What does it really take to launch and run your own business? 

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Michael Brennan, entrepreneur and founder, about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons of entrepreneurship, business growth, and personal resilience. Michael shares his experience building a successful business, facing burnout, and navigating the mental and emotional toll of stepping away from a venture you’ve invested everything in. He also discusses his latest project, Bob, a men’s personal care business born from adversity and now poised for success.

In this episode you will learn:

How to navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and running your own business

Strategies for resilience, mental wellbeing, and personal growth during challenging times

Lessons on managing ego, setbacks, and rebuilding after failure

How personal experiences can inspire innovative business ideas, like Michael’s men’s personal care venture

Practical insights for anyone starting a business, pursuing ambitious goals, or facing personal and professional challenges

This conversation is ideal for anyone interested in men’s personal development, entrepreneurship, business leadership, mental health, and resilience, offering honesty, insight, and inspiration for the entrepreneurial journey.

Hear more from Michael:

Website: https://welcometobob.com/

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Could avoiding discomfort be the very thing holding you back from true fulfilment? 

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Dr. Adam Fraser, high performance researcher and author, about the power of Strive, a mindset that transforms how we approach personal growth, resilience, performance, and fulfilment. Adam explains why struggle—not comfort—is the real driver of progress and why chasing constant happiness or simply completing goals can leave us unfulfilled.

In this episode you will learn:

How embracing challenge and discomfort leads to personal development, resilience, and purpose

Why the pursuit of constant happiness can undermine fulfilment

How the Strive mindset improves workplace performance, motivation, and life satisfaction

Practical strategies for turning everyday struggles into opportunities for growth

Why lasting joy is often found in the process of striving rather than the end goal

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, personal growth, resilience, high performance, and purpose, offering actionable insights for living a more fulfilling, meaningful life.

Hear more from Adam:

Strive book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Designed-Strive-Seeking-Important-Happiness/dp/0730337413

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What do you do when the life you’ve built suddenly disappears? 

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Adam Clayton, former professional rugby player and founder of APEX Everest, about overcoming adversity, rebuilding identity, and finding purpose after life-altering setbacks. After his career ended at 24 due to injury, Adam battled steroid addiction, loss of identity, and the struggle to find direction, before turning his experience into a mission to help others.

In this episode you will learn:

How to navigate life-changing setbacks, identity loss, and personal crisis

The role of community, shared experience, and mentorship in rebuilding purpose

How physical challenges and endurance activities can support mental health, resilience, and personal growth

Lessons from Adam’s journey from rock bottom to founding a transformative organisation

Practical insights for anyone facing adversity, career change, or searching for meaning

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, resilience, personal growth, overcoming adversity, and building purpose, offering inspiration and actionable insights for turning challenges into opportunities.

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What does it really take to build a strong and healthy romantic relationship as a modern man? 

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Kristal DeSantis, marriage and family therapist and author of Strong: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man, about how men can navigate the challenges of emotional intimacy, connection, and modern masculinity in relationships. Kristal shares practical tools and strategies to help men build meaningful, lasting partnerships.

In this episode you will learn:

How men can overcome common barriers to emotional intimacy and vulnerability

Practical strategies from Kristal’s STRONG model for communication, conflict management, and self-regulation

How to develop relational skills for dating, long-term partnerships, or marriage

Ways to create trust, connection, and mutual understanding in romantic relationships

Why showing up fully as a partner contributes to relationship satisfaction, personal growth, and emotional wellbeing

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, modern masculinity, relationship skills, emotional intelligence, and building strong partnerships, offering actionable insights and encouragement for navigating love and connection as a man today.

Hear more from Kristal:

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Are we obsessing over sleep in all the wrong ways? Sleep is essential for men’s mental health, but chasing perfection can sometimes do more harm than good.

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Dr. Chris Winter, neurologist and sleep expert, about the crucial connection between sleep, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. Dr. Winter challenges common myths about sleep and shares insights on how to cultivate restorative rest without stress or obsession.

In this episode you will learn:

How poor sleep contributes to anxiety, depression, and cognitive challenges

Why falling asleep too quickly can be a warning sign rather than a mark of good sleep

The importance of sleep consistency over simply achieving “perfect” rest

How quiet, reflective moments before sleep support emotional processing and mental health

Practical strategies to improve sleep quality, reduce insomnia, and reclaim energy and focus

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, sleep science, wellbeing, stress management, and emotional resilience, offering research-backed guidance and practical tools for transforming your relationship with rest.

