In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of our men’s mental health podcast, we sit down with John McCullum, who bravely shares his lifelong journey of surviving childhood sexual abuse, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

From a very young age, John was sexually abused by his own father, with the abuse continuing throughout his childhood and teenage years. John stayed silent for years, driven by fear of not being believed and a desperate desire to protect his mother from the truth. Tragically, John was also sexually abused by his father’s best friend — an attack that lasted several hours before John managed to escape. Once again, he carried this trauma alone.

At just 15 years old, John finally confronted his father and told him the abuse had to stop. While the abuse ended, the emotional damage followed John into adulthood. He turned to alcohol, drugs, and violence as coping mechanisms, while his unresolved trauma deeply affected his relationships. John avoided becoming a father for years, haunted by the fear that he might become like his abuser.

John’s mental health deteriorated further, leading to psychiatric care and multiple suicide attempts. When John bravely spoke out about his faher friend and saw justice in court, John still remained silent about his own father. It wasn’t until later in life — after rebuilding his life, becoming a father himself, and losing his mother — that John finally disclosed the abuse to his siblings, only to face disbelief.

Today, John speaks openly about his experiences with male sexual abuse, PTSD, and depression, using his voice to encourage other men to break the silence, seek help, and know they are not alone.

We are also joined briefly by John’s son, Kieran, who shares what it’s like growing up with a father living with PTSD and depression — offering a rare and honest perspective on intergenerational trauma and healing.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse, suicide, PTSD, and addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek professional help or reach out to a trusted support service.

In this powerful episode, Andy sits down with Jacob Guy — a mentor who helps fathers prepare for fatherhood and navigate the emotional, physical and mental challenges that come with it.

Whether you’re an expecting dad, a new father, or facing the realities of co-parenting, this conversation delivers raw honesty, valuable insights, and practical support.

Jacob opens up about:

👶 The excitement and fear of expecting a child

💪 Supporting your mental and physical health as a father

❤️ How relationships can change when a baby arrives

⚠️ What to do when a relationship breaks down with a child involved

⚖️ His personal journey through the family court system and fighting for custody

🙌 The lessons, joys and life-changing moments of becoming a dad

This episode is packed with advice for dads who want to show up as their best selves — emotionally, mentally and physically.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Matthew Norford, a former Manchester gang leader who transformed his life after growing up in extreme trauma, experiencing ruthless gang warfare, and losing his brother in the most shocking circumstances.

Matt grew up in a single-parent household where he faced harsh discipline, emotional neglect, and constant comparison to his older brother Gary. Despite representing Manchester and England in youth basketball, and being on track for a U.S. scholarship, Matt never received the love or support he desperately needed.

Instead, he followed Gary into the drug trade—dealing crack and heroin, carrying guns as a teenager, and becoming deeply involved in violent gang conflicts. Matt openly shares how he manipulated young teenagers into the lifestyle and the reality of shootings, leadership in the gang, and the £2,000-a-day criminal life.

Everything changed when, during one of Matt’s prison sentences, Gary attempted to rob a shop and was stabbed and killed—one of the attackers being Matt’s own father. This loss forced Matt to confront the life he had built and the pain he had been running from since childhood.

Today, Matthew Norford is the founder of a successful mentoring organisation, using his past to inspire young people, prevent gang involvement, and break cycles of violence.

This is one of the rawest, most honest, and most transformative stories you will ever hear.