Man Talk

By Howard Todd-Collins

Men are generally not good at talking openly about their mental health, emotional wellbeing, relationships and life in general. Man Talk is a series of conversations exploring real life problems and s... more

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FAQs about Man Talk:

How many episodes does Man Talk have?

The podcast currently has 28 episodes available.

Man Talk episodes:

December 26, 2025Your Year in Review - 7 Essential Questions to Close 2025
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New year's resolutions often fail often due to psychological traps.
Instead of setting resolutions I encourage you to consider some key questions to evaluate 2025 and set meaningful intentions for 2026.
These questions allow you to:
Focus on core values
Release unnecessary burdens
Set healthy boundaries
Live more authentically
Confront your fears
Reduce Avoidance
This final episode of the year provides insights on how to start the new year with a renewed, intentional mindset.
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.

Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
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26min
November 28, 2025S5. Ep.11 - Is Vulnerability Really Necessary?
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Vulnerability is everywhere!
It’s on social media, in self-help books, on Ted talks, discussed in countless therapy rooms.
Vulnerability can be extremely confusing, especially for us blokes!
In this episode Howard and Ryan unpack it all for you.
What does vulnerability really mean?
Why is it often mistaken for weakness?
How it can actually be a source of strength.?
Can vulnerability be transformative?
How does it make a difference to your mental health and relationship?
When does it simply not work?
If you’ve ever wondered whether opening up is worth the risk, or is vulnerability really all that necessary this conversation is for you.
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Book An Appointment Here
Or reach out to a professional in your area.

Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
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37min
October 28, 2025What Happens When You Start Therapy? In Conversation with a Male Counsellor
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In this episode, Howard shares his personal journey from a stoic British upbringing to becoming a therapist who specialises in men's emotional health.
He reflects on:
His early emotional struggles
The impact of cultural norms on his mental health
His path to self-discovery and emotional wellbeing
Howard delves into his therapeutic practices and how they helped him become more authentic and self-compassionate.
The conversation also explores:
The importance of finding a therapist who resonates on a human level
How therapy can serve as a safe space for emotional exploration and growth
This episode is a candid and insightful look into the personal and professional journey of a therapist, offering a compelling case for the transformative power of therapy.

If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Book An Appointment Here
Or reach out to a professional in your area.

Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
...more
39min
September 30, 2025Beyond Beer and Banter: Cultivating Authentic Male Friendships
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Is true friendship a cornerstone of emotional wellbeing?
Friendships that offers support, belonging and genuine connection.
If so:
Why are so many men in Australia and beyond quietly battling loneliness and isolation?
How do male friendships change over time?
What does it takes to move past surface-level banter and build friendships that matter?
You are invited join Ryan and I in conversation as we unpack the power of authentic male friendships.
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]

TRANSCRIPT

Speaker A: Is true friendship a cornerstone of emotional well being? You know, friendships that offer support,
belonging and a genuine connection? And if so, why are so many blokes in Australia and in fact around the world quietly battling loneliness and isolation?
How do male friendships change over time? And what does it take to move past that surface level banter and build friendships that matter?
You are invited to join Ryan and I in conversation as we unpack the power of authentic male friendships. Welcome to Man Talk, a podcast of real conversations about life, your life,
our life, the emotional well being of men. My name is Howard Todd Collins. I'm the director of Men and Relationships Counseling, a private counseling practice here in sunny Melbourne, Australia.
Thank you for being here. Sit back and relax and join me and my very good friend Ryan for this latest episode of Men Talk.
Today we're, we're talking about friendship and men.
I did a bit of research on what Beyond Blue has been talking about in terms of the statistics for blokes around friendship. According to BeyondBlue, 25% of Aussie blokes have nobody outside of their family or their partner that they can call upon or rely upon.
And in the same research, some of the men who do have lots of friends,
97% agree that having mates is a good thing, it's essential.
And out of that,
87% of men in that context struggle with to actually make the time to catch up with mates.
And it's a theme that comes up in my conversations with men about feeling isolated and lonely and realizing that maybe their priorities of making friendships or staying connected with mates somehow gets dismissed or pushed down the priority list and it leads to all sorts of problems for blokes, the isolation of men,
depression, anxiety and so on. That's part of the research.
But I guess in some way I wonder a bit about what is it about men and friendships that you know about in your life that are useful for us to be thinking about and feeling our way through.
In the conversation today,
what do you reckon?
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33min
August 26, 2025S. 5 Ep. 8. Too Hard On Yourself? Rethinking Self-Compassion for Blokes
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There are too many blokes who are way too hard on themselves.
In this episode I’m going to break down the myth that self-compassion is soft, weak, self pity or even selfish.
What does Self-Compassion really mean?
What are the skills?
Why is it so hard for some men?
How can it actually make you stronger—not softer.
If this episode raises your interest to work on Self Compassion and you need get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]

