Back & Forth: A Men's Mental Health Podcast

Welcome to Back and Forth!In this powerful and honest episode, we hear from Dick Taylor, a military veteran who opens up about the long road from suppressed anger and silent struggle to finally asking for help.After spending years carrying the weight of unresolved emotions, combat stress, and the pressures that come with military life, this conversation dives deep into what changed, and how taking accountability, starting CBT, and leaning on a trusted support network became the turning point.This episode is a raw look at the realities of mental health recovery, the myths that still surround therapy, and why progress often starts with the smallest, bravest step: being honest.Whether you’ve struggled yourself or you’re supporting someone who has, this is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t weakness, it’s work, courage, and consistency.If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved!

Welcome to Back and Forth!In this powerful and honest episode of Back and Forth Men’s Mental Health Podcast, the hosts are joined by Taylor James, host of The Waffle Shop Podcast, for a raw conversation about anxiety, self-awareness, and what it really means to grow through life’s challenges.Together, they unpack the pressure of overthinking the future, the weight of living in the past, and why learning to be present can be one of the most transformative tools for protecting your mental health.Taylor opens up about navigating anxiety, setting healthier boundaries, celebrating progress, and embracing vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness. From talk therapy and authenticity to gratitude, joy, and the importance of social connection, this episode is a reminder that growth isn’t always loud… sometimes it’s simply choosing to keep showing up.If you’ve ever struggled with catastrophising, self-doubt, or balancing ambition with your wellbeing, this conversation will hit home.If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved!

Welcome to Back and Forth!In this raw and honest episode, the guys open up about what happens when you spend years trying to bury trauma instead of facing it. For 25 years, it felt easier to lock it away, crack on, and pretend everything was fine, until life had other plans.This episode is all about the “bears” we carry… the emotional weight, unresolved pain, old stories, and hidden wounds that quietly shape how we think, feel, and cope. Because the truth is, what we avoid doesn’t disappear, it waits.They get real about the impact of suppressed trauma, the warning signs we often ignore, and why having open conversations about mental health before things hit breaking point is so important.If you’ve ever felt like something from your past still has a grip on you, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to carry it alone.If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved!

This week on Back & Forth, Dan, Vish and Will share stories that range from towering conifers and mischievous neighbours to the everyday ups and downs of life.What begins with childhood memories, barbecues, and garden chaos naturally flows into a conversation about community, friendship, and easing anxiety in social situations. They explore how to join new groups, whether that’s bringing a friend along, quietly observing, or simply taking part at your own pace.The discussion also touches on parenting quirks, school frustrations, and the trials of home renovation — all with humour, honesty, and a relatable dose of chaos. Through it all, the team highlights the small ways we connect and support each other, whether on walks, social nights, or just being present for someone in need.—If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what’s been on your mind this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved.

This week on Back and Forth, Dan and Vish dive into a conversation that starts light but quickly moves into something deeper. What begins with tired mornings, changing seasons and everyday life naturally shifts into an honest discussion about why men shut down emotionally — and what’s really going on underneath the surface when that happens.They explore the idea of emotional “flooding,” the difference between lashing out and withdrawing, and how many men grow up learning to internalise rather than express. Vish shares his experience of feeling unheard in past relationships and how that led to silence, while Dan reflects on how he’s learned to step back and ask for space rather than react in frustration.Together they unpack the fear of being a burden, the damage caused by dismissive responses, and how quickly trust can erode when someone feels shut down.The conversation also highlights growth — recognising limits, learning to regulate emotions, and understanding that communication isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s about simply being present, offering space, listening without fixing, or knowing someone’s there when you’re ready to talk.—If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what’s been on your mind this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish sit down with Stuart, founder of Beyond the Silence, for a raw and powerful conversation about mental health, masculinity and survival. Beneath the humour and everyday chat, Stuart shares how he was privately planning his suicide before the people around him stepped in — and how that moment became the start of rebuilding his life.The episode explores childhood trauma, addiction, prison, sobriety and fatherhood, as well as the pressure men feel to stay silent. Stuart speaks candidly about accountability, growth, and why simply asking someone if they’re okay can make all the difference. It’s an honest reminder that mental health doesn’t discriminate — and that no one has to carry it alone.If you’d like to connect with Stuart, search for Beyond the Silence on Facebook. To share your thoughts or get involved with the podcast, email backandforthmmh@gmail.com.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish sit down with Coventry Rugby’s Ewan Baker for a candid conversation about life on and off the pitch. They dive into the pressures of professional rugby, from not being selected to playing in front of big crowds, and explore how Ewan balances ambition with enjoyment. He opens up about concussion recovery, the invisible challenges it brings, and why mental resilience is just as important as physical toughness. The discussion also touches on showing up for your mates, the power of asking “are you okay?” twice, and why being present for others can have a huge impact both on and off the field.Beyond rugby, Ewan reflects on spreading his focus across different passions, stepping out of his comfort zone, and finding enjoyment in life outside the sport. From latte art disasters and coffee machine obsessions to learning new skills and life coaching, the episode is a mix of humour, honesty, and life lessons. By the end, it’s clear that whether it’s rugby, personal growth, or mental wellbeing, showing up, enjoying the moment, and looking after each other is what really matters.-If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish sit down for a powerful and honest conversation with Dave, who opens up about his lived experience with OCD — from intrusive thoughts and spiralling anxiety to hospitalisation, therapy, and learning how to manage it day to day.Dave shares how stress — whether from work, life events, or even positive change — can quietly raise the temperature and intensify intrusive thoughts. Together, they unpack the reality that everyone experiences intrusive thoughts, but for those with OCD, those thoughts can become tangled in responsibility, fear, and a relentless need to “fix” something that doesn’t actually need fixing.Using vivid analogies — from wrestling with barbed wire to watching leaves float down a stream — Dave explains what it feels like inside his head, and how therapy has helped him recognise the thoughts without engaging in the compulsions. It’s an incredibly human insight into how OCD operates, how it affects family life, and how easy it is for someone to appear “happy-go-lucky” on the outside while struggling internally.The conversation also touches on the stigma around OCD being used as a throwaway joke, the importance of safe people you can open up to, and why stories like this matter for those suffering in silence. There’s a shared reminder that help is out there — through the NHS, Mind, OCD Action and other organisations — and that speaking up can be the first step towards regaining control.—If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved.

This week on Back & Forth, Dan and Vish kick things off with their first recording in the new studio before settling into a reflective, wide-ranging conversation. They chat about keeping busy with DIY projects and flat packs as a way of distracting from things outside your control, including illness — with Vish sharing his now very familiar routine of multiple trips to Wickes in search of various items that he kept forgetting.The pair reflect on last week’s episode and how people process and talk about their issues differently. Dan shares why he prefers to rip the plaster off and have honest, deep conversations rather than skirting around difficult topics, while Vish offers his own perspective on working through things.Towards the end, Dan also talks briefly about the Coventry Half Marathon — no longer able to run it himself, he celebrates the amazing group of people taking part in April on behalf of the Back & Forth Charity. The episode wraps up with the return of their classic Love Plums and Love Spuds segment, rounding off an honest, thoughtful, and lightly chaotic catch-up.—If you'd like to get involved with the podcast or want to share what's annoyed you this week, you can email backandforthmmh@gmail.com to get involved.