Laughter as a Lifeline: Using Comedy to Craic the Silence on Men’s Mental Health, with John Ryan

In this episode, we meet the incomparable John Ryan, award-winning comedian, social commentator, and all-around force for good. With a sharp tongue and a massive heart, John has made it his mission to reach people on the topic of mental health where they least expect it: through laughter.

We explore how John’s stand-up shows have turned into standing-room-only sessions on suicide awareness, PTSD, loneliness, and resilience. From army barracks to working men’s clubs, from prisons to boardrooms, John’s toolkit is unconventional but wildly effective - inclusive humour, hard-earned trust, and a refusal to be anything but himself.

This conversation is wide-ranging, emotional, and seriously funny. John opens up about growing up in Hackney in a diverse Irish family and his unexpected route into comedy, although he doesn’t define himself as a traditional comedian.

He challenges toxic norms, dissects the real reason some men spiral after traumatic life events, such as divorce, and explains why sending a meme from the toilet every morning can be an act of care. It's sharp, raw, and deeply human.

If you’ve ever wondered whether comedy can change lives - or even save them - this episode is your answer.

To find out more about John's work, visit: https://happytohealthyou.com/.

Have you ever felt like you’ve become lost in your own life? 

Many men struggle to talk about their problems and mental health and grew up believing that to do can be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure. There is also a lack of open discussion in society around men’s mental health, especially aimed at mid-life men.  As a result, at times many men can feel alone and lost in their own lives. 

In this podcast series, I talk to mid-life men about their stories; the challenges, the turning points, and the support received to help them find their way so that others who may be suffering in silence or don’t know what to do next, realise that they are not alone and there is help available. 

Stories will cover a whole range of challenges faced by mid-life men mainly relating to the causes of mental health issues including feelings of isolation, depression, job dissatisfaction, addiction, PTSD, and long-term illness.

The podcast is NOT a replacement for professional support and we signpost to organisations and their contact details by episode. 

If you have a story you would like to share or any feedback on the podcasts, please email me: [email protected].

• No. of episodes: 55
• Latest episode: 2025-05-05
• Society & Culture Health & Fitness Personal Journals Mental Health

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