The Hurt Locker Podcast — The Podcast that opens a door on men's mental health.

🔥 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 TuesdaysTune in weekly for deep, meaningful discussions that will challenge

The Hurt Locker Podcast — The Podcast that opens a door on men's mental health. is a health podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 102 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Hurt Locker Podcast — The Podcast that opens a door on men's mental health., a health show with 102 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #99

  Vic Daniels | Comedy, Silence & Breaking the Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities

  Sep 29, 202652 min

  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 boarding school life, to wearing a mask to protect those he loves, Vic shares how he's carried the weight of expectations, the sting of judgment from friends and family, and why asking for help felt like the hardest thing he could do. He opens up about: - Using comedy as a shield — and the pain when people don't see the work behind the smile ​ - The silence around mental health in the Black community — why we don't talk, and who suffers in secret ​ - Depression, suicidal thoughts, and finally walking through the door to counselling ​ - Hitting rock bottom — homelessness, self-doubt, and finding his way back ​ - ❤️ The truth about putting on a brave face for the kids… and why we need to put our own masks on first ​ - ⚽ Liverpool FC, chess, paddle — and keeping moving so the thoughts don't catch up ​ - ️ His message to 12-year-old Vic — and to anyone listening who's struggling right now Vic doesn't just tell his story — he gives permission for all of us to speak ours. Mental Health Support: If you are experiencing mental health issues, please do reach out for help - phone 999 for an emergency, or if you would like to speak to someone, call The Samaritans on 116 123. Please also check out The Hub of Hope to find mental health support in your local area in the UK. https://hubofhope.co.uk/ The Hurt Locker Podcast- Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts Real stories. Hard truths. Healing starts here. Episodes on most Tuesdays Subscribe and step inside ⁨ @thehurtlockerpod Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @thehurtlockerpod Hosted by Yinka Yesufu Produced by Tim Roe

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  Episode #98

  Ricky Balshaw: Paralympian & World Champion on Grooming, Dubai Comedy & Life After Sport.

  Sep 8, 202659 min

  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 in Dubai — the culture, the rules, and what the headlines don't tell you His journey from Paralympic athlete to World Champion, and why he walked away Elitism and funding in Paralympic sport — and who gets left behind A raw, unplanned disclosure about grooming within his sport The mental health void athletes face when the funding — and the identity — disappears His dad's prostate cancer diagnosis, and the signs every man needs to know This one's heavier than the first. Men don't talk enough — Ricky does, and it matters. The Hurt Locker Podcast — opening the door on men's mental health. Subscribe for new episodes Drop your thoughts in the comments — this is a conversation, not a lecture Know a guest with a story to tell? Get in touch. The Hurt Locker Podcast- Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts Real stories. Hard truths. Healing starts here. Episodes on most Tuesdays Subscribe and step inside ⁨ @thehurtlockerpod Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @thehurtlockerpod Hosted by Yinka Yesufu Produced by Tim Roe

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  Episode #97

  Paul Drayton | Unmasking, ADHD, Alcohol Shame & Writing His Own Story | The Hurt Locker Podcast

  Aug 25, 20261 hour

  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 outskirts of Sunderland in a close‑knit but quiet era, Paul suppressed his sexuality, masked his differences, and turned to alcohol as comfort — describing his "washing‑machine brain" and drinking to quiet anxiety and shame. He shares the courage it took to come out to his family, his move to London to pursue acting, and the reality of living in someone else's shadow — publicly defined only as "the ex‑husband," his own story, talents, and struggles erased from the narrative. He speaks honestly about: ✅ Being outed publicly as an alcoholic and the isolation/shame that followed ✅ Toxic dynamics, losing his voice, and hitting dark, suicidal lows ✅ What recovery actually means to him — no rigid "day‑counting," just daily honesty ✅ Discovering his ADHD later in life, family patterns, and lifelong people‑pleasing ✅ Writing his book "Ride or Die Trying" — reclaiming his story, donating profits to dog & animal welfare ✅ Being targeted by online blackmail/sextortion and speaking up to warn others ✅ Looking back at his dad, regret, and realising love sometimes looks like projects & connection ✅ That powerful turning point: finally auditioning for the role of himself Warm, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful — Paul proves it's never too late to drop the mask, forgive your past, and put you first. Get the book "Ride or Die Trying" https://amzn.eu/d/0alclLWs The Hurt Locker Podcast- Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts Real stories. Hard truths. Healing starts here. Episodes on most Tuesdays Subscribe and step inside ⁨ @thehurtlockerpod Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @thehurtlockerpod Hosted by Yinka Yesufu Produced by Tim Roe

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  Episode #96

  Ian Puleston-Davies | Living With OCD | My Mental Health Journey & Life As An Actor. EP96.

  Aug 11, 20261h 7m

  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 life. From the confusion and isolation in his childhood, to learning how to coexist with his condition as an adult and professional, Ian shares his story without filter. He explains how OCD has shaped his thinking, his choices and his resilience — and why it took him so long to feel comfortable talking about it. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like their mind works differently, or who feels they have to carry their struggles alone. A conversation about understanding, acceptance and the strength it takes to keep going. Mental Health Support: If you are experiencing mental health issues, please do reach out for help - phone 999 for an emergency, or if you would like to speak to someone, call The Samaritans on 116 123. Please also check out The Hub of Hope to find mental health support in your local area in the UK. https://hubofhope.co.uk/ The Hurt Locker Podcast- Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts Real stories. Hard truths. Healing starts here. Episodes on most Tuesdays Subscribe and step inside ⁨ @thehurtlockerpod Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @thehurtlockerpod Hosted by Yinka Yesufu Produced by Tim Roe | Courageous Productions

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  Episode #95

  Joe Jones |Your Light Matters| Blue Light Trauma, Suicide Survival & Fighting For Better Mental Health Support. EP95.

  Aug 4, 20261h 3m

  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 told him to wait three to four months for help while he was still in crisis. Here, he opens up about: - Years of burying trauma from emergency service calls and personal loss ​ - The "be a man" mindset that kept him silent until he couldn't anymore ​ - The moment his dad broke that generational silence and showed him vulnerability ​ - The lasting impact on his wife, children and family ​ - How he's now redefining what it means to be a father – raising sons who know it's okay to feel, to ask, and to be loved ​ - His powerful 4,300 Lights project – honouring every man lost to suicide in one year ​ - Why we need to stop ignoring the crisis in mental health funding, blue light support, and how we talk about suicide ​ - The simple truth: we're stronger when we stop pretending we're fine. Raw, honest, unfiltered – and full of hope. Mental Health Support: If you are experiencing mental health issues, please do reach out for help - phone 999 for an emergency, or if you would like to speak to someone, call The Samaritans on 116 123. Please also check out The Hub of Hope to find mental health support in your local area in the UK. https://hubofhope.co.uk/ Find out more on Your Light Matters: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourlightmattersuk YouTube: Your Light Matters – A Powerful Liverpool Tribute The Hurt Locker Podcast- Watch on YouTube | Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts Real stories. Hard truths. Healing starts here. Episodes on most Tuesdays Subscribe and step inside ⁨ @thehurtlockerpod Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @thehurtlockerpod Hosted by Yinka Yesufu Produced by Tim Roe | Courageous Productions

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