On the surface, I had everything; inside I was unravelling, with Mike Flynn

On the surface, I had everything; inside I was unravelling, with Mike Flynn

Author: Philip Briscoe July 5, 2025 Duration: 32:38
In this powerful and quietly revealing episode, Mike Flynn talks about a mid-life experience that will sound painfully familiar to many men: ticking all the boxes, doing everything “right”, yet feeling completely disconnected inside. Mike describes how success masked an emotional emptiness he didn’t fully understand until it almost broke him. He speaks candidly about the subtle slide into burnout, the role of people-pleasing and control, and the cost of never stopping long enough to fee...

For men navigating the complexities of middle age, conversations about inner life can feel foreign or forbidden. Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast is a space where that silence is broken. Host Philip Briscoe engages in frank, thoughtful dialogues with men from various walks of life, exploring the unspoken challenges of mental wellbeing, societal expectations, and personal identity during these pivotal years. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of real stories and shared experiences. Listeners will hear candid discussions that range from managing stress and redefining purpose to navigating relationships and confronting the stigma that often surrounds vulnerability. The podcast delves into the cultural and personal dimensions of health, offering documentary-style intimacy alongside practical perspectives. Each episode aims to connect, reassure, and provide a sense of shared understanding for any man who has ever felt adrift. By focusing specifically on the mid-life experience, this series creates a vital, targeted forum for reflection and connection, challenging the notion that struggling is a sign of failure. Tune in for authentic conversations that prove you are not alone in your journey.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 92

Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast
Podcast Episodes
"I'm not Done Yet": Reinventing Life After 50, with Andrew Middleton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:14
What happens when the big job ends and no one’s lining up to offer another? For Andrew Middleton, that moment sparked an identity crisis, financial panic, and ultimately, a radical reinvention. In this honest and hopeful…
Having It All and Still Asking: Is This It? with Josh Fineman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:34
In this episode, we're joined by Josh Fineman. Josh had the career, the young family, the success but behind it all was exhaustion, self-doubt, and a relentless voice asking, “Is this it?” In this honest and revealing co…
Feeding Others, While Falling Apart, with Adam Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
Trigger warning: This episode includes honest discussions about suicide attempts, mental illness, domestic violence, and trauma. Adam Smith’s story is unlike anything you’ve heard - and exactly what so many men need to h…
Stand Up to Anorexia Because Comedy Can Save Lives, with Dave Chawner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:32
Trigger warning: includes frank discussion of eating disorders, body image, and mental health. How do you find laughter in something that nearly kills you? In this episode, comedian and mental health advocate Dave Chawne…
A Raw Conversation About Suicide and Survival, with Chris Frederick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:36
This episode of Mid-Life Men includes open and honest discussions about mental health challenges, including suicide. Some listeners may find this content distressing. In this frank and powerful episode, we hear from a ma…