Episodes
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On this episode we focus on the theme of PTSD and C-PTSD. We are joined by two more fantastic guests discussing their own lived experience along with more support available to men. Our first guest is Jeff Russell, a former Police Officer who lives with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Jeff discusses how trauma in childhood along with years of trauma exposure in his career resulted in a diagnosis of C-PTSD. Jeff discusses the various treatment pathways he tried, until he found that one that really helped. Jeff now gets benefit from on-going therapy and his work as a bush craft facilitator. An inspiring story that you must hear.
We are also joined by Anthony Wood, who is the manager of the Men Too project on the Wirral. Following a road traffic accident Anthony was later diagnosed with PTSD. After receiving the help he needed he re-trained as a mental health counsellor now helping many men in his community. Hear about all of the incredible work that is being done at Men Too and how you can access the service.
www.woodlandwarriors.co.uk
https://mentoomerseyside.org/
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Hosted by:
Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
In this episode we focus on the theme of 'Fatherhood' and the common connections with mental health. We are joined by Pete and Anthony from 'Dads Outdoors' which is a Liverpool based CIC. Bringing nature and bushcraft skills into the local community. Running, walks, fire circles and activity sessions. For dads of all ages. Whether you're a new dad, a grandad, a novice or full on cave man. They welcome all men to join them in nature, learn new skills, make new friends and be of service in the local community. Pete and Anthony talk about their own experience's and how the CIC was created.
We are also joined by Kieran Anders, Kieran is the 'Dad Matters' lead at Home-Start UK, focusing on supporting fathers' mental health and enhancing their relationships with their families. Kieran plays a crucial role in advocating for fathers' mental health and well-being. His work emphasizes the importance of addressing the unique needs of fathers, who are often overlooked in traditional parenting support services that primarily focus on mothers and infants.
LinkedInhttps://www.instagram.com/dadsoutdoorsliverpool/
https://home-starthost.org.uk/dad-matters/
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Hosted by:
Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
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In this episode we are joined by special guests Dr Walter Tasosa, Mel Bowen (Spider Project/Musician) and Mike Caulfield (Nurse consultant/Clinical Lead for suicide prevention) for a round-table discussion on masculinity. We explore what it means to be a role model, emotions that are still difficult for men to express, toxic traits that exist in certain professions and what we were told to act like as young boys.
This is our 3rd birthday episode so we want to thank all previous guests, charities and organisations that have previously joined us and to everyone who has listened and supported the Man Hug over the last three years.
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Hosted by:
Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
In this special episode for University Mental Health Day The Man Hug have teamed up with award winning podcast the Proper Mental Podcast. The Proper Mental Podcast is an award‑winning UK mental health podcast created and hosted by Tom Davies. The podcast focuses on open, honest conversations about mental health and mental illness, aiming to normalise these discussions and reduce stigma. Tom began the podcast after personal mental health struggles, using dialogue as part of his recovery and hoping to help others feel less isolated. Since launching in 2021, the series has featured more than 200 guests including authors, clinicians, activists, musicians, and people with lived experience. Episodes explore a broad range of topics - anxiety, depression, recovery, community support and the podcast has become a resource for awareness, education, and connection.
https://www.propermentalpodcast.com/
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
In this episode we are joined by two more fantastic guests as we discuss the theme of 'kindness'.
Gary Millar is an Alderman, former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, an enthusiastic 'Pay It Forward' champion, philanthropist, Senior Fellow, international relations lead and writer. He has recently published his families story 'Silent Victims' parts 1 & 2 which is a deeply personal and documentary‑style account of the human cost of the thalidomide scandal, told through the story of his family. Rather than focusing solely on the medical disaster, the narrative offers a raw, intimate portrait of a family navigating grief, stigma, and systemic failure. In doing so, it highlights the many “silent victims” whose suffering has often been overshadowed by the broader historical account of the thalidomide tragedy. Gary discusses the moments in which kindness has been instrumental in his life and how his ethos has always been to 'pay it forward' and to help others.
We are also joined by Sheila Byrne, who is the CEO and founder of Hope Street which is a community café and support hub in Ormskirk offering a safe, welcoming space for people facing mental health challenges. Through affordable food, peer support, and free wellbeing services, they help individuals feel seen, supported, and connected. Sheila and her husband set this up after she was failed by services when she needed them most for her own mental health. Sheila's kindness now sees that her community have access to support 365 days a year.
hhttp://www.garymillar.com/
ttps://hopest.org.uk/
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Dan Cooper -
On this special episode (as part of HIV Testing week) we are joined by 2 more fantastic guests, to help educate us and rid any common misconceptions about HIV. We are joined by Emma Davey, A lifelong ally and advocate supporting people living with HIV, Emma is employed in a role in HIV oncology, working alongside Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Alliance to tackle the challenges people living with HIV face in accessing early cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care. Emma works closely with George House Trust, a charity working tirelessly to provide support, advice and information for people living with HIV. George House Trust are committed to ensuring that people have access to what they need to live well with HIV. With an MSC in Advanced Clinical Practice, she is now working towards a doctorate in HIV oncology, aiming to be a positive part of the future of HIV oncology. In addition to her role in HIV care, Emma has worked for the last 23 years as a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care.
