Special Edition: England launches its first Men's Health Strategy!
In this special episode of The Meaning of Men, host Simeon Atkins reacts to a landmark moment: England’s first-ever national Men’s Health Strategy. After years of conversation and awareness-raising, this strategy signals a major shift toward systemic, long-term action to improve the health and wellbeing of boys and men.
We break down the key themes from the newly released report, which openly acknowledges the unique challenges men face, without caveats or defensiveness. The strategy centres on a simple question: How do we help men live healthier, longer and happier lives? To answer that, it outlines three core aims: making healthcare easier to access, supporting healthier choices, and creating environments that help men thrive.
We explore the six pillars underpinning the plan and highlight the broader significance of this moment, the potential impact on future generations, and the big questions that still need answering.
Link to the full Men's Health Strategy Report:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691c8a7b5a253e2c40d706ee/mens-health-a-strategic-vision-for-england.pdf
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S3, Ep16: The Meaning of Missing Men | Why men are disappearing from society
What happens when an entire generation of men starts to disappear from education, work, and even society itself?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men we're joined by Mark Brooks OBE. Mark is the Director of Policy and Communications for the Centre for Policy Research on Boys and Men and co-author of The Missing Men report - one of the most important deep dives into the state of men and boys in Britain today.
The report looks into four key areas shaping men’s lives - education, employment, health, and crime - and reveals how, in many ways, men haven’t recovered since the pandemic.
Mark and I discuss why so many boys are being left behind in school, what’s driving men’s withdrawal from the workforce, and why a dedicated men’s health strategy is urgently needed. But more importantly, we look at the green shoots of progress, from community action to shifting cultural attitudes, that offer hope for the future.
Hear more from Mark:
Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys: www.menandboys.org.uk
LinkedIn: centre-policy-research-menboys
Association of Male Health and Wellbeing:www.amhw.org.uk
Mark Brooks: www.mark-brooks.co.uk
LinkedIn: mark-brooks-obe
Timestamps:
06:11: International Men's Day: Significance and Impact
11:58: The Missing Men Report: Understanding NEETs
15:42: The Impact of Unemployment on Young Men
21:24: The Gender Gap in Education
25:51: Employment Challenges and Economic Factors
34:07: Understanding the Prison Population
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S3, Ep 15: The Meaning of Self Acceptance | How men can embrace who they are
What does it really mean to be “enough”?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men we’re exploring the journey of identity, purpose and self acceptance with former Royal Marine and international athlete, Jim Galvin.
From the brotherhood and structure of military life to the discipline of international sport, Jim shares how his search for belonging shaped his understanding of masculinity, resilience, and happiness.
He opens up about losing his best friend to suicide, the healing power of physical challenge, and the lessons he’s learned about letting go, self-forgiveness, and allowing joy in the midst of chaos. Together, we explore why so many men tie their self-worth to performance — and how to find strength not just in achievement, but in accepting who you are.
Hear more from Jim:
https://www.youtube.com/@jimgalvin2191
Timestamps:
02:24: Understanding Early Influences
05:16: The Journey into the Royal Marines
09:06: Finding Purpose in Military Life
11:48: Transitioning to International Sport
14:48: Redefining Identity Beyond Physicality
16:36: Evolving Perspectives on Masculinity
18:42: Reflections on War and Peace
22:14: The Struggles of Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
23:13: Navigating the First Year After Leaving the Marines
25:54: Coping with Loss: The Impact of Suicide on Veterans
28:41: Honouring a Friend: The Weight of Grief and Memory
35:21: Finding Happiness Amidst Chaos
42:58: Building a Community: The Joy of Fitness Coaching
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S3, Ep14: The Meaning of The Intimacy Gap | Breaking the stigma on premature ejaculation
What happens when science takes on one of men’s most taboo topics?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men we speak with John Boghossian, co-founder of Kadence Bio, a biotech company developing the first FDA-approved treatment for premature ejaculation (PE). John opens up about his mission to bridge what he calls the “intimacy gap” — the three-to-one difference in average climax time between men and women — and how tackling this issue could transform not only men’s sexual health but also their confidence, mental wellbeing, and relationships.
We explore what PE actually is, how common it is (hint: more than you think), and why so many men suffer in silence due to shame and stigma. John also shares the fascinating science behind his company’s breakthrough on-demand treatment, why it matters beyond the bedroom, and how changing the narrative around men’s sexual health is just as important as the medical innovation itself.
This is a conversation about vulnerability, science, and the courage to challenge taboos — one that every man (and their partner) should hear.
Hear more from John:
Website: kadencebio.com
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/kadence-bio
X https://x.com/KadenceBio
LinkedIn (personal) linkedin.com/in/johnboghossian
Timestamps:
05:22: Understanding Premature Ejaculation
10:16: The Impact of PE on Mental Health and Relationships
12:26: Distinguishing PE from Erectile Dysfunction
15:06: Overcoming Shame and Seeking Help
16:27: Current Treatment Options for PE
19:02: Supporting Partners in Addressing PE
22:51: The Science Behind New Treatments
28:27: Final Thoughts on PE and Seeking Help
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S3, Ep13: The Meaning of Masks | How men hide their true selves
What’s the mask you wear — and what’s hiding underneath it?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men, we sit down with Ashanti Branch, founder of The Ever Forward Club and creator of the Million Mask Movement. Together, we explore the emotional worlds of boys and men — the parts we hide, the stories we tell ourselves, and what it takes to live with authenticity and purpose.
Ashanti’s story begins in Oakland, California, where he grew up without a father and was told from a young age to “be the man of the house.” That early pressure to be strong and emotionless shaped his understanding of manhood — until years later, as a teacher, he began seeing the same patterns in his students: bright young men hiding behind masks of toughness, humour, and indifference.
That realisation led him to start The Ever Forward Club, a space for boys to talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface. What began as a lunch group in one classroom has since become a global movement, inviting men everywhere to take off their masks and rediscover who they truly are.
In this conversation, we dive deep into the emotional lives of men and boys — from the influence of online role models to the longing for safety, connection, and belonging. We explore how vulnerability and strength are not opposites, but partners — and how each of us can start creating spaces where honesty and compassion can thrive.
Hear more from Ashanti:
Website & Socials:
EFC Website: https://everforwardclub.org/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclub
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@everforwardclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everforwardclub/
Book
Diary of a Confused Educator
Upcoming Events
Global Young Men's Conference, Nov 8th: https://everforwardclub.org/global-young-mens-conference-2025
Timestamps:
05:15: The Ever Forward Program and Its Impact
08:10: Understanding the Masks We Wear
12:56: Emotional Struggles of Young Men
23:41: Navigating Expectations and Authenticity
24:35: The Influence of Online Figures on Young Men
29:17: The Power and Danger of Sound Bites
32:58: Understanding Addiction and Emotional Health
37:08: Messages of Hope and Finding Authentic Connections
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.
But this show isn’t just for men. If you’re a mother, wife, partner or friend and want to help a man in your life, this podcast is just as much for you.
Through expert insights, heartfelt stories, and honest, raw conversations, The Meaning of Men provides a roadmap for navigating the highs and lows of manhood so you can show up as your best self in every area of life. Because we all can help expand what it means to be a man.
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