38 episodes

Understanding Men is a podcast that challenges expectations around traditional masculinity and explores difficult subjects in the hopes of creating a safe space for men to be vulnerable.  
The hosts, Luke Sutton and Fraser Franks, both ex-professional sportsmen, have spoken openly about their own experiences with addiction, alcoholism, poor physical health, and poor mental health. Now they're sharing their stories in the hopes that they'll inspire listeners to do the same within their own relationships. 
 
Every week, Luke and Fraser will explore subjects that they feel men rarely make time to talk about. Insecurities, relationships, ego, expectations, fears and mistakes - nothing is off the table...Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and watch full episodes on YouTube here youtube.com/@UnderstandingMenPod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Understanding Men Luke Sutton

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 4 Ratings

Understanding Men is a podcast that challenges expectations around traditional masculinity and explores difficult subjects in the hopes of creating a safe space for men to be vulnerable.  
The hosts, Luke Sutton and Fraser Franks, both ex-professional sportsmen, have spoken openly about their own experiences with addiction, alcoholism, poor physical health, and poor mental health. Now they're sharing their stories in the hopes that they'll inspire listeners to do the same within their own relationships. 
 
Every week, Luke and Fraser will explore subjects that they feel men rarely make time to talk about. Insecurities, relationships, ego, expectations, fears and mistakes - nothing is off the table...Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and watch full episodes on YouTube here youtube.com/@UnderstandingMenPod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fear of Failure

    Fear of Failure

    In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss failure. Looking back at instances in their lives which they then viewed as failures, they show the importance of failure as a means to learn and grow. They also highlight how the mindset of not wanting to fail can be helpful in delivering a good performance, but can be an unsustainable way to live long-term.
    Luke and Fraser also explore the idea of a fear of success, and how fear of a good or bad outcome can result in someone never stepping out of their comfort zone. They address how failure is often a key part of some of the most significant moments of our lives and highlight how embracing the emotion can allow us to learn and therefore achieve.
    Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 52 min
    Dealing with Uncertainty

    Dealing with Uncertainty

    In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore uncertainty. Highlighting the importance of tolerating uncertainty that was key to their recovery journey, they share the practices they have in place that enable them to stay present and embrace the possibilities of each day.
    They discuss the joy, hope and excitement that uncertainty can bring, and how often the best thing that one can do is focus on the current moment and then go from there. They also highlight how gaining perspective and caring less about an outcome can lead you to be able to live more freely.
    Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 54 min
    Managing an Eating Disorder with Dave Chawner

    Managing an Eating Disorder with Dave Chawner

    In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by award-winning stand-up comedian, number 1 bestselling author and presenter, Dave Chawner. Dave struggled with anorexia for nearly 10 years before seeking treatment, made worse by the fact he found it difficult to explain what was going on.
    Since then he has used the tools at his disposal to help him understand, accept and explain his eating disorder. He now teaches other people through his brilliant 6-week course, Comedy for Coping, to sensitively use humour to inform, educate & entertain to change the tone of the mental health conversation to one of optimism, hope and enjoyment.
    Through the episode, Dave details his story with anorexia, about when he knew it had become a problem, addresses common misconceptions around anorexia and tells the guys what made him finally seek medical advice. Drawing similarities with addiction, Luke, Fraser and Dave talk about how isolation can worsen these issues, and address the non-linear path of recovery.
    If you'd like to find out more about Dave's work, head to www.davechawner.co.uk and www.comedyforcoping.com
    Trigger warning: This episode includes conversations around eating disorders and suicide, which some individuals may find distressing.
    Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 59 min
    Progressive Masculinity with Mike Nicholson

    Progressive Masculinity with Mike Nicholson

    In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by former English teacher and middle leader Mike Nicholson. Mike has a wide range of experience across the educational spectrum and early in his career developed a reputation for his ability to have a positive impact on boys and young men deemed ‘difficult’ and ‘challenging’. Mike developed and delivers the Progressive Masculinity Program which aims to give young men the freedom and confidence to reconstruct a healthier and more open-minded understanding of what it can mean to be ‘a man’.
    Through the episode, Mike, Luke and Fraser discuss the positive impact of male role models, the importance of male-female allyship, misconceptions around masculinity and the negative impact of pornography and social media. Alongside this, Mike highlights the significance of modelling language and communication for young men and how parents can approach difficult conversations around body image and consent.
    If you'd like to find out more about Mike's work, head to progressivemasculinity.co.uk
    Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 54 min
    Reality of the Dad Bod

    Reality of the Dad Bod

    In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the pressures that men may feel around their physical appearance. Addressing the change in beauty standards over the years, and also the increased access to cosmetic procedures, both of them share instances where they have become more conscious of how they look, and how they wish to present themselves to the world.
    Breaking down the idea of the (potentially) inevitable 'dad bod' and what health and wellness actually looks like, they discuss the role of social media, not only on the expectations around male and female bodies, but also as a tool for information around fitness and self development. Finally, they talk about the use of steroids, and how misuse of these substances can lead to poor mental and physical health.
    Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 52 min
    The Impact of Community

    The Impact of Community

    In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the role of community in our lives, and share how it's helped them throughout difficult periods in their lives, including addiction and poor health. Drawing on the evolutionary purpose of community, they discuss why groups of people are so often and easily driven apart by difference of opinion, and address communities that emerge to take advantage of vulnerable people.
    They also talk about the importance of community as we age, and how they regularly feel the positive effect of community on their own mental health. Finally, they discuss the role of social media in creating new and instant community, and how this has been both positive and negative in equal measure.
    Trigger warning: This episode includes conversations around suicide, which some individuals may find distressing.
    Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
4 Ratings

4 Ratings

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Fail Better with David Duchovny
Lemonada Media
This American Life
This American Life
Blame it on the Fame: Milli Vanilli
Wondery
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan | Cumulus Podcast Network
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle and Audacy

You Might Also Like

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
DOAC
The High Performance Podcast
High Performance
The Rest Is Entertainment
Goalhanger Podcasts
Big Fish with Spencer Matthews
Global
Athletico Mince
Bob Mortimer & Andy Dawson
Up Front
Folding Pocket and William Hill