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We’re losing 84 men a week in the UK… And we’re still telling men not to feel. Something isn’t working. And we need to talk about it. In this solo episode of The Different Hats Podcast, I reflect on watching the manosphere and the growing influence of voices like Andrew Tate. But this isn’t about calling anyone out. It’s about asking a deeper question: Are we helping men… or hurting them? Because behind the “alpha” messaging… there’s something else: Pressure. Disconnection. And a version of success that looks strong on the outside… but often feels empty within. From my own experience, and hundreds of conversations through the podcast, I’ve seen a different truth: The strongest men don’t do life alone. They feel. They speak. They connect. And maybe that’s where we need to start. 💭 KEY THEMES ⏱️ 00:00 – The rise of the manosphere & its impact on young men ⏱️ 01:15 – Toxic masculinity vs healthy masculinity ⏱️ 02:30 – Emotional suppression, loneliness & male suicide ⏱️ 04:00 – The illusion of “alpha” success ⏱️ 05:30 – Identity, belonging & fear ⏱️ 07:00 – Redefining success: connection, authenticity & relationships ⏱️ 08:30 – Why emotional literacy needs to start in schools 💡 A QUESTION FOR YOU How do you define success? Not what you’ve been told. Not what you’ve seen online. Take a moment. Write it down. Then share it with someone… or drop it in the comments below. Let’s start the conversation. 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 💡 If this episode resonated with you… Please like, comment, and share. Your support helps us change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What changes in someone’s life when they start reconnecting with themselves? In this powerful return conversation, Marc Convey joins me for part two of his Different Hats journey, and this one goes even deeper. After our first conversation explored Marc’s extraordinary story of surviving a life-changing accident at 14, this episode focuses on what came next: leaving business behind, travelling in his van, writing his book, redefining success, and asking the deeper questions about identity, values, adversity, education, and what it really means to live from the inside out. Marc shares why success now means being decent to himself and decent to others, how discovering his core values of connection and freedom changed everything, and why so many of us are living from the outside in. We explore what young people really need, why the education system is failing to prepare them for life, the role of community and mentorship, and how adversity can become a gift when we learn how to reframe our story. This is a deeply thoughtful, human conversation about healing, self-awareness, purpose, burnout, contentment, and the power of connection. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself, questioned the path you’re on, or wondered what real success actually looks like, this episode is for you. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction 02:20 – “Are you alright mate?” and the zone of contentment 03:38 – Marc’s definition of success now 07:17 – Leaving business, core values, and the power of freedom + connection 18:54 – Uncertainty, discomfort, and what young people really need 26:21 – Where to start when you’re in a dark place 36:34 – Isolation, mindset, and taking responsibility for your wellbeing 53:08 – The biggest lessons Marc has learned in recent years 58:06 – AI, community, and dropping pebbles in your own pond 1:16:04 – Are people living consciously or just drifting into life? 1:24:03 – The manosphere, role models, and what young men need most 1:32:40 – What Marc would change about education if he were Prime Minister 1:36:17 – What Marc would say to his 14-year-old self 1:38:15 – How to start reconnecting with yourself 1:39:47 – How Marc knows when he’s nearing burnout Marc brings such wisdom, depth and honesty to this conversation, and I honestly think this is one of those episodes that will stay with people for a long time. 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Marc Convey Website: https://www.marcconvey.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@makingamarc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-convey/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_conv 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when grief, creativity, masculinity and mental health collide? In this powerful episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with the brilliant Simon David Eden for a deeply moving conversation about childhood trauma, creativity, suicide, emotional expression, education, and the healing power of storytelling. Simon shares his extraordinary journey growing up in Moulsecoomb, being expelled from school at 12, finding refuge in writing, drawing and music, and navigating the devastating loss of his brother to suicide. We also explore his upcoming exhibition Shadow Light: Songs My Brother Taught Me, a profoundly personal body of work exploring