Are young men in Britain facing a silent crisis? Education dropout rates, workforce withdrawal, and worsening men's mental health suggest something deeper is going on.

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I'm joined by Mark Brooks OBE, Director of Policy & Communications at the Centre for Policy Research on Boys and Men and co-author of The Missing Men report; one of the most comprehensive studies on the state of men and boys in the UK.

In this episode you will learn:

Why so many boys are falling behind in education

What’s driving men’s withdrawal from the workforce

The urgent need for a dedicated men’s health strategy

How post-pandemic shifts continue to shape men’s lives

The “green shoots” of progress—community action, culture change, and reasons for hope

Hear more from Mark:

Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys: www.menandboys.org.uk

LinkedIn: centre-policy-research-menboys

Association of Male Health and Wellbeing:www.amhw.org.uk

Mark Brooks: www.mark-brooks.co.uk

LinkedIn: mark-brooks-obe

Timestamps:

06:11: International Men's Day: Significance and Impact

11:58: The Missing Men Report: Understanding NEETs

15:42: The Impact of Unemployment on Young Men

21:24: The Gender Gap in Education

25:51: Employment Challenges and Economic Factors

34:07: Understanding the Prison Population

What does it really mean for a man to feel enough? Many men struggle with identity, purpose and self acceptance, often tying their worth to performance, achievement and strength.

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Jim Galvin, former Royal Marine and international athlete, about his lifelong search for belonging and meaning. Jim brings a rare perspective on masculinity, resilience and personal growth shaped by both military life and elite sport.

The brotherhood, structure, and identity formed through the Royal Marines

How elite athletic training shaped Jim’s understanding of discipline and self-worth

The impact of losing his best friend to suicide and the role of grief in men’s mental health

Why physical challenge can be a tool for healing, recovery, and emotional clarity

How to practise self-acceptance, self-forgiveness, and allow joy even in chaos

Why many men connect their value to performance and how to build confidence from who you are, not just what you do

This conversation is for anyone interested in men’s mental health, masculinity, resilience, and the deeper question of what it means to live a meaningful and grounded life.

Hear more from Jim:

https://www.youtube.com/@jimgalvin2191

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What happens when science takes on one of men’s most taboo topics?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with John Boghossian, co founder of Kadence Bio, the biotech company developing what could become the first FDA approved treatment for premature ejaculation (PE). John discusses his mission to close what he calls the intimacy gap, the three to one difference in average climax time between men and women, and why solving this issue could positively impact men’s sexual health, confidence, mental wellbeing and relationships.

In this episode you will learn:

What premature ejaculation actually is and why it is far more common than most people realise

How shame, silence and stigma prevent men from seeking support

The science behind Kadence Bio’s on demand treatment and why it represents a breakthrough in sexual health innovation

How improving sexual function can influence mental health, relationship satisfaction and overall quality of life

Why changing cultural narratives around men’s sexual health matters just as much as medical progress

This conversation is about vulnerability, evidence based science and the courage to challenge long standing taboos. It is an essential listen for men and for partners who want a deeper understanding of sexual wellbeing and intimate connection.

Hear more from John:

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What’s the mask you wear, and what might be hiding underneath it?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Ashanti Branch, founder of The Ever Forward Club and creator of the Million Mask Movement. We explore the emotional lives of boys and men, the feelings we hide, the stories we learn to tell ourselves, and what it truly takes to live with authenticity, purpose and emotional honesty.

Ashanti shares his journey from growing up in Oakland, California without a father to becoming a teacher who began noticing the same patterns he lived through in his own students. Many young men were hiding behind masks of toughness, humour and indifference, while struggling silently with fear, pressure and self doubt.

This insight inspired him to start The Ever Forward Club, a space that encourages boys to talk openly about what is happening beneath the surface. What began as a small lunch group has since grown into a global movement that invites men everywhere to remove the masks that limit them and reconnect with who they really are.

In this episode you will learn:

Why so many boys and men feel pressure to appear strong and emotionless

How masks of toughness, humour or indifference form and how they affect mental health

The influence of online role models and cultural expectations on young men

The deep need for safety, belonging and meaningful connection

How vulnerability and strength can work together rather than compete

Practical ways to create spaces where honesty, compassion and emotional expression can thrive

This conversation offers insight for anyone interested in men’s mental health, masculinity, emotional wellbeing and the lifelong process of becoming your true self.

Hear more from Ashanti:

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When, and how, does a boy truly become a man?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Ewan Corlett, a men’s guide and therapist who specialises in masculinity, rites of passage and the transition from boyhood to manhood. We explore one of the most overlooked and misunderstood stages in modern life: how a boy develops the emotional maturity, self leadership and grounded identity required to live as a healthy, integrated man.

Drawing from his own story of addiction, recovery and self discovery, Ewan explains what it means to become a self led man who moves through the world with integrity, emotional awareness and purpose. He shares insights from both ancient initiation practices and modern therapeutic work, offering a practical understanding of how men grow, heal and develop inner strength.

In this episode you will learn:

The difference between becoming an adult and becoming a man

Why modern society lacks clear initiation and what this means for male identity

How addiction, numbing and unhealthy coping behaviours often emerge from an unfulfilled need for guidance, belonging and purpose

The impact of absent male role models and the confusion surrounding masculinity today

How reconnecting with primal, grounded energy supports confidence, emotional regulation and personal responsibility

What healthy masculinity can look like in relationships, fatherhood, leadership and community

This conversation offers depth and clarity for anyone interested in men’s mental health, masculinity, personal development and rites of passage. It invites you to reflect on your own transition from boyhood to manhood, to recognise the parts of yourself that are still waiting to grow, and to redefine what mature, grounded masculinity can mean for your life and the people you love.

