Don't Let The Old Man In

This week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we sat down with David Pointon, CEO of Men's Table, to hear about the power of vulnerability in finding fulfilling community.

In this special Actions episode of the podcast, host Pod O'Sullivan breaks down the key wisdoms from David Pointon and tells you exactly what you can do to make a change in your life.

Watch the full episode with David Pointon: https://youtu.be/4vv69UddZpI

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Why are so many men emotionally alone, even when surrounded by people? In this episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with David Pointon, founder of Men's Table, to explore how giving men a space to be heard can change their lives entirely.

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In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why most midlife men feel something is missing, even when life looks fine from the outside
• The simple monthly format that creates deeper friendships than 25 years with your golfing buddy
• Why "banter" isn't the same as real connection, and what it's costing men
• The concept of caring connection and why it's the most powerful antidote to toxic masculinity
• How one man's willingness to open up can unlock an entire room
• The ripple effect: how men showing up for themselves transforms their relationships and families
• David's own story of marriage, separation, and how men's work helped him reset everything

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This week, we got to sit down with relationship expert and intimacy coach Tanya Koens to dive deep into the biggest issues facing couples as they enter midlife, and how we can work with our partners to get the most satisfaction out of our love lives. Tanya has years of experience and provided several fascinating insights from her career, many of which have really stuck with us ever since.

In this special Actions episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we're looking back at our conversation with Tanya to identify the most powerful pieces of wisdom she shared with us, how you can implement it in your own life, and why the science says it works.

Listen to our conversation with Tanya Koens: https://linktr.ee/dontllettheoldmanin

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Tanya Koens is a leading sexologist, somatic sex therapist, and self-described "pleasure activist". In this episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with Tanya to explore what sex and intimacy really look like in your 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Whether you're navigating mismatched libido, adjusting to an aging body, or stepping back into dating after a long-term relationship, Tanya brings warmth, expertise, and zero judgement to the conversation.

Suggest a topic you'd like us to cover: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/suggestions/

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In this episode, we cover:

• Why libido after 40 isn't what most people expect (and why that's actually good news)
• The truth about mismatched libido — and how to talk about it without it turning into a fight
• Spontaneous vs. responsive desire: what the difference means for your relationship
• How to "schedule" sex in a way that actually keeps the spark alive
• Navigating intimacy and dating after 50 — including the new rules around consent
• The impact of pornography on sexual expectations
• Why curiosity, kindness, and generosity are the foundation of great sexual health at any age

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Most men that suffer childhood trauma don't disclose it to others for decades of their life, or decide not to disclose it at all.

This week on Don't Let the Old Man In, James Elliott shares how his own trauma shaped his toxic work ethic, and how it took him 21 years to look inside and make a change.

Plus, we discuss James' recent work with NASA and how his team is shaping the future of medicine.

We talk about:

• How trauma shapes overachievement and perfectionism
• The difference between "being a man" and becoming one
• Childhood trauma healing — and why disclosure is so hard
• His path through EMDR therapy and how it works
• What his work with NASA reveals about the human body under stress
• The African proverb that shifted his entire leadership philosophy
• Why community — not achievement — is the foundation of happiness

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

On Don't Let the Old Man In, we often discuss how men can set themselves up to have healthy, sustainable lives as they transition into midlife. Earlier this week, we sat down with longevity specialist Dr Jenifer Luman to discuss just that.

This special episode takes the best insights from our conversation with Jenifer and breaks it down for you to get the most out of her experience.

We discuss:

Getting the blood test your doctor probably hasn't ordered for you

How to properly understand andropause

Measuring exactly what your body is made of

Planning for your marginal decades.

Listen, learn and share with your community.