We are also joined by John Kelly, Peer support worker at George House Trust. John has lived with HIV for 16 years and now helps newly diagnosed people navigate the support in enabling them to live well post-diagnosis. His valuable insight helps to rid common misconceptions and reduce the stigma. This valuable episode is an excellent educational resource for us all.
George House Trust - https://ght.org.uk/
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and
Dan Cooper -
On this episode we explore the theme of Movement and we are joined by two wonderful guests.
Rob Glover is a Liverpool-based cultural architect, performer, and storyteller who grew up and built his career as a professional dancer. That background shapes how he sees the world – through a choreographic lens, where behaviour, space, timing, and presence all matter. Across years working in dance, sport, music, and live performance, Rob has spent his life observing how men move through pressure, expectation, identity, and silence. His work now focuses on men’s mental health from an embodied perspective, exploring how the body holds stress, how environments can regulate or overwhelm the nervous system, and why many men struggle to speak until they feel safe enough to slow down. Rather than offering fixes or slogans, Rob is interested in practical, human insight – how creating the right spaces, rhythms, and moments of connection can help men feel less alone, more grounded, and more able to talk honestly about what they’re carrying.
Rob joins the Man Hug podcast to explore men’s mental health through movement, presence, and lived experience. We are also be joined by Brian who is the founder of Thrive Guys, who are a men’s wellbeing support group who are doing some amazing work in building a strong community through supportive walks and events.
https://www.robglover.co.uk/dance
Instagram - @ThriveGuys_
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and
Dan Cooper -
Theme:Talking.
We are thrilled to be joined by ex-rugby league professional Danny Sculthorpe.
Danny is a former English professional rugby league prop forward who played for clubs including Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Huddersfield Giants, and Widnes Vikings. He is also known for overcoming serious health challenges, including type 1 diabetes, a brain tumor and later became a motivational speaker focusing on resilience and mental health. After retiring, he faced depression and mental health struggles, which he has spoken about openly, encouraging men to talk and get help.
We are also be joined by Antony Valori who is the Merseyside and North West lead for the wonderful Andy's Man Club to talk all about the Andy’s Man clubs across the North West.
https://andysmanclub.co.uk
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
On this episode we are joined once again by former professional goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. Chris tells us all about his new autobiography "Keeping it quiet" that documents his life in sport, his journey with injuries, depression and addiction. Chris was recently honoured with an honorary doctorate for his work in the community which he tells us all about.
We are also joined by Chris Puddephatt who tells us his own story with addiction and all bout the amazing work being done by the Spider Project and the Silk Team (who support family members affected by addiction).
'Keeping It Quiet' - The Chris Kirkland Story
https://www.spiderproject.org.uk/
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Conleth Kelly
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and
Dan Cooper -
On this episode we are joined by two more amazing guests to talk all about 'Gym Culture'. We dive in to topics about fitness, wellbeing, steroids, testosterone, community, inclusivity and accessibility.
Sam Gelling is a coach and personal trainer working closely with people to improve knowledge and ability around fitness and strength. Sam takes a holistic view on an individual basis which addresses nutrition, motivation and positive mental health. Sam is a former body builder and has personal experience of steroid cycles. He openly discusses with us the complications, pros and cons of anabolic steroid use highlighting many of the dangers to both mental and physical health from prolonged use. Sam is also a keen rugby player and coach and talks about the negative experiences of gym culture and how he has overcome them and helps guide his own clients positive mental health within their own journey.
We are also joined by Liam Starkey, director of the Inclusive Hub. The Inclusive Hub was created back in 2016, initially to help children with Autism and ADHD take part in fun based boxing sessions. Each session grew in numbers and also in ranges of abilities taking part. They now support thousands of people living with additional needs like Down Syndrome, Wheelchair Users, Mental, Physical, Hearing and Visual Impairment. They also provide inclusive fitness sessions for people with life threatening illnesses like Parkinson's Disease, heart issues, Multiple Sclerosis, bereavement and social isolation. The Inclusive Hub is a unique community based space that provides bespoke inclusive fitness, community and educational sessions to schools, colleges and care groups across Merseyside.
Sam Gelling PT - https://www.instagram.com/samgelling_fc/
The Inclusive Hub - https://theinclusivehub.co.uk/
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Dan Cooper -
David Dineley’s My Brain & Other Beautiful Disasters is a story about identity, friendship, and the complicated beauty of living with a mind that doesn’t play by the rules, for anyone who has ever felt “too much,” “not enough,” or both at once.
Although a piece of fiction the book is based upon on David’s experiences dealing with his own mental health over the years. David sadly passed away in August and with the book set for release on World Mental Health Day his daughter Becky joins us to talk all about David, the book, Emotional Unstable Personality Disorder and social media. The book is free as an e-book on the first week of release.
Ian visits the Artizan Cafe & Creative Space in Harrogate where they provide hospitality training & work experience, creative crafts workshops & more for adults & children with special needs, the charity aims to enable, empower and support people with disabilities to meet their full potential. Ian joins Stephen Russell for a chat.
We are also joined by Dr Gary Lamph. Gary is employed as a Clinical Academic, in the position of ‘Reader of Mental Health Nursing’ at Keele University and Research and Innovation Honorary Consultant Nurse/ NIHR Senior Research Leader at Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. Gary has over 25 years’ experience working in mental health services. He is a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with experience of facilitating DBT and MBT group interventions. Gary gives us an overview of 'Personality Disorder', how it is diagnosed, what types of support is available and some valuable resources to help expand knowledge.
Link for the book - My Brain & Other Beautiful Disasters eBook : Dineley, David: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
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Dean McShane
Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
On this episode we focus on the theme of food. We are joined by MP Ian Byrne.
Ian Byrne is the Member of Parliament for Liverpool West Derby. Before entering Parliament, Ian worked as a taxi driver and trade union organiser for Unite, championing workers’ rights and NHS staff conditions. He co-founded Fans Supporting Foodbanks in 2015, a grassroots initiative uniting Liverpool and Everton fans to combat food poverty. In Westminster, Ian has been a vocal advocate for social justice, leading campaigns such as the 'Right to Food' campaign and the Hillsborough Law Now. Ian joins us to talk about food poverty inequality and the impacts on mental health.
We are also joined by Chris Guy, Chairman of the Mersey Mind Project. The Mersey Mind Project is a community-driven initiative focused on improving men's mental and physical wellbeing across Merseyside. Their mission is to: Empower men to take control of their health, Challenge harmful stereotypes around masculinity and encourage open conversations about mental health. Chris joins us to talk all about the initiative and how people can get involved.
Ian Byrne MP - Working for West Derby
Right To Food Campaign — Ian Byrne MP - Working for West Derby
Mersey Mind Project | Men's Mental Health Services | Merseyside
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
In this episode we are joined buy special guest artist Joe Kiney Whitmore. Joe is an oil painter dedicated to the mastery of classical techniques. Though he holds a Fine Art degree, he considers himself largely self-taught, drawing upon centuries of tradition to inform his meticulous approach. Joe is deeply connected to themes of addiction, recovery, and mental health, his work is both a means of understanding the world and a pursuit of personal equilibrium. Joe discusses the importance of art and community work in his own recovery journey.
We also focus on Writing on the Wall (WoW) They believe that writing is for everyone. It’s turning up, sharing our stories and creating change on the page. They host two annual literature festivals, WoWFEST in May and Black History Month in October, which welcome writers, activists and artists.
https://jkwhitmore.com/
https://writingonthewall.org.uk
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
On this episode we focus on male domestic abuse.
We are joined by Kevin Crimmons, a senior lecturer and nurse who spent years practising as a nurse in war zones. He was deployed to Belfast during the troubles, Belize, and the first Gulf War where he earned a Commander's Commendation for his work as part of a Burns Team. Kevin then completed a specialist course in Burns & Plastic Surgery at Queen Victoria East Grinstead. He was posted to the regional Burns Unit at the military hospital in Woolwich.
Kevin tells us about his childhood and a relationship in which he was a victim of domestic abuse. Kevin talks about his ongoing support as part of his own recovery and encourages men to seek support early.
We are also joined by Paul Gladwell of the male domestic abuse charity the Paul Lavelle Foundation. He shares with us the story of his friend Paul who was killed in a violent relationship. The Paul Lavelle Foundation is now the largest male domestic abuse charity in the country and he tells us all about the great work they do and how people can access them for support:
https://paullavellefoundation.co.uk/
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and
Dan Cooper -
On this episode we focus on the theme of Bereavement. In 2015 Joe and Agnes used the Beacon Counselling Trust as service users, following the tragic loss of their son, Paul, to suicide. In 2017 they co-founded Paul’s Place Suicide Bereavement Support Service with Kathy Devlin. At this time, they also became volunteers within the charity. This primarily involved organising fundraising events, promoting the Paul’s Place service to external agencies, and co-hosting weekly peer support groups. They join us to talk about Paul and their own story.
