Manned Up Conversations

Managing Bipolar Mood Disorder Through Poetry with Delile Ndumo

Send us a textThis Mental Health Awareness Month, we welcome long-time supporter Delile Ndumo to share his powerful story of life following his 2012 diagnosis with Bipolar Mood Disorder.Delile's struggles were awakened by the suppressed grief following his father's passing in 2009. He details the challenging journey of finding the right combination of medication and ultimately experiencing a profound "rebirth".The true catalyst for his healing, documented in his book Raw Feelings, was poetic expression. Delile shares how writing provided a constructive channel to pour his intense energy into, rather than resorting to destructive measures like drugs or alcohol.We hear the moving lines from his pivotal poem, "It was Friday the 18th," which recounts the day he released years of pain and realized: "But a man is allowed to cry. A man is allowed to cry".Delile’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that writing is a "powerful thing". He encourages listeners to seek holistic healing and see that even after the darkest struggles, you can emerge "victorious" because "there is light at the end of the tunnel".Key Focus Points for Listeners:The connection between suppressed grief and mental health triggers.How writing can be used as a constructive, healing tool.The importance of challenging healthcare norms and seeking holistic care.Delile’s message of hope: "Look at me. I managed to turn myself around and also turn my life around".Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.Support the showSign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on rituals4men@gmail.com.Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer AwarenessVisit our site to explore our work:website: www.mannedupconvos.com

Navigating Identity and Connection in Men's Conversations

Send us a textIn this episode, I reflect on a key tension in men's healing work: empathy vs. judgment, and whether my voice as an African man should only be directed toward African men. While firmly committed to centering African stories, I explores what it means to be a bridge—not an apologist—by creating space for honest conversations with men from all backgrounds.From mental health and father wounds to shame and invisibility, these struggles don’t ask for skin tone or nationality. I had to pause and reflect around featuring a white U.S. police officer, Captain Adam Meyers, and how that moment forced me to reexamine the purpose of the platform.This episode is a call to hold complexity—to uplift Black pain without essentializing it, and to recognize that healing insight can come from unexpected voices. Support the showSign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on rituals4men@gmail.com.Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer AwarenessVisit our site to explore our work:website: www.mannedupconvos.com

Beyond Talk Therapy: A Journey of Trauma, Healing & Psychedelics with Alex Abraham

Send us a textTune into this deeply personal conversation with Alex Abraham, author of Trauma and Ecstasy. Alex shares his deeply personal journey through repressed childhood trauma, including sexual abuse and its physical manifestations. He candidly discusses the limitations of traditional healing methods like talk therapy in addressing deep-seated issues and how guided experiences with psychedelics (MDMA and psilocybin) facilitated the uncovering of memories and a profound path toward healing and growth. This episode explores the untold aspects of men's pain and the search for effective healing from Alex's lived experience. Please note: this episode features discussion of psychedelics for therapeutic use but does not promote drug use Instead, it offers an honest and vulnerable account of personal transformation against the backdrop of a complex and evolving conversation around men's wellness and alternative therapies.Connect with Alex Abraham:Instagram: Alex.l.abrahamWebsite: www.traumaandecstacy.comMail: alex@traumaandecstacy.comBuy: Trauma & Ecstacy: How Psychedelics Made My Life Worth LivingResources:Beyond The High: Exploring Psychedelics as Theraputic ToolsSouth African Depression and Anxiety GroupSouth African Federation For Mental HealthPsychedelic Society South AfricaSouth African National Counsil on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.Support the showSign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on rituals4men@gmail.com.Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer AwarenessVisit our site to explore our work:website: www.mannedupconvos.com

Suffering in Silence - A Story of Trauma & Recovery with Captain Adam Meyers

Send us a textIn this deeply personal interview, Police Captain, Adam Meyers bravely shares his journey following a critical shooting incident in 2016, the subsequent struggles with trauma, depression, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, and his eventual path to recovery and mental health advocacy.This powerful conversation cuts through the often stoic exterior of law enforcement to reveal the emotional and psychological toll that high-stress professions can take. Captain Meyers opens up about the silence and stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within the police force, and the challenges he faced in seeking help. He candidly discusses his experiences with substance abuse, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts, highlighting the desperate measures he took while suffering in silence.Tune in to hear Captain Meyers's inspiring journey and his call to action for men, particularly those in uniform, to be honest with themselves and reach out for help when needed. This episode offers valuable insights into the human cost of trauma and the transformative power of s peaking openly about mental health.Connect with Adam Meyers:website: www.stopthethreatstopthestigma.orgFacebook: Stop The Threat Stop The StigmaHope you are enjoying the conversation so far. Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.Support the showSign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on rituals4men@gmail.com.Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer AwarenessVisit our site to explore our work:website: www.mannedupconvos.com

Exploring Positive Masculinity for Gender Equity with Chelepe Mocwana

Send us a textIn this episode Kgaugelo Habyane engages in an insightful discussion with Chelepe Mocwana. We explore the complexities of positive masculinities as a vital tool for achieving gender equity. Chelepe shares his experiences and perspectives on redefining masculinity beyond patriarchal norms, emphasising the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and accountability for men. Our conversation tackles challenging issues such as gender-based violence, consent, the impact of societal expectations on men and boys, and the need for a community-wide approach to foster healthier relationships and a more equitable society. This episode offers a refreshing and crucial perspective on evolving manhood in the pursuit of gender equality.Chelepe Mocwana is a qualified lawyer and Senior Officer at the University of the Free State’s Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office, within the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice. With a strong foundation in human rights and labour law, he focuses on feminist strategies to combat gender-based violence, promote gender equity, and challenge heteronormative and patriarchal norms. Chelepe has collaborated with grassroots organisations across South Africa, advocating for inclusive health and social justice programmes. His work also involves queering feminist approaches to address homophobia and gender discrimination, aiming to foster healthier masculinities and more equitable communities.Mentioned in the episode:Engaging Men and Boys in Violence PreventionHRSC GBV ReportEmployment Equity ActHope you are enjoying the conversation so far. Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. Thank you for tuning into Manned Up Conversations. Please subscribe to help grow the platform, you can also find us on YouTube if you prefer video and don't forget to share your comments, insights or questions.Support the showSign up for Ain't Heavy, My Brother - A Workshop in Support of Grieving Men on rituals4men@gmail.com.Donate To Our Campaign with Love Your Nuts Foundation To Raise Testicular Cancer AwarenessVisit our site to explore our work:website: www.mannedupconvos.com