What happens when the work stops, the job title is no longer relevant, and the role that defined you disappears?

In this episode, Nick Shelton tells the story so many midlife men silently live: achieving everything you thought you wanted… only to find yourself fading, drifting, or feeling strangely empty once the structure and purpose of working life falls away.

Nick retired young, thinking it would feel like freedom. Instead, it felt like slowly disappearing, like waking up one day and realising the man you were has nowhere to go and nothing to do. 

This episode is about what happens next.

It’s about not losing yourself when life changes and about the courage it takes to create a second life, one built on meaning, curiosity, relationships, and identity, not just achievement.

Most importantly, it’s about the truth midlife men rarely hear: you’re allowed to reinvent yourself. You’re allowed to want something different. You don’t have to stay who you’ve always been.

What You’ll Learn

• Why so many men feel lost after retirement or a career shift, and why no one talks about it.
• How identity becomes wrapped around work, status, and achievement. often without us noticing.
• The emotional crash that happens when the job ends, even when it’s a choice.
• Why “freedom” can feel frightening or empty if you don’t have a new purpose.
• Nick’s practical “Reset Button” framework for reinventing yourself step by step.
• How to rediscover passions, confidence, and agency after years of routine.
• Why you don’t have to keep doing the same job just because you’ve always done it.
• The difference between finding your purpose and revealing it.
• How to move from the achievement phase of life to the impact, connection, and meaning phase.
• Why you are never too old to start again, and why reinvention is an option at any age.

Why Men Should Listen

Because Nick’s story answers the midlife question men avoid the most: “If I’m not my job anymore… who am I?”

Whether you’re thinking about retirement, feeling stuck in the same role, quietly burning out, or just sensing that life is shifting beneath your feet, Nick puts words to the feelings men rarely voice:

• “I thought I’d be happy, but I felt like I was disappearing.”
• “Everyone thought I was fine, but I wasn’t.”
• “No one taught us how to start again.”

His honesty is the bridge that helps men realise they’re not alone, not weak, and not broken; they’re just at a crossroads no one prepared them for.

This episode permits men to rethink everything: career, identity, purpose, direction, and even the shape of their everyday lives. And it offers a practical system for stepping into a life that actually fits who they are now, not who they used to be.

Nick brings humour, honesty, and humility to a conversation many men desperately need but rarely have.

His story is your story just told aloud.

If you want to find out more about Nick and his work, visit his website: resettheman.com, and you can also find him on LinkedIn as Nick Shelton.

His book, “An Introvert's Guide to World Domination,” is available to buy on Amazon and through other online retailers.  

What if midlife wasn’t the beginning of decline, but a second chance to feel alive again?

In this episode, my guest is Louis Bezich, men’s health advocate, and author of Saving Men from Themselves. After years of juggling leadership, divorce, and single parenthood, Louis discovered that taking care of himself wasn’t selfish - it was survival.

Louis shares how purpose, relationships, and everyday rituals can transform men’s health, longevity, and happiness. He speaks honestly about the lies we tell ourselves (“I’m fine”), the habits that hold us back, and the simple mindset shift that can reignite motivation, no matter how stuck or tired you feel.

You’ll hear about:

• How to turn life’s setbacks, such as divorce, stress, and even loneliness, into fuel for growth.
• Why men’s health isn’t just about diet or exercise, but meaning and connection.
• The “provider and protector” myth that keeps so many of us from looking after ourselves.
• How brotherhood and belonging can literally help you live longer.
• Why it’s never too late to start living healthy and feeling good again.

This isn’t a pep talk; it’s a practical, heartfelt reminder that you still have time to become the man you want to be.

Why You Should Listen

Because most of us know we should look after ourselves, we just don’t know where to start, or how to stay motivated when life feels like one long list of responsibilities. Louis strips away the noise and shows that better health and connection aren’t about perfection; they’re about purpose, small routines, and remembering that others depend on us too.

If you want to find out more about Louis and his work visit his website: https://louisbezich.com/. His book, “Saving Men from Themselves: 20 Proven Tactics With a New Approach to Living Healthy for Men Over 50,” is available to buy on Bookbay and through other online retailers. 

