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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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.
Show Notes
ingoodcompany.menshealthresearch.ubc.ca/2024/06/24/episode-4/
Episode 5: Healing Hearts: Navigating Breakups in Men's Lives feat. 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 feat. 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/2024/07/08/episode-6/
Episode 7: The Masks We Wear feat. 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/2024/07/08/episode-6/
