What do men really want and need from therapy?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Dr. Zac Seidler, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Research at Movember, about why therapy often fails men and how it can be improved. Drawing on groundbreaking research, Zac explains that 44% of men drop out of therapy early, not because of cost or inconvenience, but because they do not feel a genuine connection with their therapist.

We explore the unique challenges men face in seeking help, including cultural expectations, societal pressure, and therapeutic approaches that do not reflect men’s lived experiences. Zac shares practical strategies for therapists, including being direct, goal-focused, and culturally aware of masculinity, to better engage male clients.

We also discuss Movember’s Men in Mind programme, which trains therapists to understand men’s mental health, improve connection, and reduce dropout rates.

In this episode you will learn:

Why men are less likely to seek therapy and the barriers that prevent engagement

How traditional therapy models can fail to meet men’s needs

Practical approaches for therapists to create a safe, effective space for male clients

The role of masculinity and cultural norms in shaping men’s mental health experiences

How programs like Men in Mind are improving outcomes for men

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, therapy for men, reducing stigma, and creating supportive environments where men can access the help they need.

Hear more from Dr Zac:

Men in Mind programme: https://meninmind.movember.com/  

More research and articles from Movember: https://movember.substack.com/

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What truly defines being a man today?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I sit down with Richard Reeves, founder of the American Institute for Boys and Men, chair of the UK Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys, and author of Of Boys and Men. Richard is one of the world’s leading thinkers on the challenges facing boys and men today, offering insights into how society can better support male development, wellbeing, and purpose.

In this episode you will learn:

Why this moment represents a turning point in how masculinity is understood and discussed

How solutions are being built to tackle education gaps, male mental health, and systems that support fathers

Why progress for men does not have to come at the expense of women

The importance of positive role models and countering negative online influences on boys and men

How work, family, and community can help men reconnect with purpose

Why fatherhood is transformative not only for children but for men themselves

This conversation offers insight into men’s wellbeing, masculinity, fatherhood, and creating cultural solutions that empower the next generation. It is a must-listen for anyone curious about what it means to be a man today.

Hear more from Richard Reeves:

Organisation - The American Institute for Boys & Men: https://aibm.org/

What if the struggles you face are really symptoms of hidden trauma?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Michael Baldwin, author and survivor, about EMDR therapy and its transformational impact on healing trauma. Michael shares his personal journey of living with the unresolved effects of childhood abuse, including anxiety, phobias, nightmares, and a relentless drive for achievement that never filled the emotional void—until he discovered EMDR, an evidence-based therapy that helped him finally process and release trauma.

In this episode you will learn:

How “hidden trauma” from experiences like bullying, neglect, or parental divorce can affect identity, relationships, and self-worth

The science behind EMDR therapy and why it is recognised by leading health organisations

How trauma symptoms often show up in everyday life without being recognised as trauma

Practical insights into how processing trauma can improve emotional wellbeing, relationships, and personal growth

Michael’s story of transformation and how healing trauma can repair important relationships and foster resilience

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, trauma recovery, EMDR therapy, and understanding how early experiences continue to shape our lives.

Hear more from Michael: 

https://www.everymemorydeservesrespect.com

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What does it really mean to be yourself when the world tries to define you?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with award-winning poet and author Dean Atta about identity, masculinity, and living authentically. Dean shares his personal journey growing up in a mixed-race, single-parent family, how writing helped him process emotions and claim his identity, and his experience coming out as gay while navigating stigma and societal expectations.

In this episode you will learn:

How personal identity is shaped by family, culture, and society

The role of creative expression and writing in processing emotions and building self-confidence

Why traditional stereotypes of masculinity can be limiting and harmful

How vulnerability, authenticity, and creativity are forms of strength for men

Ways to embrace openness, self-acceptance, and resilience in everyday life

This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of masculinity, mental health, and authentic self-expression, offering insight and inspiration for anyone interested in identity, personal growth, and rethinking what it means to be a man today.

Hear more from Dean:

www.deanatta.com

Confetti: A colourful celebration of love and life

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/dean-atta/confetti/9781408362082/

I Can't Even Think Straight: A queer coming of age story

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/dean-atta/i-cant-even-think-straight/9781444960969/

Person Unlimited: An Ode to My Black Queer Body

https://buythebook.online/person-unlimited-dean-atta

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Are UK dads being set up to fail before they even start?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak with Alex Lloyd Hunter, co-founder of The Dad Shift, about the urgent need for better paternity leave in the UK. Alex highlights how our outdated system affects fathers, mothers, families, and society, and explores the benefits of reforms already proven in other countries.

