These Lads Are Mental
By These Lads Are Mental
These Lads Are MentalMar 12, 2022
S2 EP #9: Jennifer Waltmon - Living vs Lived Mental Health Experience
S2 EP #8: Michael Theo - From Netflix's 'Love on the Spectrum'
In this show, we speak with the hilarious, Michael Theo, star of Netflix's 'Love on the Spectrum'. Since the show, he's been on the Ellen Degeneres Show in the US, has his own talk on 'success' at TedX and has his own podcast, Mr A+.
In this ep we chat about:
- Intro and background on how Love on the Spectrum went
- 11:00 Michael's impersonations - The Jetsons, Jim Carey
- 13:08 His Scar impersonation
- 15:35 His love of old cartoons like Thomas and his friends
- 15:49 The guys chat about the changes to the theme music for Thomas
- 16:36 Does anyone know Pugwall? Neil is showing his age
- 21:15 The guys chat about success and Michael's TedX talk
- 23:34 Talking gratitude and thanking yourself from Snoop Dogg
- 26:31 "I’d be uncomfortable being the golden child," says Michael
- 28:41 Two important boxes that must be picked in a partner
- 31:32 How Michael fills his cup back up with some quality TV time and a bit of nature and getting into character
- 33:36 The primal scream as a mental health technique
- 36:02 Resolving trauma and getting over the awkwardness - the birthday invitation incident and that leading to not being liked
- 39:42 Dealbreakers for Michael in the dating world - no goths!
- 41:31 We get a TLAM exclusive on the future of Love on the Spectrum
- 43:30 Michael shares his story on suicide ideation and his two attempts
- 47:00 Suicide as an issue and the harrowing stats that come with it, particularly for men
- 50:01 How to spot if someone you know is a bit down
- 50:55 Michael’s advice on how to push through
How to get in touch with Michael:
- Liberty Artists Sydney - for acting offers
- Born bread talent - Influencing and social media
- DM podcasts- for podcasts
- Michael’s own podcast ‘Mr A+’
How to follow, watch and listen to Michael across his Netflix show ‘Love on the Spectrum’ or his TedX talk on ‘success’ which you can find on YouTube or on his own Mr A+ podcast. He even appeared on the Ellen Show.
S2 EP #7: Noula Diamantopoulos - Psychotherapist & Art Therapist
On this week’s episode, we have the amazing psychotherapist and art therapist, Noula Diamantopolous She’s also the co-host of ABC and the BBC’s groundbreaking fly-on-the-wall documentary, Space 22, a six-part series that looked at the impacts of art on the brain and how it could positively impact the mental health of its seven Australian participants.
Talking points:
[ ] The change in attitudes to events and things that have happened to you. It’s no longer about ‘sucking it in’, it’s now more about ‘take it in’ and how we can honour our journey 7:51- [ ] The awful occurrence of bullying 09:00- [ ] Neuroplastiscity 10:19- [ ] Trauma running wild somatically in our body and how to identify triggers 14:00- [ ] Using your body to let your brain know everything is ok 14:49- [ ] Roteliun brain - your boss is a sabertooth tiger - [ ] Adaptive responses to survival and how we can’t choose them consciously 16:38- [ ] Panic attack tips 28:00
S2 EP #6: Matt Halston ~ Dad of Four & Men's Empowerment Coach
In our latest episode, we speak to men's empowerment coach, and proud dad of 4, Matt Halston.
We cover lots of ground around:
- Being a dad
- Leaning into your feminine side
- The primal and the divine
- The hypermasculine archetypes are supremely self disruptive vs the divine who are more along the highly spiritual route
- Support groups for men
- How getting thanks from people when you share was his first big 'aha moment' (and sharing takes a load off you)
- What makes an actual dad?
- Neil/Gary try to single-handedly solve the gender equality problem
- The importance of men dealing with their traumas
- Why men are bad at communicating their feelings
- The tendency for men to try to ‘fix’ things
- How parenting is not easy - Are there too many rules around parenting?
