Inspired Men Talk - Real conversations for men who feel stuck and want a way forward

Gary Johannes | Peter Ely
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Monthly

Inspired Men Talk is a podcast for men who feel stuck, overwhelmed, under pressure, or like they should have life more together than they do. Hosted by Gary and Peter, the podcast brings honest, down-to-earth conversations about men’s mental health, relationships, confidence, stress, identity, and real-life challenges. No lectures. No overcomplicating things. Just real stories, real conversations, and a focus on what actually helps men move forward. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, lost, or unsure what to do next, this podcast is for you.

  1. When the Life Everyone Admires Isn't the One You Need | Daryl Hine (Part 1)

    4d ago

    When the Life Everyone Admires Isn't the One You Need | Daryl Hine (Part 1)

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Daryl Hine, we go back to the start of a story that, from the outside, looked close to perfect. Daryl met Paula at 16. Married at 21. Three children, a 30-year marriage, a successful corporate career and a thriving business they built together. By every visible measure, life was good, and everyone around them thought so too. But Daryl was carrying something he'd pushed down since the 1970s, a time when it simply wasn't safe to say it out loud: he knew he was attracted to men. For years he suppressed it. Until, approaching 50, it stopped staying quiet and the panic attacks started. In this episode we talk about: What it's like to live a life that looks right but doesn't feel like yoursWhy so many men of his generation learned to bury who they really wereThe slow, exhausting cost of not knowing and not being able to say itTrying to solve a deeply human question like a business problemThe night-time panic attacks, and what they were really telling himDaryl is a business consultant and founder of Abundant Solutions, but this isn't a business conversation. It's an honest, generous look at identity, suppression, and the courage it takes to face yourself. Part 1 ends at the hardest moment: sitting his three grown children down to tell them the truth. What happened next is in Part 2. 🎧 Inspired Men Talk - honest conversations about the things men don't usually talk about. Hosted by Gary Johannes and Peter Ely. 👉 Subscribe so you don't miss Part 2, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. #InspiredMenTalk #MensMentalHealth #ComingOut #Authenticity #Identity #MensWellbeing #LGBTQ #PersonalGrowth #DarylHine

    30 min
  2. The Question That Changed Everything: If Not Now, When? | John Hirniak, Part 2

    Jun 22

    The Question That Changed Everything: If Not Now, When? | John Hirniak, Part 2

    In part one, a perfect storm pulled John Hirniak's life apart. In part two, he tells us how he found his way back and it started with admitting something was wrong. John takes us into the darkest place he's ever been: frozen by fear, crying alone in the back office, then putting on "the Johnny show" to sell a car an hour later. He's honest about the thoughts that crept in, and about the moment that stopped him, realising that suicide doesn't end the pain, it just passes it on to the people you love. But this episode is really about what came next. The turning point wasn't a lightning bolt. It was John deciding he'd had enough, that he didn't deserve to feel like this and neither did his family. The first counsellor didn't work for him. Neither did the next.  So he kept asking the only question that matters: where do I go next?  Until he found a coach who wouldn't tolerate any excuses, because it's good to talk, but talking doesn't cook the rice. Eventually, you have to take action. He shares the simple daily habits that turned things around, journaling, movement, even just drinking enough water and the belief that's carried him since: you can't think your way out of anxiety and depression. Action is the only answer. His message to any man who's struggling is simple. You're not weak. You're not a failure. Asking for help is the bravest thing you'll do. And you do not have to stay where you are. Because as John says: be the inspiration, not the warning. ⚠️ This episode discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts. If any of it resonates, please don't sit with it alone, talk to someone you trust, your GP, or call the Samaritans free on 116 123, any time, day or night. 👉 John is a coach and therapist. You'll find him on Facebook, Instagram (John Hirniak Coaching) and LinkedIn' search John Hirniak. 🎧 Missed part one? Watch that first. 💬  Inspired Men Talk,  because men do talk.  Hosted by Gary Johannes and Peter Ely. #InspiredMenTalk #MensMentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #ItsOkayToTalk

    32 min
  3. The Car Dealer Who Built the Dream - Then the Perfect Storm Hit | John Hirniak (Part 1)

    Jun 15

    The Car Dealer Who Built the Dream - Then the Perfect Storm Hit | John Hirniak (Part 1)

