Give Coaching, and founder of the Unlimited Worth Project. Once a successful investment manager, Mike reveals how a combination of unaddressed childhood trauma and the relentless pressure for achievement nea…
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From Bipolar Battles to Making a Life-Saving Promise, with Craig Hamilton
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34:35Join me for a powerful conversation with Craig Hamilton, a man whose life story transcends boundaries and stigma. A celebrated sports broadcaster and former coal miner, Craig faced his greatest challenge not underground or behind the microphone, but within himself. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a psychotic episode on the eve of the 2000 Syd…
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Why Bother? Fighting an Overwhelming Sense of Futility, with Patrick Donnelly
39:52
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39:52In this open and honest episode, we're joined by Patrick Donnelly, who discusses the often-unspoken struggles men face when the weight of life feels overwhelming and futile. Patrick bravely shares how anxiety and depression took root after becoming a father, amplifying his long-held belief that nothing he attempted would succeed. His story reveals …
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Finding Your Voice: How Self-Expression Empowers Men, with Dr Danny Brassell
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46:27In this compelling episode, we dive deep into the silent struggles many men face in expressing themselves—emotionally, verbally, and even creatively. Joined by Dr Danny Brassell, a dynamic speaker, author, and first and foremost, a teacher, we explore the roots of men’s anxiety around vulnerability, confidence, and connection. Danny shares personal…
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Living Between Extremes: The Realities of Bipolar's Highs and Lows, with David Westgate
44:04
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44:04In this episode, David Westgate shares his deeply personal journey with bipolar 1, reflecting on how the disorder manifested in his life and the impact it had on his relationships, career, and daily routines. He describes the struggle of living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, where periods of extreme highs felt like "true happiness," only to be …
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Hard Hats & Hidden Struggles: The Problem with Mental Health in the Trades, with Russ Payne
40:31
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40:31In this episode, I’m joined by Russ, a third-generation tradesman, business owner, and host of The Talking Tradesman podcast. Russ has spent a lifetime in construction, a sector known for its tough culture and silent battles, especially around mental health. He shares his powerful journey, starting with his childhood, where he was raised by his fat…
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Battling Depression: Everybody Needs a Big, Hairy-Ass, Audacious Goal, with Jeff Moore
46:56
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46:56In this episode, I'm joined by Jeff to discuss his long battle with mental health challenges. Jeff shares how his depression stems from childhood, living in a chaotic home environment, and how it revisited him regularly throughout his life. He describes how, after many years of struggle, he found solace in both medication and exercise, specifically…
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Psychedelics and Nature: A Path to Better Mental Health with Shawn Bergeth
37:26
37:26
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37:26In this compelling episode, we sit down with Shawn Bergeth, a former corporate executive who radically transformed his life after 17 years in supply chain management. Shawn opens up about his unexpected job loss, which he saw as a gift, and how it catalysed his journey toward mental health advocacy. From battling anxiety and depression to becoming …
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Dealing with depression: My dark passenger, with Brian Murphy
32:50
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32:50In this episode of the Midlife Men Podcast, host Philip Briscoe sits down with Brian Murphy, a 52-year-old father, husband, and former sports journalist, to discuss his deeply personal battle with depression. Brian opens up about how his career in journalism, particularly his passion for covering hockey, began to lose its luster around 2017, leadin…
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Dad La Soul: Tackling Social Isolation for Dads with Dan Flanagan
38:18
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38:18Dan Flanagan is a father and founder of Dad La Soul, an award-winning social impact organisation that focuses on tackling social isolation for dads. He shares his experience of struggling with being a dad and feeling like an outsider at mother and baby classes. He also reflects on his struggles with juggling his career, his father's illness, and ho…
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Don't hide your depression; it can save your life - Paul Howarth's story.