Visit our website: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/

Suggest a topic for us to cover next: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/suggestions/

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In this week's episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with longevity expert Dr Jennifer Luman to unpack healthy aging, the blood test your doctor needs to give you, the importance of safe Testosterone Replacement Therapy, and Jennifer's unique stint as a Nike-sponsored athlete ... plus much more.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Crisis of Reactive Healthcare
• Understanding Longevity and Men's Health
• The Importance of Early Intervention
• The Gradual Decline of Testosterone
• The Role of Testosterone in Men's Health
• Personalized Health Testing and Biomarkers
• Optimizing Health for Longevity
• The Future of Personalized Healthcare
• Testosterone Replacement Therapy: A Double-Edged Sword
• Andropause: The Silent Decline
• The Journey to Longevity Medicine
• Celebrating Milestones and Personal Growth
• Transitioning to Medicine 3.0
• The New Age of Preventative Healthcare
• The Biohacker Community and Health Optimization
• Understanding Health Choices and Consequences
• The Impact of Environment on Health Choices
• From Olympic Aspirations to Medical Career
• Disaster Recovery and Human Resilience
• Reflections on Health and Future Choices

Let us know what topics we should cover next: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/

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Most men in midlife have fewer close friends than they think. Research shows the average man has just 2. Two people he could truly confide in. For many, it's even less than that.

In this follow-up episode, we break down the 3 most powerful takeaways from our conversation with Pasco Ashton, founder of Men's Circles and one of the leading voices in men's personal development. 3 simple, actionable steps any man can take this week to level up his relationships and start building the connections that actually matter.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The Friend Audit — How to take honest stock of how many people you can truly confide in, and why most men are shocked by the answer
• The Side-By-Side Method — Why men open up more easily when they're not face-to-face, and how to use everyday activities to spark the real conversations
• The Power of "I Don't Know" — Why admitting uncertainty is one of the most trust-building things a man can say, and how it transforms male friendships overnight

These are three practical moves, grounded in years of Pasco's work with men's circles across the world, that you can start today.

Pod O'Sullivan brings you the weekly midlife learning podcast: from taking charge of your health, to strengthening your relationships, and finding ways to reconnect with what lifts your spirit – Don’t Let the Old Man In is designed to make sure your second act is even better than the first. Where career pivots, relationship evolutions, and personal reinventions meet practical wisdom, genuine brotherhood, and a healthy dose of humor.

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

What if the key to men's mental health isn't therapy, but community? Pasco Ashton, founder of Men's Circle and former journalist for Al Jazeera and Vice, joins us to reveal why men's mental fitness starts with the people around them.

With Men's Circles now operating across multiple continents and expanding into the US and Asia, Pasco has trained and supervised hundreds of facilitators, helping thousands of men move from isolation to authentic connection. In this expert conversation, he breaks down exactly why men struggle to open up, what the research says about male friendship, and the proven framework he's developed over years of community leadership.'

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why men's mental health is a community problem — not an individual one
• The "mental fitness gym" framework that's helping men across the world open up
• Why "brave spaces" work better than "safe spaces" for men
• The 3-stage Men's Circles model (Awareness → Acceptance → Action) and how to apply it
• How intergenerational connection is the missing ingredient in modern masculinity
• Why admitting fault is the most powerful thing a man can do in any relationship
• The crucial difference between Men's Circles and the toxic "manosphere"

Pasco's journey — from losing close friends to suicide, to becoming one of the leading voices in men's personal development — is as honest and raw as it is inspiring. If you've ever felt like you're carrying life's weight alone, this episode is essential listening.

Pod O'Sullivan brings you the weekly midlife learning podcast: from taking charge of your health, to strengthening your relationships, and finding ways to reconnect with what lifts your spirit – Don’t Let the Old Man In is designed to make sure your second act is even better than the first. Where career pivots, relationship evolutions, and personal reinventions meet practical wisdom, genuine brotherhood, and a healthy dose of humor.

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

Earlier this week, we sat down with legendary Australian comedian and former radio host Merrick Watts to unpack his unique story of finding true purpose. Merrick told us everything, from a close call with depression to discovering self-acceptance on the road to SAS Australia, even up to his relationship with legacy and creating something to live on without him.

Now, host Pod O'Sullivan is looking back on this profound episode and breaking down the things he found most impactful, giving you the best bang for your buck on what you can do in your own life. He's even got a few experiments for you to try at home.

Watch the full episode with Merrick Watts on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/7VME41npDH0?si=lJT-BrMsEUO1R7TK

Suggest a question or topic for us at our website: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/

Pod O'Sullivan brings you the weekly midlife learning podcast: from taking charge of your health, to strengthening your relationships, and finding ways to reconnect with what lifts your spirit – Don’t Let the Old Man In is designed to make sure your second act is even better than the first. Where career pivots, relationship evolutions, and personal reinventions meet practical wisdom, genuine brotherhood, and a healthy dose of humor.

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