Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

Philip Briscoe
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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. Why It’s So Hard for Men to Talk, with Tom Karrel

    6 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    Why It’s So Hard for Men to Talk, with Tom Karrel

    TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains references to suicide, which you may find distressing, so please listen with care. So many men grow up hearing the same messages: figure it out yourself, don’t cry, just get on with it. The result? A lot of us go through life carrying heavy stuff on our own, even when it’s slowly crushing us. In this conversation, I talk to Tom Karrell about what happens when you stop pretending and actually start connecting. Tom shares openly about losing three close friends to suicide, how that grief shook him awake, and why it taught him that men need other men but not in some cliché “brotherhood” sense, but in a very real, human way. We explore why disconnection is so dangerous, what prevents men from opening up, and the small, practical steps you can take to make it feel safer. This isn’t about therapy-speak or quick fixes; it’s about learning how to show up as yourself and letting other people see you for who you really are. What You’ll Learn Why men often hide pain and how it backfiresWhat grief can teach us about connection and purposeSimple practices to feel more, not less, of your emotionsHow to start talking when you’ve been silent for yearsWhy connection could be the difference between surviving and actually livingTo find out more about Groups for Men, click on these links: Courses, Coaching or Groups for Men meetings.  If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are organisations you can call now for example, in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are in the US, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14.  As always, the advice is to speak to a GP or mental health professional.

    39 phút
  2. “I’m desperate for work...redundancy triggered a mental illness in me”, with Joe Emery

    25 THG 9

    “I’m desperate for work...redundancy triggered a mental illness in me”, with Joe Emery

    What happens when a successful career suddenly disappears overnight? In this frank conversation, we explore the hidden reality of job loss in today's brutal employment market and its devastating impact on mental health, identity, and self-worth. Joe built a thriving career as a copywriter for major brands before being made redundant alongside thousands of others in the tech industry bloodbath. What followed was an eye-opening journey through the modern job market that would challenge everything he thought he knew about finding work. Instead of staying silent, Joe chose honesty. He began sharing his story on LinkedIn: the frustration, the toll of rejection, the impact on his financial, physical and mental health. One post went viral with millions of views, sparking conversations far beyond his own experience. His openness has brought him support, but also abuse - often from other men - shining a light on the toxic silence that surrounds male vulnerability. Why You Should Listen This episode pulls back the curtain on: The shocking reality of applying for 5,000+ jobs with minimal response.How the modern recruitment process has become dehumanised and exploitative.The mental health crisis hidden behind LinkedIn's highlight reel.Why toxic masculinity prevents men from seeking help when they need it most.Practical strategies for maintaining mental health during career setbacks.What You'll Learn About the Job Market Reality: Why experienced professionals are struggling to find work despite their skills.How companies are asking for days of unpaid work before interviews.The prevalence of ghosting and template rejections in recruitment.About Mental Health & Identity: How job loss can trigger severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.The connection between career identity and self-worth.Why men struggle more to admit vulnerability and seek help.The physical toll of prolonged unemployment.Practical Coping Strategies: The power of radical honesty on professional platforms.Why hypnotherapy and mindfulness can be game-changers.The importance of staying connected to people who care about you.How to reframe rejection and maintain confidence.This is a raw but ultimately hopeful conversation about resilience, self-worth, and the power of speaking up. If you’ve ever questioned your value after setbacks or wondered why so many men feel they have to suffer in silence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts, psychiatric care, and the mental health impact of unemployment. If you are struggling, please reach out to your GP or a support service such as: UK & Ireland – Samaritans: 116 123 USA – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 Canada – Talk Suicide: 1-833-456-4566Australia – Lifeline: 13 11 14 Ireland – Samaritans: 116 123International – Find a local helpline via https://findahelpline.com.You can reach out to Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeemerywrites-forbondfansonly/.

