Men The Podcast

Michael Baruti
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Bimonthly

One of the major barriers to men addressing and tackling the challenges they face is the fact that discussion of mental health is largely taboo for Tanzanian men. They’re not expected to open up and talk about their struggles with life. Every two weeks (Fortnightly), on Wednesdays Michael Baruti and Nadia Ahmed present an episode that will discuss the challenges that men go through and offer detailed insight on mental health for men. If you’re interested in Mental Health and are interested in unpacking and unlearning mental health for men in Tanzania, this podcast is exactly what you need

  1. Sep 10

    Pesa Na Presha Yake

    Pesa na Presha Yake Tunza pesa, pesa ikutunze : A conversation on financial discipline and men's mental health Money brings its own kind of pressure  “presha” that many men carry silently, rarely naming it as a mental health issue in its own right. In this episode, host Michael Baruti opens up that conversation with real, lived experience and expert insight. At the center of the discussion is Freddy Mbunda, a banker with over 10 years in the industry, who turned his own struggles with money into something bigger: Pesaplan, a platform built to help everyday people escape the cycle of financial stress by building real financial discipline.  Pesaplan isn't theory,  it's shaped directly by Freddy's personal journey, offering practical tools and structure for people who want to take control of their money instead of being controlled by it.  Joining him is his friend, partner, and strategist behind the platform, Syakaa William, who brings the bigger-picture thinking behind turning financial prudence into a sustainable, everyday practice. Rounding out the conversation is Nadia Ahmed, our resident counselor and in-house mental health expert, who connects the dots between financial pressure and emotional wellbeing,  helping listeners see “presha” not as weakness, but as a signal worth addressing. Together, they unpack how financial discipline for your pesa isn't just about numbers , it’s a form of self-care, discipline, and ultimately, freedom. In this episode: What “presha” really looks like when it comes to money and men's mental healthFreddy's journey from banking to building PesaplanHow Pesaplan helps people build lasting financial disciplineSyakaa's perspective on strategy and sustainable financial habitsNadia's mental health lens on financial stress and emotional wellbeingWhy tunza pesa, pesa ikutunze is more than a saying. it's a mindset

    Pesa Na Presha Yake

  2. Aug 26

    Jenga Ufanisi. Kuwa Bora

    What does it really mean to become a great man? In this episode of Men Men Men, Michael Baruti sits down with Princely Glorious for a deep conversation about the importance of building competency “ufanisi” as a man. We explore why becoming competent is about much more than being good at your job or making money. It is about developing the knowledge, skills, discipline, judgment and emotional maturity to navigate life, take responsibility, build meaningful relationships and show up for the people who matter. But the pursuit of competence can also have a darker side. We unpack how the pressure on men to always be strong, successful, independent and in control can feed into toxic masculinity  and what it looks like to pursue growth without losing vulnerability, connection and humanity. The conversation takes us into curiosity and parenting, exploring why teaching children to ask questions, experiment, challenge assumptions and learn from failure may be one of the most valuable forms of competency we can give them. We also explore the four masculine archetypes:  The King, Warrior, Magician and Lover and how leadership, courage, wisdom and connection can help us become more complete and balanced men. At its heart, this is a conversation about the lifelong work of becoming better. Because being a man isn't about having all the answers. It's about continually building the capacity t

    Jenga Ufanisi. Kuwa Bora

  3. Jun 19

    Nikki ni Good Boy

    Most people know Nikki wa Pili as a rapper, entrepreneur, family man, and now a District Commissioner. But behind the titles, achievements, and public image is a man whose journey began not with a dream of becoming a rapper, but with a young man growing up in poverty in Daraja Mbili, Arusha, simply trying to find his way in life. In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Nikki reflects on his journey from those early days in Arusha to becoming one of Tanzania's most respected creatives and public servants. From the streets of Daraja Mbili to rap stages, from business ventures to boardrooms, and eventually into public office, he shares how a life he never planned for unfolded step by step, opening doors he never imagined. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful message: fame is not the same as success. While many people spend their lives chasing recognition and validation, Nikki explains why true success is measured by purpose, impact, family, character, and service to others. He opens up about how his understanding of success has evolved over the years and why some of life's most meaningful achievements happen far away from the spotlight. The conversation explores manhood, fatherhood, leadership, relationships, purpose, and the responsibilities that come with growth. Nikki speaks candidly about the mistakes that shaped him, the pressures men carry, and the ongoing journey of becoming a better husband, father, leader, and citizen. How does a young man growing up in poverty in Daraja Mbili, Arusha, who never dreamed of becoming a rapper, end up becoming one of Tanzania's most influential creatives, a successful entrepreneur, and eventually a District Commissioner? And what happens when you realize that fame is not the destination, but merely one chapter in a much bigger story? Tune in and find out. Because men need spaces to talk too.

