Best of Bristol: "How Are You? Out of 10?" Transforming Mens Mental Fitness with 'Talk Club' Founder, Ben Akers: His journey from Personal Grief to Founding a Global Movement, Saving Mens Lives by Getting them Talking & Sharing a Non Alcoholic Beer!
03/07/25 • 59 min
Ben Akers never expected to become a Mental Health advocate. But when his childhood best friend Steve died by suicide 10 ago, everything changed. Confronted with the staggering reality that suicide is the biggest killer of men, Akers channeled his grief and advertising background into creating 'Talk Club' – a revolutionary approach to men's mental fitness that's now saving lives across the UK and beyond.
At the heart of Talk Club's genius is stunning simplicity: "How are you? Out of 10?" This numerical scale gives men a framework to express their emotional state without struggling with what Akers calls "the foreign language of feelings." Where men typically respond with a reflexive "I'm fine," the number system creates an opening for honesty. "If you're a higher number and regularly a higher number," Akers explains, "you're mentally fit, you're mentally strong, and you're good for everyone around you."
From its first meeting at Bristol Beer Factory in April 2019, Talk Club has expanded to 120+ venues nationwide with over 5,000 members. The organization has formed strategic partnerships, including creating Clearhead non-alcoholic beer, allowing men to gather in comfortable spaces without alcohol's potential mental health impacts. Every aspect of Talk Club reflects Akers' design philosophy: make it accessible, remove barriers, and speak directly to men as they are.
The movement reframes mental health conversations through the lens of fitness rather than illness. Just as we congratulate someone for going to the gym, Akers wants mental health maintenance celebrated rather than questioned. He applies his personal philosophy – "Does it make you better?" – to every decision, encouraging men to evaluate relationships, work, and habits through this simple yet profound lens.
Whether you're struggling personally, concerned about someone in your life, or simply interested in supporting mental fitness, visit talkclub.org today. As Akers proves through his work, sometimes the smallest questions can save the biggest lives.
Find out more at talkclub.org or email [email protected] to get involved, donate, or start your own Talk Club.
Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.
- Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
- You can email me about the Show: [email protected]
- Twitter thatchrisgrimes
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
- FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)
Thanks for listening!
Ben Akers never expected to become a Mental Health advocate. But when his childhood best friend Steve died by suicide 10 ago, everything changed. Confronted with the staggering reality that suicide is the biggest killer of men, Akers channeled his grief and advertising background into creating 'Talk Club' – a revolutionary approach to men's mental fitness that's now saving lives across the UK and beyond.
At the heart of Talk Club's genius is stunning simplicity: "How are you? Out of 10?" This numerical scale gives men a framework to express their emotional state without struggling with what Akers calls "the foreign language of feelings." Where men typically respond with a reflexive "I'm fine," the number system creates an opening for honesty. "If you're a higher number and regularly a higher number," Akers explains, "you're mentally fit, you're mentally strong, and you're good for everyone around you."
From its first meeting at Bristol Beer Factory in April 2019, Talk Club has expanded to 120+ venues nationwide with over 5,000 members. The organization has formed strategic partnerships, including creating Clearhead non-alcoholic beer, allowing men to gather in comfortable spaces without alcohol's potential mental health impacts. Every aspect of Talk Club reflects Akers' design philosophy: make it accessible, remove barriers, and speak directly to men as they are.
The movement reframes mental health conversations through the lens of fitness rather than illness. Just as we congratulate someone for going to the gym, Akers wants mental health maintenance celebrated rather than questioned. He applies his personal philosophy – "Does it make you better?" – to every decision, encouraging men to evaluate relationships, work, and habits through this simple yet profound lens.
Whether you're struggling personally, concerned about someone in your life, or simply interested in supporting mental fitness, visit talkclub.org today. As Akers proves through his work, sometimes the smallest questions can save the biggest lives.
Find out more at talkclub.org or email [email protected] to get involved, donate, or start your own Talk Club.
Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.
- Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
- You can email me about the Show: [email protected]
- Twitter thatchrisgrimes
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
- FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)
Thanks for listening!
Previous Episode
Brand Strand/Founder Story: Donna Kunde Podcast Monetisation Pioneer. ‘Your Friend on the Journey’ of How to Create a Global Leadership Masterpiece with a Podcast, a Book or a TV Talk Show!
Donna Kunde, a true polymath and the force behind Influence Radio Network, joins us to share her incredible journey of empowering voices through podcasts, books, and TV talk shows. Discover how Donna has navigated life’s unexpected twists, from snowy adventures in Virginia to life-altering encounters that set her path ablaze with purpose. Her innovative podcasting methods, such as leveraging global networks, offer fresh insights into reaching and influencing a worldwide audience without traditional reliance on ads. This episode promises a wealth of knowledge on creating lasting legacies through storytelling.
