☕ Support the show through Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats
This episode traces Rob Dawson’s journey from feeling lost as a kid growing up in Lincolnshire to building a life he never expected on the other side of the world.
Rob talks openly about drifting through his early years, unsure of what he wanted, but increasingly clear on what he didn’t. After walking away from academia, a serendipitous nudge toward arborism took him to New Zealand, where he found something that had been missing: space – both literal and emotional.
We talk about the decades in between – climbing trees, building trails, working in the bush – and the personal development that happened alongside it. We also talk about the end of his marriage, and how he’s dealing with the shift away from the life he thought he’d built.
Here are the timestamps for our core questions:
0:00 – Dan’s opener and overview
2:02 – Intro to Rob
6:49 – Why Rob came on the show
11:23 – How was your last week?
14:18 – How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
50:00 – Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?
1:08:52 – What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?
Connect with Rob:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-dawson-b71aa7347/
Website: https://ww.leadtolive.co.nz
More info about the series:
https://goodenoughchats.com
If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at:
• NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
• CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
• Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
• Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
☕ Support the show through Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats
In this episode, Simon Spencer reflects on his experiences of social anxiety, emotional fatigue, and the challenge of resisting constant self-comparison.
He talks openly about how these issues first showed up in his teenage years, how they shaped his 20s, and how things have gradually improved as he’s learned to recognise his own needs more clearly.
Simon also speaks about the role running has played in helping him maintain balance, how he’s formed a healthy relationship with alcohol, and how blogging during the pandemic helped him feel more connected.
Here are the timestamps for our core questions:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
1:42 Intro to Simon
5:49 Why Simon came on the show
13:06 How was your last week?
23:36 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
50:02 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?
1:07:50 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?
Connect with Simon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonfromuk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonspencer88
More info about the series:
https://goodenoughchats.com
If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
☕ Support the show through Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats
Matt Hocking opens up about what happens when years of pressure, emotional over-functioning, and unprocessed trauma finally catch up with you, and how a late diagnosis of ADHD has helped him to start making sense of it all.
Matt talks about hitting a wall after trying to push through months of mental and physical exhaustion. He describes feeling completely shut down, dissociative, and unable to access any of the tools that used to help him cope.
That collapse prompted a long period of reflection which has gone on to shape the way he lives his life today. He shares what recovery has looked like so far, including therapy, nervous system work, creative rebalancing, and learning to recognise what safe even feels like.
Matt’s fully embraced radical candour, and it makes for a layered, generous insight from someone still deep in the work and willing to tell his story exactly as it is.
He also discusses the role he’s now undertaken to support ABand of Brothers. Previous guest Steve Jackson also talked about this, so search out his episode for more insights.
Here are the timestamps for our core questions:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
1:50 Intro to Matt
6:31 Why Matt came on the show
21:13 How was your last week?
27:59 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
1:09:41 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?
1:30:09 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?
Connect with Matt:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthocking/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt.hocking/
Email: matt@leap.eco
More info about the series:
https://goodenoughchats.com
If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
☕ Support the show through Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/goodenoughchats
Martin Lathbury is a social media professional and retro gaming fan who grew up feeling like he didn’t quite fit. In this episode, he talks openly about the long shadow of childhood bullying, the experience of being “othered” as a gay man, and how years of internalised shame left him emotionally detached, anxious, and isolated.
It was only after things started to spiral – withdrawing from friends, struggling at work, and questioning everything – that Martin realised something needed to change, and he started to go to therapy sessions as a result.
In this conversation, Martin reflects on why he thought he was “built wrong”, the hollow feeling of depression, the patterns therapy is helping him to spot, and what he’s doing now to reconnect
Martin doesn’t claim to have everything figured out – but his honesty, self-awareness, and quiet resilience make this a conversation well worth listening to.
Here are the timestamps for the core questions:
0:00 Dan’s overview and intro to Martin
04:37 Why Martin came forward to share his experiences
05:41 How Martin’s last week has been
14:19 How his relationship with his mental health has evolved
33:30 The lightbulb moments he’s experienced along the way
52:20 The most important thing you can do if you’re experiencing something similar
If you’d like to connect with Martin, you can find him here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-lathbury-34703742/
For more info on GoodEnoughChats, visit:
https://goodenoughchats.com
If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode of GoodEnoughChats, Mark Jennings talks candidly about the inner pressure to succeed, where it came from, and the devastating impact it eventually had on his health, relationships, and identity.
