Chris Hemmings returns for the second time to this podcast, the second of only 2 guests to do so! Chris Hemmings is a therapist and coach who specialises in working with men. He’s the founder of Men’s Therapy Hub, a directory of male therapists for male clients. Before training to be a therapist he was a BBC journalist, writing and making documentaries about men, masculinity and mental health. He’s also the founder of M-Path, who go in to schools across the UK speaking to students about what ...
Matt Grisedale is a community builder driven by one simple belief: people are better together. He’s spent his career bringing individuals, organizations, and ideas into harmony — creating spaces where collaboration feels natural and everyone has a voice. With a gift for connection and a heart for impact, Matt transforms gatherings into movements and conversations into lasting change. His work reminds us that strong communities don’t just happen — they’re built, one relationship at a time. K...
James is the founder of the Positive Parenting Alliance and creator of the Parents Promise. Having seen up close the multitude of issues in the family courts and the numbers of children and parents affected James wanted to begin a new conversation about separation. In May 2021, after many conversations with like-minded people and organisations the Parents Promise was launched. Backed by over 20 organisations ranging from the likes of the children’s mental health charity Place2Be to Rela...
Ryan Parke is The Men's Coach, a TEDx and international, award-winning public speaker. In 2019, the most successful man Ryan personally knew, died by suicide. Bewildered and devastated by his death, Ryan was sparked into undergoing detailed research on men’s health. Ryan’s knowledge and ability, to present complexity in an accessible way, stands him out as a speaker and particularly on the subject of testosterone, Ryan is challenging outdated yet popular opinion. In so doing, he i...
James Searjeant is an experienced educator and advocate for inclusive education, currently serving as a primary and nursery headteacher in South East London. James actively contributes to national discussions on SEND, curriculum, assessment and accountability, calling for systems that better reflect the progress and achievements of all pupils. He is dedicated to developing inclusive and equitable approaches that support every learner to thrive. Key points of the episode: Who inspired him on...
Shaun Flores is a mental health advocate, public speaker, and five-time TEDx speaker using his voice to challenge stigma around OCD, masculinity, and identity. After a late diagnosis of OCD at 27, Shaun rebuilt his life through therapy, storytelling, and advocacy sharing his journey to help others find clarity, language, and resilience. His talks go beyond awareness and offer real tools for navigating shame, neurodiversity, and emotional health especially for young men and marginalised commun...
Harun Rabbani is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, and retreat leader who has spent over two decades helping high-performing individuals recover from burnout, reconnect with purpose, and lead with renewed clarity. After navigating the emotional toll of building multiple businesses while hiding behind a mask of success, Harun experienced a personal breakdown that became the catalyst for profound transformation. Today, he works closely with leading experts — including embodiment teacher Nelia Frei...
From his website: In 2013, following many years of working with local young people through martial arts Richard Pomfrett created ‘Stay Safe! Workshops’. His vision was to help educate and protect as many young people as possible on the subjects of bullying and staying safe in their community. It was by starting off working closely with a handful of local schools, that gave him the opportunity to develop and create such unique and effective programmes for both. Since 2013 Richard’s passion for...
Rick Belden is a poet, author, artist, and men's coach, and a respected explorer and chronicler of the psychology and inner lives of men. He helps men who are feeling stuck get their lives moving again by drawing on over 35 years of experience with men's issues, masculine psychology, and recovery from trauma. Rick is also one of the foremost experts on the Mother Wound in men. As a men’s coach, he has worked with an international clientele that includes hundreds of men of all ages and various...
Matt Hudson, Associate Director of MAN v FAT Matt has been involved in sport, community, health and wellbeing for his whole career, firstly at Colchester United Football Club and latterly Thrive Tribe and MAN v FAT. As Associate Director of Marketing for MAN v FAT, Matt is part of the HQ team that has built a programme that supports over 8,500 men every week to improve their health and wellbeing as part of an incredible national community. And, with MAN v FAT Soccer going live last year, th...