Hear more from Dr Chris:

What happens when society defines you by your illness, but you decide to define yourself? Living with mental illness is challenging, but reclaiming your identity and purpose is possible.

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Kody Green, mental health advocate and one of the most influential voices speaking out about schizophrenia and men’s mental health online. Diagnosed at 21, Kody shares his journey through hallucinations, delusions, addiction, incarceration, and stigma, and how he rebuilt his identity and self-worth.

In this episode you will learn:

The lived experience of schizophrenia and how it intersects with identity, masculinity, and stigma

Strategies for overcoming isolation and reclaiming purpose after a mental health diagnosis

How peer support, advocacy, and community can foster resilience, recovery, and personal growth

Lessons on challenging societal narratives and redefining yourself beyond labels

Insights for anyone supporting loved ones with mental health conditions or navigating their own journey

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, schizophrenia, resilience, recovery, masculinity, and advocacy, offering honest, inspiring guidance on living fully despite life-altering challenges.

Hear more from Kody:

What if healing isn’t just about fixing your mind, but learning to listen to your body as well? True mental health and personal growth often start with reconnecting to your body.

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Brad Golphenee, trauma-informed somatic coach, about somatic healing, men’s mental health, and overcoming trauma. Brad shares nearly two decades of experience helping men move from emotional disconnection to embodied self-awareness, resilience, and purpose.

In this episode you will learn:

How unresolved trauma can live in the body for decades, influencing identity, relationships, and behaviour

The role of shame in men’s mental health and how acknowledging it can be transformative

Techniques for reconnecting with your body through somatic practices, retreats, and group work

How body-based approaches empower men to release stored trauma and access inner wisdom

Practical strategies for cultivating purpose, freedom, and emotional wellbeing

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, trauma recovery, somatic healing, emotional resilience, and personal growth, offering actionable insights to help men live with greater presence, authenticity, and empowerment.

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What if the first step toward healing isn’t talking, but writing? Creative expression can be a powerful tool for men’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to poet and author Drew Horner about how writing, poetry, and creative outlets can help men navigate grief, anxiety, and emotional isolation. Drew shares his journey of using poetry as therapy during the pandemic and reflects on insights from his book My Life in Pieces.

In this episode you will learn:

How writing and creative expression support mental health, emotional processing, and self-awareness

The role of poetry in navigating grief, anxiety, and emotional isolation

Practical ways for men to begin expressing emotions safely, even when talking feels difficult

How creative outlets can foster resilience, healing, and personal growth

Why putting feelings into words contributes to mental health awareness and emotional wellbeing

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, creative therapy, emotional expression, grief processing, and personal growth, offering inspiration and practical insight into using writing as a tool for healing and self-discovery.

Hear more from Drew:

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With nearly two-thirds of young men following masculinity influencers, isn’t it time we asked why? 

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Dr. Krista Fisher from Movember about their latest research, Young Men’s Health in a Digital Age, exploring how digital content and masculinity influencers impact men’s mental health, identity, and relationships. We discuss the rise of these online voices, why young men are drawn to them, and the complex mix of hope and harm they can create.

In this episode you will learn:

How online spaces and social media influence young men’s mental health, identity, and behaviour

Why masculinity influencers attract millions of followers and the messages they convey

The potential risks and benefits of consuming online content focused on masculinity

Insights from Movember’s research on supporting young men’s health, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth

Practical ideas for parents, educators, and mentors to help young men navigate digital pressures

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, youth wellbeing, masculinity, digital culture, and online influence, offering research-backed insight into the challenges and opportunities facing young men today.

Link to the full report:

https://uk.movember.com/movember-institute/masculinities-report

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What does true gender equality in the home really look like, and how does it impact men’s mental health? 

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I speak to Kate Mangino, gender expert and author of Equal Partners, about the crucial link between household equality, men’s mental health, and emotional resilience. Kate shares research and stories of men worldwide who have embraced equal partnership in their relationships, highlighting the benefits for both partners’ health and happiness.

In this episode you will learn:

How traditional gender roles and expectations affect men’s emotional health, stress, and resilience

The impact of being the “breadwinner,” problem-solver, or “strong, silent type” on men’s mental wellbeing

How equal partnership in domestic roles supports mental health, relationship satisfaction, and personal fulfilment

Insights from real men who have experienced the benefits of sharing responsibilities at home

Practical strategies for creating balanced, healthy, and emotionally fulfilling family dynamics

This conversation is essential for anyone interested in men’s mental health, gender equality, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and family life, offering actionable guidance for building more balanced and fulfilling lives for men and their families.

Hear more from Kate:

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