Understanding Men

Motivated by the recent passing of singer-songwriter Liam Payne, Luke and Fraser address the unseen side of fame, and explore ongoing issues facing individuals in the public eye. Drawing comparisons with their own sobriety journeys, they highlight the contributing factors that can cause problems with alcohol and substance abuse, and discuss whether these can be addressed earlier in an individual's career.Reflecting on the amount of attention and scrutiny that the members of One Direction faced at the height of their fame, Luke and Fraser discuss if they were at all prepared, and agree that record labels, along with sports teams and clubs, should fulfil a lifelong duty of care.Finally, they address the importance of effective and robust support when embarking on a recovery journey, and the difficulty of being in the spotlight when undertaking something so emotionally and physically challenging.Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore ten popular myths about men, and set out to discover just how much truth is behind these beliefs.Exploring everything from commitment, unfaithfulness, sex, communication and emotions, Luke and Fraser share stories of their own, and stories of men around them to help illustrate their understanding of these popular myths.Do you think they got it right? Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, hot on the heels of Luke's 48th Birthday, Luke and Fraser investigate their feelings towards growing older. Reflecting on their younger years, they agree that they feel more comfortable in their skin as they age, and highlight how they both feel a need to maintain good health and mobility in order to effectively support their families. They explore the idea that a fear or dislike of aging is around lack of control, purpose or need, and reflect on the bittersweet nature of seeing their children grow and develop, to the point of no longer needing the support of their parents. Reflecting on men in their own lives, they also connect aging to a lack of power or authority, and emphasise how growing older gracefully requires humility and acceptance.Finally, Fraser details his experiences of feeling vulnerable while recovering from open heart surgery, and how he had to work past his ego to accept help and support at a time where he needed it most. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser look at their sporting and professional histories and try and decipher what makes a great team or a great team culture. They discuss whether a successful team needs uniformity, or if there is also space for individuality amongst a common goal. They highlight the need for team culture to be embodied and delivered by members of the team, and the need for substance beyond a teams ideals and goals. They also reflect on social expectations from their sporting days, and wonder if they felt a pressure to drink in order to fit in and be liked. Finally, Luke emphasises the benefit of having different personalities and approaches in professional teams, and underlines how this can lead to success. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the oft-avoided subject of death. Critiquing the differing ways we confront death, and how we often don't talk about it, despite it's inevitability, the guys try to break down why it provokes such strong emotion.They look at death from both sides, from the death of oneself to the loss of a family member, and share how their attitude towards their own existence has changed over time. Reflecting on losses in their own lives, they discuss the power of legacy, and how they wish to ensure their message and values continue to live on even in their absence. Following this, they also talk about the importance of finding reason when a person passes before their time. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser take a long hard look at responsibility, and highlight the significance it has had in their own lives, especially through recovery. Taking responsibility is a key pillar of the 12 step recovery programme which both Luke and Fraser have undertaken, and regular listeners may be familiar with the question that they both ask of themselves; 'What's my part in this?' They discuss how resentment, honesty and responsibility can be closely tied, and share how holding on to resentment can allow someone to not understand the part they have played in their own discomfort or upset. Finally, they touch on the power of taking responsibility in sport, and using it as an opportunity to address and improve upon existing weaknesses to become an all around better performing athlete. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser ask, 'What is love?' Reflecting on their lives, they discuss their experiences of love, and share how love has changed for them over time. They dissect the portrayal of love online and in the media, and highlight how they believe it may stray from the most authentic definitions and depictions of love. Addressing the importance of self love in their lives, they highlight the impact that self development has had upon their lives, and how it has played an important part in them meeting their current partners. While they both agree that being able and ready to give love is key, they emphasise that feeling worthy of receiving love can be significant in establishing a healthy relationship. Finally, they look at the purity of love, that we especially demonstrate in childhood, and highlight that true love doesn't show prejudice or come with any external conditions. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser get spiritual and take a look at the Buddhist First Noble Truth, which refers to the 'suffering' or 'unsatisfactoriness' of life. Inspired by previous episodes, contributors, and recent stories they have shared - they discuss if it's ever possible to live completely without suffering.Highlighting the mental and emotional anguish we may experience beyond physical pain, the guys share instances where they may have suffered by getting caught in thought and panic. They also highlight the need to interrupt these thought processes while also acknowledging that these experiences can be useful in the long term.Luke and Fraser also revisit the theory that they may actually enjoy suffering and struggle in their own lives, and wonder if even in retirement they will find their own challenges to overcome. Finally, they discuss the feelings they have around wanting to protect their loved ones from pain, and admit that with the power of hindsight, these can be valuable lessons throughout their lives.Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod