The Being Men podcast grew out of the Touchstone Men’s Network, a network of men working across the mental health sector in Leeds. At its heart, the network is a peer support group open to anyone who identifies as male.
We meet once a month to check in with one another, and what began with just four of us has steadily grown to ten or more regular members. While most of our gatherings take place online, we’ve also been able to meet face-to-face more recently, which has been especially meaningful.
These sessions are simple but powerful. The conversations have flown naturally, sometimes around general wellbeing, and other times focusing on men’s health, stigma, and the barriers we can often face as men. Having experienced male peer support groups outside of work myself, I know just how vital these safe spaces can be.
In 2024, the network organised an event for International Men’s Day. We brought together a panel of six men, each working in the mental health sector across organisations such as Touchstone, Northpoint, the NHS, and more. Each panelist shared his personal journey, how his lived experience shaped his path and inspired him to work within the mental health sector. The event was about highlighting men talking, men from many different walks of life and men with many different life experiences. Most importantly, experiences that where now being used to support others.
Perhaps the most powerful part of the day was the solidarity shown between these men. In front of an audience of around 40 people, their openness sparked conversations, questions, and genuine connection.
The feedback made one thing clear: there was a real appetite for more. The question became, how could we continue to amplify these voices? That’s where the idea for the podcast was born. It was never about being polished or professional; we’re not claiming to be experts. We’re simply men from many different walks of life, carrying different experiences—coming together to share, to listen, and to show that not only do men talk but to show the amazing things that happen when they do.
I see the value and the importance of men from different nationalities, sexualities, class etc coming together to learn from each other. Each of us bringing our own definition of ‘masculinity’ and what that means to us. The podcast and the peer support group is as much about sharing our own journeys as it is listening and learning from others.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share some of my own personal reasons for being so heavily involved and so heavily passionate about working with men. I grew up with very few male role models, with the men in my life showing their emotions through anger and often violence. When I walked through the doors of a male peer support group (Andy’s Man Club) I was desperate to find men I could look up to, and that is exactly what I found. I witnessed men showing strength in vulnerability, listening and supporting each other. I had to admit at one point in my life that some of that trauma and anger had been passed down 
to me and it was a weight I had to bear, but a weight I had to heal from to avoid passing it down. I had to break the cycle; it’s a weight and a responsibility that I feel every single day but it’s a weight that I promised I would always work on. I will always strive to reach that one man: if one man walks into a peer support group and walks out feeling better then that is massive, but its not just about that one man. That one man could have a family, a partner, children, friends, colleagues. The effect of that one man knowing that he can show emotion, he can cry, he can talk and that there is strength in that is, for me, is where my passion is. Men breaking the cycle and breaking the stigma.
I am not a podcast host, and I certainly wouldn’t claim to be. I think that’s the point: we make mistakes, there are ums and ahs and spaces where we think about what we want to say next. I want people to listen and hear real voices, voices that they can relate to.
The podcast has grown so much in such a short space of time, we now have a network of men with ideas and topics they want to speak on. This has shown by two of the network members hosting their own episodes on both ‘South Asian heritage month’ and ‘The masks we wear as men’.
I also want to take this opportunity to give a massive shout out to Chris Walton who has dedicated so much of his time to recording and producing this podcast for us. Without him this work would not have reached the levels it has done. Thank you, Chris.
We now have 5 episodes in total with many more in the pipeline. Each of these podcast episodes can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. The links can be found below, we hope that you enjoy, and we hope that if you are in any way struggling right now you find something in these episodes; something that you relate to, something that gives you hope, shows you there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that you are most certainly not alone.
As I have said many times in this write up, the network and the podcast is where it is because of the amazing people involved. I asked some of them if they could write me something on their experience of being involved in this podcast series, see below for some of their responses.
Thank you,
Tobie Fawcett
Stephen Creek – Peer Support Worker (Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service)
My name is Stephen and I’m a peer support worker at Touchstone. I learned about the Men’s Network soon after I took up this role in April 2025, and to be honest I had some reservations about getting involved.
The offer of support was such a generous one, but I had never been drawn towards men’s groups in the past. I suppose that, given the general state of a world in which men occupy the vast majority of positions of power, I didn’t have a lot of faith in groups of men acting in the best interests of all rather than just their own.
