Men on Show

Ricky Nuttall - Mental Health Advocate | Motivational Speaker | Former Firefighter and first responder at Grenfell Tower | Published Poet | Actor

Mental health advocate, motivational speaker and public voice, focusing on raising awareness on the importance of social and workplace mental health and well-being.

ManIFF nomination for The Firefighter short film. Written and acted by Ricky himself, produced and directed by Roy Khalil of Grenfell Voices. Ricky also wrote and acted the lead role for a short piece, for The Russell Howard Hour based around depression and mental health.

Media appearances including; BBC Breakfast and This Morning talking about Grenfell, his role there and his subsequent mental health struggles.

Reach out to him here:
https://www.justrick.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/rickynuttallofficial/

Key points of the show:

• Early influences of his life, with some contrasting experiences.
• How "normal" is not necessarily normal apart from the individuals perception.
• His theory on why people that have been through trauma are drawn into potentially dangerous jobs.
• The culture change in the fire service - in some ways....
• ....and what still needs to change.
• Grenfell. His experience.
• His experience of PTSD. Brilliantly articulated.
• An authentic message of hope.

Reach out on www.justrick.co.uk

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

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Dr Jeremy Davies is Deputy CEO of the Fatherhood Institute, a UK charity working to build a society that values, prepares, and supports men as involved fathers and caregivers.

Jeremy leads the organisation’s communications and policy work, including the FI’s 6 weeks for dads campaign for a better statutory paternity offer for all UK fathers; manages funded research and impact projects, including collaborations with universities, like the PIECE (Paternal Involvement and its Effects on Children’s Education) study; and develops evidence-based resources for family practitioners (e.g. the Engaging Dads toolkit, with the Royal College of Midwives), and for fathers (e.g. Becoming Dad, with the Mental Health Foundation). 

He has led the development of ISAFE (Improving Safeguarding through Audited Father-Engagement), a social work training package undergoing a randomised controlled trial in seven English local authorities, and is now part of a project to bring Fathers for Change, a US one-to-one therapy intervention for men who have used violence against their co-parent and/or children, to the UK. 

A passionate believer in the transformational power of involved fatherhood, Jeremy is a former journalist, who joined the FI in 2006 after completing a Masters in Research and a PhD about gay fathers' paternal experiences and practices. He has a son, now 24.

Key points from the interview:

• How his childhood was idyllic and free and easy, but it became harder as he got into his teens.
• How Boy George on Top of the Pops was a huge cultural moment!
• How there is seemingly less freedom today on rules, but more on restrictive gender stereotypes.
• How he felt that no one was really talking to him or supporting him as a Dad, because of the "boxing in" of men.
• How he posited that gay men were "redoing" fatherhood....
• And how their sexuality was the least "interesting factor in it!
• Looking at fathers as a risk AND resource.
• How the current services can be somewhat biased.
• What causes the gender pay gap.
• How men are hard wired to care.
• How the media love a black and white story.

Reach out to Jeremy on www.fatherhoodinstitute.org

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

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Isaac, a British eco-adventurer, mental health champion and international keynote speaker, redefining human endurance through world-record achievements. Picture rowing 3000 unsupported miles across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first person to run the Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge route unsupported, completing a full Ironman with a 15kg weighted vest, cycling over huge stretches of challenging seas and rowing for a staggering 3.5 days continuously without a break.
 
 Beyond adventure/endurance; he’s a philanthropist, raising £millions for causes like environmental conservation and mental health. With a Geoscience Masters degree, fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Scientific Exploration Society and trustee of Mind mental health charity he connects sustainability, science and well-being.
 
 Isaac's purpose is clear: creating a positive impact. He founded 'Climate Explorers,' a B Corporation uniting adventure, well-being, and sustainability leadership. An adaptable speaker, he transforms organisations into high-performing, sustainable powerhouses, valuing mental well-being for extraordinary results.

 Reach out here:

1. Personal Website
2. Climate Explorers CIC website
3. Car-y-Mor website

• How he had so many passions and interests he never fitted into a "niche".
• How he still is a "lone wolf" to this day.
• How the movie Jurassic Park was an epiphany!
• His mental health challenges and how he now handles them.
• His studying of Geoscience at Uni.
• His realisation that he could not carry on as he were - overachievement and burnout.
• How he stopped studying his degree and started studying himself!
• Why the GP smiled as he was pouring his heart out - (for the best reasons!)
• How some new practises healed his life, and his desire to understand the science of it!
• The "drug" that saved his life (and it's free and available to all of us!)
• The perfect balance of challenge to keep us mentally healthy and finding flow.
• "If the Earth is having trouble, we are having trouble"
• Some good news about the environment (yes it does exist!)
• Some recommendations on how we can help oin a small way.
• Regenerative science from the sea.

