Episodes

In this powerful episode, Patrick Sperry reflects on how perfectionism created an endless cycle of striving and dissatisfaction. From giving up a promising professional soccer career to chasing a dream of being a rock star in Hollywood (and a stint as David Beckham’s body double) his journey took him through heartache, creative highs, and personal reckoning. Along the way, yoga became a lifeline - initially a form of escape but ultimately a path to inner alchemy and profound self-discovery. Thro...

Ever wondered how to stay calm and grounded while pivoting careers in the midst of chaos? Meet Adrian de Coursey, whose professional path took him from corporate strategy at Shell and Johnson & Johnson to running a small family business during the height of the global financial crisis. In this candid interview, Adrian reveals the high-stakes challenges he faced - burning the candle at both ends, juggling every aspect of the company, and grappling with the reality that his work-life boundaries ha...

Are you craving more energy, deeper relationships, and a stronger sense of purpose, yet somehow, you are caught in a cycle of “unshakable unhappiness”? In this illuminating conversation, I sit down with psychologist and Silicon Valley executive coach Dr. Adam Dorsey to explore how tapping into the power of authentic connection can transform every area of your life. Drawing on his personal journey and clinical experience with high-achieving men, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and global te...

In this raw and powerful episode, we talk to Mike Skrypnek, an international bestselling author, men’s mental health advocate, CEO of Grow Get Give Coaching, and founder of the Unlimited Worth Project. Once a successful investment manager, Mike reveals how a combination of unaddressed childhood trauma and the relentless pressure for achievement nearly drove him to end his life. Amid the chaos of the pandemic, as business collapsed and isolation tightened its grip, he found himself at a breaking...

Join me for a powerful conversation with Craig Hamilton, a man whose life story transcends boundaries and stigma. A celebrated sports broadcaster and former coal miner, Craig faced his greatest challenge not underground or behind the microphone, but within himself. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a psychotic episode on the eve of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Craig has spent the past two decades turning his personal battles into a mission of awareness and hope. In this episode, Craig opens up...

In this open and honest episode, we're joined by Patrick Donnelly, who discusses the often-unspoken struggles men face when the weight of life feels overwhelming and futile. Patrick bravely shares how anxiety and depression took root after becoming a father, amplifying his long-held belief that nothing he attempted would succeed. His story reveals the toll of a lifetime spent avoiding risks, taking the easiest paths, and resigning himself to failure before even trying. Through therapy a...

In this compelling episode, we dive deep into the silent struggles many men face in expressing themselves—emotionally, verbally, and even creatively. Joined by Dr Danny Brassell, a dynamic speaker, author, and first and foremost, a teacher, we explore the roots of men’s anxiety around vulnerability, confidence, and connection. Danny shares personal stories of overcoming a childhood stutter, life-changing encounters, and his transformative work with men in high-pressure careers and everyday life...

In this episode, David Westgate shares his deeply personal journey with bipolar 1, reflecting on how the disorder manifested in his life and the impact it had on his relationships, career, and daily routines. He describes the struggle of living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, where periods of extreme highs felt like "true happiness," only to be followed by profound, often debilitating depression. From early symptoms in his twenties through a pivotal moment that led him to seek medical help, ...

In this episode, I’m joined by Russ, a third-generation tradesman, business owner, and host of The Talking Tradesman podcast. Russ has spent a lifetime in construction, a sector known for its tough culture and silent battles, especially around mental health. He shares his powerful journey, starting with his childhood, where he was raised by his father after his mother left the family, leaving Russ to grow up fast and take on responsibilities beyond his years. At just 17, Russ took over the famil...

In this episode, I'm joined by Jeff to discuss his long battle with mental health challenges. Jeff shares how his depression stems from childhood, living in a chaotic home environment, and how it revisited him regularly throughout his life. He describes how, after many years of struggle, he found solace in both medication and exercise, specifically running and cycling. Jeff talks about how his depression was also linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and how discovering the positive imp...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Shawn Bergeth, a former corporate executive who radically transformed his life after 17 years in supply chain management. Shawn opens up about his unexpected job loss, which he saw as a gift, and how it catalysed his journey toward mental health advocacy. From battling anxiety and depression to becoming a psychotherapist, Shawn shares how he embraced vulnerability and deep self-reflection. Shawn takes us on a fascinating exploration of alternative he...

In this episode of the Midlife Men Podcast, host Philip Briscoe sits down with Brian Murphy, a 52-year-old father, husband, and former sports journalist, to discuss his deeply personal battle with depression. Brian opens up about how his career in journalism, particularly his passion for covering hockey, began to lose its luster around 2017, leading him into a spiral of low-level depression. Despite having a seemingly perfect life, Brian found himself increasingly withdrawn, unable to enjoy soci...