    Nikki ni Good Boy

  4. Jun 3

    Jifunze Kutulia

    Meet Black X,  one of Tanzania’s most celebrated music video directors, a man whose confidence is as bold as his creativity, and someone who genuinely believes he is the GOAT of his craft. But before the fame, the awards, and the iconic visuals, he was simply Erick  a young boy growing up in rural Tanzania, dreaming of one day making something extraordinary of himself. In this episode, Black X takes us on a deeply personal journey through his life. He reflects on his childhood in the village, his school years, the unwavering belief that he would become a successful rapper, and the unexpected path that led him to become one of the most influential visual storytellers in the country. This conversation goes beyond music videos and success. It is a candid discussion about ambition, self-belief, discipline, and the realities of navigating life as a man. Black X shares the lessons he has learned through both victories and setbacks, revealing why he believes that one quality has been more valuable than any talent or opportunity: patience. According to Black X, if there is one thing every man should pray for, it is the ability to remain calm. Whether life is going your way or falling apart, whether you are at the peak of success or struggling through your lowest moments, learning to stay composed can be the difference between growth and destruction. His message is simple but powerful: “Jifunze Kutulia” Learn to Stay Calm. Filled with laughter, honesty, wisdom, and unforgettable stories, this episode offers a rare look into the man behind the brand and delivers lessons that every man can apply to his own journey. This is more than a conversation about success. It is a conversation about becoming the kind of man who can handle success, failure, pressure, and uncertainty with grace. Tune in for an inspiring, entertaining, and thought-provoking episode that is guaranteed to leave you with something to reflect on long after it ends.

    Jifunze Kutulia

  5. May 8

    Ardhi: Uwekezaji wa kweli au peer pressure tu?

    In this episode, we sit down with Emilian Rwejuna, Managing Director of Viwanja Tanzania, to unpack one of the biggest silent pressures facing men today. Owning land. From “kila mwanaume lazima awe na kiwanja” to WhatsApp groups pushing plots every week, is buying land truly a smart investment… or are many men just giving in to peer pressure? We dive into the reality behind land ownership in Tanzania. The gaps in knowledge, the risks people don’t talk about, and the assumptions that drive rushed decisions. Emilian breaks down what men should know before buying, where most go wrong, and whether land is really the must-have asset it’s made out to be. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to buy a plot or you’re already in the game but unsure if you made the right move this conversation is for you.

    Ardhi: Uwekezaji wa kweli au peer pressure tu?

  6. May 6

    Ardhi: Uwekezaji wa kweli au peer pressure tu?

    In this episode, we sit down with Emilian Rwejuna, Managing Director of Viwanja Tanzania, to unpack one of the biggest silent pressures facing men today. Owning land. From “kila mwanaume lazima awe na kiwanja” to WhatsApp groups pushing plots every week, is buying land truly a smart investment… or are many men just giving in to peer pressure? We dive into the reality behind land ownership in Tanzania. The gaps in knowledge, the risks people don’t talk about, and the assumptions that drive rushed decisions. Emilian breaks down what men should know before buying, where most go wrong, and whether land is really the must-have asset it’s made out to be. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to buy a plot or you’re already in the game but unsure if you made the right move this conversation is for you.

    Ardhi: Uwekezaji wa kweli au peer pressure tu?

  7. Apr 14

    Maisha Siyo Nukta, Ni Koma.

    Life is not a full stop. It’s a comma. But for many men, it doesn’t always feel that way. In this episode of Men Men Men, we sit down with Sebastian Mwaikambo for a deep and honest conversation about masculinity, emotional pressure, and the silent battles men face every day. From his journey in media to leadership and now marketing, Sebastian brings a unique perspective on what it means to be a man in today’s world. Together with psychologist Nadia, we go beyond surface-level conversations and explore the mental and emotional realities of men,  the pressure to stay strong, the fear of vulnerability, and the difference between being emotionally in control and emotionally shut down. This episode asks difficult but necessary questions: What do men do with what they feel? Who do they turn to when things are not okay? And at what point does silence become dangerous? Because sometimes, what looks like strength… is just survival. This is a conversation about identity, healing, and the courage to continue  even when life feels like it’s coming to an end. Because maisha siyo nukta. Ni koma.

    Maisha Siyo Nukta, Ni Koma.

  8. Mar 18

    FGM Itaisha Wanaume Wakiamua

    In this powerful live episode of Men Men Men, recorded in Monduli before an audience of over 200 people, we confront one of the most sensitive and deeply rooted issues in our communities: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This is not a conversation about blame, it is a conversation about responsibility. Bringing together Dr. Gwajima (Minister  for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups), a courageous FGM survivor, a male anti-FGM champion, a mental health expert, and voices from the community, this episode goes beyond awareness. It challenges men to reflect on their role in either sustaining or ending the practice. Through raw, honest, and at times uncomfortable dialogue, we explore: The hidden mental and emotional impact of FGM How silence from men allows harmful practices to continue The connection between trauma, relationships, and family life What it truly means to be a man who protects rather than preserves harm And the urgent question:  If not men, then who will stop this? This is Men Men Men at its core,  real conversations, real accountability, real change. Because FGM will not end with policies alone. It will end when men decide: “Not in my family. Not in my name. Not in my generation.”

    FGM Itaisha Wanaume Wakiamua
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

One of the major barriers to men addressing and tackling the challenges they face is the fact that discussion of mental health is largely taboo for Tanzanian men. They’re not expected to open up and talk about their struggles with life. Every two weeks (Fortnightly), on Wednesdays Michael Baruti and Nadia Ahmed present an episode that will discuss the challenges that men go through and offer detailed insight on mental health for men. If you’re interested in Mental Health and are interested in unpacking and unlearning mental health for men in Tanzania, this podcast is exactly what you need

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Baruti
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michael Baruti
  • Show Website
    Men The Podcast

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