Mentality Podcast

Talking to boys about masculinities is challenging, complex, and deeply important. Join Lewis Wedlock and me for a candid and inspiring conversation on the realities of talking to boys (and girls) about masculinities in schools. It's a raw, honest, and much-needed conversation. Connect with me Connect with me on  Instagram  or  BlueSky You can donate to support the podcast at  Ko-Fi . About th...

🎙️ Season 4 kicks off with a powerful conversation! I’m joined by James Hawes to unpack one of our most misunderstood emotions for men, anger, and explore why it’s not something to suppress, but to understand and express. We dive into: What anger really is, and its different forms Why anger can actually be good for you How to express anger in healthy, constructive ways What happens when anger is i...

Join us for the final episode of Season 3, where Cedric and I dive into the importance of acknowledging and working through difficult emotions. Cedric opens up about his personal journey, including the emotional challenges he faced growing up in France and how they’ve shaped his perspective today. As we wrap up the season, I’d love to hear from you—whether it’s topic ideas, guest suggestions, or j...

In this episode, I have a special appointment with the Harassment Doctor - Dr Enya Doyle. Trigger warning: we discuss the topic of sexual harassment in detail.  It’s a holistic and detailed conversation that covers: •⁠ ⁠what sexual harassment is •⁠ ⁠the prevalence of sexual harassment of women, ethnic minority populations and men  •⁠ ⁠⁠the multidimensional impact of sexual harassment •⁠ ⁠how to bu...

We’re starting off 2025 with this brand new episode (and just after what was undoubtedly an expensive Christmas period for some) on achieving financial wellbeing. Arlyne and I are talking about what financial wellbeing is, and what practical steps you can take to improve your finances. We also talk about some gender stereotypes around money, explore various cultural perspectives on finances, and u...

As we wrap up 2024, this episode is particularly significant.  Join Petra and me as we explore the intricate world of romantic relationships for men. We’ll dive into:   •⁠ ⁠Diverse viewpoints on gender roles within couples  •⁠ ⁠⁠The impact feminism, one's culture and society can have on the relationship •⁠ ⁠The challenges men face in navigating today’s relationship landscape   •⁠ ⁠The vital ne...

What does it mean for a man to possess masculine or feminine energy?  Well, look no further, as in this episode Jindy and I discuss: •⁠ ⁠masculine and feminine energies  •⁠ ⁠⁠the difficulties of expressing masculine or feminine energies in today's world  •⁠ ⁠⁠how to nurture one’s primary energy and express freely  In closing, we briefly touched on male privilege and the 4 billion ways to be a...

I'm continuing the conversation on migration from the views of those who moved to the UK, their stories, and the impact migration can have. We chat about how: having different religious backgrounds impacts one's experience of integration one's views of masculinity can change due to migration  stereotypes about being a man  Resources Why it doesn't matter where I'm from (blog) H...

Migration, migration, migration. We often hear the perspectives of host countries and how they feel and view migration - the good and the bad.   In this episode, I turn my attention and the mic to those who have migrated to the UK. The guests share their stories and views on the topic, and the impact migration can have on one's mental health. We chat about: What migration is and the stages of...

We naturally crave community and connection, yet many of us feel disconnected and lonely despite the high level of interaction on social media.  We may sometimes feel distant and unable to reach out to people from our workplace, community, friendship groups, and sometimes even our family. This can negatively impact our mental health. The points John-Paul Davies and I talk about are: •⁠ ⁠What makes...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a 1:1 conversation with a sci-fi legend like Data on all things men's mental health?! In this episode, I talk to an up-and-coming star, ChatGPT, to get its insights and views on men’s health and issues. I asked questions like:  Is mental health real? ⁠What are the stigmas men experience? Are men toxic? ⁠⁠Is the concept of masculinity outdate...

In this episode, I talk to Becca Benning about the underrated importance of food for good mental health and wellbeing. We unpack the puzzle of the dynamic between nutrition and mental health, what foods we should eat that benefit our brain and wellbeing, but also those that don't. We also briefly cover how to change your behaviour and achieve your goals around establishing healthy habits, the...

