Men on Show

Adam Smith is a founder and co-director of the visionary, multi-award-winning, global initiative: The Real Junk Food Project (TRJFP). Set up in December 2013, to revolutionise the disposal of avoidable food waste into landfill, the pioneering movement's manifesto is to: feed bellies, not bins. 

Adam has received numerous plaudits and awards from organisations ranging from NESTA to The Observer. In 2014, Adam was voted one of the forty most influential men in the world by AskMen. The Telegraph voted Adam as one of the 50th most influential people in UK Food & Drink – Food & Drink Power List 2017. Adam was honoured with an Unsung Hero award presented by the Canal & River Trust in 2022.  The award celebrates those who have made a positive impact in their community.  

In 2022, Adam was appointed as CEO of Surplus To Purpose, SToP, a revolutionary catering enterprise. Surplus to Purpose utilises food destined for waste, by safely redistributing this through cooked meals, products and provisions to families. It focuses on the environmental issues of food waste, which measures its impact on climate change within the food industry.

Adam is currently writing a book due for publication next year.  In 2023 he is starting a Foundation Degree in Environmental Science.  His alias is Mr Junk Food Chef and he has been a featured speaker on a truly memorable TedX talk.  His story is utterly inspiring. 

Key points from the episode:

• How the mental health services failed him and since apologised; his very traumatic beginnings.
• His ongoing journey to wellness.
• The flash of inspiration that changed the world
• His views on how changes in attitude could change the world now.

Check him out:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nabEfBjear7a1TjIxRWJI?si=7QlX0pP7TWCDRMR1qup78Q&nd=1

https://youtu.be/ledybI_RXjo

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2u9KJF0y71SGQXV39aTSFJ

www.mrjunkfoodchef.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

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Scott Johnson founded the proper blokes club a very simply action step: he started going for some walks! He took videos of himself walking in his favourite spots, talking about some of the mental health challenges he faced and simply asked if anyone else was also struggling and would they like to join him? Only one person showed up for his inaugural group walk but fast forward to today, he has a small army of walking men, sharing their stories, seeking support and fellowship, with groups springing up over London: The Proper Blokes Club has arrived and is one to watch!

Key points from the interview:

• The simplest idea that has snowballed into something magnificent for mental health.
• The mental health challenges he has faced.
• How immediate medication is not necessarily  the go to.
• The systemic problem with the family court system
• How "letting go and allowing the unfolding" worked better than struggle and strain.
• Why a great ally for Mens mental health ..,,,.could be women!

Check it out on -www.theproperblokesclub.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

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I’m delighted to welcome Dr Alex Blower to Men on Show. Currently based at Arts University Bournemouth working as a researcher and professional in widening access to Higher Education for the last decade, Alex writes regularly for national and international publications, with a focus on increasing university participation with groups who are at the sharp end of educational inequality. Alongside his day job Alex is a founder member of Boys Impact, a national network of educational practitioners working to address the disparity in educational outcomes for boys who are eligible for Free School Meals. He is also writing a book which explores masculinity, inequality and social mobility in Education. 

Key points from the show:

• The importance of emotional intelligence and tthe invaluable support he recieved.
• How he adapted (not that well!) to fit in!
• The challenges - similar and different that we face today.
• The "ideal man" and it's not that hard to achieve!
• His vision for the future.

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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Steven Dowd committed to get fit and registered for a charity cycling event. He bought a bike, started training and one idyllic June morning in 2016, he left his home to meet a friend for the daily commute on his bike, but he never arrived... a horrific life-changing accident, a broken neck, total paralysis and a bleak future. Against the odds, Steven fought back and now raises money for charities including Wings for Life Spinal Cord Injury Foundation (wingsforlife.com) and The Para Rowing Foundation (pararowingfoundation.org)

Key points from the episode:

• How a devastating accident turned his life upside down....
• ....but how he thought of an immediate coping strategy.
• A key decision that he made that was intimately connected to his rehabilitation.
• The magic of a "200 day promise"
• His contribution to the world now.
• An inspiring (and do-able) vision for future generations.

Reach out to Steven here www.stevendowd.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...

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Frostbite in Alaska
Appendicitis in Greenland
Near Drowning in Borneo
Rope Failure in the Kumbu
Reported missing in Annapurna
 
Would you go climbing with this man..???
 
Some people call him brave, some call him mad.  To face the thin air at high altitude takes a bit of both, but to Nigel Vardy, there is nothing like being on a high mountain.  Losing limbs to severe frostbite would put off all but the few, but to Nigel it was the springboard to climb, achieve and conquer.
 
Over the past 30 years he has climbed across the world, set mountaineering records and spoken to schools and businesses across Europe. He continues on life's adventure, forcing new boundaries and new experiences every day of his life...
 
As Nigel says - "I don't want to die in an unused body…”

As for links - www.nigelvardy.com or type my name into the web.

Key points of the episode:

• How simple and cheap thing from his childhood inspired him.
• How one moment in childhood shaped a belief that we do not experience the reality of life enough!
• A terrible mountain accident - do not underestimate frostbite!
• How he had to relearn simple things, like walking - to get back to his life of adventure.
• How the 9-5 will never come calling!
• How he was inspired b an American doctor (that looked like Santa Claus!)
• His thoughts on the influences on men today.
• His inspiring message for life.

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
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Mark Brooks OBE has been campaigning in the field of men and boys’ health, wellbeing and inclusion for twenty years. He is the Chair of trustees for the ManKind Initiative charity for male victims of domestic abuse, a co-founding trustee of the Men and Boys Coalition charity and a national ambassador for International Men’s Day UK. He is also the policy adviser of the All Party-Parliamentary Group on Issues Affecting Men and Boys, which was formed in 2021.