In this episode, Merlin Matthews, founder of Man Academy, explores how men can move from isolation to connection, from being “lone warriors” who suppress emotions to connected men who grow through community and accountability. 

From childhood trauma and dissociation to running a global charity and now creating a movement to halve the male suicide rate, Merlin’s story is as complex as it is hopeful. He shares what he’s learned about breaking free from conditioning, such as the pressure to “man up,” hide emotions, and go it alone. 

You’ll learn:

• Why so many men get trapped in “doing it all alone” and how to stop.
• How childhood conditioning shapes emotional disconnection in adult men.
• Why “doing the work” means applying insights, not just collecting them.
• The power of men’s groups and accountability to help men heal and grow.
• Simple starting points for any man to begin his own reconnection journey.
• Why open, honest connection is the antidote to loneliness and self-doubt.

Why listen:
This is a grounded, honest conversation about what it takes to become a fulfilled, emotionally capable man in a noisy world. Merlin offers a rare mix of candour and practical wisdom, showing that the real path to growth begins when we stop doing it alone.

If you want to connect with Merlin, visit his website: man.academy

Merlin’s suggested reading list:

MEN’S WORK:

Manhood, Steve Biddulph: 

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine, Robert L. Moore, Douglas Gillette

No More Mr. Nice Guy, Robert A. Glover

Red Pill Psychology: Psychology for Men in a Gynocentric World, Peter Wright and Paul Elam

Men's Work: A Practical Guide to Face Your Darkness, End Self-Sabotage, and Find Freedom, Connor Beaton

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, Miguel Ruiz

The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, Jack Canfield

Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything, B.J. Fogg

The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Managing Your Business and Your Life, Michael Roach

The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle, Steven Pressfield

Scattered Minds, Dr. Gabor Maté

Meditations, Marcus Aurelius 

Directories of men’s groups:

www.findamensgroup.com - A global directory of men's groups focused on emotional work.

https://mensgroupdirectory.com – Men’s groups in the UK, USA, and Australia.

In this powerful conversation, transformational coach Anthony Cudjoe shares a no-excuses roadmap for men who are tired of living small, disconnected lives. With the passion of a preacher and the precision of a scientist, he explains how to reclaim your physical, emotional, and spiritual power by aligning with the natural laws that govern human performance. 

Coach Cudjoe doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. His message is simple but radical: It’s his job to tell the truth. It’s your job to decide.

From addiction and low testosterone to depression, grounding, and the real meaning of “I am,” this episode challenges everything you think you know about change. Anthony’s style isn’t for the faint-hearted; it’s for men ready to stop outsourcing their happiness, take ownership of their lives, and start creating consciously.

What You’ll Learn

• Why your internal conversation determines everything you experience, and how to rewrite it.
• The truth about addiction, depression, and energy, and why “I can’t help it” is a lie.
• How your body holds the key to mental strength, focus, and peace.
• Why grounding barefoot on the earth can instantly change your vibration.
• How mid-life men can restore testosterone, vitality, and purpose without pharmaceuticals.
• What it really means to choose between a pitiful and powerful life.

Straight talk. Big energy. No spiritual fluff.
Anthony doesn’t comfort you - he calls you up.
This episode will challenge you, provoke you, and probably stick with you long after it ends.

Find out more about Coach Cudjoe’s work at URH3O.com (Human Optimization 3.0).

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Gary Jader, a lifelong advocate for men’s mental health, talks about growing up in a house full of conflict, the long shadow of a verbally abusive father, and how that early pain became fuel for a life spent helping others heal.

Gary’s story is not one of overnight transformation. It’s about persistence, learning to “dance with our imperfections,” as he puts it, and finding the courage to speak the truth about what’s really going on inside. Together we explore:

• Why so many men still struggle to open up, even in safe spaces.
• How buried pain shows up later in life: in work, relationships, or silence.
• The role of friendship, honesty, and humour in staying emotionally alive.
• What being cracked open really means and why that’s how the light gets in.

Gary also shares the thinking behind his new project Cracked Open, written with his long-time friend Russ and even co-authored in part with AI, a surprising tool that helped give voice to hard-won wisdom.

