The Man Hug
The monthly Men’s Mental Health Podcast.
Each month the 4 hosts interview special guests to talk about themes that affect men's mental health. There is discussion, lived experience and signposting for services and organisations that can help.
Please visit the Hub of Hope app to see what mental health support is in your area.
Episodes
23 episodes
The Man Hug - Ep023 - Young People - Special guests Juliette & Ryan from YPAS
In this episode we explore the Adolescent brain, the current mental health landscape for children and adolescents and we are joined by two fantastic guests. Juliette and Ryan work in YPAS = Young Persons Advisory Service. They discuss the servi...
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Episode 23
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55:10
The Man Hug - Ep022 - Resilience - Christopher Lee Power & Helen Gilbert (Samaritans)
In this episode, we are joined by actor/director Christopher Lee Power. Christopher gives us an honest account of his childhood and youth in which there were numerous traumatic events such as sexual abuse, witnessing a murder, and issues with a...
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1:29:25
The Man Hug - Ep021 - Abstinence - Ben Taylor The Magic Mod, Sam Batley & Dr Walter Tasosa
In this episode we concentrate on the theme of abstinence. We have three more incredible guests. Ben Taylor aka The Magic Mod tells us his story of aspiration, rock n roll magic and his story of abstinence following a struggle with alcohol. Ben...
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Episode 21
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2:05:45
The Man Hug - Ep020 - Change ft guests George Riley (State of Mind) & Debbie Rogers (Sean's Place)
Episode 20 - Theme: Change.On this episode we are joined by two more fantastic guests. George Riley, who is an award-winning broadcaster and rugby league commentator who joined the State of Mind charity in 2018. George specialises ...
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Episode 20
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1:55:07
The Man Hug - Ep019 - Aspirations - Special Guests Ian Knott & Kit it Out!
On this episode, we are joined by ex-professional rugby professional Ian Knott. Ian represented GB at Academy level and played Professionally for 13 years with Warrington Wolves, Wakefield and Leigh. During his time at Leigh, he captained...
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Episode 19
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1:16:20
The Man Hug - Ep018 - Special Samaritans episode
In this special one-off Man Hug our Conleth is on set at the latest Samaritans film. The film has been created as part of world suicide prevention day and whilst they were filming Conleth got to interview the wonderful people behind it includin...
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Episode 18
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55:27
The Man Hug - Ep017 - The Arts with guests Mersey Wylie, Martin Wallace & Tim Taylor.
Theme: The Arts.In this episode we have three more amazing guests who all discuss the arts and mental health with personal stories and discussion.We are joined by the wonderful Mersey Wylie. Mersey is an incredible musician who talks ab...
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Episode 17
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1:47:24
The Man Hug - Ep016 - Neurodiversity
In this episode we are joined by 4 amazing guests with the theme being: Neurodiversity. We are joined by Stephen Wynne, who lives with ADHD and works as a neurodiversity coordinator for Everton in the Community. We are also joined by Lynsey Bog...
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Episode 16
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1:06:33
The Man Hug - Ep015 - Comedy with Sam Avery
Theme: Comedy. In this episode, we are joined by Comedian, author, and artistic director of the Comedy Trust Sam Avery. Sam talks about his journey in comedy, and parenting which led to the creation of his book 'Confessions of a Learner Parent'...
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1:21:23
The Man Hug - Ep014 - Life After Suicide, with Angela Samata and Alfie Fitzsimmons
In this special episode we are joined by Angela Samata. Angela presented the BBC1 BAFTA nominated and winner of the Mind Media Award for Best Factual TV documentary, ‘Life After Suicide’. The film encouraged discussion and exploration of mental...
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51:12
The Man Hug - Ep013 - The Mind - Dr John Parrington and Jake Mills
Theme: The Mind.We are joined by special guest Dr John Parrington, associate professor in cellular and molecular Pharmacology at University of Oxford. John has published numerous books on subjects such as the Mind and Consciousness. John an...
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58:01
The Man Hug - Ep012 - Masculinity - Jeff Charles of the Masculinity Unplugged and filmmaker Tom Van Den Hurk
Theme: Masculinity.We are joined by Jeff Charles of the Masculinity Unplugged Podcast. Jeff’s story is one of inspiration and hope. Jeff discusses falling into criminal activity, finding comfort in food and battles with binge eating and the...
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1:34:02
The Man Hug - Ep011 - Pivotal Points - Michael Branch and Paul Gladwell
We are joined by ex-professional footballer Michael Branch who shares with us his journey from academy player to professional at his boyhood club Everton and the pressures that came with. He openly discusses how he fell out of love with playing...
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1:14:56
The Man Hug - Ep010 - Tragedy - Sheila Coleman from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and Phil Roberts of JourneyMEN Wirral
This months Man Hug is on the theme of Tragedy, events in which we can not predict. We are joined by two wonderful guests.Sheila Coleman from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign who talks to us about the effects that such a tragedy had on...
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1:28:00
The Man Hug - Ep - 009 Memories - Brian ‘Nasher’ Nash (Frankie goes to Hollywood) and Nat Gavin (Merseyside Dementia Friendly Radio)
This episode focuses on the soundtrack to our lives. Utilizing the work of Playlist for LIfe and how special music is in our lives and memories.In this December Christmas special Na...
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1:20:02
The Man Hug - Ep008 - Happiness - Dr Sice (The Boo Radleys) and Mark Myers from Fishing the Mind
This month's Man Hug is on the theme of Happiness. We are joined by Dr Sice, lead singer of the Boo Radleys, Psychologist and Author. He talks about his own battle with depression and how he has become a Doctor of Psychotherapeutic Psycho...
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1:13:00
The Man HUG - Ep 007 - Community w/ Matty Caine of First Person CIC and Timo Tearney & Tony Caveney from The Florrie
This Man Hug focuses on the theme of Community.We are joined by Matty Caine who is an RMN and CEO of First Person CIC. Matty talks openly and honesty about losing his mum and the diagnosis he was given of Psychotic Depression. Matty has sin...
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1:26:44
The Man Hug - Ep006 - Sexuality and mental health - Pete Price and Chris Porter GYRO (YPAS)
On this Man Hug we are joined by legendary broadcaster Pete Price. Pete bravely discusses his horrific experience of Aversion Therapy. We are also joined by Chris from local charity YPAS who runs an LGBTQ+ group for young people.
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1:09:26
The Man Hug - Ep005 - Grief, Crisis & Hope - Alan Gibbons, and Andy Noon of James' Place
Theme: Grief, Crisis & Hope!This episode of the Man Hug features author and independent councillor Alan Gibbons. Alan discusses the grief process following the tragedy of losing his eldest son Joe. Twitter:
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1:20:22
The Man Hug - 004 - Music and Mental Health - Malik Al Nasir of Malik and the OGs, and Si Egan of Mind That Music
This episode is on the theme of Music & Mental Health. We are joined by special guests: Malik Al Nasir, author, poet and Gil Scott Heron protege. Malik discusses his story in the childhood care system and how meeting Gil changed his life. <...
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1:14:16
The Man Hug - Ep003 - Connectiveness - w/ Colin Dolan & Matt Lyon and Daniel Roche
On this Man Hug, the hosts are joined by three special guests; Colin Dolan and Matt Lyon from Liverpool Football Therapy, and Daniel Roche from Andy’s Man Club, who all talk about their own personal stories involving connecting with others to e...
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58:38