The Hurt Locker Podcast — The Podcast that opens a door on men's mental health.
By Courageous Productions
Categories: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Education
🔥 The Hurt Locker Pod — The Podcast that opens a door on men's mental health. Real Men. Real Stories. Real Mental Health Conversations.🔥 Welcome to The Hurt Locker Pod, a powerful and unapologetically honest space where men open up about the mental health battles they've faced — and the strength they've discovered along the way. In every episode, host Yinka Yesufu sits down with guests from all walks of life to unpack real experiences around masculinity, mental resilience, relationships, trauma, fatherhood, identity, self-worth, anger, grief, and more. No filters. No judgment. Just raw, courageous conversations that help break the stigma around men's mental health. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or trying to better support the men in your life, this podcast gives you inspiring stories, practical insights, and hard-hitting truths that empower you to heal, grow, and keep going. 🎧 New Episodes Most Tuesdays Tune in weekly for deep, meaningful discussions that will challenge your thinking, encourage vulnerability, and remind you that you're not alone. 📍 Listen on Your Favourite Platforms SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS | YOUTUBE | AMAZON MUSIC 👍 Support the Show If our conversations resonate with you, please leave a rating, drop a review, and share an episode with someone who needs it. Your support helps this movement reach more men who are silently struggling. 🔔 Subscribe & Follow YouTube: @thehurtlockerpod Instagram & Facebook: @thehurtlockerpod TikTok: @thehurtlockerpod 🔧 Produced By Tim Roe — Courageous Productions (@courageous_productions) ⚠️ Trigger Warning – 18+ This podcast contains uncensored, mature conversations including discussions of suicide, mental illness, and adult themes. Listener discretion is advised. Soundtrack- Music https://uppbeat.XNQEW io/t/qube/prowl License code: CCAW3T7JHRU 2arDneKT9Vo6wu0Gt65L
103 episodes indexed on podsearch.
Recent episodes
- Men's Health, Cancer Diagnosis & Grief | Stephen Jones.
In our 100th episode, Steve Jones, Senior Programme Manager at the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (NHS), joins us to talk about men's health, cancer early diagnosis and stigma. He shares the three-week rule for unexplained symptoms and how to talk to your GP practice, even when it's…
- Vic Daniels | Comedy, Silence & Breaking the Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities
Welcome to The Hurt Locker — the space where we open the door on men's mental health, no filters, no masks, just real talk. This week, we're joined by comedian Vic Daniels for an incredibly honest, powerful conversation that goes far beyond the laughs. From growing up in Hackney and navigating…
- Ricky Balshaw: Paralympian & World Champion on Grooming, Dubai Comedy & Life After Sport.
Ricky Balshaw made history as a Paralympic silver medallist and Para-Driving World Champion before retiring from equestrian sport to become a stand-up comedian. This is his second time on The Hurt Locker — and he came back with more to say. In this episode, Ricky opens up about: Performing comedy…
- Paul Drayton | Unmasking, ADHD, Alcohol Shame & Writing His Own Story | The Hurt Locker Podcast
Paul Drayton – actor, author, and former husband of comedian Alan Carr – joins us for a raw, deeply open conversation about growing up feeling like a misfit, self‑medicating from a young age, and the relief of a late‑life ADHD diagnosis that finally made sense of his whole life. Raised on the…
- Ian Puleston-Davies | Living With OCD | My Mental Health Journey & Life As An Actor. EP96.
In this episode of The Hurt Locker, we sit down with actor and writer Ian Puleston‑Davies for one of our most open conversations yet. For many, Ian is known for his work across television, film and theatre — but behind the career, he has lived with Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder for most of his…
- Joe Jones |Your Light Matters| Blue Light Trauma, Suicide Survival & Fighting For Better Mental Health Support. EP95.
Joining Yinka is Joe Jones – a Liverpool lad, former blue light worker, husband and dad who knows exactly what it is to hit rock bottom and find his way back. Nine months ago, Joe tried to take his own life. He spent four weeks in secure care, left with almost no support, and faced a system that…
- Kevin Edward Turner MBE | My Journey with Dance and Mental Health. EP94.
The Hurt Locker Podcast opens the door to another powerful, unfiltered conversation — this time with Kevin Edward Turner MBE, Artistic Director and Co‑Founder of Company Chameleon. Awarded his MBE in 2025 for outstanding services to dance and mental health, Kevin's story is one of immense talent…
- Martyn Davies | ADHD, Alcohol & Drug Addiction - How Sober is Fun Changed Everything | EP93.
Martyn Davies, founder of **Sober Is Fun**, opens up honestly about his decades‑long battle with alcohol and drug addiction — and how an **adult ADHD diagnosis** finally revealed he'd been self‑medicating undiagnosed neurodivergence his whole life. He shares how undiagnosed ADHD fuelled impulsive…
- Shocka | A Section of My Life- How Self-Love Saved Me | Mental Health & Recovery. EP 92.
In Episode 92, we speak with Shocka (real name Kenneth Erhahon) — a conscious grime artist, published author, and mental health advocate from Tottenham, London. He rose to prominence as one-third of the grime collective Marvell, alongside Double S and Vertex. In this open and honest conversation…
- Ox4Real Monica's Son | Trauma, Healing & Knowledge of Self | EP91.
