What is the In Good Company Podcast about?
For the past 10 years, Dr. Paul Sharp has worked with and researched into how men connected with their buddies, the benefits of strong social connections, and the strategies for men to strengthen those friendships!
Be sure to also check out the In Good Company website for podcast show notes at https://ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/podcast-shownotes/ for the photos and descriptions mentioned in the episodes! If you enjoyed listening to our podcast, please consider leaving a rating & review to help us improve and reach more listeners!
Episode 1: Understanding Men’s Experiences Through Photovoice with Raymond Chou
This episode of In Good Company podcast welcomes guest Raymond Chou, a varsity athlete and researcher with UBC Men’s Health Program, to discuss his experiences and findings from the peer support study.
In this episode, Paul and Raymond delve into the dynamics of male friendships and support systems. They explore how men connect with each other, the challenges they face in seeking and offering support, and offer valuable insights into the importance of authenticity and proactive communication within male peer relationships.
You can also WATCH Paul and Simon's interview on the Men's Health Research YouTube Channel to check out the photos they've discussed on this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cgcPKnP3pk
Show Notes
https://ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/06/10/episode-1/
Episode 2: Building & Sustaining Authentic Social Connections with Dr. Simon Rice
Welcome to another episode of the In Good Company Podcast! In this episode, host Paul is joined by Dr. Simon Rice, the Global Director of the Movember Men's Health Institute. Together, they explore the benefits of strong social connections, the challenges of loneliness and isolation, and strategies for overcoming the fear of rejection. They offer insights on finding the best environments for connecting, navigating major life transitions, and the impact of virtual communication.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Challenges of Making New Friends: Dr. Rice shares insights on why making new friends becomes harder as we get older.
- Importance of Social Connections: Discover how strong social connections benefit mental and physical health.
- Real-Life Examples: Hear stories from the photovoice study about men's experiences with social connections.
- Practical Advice: Learn strategies for fostering genuine relationships and overcoming social barriers.
You can also WATCH Paul and Simon's interview on the Men's Health Research YouTube Channel to check out the photos they've discussed on this episode:
https://youtu.be/GFTssYtjrpQ
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/06/12/episode-2/
Episode 3: Considering & Offering Peer Support with Dr. David Kealy
In this episode, Paul and guest expert Dr. David Kealy dive into the complexities of men seeking mental health support from their friends. They discuss why men often struggle with vulnerability, how they might reach out for help, and how to spot the signs that a friend is struggling. They offer guidance on helping friends open up, addressing situations where peer support isn’t enough, and building trust. The episode explores settings best suited for peer support, skills for navigating difficult conversations, recognizing when professional help is needed, and the importance of normalizing regular check-ins.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Learn about the role of peer support in men's mental health
- Discover effective ways to offer support to your buddies
- Explore why men might find it difficult to talk about their problems, and how to overcome these barriers
- Strategies for effective communication and support
- Recognizing signs of mental distress in friends
You can also WATCH Paul and David's interview on the Men's Health Research YouTube Channel to check out the photos they've discussed on this episode:
https://youtu.be/5tAKraPNUmg
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/06/14/episode-3/
Episode 4: Finding the Right Crew with Calvin Fernandez & Rob Velzeboer
In this episode, Paul and guests, Calvin Fernandez and Rob Velzeboer, share their experiences, challenges, and strategies for making friends while moving from one country to another. They reflect on what’s worked for them in building authentic and long-lasting friendships and offer tangible takeaways for men that are looking to get socially connected.
You can also WATCH Paul's interview with Calvin & Rob on the Men's Health Research YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTySdCtVDqA
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/06/24/episode-4/
Episode 5: Healing Hearts: Navigating Breakups in Men's Lives with Michael Wilson
In this episode, Paul and guest Michael Wilson chat about men’s romantic relationships and how to support your buddy through a breakup. They chat about the current dialogues around relationships and offer valuable insights into the benefits and strategies of healthy relationships and how men respond to breakups.
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/07/08/episode-5/
Episode 6: What Men Need to Know About Anxiety with Krista Fisher
In this episode, Paul and guest Krista Fisher chat about anxiety and how it is different for young men. They outline how anxiety manifests in the body, how the norms around masculinity raise challenges to men experiencing anxiety, and its influence on social connections. Stay tuned to the end where Krista recommends a top tip for young men to cope with anxiety disorders.
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/07/26/episode-6/
Episode 7: The Masks We Wear with Dr. Matthew Genuchi
In this episode, Paul and guest Dr. Matthew Genuchi talk about masculinity, how it has changed over time, and its impact on social connection through the masks that men wear. Hear about how social connections are different in our modern day and personal anecdotes around the experience of being a man and finding community.
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/08/09/episode-7/
Episode 8: The Past, Present, & Future of Men's Health with Dr. John Oliffe
In this episode, Paul is joined by Dr. John Oliffe to discuss the tectonic shifts in men’s health over the past two decades. They explore the relevance of traditional masculine values, the growing popularity of non-alcoholic beer, and the increasing emphasis on healthy fatherhood. Tune in to learn about how research is impacting societal views on masculinity and the role of social media in shaping the future of men’s health. The conversation continues in Episode 9!
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/09/13/episode-8/
Episode 9: Mentorship, Ghosting, Throwing Shade, & More with Dr. John Oliffe
In this episode, Paul and Dr. John Oliffe return to explore how various topics shape men’s experiences. They dive into the cultural differences between Australian and Canadian men, the role of mentorship, the realities of ghosting, the nuances of throwing shade, and problematic conversations. Tune in to discover how these modern social dynamics impact men’s social connections.
Show Notes
https://ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/10/04/episode-9/
Episode 10: Supporting Work Friends Struggling with Mental Health with Seth McVeity & Robert Olson
In this episode, Paul is joined by Seth and Robert to chat about the Buddy Up campaign, which promotes authentic conversations among men and their friends, gives men tools to offer help to friends, and raises awareness to mental health at work. Hear how workplaces in Canada champion men’s mental health to reduce male suicide by encouraging conversations about these challenging topics like depression, anger, and loneliness.
Show Notes
https://ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/11/08/episode-10/
