Understanding Men

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss honesty, and dissect the role it has played in their recovery. They look at the purpose of honesty in their own lives, and how so called "brutal honesty" can have unintended negative repercussions. They explore the relationship between honesty and authenticity, and describe how some level of dishonesty is to be expected in life, in order to protect the feelings of others and allow them to grow. Reflecting on their recovery, they highlight the importance of being honest with themselves, when confronting their shadow sides and taking responsibility for their actions. They also share how living more honestly has allowed them to personally develop and live without the burden of anxiety and fear. 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 shame. They draw connections between shame, self-destruction, addiction and low self-esteem, and address the difference between shame and guilt. Reflecting on times in their lives where they experienced shame, they highlight how isolating it was, and how life became a constant battle to make everything appear "normal". Luke and Fraser also address how recovery and the 12 step programme allowed them to make amends for any harmful behaviour, so they can live freely without the burden of shame. 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 are joined by Simon Dent, aka the ‘Ultra Entrepreneur’.Over the last 20 years, Simon has been a highly successful entrepreneur. He set up and sold a talent management business and more recently did the same with a company called Dark Horses, which in 2019 was voted the 5th fastest growing creative advertising agency in the world. Prior to this, Simon started a sports memorabilia shop in Covent Garden which he sold to The British Sports Museum; and set up a publishing company called Libros International that had two Sunday Times best sellers. In recent years Simon has become an investor working with The Urban Journal, Urban Legend and Palmarae Gin. Outside of being an entrepreneur Simon is a passionate ultra runner. In 2023, he completed the infamous Marathon Des Sables at the age of 46; and this year he is racing the Dragon's Back, the toughest mountain Ultra in the world. A 390km race from north to south Wales. Simon will be raising funds for the charities - Greenhouse Sports & Dallaglio Rugby Works.Through this episode, Simon details his story; outlining his early experiences struggling with his mental health, becoming an entrepreneur and abandoning his original career path, the importance of preserving one's health and learning to push his limits through becoming an ultramarathon runner. Simon also shares the ups and downs of competing in the infamous Marathon Des Sables, and how he believes hitting rock bottom allowed him to find more purpose in life. If you'd like to donate to Simon's fundraising page for the Dragon's Back head to https://www.justgiving.com/page/simon-dents-dragons-back-raceLuke 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 and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss failure. Looking back at instances in their lives which they then viewed as failures, they show the importance of failure as a means to learn and grow. They also highlight how the mindset of not wanting to fail can be helpful in delivering a good performance, but can be an unsustainable way to live long-term. Luke and Fraser also explore the idea of a fear of success, and how fear of a good or bad outcome can result in someone never stepping out of their comfort zone. They address how failure is often a key part of some of the most significant moments of our lives and highlight how embracing the emotion can allow us to learn and therefore achieve. 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 uncertainty. Highlighting the importance of tolerating uncertainty that was key to their recovery journey, they share the practices they have in place that enable them to stay present and embrace the possibilities of each day. They discuss the joy, hope and excitement that uncertainty can bring, and how often the best thing that one can do is focus on the current moment and then go from there. They also highlight how gaining perspective and caring less about an outcome can lead you to be able to live more freely. 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 and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by former English teacher and middle leader Mike Nicholson. Mike has a wide range of experience across the educational spectrum and early in his career developed a reputation for his ability to have a positive impact on boys and young men deemed ‘difficult’ and ‘challenging’. Mike developed and delivers the Progressive Masculinity Program which aims to give young men the freedom and confidence to reconstruct a healthier and more open-minded understanding of what it can mean to be ‘a man’.Through the episode, Mike, Luke and Fraser discuss the positive impact of male role models, the importance of male-female allyship, misconceptions around masculinity and the negative impact of pornography and social media. Alongside this, Mike highlights the significance of modelling language and communication for young men and how parents can approach difficult conversations around body image and consent.If you'd like to find out more about Mike's work, head to progressivemasculinity.co.uk 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 and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the pressures that men may feel around their physical appearance. Addressing the change in beauty standards over the years, and also the increased access to cosmetic procedures, both of them share instances where they have become more conscious of how they look, and how they wish to present themselves to the world. Breaking down the idea of the (potentially) inevitable 'dad bod' and what health and wellness actually looks like, they discuss the role of social media, not only on the expectations around male and female bodies, but also as a tool for information around fitness and self development. Finally, they talk about the use of steroids, and how misuse of these substances can lead to poor mental and physical health. 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 and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the role of community in our lives, and share how it's helped them throughout difficult periods in their lives, including addiction and poor health. Drawing on the evolutionary purpose of community, they discuss why groups of people are so often and easily driven apart by difference of opinion, and address communities that emerge to take advantage of vulnerable people. They also talk about the importance of community as we age, and how they regularly feel the positive effect of community on their own mental health. Finally, they discuss the role of social media in creating new and instant community, and how this has been both positive and negative in equal measure. Trigger warning: This episode includes conversations around suicide, which some individuals may find distressing. 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 and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube.