The Man Hug

This episode shines a spotlight on Heart Health , resilience, and the power of community action. Joining us are two incredible guests: Nick Parkes, who is an open-water swimmer and cardiac arrest survivor, sharing his remarkable journey back to the water and his mission to raise awareness of cardiac health. Mark King OBE – Founder of The Oliver King Foundation , discussing the lifesaving importanc...

On this episode we focus on the theme of PTSD and C-PTSD. We are joined by two more fantastic guests discussing their own lived experience along with more support available to men. Our first guest is Jeff Russell, a former Police Officer who lives with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Jeff discusses how trauma in childhood along with years of trauma exposure in his career resulted in a diag...

In this episode we focus on the theme of 'Fatherhood' and the common connections with mental health. We are joined by Pete and Anthony from 'Dads Outdoors' which is a Liverpool based CIC. Bringing nature and bushcraft skills into the local community. Running, walks, fire circles and activity sessions. For dads of all ages. Whether you're a new dad, a grandad, a novice or f...

In this episode we are joined by special guests Dr Walter Tasosa, Mel Bowen (Spider Project/Musician) and Mike Caulfield (Nurse consultant/Clinical Lead for suicide prevention) for a round-table discussion on masculinity. We explore what it means to be a role model, emotions that are still difficult for men to express, toxic traits that exist in certain professions and what we were told to act lik...

In this special episode for University Mental Health Day The Man Hug have teamed up with award winning podcast the Proper Mental Podcast. The Proper Mental Podcast is an award‑winning UK mental health podcast created and hosted by Tom Davies. The podcast focuses on open, honest conversations about mental health and mental illness, aiming to normalise these discussions and reduce stigma. Tom began...

In this episode we are joined by two more fantastic guests as we discuss the theme of 'kindness'. Gary Millar is an Alderman, former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, an enthusiastic 'Pay It Forward' champion, philanthropist, Senior Fellow, international relations lead and writer. He has recently published his families story 'Silent Victims' parts 1 & 2 which is a deeply p...

On this special episode (as part of HIV Testing week) we are joined by 2 more fantastic guests, to help educate us and rid any common misconceptions about HIV. We are joined by Emma Davey, A lifelong ally and advocate supporting people living with HIV, Emma is employed in a role in HIV oncology, working alongside Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Alliance to tackle the challenges people living with H...

On this episode we explore the theme of Movement and we are joined by two wonderful guests. Rob Glover is a Liverpool-based cultural architect, performer, and storyteller who grew up and built his career as a professional dancer. That background shapes how he sees the world – through a choreographic lens, where behaviour, space, timing, and presence all matter. Across years working in dance, sport...

Theme:Talking. We are thrilled to be joined by ex-rugby league professional Danny Sculthorpe.  Danny is a former English professional rugby league prop forward who played for clubs including Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Huddersfield Giants, and Widnes Vikings. He is also known for overcoming serious health challenges, including type 1 diabetes, a brain tumor and l...

On this episode we are joined once again by former professional goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. Chris tells us all about his new autobiography "Keeping it quiet" that documents his life in sport, his journey with injuries, depression and addiction. Chris was recently honoured with an honorary doctorate for his work in the community which he tells us all about.  We are also joined by Chris Pud...

On this episode we are joined by two more amazing guests to talk all about 'Gym Culture'. We dive in to topics about fitness, wellbeing, steroids, testosterone, community, inclusivity and accessibility.  Sam Gelling is a coach and personal trainer working closely with people to improve knowledge and ability around fitness and strength. Sam takes a holistic view on an individual basis whi...

David Dineley’s My Brain & Other Beautiful Disasters is a story about identity, friendship, and the complicated beauty of living with a mind that doesn’t play by the rules, for anyone who has ever felt “too much,” “not enough,” or both at once. Although a piece of fiction the book is based upon on David’s experiences dealing with his own mental health over the years. David sadly passed away in...

On this episode we focus on the theme of food. We are joined by MP Ian Byrne.   Ian Byrne is the Member of Parliament for Liverpool West Derby.  Before entering Parliament, Ian worked as a taxi driver and trade union organiser for Unite, championing workers’ rights and NHS staff conditions. He co-founded Fans Supporting Foodbanks in 2015, a grassroots initiative uniting Liverpool and Everton fans...

