Volker Ballueder and David Pawsey

Man Up / Man Down

Society EN ↓ 113 episodes

We’ll discuss (and have the odd rant about) all the pressures of being a man, approaching (sorry, we have to say it) middle age. All the fears we have but are often too embarrassed to discuss with our friends. And even the fact that you no longer seem to have “friends” just colleagues and other dads that you nod to at school and club drop-offs. But we’ll also look at the science and psychology behind why we often feel how we feel, why even the most successful people (from business to sport to entertainment) can experience doubt and lack of direction and how small changes in your life, can achi...

Author

Volker Ballueder and David Pawsey

Category

Society

Podcast website

sites.libsyn.com

Latest episode

Jul 2, 2026

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Episodes

AndysManClub 10.04.2025

In this conversation, Volker and David speak with Dominic White from AndysManClub, a charity focused on improving men's mental health through peer-to-peer support. They discuss the mission of the charity, the importance of creating a safe space for men to talk, and the impact of the pandemic on mental health. Dominic shares his personal journey with the charity, the role of facilitators, and the s...

Golden Handcuffs in Midlife 03.04.2025

In this episode of Man Up Man Down, Mauro Stara, founder of Six Pack CEO, shares his journey from a banking career in Switzerland to becoming a peak performance coach for CEOs. He discusses the importance of addressing hormonal health, personalised coaching, and the role of blood work in achieving sustainable transformations. Mauro emphasises the physiological changes that occur with aging and how...

Menfulness 20.03.2025

In this episode, Jack Woodhams discusses the importance of male friendships, mental health, and the initiatives he has spearheaded through Menfulness. He shares his personal journey of creating supportive spaces for men, addressing loneliness, and the stigma surrounding mental health conversations. The conversation highlights the significance of vulnerability, community support, and the role of co...

Solo Episode - Talking about life and work. 13.03.2025

David and Volker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Power of Initiation in Middle Age 06.03.2025

In this episode, David and Volker welcome Ben, a teacher and coach with over 20 years of experience in Buddhism. They explore Ben's journey into Buddhism, the role of mindfulness in business, and the unfolding of personal transformation. The conversation delves into the importance of finding the right teacher, the impact of meditation on personal and professional life, and the challenges of midlif...

Overcoming Addiction 20.02.2025

In this episode, Alex Clapp shares his inspiring journey from losing his sight and battling alcoholism to finding recovery and purpose through the Claritee Group. He discusses the importance of vulnerability, the cultural influences on drinking, and the generational shifts in attitudes towards emotions. Alex emphasises that it's okay to not be okay and that everyone is enough just as they are. In...

Are we vilifying men? (Part 2) 13.02.2025

In this episode, David and Volker welcome back Anita Malster, a mental health strategist, to discuss the complexities surrounding male mental health, particularly focusing on suicide rates among men. They explore cultural norms of masculinity, the impact of emotional suppression, and the importance of peer support. The conversation highlights the need for redefining masculinity, creating safe spac...

The Men's Coach 06.02.2025

In this conversation, Ryan Parke, a men's coach and TEDx speaker, discusses the critical role of testosterone in male mental health and overall well-being. He shares personal experiences that led him to explore the connection between hormones, lifestyle, and mental health, particularly focusing on the alarming rates of male suicide. Ryan emphasises the importance of understanding testosterone's im...

Midlife Mentors 30.01.2025

In this episode, Volker and David welcome James Davis, a coaching psychologist and co-founder of The Midlife Mentors. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of midlife, focusing on testosterone levels, andropause, and lifestyle changes that can enhance health and happiness. James shares his journey from psychology to coaching, emphasising the importance of understanding hormonal changes in...

Mettle - The Toolkit for Men's Mind 16.01.2025

Neil Smith, co-founder of Mettle, discusses his journey from being a successful TV executive to starting a tech company focused on men's mental health. He shares his personal experiences with meditation, breath-work, and hypnosis, and how these practices have transformed his life. Neil explains the mission of Mettle to provide men with a toolkit for mental fitness and break down the barriers that...

Alcohol and Addiction Explained - Part 2 09.01.2025

In this episode, Volker and David welcome back William Porter, author of 'Alcohol Explained', to discuss the complexities of alcohol consumption, addiction, and its effects on mental health. They explore the societal pressures surrounding drinking, the science behind addiction, and the cultural shifts towards alcohol-free lifestyles. William emphasises the importance of understanding the informati...

Christmas Special 2024 19.12.2024

Our yearly Christmas Special. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sleep - part 2 12.12.2024

James Wilson, also known as "The Sleep Geek," returned to the "Man Up / Man Down" podcast to discuss the complexities of sleep and the many misconceptions surrounding it. Wilson, who comes from a family with a long history in the bed industry, has expanded his expertise into helping people improve their sleep quality. His work spans various sectors, including sports teams and corporate environment...

