Higher Love with Megan

In this insightful interview, David Chambers shares his journey from a wild, adventurous life to becoming a men's coach focused on emotional connection, masculinity, and relationship health. He discusses societal narratives around masculinity, the impact of the man box, and practical ways men can evolve to create deeper, more authentic relationships.

About David:
David is a dating, relationships & intimacy coach for men. After growing up in a single-parent, female-dominated home with no male role model in his life, David struggled to understand what masculinity and a healthy romantic relationship entailed. After spending most of his 20s in meaningless dynamics and avoiding commitment. He went on a personal journey towards authenticity, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, purpose, harnessing his sexual energy, vulnerability, presence, openness, and honesty. Through this learning, he was able to break free from gender stereotypes and societal expectations of what a ‘real’ man should be to become his true and authentic self.  He is now in a loving partnership with a son and supports other men to find more fulfilment in dating, love and relationship.

Key Themes:
Societal narratives around masculinity and the man box
The impact of childhood imprints and societal conditioning
The role of vulnerability and emotional expression in men's lives
Practical steps for men to develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence
The influence of the Manosphere and alternative narratives on men's perceptions

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to David Chambers
02:15 David's Journey into Coaching
05:58 The Impact of Breakups on Personal Growth
11:28 Understanding Masculinity and Relationship Patterns
15:58 Avoidance and Emotional Challenges in Men
20:59 The Man Box and Its Effects on Men
26:11 Navigating the Manosphere and Finding Authenticity
30:19 Bridging the Gap: From 'I'm Fine' to Self-Awareness
31:36 Unpacking Emotional Catharsis
35:14 The Challenge of Personal Growth in Relationships
40:26 Navigating Masculinity in Modern Society
47:56 Confronting Societal Issues: Violence Against Women
54:51 Finding Hope Amidst Chaos

To connect with David:
Instagram - https://instagram.com/davidchambers
Website - https://davidchambers.com

This week on The Higher Love with Megan Podcast, we’re doing something a little different.
Instead of one full guest conversation, this episode is a special compilation — a collection of snippets from recent podcast episodes, all centred around one simple but very important question: What brings you hope at this time?
Because let’s be honest… the world is A LOT right now and when you're paying attention, hope can be hard to hold onto.
This episode is a gentle offering — a reminder that hope doesn’t have to be loud or perfect to matter. Sometimes it lives in community, in truth-telling, in resistance, in young people, in imagination, and in the small everyday things that keep us connected to our humanity.
You’ll hear reflections from my guests so far in 2026, a mix of educators, activists, storytellers, and change-makers — each sharing what’s helping them stay grounded, open, and connected in these times.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:17 Zack Alexander – spiritual guide supporting deeper connection and meaning08:15 Lewis Wedlock – masculinities educator working with young people in schools11:13 Andrew “Bernie” Bernard – educator exploring healthy masculinities in schools
15:32 Mindset with Muhammad – decolonial storyteller and educator challenging dominant narratives
20:18 Leah Kim – storyteller and writer exploring identity, motherhood, and truth-telling23:39 Viv Grant – founder of Integrity Coaching, supporting school leaders and equity in education24:42 Kaia Allen-Bevan – activist and founder of Youth The Gap, amplifying youth voice and social change
26:36 OutroKey Themes:
- Hope in difficult times
- Community, resistance, and collective care
- Young people, change, and possibility
- The role of truth-telling and imagination
- What keeps us connected to humanity
As you listen, you might also ask yourself:
What brings ME hope at this time?
If this episode resonates, I’d love for you to share it with someone who might need it.
And if you’ve been enjoying the podcast, leaving a rating, review, or recommendation really helps more people find these conversations and supports the show more than you probably realise.

In this episode, I am joined by the brilliant Leah Kim who shares her deeply personal journey through motherhood, racial identity, and mental health, exploring systemic challenges and pathways to liberation. This conversation offers profound insights into maternal mental health, racial identity, and collective healing.

About Leah:
Leah 수진 Kim is a storyteller, consultant, podcaster, community organizer, and advocate for intersectional justice. A former yoga teacher and Nike's Global Yoga Ambassador for a decade, she is now an author and offers 1:1 editorial support for fellow writers. On the Voices on the Side and Cha with Laura and Leah podcasts, Leah hosts conversations with people of the global majority who inspire her with their advocacy, activism, and stories of resistance and resilience. Her first book — Mom, Unfiltered — will be published in April 2026. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, son, daughter, and doodle.

Key Themes:
Maternal mental health and its impact on children
The systemic erasure of non-white maternal experiences
The journey of self-acceptance and identity post-motherhood
The role of community and collective healing in maternal well-being

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Context of Motherhood
02:33 The Premise of 'Mum Unfiltered'
05:58 The Journey to Writing the Book
09:19 Filling the Void in Motherhood Literature
13:30 Personal Identity and Motherhood
19:14 The Impact of Trauma on Self-Perception
24:39 The Complexity of Women's Experiences
29:38 The Pressure to Erase Motherhood Challenges
33:17 Confronting Inner Turmoil
36:33 The Search for Identity in Motherhood
39:52 Racial Identity and Belonging
43:22 The Journey of Self-Acceptance
50:15 Hope and Community in Motherhood
57:44 Healing Beyond the Self

Resources:
Leah Kim's Website - https://leahkim.org
Book: Mum Unfiltered - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/mom-unfiltered-9798881842437/

To connect with Megan:
www.higher-love.com
IG: @higherlove_withmegan

Like, comment, share with anyone who would benefit from the episode and if you enjoyed the conversation leave a 5* rating or review of the show.