TRANSCRIPT

Speaker A: Are you kind to yourself? Do you practice self compassion?

Now, as a man, you may well feel the pressure to always be strong,

independent and self sufficient. For a lot of blokes, the idea of being kind to themselves sounds a bit, well, fluffy or wishy washy in some way. Maybe you picture bubble baths or scented candles or incense sticks or just slacking off for the day, but self compassion is actually about treating yourself with the same respect and understanding you would offer a good friend.

There are too many blokes who are way too hard on themselves.

So I'm going to break down the myth that self compassion is soft or weak.

It's not self pity and it's not even being selfish.

So what does self compassion actually mean? What are the skills? Why is it so hard for some men? And how can it actually make you stronger,

not softer? Welcome to Mentalk, a podcast of real conversations about life, your life, our life,

and the emotional well being of men. My name is Howard Todd Collins. I'm the director of Men and Relationships Counseling. Let's talk about what it really means to be a kinder and stronger man in today's world,

starting by how you treat yourself.

Thank you for being there. Sit back and relax and join me for this latest episode of Men Talk.

Good morning, good evening, good afternoon.

I think I've covered all bases but in the wrong order. I hope you're well, wherever you're, wherever you're listening to me from.

This is a solo episode. The last couple of episodes have been a conversation with a co host with my good friend Ryan. We've been talking about a few things,

so if you've missed those last couple of episodes, there are conversations or co hosted, please go back and have a look at them and have a listen. But this is just me on my own today and we're going to be covering something that I think is really common for blokes in particular,

but also for lots of women and couples that I meet who kind of get in their own way.

Do you ever find yourself being just too hard on yourself or even other people?

Are you like many blokes who for
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26min
July 29, 2025The Art of Sitting With Feelings - A Man's Perspective
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Why would you want to sit with uncomfortable feelings?
A reasonable question!
In this latest conversation Ryan and Howard discuss:
What does sitting with feelings even mean and what stops most of us?
The impact of avoiding our emotions
Some practical ideas of how to sit with feelings
The value of finding a ritual or a practice and seeking support
This episode delves into the complexities of men's emotional experiences.
Through personal anecdotes, we emphasise the importance of recognising and addressing emotions rather than avoiding them, highlighting how communication and emotional awareness can improve mental well-being and relationships.

If you want to grab the Free Guide "Better Conversations for Blokes" - Quick and Simple ways to Communicate with Your Partner click here
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.
Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
...more
40min
June 24, 2025Becoming a Better Bloke - The Purpose of Men's Work
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In this engaging and thought provoking conversation, the first co-hosted Man Talk episode, Howard and Ryan unpack what Men's Work is all about.
They share some of their experiences of Men's Groups and broader themes of Men's Work today including:
What is Men’s Work? Where does it originate?
What are some of the core concepts of Men’s Work?
Our personal experiences of men’s work: What’s the point? Why put yourself through it?
What are some of the contemporary Issues in Men's Work today?
Why is Men’s Work so important? What are the benefits?
Resources:
Books
No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert Glover: A guide for men to break free from people-pleasing tendencies and embrace authenticity.
Iron John: A Book About Men by Robert Bly: A classic exploration of masculinity and personal growth.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
The Four Agreements – by Don Miguel Ruiz
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore
Blogs
The Man Talk Blog: Offers insights and tips on relationships, emotional well-being, and personal growth.
The Good Men Project: A platform for men to share stories and explore modern masculinity.
Support Groups and Communities
Mankind Project: A global network of men’s groups focused on personal development and emotional intelligence.
Evryman: Facilitates men’s groups and retreats to foster emotional connection and growth.
For more about my co-host check him out - RyanSpanger.com.

Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.
Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
...more
38min
May 27, 2025 Why Bottling Emotion Hurts - How to Start Expressing Yourself
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If you push down your feelings and tell yourself to 'man up,' 'she’ll be righ't and keep going on with life, what happens?
Bottling your emotions will make you more confused, more frustrated, disconnected from your partner, your kids, your friends, yourself!
Despite telling yourself you’re fine, this internalising leaves you carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.
If you find yourself bottling your emotions this episode is for you.
We’re breaking down how suppressing your feelings leads to cycles of stress, conflict in your relationship, and even harm your mental health.
We’ll talk about how opening up doesn’t make you weak – it makes you stronger, more present and more connected.
I share 6 Tips to get you started!
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.
Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
...more
41min
April 29, 2025What are you not talking about with your partner? – Conversations That Strengthen Your Relationship
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If communication is the foundation of connection how come relationships can feel distant, strained and disconnected?
What are you not talking about with your partner?
You know those times when:
You want to share how you’re feeling, but you don’t know where to start, so you stay silent.
Your partner brings up an issue, and instead of addressing it, you either shut down or get defensive.
You feel like no matter what you say, it’s taken the wrong way, so you avoid the conversation altogether.
Or maybe you’ve tried to open up, but it feels awkward, and you’re not sure if you’re doing it ‘right.’
In this episode we discuss how you can change this, have better conversations and deepen the connection in your relationship
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.
Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
...more
26min
April 05, 2025Men's Hidden Distractions And How To Be More Present in a Relationship
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Do you get distracted? What kind of distractions get in the way of the kind of relationship u wan t?
Do u ever feel:
Isolated
Disconnected
Mentally overloaded
Missing intimacy
Emotionally numb
Internalising too many thoughts
These are some of the consequences of distraction and a lack of presence…. the cornerstone of the connection u create with the love of your life!
In this episode we unpack :
Why does your presence matter?
What do you get distracted by, how do u maintain your attention and stay close and connected to the person u love?
Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills?
Check out our Online Mini Course:
'From Shut Down to Communication - 4 Relationship Boosting Strategies for Men'
Follow us + Join the Conversation
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
www.menandrelationships.com.au
Contact us - [email protected]
If this episode raises a need to get some counselling support Howard is available for consultations in Australia.
Check out his private practice:
Men and Relationships Counselling
Or reach out to a professional in your area.

TRANSCRIPT
[00:00] Speaker A: Do you ever get distracted? What kind of distractions get in the way of the kind of partner that you are or the kind of relationship that you want? Do you ever feel isolated or disconnected or mentally overloaded, Missing intimacy and maybe even struggling with emotional numbing and internalizing your thoughts?
[00:20] These are some of the consequences of distraction and in particular a lack of presence. Not the presence you get on your birthday. It's how you are attentive and available. It's the cornerstone of the connection you have with the love of your life.
[00:36] So stay with me. In this episode we unpack. Why does your presence matter? What do you get distracted by? How do you maintain your attention and stay close and connected to the person you love?
[00:50] Welcome to mantalk, a podcast of real conversations about life, your life, our life, and the emotional well being of men. My name is Howard Todd Collins. I'm the director of Men and Relationship Counseling, a counseling practice.
[01:04] Thank you for being here. Sit back and relax wherever you are and join me for the latest episode of Men Talk.
[01:28] Hello. Hello. Wherever you may be. I don't know, some people listen to me just sitting in a comfortable chair or some people are walking along the beach with the dog, some people are in the car, on the train, on a bus, on a tube.
[01:44] I don't know, wherever you are, I hope that you are going well. This latest episode of the mantalk podcast is, I think, quite relevant to the way we live our lives.
[01:53] Most of us get distracted for all sorts of reasons. There's always something to read online, listen to the news and particular. A lot of people carry lots of thoughts and feelings and ideas and tasks and so on that are locked in in their brain.
[02:08] What is it that gets you distracted in particular? Now, I've no doubt like many blokes that I meet every day, you will relate to some of t
Download Your Free Guide - Better Conversations for Blokes - Quick and Simple Ways to Communicate With Your Partner
...more
26min

FAQs about Man Talk:

How many episodes does Man Talk have?

The podcast currently has 28 episodes available.