What Matters With Alex Reads

Summary The Hard Part Podcast aims to explore men's mental health in the context of therapy, coaching, and leadership. Alex Holmes, emphasises that the podcast is not another platform promoting misogynistic ideals but rather a resource for personal growth and self-improvement. The podcast will cover various topics, including therapy for men, mindful communication, nonviolent communication, and inner work. The host encourages healthy and safe conversations about hard topics and invites listeners to engage with the podcast and seek support if needed. Takeaways The podcast focuses on men's mental health and personal growth. It explores topics such as therapy for men, mindful communication, and inner work. The host emphasises the importance of creating a safe space for conversation. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the podcast and seek support if needed. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast 02:01 Exploring Masculinity and Mental Health 03:03 Core Areas of Focus: Therapy for Men 03:32 Core Areas of Focus: Mindful Communication and Nonviolent Communication 03:59 Core Areas of Focus: Inner Work and Men's Work 04:28 Creating a Safe Space for Conversation 04:56 Release of the Podcast and Invitation to Work with the Host 05:23 Call to Action: Support the Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Self-Acceptance Is An Inside Job. This week, I discuss how trying to be perfect as men will break us. We have to be okay with who we are and do the best with what we have and what we can do. I am now taking coaching clients - jump on a 30-minute call with me and begin the process of RE-STORYing your life! Instagram: @byalexholmes TikTok: @byalexholmes Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is a short bit on gratitude. Why we should find it and how it can help us navigate the hard days and allow us to show up as our best versions in order to make it through to the next. It is always a good time over here. Check out: instagram.com/byalexholmes tiktok.com/byalexholmes alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome To The Mindful Man Podcast. Are You A Real Man? Should we be worried about what a real man is? My journey began in this space looking at what it means to be a real man. In my book, Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging, and Connection, I stipulate that there are six stereotyoes of masculinity that cause us to remain stuck. Real Men Don't Doubt Themselves Real Men Are Fearless Real Men Don't Cry Real Men Have No Worries About Their Bodies Real Men Never Fail Real Men Are Lone Wolves  Which do you identify with? Let's undo that. Rate, Review and Subscribe. Listen and decide for yourself. Coaching: alexholmes.co/coaching My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Substack: alexholmes.substack.com Instagram Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome To The Mindful Man Podcast. Think back to your fathers, uncles, grandfathers and others. Did they have a dream that was half lived? The Book Tonic: Don't Cry For Me, by Daniel Black. Rate, Review and Subscribe. Listen and decide for yourself. Coaching: alexholmes.co/coaching My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Gated Community: https://www.patreon.com/themindfulmanpodcast Instagram Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome To The Mindful Man Podcast. When was the last time you made yourself a promise? TW: We getting real. Rate, Review and Subscribe. Listen and decide for yourself. Coaching: alexholmes.co/coaching My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Gated Community: https://www.patreon.com/themindfulmanpodcast Instagram Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome To The Mindful Man Podcast. What is a Mindful Man? A Mindful Man is a man who has the capacity to engage with life fully in an authentic, courageous and compassionate way, while embracing his imperfections, learning who he is, and showing the world who he is in the process. Are you a Mindful Man? Do you know a Mindful Man? Listen and decide for yourself. My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Instagram Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antonio Ferreira is a mental health advocate and campaigner. He speaks to me about his diagnosis of schizophrenia, and what that has meant for him as a young Black man today. I am still on holiday, so looking forward to sharing more about that in the next few weeks. My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection The Time To Talk Project Gated Community: timetotalk.supercast.com Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I am speaking to Gregory David Roberts. He is a former heroin addict, escaped convict, and now a musician living in Jamaica. His bestselling book, Shantaram, is now a TV series on Apple TV+ and we chat about all things from his experience in a straight jacket to living in India for ten years on the run. I am still on holiday in Jamaica, so looking forward to sharing more about that in the next few weeks. My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection The Time To Talk Project Gated Community: timetotalk.supercast.com Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the next two weeks, I am away. In these episodes, you will get full conversations with me and a guest. This episode is with a friend of mine, Mark McCartney. He wrote this newsletter called 'What Is A Good Life?' We talk about: Silent retreats in India Starting anew Finding out what a good life is My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection The Time To Talk Project Gated Community: timetotalk.supercast.com Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I ask, 'Why are men lonely?' Articles referenced today: The Rise of Lonely, Single Men - Greg Matos, PsyD All The Lonely People Are Men - Greg Hurst My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection The Time To Talk Project Gated Community: timetotalk.supercast.com Ask a question. Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is World Mental Health Day. Is Mental Health a global priority? Dr. Sanah's Guardian Article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/06/psychologist-devastating-lies-mental-health-problems-politics 'What resources are there for men who have therapy on their to-do list'? Ben West talks about writing his book 'This Book Could Save Your Life' Gated Community: timetotalk.supercast.com Men's Groups: MenSpeak - https://www.instagram.com/menspeakmensgroups/ Men's Circle - https://www.menscircle.club/ Ask a question: https://forms.gle/mEA8Meyi2VjCifAA7 Email: alex@alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Time To Talk. New episodes will be back on World Mental Health Day, October 10th. Until then, here's what has been happening! Looking forward to meeting you on October 10th. Ask questions here: https://forms.gle/dd6PT8X3ANJoYZRN6 Join the gated community on Steady: https://steadyhq.com/alexholmes Email: alex@alexholmes.co Socials: instagram.com/byalexholmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we build out some amazing conversations for you guys around masculinity and mental health, Alex thought he'd sit down with his friend Ruthie Zerai. Ruthie is a professional life coach, content creator, and digital media expert.  In this chat, Alex and Ruthie discuss boundaries and how we can show up better for ourselves. You can find Ruthie here and here - get into her Self Leadership course! Don't forget to: Get the book. Rate the podcast over at Spotify and Apple Podcasts. And follow Alex and Richard over on Instagram, Catch you next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It has been one year since the publication of Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging, and Connection. In this episode, Alex and Richard discuss: What is happening with the podcast next Some of the barriers to writing the book were Conditions of worth and values How to address limiting beliefs Links referred to in the episode: Adults of Emotionally Immature Parents - Lindsay Gibson Human Design Wake Festival Connect with the podcast! Email: tttalkpod@gmail.com Instagram: @byalexholmes & @the1harris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year. In this episode, I am explaining the future of the podcast, as well as the five books I'm reading this month. Books: To Paradise - Hanya Yannaghihara Totally Fine - Tiffany Phillipou The New Journalism - Tom Wolfe Coward - Tim Clare A History of Masculinity - Ivan Jablonka Sign up to Liminalities: alexholmes.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HAPPY NEW YEAR! This episode was recorded at the end of the year. In this episode, I am joined by Simon Thomas, James Espey, Jonny Benjamin, Dr. Az, Adam Shaw, Hope Virgo, and Tom Chapman as we discussed the theme for International Men's Day. Confronting outdated ideas surrounding men's identity & challenging stereotypes through the power of a shared story will be presented through a series of myths alongside a real-life depiction that busts the myth and creates a continued conversation around 'what it means to 'be a man' in 2021'.  If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode: Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ Shawmind: www.shawmind.org Mind: www.mind.org.uk Look forward to seeing you next week with a fresh episode to kick-off 2022. CONTACT: Website: alexholmes.co Instagram: instagram.com/byalexholmes Newsletter: alexholmes.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[FROM THE ARCHIVE] - Jan 2020 Public philosopher Roman Krznaric talks to me about what it means to be a good ancestor. He wrote a book called The Good Ancestor, and I have to credit Roman with helping me to think a lot more about legacy, and the way we show up for future generations - especially in these times of Black Lives Matter, Coronavirus, Trump (and a severely divided America) and Brexit - need I say more? His book, The Good Ancestor, is out now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[FROM THE ARCHIVES] - May 2021 Today's guest is Justin Baldoni.  