Move Your Mind with Nick Bracks

Why are so many men struggling in silence?In this episode, I speak with George from The Tin Men, a writer and advocate focused on the hidden realities of men’s mental health.We discuss why suicide is the biggest risk to men under 50, what society keeps getting wrong about men’s struggles, and why “just talking about it” isn’t enough.We explore the structural issues that can leave men feeling trapped, unheard, and hopeless - from relationship breakdown and abuse to shame, purpose, and the lack of support.George is the creator of The Tin Men, a platform dedicated to highlighting the overlooked issues affecting men and boys.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction - Men Under 50 Suicide Risk(00:30) Beyond Just Talking(01:38) Structural Disadvantages List(03:28) Finland’s Suicide Blueprint(06:02) Why Governments Don’t Act(07:51) Politics And Vote Incentives(11:30) Psychache And External Triggers(15:27) Relationship Breakdown Statistics(17:19) Coping Mechanisms And Self Harm(19:11) Why Men Die More Often(23:38) Provider Pressure And Meaning(25:37) Male Victims Of Domestic Abuse(28:35) Psychological Abuse And Control(30:26) Parental Alienation Mention(30:40) Parental Alienation Debate(32:03) Joint Custody Changes(33:48) Custody Trauma and Suicide(36:04) Dads as Role Models(38:43) Myths About Crying(41:50) Help Over Slogans(44:45) Therapy That Works for Men(49:24) Grassroots Mens Support(51:49) Empathy for Addiction and Pain(55:28) Wrap Up and AdviceConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with George:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetinmen/Website: https://thetinmen.blog/

Why do people stay in abusive relationships?In this episode, I speak with Dr. Peter Salerno, a psychologist and expert in trauma and abusive relationships.We explore what happens psychologically when someone is being abused - from the early signs to the long-term effects on the mind and nervous system.We talk about cognitive dissonance, manipulation tactics like gaslighting and love bombing, and why people can feel trapped even when they know something is wrong.This episode will change how you understand abusive relationships and the people who experience them.Dr. Peter Salerno is a psychologist specializing in trauma, personality disorders, and recovery from abusive relationships.Timestamps: (00:00) Intro - Signs of Abuse (00:48) Confusion and Dissonance (01:30) Nervous System Freeze (03:26) Intuition Versus Gaslighting (06:00) Manipulation Tactics (08:23) Intentional Abuse Explained (12:28) Psychopathy and Empathy (17:15) Who Gets Targeted (20:39) Why Leaving Feels Impossible (22:49) Beyond Romance and Long Term Healing (29:24) Finding Meaning After Trauma (31:14) Shame During Grad School (32:22) When Professionals Invalidate (35:18) Social Media Spreads Awareness (39:07) Are Victims People Pleasers (40:11) Psychopathy and Power (45:39) Spotting Red Flags Early (50:20) First Steps to Get Help (53:39) Where to Learn More (55:02) Advice and Happiness (57:24) Final Thanks and Wrap UpConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Peter:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpetersalerno/Website: https://www.drpetersalerno.com/

What does it mean when you feel lost in life?In this episode, I speak with Dr. Adam Formal, a clinical psychologist who works with elite athletes and people dealing with burnout and addiction.We explore why so many people feel lost and how small daily decisions can slowly pull you away from who you really are.This episode will explain why you can feel lost in life and how to start changing it.Dr. Adam Formal is a clinical psychologist based in NYC.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction To Feeling Lost(00:27) Emotions Are Like Signals(01:17) Going Through A Crisis(03:19) Micro Choices Drift(04:29) Money And Arrival Myth(06:44) Intrinsic Motivation Wins(11:34) The Tyranny Of Should(12:45) Your Early Training(14:42) Ego Versus Meaning(19:32) Helping One Person(22:36) Choice Over Reactivity(24:39) Boredom And Reflection(27:50) Is Life Meant To Be Hard?(29:51) Meaningful Stretch Goals(32:17) Expectations Versus Reality(33:36) Micro Goals Over Outcomes(35:10) Corporate Carrots And School(36:24) Curiosity Driven Learning(38:33) Workplace Intrinsic Fit(40:28) Sports Motivation And Money(43:03) Longevity Through Love(44:58) Peace In Giving Your All(48:21) First Steps When Lost(51:05) Reverse Engineering Regret(54:54) Closing QuestionsConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Adam:Website: https://www.formaltherapy.com/

How do you know when you’re abandoning yourself? And why do so many of us stay in situations that slowly erode our sense of self?In this episode, I’m joined by Sandra Silverman, an author who shares her journey of rebuilding her life after leaving a 27-year toxic relationship.We talk about the cycle of toxic relationships, including gaslighting, love bombing, and self-blame, the role of past trauma in shaping our relationship patterns, and why learning to feel safe within yourself is essential before you can feel safe with someone else.Sandra also shares what it takes to rebuild your sense of self after years of emotional pain, and why healing is a process that requires you to face, rather than avoid, your emotions.This episode is about recognising where you may be abandoning yourself, and how choosing yourself can change everything.Sandra Silverman is an author and podcast host who shares her experiences with toxic relationships, personal transformation, and self-worth. After leaving a 27-year relationship, she now helps others recognise unhealthy patterns and rebuild their lives from the inside out.Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction(01:24) Procedures And Validation(02:53) Boundaries And Escalation(03:39) Gaslighting Narcissist Cycle(06:04) Why She Stayed for 27 Years(07:20) Choosing Divorce And Books(10:04) Healing Takes Time(11:10) Vacation Exit And Divorce(12:36) Acceptance And Empathy(14:41) Past Trauma And Blame(18:12) Safety In Relationships(19:04) Feeling Safe Alone(19:38) Stop Chasing Quick Fixes(21:25) Sober Through The Pain(22:22) Rebound To Roster(24:05) Solo Reset And Coaching(25:08) Daily Self Care Tools(26:31) Cosmetic Work With Intention(27:44) Social Media Beauty Pressure(30:17) Advice For Young Women(32:00) Purpose Through Books And Show(33:55) Whats Next(35:14) Advice To 18 Year Old Self(35:53) Final ThanksConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Sandra:Website: https://www.sandralenasilverman.com/

Why do we feel shame? Why does guilt hit so deeply? And why do some people seem to carry these emotions far more intensely than others?In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Debra Lieberman — evolutionary psychologist, professor at the University of Miami, and Editor-in-Chief of Evolution and Human Behavior — to explore why humans evolved to feel shame and guilt, and what these emotions are actually trying to do.We talk about the evolutionary purpose of shame, the difference between shame and guilt, why high-functioning people can be especially prone to self-criticism, how social media hijacks our need for social value, and why learning to value yourself changes everything.This episode will help you change your life by changing how you deal with shame.Dr. Debra Lieberman is an evolutionary psychologist whose research explores how evolution shaped the social mind, including emotions like shame, guilt, disgust, morality, kinship, sexuality, and cooperation.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction (00:23) Meet Dr Deborah Lieberman (01:05) Evolutionary Software Of Emotions (02:42) Social Value And Gratitude (05:55) Why Shame Shows Up (08:45) Shame Versus Anger Leverage (10:35) Locus Of Control Trap (15:02) Social Media Hijacks Validation (19:50) Using Social Media With Boundaries (22:51) Stoicism Purpose In Struggle (26:43) Mentorship Missing In Modern Life (29:33) Finding Your Foxhole Friends (31:58) Toxic Friendships And Loss Aversion (33:35) Tribe Size Dating Math (34:45) Why Breakups Hurt (37:03) Fear And Relationship Pressure (38:46) Needy Mindset To Self Worth (41:43) Building Self Value Skills (43:42) Shame Versus Guilt (45:57) Reimagining Human Education (50:55) Critical Thinking In AI Age (55:08) Do We Need Relationships (59:57) Life Stages And Meaning (01:01:02) Advice Happiness And Next Steps (01:04:09) Resources And Final WrapConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Debra:Website: www.deblieberman.comArticles: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=OhbXo2kAAAAJ&hl=en

Comparison can quietly destroy your life. Most of us default to upward comparison… we fixate on what everyone else has that we don’t. And we rarely do the opposite - noticing what we’ve built, what we’ve survived, and what other people would trade places with us for in a second.That’s why you can feel behind even when you’re not. You end up measuring your life with a broken ruler...curated highlights, imaginary timelines, and a brain that’s wired to obsess over what’s missing. Comparison keeps you stuck.In this episode, I’m joined by Greg Everett, coach, author, and founder of Catalyst Athletics, to unpack why comparison is dangerous, how social media amplifies it, and how money and “success metrics” can quietly hijack your self-worth. We also talk about what to do when you genuinely feel lost or behind, including building a personal “touchstone” to measure real progress, using journaling to clear the mental noise, and creating intentional quiet time so your mind can actually reset.This episode will help you change your life by helping you to stop comparing yourself to others.Greg Everett is a coach, author, and the founder of Catalyst Athletics, known for his work in strength training and long-term athlete development.Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction(00:47) Why We Compare(01:39) Social Media Highlights Trap(04:03) Money and Self Worth(08:02) Work Hours and Meaning(11:15) Hustle Culture Burnout(12:52) Scams and False Promises(16:06) Building Sustainably(17:21) Authenticity Over Trends(23:55) Choose Your Exhaustion(24:58) No Finish Line(26:41) Hard Truths of Self-Examination(27:39) Finding Your Touchstone(29:22) Overstimulation and Distraction(35:05) Dopamine Withdrawal in Nature(38:39) Staying the Course When Behind(42:31) Journaling to Get Unstuck(46:53) Quiet Downtime for Clarity(49:11) Lessons From Career Detours(51:48) Advice to My 18-Year-Old Self(53:04) Where to Find Greg(53:48) Final ThanksGet the FREE Move Your Mind Masterclass here:go.nickbracks.com/moveyourmindAccess FREE Move Your Mind training here:https://go.moveyourmind.io/trainingConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Greg:Website: https://www.greg-everett.com/about/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalystathletics/?hl=en