Introduction

The final chapter of series one. If you think about the male gurus in the self-improvement space, they tend to have a certain flavour. It’s all about ‘high performance.’ You know, getting up at 5am for powerlifting, cold-water exposure and micro-dosing your own piss. We explore what this reveals about modern masculinity. Plus, you'll get to know journalist and funnyman Sam Delaney about what a healthier brand of self-improvement might look like for men. And discover how sports presenter turned motivational speaker Jake Humphrey is ripping off Sam’s mum.CREDITSWritten by Max DickinsProduction, music and editing by Rich Le GateGuests - Sam Delaney Voice artists - Ian Thomas Day, Paul Raymond, Dan Starkey, Freya Parker, Dan March, Andrea Fox.www.instagram.com/inbetween_man Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Men need to ‘talk about their feelings’ more. The modern man hears this refrain constantly: in the media, from online influencers – and often from their romantic partner. But what does it mean in practice? And how do we get better at it? You'll meet men’s therapist James Hawes who explains that the average man has just six words to express the full range of their emotions. And Max put’s his emotional expressiveness to the ultimate test, as he takes you onto the couch in his real-life couples’ counselling sessions.Written by Max Dickins.Music and editing by Rich Le Gate.Guest: James Hawes.Voice artists: Annie McGrath, Dan Subin, Megan Rose McCarthy, Ian Thomas Day, Lisa Ronaghan, Liz Guterbock, Adam Rojco. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to researchers, men are facing a ‘friendship recession.’ And it’s making us miserable. But what can men do about it? You'll be introduced to evolutionary anthropologist Dr Robin Dunbar, probably the world’s foremost expert on friendship. He explains the differences between the male and female social worlds – and what guys need to do to keep their friendships going. Plus, we explore whether modern culture misunderstands male friendships. And ask: have we become blinded to male intimacy? CREDITSWritten by Max DickinsMusic and sound design by Rich Le GateGuest: Dr Robin DunbarVoice artists: Dan Starkey, Paul Raymond, Dan March, Andrea Fox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When his wife offers to pay for him to see a stylist, Max realises he’s a sartorial basket case - but he's not alone in this. So, in this chapter, you'll be invited to explore why many men have such an ambivalent attitude to fashion, with the help of men’s stylist Sarah Gillfillan. We also take a detour via the men's approach to dancing.CREDITSWritten by Max Dickins.Music, sound design and editing by Rich Le Gate.Guests - Sarah Gilfillan, Scott Culpit, Maxine Craig and James Scroggs.Voice Artists - Freya Parker, Dan Starkey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring sex and the modern dating scene through the ubiquitous cultural trope of the ‘bad boy.’ In this chapter you're brought into a provocative question: can men and women be modern and moral and still, you know, hot? Helping Max make sense of it all is Hayley Quinn, the UK’s most in-demand dating coach - and former ghost writer for some of the world’s most infamous pick-up artists.CREDITSWritten by Max DickinsMusic and sound design by Rich Le GateGuests - Hayley QuinnVoice Artists - Masud Milas, Adam Rojco, Sharlit Deyzac, Liz Guterbock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Infertility effects hundreds of millions of couples worldwide. And problems on the male side are the cause in around 50% of cases. In this episode, Max explores male infertility and invites you to come with him as he goes for a fertility test. Along the way we hear pained stories from the large constituency of men who are involuntarily childless, and asks: what does our apathy towards these men’s lived experience say about how we see masculinity?CREDITSWritten by Max Dickins - @maxdickinswritesEditing and music by Rich Le Gate - @rjlegateGuests: Dr Robin Hadley; Robert Nurden; Marcia Inhorn.Voice artist: Ian Thomas DayContinue the journey on Instagram - @Inbetween_Man Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is it that blokes fantasise about having a ‘man cave’? Or that so many guys like nothing more than tending to their allotment? Or tinkering in the garage? Or building their model railway? And why do men spend so long in the toilet? We don’t shy away from any of the big issues as we explore men’s relationship with solitude. Plus, you'll meet Shed of the Year winner - and all-round renaissance man - Joel Bird, who explains why a shed is more than a place for men to store their lawn mower: it is crucial for their mental health. Genuinely.CREDITSWritten by Max Dickins - @maxdickinswritesEditing and music by Rich Le Gate - @rjlegateGuest: Joel BirdVoice artists: Megan Rose McCarthy, Ian Thomas Day, Lisa Ronaghan, Liz Guterbock, Adam Rojco, Annie McGrathContinue the journey on Instagram - @Inbetween_Man Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes a man ‘successful’ now? And who gets to decide? In this opening chapter of The InBetween Man, Max reflects on what sort of bloke he aspires to be, taking the scenic route via Lynx Africa, Nuts magazine, and Jamie Oliver’s moped. He also meets Fernando Desouches, Managing Director of advertising agency New Macho, who explains: ‘Success is to men what beauty is to women.’ But what does he mean?CREDITSWritten by Max Dickins [@maxdickinswrites]Editing and music by Rich Le Gate [@rjlegate]Guests: Fernando Desouches and James ScroggsAnimation: Alex JenkinsVoice artists: Lenny Sherman, Gareth O’Conner, Jack Barry, Sharlit DeyzacContinue the journey on Instagram - @Inbetween_Man Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet the Inbetween Man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.