Reach out here:

1. Personal Website
2. Climate Explorers CIC website
3. Car-y-Mor website

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
Twitter:https://twitter.com/andrewpain1974
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewpain1974

Key Points of the Episode:

• His great early family years....
• But then the bullying at school.
• Changes in the way we respond to dyslexia and coming out today.
• Stories of leaving religion out of love for a gay child (Not Christian)
• The sense of something "wrong" with himself.
• The imposter syndrome he had.
• How they handle issues on the retreats.
• What happens on the retreats
• His helpful philosophy.

Christian is a Counsellor and Facilitator of men’s spaces.

He is also the Founder of Men’s Retreats UK. A company that creates spaces for men to explore who and where they are in life right now, and where they want to be moving forward.

The team at Men’s Retreats UK is comprises of Counsellors, Executive Coaches and Therapists, all with a lived experience of mental health and personal growth. They welcome men from all walks of life to engage in weekends of brotherhood, community and mature masculinity- hosting and leading the retreats from a place of shared vulnerability. The company’s core values are safety, confidentiality and respect for all. The all-male team understand what it’s like to experience struggle, trauma, isolation and uncertainty. Their retreats are a combination of coaching workshops and somatic practices (breathwork & cold-water therapy)- introducing men to their nervous systems, instead of always living in their heads! With his years of experience both as a counsellor and retreat founder/facilitator, Christian brings his rich insights of modern masculinity to the show.

You can contact Christian here: https://www.mensretreatsuk.co.uk

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
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Robin is from Old Trafford, Manchester (UK). He comes from a large working-class family and left school with few qualifications. His careers include research consultant, counsellor, deputy technical manager, scientific photographer and kitchen assistant. Robin’s training as a counsellor and his own experience of desperately wanting to be a dad led him to research the desire for fatherhood in childless men as part of his MA in Counselling (The University of Manchester). He then  self-funded MSc in Research Methods (UoMr) exploring the levels of desire for parenthood (‘broodiness’) in females and males, parents and non-parents.

Robin then successfully completed his PhD at Keele University where he examined the impact of involuntary childlessness on the lives of older men. His research has been widely published in international and national media. He supports several infertility and involuntary childless support groups and is a founder member of the campaign group Ageing Without Children.

He is a leading expert on the impact of male childlessness across the life course. Robin is from Old Trafford, Manchester (UK). He comes from a large working-class family and left school with few qualifications. His previous careers include counsellor, deputy technical manager, scientific photographer, and kitchen assistant. In his 40s Robin switched careers and trained as a counsellor. His counsellor training and his own experience of desperately wanting to be a dad, led him to research the desire for fatherhood for his self-funded MA (2008) and MSc (2009) and involuntarily childless older men for his PhD (2015). Robin’s work has been widely published in international and national media and his book ‘How is a man supposed to be a man? Male childlessness a Life Course Disrupted’ has received critical acclaimed. You can find more about his work at his website:  

https://www.robinhadley.co.uk

Key points of the episode:

• As always, who inspired him growing up.
• The atmosphere in the house while growing up.
• The job he did for years, then retrained.
• Statistics (and the lack of for men) on childless people.
• A possible link to male health and well being.
• Future implications for men.
• Stats for IVF.
• How these issues are not recognised in the workplace.

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewpain1974

Stevie is a former professional rugby player, and part of the golden
generation at the Leeds Rhinos, one of the most successful teams in super
league history. Stevie became the youngest grand final winner ever, winning
3 Grand Finals, 2 Challenge Cups and was named captain at just 26.
Amongst the highs, Stevie endured 10 operations, several mental health
struggles, and had to retire from a brain injury at the age of 27.

Stevie launched Mantality in 2016, inspiring conversation around mental
health for men. Mantality now offers counselling and life-coaching services,
and engages people through a stigma-breaking podcast.
Throughout all of the winning and losing in life, Stevie believes that the truest
form of resilience is to realise the potential of our true selves. Stevie put this
to the test by leading culture meetings as a captain of the Rhinos team in
rugby league; one of the toughest sports there is. Promoting authenticity
formed championship winning teams and formidable relationships.
Stevie believes that authenticity is the only thing that aligns success with
fulfilment, and we all crave it...