In this episode, James Ray and I dive into masculinity in the great outdoors. We explore the intersection of adventurous spirits, embracing discomfort and finding community in the wilderness that redefines masculinity in today's landscape. Tune in and chart a new course towards authentic masculinity as we head into 2024. James is the CEO of  Xtreme Character Challenge  (XCC), a leadership deve...

Be kind. First to yourself. This is the theme of the latest episode, where I talk to Bernie about self-empathy, especially why this is important for men. Here are a few bits we cover: Ask yourself the hard questions if you want to change, but give compassionate answers in return. Self-empathy is the key to your development. Enjoy the journey, and don't let your ego get in the way. Bernie is a...

Why are male friendships so challenging, but so rewarding? Adult men in the UK and elsewhere have long struggled to maintain meaningful bonds with other men. Men may suffer a friendship deficit, likely affecting their health and happiness. Kim Evenson and I are talking about how that might be changing, what stops guys from building meaningful connections, and why guys need to take risks in being v...

After an unexpected break, I return with a fresh episode. I'm talking to Rob Stephenson about the relationship between music and mental health. Rob, among others, is a DJ and uses house music to show the dynamics between the two. We had a great chat about music and how to use it to support our mental health and its benefits. He also drops a spoken word and an excellent tune (if you ask me) to...

We're launching this episode on Mental Health Awareness Week #ToHelpMyAnxiety covering the topic of money problems and mental health. In this episode, Lau chats with Carla Hoppe, Founder and CEO of Wealthbrite, about the dynamic relationship between money problems and mental health and practical ways to deal with both. They also explore some aspects of how men deal with money and unhealthy gen...

In this episode, I share a few thoughts on empathy and why this is important, especially for boys and men. Empathy opens our minds to experience the world from other's perspectives, and it's crucial for establishing relationships.  I also talk about some of the pitfalls of low empathy for others, the power of self-empathy, and how you can develop it. Drop me a text with your thoughts about...

This episode is slightly different. I don't have a guest; instead, I share my reflections on misogyny. Misogyny affects women in a myriad of ways, and we men can play an active role in changing the narrative about how we view women and build relationships and view ourselves as men. I slightly move on into the territory of self pe and the importance of living a fuller life by engaging with the...

We start the 2nd season with a bang. David McQueen - "Your Leadership Coach" - is an accomplished leader and international speaker with over twelve years of experience.  David and I discuss leadership and the importance for us men to learn new ways to lead by combining empathy and strength. We also cover leadership that presents destructive and empowering messages and what the differences...

Adventure is about stepping into the unknown, out of our comfort zones, where we can push our physical, emotional and spiritual boundaries. In this episode, I'm talking to Az Anjum about adventure. Az is the Coordinator for Extrem Character Challenge (XCC), a mind, body and soul experience for men -  https://www.xtremecharacterchallenge.com/   This a great episode to make you reflect on how yo...

In this episode, I talk to Claude Murray who is an Integrative and Family Therapist and has a wealth of experience when it comes to mentoring and managing mentoring programmes. Claude and I discuss the importance of mentoring in raising young boys as a support system for them and their families. Mentoring is also about leaving healthy and positive legacies of what it means to be a man for the comi...

We need to talk about women's safety, and here's why: 40,572 women were victims of sexual assault between Oct 2020 and Sep 2021 in England and Wales - a 13% increase from the previous year and the highest number of sexual offences ever recorded within a 12-month period. 177 women were killed between Apr 2020 and Mar 2021 in England and Wales. Where the suspect was known, 92% of women were...

Simon Blake OBE, CEO of Mental Health First Aid England, and I chat about sexuality and its link to masculinity and men's mental health.  A rigid and obsolete view of what it means to be a man can leave some men trapped in a space where they cannot live freely. In addition, we discuss the impact it might have on other genders or people of different sexual orientations. Please see the 'My W...

This bonus episode is full of golden nuggets about why shifting your perspective to create a positive change is vital.  Aaron and I have an open and raw chat about how to change your mindset from a negative to a positive one in the context of race relations in Britain. Included are tips on how to 'overstand' a situation and how that could help you stay optimistic, consider a different pers...