Don't Let The Old Man In

What happens when a man loses everything he thought defined him, and comes out the other side more himself than ever before? Australian comedian Merrick Watts joins Don't Let the Old Man In for one of the most honest conversations about midlife transformation we've ever had.

From identity collapse after leaving radio, to a life-altering experience on SAS Australia, to discovering that his real purpose is "to be, not to do" — Merrick holds nothing back.

This one's for every man navigating midlife who's ever asked: who am I outside of what I do?

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the midlife identity crisis hits men harder than they expect — and how to survive it
• What SAS Australia actually does to a person (it's not what you think)
• The suffering and success connection — why avoiding pain is holding you back
• "Fame was the actor. Legacy is the director." — shifting from chasing recognition to building something that matters
• Fatherhood after 40 and why it's the greatest growth accelerator there is
• How to find your purpose in midlife when everything you knew has changed
• The philosophy of loss: "It's the price we pay for love"
• Why men's mental health in midlife starts with accepting — not fixing — who you are
• Merrick's current chapter: combining wine, comedy, and a refusal to slow down

About Merrick Watts:

Merrick Watts is an Australian comedian, radio broadcaster, actor, and SAS Australia participant whose career has spanned decades across some of Australia's most iconic media. Known for his sharp wit and disarming honesty, Merrick has spent the past several years quietly doing the most radical thing a man in midlife can do — growing.

About Don't Let the Old Man In:

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.

This week, we sat down with Naomi Cao to unpack her learnings about relationships from her role as a divorce coach. Naomi shared her own powerful divorce story, how she came to represent herself in federal court, and her advice for parents beginning the process of separating from their partners.

In this special reflections episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, host Pod O'Sullivan looks back on his conversation with Naomi to discuss his biggest learnings from the episode, and provides some experiments for the audience at home to take onboard with them.

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 do you do when your marriage ends and you feel completely lost? Naomi Cao, separation coach and host of the Split Happens podcast, shares her raw, real story of rebuilding after divorce, self-representing in family court, and helping families split with grace.

Naomi shares her own powerful healing journey post-divorce, and offers the wisdom she's picked up from helping couples navigate separation when children are involved. This is world-class advice from a professional in the field. If you're in midlife and are facing a separation of your own, you can't miss this episode.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Navigating Relationship Failures
• The Shock of Separation
• Coping with Family Dynamics
• The Legal Maze of Divorce
• Self-Representation in Family Court
• Transforming Pain into Purpose
• The Importance of Communication
• Building Trust in Difficult Times
• Financial Literacy and Empowerment
• Creating a Cooperative Co-Parenting Environment
• Managing Expectations in Parenting
• The Importance of Involvement in Parenting
• Navigating Menopause and Relationships
• Building Social Connections Post-Divorce
• Finding Peace After Separation
• A Framework for Moving Forward

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.

In this special reflections episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, host Pod O'Sullivan shares his biggest takeaways from our most recent interview with Peter Reek, author of Shift: 7 Mindsets For An Inspired Midlife.

Pod explains each of the most meaningful lessons from his conversation with Peter, and breaks down a handful of experiments he'll be trying at home to dive even deeper – and invites you to do the same.

Visit 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.

In this week's episode, we tackle the very concept of the midlife crisis. In conversation with author Peter Reek, we dive deep into the social narratives around aging, how your mindset about getting older affects your lifespan, and unpack Peter's ways to fight back against internalised stigma.

This episode explains why high-achieving men often struggle with personal honesty, and explore the crucial impact of our mindset on healthy aging and longevity. This week's interview is a crucial look at getting older, and what it means for men in midlife.

In this episode, we explore:

• Rethinking Midlife: A New Perspective
• The Power of Mindset in Midlife
• Navigating Change: Personal Stories of Transformation
• Understanding Applied Positive Psychology
• The Importance of Self-Honesty
• Shifts for a Fulfilling Midlife
• Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Journey
• The Role of Stillness in Personal Growth
• The Impact of Narrative Identity
• The Science of Aging: Positive vs. Negative Perspectives
• The Irony of Aging and Mindset
• Grieving Past Chapters vs. Embracing New Ones
• The Importance of Connection in Midlife
• Adventures and Community Building
• Taking Practical Steps Towards Change
• The Power of Poetry in Reflection
• Lessons Learned in Community Creation

Visit 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.

This week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we spoke with Stephen Keys to discuss failure, responsibility and consequences that come with finding yourself in midlife. Stephen emphasized the critical need for self reflection and owning one's mistakes for their own personal development.

In this special reflections episode, host Pod O'Sullivan reveals what key aspects he took away from his chat with Stephen Keys, and offers a handful of experiments based on Stephen's learnings for the audience at home to try out for themselves.

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

In this week's episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with Stephen Keyes, a former CEO, to discuss the critical importance of owning one's mistakes and confronting life's challenges, especially when pursuing a reinvention. Stephen shares his personal reinvention journey, including the profound impact of his divorce, offering valuable life advice on how to overcome challenges in life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating personal development and seeking personal growth through difficult times.

In this episode we cover:

Owning Your Mess: A Journey of Self-Discovery

The Pain of Divorce: A Personal Perspective

Navigating Loneliness and Rebuilding Relationships

Volunteering: Finding Purpose in Service

Creating New Connections with Children

The Importance of Community in Midlife

Transitioning from Success to Significance 20:14

The Power of Collective Action

Lessons from Volunteering: Giving Back

Redefining Identity Through Community Engagement

The Power of Dignity in Giving

Running for a Cause: The Journey of an Ultra Marathoner

The Writer's Journey: Finding Voice and Purpose

Career Transitions: From CEO to CSR Advocate

Building the IFS Foundation: Community Impact and Education

The Greatest Gift: Finding Meaning Beyond Career Success

Creating Community: The Wisdom Vault and Midlife Conversations

Integrating Life's Parts: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Facing Complexity: The Hero's Journey in Midlife

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.

In this week's powerful episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we spoke with Craig Williams to explore the concept of mediocrity and the innate desire within human beings to strive for more than an average existence.

In this follow up reflections episode, host Pod O'Sullivan offers his most crucial takeaways from their conversation and considers some experiments for our audiences to take Craig's wisdom onboard.

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

What happens when your life crumbles, your career is gone, and your reputation is destroyed? This week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with Craig Williams, an elite royal marines sniper whose life came crumbling down after being sent to prison.

Craig unpacks his natural talent for sharpshooting, the mistakes that led to his arrest, as well as his transformation into an extreme athlete by competing in ultramarathons, which saw him running 230km across the Arctic.

This video explores facing complete ruin and the journey of rebuilding, as well as avoiding the trap most men fall into – settling for "mediocre".

This episode covers:

• Craig's Military Service & Combat
• Struggles With Identity & Mental Health After The Military
• The Gunfight That Led To Prison
• The Post-Prison Transformation
• Ultra Running & Life After Prison
• Craig's Life Lessons & Philosophy

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

This week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we sat down with Mongrels Men founder Tim Hewson to discuss his struggle with depression, and unpacked how men in midlife struggle to form solid support networks for themselves.

Now, our host Pod O'Sullivan is reflecting on this week's episode by giving you his biggest learnings from his conversation with Tim, as well as a handful of experiments to try out at home if you want to take this wisdom even further.

If you're a man in midlife who is struggling with mental health or at a crossroads with navigating your social circle, this is the conversation you need to hear.

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