Daniele Fiandaca is founder of Token Man Consulting, an inclusion and diversity consultancy which specialises in engaging men and senior leaders with I&D and inspiring them to become inclusive leaders and agents of change, creating workplaces that are truly inclusive and diverse. Clients include BNP Paribas, Channel 4, Colt, Flutter, HSBC, Merlin Entertainments, Monster Energy, Ogilvy and Wavemaker. Token Man Consulting was born from Token Man, an initiative he co-founded nearly a decade ...
Duncan is is the Founder and CEO of Survivors Manchester. Survivors Manchester is a survivor focused voluntary sector organisation that aims to create and facilitate safe spaces for male survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester providing access to quality assured support. Their work is focused on developing ways for individuals to empower themselves to work through personal and sometimes painful issues, guided and supported by their trauma-informed tea...
Richard Loftus is the founder of Well Run Brum, the wellbeing running group for men and a non-executive Director at the historic Birmingham recording studios, Grosvenor Road Studios and has a career spanning two decades in the theatre and live music industry. Key Points of the episode: How other people pretty much knew he was gay before he did!His career in the arts.How he experienced full on discrimination in some parts of America.How a mental health crisis started and what he did ...
Dan Glyde is a transformational coach specialising in men’s mental strength and emotional resilience. Through his unique Power Shift method and the Positive Masculinity approach (A New Way for Men to Thrive) Dan guides men in taking control of their lives. He works with those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, helping them gain clarity, build confidence, and find purpose. By addressing relationship challenges, self-doubt, and life’s pressures, Dan equips men with the tools they nee...
Phil is a senior accredited counsellor, psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer specialising in working with boys and men who have experienced recent and/or historic abuse. Since 2004 Phil has worked therapeutically with males affected by rape, sexual abuse, sexual violence and sexual exploitation. Phil experienced sexual exploitation as a child, and rape as a young adult. He is an experienced public speaker and has trained thousands of professionals across the country on male sexual abuse/e...
John Sidebotham BEM FCILT, Programme Manager – Mental Health & Wellbeing, Route Services, Network Rail to give him his full title! He is a wellbeing leader – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Champion - Mentor – Coach - Author. John has worked in the transport sector throughout his career, starting with coach operator and holiday provider, Shearings, before consultancy, Centro (now Transport for West Midlands) and Network Rail. He sees kindness and compassion, coupled...
Anton Noble is an Urban Youth Specialist in Gang culture and Youth violence. He has his own ‘lived experience’ in gangs, and having broken free from his past himself is now acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading Mentors working with young people caught up in gangs, serious youth violence and exploitation Now having over 5 years of experience as an Outreach Worker and qualified youth mentor, Anton is also a motivational and transformational speaker, advisor, mediator and Gang Exit Strategist....
From Scott's website: Scott Mair, is an expert in paternal mental health and parenting. Navigating the uncharted waters of fatherhood, Scott provides invaluable insights into the often overlooked intersection of paternal mental health and effective parenting. He seamlessly combines professional expertise with a compassionate approach, drawing from his own lived experiences and the evidence base to offer a comprehensive guide for fathers facing the challenges of parenthood and those seeking t...
Shocka is a Tedx speaker and a talented music rap artist. Here we chat to him about his life and career. Key points of the episode: A close misunderstanding of football :)How he grew up in a stigmatised area of London, and the tension between the police and the people that lived on the estate.How he thought it was "normal"How he used to want to be a footballer.How much talent is in Tottenham, and the depth of the lyrics.How pain births creativity - including in music.How rap was "woken up"...
Jonathan Macdonald is a fascinating, dyslexic, neurodiverse and brilliant man, whos passion is creating an education revolution for girls aged 11-18. Here he chats with Andrew about many aspects of his life, his knowledge, passions and how he got to this point. Key Points of the Episode A philosophical perspective on his early life experiences.Reflections on his relationship with his brother.How it was as a mixed race child with white (adoptive) parents.His counter experience of "racism" ...