Chris McCausland: Men Hide Behind Productivity

What if the thing men are praised for most, is also the place they hide?Pete Wicks welcomes comedian and Strictly champion, Chris McCausland, for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about modern masculinity.In this episode, Chris challenges the idea of strength, opens up about responsibility, and questions whether being “productive” is always the same as being present. From role models and resilience to fatherhood and fear, this is a conversation about the pressures men put on themselves, and the stories they tell to cope.Join the conversation on Instagram and TikTok via @manmadepod.If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope [www.hubofhope.co.uk] where you can find links to services across the UK.Producer - Elly LazaridesSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave

Pete is joined by writer and activist Jameela Jamil for a conversation about masculinity, empathy and why so many young men feel lost today.From the rise of online role models to the pressures boys face growing up today, this episode explores what happens when men are raised to suppress emotion rather than understand it.Jameela shares her perspective on why anger often replaces vulnerability, how boys are taught what not to be instead of what to become, and why responsibility, friendship and emotional expression matter more than outdated ideas of strength.They also discuss platonic relationships between men and women, the male loneliness epidemic, the importance of physical and emotional outlets, and why accountability and collaboration between the sexes may be key to building a healthier future for everyone.If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk), where you can find links to services across the UK.We’d love you to join the conversation, follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok.Producer - Elly LazaridesSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave

Pete sits down with Tom Davis, BAFTA winning comedian, writer and actor.From dismantling the myth of the ‘alpha male’ to navigating anxiety, burnout and sobriety, this episode explores what happens when the man the world expects you to be doesn’t match how you actually feel inside.Tom opens up about fatherhood and responsibility, the role humour has played in masking vulnerability, and why intention (not image) is what really defines a good man.Tom’s Spudgun 2026 tour has officially begun, with dates up and down the country all year long.If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk), where you can find links to services across the UK.We’d love you to join the conversation, follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok.Producer - Connor GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager -Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave 

Pete sits down with musician, rapper and mental health advocate Stephen Manderson (better known as Professor Green).From what it really means to be “a work in progress”, to why anger so often replaces emotion in men, this episode explores accountability, shame, grief, fatherhood and the lifelong search for feeling safe in your body.Stephen speaks candidly about his upbringing, loss, neurodivergence, addiction, and the impact becoming a father has had on how he shows up for himself and others.Heavy at times but hopeful throughout, this one will stay with you long after it ends.Content Warning: Suicide, AddictionIf you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk), where you can find links to services across the UK.We’d love you to join the conversation, follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok.Producer - Connor GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager -Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave 

For Men’s Mental Health Month, Pete went to Downing Street for a very special one-off episode to interview the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Luckily for Pete, they did let him through that iconic black door to put a few questions to the man in charge of running the country.  The bad language may be gone, but Pete’s Big One is here to stay, and Sir Keir opened up about his role models, challenging relationship with his dad, how he’s doing things differently with his own children, and what really makes him angry.  Maybe you voted for him, and maybe you didn’t - but either way, this isn’t an ordinary interview with the prime minister so give it a listen and enjoy. Man Made will be returning for a second series in the new year, but while you wait we’d love you to join in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok. Thank you to Prostate Cancer UK for sponsoring this episode. Men’s lives shouldn’t be left up to chance, so search “check your risk” now or visit prostatecanceruk.org/manriskThe 30-second Risk Checker Tool gives you tailored information about your risk that can help you have a conversation with your GP about getting tested.For Biscuit Jim   Lead Producer – Elly Lazarides  Executive Producer – Geoff Jein   For Bauer Media Group:  Director of Photography - Ben Warburton Senior Video Producer - Elena Cotton Executive Producer – Finn Ryan Head of Production – Cat Moran  Chief Creative Officer –  Lucie Cave 

For the last episode of this series, there was only one guest that Pete could invite on. His best friend, business partner and podcast co-host Sam Thompson. In this honest conversation, Pete and Sam put joking aside and talk seriously about self-esteem and getting out of ‘a pickle’. Listen now to find out whether Sam will crack Pete’s tough exterior to find out whether or not he does have a goey centre.   If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk) where you can find links to services across the UK. We’d love you to join in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok  For Biscuit Jim  Lead producer – Elly Lazarides Talent Booker – Lana Webb Assistant Producer – Beth Linnell Executive Producer – Geoff Jein  For Bauer Media Group: Social Media Producer - Serena Bhardwaj Lead Video Producer Editor - Greg Stocks Camera Operator and Edit Assistant - Owen Nosal Head of Video – Edie Jefferys Chief Creative Officer – Lucie Cave 

This week, Pete is joined by Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder, to chat about the importance of delusion, and how finding fame and success relatively later in life has shaped Sam’s world view.  While Sam may not know a huge amount about football, he does know a thing or two about an attitude of gratitude that has given him a reputation for being one of the nicest, happiest men in British music.  If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk) where you can find links to services across the UK.  We’d love you to join in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok  For Biscuit Jim  Lead producer – Elly Lazarides Talent Booker – Lana Webb Assistant Producer – Beth Linnell Executive Producer – Geoff Jein  For Bauer Media Group: Social Media Producer - Serena Bhardwaj Lead Video Producer Editor - Greg Stocks Camera Operator and Edit Assistant - Owen Nosal Head of Video – Edie Jefferys Chief Creative Officer – Lucie Cave 

Comedian and television presenter Joel Dommett in the chair this week. Their conversation ranges from the adorable (having a toddler for a role model) to the absurd (faking a London accent). With a comedian as a guest there’s no surprise there are a lot of laughs in this episode, and Joel shares some wisdom about why a bad gig can be a good thing. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk) where you can find links to services across the UK. We’d love you to join in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok  For Biscuit Jim  Lead producer – Elly Lazarides Talent Booker – Lana Webb Assistant Producer – Beth Linnell Executive Producer – Geoff Jein  For Bauer Media Group: Social Media Producer - Serena Bhardwaj Lead Video Producer Editor - Greg Stocks Camera Operator and Edit Assistant - Owen Nosal Head of Video – Edie Jefferys Chief Creative Officer – Lucie Cave 

This week’s guest on the pod is Rizzle Kicks popstar and writer Jordan Stephens. In this conversation, more like a pub chat than an interview, Pete and Jordan talk about the importance of grandparents, the beauty of dogs and a lot about how therapy can completely change your life. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk) where you can find links to services across the UK. We’d love you to join in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok  For Biscuit Jim  Lead producer – Elly Lazarides Talent Booker – Lana Webb Assistant Producer – Beth Linnell Executive Producer – Geoff Jein  For Bauer Media Group: Social Media Producer - Serena Bhardwaj Lead Video Producer Editor - Greg Stocks Camera Operator and Edit Assistant - Owen Nosal Head of Video – Edie Jefferys Chief Creative Officer – Lucie Cave 

Jake Humphrey got his big break on CBBC, before moving into sports presenting and launching his hugely successful podcast High Performance.He wasn’t always a high-performer, and in this conversation with Pete he talks about being rubbish at everything growing up, lacking close male friendships and the importance of two amazing role models:his dad, and F1 boss Eddie Jordan.If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visitthe Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk) where you can find links to services across the UK.We’d love you to join in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram& TikTokFor Biscuit JimLead producer–Elly LazaridesTalent Booker–Lana WebbAssistant Producer–Beth LinnellExecutive Producer–Geoff JeinFor Bauer Media Group:Social Media Producer-SerenaBhardwajLead Video Producer Editor-Greg StocksCamera Operator and Edit Assistant-Owen NosalHead of Video–Edie JefferysChief Creative Officer–LucieCave