    From the outside, John Hirniak had built a great life. But it didn't start that way. Born half-Irish into real poverty, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, fetching water from the village pump because there was none in the house. John always knew he wanted his own business. Market stalls, watches, antiques, beds. Then, off the back of a £10 book called Four Wheels to a Fortune, he became a used car dealer and never looked back. Twenty-seven years in the trade. A house. A marriage people envied. Two daughters. And a beloved 1953 Buick called Clara that still turns heads everywhere it goes. Living the dream, as people say. In part one, John, Gary and Peter swap stories about graft, business, the cars that stay with you for life, and how a working-class lad from a poor start built something to be proud of. It's warm, funny and full of heart. But right at the end, John starts to tell us where it all began to unravel, what he now calls the perfect storm. You'll want to hear what happens next. 🎧 Subscribe so you don't miss part two. 💬 Inspired Men Talk - because men do talk. Hosted by Gary Johannes and Peter Ely. #InspiredMenTalk #MensMentalHealth #Resilience #Peterborough

    24 min
  4. PT2: From BBC To Broke And Back Again | Paul Stainton

    Jun 8

    PT2: From BBC To Broke And Back Again | Paul Stainton

    Paul Stainton has done it all - club DJ, TV sports correspondent, BBC breakfast show host, business owner. But in part two, we get the bit most people never see: losing almost everything in the 2008 crash, and finding the nerve to start again. He talks honestly about hitting rock bottom, walking away from the BBC on principle, losing his company overnight to COVID and how it all led him to Peterborough Cathedral, where he's now fighting to keep a thousand-year-old building alive and bring a city he loves back to life. One line stuck with us: don't be afraid of people saying no. Because what if they say yes? A funny, honest conversation about failure, resilience and backing yourself when the world gives you every reason not to. 🎧 New episodes of Inspired Men Talk drop regularly - subscribe so you don't miss one.  💬 Want to talk to Paul? Find him on Facebook: Paul Stainton. #InspiredMenTalk #MensMentalHealth #Resilience #Peterborough

    27 min
  5. From the Pit Villages to the BBC | Paul Stainton on Self-Belief, Rejection & Rising From Nothing

    Jun 1

    From the Pit Villages to the BBC | Paul Stainton on Self-Belief, Rejection & Rising From Nothing

    Paul Stainton grew up in a South Yorkshire pit village with no carpets, no central heating, and a dad who didn't much like to work. Twelve schools. Ten houses. Selling lettuces door-to-door for a few extra pennies. So how does a kid from that end up DJing to 2,000 people, reading the sport on the BBC Six O'Clock News, and running communications at Peterborough Cathedral? In Part 1 of this conversation, Paul sits down with Gary and Peter to trace it all back — the job he hated at British Aerospace, the grandad who quietly backed him to buy a taxi plate at 18, and the punt to Newcastle where one wrong move would have left him on the streets. It's a story about drive. About knowing exactly who you don't want to become. And about one of the most honest takes on confidence you'll hear the line between real self-belief and the arrogance people put on when they're waiting to be found out. Paul's ethos? "You mustn't be afraid of people saying no. Because they will. But what if they say yes?" This is men's mental health told the way it actually happens through real lives, real graft, and the moments that shape a person. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Inspired Men Talk 01:00 Meet Paul Stainton, DJ, broadcaster, Cathedral comms 02:20 Growing up poor in a South Yorkshire pit village 03:30 "Banging tin" at British Aerospace and quitting 06:20 The grandad who staked him a taxi at 18 07:00 Hospital radio, mobile discos and the first break 08:40 Where the drive really came from 11:00 Confidence vs arrogance, the honest version 15:30 DJing in Leeds and Newcastle, two steps from homeless 19:00 Breaking into Hereward Radio 21:30 Phoning every week for a year, persistence that paid off 23:00 Never fearing rejection: "What if they say yes?" 🎧 Listen to Inspired Men Talk wherever you get your podcasts. 👉 Subscribe for honest conversations about men's mental health, resilience and the long way round. #InspiredMenTalk #MensMentalHealth #PaulStainton #Confidence #Resilience #Peterborough #SelfBelief #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #MensWellbeing

