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 masculinity and equality workshops expert, Director of Innovative Enterprise and CareersWeek, author of TheLadder, TEDx speaker and cyclist.

You can make a donation to support the podcast at Ko-Fi.

Connect with me on Instagram or Twitter

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 vulnerable with one another.

Kim is an author and international public speaker on male friendships and the Founder and CEO of Brothers. He joins me all the way from Norway.

Find out more about Brothers

You can make a donation to support the podcast at Ko-Fi.

Connect with me on Instagram or Twitter

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 show the power of music to uplift our spirits. 

TEDx Talk - What it means to be a good man

Due to music copyright, I can't play the spoken work tunes and banger Rob has recommended, but you can listen to them here.

ANNA - Let you in (for the spoken word)

Ugo Banchi - Dance with Ibiza (the closing tune)

You can make a donation to support the podcast at Ko-Fi.

Connect with me on Instagram or Twitter

More about Rob, he is a leading voice in the world of mental health. He is the CEO of FormScore and the Founder of the InsideOut LeaderBoard. He's a TEDx Speaker, a mental health campaigner, a keynote speaker, and a facilitator.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 gender norms around money that can sometimes impact men's mental health.

Wealthbrite is a company that delivers financial education and coaching to build your people's confidence and resilience.  

You can support the podcast with a small donation on Ko-Fi.

Connect with me on Instagram or Twitter @man_mentoring

FREE Resources:

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/money-and-mental-health/the-link-between-money-and-mental-health/#mental-health-can-affect-money

StepChange the debt charity - https://www.stepchange.org

Citizens Advice Bureau - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living/ 

Get Wealthbrite's free budgeting tool, access blogs and find out more about their work at: https://www.wealthbrite.co.uk

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 the topic via Instagram or Twitter.

You can support the podcast with a small donation on Ko-Fi.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 whole of who we are and unpack the idea that being vulnerable is being strong and confident at the same time.

Drop me a text with your thoughts about the topic via Instagram or Twitter.

You can support the podcast with a small donation on Ko-Fi.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 are.

Be inspired by David's tips on being a good leader, self-care in leadership and which leaders he finds inspirational.

Travvu offer for Mentality Podcast listeners.

Please support the podcast with a small donation on Ko-Fi.

Learn more about David here - https://www.davidmcqueen.co.uk/

Share your thoughts about the podcast with us on Instagram or Twitter

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 you can start the new year and continue growing!

You can share your thoughts about content ideas and guests for the new seasons, or any feedback about previous episodes here - https://bit.ly/40gCLFa

You can support us by buying us a coffee here.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 coming generations of young boys and men.

If you haven't considered being a mentor, we share a few tips on why you should give it a thought. Irrespective of your age, your time, experience and presence, it's more than enough to start your mentoring journey.  

To support this podcast, you can buy us a coffee here.

You can get in touch with Claude on social media:

Instagram: @_cm_murray

Twitter: @cmurraylive 

LinkedIn: Claude Murray

Or check out his podcast on Instagram @conversationswithcandc 

Check out the blog on the importance of community and the third part of a series of blogs I've put on mentoring - It takes a village to raise a child.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 killed by men.

Sarah-Jane Lawrence and I discuss the importance of women's safety and the causes behind men's aggressive behaviour towards them. One of them is men's perception of masculinity.

We also talk about how men can help women feel safe, address some toxic behaviours that lead to violence against women, and offer practical advice.

Sarah-Jane is a trained therapist and coach, and you can learn more about her work here: www.sj-lawrence.co.uk

Source:

The figures are from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 Whole Self' toolkit created by MHFA England to access FREE resources and tools. It's an emotional MOT checklist to help your mental health and wellbeing.

To learn more about Simon and his work at MHFA England, see here.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

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 perspective of life, and expand your mindset.

Aaron is the founder and Lead Captain at Maroon Fitness, a community-based fitness group in SE London.

