What happens when two traditional "alpha males"—a former rugby league champion and an ex-infantryman—sit down for a raw, unfiltered conversation about modern masculinity? Prepare to be challenged. In this powerful episode from the archives, host Andy Lopata brings together Luke Ambler, founder of the transformative men’s support network Andy’s Man Club, and Dion Jensen, a New Zealand special forces veteran and mental health advocate. Born from environments where showing weakness was a liability, both men now champion vulnerability as the ultimate strength. This is not a comfortable, politically correct chat. It’s a no-holds-barred exploration of the "toxic masculinity" debate, the role of men in a post-#MeToo world, and the crucial impact of leadership in shaping culture. From the changing rooms of professional sports to the front lines of conflict, Luke and Dion dissect why men struggle to open up and how leaders can create the psychological safety needed for genuine connection and high performance. This is the conversation every leader needs to hear about the unspoken dynamics in their teams. Key Takeaways Is the ultimate display of a leader's strength actually their willingness to be vulnerable first? What if "toxic masculinity" isn't a personality trait, but a product of the environments we fail to control? Why might the most effective champions for mental health be the very "alpha males" society often misunderstands? How can you create a culture of absolute safety where your team feels empowered to take off their "masks" and connect? Actionable Insights Lead with Vulnerability: In your next team meeting, be the first to share a professional challenge you're facing or a recent mistake you learned from. By modeling vulnerability, you grant permission for others to be open and build a foundation of trust. Define Your Environment’s Rules: As a leader, you are the chief of your tribe. Explicitly define and communicate the non-negotiable cultural rules for your team (e.g., "We address conflict directly," "We celebrate each other's wins"). An undefined environment breeds toxicity. Engineer Hope into Your Check-ins: Borrowing from Andy’s Man Club, don’t just ask your team what’s wrong. Make it a mandatory part of every one-on-one or team meeting to ask, “Tell me one positive from your week.” This actively builds a culture of hope and resilience. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Luke Ambler: Website  Connect with Dion Jensen: Website  The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 144 Toxic Masculinity' with Luke Ambler and Dion Jensen