We are also joined by Andrew Okell of Paul's Place, who tells us all about the work they do and how you can get involved.
Our very own Conleth joined the Liverpool John Mitchel's GAA for a mental health awareness walk in which he interviewed fellow walkers about the event.
https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/pauls-place-suicide-bereavement-support-programme/
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David Quinti is a founding member of the Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN) and as well as acting as co-lead of Operations at GLEN he also works for BetKnowMore, another leading charity in the sector. He is a member of the Lived Experience Council at GambleAware and has expertise in the development of the lived experience community movement in Great Britain having been in recovery from gambling harms for over 10 years. His lived experience expertise informs his support of others and in tackling the stigma associated with gambling harms.
Lauren Campbell of Beacon Counselling Trust, which is a North West based mental health charity which has been supporting people since 2009. They work on a number of mental health and wellbeing support programmes across the region. BCT are a partner of the National Gambling Support Network, and offer early intervention, education, treatment and recovery support programmes for gambling-related harms. All the programmes they run are completely free and confidential, with no waiting list.
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We are joined by two more incredible guests for our 2nd Birthday to talk about reflection. Our first guest Steve Pilgrim is a drummer and singer-songwriter. With 4 released solo albums and being Paul Weller's drummer for over a decade Steve has toured the world and played with some incredible musicians. He is the founder of the 'BeOnePercent' charity and promoter at St Michaels Live. Steve talks about the stressors of being a professional musician, the tactics he uses to manage his mental wellbeing and the power of songwriting to create and express emotion.
Our first ever guest Jake Mills (CEO Chasing the Stigma) re-joins us to talk all about the new version of the Hub of Hope app and the incredible ongoing work at Chasing the Stigma
https://beone.foundation/
https://www.chasingthestigma.co.uk/
https://hubofhope.co.uk/
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
World Bipolar Day is observed annually on March 30th to raise awareness about bipolar disorder, reduce stigma, and promote understanding of the condition, which is also the birthday of Vincent van Gogh, who is believed to have had bipolar disorder.
On this special episode we are joined by Theo James (@BipolarTed) who is a 38-year-old navigating the complexities of life with bipolar disorder. With a creative spirit and a love for storytelling, Theo channels both the highs and lows of this journey, trying to craft compelling narratives that resonate with many.
During manic episodes, Theo experiences bursts of energy and inspiration, often resulting in what many call ‘artistic’ pursuits. Conversely, the lows can be challenging, leading to moments of introspection and vulnerability.
Through it all, Theo has learned the importance of self-care, maintaining a structured routine, and seeking support from friends, family, and mental health professionals. An advocate for mental health awareness, Theo shares personal experiences to help destigmatize bipolar disorder, encouraging others to embrace their journeys.Bipolar Ted (Instagram) - Bipolar_Ted
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Hosted by:
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
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Dan Cooper -
In this episode we are joined by two amazing guests who having both been bereaved by suicide and found a desire to dedicate their lives to suicide awareness and prevention.
Chris Sibley is one of the founders of the OLLIE Foundation. Having lost his son TJ to suicide Chris created the OLLIE foundation with two other people who had also lost children to suicide. The OLLIE foundation do incredible work and Chris tells us all about that along with his own experience.
Jess Gallier, the 2019 Merseyside Woman of the Year winner set up the Martin Gallier project having lost her Dad Martin to suicide. The award winning Martin Gallier Projact offers a wide range of support, training and events and Jess tells us all about their amazing work and how you can also get involved.
Our co-host Ian was at the Suicide Summit event in Newcastle and caught up with Jake Mills (Hub of Hope) and Ellen O'Donoghue of James's Place for their views on suicide awareness.
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
and
Dan Cooper -
On this episode we focus on the theme of Death and Dying.
We are joined by two more amazing guests: Kristoffer Hughes is chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, an author, Drag Queen and TV presenter. Kris worked as a coroner for 30+ years and his recent Television programme ‘Death With Kris’ saw him travel to India, Indonesia, the United States and Mexico in search of different – and better – ways of dealing with death. Kris joins us to tell us all about his journey and lived experience.
We are also joined by local celebrant Hannah Todd, who runs Death Cafes in the Liverpool area, so we will be finding out what they are and how people can access them for support.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0jsv129/marw-gyda-kris
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Hosted by:
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Conleth Kelly
Ian Pierce Hayes
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Dan Cooper - Show more
