In the final episode of Season 1 of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser reflect on their journey over the last 14 months, and share how life has change since they started the podcast. They look back on some of their favourite episodes and share their hopes for the next season of Understanding Men. Luke and Fraser want your ideas for Season 2! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. While the guys are away, keep up...
Dec 02, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 63
In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser take a deep dive into therapy and it's various uses. Sharing their own experiences with varying types of therapy throughout their lives, they illustrate how effective it has been in helping them to live well rounded lives. They talk about how other organisations and activities in their lives have been therapeutic, including attendances at Alcoholics Anonymous, meditation, sound baths and water therapy. They also investigate why therapy is mor...
Nov 18, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Instead of the regular episode this week, we have a small announcement just to update you on how the podcast is going to work for a little while. As ever, Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 11, 2024•1 min
On the eve of the US election, Luke and Fraser take the opportunity to discuss politics and its effect on each of their lives. They discuss their understanding of UK and US politics, and share how their upbringing has shaped their views. They highlight their reasons for their interest or disinterest in politics, and demonstrate how political decisions have had a direct effect on themselves and those around them. Looking at the US election, they dissect the impact the young male vote may have in ...
Nov 04, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Trigger warning: This episode includes subjects such as suicide and substance abuse, which some individuals may find distressing. Motivated by the recent passing of singer-songwriter Liam Payne, Luke and Fraser address the unseen side of fame, and explore ongoing issues facing individuals in the public eye. Drawing comparisons with their own sobriety journeys, they highlight the contributing factors that can cause problems with alcohol and substance abuse, and discuss whether these can be addres...
Oct 28, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 60
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore ten popular myths about men, and set out to discover just how much truth is behind these beliefs. Exploring everything from commitment, unfaithfulness, sex, communication and emotions, Luke and Fraser share stories of their own, and stories of men around them to help illustrate their understanding of these popular myths. Do you think they got it right? Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to...
Oct 20, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 59
In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore self worth and value. Digging deeper into the subject, they also aim to illustrate the difference between self worth and self esteem. Considering the many areas of life that individuals may draw their value from, they touch on body image, profession and fatherhood as some personally significant areas. Drawing on the sporting world, they talk about the imbalance that they feel many athletes experience, where they may derive all v...
Oct 13, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 58
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, hot on the heels of Luke's 48th Birthday, Luke and Fraser investigate their feelings towards growing older. Reflecting on their younger years, they agree that they feel more comfortable in their skin as they age, and highlight how they both feel a need to maintain good health and mobility in order to effectively support their families. They explore the idea that a fear or dislike of aging is around lack of control, purpose or need, and reflect on the b...
Oct 06, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 57
In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser look at their sporting and professional histories and try and decipher what makes a great team or a great team culture. They discuss whether a successful team needs uniformity, or if there is also space for individuality amongst a common goal. They highlight the need for team culture to be embodied and delivered by members of the team, and the need for substance beyond a teams ideals and goals. They also reflect on social expectations from th...
Sep 29, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 56
In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the oft-avoided subject of death. Critiquing the differing ways we confront death, and how we often don't talk about it, despite it's inevitability, the guys try to break down why it provokes such strong emotion. They look at death from both sides, from the death of oneself to the loss of a family member, and share how their attitude towards their own existence has changed over time. Reflecting on losses in their own lives, they...
Sep 22, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 55
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser take a long hard look at responsibility, and highlight the significance it has had in their own lives, especially through recovery. Taking responsibility is a key pillar of the 12 step recovery programme which both Luke and Fraser have undertaken, and regular listeners may be familiar with the question that they both ask of themselves; 'What's my part in this?' They discuss how resentment, honesty and responsibility can be closely tied,...
Sep 15, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 54
In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser ask, 'What is love?' Reflecting on their lives, they discuss their experiences of love, and share how love has changed for them over time. They dissect the portrayal of love online and in the media, and highlight how they believe it may stray from the most authentic definitions and depictions of love. Addressing the importance of self love in their lives, they highlight the impact that self development has had upon their lives, and how ...
Sep 08, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser get spiritual and take a look at the Buddhist First Noble Truth, which refers to the 'suffering' or 'unsatisfactoriness' of life. Inspired by previous episodes, contributors, and recent stories they have shared - they discuss if it's ever possible to live completely without suffering. Highlighting the mental and emotional anguish we may experience beyond physical pain, the guys share instances where they may have suffered by getting caught in...
Sep 01, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Prompted by the news of the passing of former England cricketer Graham Thorpe, Luke and Fraser take the opportunity to discuss what life can be like for many ex-professional sportspeople. Reflecting on their own experiences, and the experiences of those around them, they investigate the mentality and resilience needed to perform as an elite player and how this mindset can often be detrimental in the "real world". They also highlight the striking differences between the corporate and sporting wor...
Aug 25, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 51
In this special episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are celebrating their 50th episode! They're both taking on the role of interviewer and finding out more about each other including their daily routines, non-negotiables and what childhood hobbies they’re currently revisiting… Reflecting back on the past 50 episodes, they take the chance to revisit some of their favourite guests and themes, and analyse what has changed for them personally and professionally over the last 12 months. Fin...