grief, brotherhood, masculinity, and emotional inheritance between men. This conversation goes far beyond Simon’s creative career. It’s about what happens when boys and men are never given the language to express what they feel. It’s about the mentors who change our lives. It’s about why creativity matters. And it’s about the urgent need to create spaces where men feel safe enough to ask for help. A truly honest, heartfelt and important conversation. In this episode, we explore: How Simon defines success through love, integrity and hopeGrowing up in Moulsecoomb and the trauma that shaped himBeing expelled from school and feeling failed by educationHow creativity became a lifelineThe loss of Simon’s brother to suicideWhy men often struggle to express what they feelHow art and storytelling can help us process painWhy schools must nurture creativity and emotional literacyThe hope behind Simon’s exhibition Shadow Light: Songs My Brother Taught Me If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need it. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Reflecting on the You Alright Mate? gathering 02:09 What this conversation explores 04:20 “You alright, mate?” check-in 05:22 Simon’s definition of success 07:26 Success, integrity and living true to yourself 12:39 Why external success can feel hollow 13:33 Poverty, pain and choosing a different path 18:36 Growing up in Moulsecoomb 25:24 Abandonment, trauma and survival 31:23 Being expelled from school 37:48 Creativity as escape and expression 42:13 Why education often stifles creativity 49:14 The power of mentors and being truly seen 01:00:55 The purpose behind the exhibition 01:03:59 Can creativity help prevent suicide? 01:08:19 The gift of helping others 01:09:53 Processing grief then and now 01:13:59 Will the pain ever leave? 01:15:33 The message Simon hopes the exhibition leaves behind 01:19:50 Holding space, hope and the next hour 01:21:23 Depression, demons and getting through dark moments 01:26:10 Integrity, self-doubt and staying true 01:30:44 Following dreams despite the voices that doubt you 01::34 Final reflections on hope, suicide prevention and legacy 01:41:37 Storytelling card: legacy beyond career 01:43:19 Closing thoughts 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Simon David Eden Exhibition details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shadow-light-songs-my-brother-taught-me-tickets-1983767367598?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Website: https://simondavideden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-david-eden-83168817/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. ⚠️ Support note (please read) This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, addiction, and mental health crises. If you’re in the UK & Ireland and you need someone right now: Samaritans (24/7): 116 123Text SHOUT to 85258 (UK, 24/7):If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 999.NHS guidance on urgent mental health help: CLICK HERESPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the education system is failing the very children it’s meant to help? In this powerful episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with former headteacher, educator and English Channel swimmer Dr Hildi Mitchell to explore a big question: If we could redesign the education system from scratch, what would it look like? Drawing on decades of experience inside schools, Hildi shares why emotional literacy, safety, belonging and play are just as important as academic achievement, and why many children are currently being asked to fit into a system that wasn’t built for them. We talk about SATs, neurodiversity, mental health, leadership in schools, and why true success should be measured by the impact we have on others, not just grades or results. Hildi also shares the deeply personal story of supporting her daughter through school anxiety, and what swimming the English Channel taught her about resilience, humility and asking for help. This is an important conversation for parents, teachers, school leaders and anyone who believes education needs to evolve. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:15 What does success mean in education? 10:57 Are we starting formal education too early? 19:33 The mental health cost of the current school system 39:24 Supporting children who struggle with school 56:15 If we redesigned education from scratch 1:09:22 Teaching children they are enough 1:25:04 Advice for parents 1:36:02 Lessons from swimming the English Channel 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Dr Hildi Mitchell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmitchellswimsthechannel/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I'm okay… but I’m not all right.” What happens when strong men finally answer that question honestly? In this game-changing episode, I sit down with Paul Jukes, leader of The Outta Puff Daddies, to explore masculinity, mental health, joy, community… and the power of simply asking: You Alright Mate? Paul shares his deeply personal story of living through a mental health crisis in 2018, despite a loving upbringing, strong friendships, and a seemingly “successful” life on the outside. Daily physical pain. Emotional isolation. Breaking point on a family holiday. And the moment that changed everything. From that darkness came something extraordinary: A brotherhood of men. A dance crew that went viral. A movement built on joy, humour, and emotional honesty. And lives being saved through community. We explore the big question: Can movement, humour and community unlock conversations that traditional mental health messaging struggles to reach? This is a conversation about redefining masculinity, not replacing strength, but widening it. Not revolution. Evolution. And if you care about men’s mental health, fatherhood, purpose, identity or redefining success, this episode will stay with you. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 03:00 – Financial pressure, identity & letting go 07:30 – Modern masculinity: Evolution, not revolution 12:20 – Teaching emotional literacy to the next generation 15:10 – What is success (and does it change over time?) 21:30 – Identity, purpose & empty nest transitions 29:45 – Who was Paul before Outta Puff Daddies? 36:00 – The shoulder injury & silent mental decline 42:50 – Breaking point on holiday 45:50 – The power of finally talking 50:30 – The “glass of water” analogy (powerful moment) 55:00 – Why community is the real toolkit 1:02:00 – The man who said, “You saved my life.” 1:07:30 – Why joy is essential in men’s mental health 1:11:00 – The Outta Puff Daddies story & viral growth 1:20:00 – 40 million views… but what really matters 1:27:00 – Self-care, glimmers & finding joy 1:41:30 – If Paul were Prime Minister tomorrow… 1:45:30 – Final reflection: Can joy unlock the conversation? 🔥 Key ThemesMasculinity redefinedVulnerability as strengthCommunity as protectionEmotional literacy in boysThe danger of silent sufferingWhy “just talk” isn’t enough without safe spacesMovement as medicineJoy as a gateway to healingPurpose beyond performance🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Paul Jukes Website: https://www.outtapuffdaddys.co.uk/ Instagram: @outtapuffdaddies TikTok: @outtapuffdaddies Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljukes/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does success really look like when life forces you to slow down? In this episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with founder and HERstory creator Stephanie Prior at a pivotal moment in her life, 33 weeks pregnant, scaling her business, and learning to let go of control. But this isn’t just a conversation about pregnancy or entrepreneurship. It’s about identity. It’s about leadership. It’s about redefining success beyond performance, perfection and proving yourself. Stephanie opens up about: Growing up navigating identity, belonging and racismThe turning point at 16 that reshaped her pathFrom pageantry to public life, and what representation really meansBuilding HERstory into one of Sussex’s leading women-in-business platformsThe fear of losing control as a founderDelegation, leadership and commercialising her businessWhy success isn’t just money, it’s self-belief, gratitude and legacy As Stephanie prepares for motherhood, she reflects on ambition, vulnerability and what it means to build something that doesn’t depend entirely on you. This is a powerful case study in redefining success in real time. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 02:24 – Delegation, leadership and commercialising the business 07:41 – Early career, mentorship and full-circle moments 14:09 – What does success really mean? 18:34 – Identity, school, and finding perspective 21:10 – The Gambia trip that changed everything 29:00 – Belonging, racism and confidence 36:45 – Pageantry and representation 44:22 – The origin of HERstory 49:48 – Creating space in business 1:03:29 – Entrepreneurship wasn’t the plan 1:13:19 – Pregnancy, control and fear 1:25:22 – Ambition, motherhood and the next chapter 1:30:36 – What she’d tell her younger self 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Stephanie Prior Website: https://prior-media.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missstephanieprior/ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-prior-67903b84 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply honest episode, I sit down with Laura Beddoe (Soul Speaks) to talk about what happens behind the “successful” exterior, the stories we run in our heads, the pain we hide, and the moment you decide: enough. Laura shares her journey from a chaotic childhood, people-pleasing and toxic relationships, to homelessness and standing on the edge… and the tiny glimmers that helped her choose life, rebuild her identity, and create real freedom, not just money and “nice things,” but freedom of mind, presence, and self-worth. This is a conversation about mental health, addiction, boundaries, self-love, emotional literacy, parenting, and hope, and why the most powerful success is the one you feel on the inside. If you’re struggling right now, please hear this: nothing is permanent, and you don’t have to carry it alone. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction 02:16 – Check-in: Year of the Snake, shedding what no longer serves you 05:19 – Why we avoid silence (and how emotions move through the body) 07:40 – Therapy, stigma, and the generational shift around emotions 09:20 – School, control, and teaching kids emotional literacy 15:10 – Laura’s definition of success: freedom of mind & freedom of choice 19:30 – Choosing change (without needing to hit rock bottom) 28:50 – Laura’s childhood, adoption, “the naughty girl” identity & ADHD 34:57 – Breaking cycles: responsibility, boundaries, and saying “no” 39:08 – Presence, anxiety vs depression, and catching the old story returning 47:38 – Practical tools: mindfulness, journaling, EFT tapping 53:15 – Laura’s rock bottom: coercive control, debt, homelessness 01:01:07 – The moment that snapped: “This is your wake-up call” 01:05:52 – Hope, glimmers, and not knowing what beautiful future you might miss 01:15:43 – Patterns, addiction, compassion, and choosing better inputs 01:35:03 – Vulnerability vs oversharing (and asking permission) 01:41:23 – People-pleasing, self-abandonment, and new standards 01:44:10 – Storytelling card: staying emotionally present with loved ones 01:45:35 – Closing reflections + Laura’s free gift 🧠 Key themes you’ll take away “Uncomfortable emotions” don’t last forever — but avoidance keeps them aliveConfidence isn’t loud… it’s self-trustBoundaries aren’t selfish — they’re self-respectAddiction often masks pain; healing requires compassion and accountabilityThe future can hold what you can’t imagine — if you stay 🎁 Laura’s free gift “The 9 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Paid To Speak” (free download) ➡️ Email: [email protected] 🔗 Connect with Laura Beddeo Laura references her work through Soul Speaks, and supports clients with visibility, public speaking, mindset and transformation. ➡️ Add links here: Website: https://www.laurabeddoe.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_beddoe_coach.mentor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-beddoe-collins/ 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. ⚠️ Support note (please read) This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, addiction, and mental health crises. If you’re in the UK & Ireland and you need someone right now: Samaritans (24/7): 116 123Text SHOUT to 85258 (UK, 24/7):If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 999.NHS guidance on urgent mental health help: CLICK HERESPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, I sit down with Charlotte Ricca, performance psychologist, former journalist, sea swimmer, horse rider, and passionate advocate for emotional literacy, to explore what success really means when life feels overwhelming. This episode goes far beyond high performance. Charlotte shares candidly about: navigating burnout, anxiety, and periods of depressionchanging her relationship with alcohollearning to sit with discomfort rather than mask itbalancing ambition, motherhood, identity, and self-worthand why choosing connection over being right can transform relationships This is an honest conversation about: ✨ mental health ✨ parenting ✨ redefining success ✨ suicide prevention ✨ emotional resilience ✨ values, purpose, and presence If you’ve ever felt pressure to “hold it together”, to perform, or to keep going when things feel heavy — this episode will land. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 02:30 – “Are you alright… really?” and showing up authentically 07:00 – Finding glimmers: joy, nature, sea swimming & presence 11:00 – Alcohol, identity & changing coping mechanisms 18:30 – Masking discomfort vs sitting with emotions 22:30 – Why confidence follows action (not the other way around) 27:00 – Anxiety, fear & reframing pressure as privilege 32:00 – Emotional literacy, parenting & allowing children to feel 39:00 – Guilt, self-care & choosing yourself without shame 45:00 – Identity beyond roles: parent, athlete, professional 52:00 – Success, money & redefining what “enough” really means 59:00 – Career pivots, purpose & living without regret 1:05:00 – Overwhelm, burnout & taking one small step at a time 1:12:00 – Depression, hope & why feelings always pass 1:18:00 – Suicide prevention: asking the hard questions 1:26:00 – Teaching kids emotional regulation & resilience 1:34:00 – Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation 1:41:00 – Living in alignment with your values 1:56:00 – Advice to younger self 2:04:00 – Final question: choosing connection over being right 🎧 KEY TAKEAWAY You don’t need to fix everything. You don’t need to feel “on” all the time. Sometimes, staying alive, staying present, and taking one small step is success. 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Charlotte Ricca Website: https://kindabrilliant.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottericca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-ricca/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I thought my 100th podcast episode was the start of my journey. I didn’t realise it would change everything. Recorded the day after my 47th birthday, this 18-minute solo episode reflects on the most transformative year of my life, not the easiest, not the most “successful,” but the most honest. A year of silence. Sobriety. Relationships changing shape. Asking for help. And finally facing the question I’d spent years avoiding: Why am I not enough? In this episode, I share the lessons I learnt, the breakdowns, and the moments that rebuilt me. We explore: Redefining success beyond money and statusThe Five Pillars of Success as lived experienceMale mental health, vulnerability, and asking for helpSobriety, self-worth, and sitting with discomfortWhy connection, not achievement, saved me This episode marks a shift. From building businesses to building a movement. From push motivation to pull motivation. From wearing many hats… to finally choosing the right one. If you’re navigating change, feeling lost, or quietly struggling, this episode isn’t here to give you answers. It’s here to give you permission. Because sometimes the bravest thing you can say is: "Help" ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 01:45 – Stripping Life Back: Silence & Sobriety 03:20 – The Five Pillars of Success 05:40 – When Relationships Change Shape 07:50 – “Why Am I Not Enough?” 10:20 – When It Got Dark 12:40 – Asking for Help 14:30 – Clarity, Purpose & Letting Go 15:50 – From Business to Movement 17:00 – I Am Enough 🎧 MORE EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 💡 If this resonated, please like, share, and comment, it helps spread this message and challenge how we define success. SPONSORED BY: Carpenter Box | Brown Bear Studios | Rivervale | Plus X SPECIAL EPISODE PRODUCED BY: Matt Cheney - Brown Bear Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deep, thoughtful conversation, I am joined by entrepreneur, technologist and systems-thinker Neil Witten to explore what success really means, and why so many of us feel disconnected from the lives we’re building. Neil has spent years questioning the systems we’re told to follow in education, work, entrepreneurship and culture, and asking a more human question instead: “What am I uniquely designed to do?” Together, Neil and I explore: Why success has become overly defined by money, status and productivityThe hidden cost of ignoring curiosity, play and soft skillsWhy many people wait for crisis before changing their livesThe role parents, schools and culture play in shaping identityWhy self-awareness may be the most important skill of the future This is not a conversation about hacks or shortcuts. It’s about listening to your gut, working on yourself, and choosing alignment over approval. If you’ve ever felt like you’re climbing the wrong ladder… If you’ve questioned the systems you’ve inherited… Or if you’re quietly asking “Is this really it?” .. this episode is for you. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 03:30 – Why we struggle to talk honestly (especially men) 10:45 – How culture hijacked our definition of success 18:40 – Purpose, play & being wired for something 30:15 – Education, neurodiversity & one-size-fits-all systems 42:10 – Soft skills, hiring & the future of work 55:30 – Childhood, curiosity & learning outside the system 1:10:45 – Entrepreneurship, risk & waiting for permission 1:28:20 – Parenting, autonomy & enabling potential 1:45:10 – Creating your own catalysts for change 2:02:30 – Letting go, evolution & redefining your role 2:18:40 – Final reflections: living true to yourself 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Neil Witten Website: https://www.pigsinflight.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilwitten/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎙️ PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you’ve done everything “right”… but still feel worthless, lost, and exhausted by your own mind? In this deeply honest and moving episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with Matt Cheney, creative producer, storyteller, and someone who has quietly fought one of the hardest battles of all: the one inside his own head. Matt opens up about late ADHD diagnosis, imposter syndrome, self-worth, burnout, grief, suicide attempts, and the masks many men wear just to survive. He shares how losing his father, his relationship, his career structure, his identity, and his sense of belonging brought him to rock bottom, and how a single moment, a run, and one unexpected email helped him choose to keep going. This is not a story about “fixing yourself.” It’s about learning how to live with yourself. If you’ve ever: • Felt like you weren’t enough • Lived with a relentless inner critic • Been successful on the outside but empty inside • Struggled to accept love, compliments, or rest • Wondered if it’s possible to keep going This conversation will stay with you. ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:21 – “You Alright Mate?” check-in 02:54 – Shiny objects vs investing in yourself 07:35 – Redefining success beyond money 12:30 – Loving your work… but hating yourself 16:13 – Creativity, kids & permission to try 22:14 – Childhood, belonging & emotional safety 28:51 – Rugby, leadership & fear of failure 32:58 – ADHD, masking & self-worth 40:20 – Parents, caregiving & inherited patterns 49:05 – Imposter syndrome & burnout 56:00 – Relationships, vulnerability & being seen 1:06:51 – Injury, grief & losing everything 1:18:42 – Suicide attempts & the pain beneath them 1:19:34 – The email that changed everything 1:28:56 – “You are the sky, everything else is weather” 1:35:50 – Learning to live with the inner critic 1:46:29 – Giving without needing anything back 1:53:29 – Silence, endurance & the meaning of “keep going” 2:08:20 – Advice for anyone feeling lost 2:12:27 – A life well lived 💬 Key Themes Explored • ADHD & late diagnosis • Imposter syndrome • Masculinity & emotional literacy • Suicide, grief & recovery • Self-worth vs external success • Receiving love & compliments • Identity beyond achievement • Why “keeping going” matters 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Matt Cheney https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcheney1/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment. Your support helps us change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎙️ PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when life forces you to face the one thing most of us avoid thinking about? In this deeply honest and moving episode, I sit down with Gavin O’Donoghue, who shares his journey living with stage 4 metastatic melanoma, the reality of a terminal diagnosis, and the mindset shifts that have helped him keep showing up with hope, humour and heart. This is a powerful conversation about presence, fatherhood, friendship, legacy, and what success really means when the “big stuff” is stripped away. If you or someone you love is navigating illness, grief, anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, this episode is a reminder that connection, love, and meaning are the real measures of a life well lived. Chapters 00:00:02 Introduction 00:00:47 Gavin’s honest answer: “Life is pretty tough right now” 00:08:12 Hope as a lifeline in dark moments 00:08:47 The power of presence + “the greatest Christmas ever” 00:09:58 Was Gavin always present, or did cancer change that? 00:10:36 Work, busyness, and the struggle to switch off 00:13:50 Society’s pressure, productivity, and the “success” trap 00:15:03 Gavin’s old definition of success vs. what it became 00:24:26 Leadership lessons: helping others win 00:26:34 Giving, reciprocity, and building a “personal board of directors” 00:36:07 Teaching kids success before crisis forces the lesson 00:37:56 What really matters at the end of life 00:44:35 Curiosity, learning, and taking control where you can 00:45:13 Mindset tools: breathwork, gratitude, and community support 00:54:38 Why vulnerability is strength (and isolation makes it harder) 00:57:04 “That’s what makes you rich” — relationships as real wealth 00:59:17 Men, friendship, banter, and why community matters 01:01:02 Creating legacy: recording stories for his boys 01:05:49 The balance between hope and realism 01:07:33 Why we avoid talking about death (and what we miss) 01:09:52 Gavin’s diagnosis story: from stage 2 to stage 4 01:25:16 How Gavin keeps going after setbacks 01:25:39 Purpose, therapy, goals, and finding reasons to keep moving 01:35:32 The Open qualifier: “my biggest f*** you to cancer” 01:39:13 The example he’s setting for his children 01:42:22 The “A-grade letter” exercise + “Go brave” 01:55:19 Paying it forward: Wolo, awareness, and impact 01:57:57 Biggest life lessons: love, honesty, vulnerability, meaning 02:13:14 Closing words + “Go brave” 🧠 Key themes in this episode Living with terminal cancer and staying human in itHope vs. realism: holding both at the same timePresence, gratitude, and the small moments that become everythingFriendship, banter, love, and why men need communityLegacy: creating memories for your children while you still canRedefining success beyond money, status and achievementGavin’s life tools: curiosity, journaling, breathwork, therapy, humour 👤 About Gavin O’Donoghue Gavin is an executive search consultant with 20 years’ experience in financial markets. Since 2019 he has been living with melanoma, and following a stage 4 diagnosis, he has endured multiple treatments while continuing to show up for his family, his friends, and his purpose with honesty, humour and heart. 💬 Quote to sit with “Success now is hugging my boys… being present… love… connection… the simple stuff.” ✅ If this episode resonated… Please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a bit of hope today. And if you’re going through something right now send the text. Ask the question. Those three words can matter more than we realise. 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Gavin O’Donoghue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odonoghue.gavin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-o-donoghue-12ba5312/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. SPONSORED BY: Rivervale Brown Bear Studios Carpenter Box PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the secret to better business, better parenting and better mental health was… letting go of control? In this powerful, reflective conversation, I sit down with culture-change consultant and “buddish” thinker Jon Barnes (Pala) to talk about rewilding organisations, autonomy, depression, silent retreats, parenting, Buddhism, phones, presence and what it really means to be human. We explore how to move from command-and-control to self-managing, autonomous teams, how tiny experiments can transform culture, and why CEOs often save two days a week when they stop making every decision. Jon also shares openly about his dangerous depression, how a 10-day silent retreat changed his relationship with his thoughts, the difference between having anger vs being angry, and why he now calls himself “buddish”. This episode weaves perfectly into the You Alright Mate? mission and my Five Pillars of Success, especially Presence, Balance, Authenticity and Relationships and asks how we can equip both adults and kids to sit with their emotions in a world designed to distract us. 🔍 In this episode we explore: How Jon went from hierarchy to rewilding organisations and self-managed teamsWhy autonomy at work can save leaders days each week (and create happier teams)Simple culture shifts: meetings, decisions & information sharing as leverage pointsParenting, failure and letting our kids do what lights them upJon’s story of clinical depression, SSRIs and finding mindfulnessWhat really happens on a 10-day silent meditation retreatThoughts vs emotions – and learning to notice rather than be owned by themPhones, tech, attention & why boredom might be a superpowerBeing “buddish”: Buddhist psychology, compassion & reducing suffering“This too shall pass” as a life toolkit – for the highs and the lows ⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – “You alright mate?” check-in & intro to Jon Barnes 06:15 – From traditional schooling to autonomy & a Costa Rica jungle school 15:30 – Discovering self-managed teams & a new kind of leadership 26:40 – What autonomy really looks like at work (and why CEOs gain 2 days a week) 36:20 – Culture change as small experiments & the power of atomic habits 45:05 – Rewilding organisations: the Knepp Estate metaphor & letting go of control 55:40 – Parenting, autonomy for kids & reframing failure as learning 1:05:30 – Meetings, decisions & information sharing as the heart of culture 1:15:00 – Hitting the wall: depression, burnout and calling in sick to life 1:27:30 – Inside a 10-day silent retreat: thoughts, emotions & the noisy mind 1:40:10 – Tech Monopolies, smartphones & the attention economy 1:50:20 – Teaching presence & emotional literacy to children 2:00:00 – Peak experiences, the lake moment & “this too shall pass” 2:10:10 – Being “buddish”: compassion, suffering & altered traits 2:22:50 – Top Table card question on boundaries & closing reflections 🎙️ ABOUT JON BARNES Jon Barnes is a culture-change consultant, facilitator and co-founder of Pala, helping organisations move from rigid hierarchies to more autonomous, human-centred ways of working. His work draws on ideas from rewilding, permaculture, mindfulness and Buddhist psychology, and he’s the author of books including Tech Monopolies. Jon describes himself as “buddish” not religious, but deeply influenced by Buddhist thought and the practice of mindfulness. 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 🔗 Connect with Jon Barnes Website: https://teampala.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonbarnesdotme/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbarnesdotme/ 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. 🤝 SPONSORED BY:Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://brownbearstudios.co.uk/ Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com/ PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode, entrepreneur and endurance athlete Bruce Bignell joins me to share an honest, inspiring and deeply reflective journey, from childhood trauma and blended family life, to building a tech business, redefining leadership, and becoming the kind of man his younger self needed. Bruce opens up about growing up between private school and state school, navigating complex family dynamics, searching for male role models, and the challenges young boys face today in a world of algorithms, screens and identity confusion. He explores how social media shapes validation, why kids are outsourcing self-worth to strangers online, and what parents must do to help them reconnect to real life, real people, and real values. He also shares how a 3-month period of radical change, running ultramarathons, rowing the Channel, and transforming his nutrition, completely shifted his mindset and taught him how to back himself when everything felt impossible. We dive into: Success: health, wealth, wisdomMasculinity: raising boys, male role models & blended familiesMental health: resilience, identity & future self thinkingLeadership: calm in crisis, inspiring change, seeing opportunityRisk: starting Evolve during Covid, hitting £70 in the bank, rebuildingChildhood: class, trauma, intuition, grounding and learningTechnology: AI, humanity & why people will always matterPersonal growth: redefining how you want your story to go Bruce’s story is emotional, practical, honest and incredibly useful for anyone navigating business, fatherhood, mental health or big life transitions. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 03:17 – “You alright mate?” Bruce checks in 04:46 – Lessons from a tough year 06:54 – Success = health, wealth & wisdom 09:44 – Lifelong learning & curiosity 10:44 – Teenage Bruce: success, football & business 17:00 – Class, identity & bridging different worlds 20:42 – Male role models & blended families 24:32 – Masculinity & the Lost Boys 25:41 – Teens, rebellion & identity 31:31 – Social media & outsourcing validation 36:30 – Intrinsic vs extrinsic self-worth 41:04 – Early business exposure 46:04 – Sales, rejection & resilience 54:51 – Crisis, clarity & leadership 57:54 – What makes a true leader? 1:02:15 – Work Up & endurance challenges 1:07:51 – Nutrition & trusting his body 1:19:36 – Risk, money & resilience 1:23:03 – “There’s always another way” 1:31:03 – Building Evolve 1:35:49 – How we respond to life 1:47:00 – Future self vs current behaviour 2:00:40 – Advice to 16-year-old Bruce 🔗 CONNECT WITH BRUCE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucebignell 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast SPONSORED BY: Brown Bear Audio 👉 https://brownbearstudios.co.uk/ Carpenter Box 👉 https://www.carpenterbox.com/ Rivervale 👉 rivervale.co.uk Produced by: H2 Productions  www.h2productions.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does success really look like once you’ve “made it”? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with entrepreneur and former RocketMill CEO Sam Garrity for a deep and emotional exploration of ambition, success, fear, leadership, culture, mental health and reinvention. Sam shares how RocketMill grew from a Yellow Pages idea to a high-growth agency, built on people-first culture and relentless belief. He opens up about anxiety, panic attacks, childhood trauma and the fear of embarrassment that silently shaped his drive. He reveals the benefits and the cost of being “all in”: the emotional load, the mental space it consumed, the presence he lost at home, and why selling the company brought grief and joy. This episode dives into: • Panic attacks, anxiety and the roots of self-belief • The fierce drive behind RocketMill, and the application behind “All in” mentality • Culture, leadership and why behaviours matter more than values on a wall • The emotional reality of selling a company, the euphoria and the grief • Rebuilding identity, relationships and purpose after the exit • Breathwork, emotional release and healing old wounds • Why pride, integrity and community now matter more than ever It’s raw, human, inspiring and full of lessons for anyone chasing big goals, navigating change, or trying to understand what success really means. 🕒 CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction 5:13 – “You alright mate?” — honest check-in 7:28 – Redefining success through purpose 9:04 – Success evolving through childhood → adulthood 17:27 – Ambition vs purpose 19:09 – What really drives Sam 21:11 – Upbringing, instability & resilience 27:05 – Fear of failure & self-belief 31:12 – Embarrassment, failure & reframing it 42:26 – Early career: Express, Daily Mail & culture 55:36 – The birth of RocketMill 1:00:00 – Betting the farm & starting from nothing 1:02:07 – “Are we all in?” — the RocketMill mentality 1:07:32 – Sacrifice: being there but not present 1:12:32 – Advice to founders: be braver 1:13:59 – Pushing the boulder uphill 1:26:17 – COVID: guaranteeing 200 jobs 1:28:50 – People-first culture in action 1:30:17 – Selling the company — everyone wins 1:39:31 – Euphoria & grief after the sale 1:50:00 – Breathwork, emotion & healing 1:51:26 – Community, Samaritans & purpose 2:00:45 – Seek pride in everything you do 2:02:34 – Storytelling card 2:05:26 – Closing reflections A profound conversation for founders, leaders, parents, creators, anyone striving to succeed while staying grounded, healthy and human. 🔗 SPONSORS Brown Bear Audio – Elite podcast studio. 👉 https://brownbearstudios.co.uk/ Carpenter Box – Accountancy & advisory specialists. 👉 https://www.carpenterbox.com/ Rivervale – Making motoring manageable. 👉 rivervale.co.uk Produced by: H2 Productions – h2productions.co.uk 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.