He is an actor, director, producer, and co-founder, and co-chair of both Wayfarer Studios and the Wayfarer Foundation, and the heartthrob star of Jane The Virgin. Over the last ten years, Justin has been on a journey to explore masculinity and reimagine what it means to be a man, and human, in the world today. He has spoken about his journey with masculinity in his wildly popular TED Talk and in his series, Man Enough. His book, Man Enough came out in May 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alex speaks to Kelechi Okafor. We ask the big questions: What possesses our joy? How do we move through the purpose of relationships? What does it mean to call-in, rather than call out? Kelechi is the founder of Kelechnekkoff Studios, and you can find her here. She is also the host of Say Your Mind Podcast. End of Year Review Form See you on Jan 14th for a brand new episode of Time To Talk. Instagram Liminalities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alex speaks to Melz Owusu. We ask the big questions: Who has the right to imagine? Who needs to unlearn the responsibility of harm? Does masculinity equal harm? Melz is the founder of Free Black Uni. Instagram Liminalities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I speak to Jack Guinness about his new book, The Queer Bible. We discuss his experiences with homophobia in the modeling industry, growing up in London and we have a great in-depth conversation about identity. Find Jack Guinness here. Go further: instagram.com/byalexholmes alexholmes.substack.com alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special episode of Talk More brought to you in collaboration with Movember.  In Part 2, we are discussing Men and Therapy from a Black man's perspective. It's a hell of a ride! This podcast is in collaboration with Movember. Movember focuses on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer in men, and has since 2003, funded more than 1,250 men's health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men's health research, and transforming the way health services reach and support men. Find the guys over at: Richard Harris Ryan Nile Nathaniel Oke Connect with me: Don't forget to get your tickets to ManTalk.live to join us on International Men's Day Go Deeper: Heart-To Heart Letters @byalexholmes alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to a special episode of Talk More brought to you in collaboration with Movember.  Today, I am joined by psychotherapist Nathaniel Oke, and my good friends Richard Harris and Ryan Nile. We are having an in-depth conversation as men today about the past year, filled with pandemic woes, collective racial trauma, and exploring why men need to have better conversations around mental health - especially in 2021. This podcast is in collaboration with Movember. Movember focuses on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer in men, and has since 2003, funded more than 1,250 men's health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men's health research, and transforming the way health services reach and support men. Find the guys over at: Richard Harris Ryan Nile Nathaniel Oke Connect with me: Don't forget to get your tickets to ManTalk.live to join us on International Men's Day Go Deeper: Heart-To Heart Letters @byalexholmes alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Time To Talk, I'm honored to be joined by Sam Delaney. Sam is a writer and podcaster from London who has worked in the British media for 20 years as a print journalist magazine, editor, TV news, reporter, radio, presenter, and creative consultant. He hosts the top flight time machine podcast and writes and hosts a podcast regularly about mental health via his substack blog called The Reset. Connect with me: Don't forget to get your tickets to ManTalk.live to join us on International Men's Day Go Deeper: Heart-To Heart Letters @byalexholmes alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's MOVEMBER! This week on Time To Talk, I speak to psychotherapist James Hawes. We have a powerful discussion about anger, love, and the power of men's groups. As a therapist, for James, it's usually men who walk through his door. There, they have a myriad of discussions about sexuality, emotional regulation and learning how to be men of the best possible kind. His book, The Secret Lives Of Men: Ten Keys To Unlocking The Secret is an amazing guide for men and those who love them as a way of discerning the issues that men face. Connect with me: Don't forget to get your tickets to ManTalk.live to join us on International Men's Day Go Deeper: Heart-To Heart Letters @byalexholmes alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Time To Talk.  Passing. Fetishisation. Colourism. Mixed race identity. These are the topics I have the pleasure of speaking to my friend Natalie Morris about this week on the show. Her book, Mixed/Other: Explorations of Multiraciality In Modern Britain.  The book comes at an essential time, especially in Black History Month where it can bring up very strong feelings of exclusion for mixed race black people when entering the conversation. Interestingly enough, out in cinemas this week is Passing - the new film written and directed by Rebecca Hall, starring Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson about African-Americans who had skin color light enough to be perceived as "white" - which is known as ‘Passing'. Gemma spoke to Rebecca Hall – who's own Grandfather ‘passed' as white - about the movie which is out in cinemas on October 27th and will be on Netflix on November 10th - and is based on the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen. We do have an in depth conversation about what it means to ‘pass' especially today in the age of Meghan and Harry; the identities of mixed race people; fetishisation from within and without the Black community, and what books Natalie wants to share with us this week. Natalie and I have worked together as journalists before, and she is deputy lifestyle editor at the Metro covering race, mental health, women in sport and women in the work place. She has a column called Mixed Up on Metro.co.uk. She hails from Manchester, and is doing the work to make the newsroom a much more inclusive place. Find Natalie on Instagram and Twitter I do hope you enjoy the episode. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe, and share far and wide. —— Some NEWS.  On International Men's Day, November 19th join me, and some esteemed guests such as Jonny Benjamin, Simon Thomas, Hope Virgo, Tom Chapman and more, as we partner with Shawmind, Beyond & the lions barber collective for an evening with some of the celebrated authors of Trigger Hub debunking myths around mens mental health. As a guest, in person or online, you will be part of a conversation as we tackle some of the all to common 'man myths' from my book Time To Talk and discuss what it really means to 'be a man' in 2021. Not one to miss. RSVP today at mantalk.live to get your tickets NOW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I'm speaking to New York Times Bestselling author, Mateo Askaripour. We talk all things writing, being Black in a corporate setting, and optimism. His book, Black Buck, is an earnest work of satire, hilarious, and razor-sharp skewering of office culture; a propulsive, crackling debut that explores ambition and race, and makes way for a necessary new vision of the American dream. Go deeper: • Subscribe to the Heart To Heart Letters • Submit your questions to Anxiety Letters • Join the Time To Talk Book Club. • Join Masteri Academy to join a group of committed readers and self-healers. • Follow me on Instagram and VERO. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Credits: Website: alexholmes.co Executive Produced: Alex Holmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robin DiAngelo, Ph.D. is an academic, lecturer, and author working in the fields of critical discourse analysis. She is the affiliate professor of education at the University of Washington, and we speak about her new book: Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm. In this episode we talk about: Defining niceness Wokeness Cancel culture Why Is It Okay To Generalise About White People? White people can still be racist even if they have a level of oppression The role and impact of white women in ‘nice' racism Go deeper: • Subscribe to the Heart To Heart Letters • Submit your questions to Anxiety Letters • Join the Time To Talk Book Club. • Join Masteri Academy to join a group of committed readers and self-healers. • Follow me on Instagram and VERO. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Credits: Website: alexholmes.co Executive Produced: Alex Holmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speaking to Dr Alex Lathbridge is a joy. We talk about ghosts and hobbies, but more seriously we ask the questions about genetic and ancestry tests for the Black community, whether they are safe and what we should be looking out for. Also, are you interested in taking a Ph.D.? This might encourage you. Not one to miss! Go deeper: • Subscribe to the Heart To Heart Letters • Follow me on Instagram and VERO. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Credits: Website: alexholmes.co Executive Produced: Alex Holmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in our first Black History conversation is with a living cricket legend, Michael Holding. Michael Holding is an elder, a wise connection, and leader of our experience as Black people in this country. We talk about his long career in cricket, his experience post-George Floyd and what he remembers about his career. He retired in September 2021. He wrote Why We Kneel, How We Rise - a sober, densely researched account of racial discrimination, partially told through discussions with leading athletes including Usain Bolt, Thierry Henry, Michael Johnson and Naomi Osaka. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is Time To Talk's 3rd Birthday! Read the essay here. TW: Rape, Murder, Police. Rate, review, and subscribe. Thank you for all of the support. Always, Alex Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Time To Talk. I'm your host Alex Holmes. This week is all about student mental health!  With more students going back to university this month, I wanted to have a chat about mental health at uni.  I have a conversation with the Managing Director of Scape, Neil Smith. Scape is a university residence that holds student wellbeing at the center of its message. We had a chat about Scape over in Wembley, and how much these residences had changed since I was in university back in 2010. Then…we have a round table discussion with my two friends. Richard Harris and Jeremy Lyons. Richard is my partner in crime here on Talk More, but we welcome Jeremy who is working with the charity Shawmind founding Breathe Uni which endeavours to create and hold space for student mental health at university. We spoke about the pitfalls in university mental health and wellbeing, almost dropping out and our struggles with getting the help we needed.  This was a fun episode to put together. Before we get into the episode though - wanted to direct you to a few things. Book Club: We will be meeting for our second chat on Thursday 30th September to discuss chapters 4-6 of Tara Brach's Radical Compassion. If you're interested in joining, click the link in the show notes. Henley Literary Festival: Podcasting To Publishing. At 8.30pm on Sunday 3rd of October. I'll be there. Token Man - I will be speaking on Token Man. It's a free online event and will be on October 7th, online. I will be discussing heartbreak in men, and how we can become better people while addressing innermost selves. As ever, for more information on my blog, book club, and more head over to alexholmes.co. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger Warning: Conversations on Drug Use, Suicide, and Depression. --------------------------------------------- David Poses is a writer. His book The Weight of Air: A Story of the Lies About Addiction and the Truth About Recovery, is a book I will continue to go back to in my own self-development as I progress on my own journey. He is also a speaker and activist. After twenty years of hiding his struggle with depression and opioids, he started opening up and challenging the disregard of science and evidence in drug treatment, prevention, and policy.  We discuss: Shame and drug addiction Breaking down the stigma of addiction How to rethink policies relating to drugs Books that might help Not one to miss! This episode is brought to you in partnership with Trigger Hub. For 15% off ebooks, to support authors and mental health charity Shaw Mind with your purchase, use discount code: AlexHolmes15. Go deeper: Subscribe to the Heart To Heart Letters Submit your questions to Anxiety Letters Join the Time To Talk Book Club sign up to get the newsletter. Join Masteri Academy to join a group of committed readers and self-healers. Follow me on Instagram and VERO. Henley Literary Fest - October 3rd Token Man Event - October 7th Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Credits: Website: alexholmes.co Engineered and Co-Produced: Ryan Nile/Pure Creation Media Executive Produced: Alex Holmes/Recover Well Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger Warning: Suicide and Depression. --------------------------------------------- Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. I have a conversation with Josiah Hartley about his book 'The Boy Between' where he speaks about his experience with depression that he wrote with his mum. We discuss: Writing with your parent Breaking down the stigma of depression The signs of depression Feelings of shame Before this, I start a heartfelt conversation about how we can be better for one another and the importance of conversations about mental health. Not one to miss! This episode is brought to you in partnership with Trigger Hub. For 15% off ebooks, to support authors and mental health charity Shaw Mind with your purchase, use discount code: AlexHolmes15. Go deeper: Subscribe to the Heart To Heart Letters Submit your questions to Anxiety Letters Join the Time To Talk Book Club sign up to get the newsletter. Join Masteri Academy to join a group of committed readers and self-healers. Follow me on Instagram and VERO. Henley Literary Fest - October 3rd Token Man Event - October 7th Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Credits: Website: alexholmes.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Harewood joins me this week, as we discuss the background to his new book, Maybe I Don't Belong Here. We discuss: 'Becoming' Black Earliest memories Racialised mental health issues His father's psychosis and his mental breakdown Grief and the Windrush Generation Stereotypes in acting And cultivating a sense of belonging. Not one to miss! Go deeper: Subscribe to the Heart To Heart Letters Submit your questions to Anxiety Letters Join the Time To Talk Book Club sign up to get the newsletter. Join Masteri Academy to join a group of committed readers and self-healers. Follow me on Instagram and VERO. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Credits: Website: alexholmes.co Production, Music and Edit: Pure Creation Media/Ryan Nile (@ryan.nile.show) Executive Produced: Alex Holmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I am speaking to you about: Subscribing to the Heart To Heart Letters Submitting your questions to Anxiety Letters The Time To Talk Book Club sign up to get the newsletter, and vote on the books. Join Masteri Academy to join a group of committed readers and self-healers. Did you enjoy the podcast? Go ahead and give it a share. Rate, Review, and Subscribe. Always, Alex Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first book is The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris, and I am joined by my friend Dan who is a forensic psychologist to help me discuss some of the wider themes of the book. There are several revelations for me in this book, and it was a great opportunity for me to break them down, and understand the difference between self-esteem and self-compassion, as well as defining values, beliefs, and goals. The Happiness Trap is broken into three parts: How You Set The Happiness Trap  Transforming Your Inner World  Creating A Life Worth Living For more information on the book club: Time To Talk Book Club Join The Forum Use the hashtag: #timetotalkbooks Follow me on Instagram: @byalexholmes Follow me on VERO: @alexholmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writing and mental health - how do you use therapy? Jason Mott speaks to me this week about the importance of therapy while writing. We talk about his new book - Hell of a Book. The book is uncategorizable and fizzing with playful invention and intelligence, and Mott's story centers