All content for The Meaning of Men is the property of Simeon Atkins and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Could connection be the missing prescription in men’s health?
This week on The Meaning of Men we're joined by Dr. Henry Aughterson, a junior doctor, researcher, and passionate advocate for community-based healthcare. Together, we explore the concept of social prescribing—a movement that connects people with local activities to boost wellbeing and tackle root causes of distress.
Dr Henry explains how men often find it easier to connect “shoulder to shoulder” through shared activities. From football clubs, gardening groups and choirs, he shows how these spaces reduce loneliness, foster purpose, and help men feel part of something bigger. His research reveals powerful stories of men who describe these groups as the single most important step in their mental health journey.
We also dive into the broader message that vulnerability is not weakness but strength, and that self-care is vital if we want to care for others. This episode is an invitation to reimagine men’s health as something lived in community, grounded in meaning, and strengthened through connection.
Timestamps:
01:50: Journey to Medicine
04:44: Life as an NHS Doctor
04:50: Mental Health Challenges
11:39: Understanding Social Prescribing
22:29: The Role of Social Prescribing for Men
28:49: Addressing the Needs of Young Men
38:04: The Importance of Meaning in Healthcare