This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish sit down with Stuart, founder of Beyond the Silence, for a raw and powerful conversation about mental health, masculinity and survival.

Beneath the humour and everyday chat, Stuart shares how he was privately planning his suicide before the people around him stepped in — and how that moment became the start of rebuilding his life.

The episode explores childhood trauma, addiction, prison, sobriety and fatherhood, as well as the pressure men feel to stay silent. Stuart speaks candidly about accountability, growth, and why simply asking someone if they’re okay can make all the difference.

It’s an honest reminder that mental health doesn’t discriminate — and that no one has to carry it alone.

If you’d like to connect with Stuart, search for Beyond the Silence on Facebook.

To share your thoughts or get involved with the podcast, email [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish sit down with Coventry Rugby’s Ewan Baker for a candid conversation about life on and off the pitch. They dive into the pressures of professional rugby, from not being selected to playing in front of big crowds, and explore how Ewan balances ambition with enjoyment.

He opens up about concussion recovery, the invisible challenges it brings, and why mental resilience is just as important as physical toughness. The discussion also touches on showing up for your mates, the power of asking “are you okay?” twice, and why being present for others can have a huge impact both on and off the field.

Beyond rugby, Ewan reflects on spreading his focus across different passions, stepping out of his comfort zone, and finding enjoyment in life outside the sport. From latte art disasters and coffee machine obsessions to learning new skills and life coaching, the episode is a mix of humour, honesty, and life lessons.

By the end, it’s clear that whether it’s rugby, personal growth, or mental wellbeing, showing up, enjoying the moment, and looking after each other is what really matters.

-

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish sit down for a powerful and honest conversation with Dave, who opens up about his lived experience with OCD — from intrusive thoughts and spiralling anxiety to hospitalisation, therapy, and learning how to manage it day to day.

Dave shares how stress — whether from work, life events, or even positive change — can quietly raise the temperature and intensify intrusive thoughts. Together, they unpack the reality that everyone experiences intrusive thoughts, but for those with OCD, those thoughts can become tangled in responsibility, fear, and a relentless need to “fix” something that doesn’t actually need fixing.

Using vivid analogies — from wrestling with barbed wire to watching leaves float down a stream — Dave explains what it feels like inside his head, and how therapy has helped him recognise the thoughts without engaging in the compulsions. It’s an incredibly human insight into how OCD operates, how it affects family life, and how easy it is for someone to appear “happy-go-lucky” on the outside while struggling internally.

The conversation also touches on the stigma around OCD being used as a throwaway joke, the importance of safe people you can open up to, and why stories like this matter for those suffering in silence. There’s a shared reminder that help is out there — through the NHS, Mind, OCD Action and other organisations — and that speaking up can be the first step towards regaining control.

—

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish kick things off with their first recording in the new studio before settling into a reflective, wide-ranging conversation.

They chat about keeping busy with DIY projects and flat packs as a way of distracting from things outside your control, including illness — with Vish sharing his now very familiar routine of multiple trips to Wickes in search of various items that he kept forgetting.

The pair reflect on last week’s episode and how people process and talk about their issues differently. Dan shares why he prefers to rip the plaster off and have honest, deep conversations rather than skirting around difficult topics, while Vish offers his own perspective on working through things.

Towards the end, Dan also talks briefly about the Coventry Half Marathon — no longer able to run it himself, he celebrates the amazing group of people taking part in April on behalf of the Back & Forth Charity.

The episode wraps up with the return of their classic Love Plums and Love Spuds segment, rounding off an honest, thoughtful, and lightly chaotic catch-up.

—

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan is joined once again by Stu Baker for Part Two of their conversation, focusing on recovery, routines, and the practical steps that helped Stu rebuild his life after crisis. Stu reflects on what changed after hitting rock bottom, explaining how acceptance, honesty, and consistency became central to his recovery, and why mental health is less about quick fixes and more about getting the basics right.

The conversation explores Stu’s Mindset Triangle and Five F’s framework, touching on sleep, movement, food, journaling, and the importance of making time for yourself without guilt. Stu also shares his work with Cycle Away the Stigma, using cycling and conversation to encourage men to open up, connect, and talk before reaching breaking point. It’s an honest, practical, and hopeful discussion about progress over perfection — and proof that small daily choices can make a real difference.

—

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Will are joined by Stu Baker for an open, raw and deeply honest conversation about mental health, identity, and what happens when the coping mechanisms you’ve relied on suddenly disappear.

Stu speaks candidly about his upbringing, joining the Navy at 17, and using rugby as an outlet for pressure, emotion, and stress. When injury forced him to step away from the game, he shares how losing that release led to a gradual unravelling — culminating in a diagnosis of clinical depression in his 30s.

