Wake Up, Guys: A National Conversation on Men's Mental Health

Episode 23 — Wake Up, Guys: A National Conversation on Men's Mental Health

Doug and Ian open with gardening-as-therapy talk and a comedy show gone sideways before diving into the heart of the episode: a real conversation about men's mental health, masculinity, and why so many men wait until they're drowning to ask for help. Along the way they touch on community, self-awareness, and the small moments — a sauna conversation, a friend's "I love you" — that say more about connection than people expect.

Inspired by CBC's The Current and host Matt Galloway's segment on the federal government's new national strategy for men's health, Doug and Ian unpack toxic masculinity, vulnerability as actual strength, and why "I love you, man" might be the most important thing you say to a friend this year. 

In this episode:

• The therapeutic benefits of gardening and connecting with nature, plus surviving the seasonal "thaw"
• A sauna-comedy-show story that did not land
• Doug on his friend Rory Scovel, currently out on the "Know Your Enemy" tour
• The real conversation: toxic masculinity, embracing vulnerability, and Doug's "Alone" TV show monologue
• Value-based parenting and the "rhinoceros in the room" anxiety metaphor
• Why a friend saying "I love you" over car-buying advice hit different
• Sauna Stories: lacrosse kids, felony resumes, and trades culture
• Which Side of the Border: pharmacy body cams, hot glue thieves, and Gordie the dog

Referenced this episode:

• The Current (CBC) — "A 'national conversation' about men's health," hosted by Matt Galloway (March 4, 2026)
• Rory Scovel — comedian, Religion, Sex, and a Few Things in Between (HBO), currently on the "Know Your Enemy" tour (roryscovel.com)
• NY Post — Walgreens body cam pilot program in NYC stores (March 5, 2026)
• Vancouver Police — hot glue break-in targeting method (March 2026)
• The Dodo — Gordie the dog's rescue from the Detroit River, near the Gordie Howe International Bridge
• NY Post / amNewYork — "Sauna Comedy" at Othership Flatiron, NYC, a concept that started in Toronto in 2022 (November 2025)

Got an article, a men's mental health story, or your own sauna story? Send it our way — we might read it on the show: [e-mail]

Topics: mental health · masculinity · comedy · gardening · societal issues · sauna stories · self-awareness · community · personal growth

What is Have I Told You Lately?

This "friendship podcast" features conversations between close friends that remind us of our responsibilities to ourselves and our communities. As friends, we hold each other accountable, lift each other up and remind each other of what’s important. Life is challenging and being a father, husband, parent, employee, business-owner, etc. takes so much consistent effort. We need reminders of why its important to get back up and keep going.

As men, sometimes it can be challenging to maintain close friendships and communities around personal growth as we age. It takes a real effort and many of us prioritize this part of ourselves last. This podcast is our way of staying in touch with each other, even though we live in neighboring countries and live different lives. We value our friendship and its role in our individual development as people. These talks allow us to support each other, hold one-another accountable and be sounding boards for each other's lives.