Mark shares how a lifetime of striving to meet other people’s expectations led to burnout, the breakdown of his marriage, and a complete collapse of confidence during a job in London. That, combined with pneumonia and a deep sense of emotional disconnection, left him barely functioning — and ultimately estranged from his parents.
But he also speaks honestly about what helped him get through it: therapy, long-distance running, writing, medication, and learning to be radically honest with himself and others.
This is a conversation about burnout, identity, and the slow process of starting again when everything you’ve built your life around stops working.
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
1:40 Intro to Mark
4:00 Why Mark came on the show
9:26 How was your last week?
13:02 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
47:25 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?
1:10:24 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?
If you’d like to connect with Mark, you can find him here on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjennings/
For more info on GoodEnoughChats, visit:
https://goodenoughchats.com
If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode of GoodEnoughChats, John Lyons opens up about the series of life events that brought him to the edge, and the path he took to find his way back.
John shares how the sudden death of his younger brother, a cancer diagnosis, and the breakdown of his marriage just before the first UK lockdown created a perfect storm that left him isolated, depressed, and seriously contemplating taking his own life. But he also talks honestly about what helped him survive it: therapy, medication, moments of clarity, and above all, the bond with his children.
This is a raw but ultimately hopeful conversation about grief, resilience, and learning to live again when it feels like everything’s fallen apart.
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
1:52 Intro to John
7:54 Why John came on the show
13:01 How was your last week?
17:47 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
1:07:59 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?
1:14:52 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?
If you’d like to connect with John, you can find him here on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpaullyons/
For more info on GoodEnoughChats, visit:
https://goodenoughchats.com
If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
We’ve just wrapped Season 3 of GoodEnoughChats, 10 new episodes featuring 10 incredibly generous, diverse, and honest stories.
In this wrap-up, host Dan Bowsher reflects on the conversations shared this season and offers a quick look ahead to what’s coming next. From taking a short break over the summer, to planning new ways to expand the impact of the podcast, this is a brief pause to mark how far the project has come, and where it might go from here.
Huge thanks to all the guests in Season 3: Simon, Imi, Ben, Chris, David, Jake , Shanil, Joe, Harry, and Jason. Your willingness to show up and speak candidly will help others feel less alone in their own experience.
If you’d like to share your story in a future episode, or support the project as it grows, get in touch — Dan would love to hear from you.
More info: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
Support resources:
• NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
• CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
• Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
• Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode of GoodEnoughChats, a men’s mental health podcast on a mission to destigmatise these issues, one chat at a time, Jason Hoss shares his story with rare honesty and resilience.
He talks about what it was like to live for years with a partner struggling with high-functioning alcoholism, while raising two young children, battling financial hardship, and rebuilding his life after injury and career collapse.
Jason is a business resilience professional, and the irony isn’t lost on him. He’s applied the same mindset – “run towards the fire, not away from it” – to his personal life, navigating adversity with compassion, practicality, and a quiet refusal to give up.
This conversation covers addiction, burnout, caregiving, trauma, trust, and what it means to put your kids’ well-being before your own exhaustion. But it’s also about hope: what happens when someone chooses to change, and what it takes to rebuild when the dust settles.
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
3:41 Intro to Jason
6:06 Why Jason came on the show
8:13 How was your last week?
16:57 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
1:03:49 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?
1:12:08 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?
If you’d like to connect with Jason, you can find him here on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hoss/
For more info on the show, visit:
https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode, please know you’re not alone. You can speak to someone at:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode of GoodEnoughChats – a men’s mental health podcast on a mission to destigmatise these issues, one chat at a time – filmmaker Harry Richards shares his journey of coming out as a gay man after years of hiding that part of himself.
He talks about the weight of secrecy, the fear of rejection, and the slow, sometimes painful process of learning to tell the truth—even to himself.
Harry reflects on how his mental health was shaped by living in the closet, how the pandemic gave him space to reckon with his identity, and how coming out—while incredibly difficult—transformed his relationships, his work, and his sense of self.
We also talk about vulnerability, empathy, and the power of creating art that opens up hard but necessary conversations.
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
1:32 Hello to Harry Richards
3:17 Why Harry came on the show
9:19 How was your last week?
10:11 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
49:55 Have there been any lightbulb moments for you?
57:43 What’s the most important thing someone going through this can do?
If you’d like to connect with Harry or follow his work, you can find him on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harryrichardsfilm/
You can find out more about his award-winning short film Contact Hours here:
https://www.instagram.com/contacthoursfilm
And find all the info you could possibly need about GoodEnoughChats: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you've been affected by any of the themes in this episode, please know you're not alone. Support is available from:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
More on the show: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
In this episode of GoodEnoughChats – a men’s mental health podcast on a mission to destigmatise these issues, one chat at a time – Joe Glover shares what it’s really like to live with anxiety while building a business, raising a young family, and trying to stay human in the middle of it all.
He talks honestly about how anxiety shows up in his body, the frustration of feeling overwhelmed during moments that are meant to be joyful, and his journey towards accepting the help he needs.
As with all the guests on the show, Joe’s not claiming to be an expert, but he’s sharing what his experience has taught him to help other guys get there a little sooner.
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and show introduction
5:44 Why Joe’s sharing his story
16:14 How was your last week?
21:51 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
38:00 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
53:08 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Joe about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josepheglover/
Get all the info you could possibly need about the show here: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode, Shanil Nayee talks candidly about identity, confidence, and mental health as one of small number of Asian men working at a senior position in a high-pressure industry.
He reflects on the early career moments that led him to therapy, the generational and cultural dynamics that shaped his emotional world, and the impact that gaining greater self-awareness has had on his career and wellbeing.
Now a Mental Health First Aider and part of the steering group for State of Us – a PR industry network focused on increasing awareness and support around mental health issues – Shanil shares the lessons he’s learned and the ways he’s trying to pay it forward.
There’s also a little bit of football thrown info good measure!
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
1:34 Introduction and why Shanil decided to share his story
12:21 How was your last week?
15:25 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
29:24 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
43:12 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Shanil about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanilnayee/
Shanil also discussed State of Us, the PR industry network shining a light on mental health: https://www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-us/
Get all the info you could possibly need about the show here: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode, Jake S – A.K.A PunkChef41 – opens up about living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a chronic illness that causes him to experience tens (sometimes hundreds) of seizures every day.
The condition influences every aspect of his work and family life, and he talks openly about the impact it has on his mental health, and the role his YouTube channel, and the community he’s building through it, play in giving him the structure, purpose, and connection he needs.
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
2:46 Introduction and why Jake decided to share his story
7:59 How was your last week?
10:32 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
36:04 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
50:03 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Jake about his experiences, reach out to him via
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Punkchef41
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punkchef41
Jake’s podcast, ‘It’s Me It’s Me It’s FND’, can be found here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RSjTADQCw9tA4Udnutf0L?si=29c481209cd94351
He also mentioned the visible app, which you can find here on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.makevisible.visible
Get all the info you could possibly need about the show here: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
David Eakins talks about how the impact of his Dad’s sudden death, followed shortly after by the incredibly traumatic circumstances surrounding the birth of his first child affected him, and how his poorly handled return to work took him to the very brink of suicide.
He discusses the events that nearly cost him his life, the systemic failures he experienced in the workplace, and the moment that pulled him back from the edge. He reflects on the five years he spent hiding his pain with drugs and alcohol, and the turning point that got him to opening-up, and set him on the path he’s now on – transforming the way mental health is thought about and handled in the workplace.
Here are the timestamps for each of the core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
2:57 Introduction and why David decided to share his story
9:29 How was your last week?
13:24 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
53:58 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
1:06:10 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with David about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-eakins-makingworkplacewellbeingmorehuman/
David also talked about Talk Club, more information on which can be found here: https://talkclub.org/
Get all the info you could possibly need about the show here: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode of GoodEnough
Chats, Chris Frederick shares his story with raw honesty and powerful clarity. A two-time suicide attempt survivor, Chris talks openly about the events that led him to those moments, and the journey he’s taken since to help others find their way forward.
From growing up in a fractured household, to navigating life as a black man in spaces that often felt excluding, Chris reflects on how silence and years of suppressed emotion nearly cost him everything.
But he also shares what happened next, the incredible work he does, including shining a light on suicidality in the black community through Project Soul Stride, and the role his love of Star Wars has played in his healing process.
Here are the timestamps for each of the five core questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
2:15 Hello to Chris Frederick
3:26 Introduction from Chris
5:57 Why have you come onto the show today?
24:39 How was your last week?
33:30 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
45:52 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
1:10:13 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Chris about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherfrederick/
Follow and find out more about Project Soul Stride here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-soul-stride/
Get all the info you could possibly need about the show here: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
In this episode, Ben Rogers shares the quiet, lasting impact of being targeted for his weight from childhood through adulthood, and how he’s reshaped his life to protect his wellbeing.
Ben speaks openly about the legacy of bullying, self-esteem issues, and toxic male social dynamics. He reflects on how it feels to carry that history into his 30s, and the choices he’s made, from distancing himself from certain social circles to finding connection online and in female friendships.
Ben’s story is one of reflection, resilience, and choosing better for yourself, even when others won’t. If you’ve ever had to carry something someone else put on you, this one might stay with you.
Here are the timestamps for each of the five questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
2:25 Hello to Ben Rogers
4:49 Why have you come onto the show today?
6:16 Proper intro (Dan’s mistake!)
7:24 How was your last week?
9:23 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
36:25 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
57:13 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Ben about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-rogers-7a056b54/
Get all the info you could possibly need about the show here: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
Simon Millington joins Dan for a raw and thoughtful conversation about grief, burnout, and finding your way back to yourself. From losing his father to suicide at the age of six, to wrestling with his own health after years of stress and substance use, Simon’s story is painfully honest and quietly hopeful.
He opens-up about how a chronic illness forced him to slow down, tune in, and start listening to his body, and why he wants to help others do the same.
We talk about everything from emotional self-regulation and gut health to why shaking like a zebra might actually help you feel calmer. Simon also shares a powerful exercise that helped him reconnect with his purpose (you’ll want to try it).
Here are the timestamps for each of the five questions we cover in the show:
0:00 Dan’s opener and overview
1:24 Hello to Simon Millington
5:37 Why have you come onto the show today?
15:52 How was your last week?
27:52 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
42:58 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
58:43 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Simon about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-millington/
Get all the info you could possibly need about the show here:https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
Danis joined by Adam Driver, who talks about anxiety, grief, and his relatively recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Adam is passionate about destigmatising men's mental health and he shares his experiences with an honesty that will help many to hear.
He talks about the loss of both of his parents in 2017, and the maelstrom of emotions it triggered.He walks us through the experience of his low mood, how he responds to it, and what others can do to help their loved ones who are starting to struggle.
The conversation also touches on family life, work-life balance, self-care, and routines, among plenty of other topics.
Here are the timestamps for when each of our core questions is discussed, so you can fast-track to Adam's answers:
0:00 Introduction to GoodEnoughChats and Adam
3:17 Why are you sharing your mental health experiences with us today?
10:50 How has your last week been?
21:17 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
45:39 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
50:43 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Adam about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamdriver1/
Why is GoodEnoughChats a thing?
There is a mental health crisis for men aged between their mid-thirties and early fifties, and one of the things we know can make a positive difference is encouraging men to open up about what's on their minds.
Each episode of GoodEnoughChats features a new guest who has volunteered to share their experiences to help destigmatise mental health amongst men.
The discussions are all centred on the same five questions, but each one tells a unique story that might be useful for someone else to hear. We want to build a bank of these chats so they are there for people when they need them.
If you're interested in sharing your mental health story to help others who might be going through something similar, you can connect with Dan on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbowsher/
Find the show on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on all our socials via this link: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
John Birkill joins Dan to share his mental health story, from the impact Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) had on him at a very young age, through to being diagnosed more than four decades later with autism and Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) in his 50s.
John also talks about his experience of anti-depressants and therapy, spending time in prison, and the passion he has for normalising men's conversations about mental health.
Here are the timestamps for when each of our core questions is discussed, so you can fast-track to John's answers:
0:00 Introduction to GoodEnoughChats and John
2:34 Why are you sharing your mental health experiences with us today?
4:25 How has your last week been?
5:52 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
18:41 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
34:36 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with John about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-birkill-627653109/
If you'd like to come onto the show yourself, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dan Bowshe via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbowsher/
Find the show on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on all our socials via this link: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
Why is GoodEnoughChats a thing?