A central part of the episode focuses on Stu’s experience of depression, alcohol misuse, and the moments that led to a suicide attempt in 2017. He reflects openly on how quickly things escalated, how isolation and silence fed the noise in his head, and how difficult it was to ask for help before reaching crisis point.

Together, they discuss the realities many men face when it comes to mental health — the pressure to “crack on”, the lack of emotional language, and how easily pain can be normalised when you don’t feel able to talk. The conversation explores self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and the fine line between coping and masking.

Dan and Will reflect alongside Stu, opening up about vulnerability, masculinity, and why men often wait until breaking point before speaking honestly. It’s a thoughtful, compassionate discussion about listening without fixing, checking in properly, and the importance of being asked, “Are you really okay?”

This episode doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does offer understanding — and a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, conversations matter, and no one has to sit with this stuff alone.

This is Part One of a two-part conversation with Stu.

—

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish are joined by Dale for an open and deeply honest conversation about relationships, fatherhood, and navigating life after separation.

Dale speaks candidly about the breakdown of his marriage and the emotional impact that followed, sharing what it’s like to sit with grief, uncertainty, and major change while trying to keep moving forward. The conversation touches on self-reflection, resilience, and the quiet moments that can be the hardest to process.

A central part of the episode focuses on Dale’s fight for shared custody, and the realities many parents face when trying to remain present, involved, and connected.

Together, they discuss the emotional and practical challenges of the process, the strain it can place on mental health, and how isolating it can feel without the right support.

Dan and Vish reflect alongside Dale, opening up about vulnerability, masculinity, and the difficulty of asking for help when everything feels overwhelming. It’s a thoughtful, compassionate discussion about showing up as a parent, protecting your mental wellbeing, and finding strength in being honest.

This episode doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does offer understanding — a reminder that tough chapters don’t define you, and that speaking openly can make the road ahead feel a little less lonely.

—

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish are properly back for the first episode of 2026 and easing into the new year with a relaxed catch-up.

They chat about quiet New Years, flu jabs, feeling rough, and why January doesn’t always come with a big fresh start. From fireworks and family time to staying in, resting, and not forcing yourself into new routines straight away, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down and give yourself a break.

The conversation then drifts into some deeper stuff, touching on health, routines, journaling, and trying to look at yourself from the outside without being too harsh. Dan and Vish also open up about grief, trauma, and how differently everyone deals with tough experiences, sharing personal stories and honest reflections along the way.

There’s chat about boundaries, leaning on the right people, and knowing when to talk — and when it’s okay not to.

They also share an update on a new mental health app bringing community, support, and journaling together in one place. It’s an easy, honest start to the year, with a reminder that life will always throw things at you — but taking it one step at a time really does matter.

Listeners are encouraged to seek help when needed and recognise that opening up is a sign of strength, not weakness.

----

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish kick off the New Year with a reflective, honest conversation about where the podcast — and the charity behind it — is heading as they step into 2026.

Fresh off the chaos of the Christmas quiz, they look back on a big, challenging year filled with highs, lows, lessons, and growth, while sharing a genuine sense of pride in how far things have come.

They talk openly about standout moments from the past year — from live podcasts and incredible guests to the impact of deeply personal stories shared on the show.

There’s plenty of humour along the way, but also thoughtful discussion around resilience, boundaries, health, confidence, and learning to prioritise yourself without guilt. From ditching unhealthy habits to embracing small daily changes, the conversation focuses on progress over perfection and giving yourself credit for how far you’ve come.

The episode also looks ahead to what’s next, including big plans for the charity, future events, and the ambition to reach even more people in the year ahead. It’s a hopeful, grounded start to the new year — a reminder that growth isn’t instant, setbacks are part of the journey, and sometimes just showing up, having a laugh, and supporting each other is enough to keep moving forward.

Listeners are encouraged to seek help when needed and recognise that opening up is a sign of strength, not weakness.

----

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan, Vish and Will bring some festive chaos to the studio with a Christmas Quiz Special, with Taylor stepping in as quiz master and Hannah keeping the scores in check.

Before the quiz even gets underway, the lads vent about everything that winds them up at Christmas — from feral crowds in London and Black Friday madness to hotel booking disasters, cancelled trains, burst tyres and potholes that seem determined to ruin December plans.

Once the quiz kicks off, things only get more chaotic. The questions span Christmas general knowledge, film & TV, and music, but confidence quickly outweighs accuracy. Expect buzzer confusion, rock-paper-scissors decision-making, heated debates over Die Hard, Christmas songs, and what instrument the Snowman actually plays — all delivered with classic Back & Forth humour.

The episode wraps up with Christmas jokes, reflections on the year, and a genuine moment of appreciation for how far the podcast has come and the community around it. It’s messy, festive and full of laughs — the perfect end-of-year episode that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

----

If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email [email protected] to get involved!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.