The Meaning of Men

Why are men still dying by suicide at such alarming rates?

This week on The Meaning of Men we unpack the male suicide crisis and what’s really driving it with Dr Susie Bennett, one of the UK's leading researchers in this space. We explore the complex intersection of masculinity, mental health, loneliness, and emotional suppression—and why so many men feel unable to ask for help.

Drawing on cutting-edge research and lived experience, this conversation goes beyond statistics to reveal the deeper psychological and cultural factors behind male suicide. From the “empathy gap” to the pressure to be strong, successful, and self-reliant, we examine how societal expectations can leave men feeling isolated, ashamed, and disconnected.

Crucially, this episode also focuses on solutions. You’ll hear why connection, community, and redefining what it means to be a man are essential to preventing male suicide—and how we can all play a role in supporting the men in our lives.

In this episode you will learn:

What’s really driving male suicide rates

The impact of loneliness and social disconnection

How masculinity norms affect men’s mental health

Why men struggle to open up and seek support

Practical ways to better support the men in your life

Hear more from Dr Susie:

Website:malesuicideresearch.com/

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

Timestamps:

07:22: The State of Male Suicide: Trends and Concerns
12:43: The Empathy Gap: Societal Perceptions of Men
18:54: Cultural Factors Influencing Male Suicide
29:46: The Psychological Impact of Masculinity on Men
33:08: The Tenderness of Providing
35:19: Redefining the Role of Provider
37:33: The Crisis of Male Loneliness
41:01: Building Connections Among Men
45:03: Diverse Interventions for Male Mental Health
52:04: Recognizing Warning Signs of Distress
01:04: 16Hope for the Future of Boys and Men

Could your brain be holding answers you’ve never accessed?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I'm joined by clinical and sports psychologist Santiago Brand to explore brain mapping, neuroscience, and personalised mental health.

We dive into how brain mapping (qEEG) reveals the root causes of anxiety, depression, burnout, and focus issues—moving beyond guesswork toward precision mental health. Santiago explains how understanding your brain activity can help tailor therapy, medication, and performance strategies to the individual.

This conversation also explores proactive mental health, showing why men often wait until crisis point—and how tools like neurofeedback, breathwork, and lifestyle changes can improve brain function, emotional regulation, and resilience.

If you’re looking to optimise performance, better understand your mental health, or reduce overwhelm, this episode offers practical insights grounded in neuroscience.

In this episode you will learn:

What brain mapping is and how it works

How it identifies root causes of mental health challenges

Why personalised treatment improves outcomes

The role of neurofeedback and brain training

Practical ways to support brain health daily

 
Hear more from Santiago:

Website: https://www.santiagobrand.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-brand-a985905/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Santiago-Brand-61555834522930/

 
Timestamps:
 

04:39: The Journey into Brain Science and Neurofeedback
08:42: The Importance of Brain Mapping in Mental Health
12:48: Preventative Measures and Early Interventions
20:35: Empowerment Through Understanding Brain Function
24:10: Holistic Approaches to Brain Health
30:23: Training the Brain for Better Performance
36:19: Precision in Mental Health Interventions

What if being an introvert isn’t a limitation—but simply a label you’ve learned to live with?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I down with Nick Shelton, author of An Introvert's Guide to World Domination, to explore confidence, introversion, and the powerful role identity plays in shaping our lives.

Nick shares his story of growing up shy and socially awkward, often feeling misunderstood at school and unsure how to navigate social situations. Instead of accepting those labels, he began observing confident people and breaking down their behaviours into simple, learnable steps.

Drawing on lessons from his time in the Air Force, Nick explains how complex personal challenges—like social anxiety or low confidence—can be tackled through small, deliberate actions.

This conversation explores how many men become defined by personality labels such as “introvert,” and how questioning those assumptions can unlock new possibilities for personal growth, connection, and resilience.

If you’ve ever felt held back by shyness, social anxiety, or the belief that confidence simply isn’t “who you are,” this episode offers a refreshing perspective—and practical tools to start changing the story.

