Welcome to Episode 63 - Meth, mental health and music with Skip Sams The Mindful Men Podcast is a show that inspires men through vulnerable conversations. And this week, we get pretty vulnerable as I talk about drug addiction, mental health and the healing power of music with Skip Sams. Skip is an award-winning composer, performing artist, multimedia producer and sober coach. He has over 16 years of recovery from crystal meth, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder; and was also diagnosed with HIV in 2004. Skip is now sober, and helps musicians and performing Artists who have lost their technical skills, disconnected from their inner music, and whose spark of creativity has gone dark. If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: Website:  https://www.mysuccess.coach Instagram:  https://www.facebook.com/skipsams Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skipsams YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/skipsams Resource: Ben Platt - Grow As We Go [Official Video] For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 62 - Climate and Eco Anxiety with Katharina Hellmann The impacts of Climate Change is an ongoing concern in our communities. Bushfires, floods, droughts, and coral reef bleaching all come to my mind as Australia experiences increasingly devastating weather events every year. And these events are not isolated to Australia. Whilst the scientific evidence has been readily available for some time, our governments have been slow to act, causing increasing frustration amongst citizens across the globe. As a result, more and more people are experiencing Eco Anxiety. We’re concerned about the impacts of Climate Change at the micro and macro levels, wondering what the world will be like for our children, and their children to come. Helping me navigate this discussion is Katharina Hellmann. Katharina is a certified life and climate change coach, turning climate anxiety into empowered action. Katharina shares how Eco Anxiety showed up in her life, and what she is doing to help reduce Global Warming. If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: Website:  https://katharinahellmann.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katharinahellmanncoaching/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/katharinahellmanncoaching For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 61 - MasterChef and Mental Health with Aaron Sanders It’s a new year, which means a new season of MasterChef is not too far away from our television sets! And like many, I’ll be tuning in to see what the cooks are conjuring up… and salivating away even though I’ve devoured my own dinner merely an hour before. But MasterChef isn’t just about food, it’s about people. It’s about challenges and triumphs and following our dreams. This week, I’m sitting down with Aaron Sanders – a top 24 MasterChef contestant from 2021. And whilst we talk about MasterChef and Aaron’s love for food, we also talk about something he is very passionate about… his mental health! Aaron opens up about his personal challenges, and how cooking helps him through difficult times. I loved this aspect of self-care, and I’m sure you will too! If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanders25/  For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 60 - Book Review: Chasing Excellence This week I'm diving into another book review following a plug from one of my earliest guests on the podcast.  In episode 17, I interviewed fellow Social Worker Anthony Simons about exercise based therapy. At the end of the episode, Anthony plugged Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron. Anthony recommended it because (a) it was a good read, but (b) it linked mental wellbeing with exercise.  So that same day I bought it, and whilst it took me awhile to read through it (#slowreader) I'm glad I did! The book follows Ben as he coaches some of the world's fittest athletes to win the CrossFit Games. But it's not just about reps. Its also about mindset, and how the right mindset can help people of all walks of life to strive for excellence.  If you love the episode, make sure to give the show a 5 star rating on your favourite podcast platforms AND subscribe to the YouTube Channel (Its FREE!!!) If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: https://www.amazon.com.au/Chasing-Excellence-Building-Fittest-Athletes/dp/1619617285  For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 59 - Kids Mindfulness with Maryanne Eve Its social worker chat time, and this week I'm joined by a social worker who is supporting children through Kids Mindfulness.  Maryanne Eve is a mental health social worker and private practice owner, and runs group mindfulness programs that help children to overcome challenges like anxiety. She is also a podcaster and YouTube star, and openly shares her own story of childhood trauma and how working in the Child Protection system steered her towards social work. Maryanne also shares the trauma of surviving the King Lake Bushfires; including attending 30 funerals of family and friends.  It's an insightful, yet vulnerable chat that I'm sure you will have multiple takeaways from! If you love the episode, make sure to give the show a 5 star rating on your favourite podcast platforms AND subscribe to the YouTube Channel (Its FREE!!!) If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: Website: www.mindfullifewellness.net Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfullife_wellness/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLWellnessDoreen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv4OYNdo3N56YkXFZjbCj2A Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yPPrOn2VCsQQGgY4qyp9v For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 58 - Man Becoming with Kyle Hamer Mindful Men aims to inspire men to do some inwards reflecting. From who we are and how we're showing up in the world, to identifying areas within ourselves that need a bit of TLC in order for us to live authentically.  But to do this means we sometimes need to touch on some topics that many men don't care to engage with, like masculinity, manhood, patriarchy and even feminism. These concepts are often red flags for men, as they're either too radical, or put a spotlight on things we're not feeling great about.  Helping me explore these concepts is Kyle Hamer from Man Becoming.  Kyle and I have a great chat about how these concepts form into social constructs (or contracts) about how boys and men should act, feel and think and speak. We challenge some of the social constructs of what it means to be a boy and man, and how this might look different in 2023 compared to the 1980s and 1990s when we grew up.  If you love the episode, make sure to give the show a 5 star rating on your favourite podcast platforms AND subscribe to the YouTube Channel (Its FREE!!!) If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: The Will To Change (by Bell Hooks): https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-will-to-change-bell-hooks/book/9780743456081.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hamer.kyle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamer_k/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-hamer/ For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 57 - Disability, Housing and Support with Perry Cross and Vitori Buatava Since 2018 I have been working in the disability sector, and through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), I've met hundreds of people with disabilities, their families, carers and support teams.  I've heard stories of heartbreak, adversity and discrimination - But also stories of triumph, hope and growth. This week I chat with Perry Cross, a Spinal Research Ambassador, and Founding Director and CEO of Accessible Homes Australia. At 19 years old, Perry experienced a spinal cord injury playing Rugby and has since lived with quadriplegia.  Perry shares his story, including how he used his lived experience of disability to start Accessible Homes Australia, a provider of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).  Perry is also joined by Vitori Buatava from Care Match Australia, who provide personalised care to people living with disability. Vitori shares his passion for working in the disability field, and how a collective interest in Rugby creates a team environment in Perry's care.   If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation: https://www.pcsrf.org.au Accessible Homes Australia: https://www.accessiblehomes.au Care Match Australia: https://www.carematchaustralia.com.au For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 56 - Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023! This episode marks the first birthday of the Mindful Men Podcast! Yep, 1 year ago I released the very first episode. As I move into 2023, I've been reflecting on the highs and lows of the past year. From a deep depression in early 2022, to graduating my Masters in Social Work, and starting a business in August 2022... it's been a huge year of emotional turmoil! And along the journey, I've been sharing my story - and the stories of my amazing guests - with you all via the Mindful Men Podcast. I'm excited for 2023, and I'm looking forward to growing the podcast, the YouTube channel and my therapy business. But I need your help! Give the show a 5 star rating, and subscribe to the YouTube channel to help it climb the rankings and become visible to every bloke possible. For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 55 - Creating Financial Freedom with Andrew Logan As we start 2023, many of us will have financially-focussed goals. We yearn for more freedom in our lives, but we're stuck doing the 9-5. But as we learn in this week's episode, there is an infinite number of ways we can create financial freedom... we just need to know how. Enter Andrew Logan from Leverage to Legacy.  Andrew has been kicking financial goals for many years, and this has provided him with time and creative freedom that is beneficial for his whole family. He takes us through his journey of pivoting from his career in Physiotherapy, to running a successful family business with his wife.  It's a great chat that can help many of us with our financial mindset.  If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: Website: https://www.andrewlogan.net Book: The Compound Effect For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message

Welcome to Episode 54 - Dads, Family and Sport with Bryan Ward  This week's episode is all about dadding; and helping me talk about everything fatherhood is Bryan Ward.  Bryan is a proud father of 2 sons, a husband, US Marine Corps Veteran and the host of the Dad Up Podcast. He opens up about the traumatic entries his two sons had as they entered the world, including the incredible strength of his wife Andrea as she recovered from childbirth.  Bryan also talks about coaching baseball and basketball, and how he navigated the dad/coach dynamic with his sons.  It's a great chat to kick off 2023, with a lot of great takeaways for the dads tuning in.  If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: Website: www.daduptribe.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daduppodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3YGCtoxbiOMR-fQAeNnxIw For more from Mindful Men, check out the website at www.mindful-men.com.au ***If anything triggers you from today's episode, please reach out to your support networks or seek professional help*** Cheers, Simon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindfulmen/message