Man Talk

Send a text Do you ever find yourself dodging tough conversations , or skilfully change the subject when things get a bit too real in your relationship?  Do you keep people at arms length?  Are there other parts of your life and relationship that you are avoiding, such as suppressing certain feelings, or putting off making certain decisions?  Do the ways you avoid lead to feeling inadequate, not g...

Send a text New year's resolutions often fail often due to psychological traps.  Instead of setting resolutions I encourage you to consider some key questions to evaluate 2025 and set meaningful intentions for 2026.   These questions allow you to: Focus on core values Release unnecessary burdens Set healthy boundaries Live more authentically Confront your fears Reduce Avoidance  This final ep...

Send a text Vulnerability is everywhere!  It’s on  social media, in self-help books, on Ted talks, discussed in countless therapy rooms. Vulnerability can be extremely confusing, especially for us blokes! In this episode Howard and Ryan unpack it all for you.  What does vulnerability really mean? Why is it often mistaken for weakness? How it can actually be a source of strength.? Can vulnerability...

Send a text In this episode, Howard shares his personal journey from a stoic British upbringing to becoming a therapist who specialises in men's emotional health.  He reflects on: His early emotional struggles The impact of cultural norms on his mental health His path to self-discovery and emotional wellbeing Howard delves into his therapeutic practices and how they helped him become more aut...

Send a text Is true friendship a cornerstone of emotional wellbeing?  Friendships that offers support, belonging and genuine connection.  If so: Why are so many men in Australia and beyond quietly battling loneliness and isolation? How do male friendships change over time? What does it takes to move past surface-level banter and build friendships that matter?  You are invited join Ryan and I in co...

Send a text There are too many blokes who are way too hard on themselves. In this episode I’m going to break down the myth that self-compassion is soft, weak, self pity or even selfish. What does Self-Compassion really mean? What are the skills? Why is it so hard for some men? How can it  actually make you stronger—not softer. If this episode raises your interest to work on Self Compassion and you...

Send a text Why would you want to sit with uncomfortable feelings? A reasonable question! In this latest conversation Ryan and Howard discuss: What does sitting with feelings even mean and what stops most of us? The impact of avoiding our emotions Some practical ideas of how to sit with feelings The value of finding a ritual or a practice and seeking support This episode delves into the complexiti...

Send a text In this engaging and thought provoking conversation, the first co-hosted Man Talk episode,  Howard and Ryan unpack what Men's Work is all about.  They share some of their experiences of Men's Groups and broader themes of Men's Work today including: What is Men’s Work? Where does it originate?  What are  some of the core concepts of Men’s Work? Our personal experiences of...

Send a text If you push down your feelings and tell yourself to 'man up,' 'she’ll be righ't and keep going on with life,  what happens?  Bottling your emotions will make you more confused, more frustrated,  disconnected from your partner, your kids, your friends, yourself!  Despite telling yourself you’re fine, this internalising leaves you carrying the weight of the world on y...

Send a text If communication is the foundation of connection how come relationships can feel distant, strained and disconnected?  What are you not talking about with your partner?  You know those times when: You want to share how you’re feeling, but you don’t know where to start, so you stay silent.  Your partner brings up an issue, and instead of addressing it, you either shut down or get defensi...

Send a text Do you get distracted? What kind of distractions get in the way of the kind of relationship u wan t? Do u ever feel: Isolated Disconnected Mentally overloaded Missing intimacy Emotionally numb Internalising too many thoughts These are some of the consequences of distraction and a lack of presence…. the cornerstone of the connection u create with the love of your life! In this episode w...

Send a text Barriers to Communication - What does this actually mean? How aware are you of what gets in the way of communicating effectively? Why can it sometimes be so difficult to communicate in a relationship? In this episode we’ll explore: What emotional barriers mean Why they exist  How they impact your relationship And, most importantly, how to overcome them. You will get 4 actionable steps...

