Better MENtal Health

The Podcast About the Podcast: What Are We Really Doing Here?

In this episode, the guys turn the mic on themselves and discuss the future of the podcast on the podcast. 🎧 Why did we start this podcast? 💬 How can men learn to open up and go deeper? ⚙️ What’s next for Better MENtal Health? And… some honest check-ins about anxiety, ADHD, overwhelm, grief, and the inner critic. 👇 Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 – Why men struggle to talk deeply 00:46 – Intro: The podcast about the podcast 02:00 – What are we trying to do with this? 03:10 – Finding focus vs chasing ideas 05:00 – The pressure to say something meaningful 05:45 – The goal: being examples of vulnerability 07:00 – How to help men open up 08:45 – The “Double-Click” analogy 09:30 – Feeling into the body (somatic awareness) 11:00 – Can we actually do that on a podcast? 12:20 – Learning to reflect feelings instead of asking questions 14:00 – The “I don’t know” defense and how to go deeper 15:00 – Listener feedback: patriarchy, masculinity & nuance 16:30 – The Christian Science episode and deconstruction 18:30 – Living differently as men 19:30 – Real check-ins: how are we actually doing? 20:00 – Overwhelm, distraction, and avoidance 24:00 – ADHD, shame, and medication talk 27:30 – Feeling like society isn’t built for our brains 29:00 – Why the system rewards the grind 32:00 – Jamie’s anxiety and imposter feelings in grad school 35:00 – Searching for balance as dads, partners, and students 39:00 – Blake’s family loss and grief 42:00 – The gym, body connection, and emotional health 43:30 – The inner critic and negative self-talk 46:00 – A compliment worth remembering 47:00 – Gratitude, mindset, and reframing positivity 49:00 – Final thoughts and listener invitation Leave a comment, share your thoughts, and let us know what you want us to talk about next. 🔗 Follow us on Instagram: @bettermentalhealthpod ❤️ Subscribe for new episodes. #mensmentalhealth #realtalk #vulnerabilityisstrength #mindfulnessformen #healingjourney #mentalhealthpodcast #deepconvos #mensgroup #podcastclips #bettermensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealth #mentalhealthformen #menswellness #mensupportingmen #vulnerability #mentalhealthmatters #destigmatizementalhealth #healingjourney #talkaboutit #bettermensmentalhealth

The Mental Health Side of Becoming a Dad with Matt Bowman

In this episode, Jamie, Blair, and Blake sit down with their good friend Matt, who just became a dad. We dive into the real highs and lows of new fatherhood — from sleepless nights and baby-led weaning to mental health struggles, identity shifts, and the surprising ways relationships change after bringing a baby home. This conversation is raw, honest, and full of stories that every dad (and partner) can relate to. If you’ve ever wondered what the first six months of parenthood really look like, this one’s for you. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Why we’re talking fatherhood 00:50 – Matt’s sleep training success 02:00 – Starting solids & scary first foods 05:00 – Baby looking like dad? Reflections on identity 06:30 – Biggest unexpected changes in daily life 08:00 – Balancing freedom, hobbies & parenting 11:20 – Good enough parenting & self-reflection 13:30 – Coming home from the hospital: reality check 16:00 – Building love & attachment over time 18:00 – Baby milestones & finally having fun 20:00 – Jamie’s emotional first moments as a dad 22:00 – Postpartum depression & men’s mental health 25:00 – Therapy, life coaching, and support systems 28:00 – Parenting schedules: the freedom paradox 30:00 – Emotional ups & downs as a new dad 33:00 – Anger, frustration, and healthy outlets 36:00 – Tolerance for chaos & crying 39:00 – Partner communication & tactical teamwork 41:00 – Shifts with friends & family dynamics 43:00 – Parenting with grandparents’ help 46:00 – Looking forward: what dads get excited about 48:00 – Closing reflections 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about men’s mental health, fatherhood, and becoming the best version of yourself. 💬 Share your parenting stories or struggles in the comments — we’d love to hear from you.

