Better MENtal Health

In this episode, the guys turn the mic on themselves and discuss the future of the podcast on the podcast. 🎧 Why did we start this podcast?💬 How can men learn to open up and go deeper?⚙️ What’s next for Better MENtal Health?And… some honest check-ins about anxiety, ADHD, overwhelm, grief, and the inner critic.👇 Timestamps & Chapters00:00 – Why men struggle to talk deeply00:46 – Intro: The podcast about the podcast02:00 – What are we trying to do with this?03:10 – Finding focus vs chasing ideas05:00 – The pressure to say something meaningful05:45 – The goal: being examples of vulnerability07:00 – How to help men open up08:45 – The “Double-Click” analogy09:30 – Feeling into the body (somatic awareness)11:00 – Can we actually do that on a podcast?12:20 – Learning to reflect feelings instead of asking questions14:00 – The “I don’t know” defense and how to go deeper15:00 – Listener feedback: patriarchy, masculinity & nuance16:30 – The Christian Science episode and deconstruction18:30 – Living differently as men19:30 – Real check-ins: how are we actually doing?20:00 – Overwhelm, distraction, and avoidance24:00 – ADHD, shame, and medication talk27:30 – Feeling like society isn’t built for our brains29:00 – Why the system rewards the grind32:00 – Jamie’s anxiety and imposter feelings in grad school35:00 – Searching for balance as dads, partners, and students39:00 – Blake’s family loss and grief42:00 – The gym, body connection, and emotional health43:30 – The inner critic and negative self-talk46:00 – A compliment worth remembering47:00 – Gratitude, mindset, and reframing positivity49:00 – Final thoughts and listener invitationLeave a comment, share your thoughts, and let us know what you want us to talk about next.🔗 Follow us on Instagram: @bettermentalhealthpod❤️ Subscribe for new episodes.#mensmentalhealth#realtalk#vulnerabilityisstrength#mindfulnessformen#healingjourney#mentalhealthpodcast#deepconvos#mensgroup#podcastclips#bettermensmentalhealth#mensmentalhealth#mentalhealthformen#menswellness#mensupportingmen#vulnerability#mentalhealthmatters#destigmatizementalhealth#healingjourney#talkaboutit#bettermensmentalhealth

In this episode, Jamie, Blair, and Blake sit down with their good friend Matt, who just became a dad. We dive into the real highs and lows of new fatherhood — from sleepless nights and baby-led weaning to mental health struggles, identity shifts, and the surprising ways relationships change after bringing a baby home.This conversation is raw, honest, and full of stories that every dad (and partner) can relate to. If you’ve ever wondered what the first six months of parenthood really look like, this one’s for you.⏱ Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why we’re talking fatherhood00:50 – Matt’s sleep training success02:00 – Starting solids & scary first foods05:00 – Baby looking like dad? Reflections on identity06:30 – Biggest unexpected changes in daily life08:00 – Balancing freedom, hobbies & parenting11:20 – Good enough parenting & self-reflection13:30 – Coming home from the hospital: reality check16:00 – Building love & attachment over time18:00 – Baby milestones & finally having fun20:00 – Jamie’s emotional first moments as a dad22:00 – Postpartum depression & men’s mental health25:00 – Therapy, life coaching, and support systems28:00 – Parenting schedules: the freedom paradox30:00 – Emotional ups & downs as a new dad33:00 – Anger, frustration, and healthy outlets36:00 – Tolerance for chaos & crying39:00 – Partner communication & tactical teamwork41:00 – Shifts with friends & family dynamics43:00 – Parenting with grandparents’ help46:00 – Looking forward: what dads get excited about48:00 – Closing reflections🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about men’s mental health, fatherhood, and becoming the best version of yourself.💬 Share your parenting stories or struggles in the comments — we’d love to hear from you.