    34 phút
  3. From Bullied Teen to Marathon Warrior, with Ben White

    22 THG 9

    From Bullied Teen to Marathon Warrior, with Ben White

    TRIGGER WARNING This episode contains a reference to suicidal thoughts, which you may find distressing, so please listen with care. In this powerful episode, we hear the remarkable story of a man who turned years of bullying into fuel for resilience and achievement. Ben shares how relentless bullying at school - much of it focused on the way he ran - left him feeling isolated, stripped of confidence, and battling despair. What started as taunts from a friend escalated into years of cruelty that shaped his teenage and early adult life. He opens up about the loneliness, the long shadow it cast on his identity, and the moments when he nearly lost hope. But this is not just a story of struggle; it’s one of extraordinary transformation. Running, once the very thing he was mocked for, became the anchor that rebuilt his confidence, relationships, and sense of self. From completing his first marathon to conquering seven marathons in seven days across seven countries, Ben has shown that the very source of pain can be turned into strength. You’ll learn from Ben: The long-term emotional impact bullying can have and how it can follow someone into adulthood.Why finding one source of confidence (however small) can be life-changing.How running gave Ben not just purpose, but a platform to inspire others and raise money for children’s mental health services.What resilience looks like in practice: persistence, self-belief, and transforming ridicule into fuel.This is an inspiring, deeply human conversation about struggle, survival, and ultimately, the triumph of spirit. You can find out more about Jack’s amazing achievement and the Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, on his JustGiving page ‘7 Marathons in 7 Days for Bright Young Dream’. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are organisations you can call now for example, in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are in the US, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14. As always, the advice is to speak to a GP or mental health professional.

    30 phút
  4. How to Future-Proof Your Midlife Career, with Mike Dwyer

    14 THG 9

    How to Future-Proof Your Midlife Career, with Mike Dwyer

    In this episode of the Mid-Life Men Podcast, I sit down with career strategist Mike Dwyer to tackle one of the biggest midlife challenges: how to stay relevant, employable, and fulfilled in a world of shifting technology, corporate upheaval, and age bias.  Mike brings decades of experience helping men navigate uncertainty, and he shares practical strategies for fighting back against the forces that can leave midlife professionals feeling sidelined.  We explore:  Why so many seasoned professionals feel “chewed up” by shifting workplaces, automation, and cost-cutting.How to stay current without chasing every new tool or trend.The power of “topical networking” and how to use it to open unexpected doors.Building a “personal board” of allies who can keep you accountable, stretch your thinking, and stop you from going it alone.How to spot your next chapter, whether it’s a “senior encore” role, a reinvention, or simply doing what you do best in a new setting.Why humility and intentionality matter when facing career transitions.The mental health benefits of taking action, experimenting, and refusing to battle through midlife career changes in silence.Mike’s insights are honest, hopeful, and highly practical. If you’ve been worried about staying relevant in the workplace, frustrated by endless applications that go nowhere, or wondering what comes next in your working life, this conversation will give you clarity, strategies, and a renewed sense of possibility.   If you want to find out more about Mike and his work, visit his website: https://emplanacareer.com/.

    36 phút
  5. Kill the Coward: Reclaim Your Life, with Jack Muldoon

    8 THG 9

    Kill the Coward: Reclaim Your Life, with Jack Muldoon

    TRIGGER WARNING : This episode contains a raw and honest account of a suicide attempt. Some of what you will hear may be distressing, so please listen with care.  What happens when life strips you of everything - family, security, even the will to live? Jack Muldoon knows. From losing both parents as a child to battling addiction, homelessness, and a suicide attempt, Jack’s story is raw, brutal, and ultimately inspiring.  In this conversation, Jack opens up about how he rebuilt himself from rock bottom and created The King’s Empire Blueprint—a no-nonsense manual for men who want to reclaim their lives. His philosophy is simple but confronting: kill the coward, take full accountability, and build your own creed to live by.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How childhood trauma and loss shaped Jack’s self-destructive behaviours.Why hitting rock bottom still wasn’t the turning point - and what finally was.The power of “killing the coward” and learning to say yes to yourself first.Why small, simple, repeatable steps (not grand gestures) create lasting change.How Jack uses his Mind’s Temple framework to help men rewrite their lives.The importance of male role models and what Jack is teaching his son about being a man.Jack doesn’t sugar-coat his past. But his honesty and the practical way he’s turned pain into purpose offer a roadmap for any man who feels lost, stuck, or one decision away from ruin.   If you’ve ever wondered how to move from self-destruction to self-mastery, this episode is for you.   If you want to find out more about Jack, you can find him on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindsTemple or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@minds.temple. His book The King’s Empire Blueprint is available at https://stan.store/MindsTempleltd, and you can contact Jack directly by email: mindstempleltd@gmail.com. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are organisations you can call now. For example, in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are in the US, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.   As always, we recommend that you speak to a GP or mental health professional.

