The Meaning of Men Podcast

Why do so many men wait until it’s too late to seek help?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I'm joined by public health expert Dr Dominick Shattuck to explore the real reasons behind the men’s health gap. From lower life expectancy to higher rates of suicide, cardiovascular disease and late-stage diagnosis, men consistently experience worse health outcomes—but the causes go far beyond individual choices.

Together, we unpack how structural barriers, healthcare design, and masculine norms all influence the way men engage with preventative care. This conversation dives into why men often avoid doctors, how early life experiences shape long-term health behaviours, and what needs to change at a systems level to improve outcomes.

You’ll also hear why meeting men where they are—through workplaces, sports, and communities—could be key to driving earlier intervention and better engagement.

This is a powerful, evidence-based conversation about shifting the narrative from blame to understanding, and building a more effective approach to men’s health.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why men are more likely to delay seeking medical care
• The key drivers behind the men’s life expectancy gap
• How adolescence shapes lifelong health behaviours
• The impact of masculine norms on health decisions
• What systemic changes could improve men’s health outcomes

Hear more from Dominick:

• JHU Profile: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/faculty/4296/dominick-shattuck
• *AIBM: https://aibm.org/who-we-are/dominick-shattuck/
• Relational Ground, LLC: https://www.relationalgroundllc.com/ 
• *Dominick’s Substack: Relational Ground: https://dominickmenshealth.substack.com/ 
• * Building Bridges: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C0bPO0iemPpl0Fl3LLtZAJdHe_hDZag6/view - This is a document I led as part of the Male Engagement Task Force. It provides some solid literature review on adolescence, masculinity, and related behaviors. You’ll recognize names in the literature. 

Timestamps:

02:00: Why men’s health is more than individual choice 04:45: Dominick Shattuck’s background in global men’s health 09:20: The 5-year life expectancy gap explained 12:15: Why men engage late with healthcare systems 15:20: Root causes vs symptoms in men’s health 18:45: Adolescence and the drop-off in preventative care 23:15: Giving young men autonomy in health decisions 27:00: What men want from healthcare providers 30:00: Reframing health around performance & purpose 33:30: Leveraging masculinity for positive health outcomes 36:45: The power of humour and connection among men 38:30: Key system changes needed to improve men’s health 42:00: Meeting men where they are (work, sport, community) 45:30: The role of “third spaces” in men’s wellbeing 49:30: Final reflections & what needs to change

What if everything we think we know about male behaviour is only scratching the surface?

In this episode of The Meaning of Men I'm joined by Dr. Becci Owens, Head of Psychology at the University of Sunderland, to explore the deeper evolutionary forces shaping men, masculinity, and modern behaviour. From male competitiveness and risk-taking to status, relationships, and belonging, this conversation challenges mainstream narratives and invites a more nuanced understanding of what drives men today.

Drawing on evolutionary psychology, Dr Becci unpacks how unconscious biological and social mechanisms influence everything from adolescent behaviour to mate selection and fatherhood. Together, we explore why young men are drawn to risk, how status-seeking shows up in both destructive and prosocial ways, and why many boys today struggle with identity and belonging.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in male psychology, mental health, parenting boys, or understanding masculinity in a rapidly changing world. Expect thought-provoking insights, practical reflections, and a refreshing perspective that moves beyond surface-level explanations into the deeper “why” behind human behaviour.

• How evolutionary psychology explains the deeper drivers of male behaviour
• Why status, competition, and risk-taking are hardwired into men
• How mating strategies shift across life stages and shape relationships
• Why many boys and men struggle with belonging in modern society
• How to channel masculine traits into positive, prosocial outcomes

Hear more from Dr Becci:

Instagram: @DrBecciO

University website: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/about/academic-staff/rebecca-owens

Timestamps:

What does addiction actually feel like from the inside?

This week on The Meaning of Men I sit down with influencer and mentor Gary Mairs to explore addiction, sobriety, and the deeper emotional work required for lasting transformation. From a seemingly “normal” upbringing to years of alcohol dependency, Gary shares his raw and honest journey into addiction—and the pivotal moment that changed everything.

This episode goes beyond surface-level discussions of alcohol misuse. It dives into the psychology of addiction, the neurological grip of alcohol, and the cultural pressures that keep men trapped in destructive cycles. Gary unpacks how purpose, connection, and accountability became the foundations of his recovery, and why sobriety is about far more than simply “quitting drinking.”

Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking greater meaning and personal growth, this conversation offers profound insights into resilience, masculinity, and healing.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this episode will challenge your thinking—and show you what’s possible on the other side of change.

In This Episode You Will Learn

• Why addiction is both a psychological and neurological cycle
• The difference between stopping drinking and true sobriety
• How connection and support accelerate recovery
• The hidden cultural pressures that keep men stuck
• Practical strategies to manage cravings and rebuild your life

Hear more from Gary:

https://www.instagram.com/sobernsound?igsh=b3diOTVrdzFyYXln&utm_source=qr

https://www.patreon.com/cw/SoberNSound

Timestamps:

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:

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.

• 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

• 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/