In this powerful episode of The Hurt Locker, we sit down with Ox4Real — also known as Ox Monica's Son — to explore his journey from growing up in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, to building a new life in the UK. Ox opens up about the culture shock of moving to London at age 9, the challenges of…
- Joe McTernan | Comedy, Acting, Grief & Mental Health | EP90.
In this honest and open conversation, Scottish comedian and actor Joe McTernan joins The Hurt Locker to discuss his career journey, grief, and mental health. Joe shares what it was like growing up without his mother, the five-year battle with severe depression he kept hidden, how comedy became…
- Ali Woods | Supporting a Friend in Crisis & How Journaling Improves Mental Health. EP89.
Comedian Ali Woods joins host Yinka to open up about his personal mental health journey — from hitting rock bottom during university and learning to journal his feelings to supporting his best friend through severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Ali shares how toxic masculinity stops men from…
- Vishal Narbheram | Mental Health in Construction: Therapy & Onward Shift. EP88.
In Episode 88 of The Hurt Locker Podcast, we're joined by electrician, mental health advocate, and Founder of Onward Shift, Vish Narbheram. This is a raw and honest conversation about what it's really like navigating mental health as a young man working in the trades—an industry known for high…
- Turning Evidence Into Action – Tackling the Male Suicide Crisis with Dr. Susie Bennett. EP87.
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, we sit down with leading male suicide researcher Dr. Susie Bennett to unpack one of the most urgent yet under-addressed public health crises of our time: male suicide. Globally, men account for the majority of suicide…
- Nigel Linacre | Losing My Son to Suicide: How Grief Became The Grief Opera | EP86.
In this deeply moving episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, we sit down with Nigel Linacre to explore every parent's worst nightmare—losing a child to suicide. Nigel shares the story of his son George, a talented bass player, and the unimaginable moment his life changed forever. What follows is an…
- Gary Hyland | How Therapy Healed My Childhood Trauma. EP85.
In this powerful episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, we sit down with comedian Gary Hyland for a raw and deeply moving conversation about his journey through loss and recovery. Gary opens up about the life-altering experience of losing his father to suicide when he was just five years old. He…
- Daniel Inniss | Reflections on Hardships, Loss & Black Mental Health. EP84.
In this powerful episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, comedian, MC, and promoter Daniel Inniss shares a deeply personal conversation about racism, mental health, and loss as Yinka fires several loaded and direct questions his way. Reflecting on his parents' journey from Barbados to Yorkshire…
- Liam Nelson | Comedy, Marfan Syndrome & Overcoming Adversity. EP83.
We're syncing our diaries to EST, as we're delighted to welcome comedian Liam Nelson, who opens up about living with Marfan Syndrome, undergoing multiple open-heart surgeries, and finding his voice in the world of stand-up comedy. From growing up 7 feet tall and feeling different, to navigating…
- Wilson Milton | Parenting, Childhood Trauma, Healing & Forgiveness. EP82.
In this powerful and emotional episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, comedian Wilson Milton joins us for one of the most honest conversations we've had on the show. We go far beyond comedy. Wilson opens up about growing up, the experiences that shaped him, and how childhood wounds can follow us into…
- Alfie Dundas | Sibling Loss, Healing & Comedy Ambition. EP81.
Episode 81 of The Hurt Locker Podcast features rising star of comedy Alfie Dundas, joining us for a deeply honest conversation about grief, growth, and learning to live with loss. Alfie opens up about losing his younger brother Louie at a young age and how that experience shaped him into someone…
- Adam Bloom | Bipolar, Separation, Intrusive Thoughts & Finding Your Comic Genius. EP80.
This week on The Hurt Locker Podcast, we sit down with comedian and author Adam Bloom for a deeply honest conversation about mental health, fatherhood, and the stories we carry beneath the surface. Adam opens up about his experiences living with bipolar disorder (hypomania), and how it has shaped…
- Veteran & Comedian Tevin Everett | Living With PTSD After War. EP79.
This week on The Hurt Locker Podcast, we sit down with Tevin Everett — award-winning comedian, screenwriter, and U.S. Military veteran — for a conversation that moves between laughter, loss, and lived experience. Tevin opens the door on several layers of his Hurt Locker, including: PTSD from…
- Roman Harris | Firefighting Trauma, Mental Health & Comedy. EP78.
In this episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, we're joined by Roman Harris — former London Fire Brigade firefighter and newly crowned 2025 Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year — for a vital conversation about the unseen mental toll of frontline work. Roman speaks openly about his time…
- Iain Anderson | From Homelessness, Addiction & Suicide Survival to Traumedy. EP77.
In this powerful episode of The Hurt Locker, we sit down with comedian and storyteller, Iain Anderson, for one of the most raw and honest conversations we've ever had on the podcast. Iain opens up about his lived experience of homelessness, addiction, and severe mental health struggles, including…
- Mandem Meetup CEO Jamie Dennis | Building Community for Men's Mental Health. EP76
In this episode of The Hurt Locker Podcast, Yinka sits down with Jamie Dennis, CEO of Mandem Meetup — a grassroots UK charity dedicated to men's mental health, wellbeing, and community support. Mandem Meetup builds inclusive, judgment-free spaces where men can connect, talk, and support one…
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