Key points from this episode:

• What stood out for Stevie as a kid on the pitch.
• That there was no rugby "in the genes"
• How emotional and mental well being was not a "thing" in the early days
• How wearing your heart on your sleeve was acceptable on the pitch, but less so off.
• How he realised it was no longer possible to stuff feelings down anymore....
• .....and what he did about it.
• His long term post concussion symptoms.
• What he feels is his new purpose
• His message for men and boys today.

Reach out on Insta: www.instagram.com/ste_ward/
http://www.stevieward.co.uk
Or on Linked In Stevie Ward
Linktree: linktr.ee/stevierayward

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewpain1974

As a Chartered people professional and project manager, with 18 years’ experience working in major infrastructure and urban regeneration, Sul is a versatile leader skilled in delivering impactful and sustained change in complex organisational structures.

Driven by a passion for social purpose and enhancing the lives of others, Sul is a people-focussed leader and has successfully led diverse and multi-disciplinary teams across a broad range of projects in large private and public sector organisations, and is currently the Head of Organisational Development for the alliance delivering the TransPennine Route Upgrade programme. 

Representing large organisations such as Amey, Siemens, Arup, BAM and Network Rail .From Social deprivation to Neurodiversity, Sul has personal experience of being amongst minority groups and believes this allows him to bring unique insights into his work. As part of his current role, Sul is responsible for the alliance people and culture strategy, including the Equality, Diversity &Inclusion agenda and is an active member of his employing organisations Neurodiversity andMulticultural Committee; helping to shape the future of the organisation.

Key points of this episode:

• His experience of growing up in Britain as a young Muslim.
• ...and the challenges.
• Seeing the nuances between religion and culture.
• His experiences of Islamaphobia
• The unconscious bias that people have.
• The true power of open discussion and people coming together.
• His optimistic belief in humanity
• We are all ambassadors

Reach out to Sul on Linked In

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
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Ben Mason, is the founder of The Grieving Pint, an enterprise, which creates opportunities for young men to speak about their mental wellbeing in a safe and natural environment (the pub!), to find community and access support. Ben is currently a student at university and founded the growing initiative following his own trauma and the impact it had on his mental health.

Key points of the episode:
 

• Welcome the youngest guest so far on the podcast!
• Who he admires.
• How he tragically lost his mum at 18.
• What the "Grieving Pint" is and the motivation in setting it up.
• His views on the challenges men face today
• How people think that "Middle class white young men" have no problems or issues.
• How he thinks there is a "silent epidemic" going on which is being ignored.
• How men are scared to speak out as they fear being misunderstood, judged or cancelled.
• His philosophy on life!

Reach out to Ben here:

[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/thegrievingpint

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
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Rob Hosking is a TEDx international motivational speaker, former Police Officer, and mental health advocate known for his inspiring journey from adversity to happiness. Through fearless talks, he vulnerably shares his experiences with mental health challenges and trauma providing his audience with lessons on how they can prioritise their wellbeing and thrive in the face of challenges. Drawing on his rich experiences, Rob translates the principles of stress management, resilience building, and work-life balance learned in the high-pressure world of policing into invaluable lessons for the corporate realm. In his talks Rob delves into the pivotal role that employee happiness plays in driving organisational excellence highlighting how the wellbeing and resilience of any workforce are essential ingredients for a thriving organisation.

Key points of this episode:

• Robs early influences - in the backdrop of the troubles in Northers Ireland
• Why policing in Northern Ireland was hardly a risk free job!
• His thoughts on the macho culture and the choice of "Get involved or left behind"
• The former gender disparity on how domestic violence cases were dealt with.
• How the P.T.S.D. manifested.
• How he was saved from suicide by his dog!
• His healing process and what he recommends.
• His book - "The Rise of Happiness" - a Well Being Magazine.
• His thoughts on the happiest country in the world (It's not the UK!)
• His thoughts on being a healthy man today and how to remove stigmas.

Reach out to Rob here: https://www.talkingwithrob.com

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
Twitter:https://twitter.com/andrewpain1974
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewpain1974

Key Points of this Episode:

• His somewhat humourous take on our educatiion system.
• His early inspirations
• The key to good writing ( not what his teachers thought)
• How he hid his addictions (or tried to)
• The mixed messages we have around alcohol
• The actual nuances of the problem
• How stopping alcohol has helped him as a man
• How the revenue from the alcohol industry is nothing compared to the lost productivity.
• How alcohol is percieved promarily as a female problem, but is really is not!
• What men need to address with this issue.
• A key inspiring message.

Reach out to Duncan on www.getover.uk

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpain
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