In this episode of Better Mental Health, we feature an in-depth and raw discussion with Nate Landingham, a musician and producer based in Austin, Texas, known as Nathaniel Earl on Spotify. Nate joins hosts Blake, Jamie, and Blair to talk about his experiences growing up in Christian Science, his struggles with addiction and suicidal ideation, and how these challenges have shaped his mental health journey. We delve into intense topics like family dynamics and the psychological impacts of a religious upbringing, alongside the complexities of navigating sobriety and self-acceptance. 00:00 Trigger Warning and Introduction00:19 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction01:03 Nate's Upbringing in Christian Science04:21 Running Away and Homelessness07:07 Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health12:41 Therapy and the Road to Sobriety20:22 Finding Spirituality and Sobriety24:05 Reflecting on Rock Bottom and Ego Death26:25 Reflecting on My Father's Legacy30:06 Navigating Family Dynamics After Loss32:30 Music as a Tool for Emotional Healing37:02 Balancing Light and Dark: Embracing Emotions37:35 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Balance40:50 Pre-Performance Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms46:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of Better MENtal Health, we sit down with coach and Enneagram expert Josh Lavine to explore the Enneagram not just as a personality tool, but as a tool for mental health, growth, and authenticity.Josh breaks down the 9 Enneagram types through the lens of body, heart, and mind, and shares his own journey of discovering what authenticity meant to him.Whether you're brand new to the Enneagram or deep in the work, this conversation is full of insights into identity, therapy, and how we accidentally forget who we are, and how to come back home.⏱ Timecodes00:00 – Intro & Meet Josh01:20 – What is the Enneagram?02:10 – Why We Start With Type 804:00 – Body Types: 8, 9, 108:42 – Heart Types: 2, 3, 412:10 – Mind Types: 5, 6, 717:00 – All Three Hosts Are 9s!18:20 – Growing Up Disconnected from the Body21:00 – Josh’s Breakdown & Burnout at Princeton26:00 – The Search for Authenticity27:00 – How the Enneagram “Found” Him33:40 – The Bermuda Triangle: Type 3/6/936:50 – Finding Yourself Again (and Again)39:00 – Why the Enneagram Is So Effective for Mental Health42:00 – What Does It Mean to Live From Essence?44:10 – Nines and the “Accidental Blankness”47:00 – Enneagram in Executive Coaching48:40 – Why You Need the Whole System50:00 – Wrap-Up + Where to Find Josh— Links mentioned in the videojoshlavine.comtheenneagramschool.com Subscribe for more honest conversations around men’s mental health: relationships, identity, healing, and self-leadership.#Enneagram #MensMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #PersonalityTypes #SelfDiscovery #TherapyForMen #HealingJourney #SelfAwareness #EmotionalWellness #InnerWork #BetterMENtalHealth #PodcastForMen #MensHealthPodcast #EnneagramCoach #JoshLavine

In this raw and honest episode of Better MENtal Health, we open up about the insecurities we've carried, from being a late bloomer and feeling small, to hair loss, social anxiety, public speaking fears, impostor syndrome, and everything in between.We dive into:How comments from others (even years ago) still shape our self-imageWhy some insecurities live in silence for too longHow opening up can rewire shameAnd what we’re learning in therapy and life about reclaiming self-worthSubscribe for weekly episodes that destigmatize men's mental health and build connections through real, vulnerable conversations.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: Why We’re Talking About Insecurities1:06 – Blake: “I was always the small one”4:30 – Jamie: Middle school, puberty, and height anxiety7:55 – Blair: No body hair, skinny arms, and internalizing comments10:48 – Humor as a shield & deflecting with jokes12:12 – When external comments land as deep shame14:30 – Blair: Being a “late bloomer” emotionally and physically16:00 – Jamie: Balding, over-fixating, and identity shifts19:20 – Blake: The shame of public speaking and insecurity in group settings22:05 – Blair: "Am I smart enough?" and math anxiety23:30 – Insecurity in non-monogamy and comparison culture25:55 – The power of voicing insecurities out loud27:00 – Letting go of shame and rewriting internal scripts#MensMentalHealth #Insecurities #BetterMENtalHealth #HairLoss #BodyImage #ImposterSyndrome #SocialAnxiety #TherapyForMen #MentalHealthAwareness #VulnerabilityIsStrength

