Why It’s So Hard for Men to Talk, with Tom Karrel

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains references to suicide, which you may find distressing, so please listen with care.

So many men grow up hearing the same messages: figure it out yourself, don’t cry, just get on with it. The result? A lot of us go through life carrying heavy stuff on our own, even when it’s slowly crushing us.

In this conversation, I talk to Tom Karrell about what happens when you stop pretending and actually start connecting. Tom shares openly about losing three close friends to suicide, how that grief shook him awake, and why it taught him that men need other men but not in some cliché “brotherhood” sense, but in a very real, human way.

We explore why disconnection is so dangerous, what prevents men from opening up, and the small, practical steps you can take to make it feel safer. This isn’t about therapy-speak or quick fixes; it’s about learning how to show up as yourself and letting other people see you for who you really are.

What You’ll Learn

• Why men often hide pain and how it backfires
• What grief can teach us about connection and purpose
• Simple practices to feel more, not less, of your emotions
• How to start talking when you’ve been silent for years
• Why connection could be the difference between surviving and actually living

To find out more about Groups for Men, click on these links: Courses, Coaching or Groups for Men meetings. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, there are organisations you can call now for example, in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, and if you are in the US, you can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and in Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

As always, the advice is to speak to a GP or mental health professional.