Stephen Hall – Psychotherapist and Founder of Stand Tall

Stephen Hall is a UK-based psychotherapist and founder of Stand Tall Therapy and Stand Tall Empower CIC. He specialises in working with men under pressure, supporting them to build emotional resilience, reconnect with purpose, and strengthen their mental fitness. Drawing on lived experience, body-based practice, and nature-informed approaches, Stephen brings a grounded and honest perspective to conversations about masculinity, burnout, trauma, and growth. His work focuses on helping men stand tall in their lives rather than simply survive them.

Key Points of the Episode:

• How he had no male role models in his early life, and what he was healthily obsessed with.
• The violence he experienced at the hands of his Mum, and the resulting experience from it.
• The challenges he faced with his identity, and his default back to the understandable narrowing of his perspective and shutdown.
• How he did not have the vocabulary to talk about it, or the skills to process his trauma, nor the community as it was interconnected with the job role that he left.
• What pulled him back from the brink of suicide.
• What empowered him to set up Stand Tall and Empower.
• The gap he hopes to fill in the "marketplace".
• An interesting take on Chi Kung and how he utilises it.
• A simple breathwork exercise.
• The activities on the retreats he hosts.
• The typical issues the men he works with struggle with.
• His vision for Stand tall and Empower.
• On parenting.
• A pithy message of hope that is much needed.

Website: https://www.standtall.org.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenhalltherapist/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standtallwalktall

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@standtallwalktall/shorts

Mentioned in the podcast Ben West - Reasons to Stay.

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Steve Judge is an award-winning international keynote speaker, twice world champion paratriathlete, and the author of Don’t Lean on Your Excuses and GOLD. After a near-fatal car accident left doctors saying he might never walk again, Steve defied the odds — turning setbacks into stepping stones and becoming a two-time Paratriathlon World Champion, representing Great Britain on the global stage. His compelling journey from wheelchair to world champion and beyond now fuels powerful keynotes and workshops that inspire audiences to overcome barriers, unlock their potential, and pursue meaningful goals with courage and clarity. A TEDx speaker celebrated for his resilience-centred messaging, Steve has worked with organisations including Rolls-Royce, Toyota, NHS, HSBC and the University of Edinburgh, helping individuals and teams turn challenges into achievement.

Key Points of the Episode:

• His early inspirations in his life.
• His take on modern day influencers.
• The near fatal accident in 2002.
• How he found his fighting spirit based on the diagnosis of a doctor.
• His difficult yet ultimately victorious healing journey.
• "The Progress Principle"
• No such thing as "normal" - drop the comparison!
• His take on contemporary masculinity.
• How he manages burnout.
• Sleep. And its profound importance. Not just length but quality.
• A message of hope.

Reach out here: www.steve-judge.com or google Steve Judge.

Or, Linked In

Do reach out. He wants to help.

See his TEDx Talk here

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David Maywald is father to a son and daughter, husband, board member, volunteer, author, and passionate advocate for boys and men. He worked for two decades as an analyst and Portfolio Manager in the investment management sector, and is qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst. His extensive studies include two degrees, an Honours thesis, and the Boardroom Mastery program with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. David has served as Chair, Treasurer, and committee chair, with governance contributions to twenty organisations during the last three decades. He founded the Awards for Men in Leadership in 2023, and launched Celebrating Masculinity in 2025. His recently released book is called The Relentless War on Masculinity: Does it Ever End?

Here are links:

David Maywald at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaywald/

Personal profile at X: https://x.com/DavidMaywald

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmaywald4173

David Maywald’s book The Relentless War on Masculinity is available from these distributors (and others): https://books2read.com/trwom

Amazon product page for the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1764339703

The book has over 100 five-star ratings across Goodreads, Amazon, and other readers: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244119645-the-relentless-war-on-masculinity

Celebrating Masculinity at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelebratingMasculinity/

Substack for Celebrating Masculinity: https://celebratingmasculinity.substack.com/

TikTok videos: https://www.tiktok.com/@celebratingmasculinity

Key points of the Episode:

• UK Vs Australia, who is further ahead in a balanced debate on mens well bring.
• The remaining pockets of resistance in Australia.
• The momentum behind writing the book.
• The second wave of feminisation.
• The mixed response to the book.
• The 4 Horsewomen of modern feminism.
• Some forward thinking parenting tips.
• Gamma bias- what is it?
• A beautiful philosophy

Reach out: Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaywald

Or Google "The Relentless War on Masculinity"

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

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Ally Fogg is a British writer, journalist, and commentator based in Manchester with a long track record of engaging with social and political issues, especially relating to men and boys. He has written extensively for major outlets including The Guardian and The Independent, covering topics from gender politics and public policy to broader cultural debates. Over more than two decades in media and activism, Ally has been deeply involved in the men’s health and wellbeing sector, co-founding and leading initiatives that aim to improve support and conversation around male health, family issues, and social policy. He serves as Chair of the Association for Male Health and Wellbeing, helping steer its development as a national membership community in the UK.

Association for Male Health and Wellbeing (AMHW)

The Association for Male Health and Wellbeing (AMHW) is a UK-based national membership organisation dedicated to strengthening the male health and wellbeing sector. As a registered charity, it brings together not-for-profit organisations, academics, and professionals to foster collaboration, share best practice, and drive positive social change for men and boys. AMHW’s mission focuses on building supportive networks, advocating for fair policy environments, and promoting constructive public dialogue about the issues affecting male health and wellbeing. Through partnership, advocacy, and community engagement, the charity aims to ensure that men’s health matters not just to individuals but to families, workplaces, and wider society

Key points of the episode:

• How it all started and the gender politics of society.
• Who he was a voice for.
• The history of the emerging male health and well being sector across the UK.
• The slow progress from the Government.
• The tenets of what he practises.
• How a complete picture of mens health and well being, creates a healthy society.
• Gender inclusive policy and its importance.....
• .... and where it exists and where it dosen't.
• The flashpoint in 2016.
• Where we are now in 2026.
• How the current situation is unsustainable.
• How much more support is needed.
• How you cannot secure mens health and well being if womens health and well being is compromised, and vice versa.