Aug 18, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by model and cold water breathwork practitioner David James Seed. David has built a community of people online through platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, and endeavours to help individuals face their fears and traumas through his work. David believes that getting people out into nature allows them to get out of their heads and into their hearts - where the real work is. Through the episode, David details his personal jo...
Aug 11, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 49
In this latest episode of Understanding Men, Fraser is in the driving seat as he finds out more about Luke's experiences of being a step parent. Luke shares not only how he manages his relationship with his partner's children, but also how he supports his ex-wife's new partner in being a great step dad to his biological children. Fraser also details his experience of welcoming a potential step parent into his child's life, sharing his initial thoughts and worries, alongside some conflicting advi...
Aug 04, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 48
In this week's episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser question the purpose of expectation. Drawing examples from their own lives and others around them, they share if it has either helped or hindered their development, and point out the similarities both expectation and standards share. Using wisdom and quotes from names such as Antonio Banderas, Sylvia Plath, Buddha, Jodi Picoult and Ryan Reynolds, they investigate differing views around expectations, and argue that humans do benefit fro...
Jul 28, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In this week's episode of Understanding Men, hot on the heels of EURO 2024, Luke and Fraser contemplate nationalism, and try to unpack what exactly national pride is. Reflecting on their varied upbringings and their experiences of representing their country both on and off the pitch, they investigate their own national identities, and ponder the commonalities they may have with other British people. Highlighting the idea of borders, they discuss the ways in which humans have moved around the wor...
Jul 21, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 46
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser delve into the subject of communication, and try to uncover why many men can struggle to open up. They address the importance of finding specific and safe opportunities to discuss difficult feelings and situations, and share some of their hesitations around doing so. Luke and Fraser also highlight the value of sharing vulnerability and fear to foster closeness and ease, and discuss how this level of conversation might also be 'safe terr...
Jul 14, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Trigger warning: This episode includes descriptions of mass shootings, which some individuals may find distressing. In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser dive into the subject of 'incels' and set out to illustrate the contributing factors that have lead to the development of this community. They explore how the incel ideology is built off resentment and entitlement, and highlight how it often blames external factors for their percieved lack of romantic success, such as appe...
Jul 07, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 44
In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by elite performance coach for professional footballers and host of the Footballer's Mindset podcast, Rob Blackburne. Rob was very vocal in sounding the alarm over the mental health issues existing within professional football and has now run therapy sessions with countless young players. Most recently, Rob has run 7 marathons in 7 days for the James’ Place Charity which provides life-saving treatment to men in suicidal crisi...
Jun 30, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 43
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser set out to demystify Gen Z, reflecting on how their own experiences differ greatly to the lives young people lead today. Drawing on trends around housing, sobriety, teenage pregnancy, promiscuity and socialisation, Luke and Fraser illustrate the backdrop upon which Gen Z exist, and highlight the political and social climate which shapes them. They explore the negative views some people may have around Gen Z appearing entitled and fickle...
Jun 23, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore stress. They share times when stress has manifested in their lives, whether in professional sport or business, and reflect on the aspects of their lives which can provoke stress. They also discuss if humans may always need some level of stress in their lives in order to motivate or overcome challenges. They break down the ways they effectively manage stress, including intentionally slowing down, talking with friends, spending ti...
Jun 16, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss honesty, and dissect the role it has played in their recovery. They look at the purpose of honesty in their own lives, and how so called "brutal honesty" can have unintended negative repercussions. They explore the relationship between honesty and authenticity, and describe how some level of dishonesty is to be expected in life, in order to protect the feelings of others and allow them to grow. Reflecting on their recovery, they...
Jun 09, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore shame. They draw connections between shame, self-destruction, addiction and low self-esteem, and address the difference between shame and guilt. Reflecting on times in their lives where they experienced shame, they highlight how isolating it was, and how life became a constant battle to make everything appear "normal". Luke and Fraser also address how recovery and the 12 step programme allowed them to make amends for any harmful...
Jun 02, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by Simon Dent, aka the ‘Ultra Entrepreneur’. Over the last 20 years, Simon has been a highly successful entrepreneur. He set up and sold a talent management business and more recently did the same with a company called Dark Horses, which in 2019 was voted the 5th fastest growing creative advertising agency in the world. Prior to this, Simon started a sports memorabilia shop in Covent Garden which he sold to The British Sports Museu...
May 26, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss failure. Looking back at instances in their lives which they then viewed as failures, they show the importance of failure as a means to learn and grow. They also highlight how the mindset of not wanting to fail can be helpful in delivering a good performance, but can be an unsustainable way to live long-term. Luke and Fraser also explore the idea of a fear of success, and how fear of a good or bad outcome can result in someone n...
May 19, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore uncertainty. Highlighting the importance of tolerating uncertainty that was key to their recovery journey, they share the practices they have in place that enable them to stay present and embrace the possibilities of each day. They discuss the joy, hope and excitement that uncertainty can bring, and how often the best thing that one can do is focus on the current moment and then go from there. They also highlight how gaining per...
May 12, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by award-winning stand-up comedian, number 1 bestselling author and presenter, Dave Chawner. Dave struggled with anorexia for nearly 10 years before seeking treatment, made worse by the fact he found it difficult to explain what was going on. Since then he has used the tools at his disposal to help him understand, accept and explain his eating disorder. He now teaches other people through his brilliant 6-week course, Comedy f...
May 05, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 35