In this episode, Blair and Blake (Jamie’s out this week) get personal about their own therapy experiences: the good, the awkward, and the deeply human.We talk about:- How hard it can be to find a therapist you actually connect with- What it’s like to leave a therapist when it’s not working- Why in-person vs. virtual therapy hits differently- Our own mental health struggles around things like insecurity, imposter syndrome, and hair loss- The difference between individual therapy and group therapy- Why therapy isn't just for "big" trauma — and how "little" traumas affect us too- What to look for in a therapist (even if you're not totally sure what you need yet)- And how opening up can feel terrifying — but also completely life-givingThis episode is for the guy who’s thought about therapy but doesn’t know where to start. 🎧 Got a therapy story or question? Drop it in the comments or DM us — we want to hear from you.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 – Welcome and Jamie’s absence0:45 – Why we’re sharing our therapy journeys1:56 – Finding a therapist through the “No More Mr. Nice Guy” community3:08 – Individual therapy vs. group therapy experiences6:34 – Ending a therapy relationship: Blair’s story10:00 – Do we prefer in-person or virtual therapy?13:10 – When therapy just isn’t clicking15:00 – The “dating” analogy of finding a therapist17:00 – Why opening up feels risky, especially for men18:45 – Balding, confidence, and internalized shame22:00 – Ketamine-assisted therapy and future mental health tools26:00 – Imposter syndrome, self-worth, and men's identity30:47 – Why we sometimes stay too long with the wrong therapist34:00 – What a first therapy session actually feels like36:00 – “Are my problems big enough for therapy?”38:40 – Big T vs. little t trauma explained41:00 – Nuance, invalidation, and why most people carry trauma45:00 – “You’re just paying someone to care about you” myth47:50 – Why most therapists do genuinely care50:30 – The emotional toll of suppressing vs. expressing54:00 – Why therapy takes courage — and why it matters#BetterMentalHealth #MensMentalHealth #TherapyForMen #MentalHealthPodcast #FindingATherapist #MenInTherapy #DestigmatizeTherapy #VulnerabilityIsStrength #EmotionalHealth #GroupTherapy #KetamineTherapy #LeavingYourTherapist #TalkTherapy #NiceGuySyndrome #MensSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #MensHealingJourney #PodcastForMen #SelfWorth #ImposterSyndrome #TherapyJourney #HairLossConfidence

In this episode of Better MENtal Health, Blair, Jamie, and Blake dive into one of the most controversial corners of the internet: the manosphere. We explore how red pill rhetoric, alpha male myths, incel forums, and influencer culture have built an entire ecosystem that both addresses and manipulates male emotional pain.This conversation examines how we ourselves could have been pulled into this world, what makes it appealing, and how we can create healthier spaces for men to be seen, heard, and supported.00:00 – Intro: What is the Manosphere?01:30 – Red pill ideology explained03:10 – Jordan Peterson, fitness influencers & the gateway effect06:00 – How “science” gets twisted to justify misogyny08:20 – False sense of community vs true connection10:00 – Why some men turn anger into ideology12:00 – The algorithm’s role in radicalization14:30 – How we almost got pulled into it17:00 – The teen male experience & sex-driven content20:30 – High stakes masculinity & social status obsession22:00 – When manosphere content turns violent24:00 – Critical thinking, empathy & manipulation27:00 – “Simp” culture & shame around emotional connection30:00 – Alpha male myth debunked32:00 – The Joe Rogan dilemma: curiosity vs controversy35:00 – Why men need to speak to men38:00 – Group therapy as antidote to manosphere40:00 – Rage clicks, influencers, and the business of anger42:00 – Victimhood, MRA, and backlash to feminism45:00 – Why patriarchy harms everyone48:00 – Final thoughts + call to actionLet’s talk: Are you a former manosphere follower? Just learning about it? Curious?Drop your thoughts in the comments—we welcome every perspective.Referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgO25FTwfRI&t=5716s&ab_channel=m%C3%BCnecat#MensMentalHealth #Manosphere #RedPill #AlphaMaleMyth #BetterMentalHealth #AndrewTate #JoeRogan #JordanPeterson #FreshAndFit #Masculinity #IncelCulture #PodcastClip #MentalHealthAwareness #EmpathyNotAnger #RedPillDebunked

Why is anger the only emotion many men feel safe expressing? In this episode of Better MENtal Health, we dive into the role anger plays in men’s lives—from suppressed emotions to explosive outbursts. We share vulnerable personal stories (yes, even punching walls and slamming doors), explore the influence of figures like Andrew Tate, and discuss how childhood, trauma, alcohol, and societal norms shape how men express (or hide) their rage.Whether it’s righteous anger or misdirected pain, this episode helps unpack what’s really going on beneath the surface—and what we can do about it.⏱️ Topics include:Why anger can be healthy (or harmful)Righteous rage vs. reactive outburstsThe link between embarrassment, control, and angerThe role of therapy, physical outlets, and parenting in managing anger00:00 Introduction to Better Mental Health Podcast00:24 Blake's Anger Triggered by Andrew Tate03:05 Righteous Anger and Making Change11:23 Jamie and Blair Discuss Anger Management14:30 Personal Stories of Anger Outbursts27:13 Intergenerational Anger and Trauma32:46 Small Frustrations vs. Big Issues33:56 Therapy and Anger Exploration34:35 Sports as an Anger Outlet37:18 College Memories and Anger40:42 Healthy Outlets for Anger52:43 Alcohol and Anger56:17 Recognizing Anger Triggers59:38 Conclusion and Call to Action#MensMentalHealth #Anger #BetterMentalHealthPodcast #RighteousAnger #AndrewTate #ToxicMasculinity #EmotionalHealth #TherapyForMen #MaleVulnerability #MentalHealthAwareness #Fatherhood #EmotionalIntelligence #breakingthestigma