In this episode we are joined buy special guest artist Joe Kiney Whitmore. Joe is an oil painter dedicated to the mastery of classical techniques. Though he holds a Fine Art degree, he considers himself largely self-taught, drawing upon centuries of tradition to inform his meticulous approach. Joe is deeply connected to themes of addiction, recovery, and mental health, his work is both a means of...

On this episode we focus on male domestic abuse.  We are joined by Kevin Crimmons, a senior lecturer and nurse who spent years practising as a nurse in war zones. He was deployed to Belfast during the troubles, Belize, and the first Gulf War where he earned a Commander's Commendation for his work as part of a Burns Team. Kevin then completed a specialist course in Burns & Plastic Surgery...

On this episode we focus on the theme of Bereavement. In 2015 Joe and Agnes used the Beacon Counselling Trust as service users, following the tragic loss of their son, Paul, to suicide. In 2017 they co-founded Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Support Service with Kathy Devlin.  At this time, they also became volunteers within the charity. This primarily involved organising fundraising events, prom...

David Quinti is a founding member of the Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN) and as well as acting as co-lead of Operations at GLEN he also works for BetKnowMore, another leading charity in the sector. He is a member of the Lived Experience Council at GambleAware and has expertise in the development of the lived experience community movement in Great Britain having been in recovery from gambl...

We are joined by two more incredible guests for our 2nd Birthday to talk about reflection. Our first guest Steve Pilgrim is a drummer and singer-songwriter. With 4 released solo albums and being Paul Weller's drummer for over a decade Steve has toured the world and played with some incredible musicians. He is the founder of the 'BeOnePercent' charity and promoter at St Michaels Live...

World Bipolar Day is observed annually on March 30th to raise awareness about bipolar disorder, reduce stigma, and promote understanding of the condition, which is also the birthday of Vincent van Gogh, who is believed to have had bipolar disorder.  On this special episode we are joined by Theo James (@BipolarTed) who is a 38-year-old navigating the complexities of life with bipolar disorder. With...

In this episode we are joined by two amazing guests who having both been bereaved by suicide and found a desire to dedicate their lives to suicide awareness and prevention. Chris Sibley is one of the founders of the OLLIE Foundation. Having lost his son TJ to suicide Chris created the OLLIE foundation with two other people who had also lost children to suicide. The OLLIE foundation do incredible w...

On this episode we focus on the theme of Death and Dying. We are joined by two more amazing guests: Kristoffer Hughes is chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, an author, Drag Queen and TV presenter. Kris worked as a coroner for 30+ years and his recent Television programme ‘Death With Kris’ saw him travel to India, Indonesia, the United States and Mexico in search of different – and better – ways of...

In this episode we explore the Adolescent brain, the current mental health landscape for children and adolescents and we are joined by two fantastic guests. Juliette and Ryan work in YPAS = Young Persons Advisory Service. They discuss the service and what they offer to both young people and carers along with an insight into current concerns, triggers and issues for young people. We had a main gues...

In this episode, we are joined by actor/director Christopher Lee Power. Christopher gives us an honest account of his childhood and youth in which there were numerous traumatic events such as sexual abuse, witnessing a murder, and issues with alcohol and drugs. Christopher discovered the world of performing and put all his energy into becoming an actor. He received his Oxford Diploma in Acting fro...

In this episode we concentrate on the theme of abstinence. We have three more incredible guests. Ben Taylor aka The Magic Mod tells us his story of aspiration, rock n roll magic and his story of abstinence following a struggle with alcohol. Ben now inspires others and delivers his story honestly and openly. We are also joined by Sam Batley who is a self taught multi-disciplined artist basing his w...

Episode 20 - Theme: Change. On this episode we are joined by two more fantastic guests.  George Riley, who is an award-winning broadcaster and rugby league commentator who joined the State of Mind charity in 2018. George specialises in discussing the impact of media and social media on our mental health, the importance of exercise on mental wellbeing, and the dangers of alcohol in causing mental h...