on an author and a young black boy who may or may not be the child whose recent murder by a police officer has sparked protests across the country. What a show. Check out his new book Hell of a Book, here, it came out on August 10th. Community: Join the Time To Talk Book Club: tune in next week for a discussion on August's selection - The Happiness Trap. My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Write your letters to me via Heart To Heart Letters Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes and Ryan Nile Audio Engineering: Pure Creation Media  Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Facebook Instagram VERO Email: tttalkpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know how to be human? This is the question I am sitting on with today's guest clinical psychologist, Dr. Sophie Mort. We have a chat about emotions and how we manage them. Check out her book A Manual For Being Human here. Community: Join the Time To Talk Book Club: August's Book is The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris. My Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Write your letters to me via Heart To Heart Letters Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes and Ryan Nile Audio Engineering: Pure Creation Media  Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Facebook Instagram VERO Email: tttalkpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I am speaking to Nick Hutchinson, the co-founder of Book Thinkers. After reading hundreds of personal development books, he is looking to spread the positive power of reading with as many people as possible. We chat about everything from how many books he's read, to lessons on how the books helped with his mental health, and more. Booklist: Rich Dad Poor Dad The 4-Hour Workweek Vagabonding Mastery of Self The Four Agreements Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Music: Pure Creation Media Get in touch: Join the Facebook Community Instagram VERO Email: alex@alexholmes.co Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Blog-letter: timetotalk.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in May, I joined my friend Mark Leruste on The Unconventionalists podcast. This is a bonus conversation that Mark has graciously let me use for this episode, so please kick back and hear my story. The original description: Suicide is the leading cause of death in men under 45 in the UK. Despite being digitally 'connect' in more ways than we have ever been before, many of us are feeling more emotionally disconnected - not only from those around us but also from our own sense of self.  That's why I'm so grateful to share this powerful conversation with Alex Holmes, an award-winning podcaster, mental health coach, writer, and author of his brand new book "Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection". Alex is on a mission to tackle the mental health and loneliness epidemic we are currently living through.  Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection is out now, published by Welbeck Publishing. It's available to buy from all good bookshops and online retailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natasha Lunn is the features director at RED magazine and the creator of a popular and acclaimed bi-monthly email newsletter, Conversations on Love. After years of feeling that love was always out of reach, Natasha Lunn set out to understand how relationships work and evolve over a lifetime. She turned to authors and experts to learn about their experiences, as well as drawing on her own, asking: How do we find love? How do we sustain it? And how do we survive when we lose it? In Conversations on Love, she began to find the answers. Her book: Conversations On Love is out now. Playlist: For You - Laura Marling Time To Talk Book Club: Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout All About Love - bell hooks Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes and Ryan Nile Audio Engineering: Pure Creation Media  Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Join Facebook Group Instagram VERO Email: alex@alexholmes.co Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Blog: timetotalk.substack.com

This is Small Talk. This week, I am having a small talk with you about men and sleep. Does it affect your masculinity if you sleep less? Based on this article. Also, navigating regrets. Is it useful? Let me know what you think about Small Talk! Join the Facebook Group - Time To Talk Support Group Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Catch me on: Vero: Vero.co/alexreads Website: alexholmes.co Instagram: @byalexholmes Executive Produced: Alex Holmes

Ciaran Thapar is a youth worker, social activist, and writer based in London. His journalism on serious youth violence, austerity politics, British multiculturalism, and contemporary music culture can be found in the Guardian, British GQ, Vice, and Pitchfork. He has experience developing and delivering charity programmes in secondary schools, youth clubs, and prisons. As Founder of RoadWorks, music, and social education charity, Ciaran has advocated on behalf of young people in both Houses of Parliament, on national television and radio, and in legal court proceedings His book Cut Short: Youth Violence, Loss and Hope In The City is out now. Playlist: Glassy Riddim - Raf Saperra Hold Up - Tolu Shorts Time To Talk Bookclub: Hero of A Thousand Faces - Joseph Campbell The Corner - David Simon Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes and Ryan Nile Audio Engineering: Pure Creation Media  Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Join the Facebook Group. Instagram VERO Email: alex@alexholmes.co Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Blog: timetotalk.substack.com