- How to define ‘me time' and the importance of filling up your cup
As always, follow us at @These Lads Are Mental Follow Matt on @father_of_the_tribe_au on Instagram #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #smashthestigma #podcast
S2 Ep #5: ABC Australia's 'Space 22' TV Show ~ Art on the Brain
S2 Ep #4: Navigating Business Life With a Mental Health Condition
Co-hosts Neil & Gary - both business owners themselves - speak about the highs and lows of running your own shop. Then, adding a mental health condition like stress, anxiety, or imposter syndrome, reality can soon set in. The pair relay some analogies to remember (many in fact) plus lots of tips and tricks on how to manage your #mentalhealth whilst running a business.
S2 Ep #3: Andrew Marsh 'Marshy' ~ Why The Fuss About Meditation
What’s all the fuss about this meditation stuff?
Andrew Marsh or 'Marshy' as he is known is a talented Vedic meditation instructor based in Sydney, with over 30 years of experience in a variety of meditation styles, teaching an amazing array of people, world champions, prominent personalities and Olympians. Marshy provides inspiring teaching and insight into the fundamentals of meditation, relaxation and life skills. His meditation courses and life mentoring sessions are designed for everyone to enjoy life on a new level, in an effortless and relaxed manner. His off-beat humour and larrikinism, combined with his passion for meditation, make him a remarkable teacher.
This episode is a must-listen, it is essentially Marshy's entire teachings wrapped in a 90 min podcast.
Talking points:
- Any start is a good stepping stone
- There’s no such thing as a good, or bad, meditation
- Vedic meditation is designed for people who are busy
- Living in the ‘now’
- "Creation, maintenance and disillusion"
- Of course, Alan Watts is referenced countless times
- The difference between just 'being' and being a 'human being'
- Technology; a friend and foe?
- Breaking your own symmetry - and it’s not always pleasant
- Sitting in the pain when things go wrong
- Tell me what’s going on?
- The balance between embracing money, how to let go, and not swaying into one more than the other
- Let’s talk about needs, not wants.
- 1hr:04 mins - the ‘Now’ experiment
- Not feeling whole and complete because of ‘time’
S2 Ep #2: Caroline McKenna ~ Host of A County Down Under
Caroline has made global impact when it comes to mental health through her Sunrise Socials' project which are now in a number of continents worldwide.
S2 Ep #1: Jordanna Levin ~ Best-Selling Author of Make It Happen
In todays show we kick off season two and our first episode of 2022 with best-selling author of 'Make It Happen' and 'Higher Love', podcaster and blogger Jordanna Levin.
With her background in journalism, she has built a reputation for taking ‘big’ topics and making them relatable, digestible and downright entertaining. Through her wit, warmth and street-smart practicality she invites readers to get curious about the things that light them up.
This episode is a lovely open and candid chat that covers the highs and lows of launching a book, and how Jordanna copes with her busy lifestyle whilst sharing some very easy and simple life goals that we can all strive towards. To find out more about Jordanna, visit her website: https://www.jordannalevin.com Follow our show: @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #21: Osher Günsberg ~ TV host & Mental Health Advocate
It's our season one finale and what a way to end it. We sat down (in person) at the Coogee Pavilion in Sydney to chat to TV host and radio presenter and journalist, Osher Günsberg. Famous for being the host of the reality TV series The Bachelor Australia, The Bachelorette Australia and also Bachelor in Paradise Australia. He's also an author, cyclist, photographer and has his own podcast(s); DadPod and Better Than Yesterday.
But in more recent years, Osher has also become one of the leading advocates for mental health here in Australia. Osher has been very open and public about his own struggles namely with depression, anxiety, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, psychosis, alcoholism, and suicidal ideation. He's written his own memoirs entitled Back, After the Break, which has been a real hit.
It was an honour for us to be able to chat to Osher and also to hear his candid thoughts and to share real conversations with him. His advocacy alone is helping tear down the wall of stigma around mental health and it's so great to have someone of his public stature bringing the topic to everyday conversation.
The guy is just such an inspiration. On top of all of the above, he's a family man, eats plant based and has also been on the cover of Men's Health Magazine.
A thoroughly enjoyable chat and we just wish we had more time with this absolute hero.
Follow him @osher_gunsberg
Follow us on @theseladsaremental
S1 BONUS Ep #20: Bronwyn Bate (Founder, Mettle) ~ Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors
BONUS EPISODE!
In the aftermath of this year’s International Women’s Day, we sat down with Mettle cofounder, Bronwyn Bate, the domestic violence charity whose ethical gifts give back, based in Perth. Their social enterprise employs women who have experienced homelessness as a result of domestic and family violence.
FAMILY, DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTRALIA.
But this year, with IWD in mind, we wanted to spark some conversation that is great to have in the lead up and during this day each year, but like many other issues, these are conversations that need to be had daily. And when we chatted to Bronwyn in the lead up to this interview, we were shocked by the figures and statistics she stated around the issue; which quite frankly, is at a crisis point.
What a fabulous inspiration she is, supporting the 25 women of Mettle with zero funding currently from the government, all supported by the gifting products they sell plus their philanthropic element of the business. One can only imagine the stress, anxiety and emotional turmoil these women go through just to survive and just to keep their family going. Find out just how they are coping and how their mental health is effected in the episode.
Mettle Women Inc. is not an emergency response provider. Whilst we do provide social welfare support to the women in our care, we suggest contacting the following numbers in case of emergency so that you can receive the immediate assistance that you deserve.
EMERGENCY – 000
National Hotline – 1800 737 732
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
LGBTQIIA+ line - 1800 184 527
The National Disability Abuse & Neglect Hotline -1800 880 052
ELDERHelp - 1800 353 374
BY STATE:
Each state has a list of services that can be found HERE.
S1 Ep #19: Hugh Miles ~ Creator of Pocket Smiles
In this episode we interviewed Hugh Miles. Hugh is an adventurer that was unfortunate enough to have been a victim of the 'king hit' aka ' the cowards punch'. The attack had long lasting effects on Hughs mental health. Luckily, Hugh survived this attack and battled through this time in his life to create the amazing not for profit 'book to make you smile' - Pocket Smiles. All sales of PocketSmiles are donated to the Black Dog Institute to support mental health education and awareness programs. Hughs story is a great one of how mental health can affect us in different ways and how we can change the world for the better by bringing awareness to the topic.
Support PocketSmiles here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pocketsmiles/pocket-smiles
@theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #18: Lovemore N'Dou ~ Three Time World Boxing Champion, Lawyer, Author
In today's episode Lovemore explains how he went from growing up during the South African apartheid, overcoming many racial and criminal injustice to becoming an elite athlete and successful lawyer.
@lovemorendou
@theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #17: Emma Doran ~ Comedian
She's gone on to star on TV alongside some of Ireland's leading comedic acts such as Jason Byrne and Deirdre O'Kane. This year she plans to host her own podcast with her daughter, Ella.
In this episode, Emma talks about her touch points with mental health, what the comedy circuit is like to navigate as a woman, as well a barrel of laughs and stories along the way. A must listen to show.
@emmadorancomedian
@theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #16: David O'Connor ~ From Irish Roots to Aussie Business
David O'Connor's story is arguably a tale any one of us would be jealous to achieve. It's a true quintessential immigration story. David's parents (both from Ireland), moved to Australia to set up a civil engineering firm called, Diona, that started in 1980. Becoming one of the biggest firms in the whole of New South Wales, David rose through the ranks of the family business ultimately to be its head boss, as CEO.
But his story has been anything but linear. He's a three-time cancer survivor, he's suffered with anxiety from the affects of running the family business, which in turn, was sold and then bought back again, not to mention stewarding its 2,000+ works in the construction industry where mental health was - and is - a real issue.
In this episode, David regales growing up in Australia with his Irish roots and how some of the cultural aspects of being Irish hold both positive and negative impacts. But this tale is one of ultimate success. A family man, David is married with four children and now lives down the south coast from Sydney, living his best life.
When we think of people who we can aspire to be, often we might think of a Richard Branson or a Leonardo Di Caprio, but David arguably has built the perfect life and runway that many would envy. An overall top guy, he's now giving back to the community around the topic of mental health. Diona, and its sister businesses, smashed their initial goal of raising $1m for batyr (a mental health charity for the youth), but now aims for that same target on an annual basis - backed by him and his thousand plus staff of blue and white collar workers.
A true hero in our opinion.
S1 Ep #15: Edward Jennings ~ Train the Lungs to Help the Mind
This episode features founder of the Lung Club Ed Jennings. Ed is an endurance runner who has used his passion for running to create the lung club community. The group meets regularly to walk or run together as a way of improving mental and physical health.
Ed is a big mental health advocate and much of the works he does is around increasing awareness around the topic.
The episode discusses the benefits of exercise on the brain, the dark side of being addicted to exercise the power of community, resiliency and of course Eds on take on mental health.
S1 Ep #14: Hugo Toovey ~ Army Captain, 2x Cancer Survivor & Mental Health Advocate
This week's episode shares the incredible story of Hugo Toovey. Hugo is an army captain who has successfully beaten cancer twice.
He has since become a well recognised advocate for mens health through his organisation 25 Stay Alive.
This story is very inspirational and the impact Hugo is now having in the health space because of it is phenomenal.
Follow @hugotoovey
Follow @25StayAlive
Follow us @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #13: Darragh Byrne ~ The Conscious King And Men's Health Coach
This week's episode is with the hugely popular Darragh Byrne aka ' The Conscious King'.
Darragh is a leading mindset coach who is renowned for the remarkable psychological transformations he's made with his clients. Helping them live a happier, more fulfilled life simply by changing the way they think.
Darragh gives us some insight about his upbringing in Ireland, how his life drastically changed from 'living for the weekend' to living for the moment.
Additionally, he dives into his own 5 step process that he uses with all of his clients.
@darragh.b.y.r.n.e
@theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #12: Chev Kelly ~ Integrative Healer and Trauma Specialist
This week's episode we talk about 'anxious about being anxious' with the fascinating and chilled out integrative healer Chev Kelly.
Chev is quite literally changing lives through her amazing work with people struggling with mental health and as you'll learn she has a wide range of skill sets through her studies and experience in the health and wellness space.
Her area of expertise is trauma, and the link to past and family trauma, to our current behavioural traits but most importantly, how you can change them. Through her work, she integrates the modern world of therapy and wellness, respectfully, with Traditional Andean Healing ways.
Follow her @chevkelly_
Follow @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #11: Cécile Caminade ~ Masculinity (Asking for a mate)
Cécile Caminade has her own podcast called ‘Asking for a Mate’, where she interviews Aussie blokes on all things from masculinity to emotions, and societal constructs. In fact, in this episode, we:
- Chat a lot about what ‘masculinity’ actually means
- How certain ‘norms’ have been applied to it and
- How in many ways we might actually have to change our entire perspective on it.
Have we had it all wrong? Listen to find out.
LINKS
Follow Cécile @cece.la.vie
Listen to Asking For A Mate on Spotify
Follow us @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #10: These Lads Are Mental ~ Mid Season Matinee with Hosts Neil & Gary
The lads are at the half way mark of their inaugural season of These Lads Are Mental podcast. A show about normalising the topic of mental health in a light hearted fashion, with expert guests, everyday people and some laughs along the way. Sure isn't that what life is all about?
Hopefully, one day in the not too distant future, we can talk about mental health just like we would anything else in our everyday lives. That's our goal.
In this mid season review episode, Neil & Gary take a look back at the guests already aired on the show; their highlights, key takeaways, as well as common trends coming through. The episode also gives a teaser of what and who is ahead for the second half of the season. Get your Irish & more so, Scottish, accent listening machines at the ready, Australia here we go again.
#mentalhealthawareness
November 4, 2021
S1 Ep #9: Joe Williams ~ Former NRL Player, Boxing Champion, First Nations Man And Suicide Survivor
Todays episode is the unique, incredible story of Joe Williams.
Joe is an Australian sportsman who played rugby league and boxed professionally. His football career spanned from 2004 to 2008 and included appearances with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League competition.
Apart from being involved with professional sport for over 15 years, Joe, a suicide survivor, and mental health advocate, now spends his time working to inspire youth through motivational speaking workshops here in Australia and across the globe.
Show Notes
- What is mental health to Joe
- Being a young pro athlete in the city, a dangerous recipe.
- From rugby to boxing to mental health struggles, how it unfolded
- How re-connecting with aboriginal roots changed Joe's life
- Talking about the "Enemy within"
- Advice for the younger generation
- Quick Fire
https://www.joewilliams.com.au/
@joewilliams_tew
@theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #8: Ben Evans & Dan Parks ~ Former International Rugby Players
On this week’s show we have Ben Evans, former international Wales rugby union player. A prop, he has played for Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano. He has played for Jersey and Moseley RFC and, Dan Parks, a.k.a. “Compass”, the Australian-born former Scotland international rugby union player and now coach.
This show is packed with laughs, insights into the highs and lows of elite performance and the boys personal mental health stories.
SHOW NOTES
- Talking squid games
- Welcoming Dan and Ben
- Ben avoiding being shot
- Dan's story and thoughts on mental health
- Bens unravelling
- How feeding the homeless can change your mental health
- Making mountains out of molehills
- High's and lows of rugby career
- Dealing with the end of successful rugby careers....what was next?
- Ben's hilarious, must listen to story
- The reaction to crying on TV and keeping a cool head
- Almost beating the All-Blacks and taking fan abuse
- Family impact on mental health
- Quick fire questions
- Where to find Dan and Ben on Linkedin
Follow Us - @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #7: Paul McVeigh ~ Former Professional Footballer
Paul McVeigh is a former professional and international footballer, with 20 caps for his country Northern Ireland, as well as 273 professional appearances with clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, Burnley and Luton Town. In 2010, he won his second league title with Norwich helping them gain promotion back to the Championship before calling a day on his professional career later that year. Norwich fans sing a song dedicated to the popular McVeigh; to the tune of Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You, it notes the fans' love of him "despite your lack of height". He's now gone on to forge a very respectable career in public speaking and personal coaching.
SHOW NOTES
- Neil and Gary drink of choice
- What is mental health to Paul?
- How many things can mental mean?
- The three D's of high performance
- From Dublin to Tottenham Hotspurs
- Psychology of becoming an elite footballer
- A story about Rory Allen...
- Developing A mental edge from a young age
- From pro sport to finding balance in everyday life
- How an achievement log can change your life
- Being grateful for where you are in life
- What is a belief?
- Everything in life comes back to mindset & psychology
- Teaching high performance psychology in sport & business
- How to work with Paul
- The most impactful book Paul has ever read
- Gratitude journal is a game changer
- Where to find Paul
Pauls Website - https://paulmcveigh.co.uk/
Paul McVeigh - paulmcveigh77
Follow Us - @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #6: Verushka Darling ~ Drag Extraordinaire
- Neils new look
- A book recommendation
- A sunscreen story
- Welcome Verushka
- How lockout laws affected the performance industry
- The employment domino effect of locking down performers
- Mental health in the gay and lesbian community
- Making history as an MTV TV show host
- A crazy law and trend that killed members of the gay community
- Is alcohol a problem or revealing an underlying issue?
