What Does It Feel Like, Being Michael Wilson?

The Human Side Of Men's Health Research

The world loves a good stat 📈.

We quote them, post them, argue about them, and use “the research” to support our opinions.

But how often do we stop to ask, where does the data come from? Who are the people behind the research? What drives someone to commit years of their life to a PhD? .... and who supports them along the way?

Back in October 2023, I was joined by Michael Wilson, Research Fellow in Men's Mental Health at Orygen and one of the new generation of men’s health researchers, helping shape what “evidence” really means in the lives of men.

His work explores why some men face higher suicide risk after relationship breakdowns, especially how emotion dysregulation and loneliness can collide in the months post-separation.

We unpacked the why behind Michael’s PhD - the purpose, persistence and curiosity that fuels his work, and how good support is essential in making it all possible.

Then… enter the room (by phone), Michael’s super-supportive supervisor, none other than Dr. Zac Seidler - global men’s health icon, Movember leader, and champion of the next generation of researchers, shared what it takes to nurture rigorous, human-centred research and why great supervision can influence the trajectory of a PhD (and a researcher).

What does it feel like, being you, today?

Involuntary Male Childlessness with Dr Robin Hadley.

On Sunday 21 September, I aired a very special conversation with Dr Robin Hadley - researcher, advocate, poet, and all-round diamond 💎.

Timed perfectly with World Childless Week, Robin and I explored the often overlooked reality of involuntary childlessness in men - the grief, the stigma, and the silence.

Some of Robin’s words that stayed with me:

💔“It’s grief without a death ... a disenfranchised grief because there’s no ritual, no structure, no recognition.”

🔢“If you’re not counted, you don’t count. And if the people who do the counting won’t count you, then you’re excluded twice over.”

🐥“I thought I was the only one who felt so broody, who felt like there was a cloud over them. Then I discovered there were many men like me.”

We also spoke about:

✨ The ache of Father’s Day for men who longed to be dads

✨ The policy blind-spots that leave childless men invisible in planning and services

✨ Aging without children and who advocates for you when family isn’t there

✨ Male vulnerability - why it needs to be understood on its own terms

✨ Robin’s very personal health update about how a routine check led to an early prostate cancer diagnosis

This is an interview I absolutely loved. Robin’s ability to weave his own lived experience with groundbreaking research is rare and powerful. I have enormous respect for his work and I’m grateful he shared it with me .. and now, all of you ☺️.

What does it feel like, being you, today?

www.raebonney.au

#InvoluntaryMaleChildlessness #MensHealth #Fathering #ProstateCancer #GetChecked #MensHealthResearch #MensHealthPolicy #WorldChildlessWeek

Last week I was joined live in the studio’s of 3wbc, by the unstoppable Anna Feringa - one of Australia’s most no-nonsense voices in workplace mental health, psychological safety and wellbeing.

Hilarious & Hard-Hitting Highlights:

⭐Anna’s racy take on psychosocial health (“it’s a mess, but a good mess”)

⭐An entertaining kitchen appliance showdown: Thermomix vs. sandwich press (who knew you could cook salmon in one?)

⭐The importance of meeting people where they are—because “just reach out” often isn’t enough

⭐Why “we’re like a family here” is a massive workplace red flag 🚩

⭐Stories from Dubbo to boardrooms, bullies to board papers—and what it really takes to create safe and caring workplaces

⭐Plus, a little detour into perms, chili jam, and why laughter belongs in mental health conversations

Anna doesn’t just cut through the BS, she brings heart, humour, and hard truths that every leader and workplace needs to hear.

❤️ Come for the laughs, stay for the goosebumps. 🪿

What does it feel like, being you, today?

www.raebonney.au

#MensHealth #MentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #PsychologicalSafety #Kindness #Care #WorkplaceMentalHealth #Thermomix #CreativeCooking #PopFilters #LiveRadio