Listeners will be captivated by Donna's reflections on pivotal life moments, including her disciplined and musical journey in the United States Army. A gifted clarinet from a mentor sparked a lifelong passion, illustrating the profound impact of small, meaningful gestures and the belief others place in our potential. As we explore these transformative experiences, Donna shares her insights into borrowed belief and how it has guided her path, inviting us to consider the moments and people who shape our own narratives.
In our conversation, Donna also dives into the timeless wisdom of historical thinkers and the refreshing perspectives of Gen Z and millennials, revealing how these insights can inspire intentional living. The episode concludes with a poetic nod to the everyday miracles that fuel creativity, from the allure of platforms like AppSumo to the historical charm of Colonial Williamsburg. Donna’s favorite Thoreau quote serves as a guiding light, reminding us to pursue our dreams with confidence. Be sure to listen in and be inspired to embrace your own hero’s journey, and don't forget to subscribe for more stories that spark change.
We explore the profound impact of storytelling on leadership and creativity with Donna Kunde, who highlights how her experiences have shaped her mission to help others amplify their voices. The episode emphasises the interconnectedness of individual narratives and their potential to inspire global change.
• Discusses the role of storytelling in creating a legacy
• Explains the vision behind the Influence Radio Network
• Highlights personal experiences that shaped Donna's journey
• Explores the significance of mentorship and influence
• Encourages embracing vulnerability to connect with listeners
• Underscores the importance of sharing personal narratives for community building
• Offers practical tips for aspiring podcasters
• Calls for individuals to take ownership of their stories
Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.
- Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
- You can email me about the Show: [email protected]
- Twitter thatchrisgrimes
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
- FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)
Thanks for listening!
Next Episode
Leadership Reflections: The 'Alchemy of Leadership' with Antonia Wade, Chief Marketing Officer at PwC. Finding Balance in a Global Role with a Thriving Family and a Dog Called Biscuit!
What shapes a Global Marketing Leader's perspective? For Antonia Wade, PwC's Global Chief Marketing Officer and Marketing Week's Marketeer of the Year, Leadership Excellence stems from finding balance between professional ambition and personal fulfillment.
Sitting in her study – her physical "Clearing" amid family life with two teenagers, a husband, and a dog named Biscuit – Antonia reflects on the formative experiences that built her leadership philosophy. Her journey from Architecture student to being Global Head of Marketing at PwC wasn't straightforward, but architectural thinking gave her the perfect foundation: balancing creativity with pragmatism while solving complex problems.
The conversation explores how Antonia manages a Worldwide Team across time-zones without sacrificing her own boundaries. "If I'm emailing at the weekend, even if I don't intend for people to respond, they feel like they have to," she explains, highlighting how leadership behaviors unconsciously shape team culture. This awareness permeates her approach – protecting weekends, making time for cooking (her delightful "squirrel" distraction), and prioritizing family.
At the heart of Antonia's Leadership perspective is a powerful guiding principle: "You are where you are today because of the decisions you made 5 years ago." This insight helps her evaluate current choices with future impact in mind while giving her team a framework for intentional career development. She complements this with advice from a former mentor: focus on "the things that only you can do" rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
Beyond her professional insights, we discover Antonia's near-win in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, her love of reading a novel weekly, and how she wrote her book "Transforming the B2B Buyer Journey" during gardening leave and airport layovers. Her parting advice embodies her leadership philosophy: "Be curious but also be bold and ambitious. You might as well push for the things you want – you certainly don't get what you want if you don't ask for it."
Antonia Wade, Global Chief Marketing Officer at PwC and Marketing Week's Marketeer of the Year, shares her leadership journey and personal philosophy for maintaining balance in a demanding global role.
• Finding your "clearing" - both physical and mental spaces for reflection and rejuvenation
• How studying architecture created a foundation for balancing creativity and pragmatism in marketing
• The importance of setting boundaries with work communications to model healthy behavior for your team
• Making decisions today with awareness of their impact on your life five years from now
• Focusing on "what only you can do" rather than trying to be everything to everyone
• Finding inspiration through global travel,
Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.
- Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com
- You can email me about the Show: [email protected]
- Twitter thatchrisgrimes
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/
- FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :)
Thanks for listening!
The Good Listening To Show: Stories of Distinction & Genius - Best of Bristol: "How Are You? Out of 10?" Transforming Mens Mental Fitness with 'Talk Club' Founder, Ben Akers: His journey from Personal Grief to Founding a Global Movement, Saving Mens Lives by Getting them Talking & Sharing a Non Alcoholic Beer!
Transcript
Welcome to another episode of the Good Listening To Show your life and times with me , chris Grimes , the storytelling show that features the Clearing , where all good questions come to get asked and all good stories come to be told , and where all my guests have two things in common they're all creative individuals and all with an interesting story to tell . There are some lovely
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