Storyteller, decoloniser and miseducator, Muhammad draws upon his background in NHS therapies, his skills as a teacher and love of humour and satire to create entertaining but impactful content on our political landscape and current affairs.

Together we explore themes of unlearning and the importance of engagement in the face of societal challenges. Muhammad shares his journey from educator to miseducator, emphasising the need to amplify marginalised voices and challenge dominant narratives. We discuss the intersection of mindset, well-being, and politics, highlighting too the role of humour in coping with confronting realities.

We also address the pushback faced by those being visible and vocal, finding balance amidst being informed and the importance of building community to foster resilience and hope.

Takeaways:
- Storytelling is a powerful tool for change.
- Unlearning is essential to understanding complex issues.
- Mindset should focus on collective well-being, not just individualism.
- Humour can be a form of resistance against oppressive narratives.
- Facing pushback is part of the solidarity journey.
- Community support is vital for sustaining action.
- Children's perspectives can inspire hope and change.
- Solidarity requires courage and a willingness to speak out.
- Education should encourage critical thinking and empathy.
- Finding joy and connection within activism is crucial.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Muhammad
03:32 The Journey of Unlearning and Relearning
06:25 Experiencing Palestine: A Personal Awakening
08:47 The Power of Storytelling and Solidarity
10:59 Mindset and Well-Being: A Cultural Perspective
13:40 The Interrelation of Politics and Personal Well-Being
15:46 Language, Politics, and the Power of Words
18:01 Finding Humour in Challenging Times
25:45 The Power of Humour in Activism
27:53 Facing Pushback and Threats
33:26 Finding Confidence and Speaking Out
39:34 Balancing Activism and Self-Care
46:19 Hope Through Education and Community

About Muhammad:
Storyteller, disruptor and miseducator whose videos "might make you laugh, think or regret following me" Muhammad draws upon his background in NHS therapies and his skills as a teacher to make political satire and informed commentary on the times through which we are living. As a father, he is committed to being a small part of the great ecosystem of change to ensure a better world for the next generation. He holds an expansive view of mindset, seeing it as not an individual experience but interconnected with community and the collective experience. As a Muslim man, he refuses to let his story be told for him in today's climate and is dedicated to challenging narratives and mainstream narratives especially in solidarity with communities experiencing oppression or marginalisation.
IG: @mindsetwithmuhammad

To get in touch with Megan:
www.higher-love.com
IG: @higherlove_withmegan
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a 5* rating or review. Subscribe or follow on the platform on which you are watching and share with those who would benefit from the conversation.

In this conversation, I am joined by Andrew 'Bernie' Bernard to explore the complexities of masculinity beyond the 'man box' and address the crisis of violence against women and girls. Bernie has spent the past decades educating teens about gendered inequality and coercive control recognising the importance of education in shaping healthier relationships. Together, we discuss the societal pressures on young men, the role of social and mainstream media in influencing perceptions and the stumbling blocks - centred around what Bernie describes as manufactured male victimhood - that often derail these crucial conversations. Bernie shares personal experiences and insights on how to empower the next generation to challenge harmful narratives and embrace empathy and understanding. This is an essential listen and a complementary episode to Lewis Wedlock on Feminism, Embracing Discomfort and Fostering Brave Spaces.

About Bernie:
Andrew `Bernie` Bernard is an entrepreneur, a TEDx Speaker, and facilitator who over the past couple of decades has worked with schools, businesses, charities, universities and colleges. He runs signature workshops including 'What Makes a Man/(Hu)Man', 'Sarah's Legacy / Domestic Violence', 'Look What you Made Me Do: Coercive Control Insights' and 'Life by the Balls'. As of December 2025, Bernie has spoken to over 70,000 young people about masculinity, coercive control and domestic abuse.
W:  innovativeenterprise.co.uk
V:  https://vimeo.com/156256349 
Tw / X / IG:  @_WhatMakesAMan_

References:
Liz Plank - For the Love of Men
Florence Knapp - The Names
Melanie Brown - Brutally Honest
Andrew Bernard - The Ladder: Supporting students towards successful futures and confident career choices
Bernie is currently editing his forthcoming book 'Masculinity, Relationships and Respect in Schools' a guide to discussing sexism, misogyny and 'toxic' / dominance-based masculinity in educational settings.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Connection
03:15 Understanding Masculinity and the Man Box
04:44 The Impact of Hyper-Masculinity
07:25 The Role of Men in Addressing Violence Against Women
08:39 Personal Experiences and Their Influence on Advocacy
10:00 The Importance of Education in Relationships
12:07 Coercive Control and Its Effects on Young People
14:30 The Need for Critical Conversations in Schools
17:15 Challenging Misconceptions About Feminism
19:49 Empathy and Understanding in Education
22:14 Empathy and Gendered Experiences in Public Spaces
24:00 The Normalization of Women's Safety Concerns
26:10 The Role of Social Media in Gender Dynamics
28:20 Media Representation of Violence Against Women
31:50 Understanding Violence as a Men's Issue
34:18 The Complexity of Coercive Control
39:01 Personal Impact of Violence and Societal Awareness
39:27 Understanding Coercive Control
43:16 The Ecosystem of Male Victimhood
50:43 Navigating Hope and Empowerment
54:41 The Journey of Self-Discovery