 He is a communications / public policy expert by profession having been worked at communication director level for two national charities and has stood at three General Elections – but never won. As a Charlton season-ticket holder, he is used to not winning! His website is www.mark-brooks.co.uk 

Key points from the interview:

• How he was influenced by a "working class, rebellious, "salt of the earth" Dad!
• How he wants to change "class barriers"
• How he now works with "Mankind", campaigning about domestic abuse on men.
• How he has had an eclectic career, all based round campaigning.
• How the current narrative is problematic.
• How testosterone is NOT the enemy!
• A position that needs creating in government, NOW!
• A vision for the future

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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Following the murder of his son in 1995, Azim Khamisa founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF.org), which started a subsequent forgiveness movement that has reached millions globally. He is now leading the effort to inspire world peace through the practice of Forgiveness. A dream he has had for over 12 years and now becoming a reality with the awesome team featured on the website. 

 He has received over 80 local, national and international awards. He is an emissary of peace and an international inspirational speaker with over 700 keynotes and over 1,000 student presentations.

 He is the author of five books: Award-winning Murder to Forgiveness; From Forgiveness to Fulfillment, From Fulfillment to Peace and The Secrets of the Bulletproof Spirit: How to bounce back from life’s hardest hits and Leadership for the Greater Good – a guide for Truth to Power Champions” He has been featured countless times in local, national and international media. In November 2018, Azim spoke for the TEDWomen conference that has been viewed by over 1 million viewers: go.TED.com/azimandples.
 
Key points of the episode:

• How is only son was lured and murdered by a street gang.
• How Azim received a "download" from his Higher Power that inspired not only help and healing but was the beginning of an incredible legacy to the world.
• His thoughts on the education system and what he feels should be taught in our classrooms.
• How he has come up with viable, doable and cheap solutions.
• How he feels people are hungry for this of all ages.
• How he feels that there is no power or quality of life in any kind of victimhood, and towards a psychology of forgiveness.

And for more information on Azim, please visit www.AzimKhamisa.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

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In January 2018, Keith Fraser was appointed as a member of the Youth Justice Board, then in April 2020 He was appointed by the lord Chancellor as Chair of the Youth Justice. Keith is also the Non-Executive Director/Trustee at The Work Force Development Trust Limited, previously an Advisor for the National Police Chiefs Council Digital Engagement Project for Young People, a patron for Employability UK. Keith was appointed by the Prime Minister as a UK Commissioner for the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities on 16 July 2020, there he championed fairness, agency, inclusivity, and trust. Most recently in May 2022 he was appointed as the Chair of local Partnerships, (Owned by Welsh Government, HM treasury and the Local Government Association).

Prior to this, Keith was a Superintendent and Chief Inspector in the West Midlands Police, having joined as a Constable, during which time he produced the 2016-19 Preventing Gang Involvement and Youth Violence strategy. He was the Children and Young Peoples lead for West Midlands Police. He was the victims lead for West Midlands Police and he also led on some ground-breaking research for survivors of domestic abuse.  All the recommendations from this research were accepted my West Midlands Police. 

Keith also produced the business plan for City of Wolverhampton council where he was the Chair of the authority’s statutory Youth Offending Management Board. He led an innovative preventative project, targeting over 7,000 children and young adults, working with Sport England and was the Strategic Police Lead for the Princes Trust across the West Midlands.

In summary his policing career spanned 32 years, working in the Metropolitan Police Service and West Midlands Police.

He supports a number of charities as well being a Judge for the UKs National Diversity Awards and 2022 and 2023 National Creative Awards for Children and Young People.  He is the Chair of 999 Cenotaph and the Deputy CEO for 999 Day.

Key points of the episode:

• The letter he sent on the off chance when he was 14, and the life changing response!
• His idea on policing in the future.
• The charity he is patron of and the important work they do.
• His views on "toxic masculinity" and mens main issue today.
• Todays problems - worse than ever?
• Solutions for the workplace.
• The Solution focussed and powerful A.C.T. acronym.

Reach out to Keith here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-fraser-9987b630/

https://www.ladslikeus.co.uk/keith-fraser-ambassador

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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Suicide is the biggest killer of people under 35, 75% of those cases are men.
The biggest risk to people in this age group is not cancer, not accidents, not heart disease, not diabetes - it's themselves.

Steve Phillip – a successful speaker and consultant, historically on social media and marketing, but who on December 4th, 2019, received the phone call that is every parent’s worst nightmare, his son, Jordan had died by suicide. 

Wind forward to today and Steve is a passionate advocate for a zero-suicide society and spurred on by his determination to prevent other families experiencing the trauma of losing a loved one, Steve has established The Jordan Legacy Community Interest Company, delivering suicide prevention training and strategy, talking to the Government's Cabinet Office, The Department for Health and Social Care,  The Home Office, The Ministry of Defence and a variety of corporate sector organisations.

Key points of this episode:

• A tribute to a wonderful son
• How a diagnosis of clinical depression and anxiety changed everything .
• How an article on Linked In led to a global outpouring and saved peoples lives, and clarified the future vision of a Jordan legacy.

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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Patrick Nyarumbu is the Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Strategy, People and Partnerships for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust. He has an MBE for his services to nursing, and is chair of the Jabali Network, supporting African, Asian and Caribbean, senior male nurses. Patrick is passionate about mentoring the next generation of nurses and talks openly about his journey into nursing as a man, and how to enable people to be the best version of themselves.

Key points from this interview:

• How at the time, nursing was not really seen as a "male" profession......
• ..... and how far we still have to go as a society.
• How best to teach our children.
• How his father grew up in the time when people who "looked like that" were unbelievably not allowed any education.
• A key moment in Patricks career.
• His charity legacy and its purpose.
• The challenges men and boys face today.......
• .....and one proposed solution.

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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