Episodes

What happens when the life you worked so hard to build suddenly stops feeling like your own? Why do so many men in their forties and fifties quietly drift through life feeling disconnected, exhausted or emotionally flat without ever talking about it? And when careers change, relationships end, children leave home, or grief hits, how…

Unresolved trauma can be incredibly tough to deal with when it shows up. Mental health issues, including serious depression and debilitating anxiety, can be part and parcel of a life filled with traumatic events. But it’s not impossible to move past, and with resilience and determination, the second half of life can be rebuilt and reframed…

Many men feel pressure to become the father they wish they’d had. Others find connecting with their children increasingly challenging as both they and their kids grow older. But in all cases, men can be deeply self-critical as parents. Fatherhood is often both the most beautiful and the most challenging role in a man’s life,…

This special episode of Middle Man marks Mental Health Awareness Week. It covers the story of father and son Steve and Dan Shrigley, who share the deeply personal story of Steve’s severe depression, paranoia and suicidal ideation, which led to him being sectioned and spending six months in hospital. Speaking with remarkable honesty, Steve describes…

Lack of self-esteem, low self-worth and lack of confidence quietly plague many men as they transit through midlife. And this can show up in many different ways, impacting beliefs, behaviours, relationships and more. Often there is no obvious reason for these feelings, making it even harder to deal with. But through self-awareness and a commitment…

Many men hit a stage in midlife when, despite outwardly successful and comfortable lives, they feel a persistent sense of emptiness, drift and disconnection. This deeply familiar yet often unspoken experience of feeling ‘stuck’ is pervasive and existential, as though life is slipping away without clear direction or meaning. This week Paul talks to Andrew…

Financial planning can be a source of major anxiety among midlife men as they start to turn their attention towards retirement and wondering if they have enough saved. The realities of retirement planning in the UK, including what constitutes a minimal, moderate or comfortable lifestyle and the financial benchmarks associated with each, can be complex…

There’s a lot of pressure to hit the gym on a regular basis. And there’s no doubt that physical exercise and movement are incredibly important in leading a fit and healthy life. But many men in their 40s and 50s struggle not because they lack knowledge, but because life has shifted. Careers, families and responsibilities…

Many men struggle to understand, express, or even recognise what they are feeling. They often communicate distress not through words but through behaviour, and sometimes in ways that are self-destructive. Excessive drinking, withdrawing from friendships, over-investing time in work or reckless risk-taking can act as signals that something is wrong internally, and are far from…

Childhood adversity can have a lasting impact. When trauma, instability or loss are experienced at a young age, they can shape how a person sees themselves and the world for decades, resulting in emotional suppression, hyper-independence, people-pleasing or self-sabotage. But adversity does not have to become destiny. This week Paul talks to Leon Smith about…

On 4th February, my mum died. She was 80 years old and had lived with Alzheimer’s dementia for seven years. Her passing follows the death of my dad less than three years ago after a long battle with a degenerative condition related to Parkinson’s. The grief and sadness I have felt have been intertwined with…

There’s a lot of misunderstanding around sex in midlife. The commonly held belief is that libido wanes due largely to hormonal changes, but this narrative is not only simplistic but also damaging. Coupled with the media focus on young people when it comes to sex, it creates an impression that people in midlife don’t somehow…