))
What does it really mean to be a man in today’s world? With shifting expectations and growing pressures, many men are asking deep, personal questions about their identity, purpose, and value. The Meaning of Men is here to explore those questions with you and shine a light on mens mental health. From the complexities of masculinity, the role of fatherhood, maintaining meaningful friendships, and the impact of human evolution, we tackle the areas that shape the experience of being a man today. ...
…
continue reading
What if the first step toward healing isn’t talking—but writing? In this episode of The Meaning of Men we're joined by poet and author Drew Horner to explore how creative outlets can be a lifeline for men struggling to open up. Drew shares how poetry helped him navigate grief, anxiety, and emotional isolation during the pandemic—and how writing bec…
…
continue reading
1
S2, Ep6 (Movember Special): The Meaning of Young Men's Health in a Digital Age.
1:08:26
1:08:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:26
With nearly two-thirds of young men following masculinity influencers, isn’t it time we asked why? In this episode, we welcome back to the show Dr. Krista Fisher from Movember. We unpack Movember's latest research into how digital spaces are shaping the health, relationships, and identity of young men. The report, Young Men's Health in a Digital Ag…
…
continue reading
What does true gender equality in the home really look like—and how does it impact men's mental health? In this episode of The Meaning of Men Kate Mangino, gender expert and author of Equal Partners, discusses the crucial link between domestic roles and men's health. We explore how traditional expectations - like being the breadwinner, the problem-…
…
continue reading
1
S2, Ep4: The Meaning of Better Boys, Better Men.
45:26
45:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:26
What does it really take to raise boys into good men in today’s world? In this episode of The Meaning of Men Andrew Reiner—author of Better Boys, Better Men, discusses the evolving landscape of masculinity and what young men are up against today. We dive into why so many boys are struggling in school, withdrawing emotionally, and falling behind—not…
…
continue reading
Why does rejection affect us so deeply—and what can we do about it? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, professor of psychology Mark Leary uncovers the powerful role rejection plays in our lives. Drawing from decades of research, Mark explains how our sensitivity to rejection is deeply rooted in our evolutionary need to belong—and why that need …
…
continue reading
We all love to laugh! But have you ever stopped to think how humour can be used more consciously to help build resilience, cope with stress, and improve your relationships? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, comedian, author and humour strategist Paul Osincup explains how humour can be used as deliberately as things like yoga and meditation to …
…
continue reading
For the first episode of Season 2 of The Meaning of Men, we’re tackling a topic that’s shaping our lives in ways we don’t even realise—dopamine. Dopamine plays a crucial role in how we think, feel, and behave. You’ve probably heard people talk about “dopamine hits” when scrolling through social media or chasing that next big achievement. But what i…
…
continue reading
We'll be launching Season 2 on Tuesday 25th March. Stay tuned!By Simeon Atkins
…
continue reading
In the Season 1 Finale of The Meaning of Men, Rachel Duncan shares the harrowing story of her nephew, James Bascoe Smith, who survived a brutal knife attack in Brixton in 2021. Once a talented gymnast and aspiring music producer, James was left with life-altering injuries after being stabbed multiple times in a case of mistaken identity. Rachel det…
…
continue reading
1
S1, Ep11: The Meaning of Anxiety (ft Movember).
46:32
46:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:32
Is anxiety in men being fundamentally misunderstood? In this episode of The Meaning of Men Dr Krista Fisher, research fellow at Movember, unpacks how anxiety shows up differently in men—and why that often leads to it being overlooked. Dr Krista shares groundbreaking insights from her research, revealing that men often express anxiety through physic…
…
continue reading
1
Reflections: The Impact of Social Media Algorithms.
7:25
7:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:25
For this weeks reflections session, we look back at our conversation with psychotherapist Aaron Balick who discussed how social media algorithms can impact our view of the world, our sense of identity and ultimately our mental health.By Simeon Atkins
…
continue reading
What happens when the thing that defines you is suddenly taken away? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, ex professional MMA fighter Kojo Lewis shares the untold side of combat sports—the fear, the self-doubt, and the struggle to find purpose beyond the fight. From a chaotic upbringing to the highs of professional competition, Kojo used martial …
…
continue reading
1
Reflections: Recognising Postnatal Depression in Men.
