BJ Shea: Uncovering Men’s Mental Health- Hey Man; it’s Ok Episode 318

2025-12-12

Download

In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Okay, hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy, LMFT, sit down with Seattle radio legend BJ Shea for a candid, vulnerable, and surprisingly uplifting conversation about men’s mental health.Sky shares how BJ’s voice helped carry him through some of his darkest moments, setting the tone for an open and deeply human discussion about identity, art, grief, therapy, and the emotional lives men are often discouraged from showing.BJ reflects on his own mental healt...

In this powerful episode of Hey Man; It’s Okay, hosts Sky Bridges and Ryan Heapy, LMFT, sit down with Seattle radio legend BJ Shea for a candid, vulnerable, and surprisingly uplifting conversation about men’s mental health.

Sky shares how BJ’s voice helped carry him through some of his darkest moments, setting the tone for an open and deeply human discussion about identity, art, grief, therapy, and the emotional lives men are often discouraged from showing.

BJ reflects on his own mental health journey—from personal struggles to becoming a vocal advocate for suicide awareness and co-creating the nationwide I’m Listening campaign. He talks about the emotional landscape of radio and the Seattle music scene, how therapy transformed his life and career, and why authentic expression is essential for men of all ages.

Ryan offers a therapist’s perspective, exploring emotional language, behavioral science, and why learning to name your feelings—even when you don’t know the “why”—is a crucial step toward healing.

Together, the three dive deep into:

BJ Shea’s personal mental health journey
The influence of radio, community, and Seattle’s music culture
How therapy supports creativity, accountability, and emotional growth
Breaking gender norms and expanding emotional vocabulary for men
The role of behavioral science in healing
Why artists and everyday guys alike benefit from vulnerability
Rewriting the outdated narrative of what it means to “be a man”

This episode is brimming with profound insights, personal stories, and actionable takeaways—perfect for anyone navigating their own mental health journey or supporting someone who is.

Hey man… it’s okay to feel it. It’s okay to name it. And it’s okay to talk about it.

Episode Chapters

00:00 — Introduction 00:25 — Meet Our Guest: BJ Shea

00:59 — BJ’s Mental Health Journey

03:46 — Seattle Radio & Music Culture

10:10 — Therapy & Personal Growth

20:06 — Behavioral Science in Practice

27:26 — How Therapy Shapes Work & Life

27:43 — “I Use My Job as Therapy”

28:04 — Challenging Gender Norms in Seattle

31:50 — Participation Trophies & Modern Masculinity

35:02 — Encouraging Men to Speak Up