The Being Men Podcast

Chris Walton, Tobie Fawcett - Touchstone

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SOCIETY & CULTURE

A podcast hosted by a group of men working within the mental health sector in Leeds. As members of a men’s network and peer support group, we come together to create an open and supportive space for honest conversations. Through shared experiences and professional insight, we challenge the stereotypes and stigma surrounding masculinity, mental health, and what it means to be a man in today’s society.

1D AGO

Ep.9 Male Friendship in 2026: How Do You Show Up for your Mates?

In this episode of the Being Men podcast, we are exploring the question: how do men keep in touch? Is it true that men only connect through shared hobbies and interests? As men, do we feel able to reach out to our friends, even when there's no plan or activity in mind beyond catching up? Are we still leaving it to our partners and family members to make sure we actually see people? And do men become more emotionally closed off from their friends as they get older? This discussion aims to delve beyond the stereotypes to find out what male friendship looks like in 2026 — a time when social interactions and the ways in which we communicate are in constant flux. You could say that we've never been better connected, with a lifetime's worth of friends and contacts just a click away for many. And yet the problems of isolation, loneliness and social anxiety seem to get deeper and more widespread among men. We'll share our experiences of the shifting pressures, structures and patterns that shape men's social lives, from technology, to the cost of living, to the decline of spaces like pubs, places of worship and city centres, and the rise of gym culture and working from home. We'll ask: where are men really connecting in the era of social media? And when we do connect, are we showing up for each other in ways that help us all to feel better? This episode will give voice to the way we talk to the men in our lives, where and how those conversations happen, and what keeping in touch does for our mental health. We come together in this conversation as men working in mental health to check in on how we're checking in. We hope you find this discussion useful, and if you do please share it with your friends - wherever you connect with them.

1h 5m
FEB 20

Ep.8 Stepping Up: Positive Stories About Men

In this episode of the Touchstone Being Men Podcast, we take a different approach. We sent someone into the streets of Leeds to ask a simple question: “Can you share a positive story about a man in your life?” The responses are powerful, heartfelt and deeply human. From fathers who quietly show up, to brothers who cheer the loudest, to uncles, friends and mentors who step in when it matters most - this conversation explores humility, loyalty, purpose and what it really means to support someone. An honest, open discussion about modern masculinity - not the heroic movie version, but the everyday acts of care that often go unseen. Find support for men’s mental health: ⁠https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/find-support-for-mens-mental-health-in-leeds/⁠ An introduction to the Being Men podcast: ⁠https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/the-touchstone-being-men-podcast-introduction/⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @being.men_podcast

1h 8m
12/16/2025

Ep.7 Men & Anger: Breaking the Cycle

In this episode, we look inward at the anger many men hold, the emotions we’ve learned to hide, and the possibility of healing when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Find support for men’s mental health: https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/find-support-for-mens-mental-health-in-leeds/ An introduction to the Being Men podcast: https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/the-touchstone-being-men-podcast-introduction/ Follow us on Instagram: @being.men_podcast

1h 20m
11/21/2025

Ep.6 Men and Social Class

Men and social class: Is social class still shaping our lives today? In this episode, we explore how class influences identity, opportunity, politics, and men’s mental health in modern Britain. Even as traditional working-class jobs fade, most people still identify as working class—and many feel increasingly stuck. With shifting class identities, rising cultural divides, and the legacy of industrial decline, what does class really mean now? And how is this changing the way men see themselves and their place in society? Join us as we unpack the data, the history, and the personal stories behind class in 21st-century Britain. Follow us on Instagram @being.men_podcast

1h 9m
08/29/2025

Ep.5 The Baton of Hope: World Suicide Prevention Day

In this episode, we’re opening up about suicide—breaking the stigma, sharing lived experiences, and shining a light on hope. Each year, more than 6,000 people in the UK die by suicide, and countless more lives are impacted. For men under 50, suicide remains the single biggest killer. You’ll hear from men with lived and living experience, speaking candidly about their challenges and why they are so deeply involved in suicide prevention. We’ll also talk about the communities making a difference, the support available, and the importance of World Suicide Prevention Day and the Baton of Hope Tour here in Leeds. This is not an easy conversation—but it’s a vital one. If you’re struggling, we hope this reminds you: you are not alone.

1h 3m
08/20/2025

Ep.4 The Masks We Wear As Men

This episode of the Men’s Talk Podcast is about the masks we wear as men. While many people in society face intersecting pressures that prevent them from expressing themselves authentically, there are particular norms and expectations that can have an impact on the mental health, wellbeing - and even the survival - of men. In this episode, Tobie, Dylan, Chris and Stephen speak about times when they have had to deny parts of themselves out of fear, shame, or a sense that they would not be accepted without putting on a brave face, a front, or a mask. They also talk about the way certain roles and norms have evolved and the functional purposes that masks can sometimes serve in helping people to feel safe and secure in the world. Mental health, vulnerability, cultural difference, anger and role models are all explored in this episode, in a wide-ranging conversation between four men working in the mental health sector.

1h 4m
07/19/2025

Ep.3 South Asian Heritage Month

What better way to bring in South Asian Heritage Month (18th of July - 17th of August) than to get some guests in and host a cosy podcast. In this episode Maz, Mahbub and Harnak talk about their lived experience. All three work in the care sector and identify as South Asian. Personal experiences from family, fitting in and food are all explored in this vibrant podcast.

1h 20m
06/09/2025

Ep.2 A Men's Health Week Special

In this episode of the Touchstone Men’s Podcast, we’re breaking down the stigma that says men shouldn’t talk about their struggles. We discuss early warning signs, the barriers to seeking help, and what helped us open up. We’re not experts — just men with lived experience, talking honestly about mental health. If you're finding things tough, you're not alone. #MensMentalHealth #MensHealthWeek #StrongEnoughToTalk #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #ItsOkayToTalk #MenSpeakingOut #TouchstoneLeeds

1h 3m
05/09/2025

Ep.1 What is a man, and what does it mean to be a man?

In our first edition podcast we will be discussing ‘what is a man, and what does it mean to be a man?’. We discuss the identity of men, the sexuality, the class, the religion and challenge the stereotypes put on men within today’s society.

1h 12m

9 Episodes

A podcast hosted by a group of men working within the mental health sector in Leeds. As members of a men’s network and peer support group, we come together to create an open and supportive space for honest conversations. Through shared experiences and professional insight, we challenge the stereotypes and stigma surrounding masculinity, mental health, and what it means to be a man in today’s society.

Creator

Chris Walton, Tobie Fawcett - Touchstone
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

9
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Chris Walton, Tobie Fawcett - Touchstone
Show Website

The Being Men Podcast