It was a long-awaited honour to speak with UK men’s health advocate Mark Brooks OBE, where we unpacked the often-dismissed issue of domestic and family violence against men and boys.

As a sector leader in male health, education, inclusion, and domestic abuse, Mark brings over 25 years of experience and thought leadership to this important topic.

He has played a pivotal role in championing the rights of male victims through his work with organisations like the The ManKind Initiative in the UK, which continues to raise awareness and provide critical support to men facing domestic abuse.

Mark's recent achievements include leading the campaign for a Men's Health Strategy for England, publishing influential reports on male suicide and boys' education, and raising the profile of male victims of domestic abuse. He also leads the successful INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY (UK) LTD. platform, which engaged over 800 organisations in 2024.

Historically, the gender-specific needs of male victims have been overlooked in both research and service provision, making this discussion essential.

Through our discussion, Mark and I aimed at sparking a broader conversation, bringing men and boys into the dialogue, exploring their involvement in ending domestic violence, the unique challenges men face in harmful relationships, as well as barriers to effective support.

For listeners, I want exercise some self disclosure and reflection - also a heartfelt apology to Mark. Great friend of mine and the show, Mike Hagan, who also expertly produces my podcast, bought to my attention in his incredibly kind, thoughtful, and generous manner—that during the conversation, I became a bit of an interrupter, cutter offerer and over talker of Mark. Mike, in his usual gracious way, acknowledged my enthusiasm and intent as noble, but still, I want to own it, disclose it and learn from it as I listen through the show.

Anyway, in any case I hope you enjoy our conversation ❤️

Wrapping up 2024 was such a delight to be back on air at 94.1FM 3WBC with the legendary Steve Carey - one of Australia’s most seasoned voices in TV News & Public Affairs. With over 35 years of brilliance across Seven Network, Nine, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Steve is the ultimate life hack—proving that age is no barrier to success, fulfillment, and discovering joy in all the right places. In this show, Steve and I dived headfirst into the complexities of today’s fragmented media landscape. In a world where no single news program can satisfy all audiences, Steve unpacked his remarkable journey and shone a light on the critical role trusted journalists play in navigating our ever evolving world. From encouraging us to engage with diverse news sources to exploring the vital importance of journalistic integrity, in an era of ever increasing misinformation, Steve’s insights were inspiring and thought-provoking. Hear what it feels like, being Steve Carey, as we explored the evolving responsibilities of journalism and the power it holds to shape perspectives and empower choices.