Send a text As you strive to create a fulfilling and meaningful life it’s likely you may occasionally get in your own way!  You know those seemingly invisible chains that hold you back from reaching your full potential, in relationships, in your career, personal growth, in your health and fitness, and overall well-being.  Most of us have limiting beliefs that can create all kinds of self-inflicted...

Send a text Men often find themselves too busy and distracted from connecting with their partners. There are many reasons for this.  However, there are 4 hidden reasons why many men get distracted - which are harder to spot, because men don’t talk about them.  This episode uncovers some internalised patterns that can distract men, how they impact men's emotional wellbeing and some ideas of wh...

Send a text We live in a world that glorifies hustle culture—where the value of hard work and being busy is emphasized, but emotional health often takes a back seat. Many men find themselves caught between the desire to provide and the toll it takes on their mental well-being. We’re conditioned to power through stress without talking about how we feel, but that just creates more pressure. This epi...

Send a text Life can be full of curveballs, uncertainties and moments that we simply haven’t planned for!  Stress and anxiety are hard to ignore. If you've been feeling or ever felt worried, stressed, nervous, anxious and your brain has a mind of it’s own racing with overthinking, or looping thoughts - this episode is for you!  We look at a bloke's experience of stress and anxiety, how i...

Send a text Good communication is vital for a healthy relationship. Obvious right!  Why do some men struggle with communicating with their partner?  This episode provides the practical skills to not only communicate better but to build stronger connection in your relationship.  Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills? Download a free guide: Better Conversations for Bloke...

Send a text How do you manage conflict?  What do men experience when conflict gets in the way of a healthy relationship? This episode takes a close look at negative conflict styles, how it impacts individual partners and relationships, and provides tips and strategies to see conflict as an opportunity to change.  Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills? Download a free g...

Send a text Have you ever wondered why emotional distance happens in a relationship? It's more common than your realise.  What do men experience when this disconnection happens and what helps to reconnect with your partner?  This episode uncovers 6 ways to repair emotional disconnection. Do you want to learn more ways to improve your relationship skills? Download a free guide: Better Conversa...

Send a text What is it that makes a relationship successful? This episode is the first of the Man Talk Interviews and in it my colleague and good friend Naomi Rubinstein and I chat about the ingredients required in order to become a  master of relationships as opposed to a disaster! We discuss some of  the processes values and relationship skills in the research. A bit of our work with couples is...

Send a text Losing control of your emotions can be described in a variety of terms: “hissy fit”  "throwing a tantrum" “ fit of rage”  “losing the plot”  “ out of control “ The psychological terms that describe losing control of emotions include   ‘'Flooding”'  “Dysregulation” "Flipping your lid"  It’s the experience of emotions spinning out of control? Whether trigger...

Send a text In the book “Emotional Intelligence,” Daniel Goleman describes how anger causes blood to flow to our hands, making it easier for us to strike an enemy or hold a weapon. Our heart rate speeds up, and a rush of hormones…creates a surge of energy strong enough to take “vigorous action.” In this way, he says, anger is ingrained into our brain to protect us. What else do you know about the...

Send a text Do you get angry?  What kind of anger is it?  How do you make sense of anger and it’s impact on you and your life? In this episode we take a deeper look at anger, one of the most primitive emotions we experience.  We’re going to explore: Your relationship with anger How Men Mask their anger The 5 destructive types of Anger A Positive and Constructive form of anger The most important fi...

Send a text There are many men that withhold talking about their stress… for way too long.  It ‘s as if we don’t want to burden anyone! It’s as if we are, invincible, even superman! This episode dedicated to all the superman men, out there!  How do you know you’re stressed? What happens in your mind? In your body? In your head? Does your behaviour change? What stresses u out? How do you take care...

Send a text Do you find it’s hard to describe emotions or put into words exactly how you’re feeling? There appears to be anywhere between 6, 8, or 34,000 emotions! You can see why emotions are messy and confusing.  This episode will provide a little more clarity. Whilst feelings and emotions make our life colourful. Without them, where would we be?  We'd be like robots and life would be……… pr...