    48 phút
  6. Fame to Rock Bottom: Never Throw in the Towel, with Anthony Hutton

    2 THG 9

    Fame to Rock Bottom: Never Throw in the Towel, with Anthony Hutton

    What happens when fame fades, money runs out, and identity slips away?  In 2005, Anthony Hutton became an overnight celebrity after winning Big Brother. aged just 23.  Within days, he had agents, photo shoots, and hundreds of thousands of pounds in the bank. But when the cameras switched off, eventually life unravelled into drink, drugs, and even passive thoughts of suicide.  Today, his story looks very different. As a barber, keynote speaker, and founder of the Never Throw In The Towel Project, Anthony is creating spaces where men can talk, connect, and choose life.  In this powerful conversation, Anthony shares the raw truth about:  The exhilarating high of instant fame and how and why it nearly destroyed him.The spiral into addiction, financial chaos, and passive suicidal thoughts.The turning point that came not from therapy, but from taking action and starting over.How barbering became Anthony’s lifeline and why the barber’s chair is one of the most powerful spaces for men to talk.Why men often won’t talk unless the setting is ‘in disguise’ and how barbershops, boxing gyms, and forests can provide those essential safe spaces. How his grandmother’s legacy inspired the Never Throw In The Towel Project.What he’s learned about resilience, fate, and the mindset shift that saved him.How retreats, storytelling, and community are helping men in the UK talk, connect, and choose life.Anthony’s story is one of fame, loss, resilience, and purpose. It’s raw, honest, and full of lessons for anyone who has ever struggled in silence or watched someone they love fall apart. His message is clear: the bad times don’t last, and connection saves lives. For more information, visit the website Never Throw in the Towel Project, and you can find Anthony on LinkedIn.

    52 phút
  7. Midlife Reset: How to Let Go and Begin Again, with Erik ten Have

    23 THG 8

    Midlife Reset: How to Let Go and Begin Again, with Erik ten Have

    What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like the life you’re meant to live?  At 54, Erik walked away from a long marriage, left the country he’d called home for 25 years, rebuilt in Spain, survived a stroke, and is now creating a new business in AI. His story isn’t one of reckless reinvention, but of deliberate choices, awareness, and courage to face change head-on.  In this conversation, Erik and I talk about:  Letting go with respect - how to end a marriage without bitterness, and why separation can sometimes be the most loving decision.Redesigning life from the ground up - why moving country, shedding possessions, and starting fresh can be liberating rather than terrifying.Stress-testing excuses - how to see through the reasons you tell yourself you “can’t” change.Inner calm and outer change  - the principle that your external world follows your inner state, and why silence, clarity, and self-reflection matter more than outside noise.Health as a wake-up call  - what Erik learned from a stroke about stress, resilience, and treating recovery as training, not decline.Work and purpose in midlife - why building businesses (not just wealth) can be a creative outlet, and how AI may offer new doors for reinvention.Freedom over possessions - the surprising relief of divesting assets and living light.First steps for anyone stuck - the role of awareness, perspective, and honest conversation in beginning the shift towards a more fulfilling life.This is not a story about easy fixes. It’s about recognising signals, taking responsibility for your choices, and discovering that on the other side of fear, there’s freedom.   If you’re in midlife and feeling trapped, Erik’s journey shows that change is possible, step by step, with awareness, patience, and the courage to listen to yourself.

    44 phút
  8. Why Humility is a Superpower for Midlife Men, with Simon Moss

    1 THG 8

    Why Humility is a Superpower for Midlife Men, with Simon Moss

    What if the root of many problems faced by middle-aged men - burnout, broken relationships, anxiety, aggression - stemmed from something hiding in plain sight: entitlement and narcissism?  In this fascinating conversation, psychologist and Dean of the University of Wollengong in Australia, Simon Moss explains why our culture's emphasis on status, dominance, and self-importance might be making us miserable, and what we can do about it.  Drawing on decades of research, Simon introduces his new project, RadicalHumility.com, and shares practical strategies to reduce narcissism, build resilience, and embrace humility, not as weakness, but as a superpowerfor better relationships, leadership, and mental health.  What you'll learn:  What humility really is (and why it’s often mistaken for weakness)The surprising link between narcissism and burnout, anxiety, and domestic abuseHow humble men are actually more confident, credible, and respectedWhy humility improves emotional resilience and relationshipsHow societal uncertainty drives narcissistic behaviour and how to resist itEveryday signs of narcissism in yourself or others and how to spot themWhy humility is essential in the AI-driven, uncertain world we now live inHow partners, friends, and colleagues can support men stuck in patterns of entitlementA simple 3-step method to practice and cultivate lasting humilityThis episode isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness, growth, and changing the narrative. Whether you’re struggling with control, frustration, or just feel something’s off, this episode offers a way forward. If you want to find out more about Simon’s movement to nullify narcissism and end entitlement, visit his website: https://radical-humility.com/ where you’ll find lots of information, including freely available videos and other useful content.

    37 phút
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Giới Thiệu

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.

Thông Tin

  • Nhà sáng tạo
    Philip Briscoe
  • Năm hoạt động
    2023 - 2025
  • Tập
    71
  • Xếp hạng
    Thô tục
  • Bản quyền
    © 2025 Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast
  • Trang web chương trình
    Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

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