In this episode you will learn:

Why personality labels like “introvert” can limit personal growth

How to build confidence through small, practical steps

The power of observing and modelling confident behaviour

Lessons from military training that apply to everyday life

How to challenge the identity stories holding you back

Hear more from Nick:

Book: An Introvert's Guide to World Domination: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Introverts-Guide-World-Domination-Networker-ebook/dp/B08GDV7B4B/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KMAPPT6T12V0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IlGRyZIC2be9dgzVPV9i0c8Ph78cAJlcQa9JkLyjJr8._vDJArjgc68QswSwwL8Ri0GUx5BKVLM2RJ4a3wREFuw&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+introverts+guide+to+world+domination&qid=1773248876&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+introverts+guide+to+world+dominatio%2Cdigital-text%2C222&sr=1-1

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasleonshelton/
 
https://nicksheltonspeaks.com/
 

Timestamps:

04:07: Understanding Introversion: A New Perspective
05:50: The Power of Observation
10:08: Building Authentic Connections
10:57: An Introvert's Guide to World Domination
14:43: Leveraging Strengths for Success
15:12: Navigating High-End Events
17:27: Networking as a Skill
19:34: Building Networking Muscles
24:46: Overcoming Introversion in Social Settings
29:35: The Power of Public Speaking
34:45: Daily Habits for Relationship Building
40:38: Empowering Introverts in Early Life

What if starting to treat depression was as simple as putting on a headset at home?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, we're exploring the groundbreaking wearable technology backed by the NHS that’s transforming depression treatment.

Joining me is Kultar Garcha, a GP and chief medical officer at Flow Neuroscience, the team behind a wearable headset designed to treat depression safely from home. We unpack the science behind its success, where this fits alongside therapy and medication, and why it’s especially appealing for men tackling depression.

If you're searching for alternatives to antidepressants, innovative depression treatments, or ways to support men’s mental health, this conversation is essential listening.

In this episode you will learn:

How Flow headset uses brain stimulation to help treat depression at home

Why the headset is especially appealing to men battling depression

How it works to support therapy and other interventions for depression

Hear more from Flow Neuroscience:

https://www.flowneuroscience.com/

 

Timestamps:

02:08: Understanding Flow Neuroscience
03:40: The Technology of the Headset
06:08: Neuromodulation and Neuroplasticity Explained
08:38: Men's Mental Health and the Appeal of Tech
12:47: Flow in Relation to Traditional Treatments
16:49: Scientific Evidence and Effectiveness of Flow
20:13: User Experience and Feedback
24:12: Meeting People Where They Are
27:33: Future Directions for Flow Neuroscience

How can men start getting the most from therapy?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men I'm joined by Chris Hemmings. Chris is a former BBC journalist whose own struggles with grief, addiction and depression led him to retrain as a psychotherapist and build Men’s Therapy Hub — a platform connecting men with male therapists across the UK.

Chris explains that many men aren’t avoiding therapy because they don’t care — but because they fear judgment, being seem as weak, or being told they need to become someone they’re not. Together we start to explore some of these myths, what men really need from their therapists and how they can best show up to get the most from therapy. 

In this episode you will learn:

Why men often avoid therapy and how to overcome the stigma

The biggest misconceptions about counselling for men

How masculinity and emotional strength can work together

What to look for when choosing the right therapist

Why seeking help is an act of courage, not weakness

Hear more from Chris:

Men's Therapy Hub: www.menstherapyhub.co.uk
 
No Man's an Island podcast: 
Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5QgINHeUZKorBCE4LBoBXF

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/dk/podcast/no-mans-an-island/id1849171262?i=1000745844084

 
My website: www.chrishemmings.co.uk
 
Timestamps:

09:27: Misconceptions About Therapy
18:36: Finding the Right Therapist
23:47: The Importance of Gut Feel in Therapy
24:40: Investment Mindset in Therapy
25:45: Shifting from 'Should' to 'Could' in Therapy
28:45: Normalizing Emotions and Removing Shame
31:37: The Role of Humor in Therapy
36:07: Understanding Worthiness in Therapy
40:49: Approaching Therapy with Courage
45:58: Demystifying Therapy for Men