Hear more from Ewan:

www.ewancorlett.com

@ewan.corlett

[email protected]

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Do you ever feel like you are constantly rushing from one thing to the next without ever catching your breath?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Dr. Adam Fraser, researcher, keynote speaker and author of The Third Space, to explore one of the most overlooked skills in modern life: how we transition between the different spaces and roles of our day. Adam’s work has transformed how leaders, teams and families understand stress, recovery and presence.

His research shows that the simple ability to pause, reflect and reset between moments can significantly improve mood, performance, emotional connection and overall wellbeing. We explore why so many men carry stress from one role into the next, how this affects relationships and mental health, and what it looks like to use small micro transitions to show up with more intention and clarity.

In this episode you will learn:

What the Third Space is and why it is crucial for mental health and emotional regulation

How micro transitions can reduce stress, improve focus and support healthier relationships

Why men often struggle to switch off or shift gears throughout the day

Practical tools to help you reset between work, home, parenting and personal time

How presence, reflection and even brief pauses can transform how you lead, communicate and connect

Whether you are a father, partner, leader, athlete or friend, this conversation offers practical, research backed strategies to help you move through life with greater presence, calm and purpose.

Hear more from Dr Adam:

The Third Space Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Third-Space-Transitions-Balance-Happiness/dp/1459642708

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What if your midlife crisis is not a breakdown but a breakthrough?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Olly Hermon-Taylor, a men’s coach and mentor who helps men navigate midlife transitions, rediscover purpose, and live with authenticity and direction. Olly shares his own story of building a seven-figure business, losing everything, and rebuilding from within, offering lessons that resonate with men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who feel stuck, disconnected or unsure of their next step.

In this episode you will learn:

Why midlife is often a turning point rather than a crisis

The four masculine archetypes — King, Warrior, Magician and Lover — and how balancing them can bring clarity and wholeness

How to reconnect with core values, mission and purpose before life forces change

Practical strategies for reflection, decision making, and embracing transformation

Why rediscovering meaning in midlife can improve confidence, relationships and overall wellbeing

This conversation is a grounded, honest, and hopeful guide for men seeking to understand midlife transitions, masculinity, personal growth and how to turn challenging periods into opportunities for transformation.

Hear more from Olly:

https://www.instagram.com/ollyht

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-hermon-taylor/

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Could connection be the missing prescription in men’s health?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Dr. Henry Aughterson, junior doctor, researcher, and advocate for community-based healthcare. We explore the concept of social prescribing, a growing movement that connects people with local activities to improve wellbeing and address the root causes of mental distress.

Dr. Henry explains why men often find it easier to connect shoulder to shoulder through shared activities. From football clubs and gardening groups to choirs, these spaces reduce loneliness, foster purpose, and help men feel part of something bigger. His research highlights real stories of men who describe these social groups as the single most important step in their mental health journey.

In this episode you will learn:

How social prescribing can improve men’s mental health, reduce isolation and build community

Why shared activities are a powerful way for men to form meaningful connections

The role of vulnerability and self-care in men's emotional wellbeing

How community, purpose and belonging support resilience and life satisfaction

Practical ways to find or create spaces that strengthen mental health and connection

This conversation is a guide for anyone interested in men’s health, loneliness, emotional wellbeing, and how connection, community and meaningful activity can transform lives.

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What if the key to raising healthier men starts with teaching boys to trust their emotions?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Kimmi Berlin, founder of Build Up Boys, an organisation dedicated to helping young boys retain and develop their innate emotional intelligence. We explore how boys, sometimes as young as five, begin trading pieces of their emotional wholeness for social acceptance and the long-term effects this has on mental health, relationships, and identity.

Kimmi shares practical strategies for parents, educators, and mentors, including how to replace phrases like “you’re okay” with curiosity, teach body autonomy, foster empathy, and build conflict resolution skills through play. These early interventions can help boys grow into men who are confident, emotionally aware, and capable of forming deeper connections.

In this episode you will learn:

Why supporting boys’ emotional intelligence is critical for long-term mental health

How societal pressures encourage emotional suppression and what parents can do to counter it

Tools and exercises to help boys develop empathy, self-awareness, and resilience

How early emotional education leads to healthier friendships, stronger families, and more connected men

The impact of nurturing vulnerability and emotional honesty on boys’ future wellbeing

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in raising emotionally healthy boys, men’s mental health, and creating a generation of men who can connect authentically with themselves and others.

Hear more from Kimmi:

How can we redefine masculinity in a way that empowers men and boys?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Dr. Brendan Kwiatkowski-Hartman, researcher, educator, and consultant, about one of the most complex and debated topics in modern life: masculinity. Brendan’s work is driven by personal experience, including the tragic loss of a student to suicide, which inspired him to explore how boys’ struggles are shaped by both biology and social pressures.

We discuss why terms like toxic masculinity often create division, and why men and boys need guidance on embracing masculinity positively instead of simply being told what not to do. Brendan shares how reframing masculinity around safety, authenticity, emotional awareness, and self alignment can help men lead healthier lives and build stronger communities.

In this episode you will learn:

How societal expectations influence boys and men from an early age

The difference between restrictive and empowering forms of masculinity

Strategies for educators, parents, and communities to support positive male development

How embracing authenticity, responsibility, and emotional literacy fosters resilience and wellbeing

Why curiosity and nuance are essential when talking about masculinity today

This conversation offers insight for anyone interested in men’s mental health, positive masculinity, emotional wellbeing, and creating environments where boys and men can thrive.

Hear more from Brendan:

www.remasculine.com

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