Episodes

Adam Cranfield is typical of many midlife men in that he’s gone through most of the life events that society expects of a 48 year old man, such as marriage, children and jobs, but not without a growing sense of unease. Not least of this is the way that creating and maintaining meaningful connections has become much more of a challenge than it should be. This week Paul and Adam discuss the stereotypical male focus on needing an activity to bond, and why men struggle to organise and sustain deep r...

Poor mental health among men is a common and complex issue. It has many causes and, arguably, a serious lack of positive practical action to solve. But things are starting to change, albeit slowly, and there are some calling for society to support men's mental health more effectively. One such person is Katie Goodrum, founder of men’s underwear brand And Then. This week Paul talks to Katie about her mission, inspired by her partner's struggle during a long divorce, to encourage men to become the...

Many midlife men have a problem with saying ‘yes’. In that they do it all the time out of habit, regardless of what’s best for them. They want to be seen as supportive in their professional or their family life and, though it comes from a good place, they end up overcommitting and never saying ‘no’ to anyone or anything. Over time, this ‘people pleasing’ behaviour of consistently valuing others above yourself creates a disconnect between a man’s values and his actions that lowers his self-esteem...

Lack of purpose is very often cited by men in midlife as a key driver of unhappiness and an area with which they really struggle. Many men’s sense of identity is often tied to their jobs or their family, and when these change or they lose the passion for their career or their relationships ends, it leaves a gaping hole. This week Paul talks to Dr Ed Rainbow, a GP who believes that making scientifically proven changes to your life to improve your sense of wellbeing can often be better than medici...

In 2018 Caroline Roodhouse was bereaved by suicide. Over the past six years, she has struggled to come to terms with her husband Steve’s death and how it has affected her and her two young daughters. But she has also shown incredible strength. This week Caroline shares her personal journey of loss and healing. She tells Paul about the day Steve went missing and the subsequent two-day search, and describes how his sudden death left her in shock, leading to years of emotional turmoil, including an...

One man dies by suicide every two hours in England and Wales, and the rate among men in their 40s and 50s is especially high. At a time when mens’ roles are changing so rapidly, cultural pressure for men to appear strong is unhelpful, and societal expectations of men, particularly stigma around vulnerability, prevent many from seeking help. This week Paul talks to Mike Flynn, a facilitator at Andy’s Man Club, a UK-based charity aimed at suicide prevention. Mike openly shares his personal experie...

Changing career in middle age is perceived by many to be incredibly challenging and even unwise. Societal expectations often shape our perceptions of success, leading some midlife men to feel trapped in careers they no longer enjoy. They become disengaged and unfulfilled, and unsure of how to make any sort of change. But it needn’t be this way. This week Paul talks to career coach Laura Allen, about navigating a midlife career transition. They look at the importance of aligning work with persona...

In one of the most striking midlife career pivots you’ll hear about, Dirk Singer went from a 20 year career owning and running PR and social media agencies to become an expert in sustainable aviation. This week Paul uncovers the whys and hows of Dirk’s story. They talk about how Dirk lost his passion for the digital marketing industry and how he then made the pivot to climate tech. And they also discuss the challenges and rewards of such as transition, the importance of continuous learning, and ...

Midlife men often experience discontent and dissatisfaction, and it's important to take action to redesign this phase of life to maximise the future. Prioritising self-care, trying new things, and aligning personal growth with fun and momentum is an important step in this process. This week Paul talks to midlife coach, author and podcaster Greg Scheinman about the challenges that men face in taking back control over their time, and about why this is not selfish but instead essential for showing ...

Some of the big challenges faced by midlife men are triggered by a creeping awareness of time passing and a desire to reclaim control over one's life. Awareness of our own mortality, normally prompted by the death of a parent or another loved one, can be confusing and daunting, whether consciously or subconsciously. Self awareness and acknowledgement of these feelings is critical when it comes to navigating this challenge. This week Paul talks to leadership coach Andrew Waddell about facing and ...

Many midlife men feel trapped by societal expectations and the lives they've designed for themselves, leading to dissatisfaction with life and a loss of identity. But it doesn’t need to be this way. This week Paul and his special guest, author and midlife coach Dan Stanley, discuss the challenges of midlife crises and share personal experiences of self-discovery. They look at the importance of self-awareness and shedding masks to reveal one's true identity while living intentionally. Redefining ...

Midlife men face many challenges, not least of which are emotional struggles and the stigma associated with being middle aged. We frequently feel disconnected, frustrated and lonely due to societal pressures to suppress our emotions. This period, marked by low life satisfaction, peaks in our late 40s, when divorce rates and suicide rates are also at their highest. This week Paul introduces three coaches to provide insights on navigating midlife; Dan Stanley, Greg Scheinman and Andrew Waddell. To...

I'm Paul Sutton, and in early 2024 I had what is commonly referred to as a 'midlife crisis'. After a couple of years of experiencing a creeping sense of unease about my life, things came to a head when the resentment and frustration I'd been feeling started to boil over. I felt trapped by the life that I had designed, I felt that I had no sense of purpose, I felt lonely, and I had no sense of who I was or what my place in the world was. I looked around at my life and thought: "is this it?" Since...