Breaking the Stigma on Men’s Health — with Toby Freeman (Founder & CEO, The Robin Cancer Trust) This week on The TRUUMAN Podcast, we’re joined by Toby Freeman — cancer advocate, storyteller, podcast host, and Founder & CEO of The Robin Cancer Trust, the UK’s only germ cell cancer awareness charity.

Toby’s mission began after losing his brother, Robin, to late-stage testicular cancer at just 24. Since then, Toby has dedicated his life to raising awareness, starting conversations, and breaking down stigma around men’s health — making sure no other family has to go through what his did. He’s currently taking on a bold (and unforgettable) charity challenge: running 350 miles in a giant testicle costume to raise £240,000 for the charity. This challenge spans the Brighton and London Marathons, a 100km Ultramarathon, and even a run along Hadrian’s Wall — all to spark conversations that get young men checking, talking, and taking action.

Toby is also the host of the Thrive Against Cancer Podcast, where he amplifies raw and honest stories from patients, caregivers, and clinicians, bringing both heart and humour to some of life’s toughest conversations.

In this episode, we cover:

💡 Why testicular cancer awareness is still overlooked — and how to change it

👟 What drives Toby to take on his wild 350-mile challenge in costume

🗣️ How humour and boldness can open up tough conversations about men’s health

🎙️ Lessons from the Thrive Against Cancer Podcast on storytelling and resilience

❤️ Turning personal loss into a lifelong mission to save lives

Toby shares:

“If I can look ridiculous running in a giant testicle costume, but one guy checks himself and gets an early diagnosis, then it’s worth every step.”

“We have to break the silence around men’s health. The conversation could literally save your life.”

“At the end of the day, this is about love, family, and making sure fewer people face what my family had to face.”

Why you’ll want to listen:

You want to learn about testicular cancer awareness and prevention

You’re inspired by stories of turning grief into purpose and action

You’re interested in how to spark conversations about men’s health in bold, creative ways

You believe humour, hope, and honesty can shift stigma and save lives

Connect with Toby & The Robin Cancer Trust:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobyfreeman/

https://www.therobincancertrust.org/

https://www.instagram.com/tobytalksbollocks/?hl=en

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

Men’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention — with Michael Wilson (Research Fellow, Orygen, University of Melbourne)

In this episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we’re joined by Michael Wilson, a Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne and one of the leading voices in men’s mental health and suicide prevention research.

Since 2018, Michael has been publishing and presenting groundbreaking work both nationally and internationally, with a sharp focus on the complex realities men face around mental health, suicide risk, and intimate partner relationship breakdown.

His research doesn’t just live in academic journals — it speaks directly to some of the most pressing issues in men’s lives today, shining a light on moments of crisis and exploring what can truly help men navigate them.

In this episode, we dive into:

🧠 Why intimate partner relationship breakdown is such a critical factor in men’s mental health 📉 How research is shaping new suicide prevention approaches for men

🌏 What Michael has learned presenting at national and international conferences

💔 The intersection of masculinity, vulnerability, and help-seeking

🔑 The role of community, services, and culture in preventing male suicide

Michael shares:

“When men experience relationship breakdown, it can feel like the rug has been pulled from under every part of life — identity, purpose, connection.” “Prevention isn’t just about crisis response. It’s about building systems, supports, and cultures that keep men from falling through the cracks.” “The more we talk about men’s experiences honestly, the more chance we have of changing outcomes.”

Why you’ll want to listen:

• You want deeper understanding of the drivers of male suicide risk
• You work in mental health, community work, or policy and want research-backed insights
• You’ve gone through relationship breakdown and want to hear compassionate, evidence-based reflections
• You’re committed to building a culture where men can struggle without silence

Connect with Michael:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wilson-4b2090164/

https://movember.substack.com/p/unpacking-mens-suicidality-following

“Men’s mental health is not a side issue — it’s central to the wellbeing of families, communities, and society as a whole.”

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

Male Allyship, Equality & Momentum — with Lee Chambers (Founder & CEO, Male Allies UK) In this episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we’re joined by Lee Chambers — award-winning entrepreneur, global speaker, and the Founder & CEO of Male Allies UK, an organisation dedicated to engaging men in inclusion and promoting effective allyship. Lee’s journey has been anything but linear. From starting out in corporate finance, to building and exiting a successful tech company, to now leading work that reshapes how men show up in equality conversations, he embodies resilience and reinvention.

His impact has been recognised globally:

🏆 Great British Entrepreneur Award

🏙️ Freedom of the City of London (2024) for services to equality in business

🌍 UN Women Changemaker of the Year (2023)

🔬 Kavli Fellow of the US National Academy of Sciences — the first Black British scientist to receive the honour in its 33-year history, for his work on health inequalities Alongside his leadership roles on boards like CMI Women, Regenerage UK, and Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, Lee is also the bestselling author of Momentum: 13 Ways To Unlock Your Potential.

In this episode, we explore:

👥 Why male allyship is crucial for real inclusion and equality

⚖️ How organisations can better engage men in the diversity and inclusion conversation

🔑 The intersection of masculinity, leadership, and allyship

🌍 What Lee has learned speaking on global stages like One Young World, ChangeNOW, and Bloomberg Global Equality Summit

📚 The core lessons from his book Momentum on unlocking your full potential

Lee shares:

“Inclusion isn’t a women’s issue — it’s a human issue, and men have to be part of the solution.”

“True allyship is about action, not just intention.”

“Momentum in life comes from small consistent steps, not waiting for the perfect moment.”

Why you’ll want to listen:

You’re a leader who wants to engage men in your D&I strategy

You’re interested in how allyship can be lived daily, not just spoken about

You want to understand how men can play a positive role in advancing equality You’re inspired by stories of resilience, reinvention, and leadership

Connect with Lee: Momentum book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Momentum-Reboot-Career-Unlock-Potential/dp/1398614955

https://leechambers.org/

Lee’s Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leechambers-1/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

From Stranger to Real Friend — Tackling Male Isolation, with Eric Schlossberg (Founder of Pulse) In this episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we sit down with Eric Schlossberg — founder of Pulse, a social platform designed to help people move past awkward first meetings and actually build lasting friendships. After moving 10 times across 5 countries, Eric became an expert at making friends from scratch. But he also saw first-hand how, for many men, building deep, consistent friendships is much harder than it looks — no matter how many social apps we have. A former opera singer turned software engineer, Eric brings a rare mix of creativity, tech insight, and lived experience to this important conversation about connection, isolation, and why male friendships are often more fragile than we realise.

In this episode, we cover:

🤝 Why meeting someone new isn’t the hard part — keeping the connection is

🧠 The psychological roadblocks that stop men from forming close friendships

🌈 Eric’s experience as a gay man navigating male friendships across cultures

📱 Why most friendship apps fail — and how Pulse is different

📅 The underestimated power of rhythm in relationships

🗣 Why “Let’s do this again next week” might be the most important sentence in your social life

Eric shares:

“Male isolation isn’t just about loneliness — it’s about the absence of consistent, meaningful connection.”

“Most of us treat friendship like dating. We focus on the first meet-up and forget it takes repeated, intentional time to build something real.”

“For straight men especially, vulnerability with other men is often unpracticed — and that’s where the work begins.”

Why you’ll want to listen:

You’ve felt the sting of isolation — even when surrounded by people

You want deeper, more consistent friendships as a man

You’re curious why male friendship patterns differ from female ones

You work in mental health, men’s groups, or community-building

You’re tired of “networking” and want real human connection

Find out more about Pulse:

https://pulsenow.app

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-schlossberg/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

The Policy Gap — Why Men and Boys Are Being Left Behind, with Nick Isles (Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys) In this episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we speak with Nick Isles, Director of the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys — a bold new research organisation dedicated to exploring and addressing the often-overlooked issues uniquely impacting men and boys across the UK. This conversation goes beyond surface-level narratives. Nick shares the data, nuance, and urgency behind what’s become a quiet crisis in male wellbeing — spanning everything from education to health, family life to criminal justice.

In this episode, we cover:

📉 The real story behind male suicide, health inequality, and life expectancy gaps

📚 Why boys are falling behind in education — and what it means long-term

👨‍👧‍👦 Fatherhood, family law, and the modern challenges facing separated dads

⚖️ Male marginalisation in public services and media narratives

📊 The 7 critical areas where policy is failing men — and how we can course-correct

🧠 What it takes to create a society where both sexes rise together

Nick shares:

“When it comes to men’s issues, we’re not dealing with a lack of data — we’re dealing with a lack of political will.”

“This isn’t about turning men into victims. It’s about recognising areas where men are vulnerable — and doing something about it.”

“Better policy for men and boys means better outcomes for families, communities, and society at large.”

The Centre’s Mission Focuses On 7 Key Areas:

Health — suicide prevention, male cancers, life expectancy

Education — attainment, exclusion, aspiration

Fatherhood & Family — supporting engaged, empowered dads

Economy, Employment & Skills — retraining, redundancy, male-dominated sectors

Criminal Justice — disproportionate sentencing, deaths in custody

Media & Culture — balanced, respectful portrayal of men

Marginalised Men — including homeless men, boys in care, and victims of gang exploitation

This episode is for you if:

You're tired of simplistic stereotypes about masculinity

You work in education, health, or public policy and want evidence-based insight

You believe boys deserve the same support and care we offer girls

You're a father navigating a system that feels stacked against you You want to understand the hidden challenges facing men today — and how we can fix them

Follow and Support the Work:

https://menandboys.org.uk/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

In this episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we sit down with Alex Lloyd Hunter, co-founder of The Dad Shift — a movement advocating for substantial, affordable, and equal paternity leave in the UK. Alex is not just talking about giving dads “a bit more time off.” He’s helping lead a systemic shift in how we see fatherhood, parenting, gender roles, and what equality in the home truly looks like.

In this episode, we unpack:

👶 Why the UK’s current paternity leave system is broken

📉 How poor paternity policy fuels the gender pay gap and postpartum depression

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The ripple effects of equal parenting leave on kids’ wellbeing and family dynamics

⚖️ The data behind better bonding, healthier dads, and stronger relationships

💬 The cultural and emotional impact of allowing dads to actually show up from day one

Alex shares: “This isn’t just about dads. It’s about building families where everyone thrives — not just survives.”

“If we want dads to be present, we need to give them the time and resources to be present.”

“The system isn’t working for anyone right now — not for dads, not for mums, not for kids.”

This episode is for you if:

You're a dad who felt rushed back to work after your baby arrived You're a partner who felt unsupported or overwhelmed in those early weeks You're tired of outdated gender roles dictating your family life You're interested in policy, parenting, and what progress really looks like You believe both parents deserve the chance to bond, care, and grow with their kids

The Dad Shift’s core mission:

✅ Substantial leave — enough time to support, bond, and adjust

✅ Affordable leave — so no one is priced out of parenting

✅ Equal leave — because gender should never dictate family roles

✅ Inclusive leave — for all parents, in all types of families

✅ Better outcomes — for dads, mums, and children alike

Connect with The Dad Shift & Join the Campaign:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlloydhunter/

https://dadshift.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/dadshiftuk

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

Real Talk, Rhythm, and Radical Honesty — with Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet In this deeply human and high-energy episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we welcome Matt Concannon, also known as The Thirsty Poet: Real Talk — a spoken word artist, actor, voice-over talent, teacher, and proud son of Salford. Matt brings a rare blend of raw honesty and lyrical brilliance to tough conversations — from mental health and masculinity to political tension and personal struggle. His work is rooted in rhythm, connection, and hope, offering a real talk remedy for the noise of modern life.

In this episode, we dive into:

🎤 How spoken word can be a healing and expressive force for men

🧠 The power of “hitting hearts” with mental health honesty

🌍 How working-class stories and northern grit shape Matt’s art

🎭 Blending performance, poetry, and purpose in a world that often silences feeling

💬 Creating space for difficult conversations through rhythm and story

Matt says:

“Sometimes you don’t need a diagnosis — you need a conversation.”

“Words are weapons. But they’re also bridges.”

“I write because I couldn’t find the words growing up. Now I try to give them to others.”

We also cover:

✅ Working with Salford City FC, BBC Radio, Manchester Originals & more

✅ How rap, rhythm, and real-life conversations shaped his unique poetic style

✅ The responsibility and privilege of telling community stories

✅ New work with the National Football Museum and Salford’s 100th City Status birthday

Who this episode is for: Men looking for creative, grounded ways to process and express emotion Listeners craving honesty, rhythm, and a break from superficial conversations Teachers, youth workers, and artists wanting to build safe spaces through storytelling Anyone navigating the intersection of masculinity, art, and vulnerability

Follow and connect with Matt Concannon — The Thirsty Poet:

Instagram - @thethirstypoet_co

Linkedin Matt Concannon www.linkedin.com/in/matt-concannon-thethirstypoet

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

Rethinking Teen Mental Health, Nature, and What Adults Are Getting Wrong with Dr. Nevin Harper In this episode of The TRUUMAN Podcast, we’re joined by Nevin Harper, PhD professor, registered clinical counsellor, outdoor therapy pioneer, and co-author of Kids These Days and Nature-Based Therapy. Nevin brings over 30 years of experience leading transformative outdoor experiences and mental health interventions with young people. He’s also a critical voice in challenging the conventional mental health system and offering real-world alternatives that are grounded, relational, and often — outdoors.

In this episode, we unpack:

🌲 Why nature-based therapy works — especially for boys and men

📉 What’s really driving the youth mental health crisis (hint: it’s not just social media)

🧠 How modern mental health systems often miss the mark

👣 The power of movement, mastery, and meaningful risk in building resilience

🛑 Why overprotection and intervention can do more harm than good

Nevin says:

“Young people don’t need fixing — they need space, connection, and adults who trust them.” “The problem isn’t kids these days — it’s adults these days.”

“If we want healthier, more resilient youth, we need to start looking outside — literally and figuratively.”

We also cover:

✅ Why traditional talk therapy may fall short for teens and young men

✅ What adults can do today to better support young people

✅ The science behind autonomy, mastery, and connection in healthy development

✅ What we’re getting wrong in schools, homes, and policy

✅ How outdoor therapy is changing the game in mental health treatment

Who this episode is for:

Parents, educators, and therapists feeling frustrated or helpless about teen mental health

Men interested in nature-based healing and somatic approaches

Youth workers and coaches looking for better ways to connect

Listeners ready to challenge the over-clinical, overprotective approaches of modern systems Follow and connect with Nevin Harper:

https://www.nevinharper.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevinharper/

https://adultsintheroom.substack.com/

https://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com/