Episodes

This episode of Mid-Life Men includes open and honest discussions about mental health challenges, including suicide. Some listeners may find this content distressing. In this frank and powerful episode, we hear from a man who has walked through unimaginable darkness and emerged not just surviving, but speaking with purpose and compassion. Through heartbreak, rejection, success, loss, and silence, Chris shares his lived experience of growing up as a Black British man navigating racism, identity...

What happens when a man spends decades surviving, but never truly living? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, poet, coach, and men's trauma specialist Rick Belden joins us to explore how childhood wounds - especially those inflicted by emotionally absent or unsafe parents - can shape and limit a man's entire adult life. Rick shares his journey from high-achieving student to sawmill worker, reluctant software engineer, and ultimately, to a man who rediscovered his true self through art,...

Have you ever wondered why you feel physically unwell when you're emotionally stressed, or why even small lifestyle changes can dramatically impact your mental and physical health? In this episode, we dive into the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit with Christian Elliot, holistic mind and body health expert. We explore how unresolved emotional baggage and toxic thought patterns can profoundly affect physical well-being, leading to chronic illnesses and persistent health challenges....

In this episode, my guest is Ian Morgan Cron, bestselling author, psychotherapist, and Enneagram expert. Most people hear “12 Steps” and think of Alcoholics Anonymous. But what if we told you this programme isn’t just for people struggling with alcohol or drugs? What if it could help anyone - including you - break free from unhealthy patterns, destructive habits, or even the little things that keep you stuck? Ian dives into what the 12 Steps are really about, why they work, and how they can be...

In this deeply personal episode, Will Castle shares his experience of losing his father to suicide and the years of silence that followed. He reflects on the complexities of his childhood, his father’s struggles, and the moment everything changed. Will speaks openly about the grief, isolation, and self-destructive behaviour he experienced in the aftermath. He explains how he felt compelled to show no emotion even at the funeral, as well as the unspoken pressures that made it harder to ask for h...

In this compelling episode, two-time Olympian Jack Green shares his raw and deeply personal journey through elite sport, mental health struggles, and the pursuit of fulfilment beyond medals. At the peak of his career, Jack was competing on the world’s biggest stage, yet behind the scenes, he was battling depression, anxiety, and bipolar tendencies. His story is a stark reminder that success doesn’t always mean happiness - even for those who seem to have it all. Jack speaks candidly about how hi...

In this episode, I'm joined by Cedric Bertelli as we dive deep into the hidden mechanics of emotional pain, trauma, and healing. Our guest shares his insights from years of research on how the brain forms destructive emotional patterns - like anxiety, fear, and self-doubt - and, more importantly, how we can break free from them. Why do we numb our pain with alcohol, overwork, or other destructive behaviours? The answer might not be what you think. Discover how trauma - big or small - ca...

What does it take to survive bullying, internalised shame, and two suicide attempts and then go on to run 401 marathons in 401 days? In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Ben Smith, whose remarkable journey from a troubled past to a world-record-breaking challenge is nothing short of extraordinary. Ben opens up about the pain of childhood bullying, the devastating impact it had on his self-worth, and the years he spent hiding his true self. He takes us through the dark times - str...

In this episode, join us for an unforgettable conversation with Warren McKee, an Iraq War veteran who came home to face the depths of PTSD, addiction, and homelessness, only to rise as a resilient entrepreneur and life coach. In this raw and inspiring episode, he shares his harrowing journey from the battlefield to rock bottom and how he rebuilt his life from the ashes. We delve into the unseen battles of trauma, the chaos of addiction, and the struggle to reconnect with family and identity. Wa...

In this episode, I am joined by Tom Oxley, a workplace mental health consultant, trainer, and support specialist whose TEDx talk on mental health has inspired over three-quarters of a million viewers. Years ago, while forging a fast-paced career in advertising, marketing, and PR, Tom hit a wall. His relentless schedule and lifestyle eventually caused a profound mental health crisis, leaving him tearful, unable to focus, and uncertain where to turn for help. In this candid conversation, Tom open...

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...