Religious Trauma, Addiction, and Healing: Nate Laningham Shares His Journey

In this episode of Better Mental Health, we feature an in-depth and raw discussion with Nate Landingham, a musician and producer based in Austin, Texas, known as Nathaniel Earl on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5f6dgBtcJ4jST3FAM96GYx?si=i-FfNJpwTUKd9Q5M_T3-CQ]. Nate joins hosts Blake, Jamie, and Blair to talk about his experiences growing up in Christian Science, his struggles with addiction and suicidal ideation, and how these challenges have shaped his mental health journey. We delve into intense topics like family dynamics and the psychological impacts of a religious upbringing, alongside the complexities of navigating sobriety and self-acceptance. 00:00 Trigger Warning and Introduction00:19 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction01:03 Nate's Upbringing in Christian Science04:21 Running Away and Homelessness07:07 Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health12:41 Therapy and the Road to Sobriety20:22 Finding Spirituality and Sobriety24:05 Reflecting on Rock Bottom and Ego Death26:25 Reflecting on My Father's Legacy30:06 Navigating Family Dynamics After Loss32:30 Music as a Tool for Emotional Healing37:02 Balancing Light and Dark: Embracing Emotions37:35 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Balance40:50 Pre-Performance Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms46:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

The Enneagram & Mental Health: With Josh Lavine

In this episode of Better MENtal Health, we sit down with coach and Enneagram expert Josh Lavine to explore the Enneagram not just as a personality tool, but as a tool for mental health, growth, and authenticity. Josh breaks down the 9 Enneagram types through the lens of body, heart, and mind, and shares his own journey of discovering what authenticity meant to him. Whether you're brand new to the Enneagram or deep in the work, this conversation is full of insights into identity, therapy, and how we accidentally forget who we are, and how to come back home. ⏱ Timecodes 00:00 – Intro & Meet Josh 01:20 – What is the Enneagram? 02:10 – Why We Start With Type 8 04:00 – Body Types: 8, 9, 1 08:42 – Heart Types: 2, 3, 4 12:10 – Mind Types: 5, 6, 7 17:00 – All Three Hosts Are 9s! 18:20 – Growing Up Disconnected from the Body 21:00 – Josh’s Breakdown & Burnout at Princeton 26:00 – The Search for Authenticity 27:00 – How the Enneagram “Found” Him 33:40 – The Bermuda Triangle: Type 3/6/9 36:50 – Finding Yourself Again (and Again) 39:00 – Why the Enneagram Is So Effective for Mental Health 42:00 – What Does It Mean to Live From Essence? 44:10 – Nines and the “Accidental Blankness” 47:00 – Enneagram in Executive Coaching 48:40 – Why You Need the Whole System 50:00 – Wrap-Up + Where to Find Josh —  Links mentioned in the video joshlavine.com [http://joshlavine.com] theenneagramschool.com [theenneagramschool.com] Subscribe for more honest conversations around men’s mental health: relationships, identity, healing, and self-leadership. #Enneagram #MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #PersonalityTypes #SelfDiscovery #TherapyForMen #HealingJourney #SelfAwareness #EmotionalWellness #InnerWork #BetterMENtalHealth #PodcastForMen #MensHealthPodcast #EnneagramCoach #JoshLavine

Men Talk About Insecurities: Body Image, Hair Loss, Social Anxiety & More

In this raw and honest episode of Better MENtal Health, we open up about the insecurities we've carried, from being a late bloomer and feeling small, to hair loss, social anxiety, public speaking fears, impostor syndrome, and everything in between. We dive into: * How comments from others (even years ago) still shape our self-image * Why some insecurities live in silence for too long * How opening up can rewire shame * And what we’re learning in therapy and life about reclaiming self-worth Subscribe for weekly episodes that destigmatize men's mental health and build connections through real, vulnerable conversations. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro: Why We’re Talking About Insecurities 1:06 – Blake: “I was always the small one” 4:30 – Jamie: Middle school, puberty, and height anxiety 7:55 – Blair: No body hair, skinny arms, and internalizing comments 10:48 – Humor as a shield & deflecting with jokes 12:12 – When external comments land as deep shame 14:30 – Blair: Being a “late bloomer” emotionally and physically 16:00 – Jamie: Balding, over-fixating, and identity shifts 19:20 – Blake: The shame of public speaking and insecurity in group settings 22:05 – Blair: "Am I smart enough?" and math anxiety 23:30 – Insecurity in non-monogamy and comparison culture 25:55 – The power of voicing insecurities out loud 27:00 – Letting go of shame and rewriting internal scripts #MensMentalHealth #Insecurities #BetterMENtalHealth #HairLoss #BodyImage #ImposterSyndrome #SocialAnxiety #TherapyForMen #MentalHealthAwareness #VulnerabilityIsStrength