Reach out: www.amhw.org.uk

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

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Chris Hemmings returns for the second time to this podcast, the second of only 2 guests to do so!

Chris Hemmings is a therapist and coach who specialises in working with men. He’s the founder of Men’s Therapy Hub, a directory of male therapists for male clients. Before training to be a therapist he was a BBC journalist, writing and making documentaries about men, masculinity and mental health. He’s also the founder of M-Path, who go in to schools across the UK speaking to students about what it means to be a man.

Key points of the episode:

• Why there is still a lack of positive stories about men.
• The shift in the "Overton" window, from "Men are the problem" to "Men have problems"... but when do we celebrate men?
• Why we need to stop victim blaming.
• The Men's therapy hub - what is it?
• The previous faults of therapy.
• The faults of the medical profession.
• How more men will come to therapy if they see themselves represented in the therapeutic space.
• A brilliant "fish" analogy about men in therapy.
• "Change the model to fit men, not change men to fit the model"
• Why many men relish a challenge and some don't and a theory of why.
• The most common issues for men in therapy.
• The ultimate act of violence on the self.
• The future plan for the Men's Therapy Hub.
• "Call In Your Masculine"

Reach out to Chris here: www.menstherapyhub.co.uk

Men’s Therapy Hub is on Instagram @menstherapyhub

We’re also on Linkedin is you search Men’s Therapy Hub you should find it.

Here is YouTube, though nothing is on it at time of publishing (but do check back!) https://www.youtube.com/@MensTherapyHub

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

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Matt Grisedale is a community builder driven by one simple belief: people are better together. He’s spent his career bringing individuals, organizations, and ideas into harmony — creating spaces where collaboration feels natural and everyone has a voice. With a gift for connection and a heart for impact, Matt transforms gatherings into movements and conversations into lasting change. His work reminds us that strong communities don’t just happen — they’re built, one relationship at a time.

Key points of the episode:

• The culture he was pulled into 4 years ago. (and why that was a great thing)
• "The way men are seen is the same, but the way they are has changed"
• How masculinity is likely more complex than we have been led to believe.
• How the community started and the massive team it serves.
• The commitment- never ask "Are you ok" unless you really mean it.
• The service he offers, and what goes on at these incredible groups.
• The simple and profound bottom line.
• His recommendations on community building.
• A pithy ending message.

Reach out on www.mattgrisedale.com or Search "Matt Grisedale" on Linked In

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

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James is the founder of the Positive Parenting Alliance and creator of the Parents Promise. Having seen up close the multitude of issues in the family courts and the numbers of children and parents affected James wanted to begin a new conversation about separation.

In May 2021, after many conversations with like-minded people and organisations the Parents Promise was launched. Backed by over 20 organisations ranging from the likes of the children’s mental health charity Place2Be to Relate to Black Mums Upfront the aim of the Alliance is to effect important cultural change around separation in the UK and beyond. In January 2023 the Alliance launched a ground-breaking HR initiative encouraging a number of large UK corporations including Tesco, ASDA, Natwest and Unilever to sign up to recognise separation as a ‘life event’. In 2025 he turned his focus to the subject of separation and schools and the Parents Promise Education Initiative launched in September.

As for James’s ‘day job’ he has 20 years experience in marketing and PR and has worked ‘both sides of the fence’ as agency leader and client. In his spare time James is a keen runner, bourgeoning autism awareness activist and usually wrapped tightly around the fingers of his three little girls.

Key points of the episode:

• The Parents Promise. What is it?
• What happens when the relationship starts to slip.
• The damage that conflict between parents does to children.
• Family courts and their problems and biases.
• The problem with court orders.
• The "Mrs. Doubtfire" comparison.
• The complete blindspot in society about seperation and damage.

Reach out for more info:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hayhurst-59a5a15

https://theparentspromise.org.uk

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Ryan Parke is The Men's Coach, a TEDx and international, award-winning public speaker. In 2019, the most successful man Ryan personally knew, died by suicide. Bewildered and devastated by his death, Ryan was sparked into undergoing detailed research on men’s health.

Ryan’s knowledge and ability, to present complexity in an accessible way, stands him out as a speaker and particularly on the subject of testosterone, Ryan is challenging outdated yet popular opinion. In so doing, he is opening up a whole new narrative in how we approach male mental and physical health. Ryan works with companies and charities that want to improve mental health for men by taking an evidence-based approach. His 90-day coaching programme helps men to overcome depression, beat procrastination and achieve their life goals.

Key points of the episode:

• Welcoming Ryan back for a second time - a first on Men on Show
• What Andrew rates so highly about Mens work.
• The optimal environment to reach out to someone you are concerned about.
• The hormones that are key in male mental health.
• A three step framework for conversation.
• The empowering story that Andrew shares.
• How the framework works even on young boys.
• How his teachings became a book, and who, perhaps surprisingly it is aimed at.
• A fascinating and telling experiment.
• The most important factor in testosterone production.
• Healthy diet shifts.
• His new book coming out approx November 2025

Reach out to Ryan on www.themenscoach.co.uk

If you enjoyed listening, please leave a review and recommend us to your communities. To find out more about Andrew's work, check out...

www.andrewpain.co.uk

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