Dan Flanagan is a father and founder of Dad La Soul, an award-winning social impact organisation that focuses on tackling social isolation for dads. He shares his experience of struggling with being a dad and feeling like an outsider at mother and baby classes. He also reflects on his struggles with juggling his career, his father's illness, and how he found himself spending too much time on his phone at work and not experiencing fatherhood as he wanted to. After a bout of illness, Dan decided ...

In this compelling episode, we dive deep into Paul's candid journey through depression and suicidal thoughts. For years, Paul excelled in his career, leading finances for a construction company. But beneath the surface, he felt disconnected, living a life that wasn't truly his. The facade began to crumble when he took voluntary redundancy, leading to a severe depressive spiral. Paul opens up about the pressure to conform to societal expectations, the gnawing doubts about his career, and the h...

In this episode, my guest is Mark Meier, the executive director at Face It, an organisation set up to help men understand and overcome depression and reduce the rate of male suicide. Mark shares his personal struggle with depression. In 2002, he faced severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, leading to hospitalisation. His journey of recovery highlights the importance of seeking help and sharing struggles, even when feeling ashamed or burdened. Mark emphasises the significance of talk...

In this episode, my guest is Mark Bradshaw, who shares his personal journey with gambling addiction. Mark recalls his early exposure to gambling as a child through seaside holidays, and how his love for playing sports later led him to place bets on rugby matches. His introduction to casinos at 18 only exacerbated his addiction, eventually leading him to spend hours daily in high street betting shops. Mark highlights the manipulative strategies of bookmakers and online gambling platforms that ex...

In this episode of Midlife Men, Dave Cohen, comedian, novelist, and comedy writing teacher, discusses his relationship with his parents. His upbringing in a close-knit Jewish community in Leeds, shaped by the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel, lays the groundwork for a complicated familial dynamic. As he navigates adolescent rebellion, moves to London to pursue a comedy career, and challenges his father's firm pro-Israel stance, underlying concerns of family, identity, and mental health...

In this episode of Midlife Men, Nico Morales shares his story of resilience and personal growth, reflecting on his upbringing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He discusses how rejection shaped his early life, particularly when his sister faced a life-threatening situation, leading to feelings of rejection and fear of missing out. As a child, he shuttled between New Mexico and Arizona, highlighting his root issues of rejection and fear. Morales reflects on how early childhood experiences can signific...

Welcome to this episode of Midlife Men with Philip Briscoe, featuring guest James Davis, one half of the Midlife Mentors podcast. James shares insights into navigating midlife challenges, drawing from his personal experiences, including living abroad, going through divorce, and addressing the andropause, sometimes known as the ‘male menopause’. James discusses the origins of Midlife Mentors, stemming from his background in psychology and passion for magazine journalism. He reflects on his journ...

In this episode, Steve introduces F3 (Fitness, Fellowship, Faith), a global movement that originated in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2011. F3 comprises men who meet for outdoor workouts, focusing on camaraderie, fitness, and a sense of purpose beyond oneself. The workouts include boot camp-style exercises and running or rucking sessions, emphasizing pushing each other to improve physically while fostering bonds of fellowship. Steve shares his personal journey into F3, prompted by a friend's per...

In this compelling episode, I am privileged to be joined by Tim and Sue Iorio, who bravely recount the poignant yet ultimately inspiring tale of their son, Nick. Nick was the eldest of three brothers hailing from a Midwestern town in Ohio, a top-class student and athlete, Nick struggled with a mental health disorder, and the only peace he was able to find was through suicide. He died at age twenty. Tim and Sue describe their poignant journey, from the initial signs of Nick's mental health chall...

Shay Doran, a men's coach specialising in helping men overcome sexual performance issues, shares insights into the challenges he faced and how he transformed his life. Initially, on the surface, his life seemed great, but he struggled with a bad relationship with porn and sex, thinking it was normal for every guy. It took years for him to realise the destructive impact on his life. Discussing the escalation of porn usage, Shay highlights how it affects the mind differently from real-life sex....

In this episode, I am joined by Andrea Newton, who is on a mission to provide men with a better understanding of menopause. If, like me, your knowledge is slim and you feel out of your comfort zone anytime the word ‘menopause’ is mentioned, then this episode is for you. With over 30 years’ of experience helping thousands of men and women have important conversations, Andrea’s approach is down-to-earth, and straightforward. This episode will be useful to any man who wants to offer support in a w...

In part II, of this episode, I continue my discussion with Paul Bayliss, who experienced job-related depression when undertaking a massive transformation project for a large public sector organisation. A combination of the demands and high-pressure nature of the role with a toxic working environment and culture proved to be unsustainable. Finally, Paul was diagnosed with depression and signed off work but that was the beginning of another battle to acknowledge the condition and deal with his per...