Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

Philip Briscoe
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • TWICE MONTHLY
Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

Have you ever felt like you’ve become lost in your own life? Many men struggle to talk about their problems and mental health and grew up believing that to do can be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure. There is also a lack of open discussion in society around men’s mental health, especially aimed at mid-life men.  As a result, at times many men can feel alone and lost in their own lives. In this podcast series, I talk to mid-life men about their stories; the challenges, the turning points, and the support received to help them find their way so that others who may be suffering in silence or don’t know what to do next, realise that they are not alone and there is help available. Stories will cover a whole range of challenges faced by mid-life men mainly relating to the causes of mental health issues including feelings of isolation, depression, job dissatisfaction, addiction, PTSD, and long-term illness.The podcast is NOT a replacement for professional support and we signpost to organisations and their contact details by episode. If you have a story you would like to share or any feedback on the podcasts, please email me: midlifemen01@gmail.com.

  1. Healing Unresolved Trauma to Reclaim Your Life, with Mike Skrypnek

    15 DEC

    Healing Unresolved Trauma to Reclaim Your Life, with Mike Skrypnek

    In this raw and powerful episode, we talk to Mike Skrypnek, an international bestselling author, men’s mental health advocate, CEO of Grow Get Give Coaching, and founder of the Unlimited Worth Project. Once a successful investment manager, Mike reveals how a combination of unaddressed childhood trauma and the relentless pressure for achievement nearly drove him to end his life. Amid the chaos of the pandemic, as business collapsed and isolation tightened its grip, he found himself at a b...

    50 min
  2. From Bipolar Battles to Making a Life-Saving Promise, with Craig Hamilton

    7 DEC

    From Bipolar Battles to Making a Life-Saving Promise, with Craig Hamilton

    Join me for a powerful conversation with Craig Hamilton, a man whose life story transcends boundaries and stigma. A celebrated sports broadcaster and former coal miner, Craig faced his greatest challenge not underground or behind the microphone, but within himself. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a psychotic episode on the eve of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Craig has spent the past two decades turning his personal battles into a mission of awareness and hope.In this episode, Craig opens u...

    35 min
  3. Why Bother? Fighting an Overwhelming Sense of Futility, with Patrick Donnelly

    26 NOV

    Why Bother? Fighting an Overwhelming Sense of Futility, with Patrick Donnelly

    In this open and honest episode, we're joined by Patrick Donnelly, who discusses the often-unspoken struggles men face when the weight of life feels overwhelming and futile. Patrick bravely shares how anxiety and depression took root after becoming a father, amplifying his long-held belief that nothing he attempted would succeed. His story reveals the toll of a lifetime spent avoiding risks, taking the easiest paths, and resigning himself to failure before even trying. Through therapy an...

    40 min
  4. Finding Your Voice: How Self-Expression Empowers Men, with Dr Danny Brassell

    18 NOV

    Finding Your Voice: How Self-Expression Empowers Men, with Dr Danny Brassell

    In this compelling episode, we dive deep into the silent struggles many men face in expressing themselves—emotionally, verbally, and even creatively. Joined by Dr Danny Brassell, a dynamic speaker, author, and first and foremost, a teacher, we explore the roots of men’s anxiety around vulnerability, confidence, and connection. Danny shares personal stories of overcoming a childhood stutter, life-changing encounters, and his transformative work with men in high-pressure careers and every...

    46 min
  5. Living Between Extremes: The Realities of Bipolar's Highs and Lows, with David Westgate

    5 NOV

    Living Between Extremes: The Realities of Bipolar's Highs and Lows, with David Westgate

    In this episode, David Westgate shares his deeply personal journey with bipolar 1, reflecting on how the disorder manifested in his life and the impact it had on his relationships, career, and daily routines. He describes the struggle of living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, where periods of extreme highs felt like "true happiness," only to be followed by profound, often debilitating depression. From early symptoms in his twenties through a pivotal moment that led him to seek medical...

    44 min
  6. Hard Hats & Hidden Struggles: The Problem with Mental Health in the Trades, with Russ Payne

    27 OCT

    Hard Hats & Hidden Struggles: The Problem with Mental Health in the Trades, with Russ Payne

    In this episode, I’m joined by Russ, a third-generation tradesman, business owner, and host of The Talking Tradesman podcast. Russ has spent a lifetime in construction, a sector known for its tough culture and silent battles, especially around mental health. He shares his powerful journey, starting with his childhood, where he was raised by his father after his mother left the family, leaving Russ to grow up fast and take on responsibilities beyond his years. At just 17, Russ took over the fa...

    41 min
  7. Battling Depression: Everybody Needs a Big, Hairy-Ass, Audacious Goal, with Jeff Moore

    16 SEPT

    Battling Depression: Everybody Needs a Big, Hairy-Ass, Audacious Goal, with Jeff Moore

    In this episode, I'm joined by Jeff to discuss his long battle with mental health challenges. Jeff shares how his depression stems from childhood, living in a chaotic home environment, and how it revisited him regularly throughout his life. He describes how, after many years of struggle, he found solace in both medication and exercise, specifically running and cycling. Jeff talks about how his depression was also linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and how discovering the positive imp...

    47 min
  8. Psychedelics and Nature: A Path to Better Mental Health with Shawn Bergeth

    8 SEPT

    Psychedelics and Nature: A Path to Better Mental Health with Shawn Bergeth

    In this compelling episode, we sit down with Shawn Bergeth, a former corporate executive who radically transformed his life after 17 years in supply chain management. Shawn opens up about his unexpected job loss, which he saw as a gift, and how it catalysed his journey toward mental health advocacy. From battling anxiety and depression to becoming a psychotherapist, Shawn shares how he embraced vulnerability and deep self-reflection.Shawn takes us on a fascinating exploration of alternative h...

    37 min
See All (39)

About

Have you ever felt like you’ve become lost in your own life? Many men struggle to talk about their problems and mental health and grew up believing that to do can be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure. There is also a lack of open discussion in society around men’s mental health, especially aimed at mid-life men.  As a result, at times many men can feel alone and lost in their own lives. In this podcast series, I talk to mid-life men about their stories; the challenges, the turning points, and the support received to help them find their way so that others who may be suffering in silence or don’t know what to do next, realise that they are not alone and there is help available. Stories will cover a whole range of challenges faced by mid-life men mainly relating to the causes of mental health issues including feelings of isolation, depression, job dissatisfaction, addiction, PTSD, and long-term illness.The podcast is NOT a replacement for professional support and we signpost to organisations and their contact details by episode. If you have a story you would like to share or any feedback on the podcasts, please email me: midlifemen01@gmail.com.

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