One call can save a life. One click can fund it. Support CALM. DONATION LINK

This week on Mum, Dad’s Got Another Tattoo, we’re joined by Chris Hemmings – journalist turned therapist, author of Be A Man: How Macho Culture Damages Us and How to Escape It, and founder of the Men’s Therapy Hub.

👉 Check out Chris Hemmings:

• Men’s Therapy Hub
• Be A Man (book)
• Articles for the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent

Chris has spent years helping men untangle the rigid rules of masculinity, find better ways to express themselves, and make therapy feel normal instead of taboo.

In this episode we dive into:

• Rigid vs. toxic masculinity – why the language matters and why “toxic masculinity” misses the point.
• Why men don’t just need to “talk more” – and what tools actually help.
• Generational trauma – from wars to work culture, and how men carry hidden legacies of violence and silence.
• Therapy without the fluff – swearing, humour, calling out bullshit, and why laughing at ourselves is as important as crying.
• Soft hands, DIY disasters, and Capaldi’s LA toilet saga – yes, really.
• Finding a therapist that fits – why it’s like buying a winter coat, not a one-click Amazon order.

Chris also shares why humour and chaos belong in therapy, how to meet men “where they’re at,” and why being “soft” isn’t weakness – it’s strength with a different face.

If you’ve ever wondered why the phrase “man up” has caused more harm than good, why midlife often feels like a lonely uphill slog, or whether therapy is for “guys like you,” this episode is your sign to listen in.

Why “Blocked Toilet Wisdom”?

Because sometimes the stories that stick (and stink) are the ones that cut through macho myths. Lewis Capaldi’s honesty about being vulnerable – on stage and in real life – says more about masculinity today than a hundred inspirational quotes.

💬 What you’ll take away:

• Men’s mental health is serious – but it doesn’t have to be po-faced.
• Therapy is less about lying on a couch, more about having the right tools.
• Success doesn’t need Bugattis and six-packs. Sometimes it’s just showing up.
• You are not alone in feeling stuck, soft, or “not man enough.”

👉 Support the CALM Campaign:

We’re proud to be part of Stay Tuned – raising money for CALM’s suicide prevention hotline. Just £12.20 funds a potentially life-saving call. The donation link is in the description.

🎧 Subscribe to Mum, Dad’s Got Another Tattoo for midlife chaos, male vulnerability, and the occasional world pea-throwing championship. Because self-improvement is better with swearing, laughter, and taking the piss out of yourself.

Keywords for search: men’s mental health, masculinity podcast, therapy for men, midlife podcast, Lewis Capaldi story, rigid masculinity, male vulnerability, Chris Hemmings interview, CALM Stay Tuned, suicide prevention, mental health awareness

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🐐🌊 Episode 25: The Surfing Goat. Marc finds himself reluctantly up to his neck in the Atlantic, Richard experiments with “glamping” (and sawdust toilets), and both stumble into lessons about midlife, resilience, and body confidence.

💛 We’re also supporting Stay Tuned this September with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). £12.20 funds a potentially life-saving call to their helpline — donate via the link STAY TUNED DONATION LINK

In this week’s episode of Mum! Dad’s Got Another Tattoo:

• Marc’s reluctant Eurocamp holiday that turned into a surfing obsession (is he the GOAT, or just a goat in the waves?)
• Richard’s “glamping” trip with horses, a compost loo, and the legendary Tesco detour
• Reflections on ADHD traits, lateness, and midlife self-sabotage
• Why Marc feels uneasy when work gets “too easy” — and how stress can become a fuel
• Richard’s daughter’s horse accident and a dash to A&E (she’s fine)
• Plus: French politics, driving rants, tattoos, and the unbothered confidence of topless European sunbathers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Summary:

This week, Mum! Dad’s Got Another Tattoo dives deep into modern masculinity with Jason Lange — men’s group facilitator, filmmaker, and certified No More Mr Nice Guy coach. Jason talks about why so many men feel disconnected, what “men’s work” really means, and how to break out of patterns that quietly undermine relationships.

We explore his idea of silent contracts — the unspoken expectations we carry into relationships — and how they can quietly corrode trust and intimacy. In our reflection segment, Marc and Richard unpack their own experiences with unspoken deals, social validation, and why midlife might just be the perfect time to rewrite your personal rulebook.

Expect insight, honesty, and the usual helping of sideways humour.

In This Episode:

• What “men’s work” actually looks like in 2025
• How silent contracts form — and why they’re relationship landmines
• The cost of outsourcing your self-worth
• Richard’s take from his background in SEN education and parenting
• Marc’s midlife lens on ambition, validation, and potential

Links & Resources:

• Jason Lange: https://www.evolutionary.men
• Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @dadsgotanothertattoo

Support CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably):

Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight, every day)

Donate: FUNDRAISING LINK – £12.20 covers one potentially life-saving call.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.