Thankfully, my experiences so far of the Touchstone Men’s Network and the Being Men podcast have restored some of that faith. I’ve experienced a strong sense of purpose among the men I’ve met to lift each other up for the betterment of everyone in society, and a willingness to explore what that means to different people. I am starting to see the importance of being able to share struggles that are specific to men with others who have experienced something similar. There are some advantages that come along with being a man, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t also some difficulties.
When Tobie asked if I would like to host an episode of the podcast, I felt lucky to have the chance to lead a conversation. I am training to be a group psychotherapist, so starting free-flowing conversations is what I love doing most! I wasn’t entirely confident though – I had never appeared on a podcast, let alone hosted one, so I knew I would need to pick a topic of conversation that would stimulate plenty of discussion.
I picked the topic of masks we wear because I am interested in what it means to show up authentically. I feel authenticity is a word that gets used a lot, but what does it really mean? Identity to me feels like something that shifts and changes, and it can be hard to know which version of myself is the most authentic one. I was curious to hear what other men in the network felt about this, and was delighted when Dylan, Tobie and Chris said they would join the panel to discuss it.
Recording the episode was really enjoyable. It wasn’t the easiest of topics to navigate as it’s so nuanced, and I found myself struggling to pin down my thoughts in the moment as they wandered off in various directions at once! But it felt like a space where it was okay not to know the answers, okay to say something and then change your mind, and okay to feel differently to others but still listen to them and try to understand how they felt.
Spaces like that are really special and precious, and I feel very grateful that this one exists.
Tommy Eastaugh – Mental Health Support Worker (Primary Care Mental Health)
Being a part of the podcast was initially a daunting prospect. There was some slight nervousness surrounding being honest and meeting a group of people I mostly didn’t know. However, this worry was immediately put to rest. It was very cathartic to not only hear other men’s experiences and stories but also felt liberating to share my experiences which I have otherwise kept very quiet for most of my life. It felt empowering to speak up, offer support for my fellow podcasters and support a great organisation whilst doing so. The feedback has also been amazing and makes everything that we have done and are doing worth it.
Maz Sultan – Mens Health Unlocked Link Worker
I hadn’t really spoken about my experiences in a focused way before but doing so at the panel was like letting go of a balloon. The energy in the room was reciprocal; in the Q&A people shared personal things about themselves and reflected on topics we mentioned with a frame of reference on their own lives. It opened up topics not usually spoken about. I overheard a woman say ‘I feel really lucky to have been here today’. That really stayed with me.
I used to carry a misconception about men’s groups but from working in one in a previous role, I have really seen the power in them. The respect, sensitivity, checking in on each other and respectfully challenging. It’s a healing space to be in. The podcast is a makeshift Men’s peer support group. One you are invited to listen in to! It gives a real insight into what these spaces feel like. You laugh, cry and want to hold each other up. I had someone recently tell me that listening to the podcast can act as a first step to someone attending a group. In that, it models how men can support each other and open up. Society had ridged restraints on what a man can be (for me growing up). But I think there has been a slow and successful shift more recently.
Chris Walton – Podcast producer & Hypnotherapist and meditation teacher
Something powerful happens when men meet to discuss important topics.
A certain truth is found. A truth that is more important than just saying what you think you are supposed to say.
We don’t even need to agree on everything, but we agree to make a safe space for each other to talk.
It’s not easy putting yourself out there, but we do it together.
And for me, this has brought us closer as men.
I hope this vulnerability and strength comes though on the podcast!
Dave Pickard – Operations Director at Touchstone
Being invited to participate in the Being Men podcast for World Suicide Prevention Day was a true honour—albeit a little daunting at first. The preparation leading up to the recording was handled exceptionally well, providing space to ask questions, raise concerns, and co-produce the agenda for the session.
Suicide is an incredibly emotive and sensitive topic, but Tobie created an environment where we all felt safe and supported, both before and during the recording. Once the session began, it was clear that this was a space where men could speak openly and honestly about their experiences and connections with suicide
I felt privileged to be surrounded by such inspirational individuals who courageously shared their stories. Their openness gave me the confidence to share a part of myself that I don’t often talk about.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Being Men podcast series to everyone. The effort, energy, and passion poured into its creation are evident in every episode—it’s a deeply meaningful and impactful listen. Huge credit to Tobie for building a space where men can break down societal barriers, express real emotions, and show up unapologetically as themselves.
