The Being Men Podcast

Ep.9 Male Friendship in 2026: How Do You Show Up for your Mates?

In this episode of the Being Men podcast, we are exploring the question: how do men keep in touch? Is it true that men only connect through shared hobbies and interests? As men, do we feel able to reach out to our friends, even when there's no plan or activity in mind beyond catching up? Are we still leaving it to our partners and family members to make sure we actually see people? And do men become more emotionally closed off from their friends as they get older? This discussion aims to delve beyond the stereotypes to find out what male friendship looks like in 2026 — a time when social interactions and the ways in which we communicate are in constant flux. You could say that we've never been better connected, with a lifetime's worth of friends and contacts just a click away for many. And yet the problems of isolation, loneliness and social anxiety seem to get deeper and more widespread among men. We'll share our experiences of the shifting pressures, structures and patterns that shape men's social lives, from technology, to the cost of living, to the decline of spaces like pubs, places of worship and city centres, and the rise of gym culture and working from home. We'll ask: where are men really connecting in the era of social media? And when we do connect, are we showing up for each other in ways that help us all to feel better? This episode will give voice to the way we talk to the men in our lives, where and how those conversations happen, and what keeping in touch does for our mental health. We come together in this conversation as men working in mental health to check in on how we're checking in. We hope you find this discussion useful, and if you do please share it with your friends - wherever you connect with them.

Ep.8 Stepping Up: Positive Stories About Men

In this episode of the Touchstone Being Men Podcast, we take a different approach. We sent someone into the streets of Leeds to ask a simple question: “Can you share a positive story about a man in your life?” The responses are powerful, heartfelt and deeply human. From fathers who quietly show up, to brothers who cheer the loudest, to uncles, friends and mentors who step in when it matters most - this conversation explores humility, loyalty, purpose and what it really means to support someone. An honest, open discussion about modern masculinity - not the heroic movie version, but the everyday acts of care that often go unseen. Find support for men’s mental health: ⁠https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/find-support-for-mens-mental-health-in-leeds/⁠ [https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/find-support-for-mens-mental-health-in-leeds/]   An introduction to the Being Men podcast: ⁠https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/the-touchstone-being-men-podcast-introduction/⁠ [https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/the-touchstone-being-men-podcast-introduction/] Follow us on Instagram: @being.men_podcast

Ep.7 Men & Anger: Breaking the Cycle

In this episode, we look inward at the anger many men hold, the emotions we’ve learned to hide, and the possibility of healing when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable.   Find support for men’s mental health: https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/find-support-for-mens-mental-health-in-leeds/ [https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/find-support-for-mens-mental-health-in-leeds/]   An introduction to the Being Men podcast: https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/the-touchstone-being-men-podcast-introduction/ [https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/the-touchstone-being-men-podcast-introduction/] Follow us on Instagram: @being.men_podcast

Ep.6 Men and Social Class

Men and social class: Is social class still shaping our lives today? In this episode, we explore how class influences identity, opportunity, politics, and men’s mental health in modern Britain. Even as traditional working-class jobs fade, most people still identify as working class—and many feel increasingly stuck. With shifting class identities, rising cultural divides, and the legacy of industrial decline, what does class really mean now? And how is this changing the way men see themselves and their place in society? Join us as we unpack the data, the history, and the personal stories behind class in 21st-century Britain.   Follow us on Instagram @being.men_podcast

Ep.5 The Baton of Hope: World Suicide Prevention Day

In this episode, we’re opening up about suicide—breaking the stigma, sharing lived experiences, and shining a light on hope. Each year, more than 6,000 people in the UK die by suicide, and countless more lives are impacted. For men under 50, suicide remains the single biggest killer. You’ll hear from men with lived and living experience, speaking candidly about their challenges and why they are so deeply involved in suicide prevention. We’ll also talk about the communities making a difference, the support available, and the importance of World Suicide Prevention Day and the Baton of Hope Tour here in Leeds. This is not an easy conversation—but it’s a vital one. If you’re struggling, we hope this reminds you: you are not alone.