Men's Mental Health Show

In this episode I'm way out of my comfort zone, on air by myself, talking about myself and being very raw. I share my life story including denial of my diagnosis and self medication, through various clinic admissions and a suicide attempt to eventual arrival at a place of acceptance and how the right medication has changed my life. I'm living proof that people can change, that if you seek and acce...

Having formed an entire winter cricket club after the loss of Andre Curry, the Cuzza Canes show us all how to create camaraderie and positivity out of something so devastating. This episode isn’t one to miss. There are many life lessons here that could potentially help each and everyone of us. Steve Curry, Andre’s brother, speaks from the heart and his words are raw and so incredibly insightful fo...

Introducing the remarkable and wonderful Kathryn Gene, a qualified naturopath, hypnotherapist and mother of five. As a young mother Kathryn was diagnosed with agoraphobia but instead of letting her anxiety and panic attacks get a hold of her life, Kathryn began a journey of introspection to conquer her demons. We are joined by regular guests RU-OK? ambassador Garry Sims and local muso Nic Danta.

Today our guest is Blue Phillips, an ex-serviceman who spent more than fifty years in the army. He shares his life's lessons with us along with insights from local psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and local muso and school principal Nic Danta.

I speak with psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and local muso Nic Danta about fathering starting with the birth of our children and looking at the various stages of growing up. We also reflect on our own upbringing and relationship with our fathers throughout life, as well as the power of awe.

This week psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and veteran of 50 years military service Blue Phillips talk with me about domestic violence and men's relationships with women, along with music from local muso Nic Danta.

We talk about adversity and mentoring with Pete Palmer, coach of the under 20s North Sydney Bears, Garry Sims, RUOK ambassador, and Nic Danta, principal of the Penrith Valley Learning Centre and this week's singer/songwriter. In response to Nic's song about his friend who took her life, Garry makes the point that everyone's life is valuable. He says he will also be giving an RUOK presentation at t...

Psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and I demonstrate how psychotherapy works with the aim of helping men understand that therapy is not too uncomfortable or frustrating once you’ve developed some rapport, and to hopefully encourage more men to seek help. Matt as always blends his soul soothing tunes in the breaks, as well as providing, like Boudi, his invaluable input and questions such as that about t...

This is a special edition of the Men's Mental Health Show following the inaugural Blackheath Walk N Talk for Life. It gave me great pleasure to have Shannon Nevin on the show along with Garry Sims, R U OK? ambassador, and Matt Tonk with his amazing music. All these men are living proof that by spreading kindness and taking whatever action we are good at, we can have an impact and save lives.

Psychotherapists Boudi Maassen and Robin Woodsford share their perspective of men's mental health, with live music by Matt Tonks. These two Kiwi lads have worked in the industry for a very long time and have great insight. Matt asks "do men not have the language to talk about their inner world or are they too scared to be vulnerable enough to use language to talk about their inner world?" As far a...

Meet Creese Syred, The Tattooed Tradesman. Creese came from an abusive and violent upbringing and moved several times as a child starting from England to Australia, then from Bondi to life in the hardened western suburbs of Sydney. Creese shares his story on what it’s been like living with depression, including a suicide attempt in 2004, and how medication and a sustainable healthy relationship wi...

Today, psychotherapist Boudi Maassen, Chief Inspector Garry Sims, local muso and school principal Nic Danta and myself as host discuss how to help someone who is struggling, which is the essence of the RUOK movement of which Garry is an ambassador. Bradley talks about coming from a place of love and being nonjudgemental. Boudi stresses not trying to offer solutions but rather ask questions like "W...

Psychotherapist Boudi Maassen, Chief Inspector Garry Sims and local folk artist Nic Danta discuss resilience and recovery in relation to the recent catastrophic fires. Photo: RFS fireman Sean Clapham

Our guest this week is Matt Ranson, ex police officer and current disability service taxi driver, a remarkable man who found freedom from his post traumatic stress disorder through helping others. We are also joined by Gary Simms, Chief Inspector and mental health advocate, as well as Matt Tonks who performs live music.

Today I am joined by wellness advocate Penny Holbrook who talks about her lived experience of bipolar, as well as musicians Matt Tonks and the delightful Felicity Tonks. Penny talks about her troubled upbringing, and her experience of going to a clinic at 41 years of age to learn skills to manage her bipolar and learn to love herself. Felicity celebrates good men and credits men for coming on the...

Today I am joined by a phenomenal teenager Sax Nevin along with his father Shannon Nevin and psychotherapist Boudi Maassen. Live music and commentary by Matt Tonks once again.

Today's guest is Jamie Gray who shares his own battles with depression, and all things musical with Matt Tonks. I’ve known Jamie since my school years and he is now a professional photographer and the Content Editor at the Mayne Media Group. The passing of one of his best friends to depression 3 yrs ago along with his own personal challenges has added to his personal growth and development. Jamie...

On this Anzac special of the MMHS, I'm joined by local war veteran Blue Phillips who gave over 50 years of service to his country. We talk about military history, these crazy times and how we are coping with the challenges in our lives. Blue recites an emotional poem too.

Today I speak with Matt Ransom and Marty, two retired policemen who talk about their journey with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). From the incidents that haunt them to the moment they realise they have a problem, the treatments that have helped and the 'secondary PTSD' their families have suffered, their stories teach us so much about where we have come from and what we still need to do to...

Today I am joined by local psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and his patient of fourteen years Shannon Decker who talks about what he has learned through psychotherapy. We also talk about resistance to getting help and the benefits of things like group work, such as those offered through Relationships Australia, and just listening. Shannon also talks about how he has come to love and channel his manic...

Long distance father and son relationships. Today my son Jeremy joins me for a chat with local psychotherapist Boudi Maassen. We talk about how fathering works in broken families and from a distance.

Today Boudi Maassen (psychotherapist) and I talk to Blue Phillips, former General in the Army, about how he has used adventure training to prepare soldiers for adversity, to build resilience, and extend the stress threshold. These challenging group situations mimic society at large where those who are doing well are required not to show off but to show care for those who need a helping hand. Blue...

We are blessed to have singer/songwriter/music teacher Matt Tonks provide live music for us once again, and together with Boudi Maassen (psychotherapist) we discuss how to deal with crisis and preventing a spike in suicide from financial stress and the challenges of our time. Along with medication for depression, we discuss strategies of mental hygiene that are so important such as getting to know...

Along with psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and former General in the military Blue Phillips, this week's special guest is young Zoe Taylor. Zoe courageously shares her story with mental health issues through school and what has helped her including teaching underprivileged children in Thailand. A moving poem by Bradley too.

Today's guests Boudi Maassen (psychotherapist) and Kathryn Gene (hypnotherapist and naturopath) discuss self care strategies for managing pain, both physical and mental, after a challenging week for myself. Topics include: starting therapy, diet, growing wellness, deciding what to focus on, importance of connection, meditation, nourishment from reading, gardening, walking, movement, pleasure of co...