In this episode you will learn:

How limited paternity leave impacts men’s mental health, family bonding, and gender equality

The positive effects of early father involvement on children’s emotional and cognitive development

How countries with generous, well-paid paternity leave create stronger families and healthier societies

Why reforming the first weeks of parenthood can transform relationships, parenting, and even the economy

Practical steps for fathers, partners, and employers to advocate for meaningful change

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in fatherhood, men’s wellbeing, gender equality, and family policy, offering insight into how supporting dads from the start benefits everyone.

Hear more from The Dad Shift:

https://action.dadshift.org.uk/a/back-better-paternity-leave??utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=12-08-25-podcast-MoM

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When was the last time you did something purely for the joy of it?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to behavioural scientist and author Mike Rucker about why fun is essential for men’s mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. Drawing on scientific research and his book The Fun Habit, Mike explains how prioritising fun—like sleep or exercise—can improve mood, relationships, and overall life satisfaction.

In this episode you will learn:

Why fun is not a luxury but a necessity for a meaningful, fulfilling life

How deliberately prioritising enjoyable activities supports mental health, presence, and resilience

Ways to create space for fun with children, friends, and partners

Practical strategies to make fun a repeatable habit, even with a busy schedule

How embracing joy can transform your perspective, energy, and relationships

This conversation is ideal for anyone interested in men’s wellbeing, emotional health, life balance, and personal growth, offering insights and actionable tools to make fun an intentional part of daily life.

Hear more from Mike:

The Fun Habit Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fun-Habit-Pursuit-Wonder-Change/dp/1529054303

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What can Viktor Frankl teach us about finding meaning in life?

In the season finale of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Alex Vesely, filmmaker, psychotherapist, and grandson of Viktor Frankl, the legendary Holocaust survivor and author of Man’s Search for Meaning. Alex has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing Frankl’s work, exploring how it can guide men today in building purpose, resilience, and fulfilment.

In this episode you will learn:

The fundamentals of logotherapy and how it helps individuals discover meaning

The three key paths to finding purpose in life, even during struggle

Why fulfilment often arises from challenge, suffering, and growth rather than comfort

The role of humour in healing and resilience

How Frankl’s philosophy remains relevant in modern life for personal development, mental health, and emotional wellbeing

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, purpose, resilience, personal growth, and Viktor Frankl’s philosophy, offering practical insights on how to turn challenges into meaning and strength.

Hear more from Alex:https://viktorfranklamerica.com/

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What can science teach us about the true meaning of being a dad?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to world renowned evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Anna Machin about the powerful, often overlooked science of fatherhood. Drawing on over a decade of research and her book The Life of Dad, Anna reveals what really happens to men—biologically, emotionally, and neurologically—when they become fathers.

In this episode you will learn:

How fatherhood triggers radical hormonal, brain, and emotional changes that prepare men for parenting

Why dads play a crucial role in shaping children’s emotional regulation, resilience, mental health, and social skills

The importance of male role models, biological or otherwise, in children’s development

How postnatal depression affects men and the impact of traditional masculinity on new fathers

Why society often sidelines fathers at the moment they are most needed, and how this is changing

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, fatherhood, parenting, masculinity, and child development, offering insight, research-backed guidance, and inspiration for dads, soon-to-be fathers, and anyone invested in healthy family life.

Books:

Instagram: @dr_aMachin

Website: annamachin.com

Why is grief something we all experience, yet rarely talk about?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Ben Blackman, therapist at Adventuring Loss, a leading online grief counselling clinic specialising in loss, trauma, and life transitions. Ben shares his personal journey after losing his father and the silence surrounding grief, particularly for men, which inspired him to support others through their experiences of loss.

In this episode you will learn:

The unique challenges men face in expressing grief and seeking support

What disenfranchised grief is and how societal expectations often invalidate men’s pain

How to create safe spaces to process death, loss, and emotional complexity

Practical insights for supporting yourself or others through bereavement and major life transitions

Why talking about grief is essential for mental health, emotional wellbeing, and resilience

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, grief support, emotional wellbeing, and coping with loss, offering insight, guidance, and reassurance for navigating one of life’s most difficult experiences.

Hear more from Ben:

What if anger wasn’t the problem, but the way we misunderstand it is?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to journalist and author Sam Parker, whose book Good Anger challenges the belief that anger is inherently destructive. Sam explains how, when understood and expressed properly, anger can become a powerful tool for self-awareness, emotional growth, and healing.

In this episode you will learn:

The difference between anger and aggression and why misunderstanding it causes harm

How suppressing anger can negatively affect men’s mental health, relationships, and work

Practical ways for men to express anger in healthy, productive, and constructive ways

How anger can reveal unmet needs, emotional wounds, and opportunities for personal growth

Strategies to change the narrative around anger and use it as a tool rather than fear it

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, healthy masculinity, and personal development, offering insights into understanding and harnessing one of our most powerful emotions.

Hear more from Sam:

Good Anger book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Anger-Radical-Rethink-Misunderstood/dp/1399417851

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