The Menfulness Podcast

In the first episode of a brand new series of video podcasts we sit down with Dr. Gary Shepherd.

He's a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Mental Health at York St John University and he's been instrumental in helping our charity prove our approach works and is helping men with their mental health.

We hear a bit about Gary's story, about his research into men's mental health and how this has factored into shaping the next chapter of Menfulness as a charity.

If you'd like to read more about the Menfulness research find it here: https://wwww.menfulness.org/research

For more of Gary's papers on Counselling and Mental Health visit: https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/profile/435

*The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's challenges. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.

CONTENT WARNING: Suicide/Grief.

TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide/Grief

It's International Women’s Day and we are glad to be joined by Victoria and Alex of the Charlie Dallas Lancaster Foundation. Two women who have been instrumental in the Menfulness journey and two sisters dealing with the tragic loss of their brother Charlie to suicide in August 2020. 

We talk about what it was like to lose Charlie, how being sisters allowed them to relate to the grief they felt and how they have found purpose in helping other people and building a legacy for their brother with their foundation in his name.. 

As you might expect from the title this episode discusses grief and suicide and is upsetting at times, but as is always the case, it’s also heartwarming and inspiring story with a few giggles along the way. 

Don't forget to have a look at the links below and if you’re feeling suicidal remember you are not alone. As well as organisations like the Samaritans (who you can call 24/7 on 116 123), there’s groups like ours here at Menfulness where we have members like Frankie who was suicidal himself and now has a zest for life which is absolutely infectious. There is hope so just take it one day at a time and remember, you are of value, things can get better and it’s OK to ask for help.

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LINKS:

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/

Charlie Dallas Lancaster Foundation: https://cdlf.uk/

There She Glows: https://theresheglows.salon/

Al Chambers Podcast: https://youtu.be/SZrgKLywJQs

Frankie's Podcast: https://youtu.be/8vKSfWd_UVw

Lester Films: https://studio-lester.com/

CDLF Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP8EXLbv1e4j61xMHm7pI2w

ASIST Training York Mind: https://www.yorkmind.org.uk/corporate-wellbeing/training/courses-available/asist-suicide-prevention-training/

Zero Suicide Alliance Training: https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/training

The Jordan Legacy: https://thejordanlegacy.com/

Jordan Legacy Radio: https://thejordanlegacy.com/jordans-space/

Thirsk Yarnbombers: https://visitthirsk.uk/pages/yarnbombers.php

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FOR THE RECORD

😀 - Eminem - Lose Yourself - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yhyp-_hX2s

🙁 - Billie Eilish - listen before i go - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4z1O3miesI

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MENFULNESS MERCH - https://menfulness.myshopify.com/

The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in kindness, honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's struggles and move closer to who we want to be. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.

The first Menfulness Video Podcast!

Today we speak to Mark Sullivan. Mark is an Army veteran, turned Personal trainer, turned University Lecturer. His path through the Army is a fascinating one eventually leading to a role in the TV series Lads Army and career defining moments as part of the Queen’s bodyguard for Her Majesty’s funeral and King’s Bodyguard for his Majesty’s coronation. This conversation is full of insight on life, fitness and the importance of discipline, integrity and looking after other people. Mark may be retired but he’s still running marathons and working for the sovereign. His energy and relentless service was an inspiration for me and I hope it is for you too.

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LINKS:

LAD'S ARMY SEASON 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgWwUX2bcMs

BAD LAD'S ARMY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-cRJXhYSn4&t=387s

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FOR THE RECORD

😀 - Elton John - Your Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrznwpD-2tk

🙁 Led Zeppellin - Stairway To Heaven - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkF3oxziUI4

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MENFULNESS MERCH - https://menfulness.myshopify.com/

The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in kindness, honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's struggles and move closer to who we want to be. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.

Trigger Warning - Bereavement/Anxiety/Suicide

Content Warning - Swearing

Today we're lucky enough to have Al Chambers with us. Al is owner of Legions Gym and runs the monthly Menfulness Boxing sessions. He's a boxing coach, a counsellor, a father of three and an all round lovely bloke.

Al shares how he has built his business from a dream up, the importance of learning how to lose well, and how he's created a community around Legions. He also talks about his experiences of anxiety, processing death and how all these things have made him the leader he is today.

It's a fascinating conversation with a humble but inspiring man. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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LINKS:

PHOENIX TRAINING + COUNSELLING - https://wearephoenixtraining.co.uk/

LEGIONS GYM - https://www.legions-gym.co.uk/

RICKY HATTON DOC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pk5affTu0E

HOW TO FAIL PODCAST - https://www.elizabethday.org/podcasts

HEDONIC ADAPTATION (LOTTERY WINNERS/ACCIDENT VICTIMS) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill

CHARLIE DALLAS LANCASTER FOUNDATION - https://cdlf.uk/

ONE MORE DAY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJetTUVyl_U

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FOR THE RECORD

😀 - Gerry Cinnamon - Sometimes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At3xXBEy4n4

🙁 - Stereophonics - Local Boy in the Photograph https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VHTOsW9LrA

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MENFULNESS MERCH - https://menfulness.myshopify.com/

The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in kindness, honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's struggles and move closer to who we want to be. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.

Trigger Warning - Depression/Anxiety/Suicide

Content Warning - Swearing

Today we speak to Chris Klays who is Systems change lead for mental health charity York Mind. Chris talks to us about his chat chit podcast (see below for links), why pigeons and jam can both be good for your mental health and how his role involves working with young people to figure out how they want to look after their mental wellbeing.

Chris also talks about the challenges he has faced with his own mental health since he was in his teens and how that's helped shape the work he does today. We talk about mental health in the workplace, things we might do to stay well and what it was like interviewing his mum on his podcast.