    25 min
  6. Special Episode - Inspired Men Club

    12/16/2025 ·  Bonus

    Special Episode - Inspired Men Club

    n this special episode of Inspired Men Talk, Peter Ely sits down with host and founder Gary Johannes to introduce something brand new for 2026: The Inspired Men Club  a weekly, judgement-free space where men can simply be, talk if they want to, connect if they choose to, or just sit with a proper cup of tea and a decent biscuit. Supported by Peterborough United Foundation, the Armed Forces Covenant, and local community partners, this new initiative is designed to remove the barriers that stop men from seeking support  no booking, no sign-in, no expectations, no pressure. Just a warm, friendly place where every man is welcome, whether you're 20 or 70, chatty or quiet, struggling or simply needing time out from the noise of life. Gary shares the spark behind creating the club, why now is the right time, and how a series of small moments  and a lot of kindness  led to a movement that aims to make a real difference in Peterborough and beyond. You’ll also hear about biscuit diplomacy, community collaboration, and a vision for building a space men will rely on all year round. If you, or someone you care about, could benefit from connection, company, or a calmer place to land, this episode is the perfect introduction. The Inspired Men Club launches Monday 5th January, 7–8:30pm Unit 7F, Shrewsbury Avenue, Peterborough, PE2 7EY Come as you are. No pressure, no judgement — just a warm welcome.

    17 min
  7. From Bank Robbery to Cancer Survivor: The Wake-Up Call Most Men Ignore | Inspired Men Talk ft. Dan Riley

    07/08/2025

    From Bank Robbery to Cancer Survivor: The Wake-Up Call Most Men Ignore | Inspired Men Talk ft. Dan Riley

    If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like life keeps hitting you from every angle, this episode will help you understand why… and what actually helps. In this episode of Inspired Men Talk, we sit down with Dan Riley, a man who faced three life-changing moments most people would never recover from. A gun pointed at his chest during a bank robbery.A wildfire forcing him to flee his home in the middle of the night.And a life-threatening cancer diagnosis that changed everything. Most men would break under one of these.Dan went through all three, and found a way forward. his isn’t about motivation or quick fixes. It’s a real conversation about what happens when life pushes you to your limit… and how change actually begins. We explore:  Why men ignore warning signs until it’s too late  The real impact of trauma — and what most people get wrong  How small steps can lead to massive change  What helped Dan rebuild physically, mentally, and emotionally  Why pushing things down only makes it worse This is what Inspired Men Talk is all about, honest conversations, real stories, and what actually helps you move forward. #InspiredMenTalk #Podcast #Resilience #MensMentalHealth #SeizeYourSecondChance

    53 min
  8. Every Man Hates His Body. Nobody's Saying It Out Loud

    05/23/2025

    Every Man Hates His Body. Nobody's Saying It Out Loud

    If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt like you’re not good enough — you’re not alone. In this episode of Inspired Men Talk, we have an honest conversation about men’s body image, self-esteem, and the pressure to look a certain way — something most men don’t talk about, but many silently struggle with. From social media and unrealistic standards…to comparison, confidence, and mental health…we explore what’s really going on — and what actually helps. We talk about: Why body image issues in men are growing faster than everThe hidden impact of social media, filters, and comparisonWhy confidence isn’t about how you lookThe link between body image and mental healthSimple, practical steps to start feeling better about yourself This isn’t about perfection.It’s about understanding what’s happening — and finding a way forward that actually works. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: 🌐 Learn more about Inspired To Change: https://inspiredtochange.biz/  The episode wraps up with practical tips for improving self-image and mental well-being.00:00 Introduction to Inspired Men Talk00:15 Discussing the Weather and Body Consciousness01:02 Body Image Pressures and Mental Health02:20 Personal Experiences with Body Image04:05 Impact of Social Media and Filters06:33 Botox and Cosmetic Surgery Trends07:22 Generational Differences in Body Image14:03 Plastic Surgery and Mental Health21:53 Convenience Culture and Body Image29:42 Struggling with Weight and Lifestyle Choices30:31 The Excuses We Make30:54 The Impact of Stress on Health32:11 The Role of Shame in Motivation32:58 Personal Stories of Realization35:46 Small Steps to Big Changes41:57 The Importance of Internal Motivation45:31 Controversial Parenting and Obesity57:06 Final Thoughts and Tips

    59 min
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About

Inspired Men Talk is a podcast for men who feel stuck, overwhelmed, under pressure, or like they should have life more together than they do. Hosted by Gary and Peter, the podcast brings honest, down-to-earth conversations about men’s mental health, relationships, confidence, stress, identity, and real-life challenges. No lectures. No overcomplicating things. Just real stories, real conversations, and a focus on what actually helps men move forward. If you’ve ever felt frustrated, lost, or unsure what to do next, this podcast is for you.

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