- Masculinity isn't a bad thing
- Why being gay doesn't mean you have to be part of the gay and lesbian community
- 'Being non-binary is very rare' - Confusing gender expression with gender identity
- Simple but amazing life advice from Verushka
- Where to find her
Versushka Darling - @verushka.darling
Follow Us - @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #5: Genevieve Bailey ~ Director, Happy Sad Man Film
Show Notes:
Neil and Gary catch up
Who is Genevieve Bailey?
'Happy Sad Man' Movie Synopsis
Talking About the 5 Main Characters
Getting Men to Open Up
The Fear of Mucking Up
Are You Too Busy to Be There for a Mate?
Living to Celebrate Life
Picking A Funeral Song
Why You Should Call Your Granny
Where Are the Characters Now?
Talking to Strangers to Change Your Life
Your 3 Ingredient Recipe for Mental Health
Award Winning Movie "I Am Eleven"
Quick Fire Questions
Happy Sad Man Movie
I Am Eleven Movie
Genevieve's Instagram
Follow Happy Sad Man @happysadfilm
Follow Us @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #4: Mary Hoang ~ Psychology with The Indigo Project
S1 Ep #3: Nic Brown (CEO, batyr) ~ Mental Health and Our Youth
Neil and Gary welcome batyr (small 'b' yes) CEO, Nic Brown to this week's show. batyr is a charity that specialises in helping our youth have more positive conversations regarding their mental health. In this episode you'll laugh, learn and understand how to make 'macro changes with micro moves' as Nic calls it and how they're giving a voice to the elephant in the room. Agenda: 0-8 min - Weekly check in with Neil & Gary 8-15 min - Chocolate of the week 15-20 min - Why batyr was started 20-30 min - Are You OK day is great but ....Am I really OK? 30-35 min - Mind blowing statistics on mental health 35-40 min - Strategies that young people can use 40-45 min - Importance of individualisation 45-50 min - Practical tips to takeaway 50-55 min - Signs parents can look out for 55-60 min - Quick fire mental health landscape questions 60-63 min - The unwrap with Neil & Gary. Learn more https://www.batyr.com.au/ and https://www.instagram.com/batyraus/?hl=en/
S1 Ep #2: Rory Warnock ~ Benefits of Breathwork
Today's discussion around mental health includes Neil and Gary being joined by wellness coach and breathwork specialist, Rory Warnock. Join us to find out how Rory managed to overcome his own mental health problems and transform his life after being introduced to the power of breathwork and its benefits for physical and mental health. Rory also gives listeners some practical tips and easy steps on how to get started with breathwork straight away.
Topics Discussed
- How Rory dealt with his mental health journey
- Your environment and the impact of culture on mental health
- Are people actually breathing the wrong way?
- Elevator pitch on how breathing correctly can change your life
- Breathing to reduce stress
- Practical breathing strategies to try right now
- Nasal breathing benefits for sleep & endurance
- Finale: 3x quick fire answers to our 'state of mental health' questions
Resources Mentioned
- Patrick McKeown - Oxygen Advantage
- Google 7 Min Meditation
- Andrew Huberman
- Rory Warnock Website
- Try A Zoom Breath Session
- Nimbus Online - digital content for health and wellness
Follow Us On Instagram, Twitter and YouTube - @theseladsaremental
S1 Ep #1: Pilot Show ~ A Light Hearted Introduction To Mental Health
What is the show all about?
The state of mental health in society today
What does mental health mean to us?
Cultural history on mental health; the term and how it's perceived
Can discussing our headspace become everyday conversation?
Neil and Gary's personal experience with mental health
Simple fundamental strategies to help you feel better
How simple and small changes might be the difference in saving lives
Follow Us: @theseladsaremental