It was absolutely lovely to speak to Chris, thanks to him and Mind for all the amazing work they do helping people and please do go and check out the chat chit podcast, available in the usual places after this episode. We do touch on a few triggering topics such as depression, anxiety and suicide but we hope you'll agree that it's an uplifting and honest conversation with a true gent. Enjoy.

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LINKS:

THE CHAT CHIT PODCAST -

https://www.yormind.org.uk/chat-chit-podcast/

YORK MIND -

https://www.yorkmind.org.uk/

CHAT CHIT WITH CHRIS AND HIS MUM -

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hzdcE7QYdG4fFg3m6Zstj?si=8mAf3diSS4yGUCHyoVlCMg

YORK MIND KNOWLEDGE HUB -

https://www.yorkmind.org.uk/corporate-wellbeing/knowledge-hub/

THE STRANGER - ALBERT CAMUS -

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49552.The_Stranger

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FOR THE RECORD

Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VR-6AS0-l4

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MENFULNESS MERCH - https://menfulness.myshopify.com/

The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in kindness, honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's struggles and move closer to who we want to be. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.

Trigger Warning - Suicide/grief loss

Content Warning - Swearing

We've got the lovely Leo for you in today's conversation. We discuss what ADHD has meant for him, both now since his recent diagnosis but also how that's factored into understanding his life as a whole. We hear about how it's affected his relationships and education as well as his feelings of alienation in a world not always geared up for neurodiverse people.

As always we get honest insight into the mind of one of our members, as well as hearing how he copes, what's coming next for him and as always, what's at the top of his playlist.

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LINKS:

MENFULNESS HAPPY PLAYLIST - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0V21LpwpH4neT2NrP8KjVw?si=7f3577bdaf7d4308

MENFULNESS MERCH - https://menfulness.myshopify.com/

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT - https://www.thecalmzone.net/guides/grief

ADHD FOUNDATION - https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/

ADHD UK - https://adhduk.co.uk/

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FOR THE RECORD

😃 - Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-mjl63e0ms

🙁 - The Cure - The Same Deep Water As You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V35cxutR7gc

Mac Miller - NPR Tiny Desk Concert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrR_gm6RqCo

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The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in kindness, honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's struggles and move closer to who we want to be. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.

Trigger Warning - Suicide/child bereavement

We're glad to have Isa Celik with us for today's episode. He tells us about what Menfulness means to him, as well as taking us on his journey from growing up without power or water in the mountains of Turkey, to now running his own tile restoration business and how those experiences have shaped who he is and how he parents.It's a fascinating chat with a true ray of light and we hope you enjoy it.

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LINKS:

MENFULNESS MERCH - https://menfulness.myshopify.com/

CDLF - https://www.cdlf.uk/events/

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT - https://www.thecalmzone.net/guides/grief

OPUS TILE RESTORATION - https://www.facebook.com/OpusTile/

GUILDHALL TILE RESTORATION BBC - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1068951580528181

BUILDERS TALK GROUP - https://builderstalkgroup.com/

TILERS COMMUNITY - https://www.facebook.com/groups/259041332363551/

LIGHTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION GROUP - https://www.lighthouseclub.org/

ISA PODCAST (DON'T TOUCH THE CAT) - https://shows.acast.com/donttouchthecat/episodes/12-isa-celik

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FOR THE RECORD

Lighthouse Family - Lifted

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The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in kindness, honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's struggles and move closer to who we want to be. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.

Trigger Warning - Suicide attempts/eating disorders/bereavement/alcohol misuse/drug misuse/abuse

Content Warning - Swearing/Assault

DONATE TO MENFULNESS YORK 10K - https://justgiving.com/campaign/Menfulness10K2023

Today we're talking to Adam Pike. This episode was originally recorded to be released during alcohol awareness week as we delve into Adam's experiences of addiction, relationship breakdown, physical injury and pain. While we cover a lot of heavy topics which might be triggering for some, it's a hopeful conversation with lots of wisdom and learning from Adam who is now helping others with their challenges.

If you're looking to adjust your relationship with alcohol then have a look at https://www.lowermydrinking.com/ to compare your consumption to the national average and find out what support is near you.

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LINKS

MENFULNESS MERCH - https://menfulness.myshopify.com/

YORK HEALTH TRAINERS - https://www.york.gov.uk/CYCHealthTrainers

SUICIDE SUPPORT - https://www.samaritans.org/

EATING DISORDER SUPPORT - https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT - https://www.thecalmzone.net/guides/grief

DRUG AND ALCOHOL SUPPORT - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/recreational-drugs-alcohol-and-addiction

YORK DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICE - https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/find-support/york-drug-and-alcohol-services

BRENE BROWN ON EMPATHY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

JOHANN HARI - ADDICTION - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZe29kLMqM&t=380s

BOOKS:

ADRIAN CHILES - THE GOOD DRINKER - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/62965796

JOHANN HARI - LOST CONNECTIONS - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36979438-lost-connections

GABOR MATE - THE MYTH OF NORMAL - https://drgabormate.com/book/the-myth-of-normal/

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FOR THE RECORD

HAPPY

Toto - Africa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQbiNvZqaY

SAD

Crosby, Stills and Nash - Southern Cross - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3kImL2gDkI&t=38s

Dan Fogelberg - Leader of the Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsocZrEcp0Y

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The Menfulness mantra is #DontManUpSpeakUp and we invite you to join us in kindness, honesty and vulnerability as we navigate life's struggles and move closer to who we want to be. If you're just hearing about us then please visit Menfulness.org or find us on all the socials. Please like, comment and share this podcast to make sure we're reaching the people who need us. If you'd like to become a guest, then we'd love to hear from you! Thank you for joining us - We're glad to have you on board.