If you’ve ever found yourself bottling things up, convincing yourself you’re fine, or wondering why talking feels so unnatural, this conversation will remind you: you’re not broken; you're just human.

Gary's book Cracked Open: A Field Guide for Men in Search of the Truth is available to buy on Amazon and you can find out more about the project by visiting: https://crackedopenproject.com/.

🎧 Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts, and if it moves you, share it with a mate who might need to hear it.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains references to suicide, which you may find distressing, so please listen with care.

So many men grow up hearing the same messages: figure it out yourself, don’t cry, just get on with it. The result? A lot of us go through life carrying heavy stuff on our own, even when it’s slowly crushing us.

In this conversation, I talk to Tom Karrell about what happens when you stop pretending and actually start connecting. Tom shares openly about losing three close friends to suicide, how that grief shook him awake, and why it taught him that men need other men but not in some cliché “brotherhood” sense, but in a very real, human way.

We explore why disconnection is so dangerous, what prevents men from opening up, and the small, practical steps you can take to make it feel safer. This isn’t about therapy-speak or quick fixes; it’s about learning how to show up as yourself and letting other people see you for who you really are.

What You’ll Learn

• Why men often hide pain and how it backfires
• What grief can teach us about connection and purpose
• Simple practices to feel more, not less, of your emotions
• How to start talking when you’ve been silent for years
• Why connection could be the difference between surviving and actually living

To find out more about Groups for Men, click on these links: Courses, Coaching or Groups for Men meetings. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are organisations you can call now for example, in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are in the US, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

As always, the advice is to speak to a GP or mental health professional.  

What happens when a successful career suddenly disappears overnight? In this frank conversation, we explore the hidden reality of job loss in today's brutal employment market and its devastating impact on mental health, identity, and self-worth.

Joe built a thriving career as a copywriter for major brands before being made redundant alongside thousands of others in the tech industry bloodbath. What followed was an eye-opening journey through the modern job market that would challenge everything he thought he knew about finding work.

Instead of staying silent, Joe chose honesty. He began sharing his story on LinkedIn: the frustration, the toll of rejection, the impact on his financial, physical and mental health. One post went viral with millions of views, sparking conversations far beyond his own experience. His openness has brought him support, but also abuse - often from other men - shining a light on the toxic silence that surrounds male vulnerability.

Why You Should Listen

This episode pulls back the curtain on:

• The shocking reality of applying for 5,000+ jobs with minimal response.
• How the modern recruitment process has become dehumanised and exploitative.
• The mental health crisis hidden behind LinkedIn's highlight reel.
• Why toxic masculinity prevents men from seeking help when they need it most.
• Practical strategies for maintaining mental health during career setbacks.

What You'll Learn

About the Job Market Reality:

• Why experienced professionals are struggling to find work despite their skills.
• How companies are asking for days of unpaid work before interviews.
• The prevalence of ghosting and template rejections in recruitment.

About Mental Health & Identity:

• How job loss can trigger severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
• The connection between career identity and self-worth.
• Why men struggle more to admit vulnerability and seek help.
• The physical toll of prolonged unemployment.

Practical Coping Strategies:

• The power of radical honesty on professional platforms.
• Why hypnotherapy and mindfulness can be game-changers.
• The importance of staying connected to people who care about you.
• How to reframe rejection and maintain confidence.

This is a raw but ultimately hopeful conversation about resilience, self-worth, and the power of speaking up. If you’ve ever questioned your value after setbacks or wondered why so many men feel they have to suffer in silence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts, psychiatric care, and the mental health impact of unemployment. If you are struggling, please reach out to your GP or a support service such as:

• UK & Ireland – Samaritans: 116 123 
• USA – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 
• Canada – Talk Suicide: 1-833-456-4566
• Australia – Lifeline: 13 11 14 
• Ireland – Samaritans: 116 123
• International – Find a local helpline via https://findahelpline.com.

You can reach out to Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeemerywrites-forbondfansonly/.

TRIGGER WARNING

This episode contains a reference to suicidal thoughts, which you may find distressing, so please listen with care.

In this powerful episode, we hear the remarkable story of a man who turned years of bullying into fuel for resilience and achievement.