There is a mental health crisis for men aged between their mid-thirties and early fifties, and one of the things we know can make a positive difference is encouraging men to open up about what's on their minds.
Each episode of GoodEnoughChats features a new guest who has volunteered to share their experiences to help destigmatise mental health amongst men.
The discussions are all centred on the same five questions, but each one tells a unique story that might be useful for someone else to hear. We want to build a bank of these chats so they are there for people when they need them.
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
he Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Mike Trillow joins Dan to share his story about the loss of his baby daughter, Ivy, to a rare genetic condition when she was just four and a half months old.
Not only does he talk with incredible grace about the raw experience of the grief he and his wife share, but he also discusses how he's able to process Ivy's passing, and the family's determination to bring as much joy to the world as possible in her memory.
One of the key reasons Mike wanted to take part in the show was to shine a light on the incredible work being done to help families like his, while also highlighting the marked difference in support for Mums and Dads.
Here are the timestamps for when each of our core questions is discussed, so you can fast-track to Mike's answers:
0:00 Introduction to GoodEnoughChats and Mike
3:00 Why are you sharing your mental health experiences with us today?
6:01 How has your last week been?
8:44 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
24:33 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
40:28 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Mike about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-trillow/
If you would like to find out more or support his fundraising efforts for the Oxford Hospitals Charity, go to: https://ivysgifts.co.uk/
Mike also talked about the children's book he's written and self-published, Angel Ivy. If you would like to order a copy, please visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Angel-Ivy-Michael-Trillow/dp/B0CND3XJTR
Why is GoodEnoughChats a thing?
There is a mental health crisis for men aged between their mid-thirties and early fifties, and one of the things we know can make a positive difference is encouraging men to open up about what's on their minds.
Each episode of GoodEnoughChats features a new guest who has volunteered to share their experiences to help destigmatise mental health amongst men.
The discussions are all centred on the same five questions, but each one tells a unique story that might be useful for someone else to hear. We want to build a bank of these chats so they are there for people when they need them.
If you're interested in sharing your mental health story to help others who might be going through something similar, you can connect with Dan on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbowsher/
Find the show on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on all our socials via this link: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Steve Jackson joins Dan to talks about fluctuations in his mental health throughout his life, from feeling suicidal in his 40s, dealing with addiction, grief and the challenge of changing relationships.
Now in his late 60s, Steve's an accomplished drummer who has toured and recorded with major artists in his career. Throughout this conversation he reflects on the lessons he's learned - and continues to learn every day - about managing his mental well-being.
As part of this, he talks about the non-profit, A Band of Brothers, which he joined as a volunteer mentor and regional publicist in 2022. The charity was born out of concern at the continuing escalation of self-destructive and anti-social behaviour among young men, and you can tell from the way he speaks about it how much he values what the organisation is doing for its clients AND its own people.
Here are the timestamps for when each of our core questions is discussed, so you can fast-track to Steve's answers:
0:00 Introduction to GoodEnoughChats and Steve
3:13 Why are you sharing your mental health experiences with us today?
11:35 How has your last week been?
17:38 How has your relationship with your mental health evolved?
29:27 What have been the lightbulb moments for you?
38:18 If someone facing a similar problem came to you today, what's the most important thing they can do?
If you'd like to chat with Steve about his experiences, reach out to him via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-jackson-silver-drummer/
For more information about A Band of Brothers, visit: https://abandofbrothers.org.uk/
If you're interested in sharing your mental health story to help others who might be going through something similar, you can connect with Dan on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbowsher/
Find the show on your favourite podcast platform and follow us on all our socials via this link: https://linktr.ee/goodenoughchats
Why is GoodEnoughChats a thing?
There is a mental health crisis for men aged between their mid-thirties and early fifties, and one of the things we know can make a positive difference is encouraging men to open up about what's on their minds.
Each episode of GoodEnoughChats features a new guest who has volunteered to share their experiences to help destigmatise mental health amongst men.
The discussions are all centred on the same five questions, but each one tells a unique story that might be useful for someone else to hear. We want to build a bank of these chats so they are there for people when they need them.
If you have been affected by some of the issues addressed in this conversation, please know that you are not alone and there are some fantastic places you can turn to for help, including (but by no means limited to):
NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Samaritans, https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/