Show Notes
What if the key to men's mental health isn't therapy, but community? Pasco Ashton, founder of Men's Circle and former journalist for Al Jazeera and Vice, joins us to reveal why men's mental fitness starts with the people around them.
With Men's Circles now operating across multiple continents and expanding into the US and Asia, Pasco has trained and supervised hundreds of facilitators, helping thousands of men move from isolation to authentic connection. In this expert conversation, he breaks down exactly why men struggle to open up, what the research says about male friendship, and the proven framework he's developed over years of community leadership.'
In this episode, you'll discover: Why men's mental health is a community problem — not an individual one The "mental fitness gym" framework that's helping men across the world open up Why "brave spaces" work better than "safe spaces" for men The 3-stage Men's Circles model (Awareness → Acceptance → Action) and how to apply it How intergenerational connection is the missing ingredient in modern masculinity Why admitting fault is the most powerful thing a man can do in any relationship The crucial difference between Men's Circles and the toxic "manosphere"
Pasco's journey — from losing close friends to suicide, to becoming one of the leading voices in men's personal development — is as honest and raw as it is inspiring. If you've ever felt like you're carrying life's weight alone, this episode is essential listening.
Pod O'Sullivan brings you the weekly midlife learning podcast: from taking charge of your health, to strengthening your relationships, and finding ways to reconnect with what lifts your spirit – Don’t Let the Old Man In is designed to make sure your second act is even better than the first. Where career pivots, relationship evolutions, and personal reinventions meet practical wisdom, genuine brotherhood, and a healthy dose of humor.
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