Instagram: maroonfitness

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

Here's a follow up conversation from Episode 5 with Aaron Barnett-Clarke, Founder of Maroon Fitness. 

We carry on talking about masculinity and some of the stereotypes men face. Aaron shares some brilliant tips on how to challenge these views and also shares some invaluable insights into why it's beneficial to have female friends.

Aaron is the founder and Lead Captain at Maroon Fitness, a community-based fitness group in SE London. Check out classes and all they do on Instagram @maroonfitness

For an update on the London Triathlon, I recently completed to raise funds, check out our Instagram @man_mentoring!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

In this episode, Aaron Barnett-Clarke (Founder of Maroon Fitness) and I discuss everything about masculinity and how fitness can benefit your mental health. 

We explore the importance of therapy and how that can help overcome pain and life's disappointments.

We also talk about the attitude of gratitude and how that can helps us to understand that although life is hard, there are plenty of things we can be grateful for. Small and even free things.

The link to the men's mental health triathlon that I'm doing is available here.

Aaron is the Founder and Lead Captain at Maroon Fitness, a community-based fitness group in SE London.

Insta: maroonfitness

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Emmanuel Awoyelu (Manny) about toxic masculinity and how men can find safe spaces to build positive relationships with themselves. But also that "real men" cry. 

We also talk about how men engage with women, the importance of leaving a better legacy to young boys on the dynamic between men and women, and why men should be feminists.

The link to the blog post mentioned in the episode: The idea of male vulnerability is so so so ancient.

Emmanuel is an Assistant Headteacher and Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo), and Director of the Reach Out Project - a mentoring programme for young boys disengaged from school.

Personal website: Mannysconscience.com

Personal instagram: MannyAwo

Personal Twitter: MannyAwo

Reach Out Project Website: www.reachoutproject.co.uk

Insta: thereachoutproject

Twitter: reachoutproj

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

Overall, boys underperform in their GSCEs and A-Level results in the UK. Is it nature or nurture?

Emmanuel Awoyelu (Manny) and Lau explore the importance of male role models for young boys and representation behind the teaching desk for boys' school attainment. We also talk about the views some boys have about masculinity and why this matters, particularly when it comes to how boys relate to the opposite sex.

The link to the blog post mentioned in the episode: Three things stood out in ‘Nowhere special’ about manhood 

Emmanuel is an Assistant Headteacher and Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo), and Director of the Reach Out Project - a mentoring programme for young boys disengaged from school.

Personal website: Mannysconscience.com

Personal instagram: MannyAwo

Personal Twitter: MannyAwo

Reach Out Project Website: www.reachoutproject.co.uk

Insta: thereachoutproject

Twitter: reachoutproj

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

Here's an open and frank conversation with Dr Dan Guinness about healthy masculinities and its evil twin 'toxic masculinity', and why it's important to talk about masculinities, in the plural. We unpack some tips on how men can build healthy relationships with themselves and be part of the solution in response to street safety for women and marginalised genders.

Dan is Managing Director at Beyond Equality, and you can learn more about Beyond Equality at https://www.beyondequality.org

Connect with us 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/man_mentoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/man_mentoring

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/man-mentoring/

Website: https://www.manmentoring.org.uk

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations

Absolutely.

Tune in to hear from my guest Dr Andrew Parnham about men's wellbeing and mental health, Winston Churchill and Aragorn. Yes, I know. What a combo??? Check out the episode to hear how the conversation unfolds.

About Dr Andrew Parnham

Andy's an independent coach and wellbeing advisor. He runs a free wellbeing course called “The Happiness Course” comprising four sessions – A Happy Life, A Successful Life, A Relational Life and A Meaningful Life. To find out more about his work or check out his book, visit: https://www.andyjillparnham.com/lasting-happiness-book/

Connect with us 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/man_mentoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/man_mentoring

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/man-mentoring/

Website: https://www.manmentoring.org.uk

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mentality-podcast/donations