7:42
7:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:42
For this weeks reflections session we look back at our conversation with Tom Bailey, who shared his experience of suffering postnatal depression after the birth of his son.By Simeon Atkins
…
continue reading
More men in the UK struggle with a porn addiction than a gambling addiction. But with such a heavy stigma attached, it remains a largely hidden and unspoken issue. In this episode of The Meaning of Men, leading sexual and relationship psychotherapist Dr Paula Hall dives into the impact of porn addiction on men’s mental health. She breaks down how c…
…
continue reading
1
Reflections: 'Believe in The Decency of Boys and Men'.
5:43
5:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:43
For this weeks reflections session we look back at our conversation with Dr Judy Chu, an expert in boys and men.By Simeon Atkins
…
continue reading
Could understanding how men truly process grief change the way we approach mental health? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, therapist and author Tom Golden reveals how men process emotions differently—and why that often goes unrecognised. Tom shares his journey into grief therapy, where he discovered that traditional talk-based methods weren’t…
…
continue reading
1
Reflections: It’s Not a Competition – Your Feelings are Valid.
5:06
5:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:06
For this weeks reflections session, we look back at our conversation with Firefighter and former Royal Marine Kyle Martin. Kyle reminded me that whether you're facing something big or small, your emotions matter—and you don’t have to diminish them.By Simeon Atkins
…
continue reading
1
S1, Ep 7: The Meaning of Extreme Sports (from 5k feet above sea level!)
27:54
27:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:54
The Meaning of Men is scaling new heights! In this episode we talk to extreme mountaineer Jost Kobusch, the day before his latest attempt to climb Mt Everest! Jost shares his awe-inspiring journey from a boy afraid of heights to one of the world’s most daring alpinists. The conversation explores men’s mental health, the dangers of bottling up emoti…
…
continue reading
1
Reflections: The 4 Types of Male Friendships.
4:02
4:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:02
For this weeks reflections session, we look back at our conversation with Geoff Greif, a distinguished professor and author of Buddy System. During our chat Geoff broke down the different types of male friendships he outlines in his book. This really got me thinking about my own circle of friends in a very different way.…
…
continue reading
1
S1, Ep 6: The Meaning of Postnatal Depression.
51:14
51:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:14
1 in 10 fathers will suffer from postnatal depression. Yet most people still don't realise it's something that men suffer from. In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I chat with Tom about his own experience of postnatal depression and the impact on his mental health. Tom talks openly about the pressures of fatherhood, the signs of male depression …
…
continue reading
1
Reflections: The Power of Perseverance (ft Chuckie Online).
5:05
5:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:05
For this weeks reflections session, we look back at our conversation with Radio 1 Xtra presenter and media personality Chuckie Online. During our interview, I asked Chuckie what he wanted his legacy to be. His answer was both unexpected and incredibly inspiring. I'll share why this stuck with me and how it's already helped me in aspects of my life.…
…
continue reading
How much of your day is spent scrolling—and is it doing more harm than good? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, psychotherapist Aaron Balick discusses how our online lives impact men’s mental health. He dives into the good and the bad of social media—how it spreads mental health awareness but can also fuel anxiety, depression, and body image st…
…
continue reading
What if the toughest guys in the room are the ones struggling the most? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, Kyle— a firefighter and former Royal Marine Commando—shares his powerful journey through the highs and lows of two demanding careers and a life-changing move across a continent. He talks openly about how depression in men often hides behin…
…
continue reading
Ever wonder how the way we talk to boys shapes the men they become? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, Dr. Judy Chu dives deep into how societal pressures, like being told to “man up,” can harm boys and lead to depression in men. She shares eye-opening insights from her research on boys’ emotional development and explains why mental health awar…
…
continue reading
1
S1, Ep2: The Meaning of Loss (ft Chuckie Online).
1:09:59
1:09:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:59
In this episode of The Meaning of Men, Radio 1 Xtra presenter and media personality Chuckie Online gets real about navigating loss, battling financial struggles, and dealing with the highs and lows of the music industry—all while keeping his mental health in check. Chuckie opens up about losing his ‘bonus dad’, Peter, and how the experience shaped …
…
continue reading
What does it really take for guys to connect? In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I chat with Geoffrey Greif, a distinguished professor and author of Buddy System, about the ups and downs of male friendships and their link to men’s mental health. We talk about the challenges men face in keeping strong connections and why having the right mix of …
…
continue reading
Launching our first episodes on Monday 6th January 2025.By Simeon Atkins
…
continue reading