This week on Talk More, Alex and Richard talk about Gabor Maté's documentary The Wisdom of Trauma. Oh, and terrariums - we speak about terrariums. Let's get into it. Films: The Wisdom of Trauma Precious Forrest Gump Books: My Grandmother's Hands - Resmaa Menakem True Self, False Self - Richard Rohr Articles: On Trauma Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes and Richard Harris Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Join the Facebook Community Instagram VERO Email: alex@alexholmes.co Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome back to another episode of Time To Talk, the home of conversation around mental health, masculinity, and healing. This week, I am speaking to my esteemed guest, Riaz Megjhi. Riaz is a human connection expert, based out in Canada.  We talk about all things human connection, journalism, and what it means to have a good and wholehearted conversation to get the best out of the person as well as learn something new about ourselves. After the year that we have had behind screens, in isolation, and away from family and friends, I'm sure we would find it hard to disagree. Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes and Ryan Nile Audio Engineering: Pure Creation Media  Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Become a member: steadyhq.com/alexholmes Instagram VERO Email: alex@alexholmes.co Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week is a solo episode and quite frankly, I am upset. Listen to find out more. If you are a man, of all varieties, genders, and sexualities, and you feel you would benefit from joining a regular men's group with a maximum of 8-10 people, then please email me to register your interest. You won't regret it! I am also launching my blog - if you are interested, please subscribe! As ever: Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes   Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Instagram VERO Email: alex@alexholmes.co Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Newsletter: alexholmes.co See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome back to another episode of time to talk the home of conversation around mental health, masculinity, and healing. This week, I'm exploring the conversation around empire with the one and only Professor Kehinde Andrews. Andrews is a Professor of Black Studies in the school of Social Sciences at Birmingham City University. He is the founder and director of the center of critical social research founder of the Harambe organisation of black unity, which houses, the blog - Make It Plain. We come together to chat about his new book, New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule The World. Today, we chat about the psychosis of whiteness and global psychology, the intersections of mental health, masculinity, and racism, and what we can learn about Western racism from the enlightenment and traditional philosophical thinkers. Credits: Hosted by Alex Holmes Co-Produced by Alex Holmes and Ryan Nile Audio Engineering: Pure Creation Media  Executive Produced by Alex Holmes  Get in touch: Instagram VERO Email: tttalkpod@gmail.com Book: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection Newsletter: alexholmes.co See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Richard and Alex chat about:The Eugene Ellis episodeHow do we release trauma from the body?Growing up JamaicanRacial disparities and traumaRedefining MasculinityAnswer your questions Moving On UpAlkamizing EdenJoin TemplePodcasts and Articles:The Fundamentalists - Happiness Redefining MasculinityBooks:Body Keeps The Score - Bessel Van Der KolkMy Grandmother’s Hands, Resmaa MenakemReading While Black - Esau McCaulleyCredits:Hosted by Alex HolmesCo-Produced by Alex Holmes and Richard HarrisExecutive Produced by Alex Holmes Get in touch:Become a member: steadyhq.com/alexholmesInstagramVEROEmail: alex@alexholmes.coBook: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and ConnectionNewsletter: alexholmes.co See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, I speak to Eugene Ellis. He is the founder of The Black, African, and Asian Therapy Network, which has been an amazing resource for me and my own mental health. However, this conversation is focused on his new book The Race Conversation: An Essential Guide To Life-Changing Dialogue. We have a chat about how the body holds trauma, healing, and what we can learn about this to become better people going forward.We also speak about his time as a practicing Buddhist, and his experience working with Soul II Soul in North London in his twenties. Get his book: The Race Conversation Credits:Hosted by Alex HolmesCo-Produced by Alex Holmes and Ryan NileAudio Engineering: Pure Creation Media Executive Produced by Alex Holmes Get in touch:Become a member: steadyhq.com/alexholmesInstagramVEROEmail: alex@alexholmes.co // tttalkpod@gmail.comBook: Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and ConnectionNewsletter: alexholmes.co See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.