37:22
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37:22In this compelling episode, we dive deep into Paul's candid journey through depression and suicidal thoughts. For years, Paul excelled in his career, leading finances for a construction company. But beneath the surface, he felt disconnected, living a life that wasn't truly his. The facade began to crumble when he took voluntary redundancy, leading …
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Battling Depression and Reducing Male Suicide with Mark Meier
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30:15
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30:15In this episode, my guest is Mark Meier, the executive director at Face It, an organisation set up to help men understand and overcome depression and reduce the rate of male suicide. Mark shares his personal struggle with depression. In 2002, he faced severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, leading to hospitalisation. His journey of reco…
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From Bets to Breakthroughs: Mark Bradshaw's Battle Against Gambling Addiction
53:28
53:28
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53:28In this episode, my guest is Mark Bradshaw, who shares his personal journey with gambling addiction. Mark recalls his early exposure to gambling as a child through seaside holidays, and how his love for playing sports later led him to place bets on rugby matches. His introduction to casinos at 18 only exacerbated his addiction, eventually leading h…
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Jokes, Judaism, and Autism: One Comedian's Journey to Understanding His Family, with Dave Cohen
57:37
57:37
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57:37In this episode of Midlife Men, Dave Cohen, comedian, novelist, and comedy writing teacher, discusses his relationship with his parents. His upbringing in a close-knit Jewish community in Leeds, shaped by the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel, lays the groundwork for a complicated familial dynamic. As he navigates adolescent rebellion, move…
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Quitting vices to regain personal control, with Nico Morales
49:30
49:30
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49:30In this episode of Midlife Men, Nico Morales shares his story of resilience and personal growth, reflecting on his upbringing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He discusses how rejection shaped his early life, particularly when his sister faced a life-threatening situation, leading to feelings of rejection and fear of missing out. As a child, he shuttled…
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Divorce, Andropause and Other Midlife Challenges, with James Davis
27:52
27:52
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27:52Welcome to this episode of Midlife Men with Philip Briscoe, featuring guest James Davis, one half of the Midlife Mentors podcast. James shares insights into navigating midlife challenges, drawing from his personal experiences, including living abroad, going through divorce, and addressing the andropause, sometimes known as the ‘male menopause’. Jam…
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F3 Nation: Forging Brotherhood, Transforming Lives, with Steve Cavanaugh and Ridge Mazingo
39:20
39:20
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39:20In this episode, Steve introduces F3 (Fitness, Fellowship, Faith), a global movement that originated in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2011. F3 comprises men who meet for outdoor workouts, focusing on camaraderie, fitness, and a sense of purpose beyond oneself. The workouts include boot camp-style exercises and running or rucking sessions, emphasizin…
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One family's journey through mental illness, suicide, grief and recovery, with Tim and Sue Iorio.
50:24
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50:24In this compelling episode, I am privileged to be joined by Tim and Sue Iorio, who bravely recount the poignant yet ultimately inspiring tale of their son, Nick. Nick was the eldest of three brothers hailing from a Midwestern town in Ohio, a top-class student and athlete, Nick struggled with a mental health disorder, and the only peace he was able …
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How to Tackle Bedroom Anxiety with Shay Doran
37:33
37:33
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37:33Shay Doran, a men's coach specialising in helping men overcome sexual performance issues, shares insights into the challenges he faced and how he transformed his life. Initially, on the surface, his life seemed great, but he struggled with a bad relationship with porn and sex, thinking it was normal for every guy. It took years for him to realise t…
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Menopause Made Simple: What Men Should Know, with Andrea Newton
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32:57In this episode, I am joined by Andrea Newton, who is on a mission to provide men with a better understanding of menopause. If, like me, your knowledge is slim and you feel out of your comfort zone anytime the word ‘menopause’ is mentioned, then this episode is for you. With over 30 years’ of experience helping thousands of men and women have impor…
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PART 2 When Work Hurts: Coping with Work-Related Depression, with Paul Bayliss
31:24
31:24
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31:24In part II, of this episode, I continue my discussion with Paul Bayliss, who experienced job-related depression when undertaking a massive transformation project for a large public sector organisation. A combination of the demands and high-pressure nature of the role with a toxic working environment and culture proved to be unsustainable. Finally, …
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When Work Hurts: Coping with Work-Related Depression, with Paul Bayliss
42:11
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42:11In this two-part episode, I am joined by Paul (Drew) Bayliss, an accomplished professional with a long and successful career, who shares his experience of job-related depression when he was working for a large public sector organisation in a high-pressure and demanding transformation role. Depression in the workplace is a common issue among profess…
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Conquering anxiety: mastering the mind for a balanced life, with Octavian Constantinescu
38:50
38:50
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38:50In this episode, I welcome back Octavian Constantinescu who last time talked about how he was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. This time, he describes his experience of living with anxiety, which he initially mistook as a normal way of living. Octavian constantly felt a sense of dread and had difficulty sleeping due to worries about work and other …
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Navigating High-Pressure Careers: Insights from a Law Enforcement Veteran, with Richard Podkowski
29:25
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29:25In this episode, we dive into the world of high-pressure careers, particularly in law enforcement, with Richard Podkowski, a seasoned law enforcement professional. He shares his experiences dealing with the constant stress that comes with protecting U.S. Presidents and major security assignments both domestically and abroad. Richard discusses the s…
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Breaking free from alcohol addiction, with Duncan Bhaskaran Brown
38:46
38:46
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38:46In this episode, I am joined by Duncan Bhaskaran Brown, coach, speaker, and Morris dancer, who helps people with alcohol dependency issues. He is also an author. His first book ‘Get Over Indulgence’ outlines a simple system to revolutionise your relationship with food, booze, and life. His new book ‘Real Men Quit’ is out in December. Duncan shares …
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Breaking the Silence: Empowering Men in Suicide Prevention, with Steve Whittle, founder of Tough to Talk
31:01
31:01
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31:01In this episode, I am joined by Steve Whittle, founder of Tough to Talk, a charity committed to helping business and community leaders reduce male suicide rates by empowering men to speak openly about their struggles. Steve shares his own experiences of suicide behaviours and how this led to him starting Tough to Talk. He addresses the critical iss…
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Heart transplants, mental health, and finding humor in life's darkest moments, with Jonathan Bogner
37:09
37:09
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37:09In this episode, I am joined by Jonathan Bogner, executive producer of reality TV & movies, and entrepreneur with multiple businesses. In 2007, life was great for Jonathan, living in Beverly Hills with his wife and children, living his dream job producing movies and had just sold a movie at a major film festival. Life was to change drastically in a…
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Exploring mental health in football, with author Johnnie Lowery
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40:15Welcome to the Mid-Life Men podcast. In this episode, I am joined by author Johnnie Lowery, who writes about his passion for football, but also about mental health and the relationship between the two. Johnnie’s first book, Six Added Minutes, was written while he was at university and published in November 2019 and his second book, Match Fit, was p…
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A Dave Williams Masterclass: Simple techniques to combat depression
37:36
37:36
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37:36Welcome to the Mid-life Men podcast aiming to break the stigma of men talking about their mental health. In this episode, we’re looking at techniques you can practise for combatting depression. According to some reports, up to 14% of men in the UK experience depression, and I suspect that number's actually a lot higher. This episode is a little dif…
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Embrace Your Calling: Becoming a teacher at 50, with Russ Hoadley
25:09
25:09
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25:09In this episode, I talk to Russ Hoadley on corporate burnout, changing career mid-life, and finding your true calling, in his case as a teacher. Russ was working up to 115 hours a week with a demanding job in international finance, spending his life on an aeroplane, resulting in an unsatisfactory work-life balance especially with a young family. Af…
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Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult with Octavian Constantinescu.
31:37
31:37
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31:37In this episode, we discuss Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with my guest Octavian Constantinescu, who shares his life experiences and how an adult ADHD diagnosis helped him find clarity and focus. To listeners feeling frustrated at work or not meeting their expectations, Octavian advises investing in their mental health. While exte…
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Rescuing yourself from childhood trauma, with Tom Mitchelson, author of "Don't ask me about my dad".
23:27
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23:27In this episode, Tom Mitchelson, the author, speaker, and writer, talks candidly about his experience growing up in a home where his dad's behaviour was at best unpredictable and at worst violent and aggressive, especially towards his mum. He has since published his story in a memoir titled 'Don’t ask me about my dad'. Tom discusses his life from a…
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In this episode, Simon Mcmurdy and Gareth Birkett share their experiences as fathers of children with special needs and life-limiting conditions. Simon and Gareth had previously worked together and ran into one other in a hospital corridor, when they recognised they shared a common bond. They share firsthand accounts of the difficulties encountered…
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In this episode, we look at the devastating impact that an addiction to gambling can have on people's lives. We talk to James Grimes, Head of Education at Gambling with Lives, a community of families bereaved by gambling-related suicide that provides support, raises awareness, and campaigns for change. James is also the founder of The Big Step, a c…
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Talking Bollox with Daren Elsley; the underwear brand highlighting men's cancers
18:27
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18:27In this episode, I talk 'Bollox' with Daren Elsley, founder of the underwear brand 'Bollox', which aims to raise awareness of men's cancers. After the death of a good friend from cancer, Daren wanted to do something to highlight men's cancers, so he decided to start his own underwear brand. After trying to balance it with a full-time job, he made t…
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What about making a motorbike? with the UK Men's Sheds Association
23:13
23:13
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23:13In this episode, I talk with Mike Jenn, founder, and lifetime president of the UK Men's Sheds Association, enabling community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun…
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Finding your cabin in the woods with The Cornermen
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33:12In this episode, I talk to John Houston head coach and founder of the South Moreton Boxing Club in south Oxfordshire. A year ago he started The Cornermen, a service aimed at improving men’s mental health and suicide prevention and how doing something and talking whether it be walking, talking or boxing is the key to getting men to open up. Suicide …
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Breaking down the stigma of mental health with The Proper Blokes Club
20:10
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20:10In this episode, I talk to Scott Oughton-Johnson, the founder of The Proper Bloke's Club, a peer-to-peer support group with the aim to provide a safe and relaxed environment to break down the stigma of men talking about their mental health. Suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 50. Sadly, 115 people die by suicide in the UK every week,…
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Finding your Ikigai with Koj, MasterChef finalist
33:33
33:33
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33:33In this episode, I talk to Andrew Kojima (better known as Koj), the British, Japanese chef, teacher, and author, about his career shift from finance to food. After graduating in Classics from Oxford University, Koj stumbled onto the treadmill into finance, where he spent ten years as an investment research analyst. Eventually, in 2012, he seized th…
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