In today's episode, Jamie, Blake, and Blair come together in person for the first time to discuss a heavy but essential topic: death. They share personal experiences, their beliefs about death, and how these experiences have shaped their lives. Blair delves into his direct encounters with the sudden loss of his parents and how these affected his mental health journey. The conversation also touches on the fears and unknowns surrounding death, the impact of experiencing someone else's death, and how to support friends going through such grief. The episode emphasizes the importance of community and the non-linear nature of grief.00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Reunion00:19 Today's Topic: Death and Personal Experiences00:39 Blair's Personal Story of Loss01:26 Discussing Relationships with Death02:22 Christian Science and Death03:42 Blair's First Experience with Death04:52 Near-Death Experiences and Beliefs09:03 Coping with Loss and Grief16:27 Supporting Friends Through Grief25:35 Therapy and Grieving Process31:12 Facing the Unknown31:26 Differing Views on the Afterlife32:37 A Personal Experience with Signs34:37 Mushroom Trip Reflections37:45 Ayahuasca and Ego Death39:48 Parenthood and the Fear of Death46:15 Witnessing Death57:34 Concluding Thoughts on DeathIf you've ever struggled with loss, grief, or making sense of death, you're not alone. We hope this conversation helps you feel a little more seen.👉 How has grief or loss shaped your own mental health journey? Share your story in the comments — we’d love to hear from you.🧠 Subscribe for more real conversations about men's mental health, emotional growth, and building community.📧 Email us: [email protected] 🎥 YouTube:    / @bettermentalhealth-89    📸 Instagram:   / bettermentalhealthpodcast    🌐 Website: www.better-mental.com #Grief #MentalHealth #BetterMENtalHealth #Death #ChristianScience #MensMentalHealth #NearDeathExperiences #HealingJourney

In this episode of Better Mental Health, hosts Blair and Jamie delve into their friend Stefan’s powerful and personal story. Stefan opens up about his mental health journey, focusing on his experiences and challenges with family dynamics, parentification, and therapy. He discusses growing up in a small, isolated community in Northern California, dealing with a hair-picking disorder (trichotillomania), and the difficult process of setting and maintaining boundaries with his parents. The conversation emphasizes the importance of therapy, emotional fortitude, and breaking free from childhood patterns to build a healthier adult life. Stefan also shares insights on the impact of his own path to understanding mental health and how it is shaping his approach to parenting his young daughter. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of personal growth, the complexities of family relationships, and the value of creating a supportive community around men's mental health.00:00 Introduction to Better Mental Health Podcast00:09 Meet Stefan: A Journey into Mental Health02:00 Stefan's Background and Upbringing04:07 The Struggle with Trichotillomania06:01 Therapy and Emotional Unlearning08:22 Blair's Therapy Breakthrough12:08 Childhood Emotional Dynamics17:52 Navigating Family Boundaries25:27 The Challenge of Setting Boundaries34:25 Learning About Parenthood34:35 The Power Dynamic in Parent-Child Relationships35:18 Acceptance and Parenting Decisions36:22 Personal Stories of Acceptance41:48 Therapy and Emotional Growth43:13 Exploring Different Therapy Techniques53:35 The Impact of Family Therapy57:27 Finding the Right Therapist59:35 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsMentioned in this episode:Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23129659-adult-children-of-emotionally-immature-parentsShare Your Thoughts, drop a comment, and give us a follow!📧 Email us: [email protected] 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bettermentalhealth-89  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bettermentalhealthpodcast  🌐 Website: www.better-mental.com #BetterMentalHealthPodcast #MensMentalHealth #TherapyJourney #BreakingGenerationalCycles #FamilyDynamics #Parentification #TrichotillomaniaAwareness #EmotionalHealing #CycleBreakers #ConsciousParenting #MentalHealthMatters #VulnerabilityIsStrength #ShareYourStory #SupportEachOther