Ben shares how relentless bullying at school - much of it focused on the way he ran - left him feeling isolated, stripped of confidence, and battling despair. What started as taunts from a friend escalated into years of cruelty that shaped his teenage and early adult life. He opens up about the loneliness, the long shadow it cast on his identity, and the moments when he nearly lost hope.

But this is not just a story of struggle; it’s one of extraordinary transformation. Running, once the very thing he was mocked for, became the anchor that rebuilt his confidence, relationships, and sense of self. From completing his first marathon to conquering seven marathons in seven days across seven countries, Ben has shown that the very source of pain can be turned into strength.

You’ll learn from Ben:

• The long-term emotional impact bullying can have and how it can follow someone into adulthood.
• Why finding one source of confidence (however small) can be life-changing.
• How running gave Ben not just purpose, but a platform to inspire others and raise money for children’s mental health services.
• What resilience looks like in practice: persistence, self-belief, and transforming ridicule into fuel.

This is an inspiring, deeply human conversation about struggle, survival, and ultimately, the triumph of spirit.

You can find out more about Jack’s amazing achievement and the Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, on his JustGiving page ‘7 Marathons in 7 Days for Bright Young Dream’.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are organisations you can call now for example, in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are in the US, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

As always, the advice is to speak to a GP or mental health professional.  

In this episode of the Mid-Life Men Podcast, I sit down with career strategist Mike Dwyer to tackle one of the biggest midlife challenges: how to stay relevant, employable, and fulfilled in a world of shifting technology, corporate upheaval, and age bias. 

Mike brings decades of experience helping men navigate uncertainty, and he shares practical strategies for fighting back against the forces that can leave midlife professionals feeling sidelined. 

We explore: 

• Why so many seasoned professionals feel “chewed up” by shifting workplaces, automation, and cost-cutting.
• How to stay current without chasing every new tool or trend.
• The power of “topical networking” and how to use it to open unexpected doors.
• Building a “personal board” of allies who can keep you accountable, stretch your thinking, and stop you from going it alone.
• How to spot your next chapter, whether it’s a “senior encore” role, a reinvention, or simply doing what you do best in a new setting.
• Why humility and intentionality matter when facing career transitions.
• The mental health benefits of taking action, experimenting, and refusing to battle through midlife career changes in silence.

Mike’s insights are honest, hopeful, and highly practical. If you’ve been worried about staying relevant in the workplace, frustrated by endless applications that go nowhere, or wondering what comes next in your working life, this conversation will give you clarity, strategies, and a renewed sense of possibility.
 
If you want to find out more about Mike and his work, visit his website: https://emplanacareer.com/. 

TRIGGER WARNING : This episode contains a raw and honest account of a suicide attempt. Some of what you will hear may be distressing, so please listen with care. 

What happens when life strips you of everything - family, security, even the will to live? Jack Muldoon knows. From losing both parents as a child to battling addiction, homelessness, and a suicide attempt, Jack’s story is raw, brutal, and ultimately inspiring. 

In this conversation, Jack opens up about how he rebuilt himself from rock bottom and created The King’s Empire Blueprint—a no-nonsense manual for men who want to reclaim their lives. His philosophy is simple but confronting: kill the coward, take full accountability, and build your own creed to live by. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• How childhood trauma and loss shaped Jack’s self-destructive behaviours.
• Why hitting rock bottom still wasn’t the turning point - and what finally was.
• The power of “killing the coward” and learning to say yes to yourself first.
• Why small, simple, repeatable steps (not grand gestures) create lasting change.
• How Jack uses his Mind’s Temple framework to help men rewrite their lives.
• The importance of male role models and what Jack is teaching his son about being a man.

Jack doesn’t sugar-coat his past. But his honesty and the practical way he’s turned pain into purpose offer a roadmap for any man who feels lost, stuck, or one decision away from ruin.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to move from self-destruction to self-mastery, this episode is for you.
 
If you want to find out more about Jack, you can find him on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindsTemple or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@minds.temple.

His book The King’s Empire Blueprint is available at https://stan.store/MindsTempleltd, and you can contact Jack directly by email: [email protected].

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are organisations you can call now. For example, in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are in the US, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
 
As always, we recommend that you speak to a GP or mental health professional.