Martial Arts and Mental Resilience for Middle Aged Men 28.11.2024

Dave Ferguson, a martial arts expert with over four decades of experience, appeared on the Man Up / Man Down podcast to discuss his innovative approach to martial arts and mental well-being. Ferguson created the Integrated Martial Arts (IMA) method during the 2020-2021 lockdowns, targeting middle-aged men facing various life challenges. Combining traditional and modern martial arts techniques, his...

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 21.11.2024

In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," Lee Godwin, co-founder and COO of Emplomind, and a champion for mental health and suicide prevention, shares his personal and professional journey in the mental health space. Lee's involvement in mental health advocacy was profoundly shaped by a personal tragedy when his sister attempted suicide in 2019. This event prompted him to reflect on his family's com...

Man Up / Man Down LIVE 07.11.2024

This is the live recording of our event in London on the 24th of October 2024. Marc Convey and Rose Rowkins joined David Pawsey and Volker Ballueder on Stage to discuss 'Overcoming Adversity' and 'Suicide Prevention'. You find a video recording on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaaq - Mental Health Made Real 31.10.2024

In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," hosts David and Volker are joined by Ryan Hopkins, a global best-selling wellbeing author, Chief Impact Officer at Jaaq, and Executive Engagement Advisor at Bupa. The conversation begins with a light-hearted introduction to Ryan's extensive background, including his TED Talk from a toilet, a symbolic act representing his journey from severe anxiety to advoca...

Mindset, Mood, Movement 24.10.2024

In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," hosts Volker and David are joined by Sal Jeffries, a coach specialising in helping founders over 40 redefine their purpose, increase performance, and cultivate a peaceful mind through psychology, emotional regulation, and body intelligence. Sal begins by explaining his work with clients, focusing on the inner game—how individuals think, feel, and act. He sha...

From self hate to self mastery 10.10.2024

The conversation between Katrina Collier and the hosts of Man Up / Man Down focuses on Katrina's journey of healing from childhood trauma and her motivation for writing her memoir, The Damage of Words . Katrina shares how she began addressing her trauma at the age of 40 after a lifetime of insecurity, defensiveness, and fear. Despite her professional success, she had unresolved emotional wounds fr...

The Kind Mind Method 03.10.2024

In this episode of "Man Up, Man Down," David and Volker chat with Alex Walton about his journey to happiness and the creation of his "Kind Mind Method." This method emerged from Alex's project, "Find My Story," where he left envelopes with short stories and positive messages around Norwich and eventually worldwide, aiming to spread hope. This act of kindness was reflective of his battle with anxie...

Prostate Cancer 26.09.2024

Ian Sanders, a returning guest on the "Man Up Man Down" podcast, shares his experience of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2023. Despite having surgery in December, recent blood tests revealed that cancer cells are still present in his pelvis. Ian is currently awaiting further scans and treatment. Ian describes living with cancer as a rollercoaster journey, highlighting the challeng...

Suicide Prevention 12.09.2024

In this episode of "Man Up / Man Down," hosts David and Volker welcome Rose Rowkins, a suicide prevention trainer, to discuss the critical importance of suicide awareness during Suicide Awareness Week. Rose, who has over 20 years of experience in mental health and suicide prevention, emphasises that conversations about suicide, while often perceived as difficult, can be lifesaving when approached...

Welcome Back - Season 3 05.09.2024

Season 3 will be a game changer. Not only did we pre-record some amazing episodes already, we also go video for some of them (www.youtube.com/@manupmandown) Enjoy today's season starter, with some heavy topics coming up in the next few weeks, and our live event on the 17th of October. But tickets now: https://podlifeevents.com/event-details/mumd-live-in-london---overcoming-fear-transforming-advers...

Season 2 - wrap up! 18.07.2024

Now, that's 65 episodes published. A lot more recorded. Today is the wrap up of season 2. Thanks for listening and supporting us. This year has seen a lot of changes with our first live event, new sponsors, new website and some fantastic guests. Season 3 will go live in September, with a lot of it already recorded. We are looking at different formats, a newsletter and of course another live event...

Aging Parents and the Dilemma of Assisted Suicide 11.07.2024

In the latest episode of "Man Up, Man Down," hosts Volker Ballueder and David Pawsey engage with Justin Campbell, co-founder of Sales Source and host of the Future Fast Digital Marketing podcast. The discussion orbits around the challenges of ailing parents, with a potential exploration into the delicate topic of assisted suicide, depending on the direction of the conversation. Justin introduces h...

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