Understanding Men

In the final episode of Season 1 of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser reflect on their journey over the last 14 months, and share how life has change since they started the podcast. They look back on some of their favourite episodes and share their hopes for the next season of Understanding Men.Luke and Fraser want your ideas for Season 2! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. While the guys are away, keep up to date by following us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser take a deep dive into therapy and it's various uses. Sharing their own experiences with varying types of therapy throughout their lives, they illustrate how effective it has been in helping them to live well rounded lives. They talk about how other organisations and activities in their lives have been therapeutic, including attendances at Alcoholics Anonymous, meditation, sound baths and water therapy. They also investigate why therapy is more popular than ever, and look into the reasons why people may avoid or never begin therapeutic treatment. Finally, they address situations where they believe overuse or misuse of therapy can do more harm than good, and highlight the importance of also having quality relationships with the people around you. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instead of the regular episode this week, we have a small announcement just to update you on how the podcast is going to work for a little while. As ever, Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the eve of the US election, Luke and Fraser take the opportunity to discuss politics and its effect on each of their lives. They discuss their understanding of UK and US politics, and share how their upbringing has shaped their views.They highlight their reasons for their interest or disinterest in politics, and demonstrate how political decisions have had a direct effect on themselves and those around them. Looking at the US election, they dissect the impact the young male vote may have in deciding the future president, and wonder if disenfranchised men may be a vital demographic for political leaders to win over.Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: This episode includes subjects such as suicide and substance abuse, which some individuals may find distressing.Motivated by the recent passing of singer-songwriter Liam Payne, Luke and Fraser address the unseen side of fame, and explore ongoing issues facing individuals in the public eye. Drawing comparisons with their own sobriety journeys, they highlight the contributing factors that can cause problems with alcohol and substance abuse, and discuss whether these can be addressed earlier in an individual's career.Reflecting on the amount of attention and scrutiny that the members of One Direction faced at the height of their fame, Luke and Fraser discuss if they were at all prepared, and agree that record labels, along with sports teams and clubs, should fulfil a lifelong duty of care.Finally, they address the importance of effective and robust support when embarking on a recovery journey, and the difficulty of being in the spotlight when undertaking something so emotionally and physically challenging.Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore ten popular myths about men, and set out to discover just how much truth is behind these beliefs.Exploring everything from commitment, unfaithfulness, sex, communication and emotions, Luke and Fraser share stories of their own, and stories of men around them to help illustrate their understanding of these popular myths.Do you think they got it right? Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore self worth and value. Digging deeper into the subject, they also aim to illustrate the difference between self worth and self esteem. Considering the many areas of life that individuals may draw their value from, they touch on body image, profession and fatherhood as some personally significant areas. Drawing on the sporting world, they talk about the imbalance that they feel many athletes experience, where they may derive all value from their work and success, yet fail to nurture other important areas of their lives. Finally, they address the importance of being recognised and valued for your work, and highlight how this helps to motivate an employee. As a parting note, they share the sentiment of how one should judge themselves by their intentions and not their outcomes. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, hot on the heels of Luke's 48th Birthday, Luke and Fraser investigate their feelings towards growing older. Reflecting on their younger years, they agree that they feel more comfortable in their skin as they age, and highlight how they both feel a need to maintain good health and mobility in order to effectively support their families. They explore the idea that a fear or dislike of aging is around lack of control, purpose or need, and reflect on the bittersweet nature of seeing their children grow and develop, to the point of no longer needing the support of their parents. Reflecting on men in their own lives, they also connect aging to a lack of power or authority, and emphasise how growing older gracefully requires humility and acceptance.Finally, Fraser details his experiences of feeling vulnerable while recovering from open heart surgery, and how he had to work past his ego to accept help and support at a time where he needed it most. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser look at their sporting and professional histories and try and decipher what makes a great team or a great team culture. They discuss whether a successful team needs uniformity, or if there is also space for individuality amongst a common goal. They highlight the need for team culture to be embodied and delivered by members of the team, and the need for substance beyond a teams ideals and goals. They also reflect on social expectations from their sporting days, and wonder if they felt a pressure to drink in order to fit in and be liked. Finally, Luke emphasises the benefit of having different personalities and approaches in professional teams, and underlines how this can lead to success. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the oft-avoided subject of death. Critiquing the differing ways we confront death, and how we often don't talk about it, despite it's inevitability, the guys try to break down why it provokes such strong emotion.They look at death from both sides, from the death of oneself to the loss of a family member, and share how their attitude towards their own existence has changed over time. Reflecting on losses in their own lives, they discuss the power of legacy, and how they wish to ensure their message and values continue to live on even in their absence. Following this, they also talk about the importance of finding reason when a person passes before their time. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser take a long hard look at responsibility, and highlight the significance it has had in their own lives, especially through recovery. Taking responsibility is a key pillar of the 12 step recovery programme which both Luke and Fraser have undertaken, and regular listeners may be familiar with the question that they both ask of themselves; 'What's my part in this?' They discuss how resentment, honesty and responsibility can be closely tied, and share how holding on to resentment can allow someone to not understand the part they have played in their own discomfort or upset. Finally, they touch on the power of taking responsibility in sport, and using it as an opportunity to address and improve upon existing weaknesses to become an all around better performing athlete. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser ask, 'What is love?' Reflecting on their lives, they discuss their experiences of love, and share how love has changed for them over time. They dissect the portrayal of love online and in the media, and highlight how they believe it may stray from the most authentic definitions and depictions of love. Addressing the importance of self love in their lives, they highlight the impact that self development has had upon their lives, and how it has played an important part in them meeting their current partners. While they both agree that being able and ready to give love is key, they emphasise that feeling worthy of receiving love can be significant in establishing a healthy relationship. Finally, they look at the purity of love, that we especially demonstrate in childhood, and highlight that true love doesn't show prejudice or come with any external conditions. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser get spiritual and take a look at the Buddhist First Noble Truth, which refers to the 'suffering' or 'unsatisfactoriness' of life. Inspired by previous episodes, contributors, and recent stories they have shared - they discuss if it's ever possible to live completely without suffering.Highlighting the mental and emotional anguish we may experience beyond physical pain, the guys share instances where they may have suffered by getting caught in thought and panic. They also highlight the need to interrupt these thought processes while also acknowledging that these experiences can be useful in the long term.Luke and Fraser also revisit the theory that they may actually enjoy suffering and struggle in their own lives, and wonder if even in retirement they will find their own challenges to overcome. Finally, they discuss the feelings they have around wanting to protect their loved ones from pain, and admit that with the power of hindsight, these can be valuable lessons throughout their lives.Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prompted by the news of the passing of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe, Luke and Fraser take the opportunity to discuss what life can be like for many ex-professional sportspeople.Reflecting on their own experiences, and the experiences of those around them, they investigate the mentality and resilience needed to perform as an elite player and how this mindset can often be detrimental in the "real world". They also highlight the striking differences between the corporate and sporting worlds by illustrating that despite having a common goal and being part of a team, employees are often better motivated by their own interests.Discovering that they both share the mentality of putting themselves under stress or in discomfort, both Fraser and Luke reflect on what they feel is their innate need to push themselves, and wonder if other athletes explore this feeling by undertaking other extreme physical and mental challenges. Finally, they discuss the necessity of structure during their time as athletes and how after retirement they struggled without the instruction and support of others. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are celebrating their 50th episode! They're both taking on the role of interviewer and finding out more about each other including their daily routines, non-negotiables and what childhood hobbies they’re currently revisiting…Reflecting back on the past 50 episodes, they take the chance to revisit some of their favourite guests and themes, and analyse what has changed for them personally and professionally over the last 12 months.Finally, Luke and Fraser discuss the elite mindset when it comes to retirement and risk, and share their hopes for the lives of other professionals post sport.Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by model and cold water breathwork practitioner David James Seed. David has built a community of people online through platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, and endeavours to help individuals face their fears and traumas through his work. David believes that getting people out into nature allows them to get out of their heads and into their hearts - where the real work is.Through the episode, David details his personal journey, which began when he underwent surgery to remedy a condition called pectus excavatum. He credits the surgery with changing his life, not only as it allowed him to grow in confidence and pursue a successful career in modelling, but also experiencing the physical pain of surgery and the mental pain of childhood bullying has allowed him more compassion and understanding of others' suffering. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this latest episode of Understanding Men, Fraser is in the driving seat as he finds out more about Luke's experiences of being a step parent. Luke shares not only how he manages his relationship with his partner's children, but also how he supports his ex-wife's new partner in being a great step dad to his biological children. Fraser also details his experience of welcoming a potential step parent into his child's life, sharing his initial thoughts and worries, alongside some conflicting advice he was offered around this subject. Reflecting on points they touched on in an earlier episode on parenting, they reinforce the idea that we don't own our children, and highlight that situations around step parents and new partners require empathy and an absence of ego.Finally, they point out the important of action, language and consistency in establishing a good relationship with both your child and new parental figures in their life. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser question the purpose of expectation. Drawing examples from their own lives and others around them, they share if it has either helped or hindered their development, and point out the similarities both expectation and standards share.Using wisdom and quotes from names such as Antonio Banderas, Sylvia Plath, Buddha, Jodi Picoult and Ryan Reynolds, they investigate differing views around expectations, and argue that humans do benefit from some level of expectation to help them achieve or potentially get closer to their goals. Revisiting the subject of failure, they wonder if having low expectations allows people to avoid the possibility of failing, and though it can be an easier, less painful way to approach life, they highlight that it may also result in less reward. Finally, they share the daily expectations they have for themselves, and touch on manifestation as a technique which may encompass some level of expectation. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Understanding Men, hot on the heels of EURO 2024, Luke and Fraser contemplate nationalism, and try to unpack what exactly national pride is. Reflecting on their varied upbringings and their experiences of representing their country both on and off the pitch, they investigate their own national identities, and ponder the commonalities they may have with other British people.Highlighting the idea of borders, they discuss the ways in which humans have moved around the world, and discuss whether both national and local pride come from a sense of shared values, or ask if humans naturally band together in resistance to outside forces. Lastly, they investigate if the innate human need to belong can sometimes be exploited by nationalism, as we all look for communities in which to find purpose and meaning. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser delve into the subject of communication, and try to uncover why many men can struggle to open up. They address the importance of finding specific and safe opportunities to discuss difficult feelings and situations, and share some of their hesitations around doing so.Luke and Fraser also highlight the value of sharing vulnerability and fear to foster closeness and ease, and discuss how this level of conversation might also be 'safe territory' for some. They touch on the emotional intelligence and empathy required of modern men, and discuss how men's changing role in the home has called for them to be more nurturing and intuitive. Finally, they demonstrate how recovery has allowed them to cultivate safe spaces in which to communicate, and how it has deepened their relationships with not only other addicts but also people around them. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.