In this episode, I sit down with Sian Brennan-Todd, a confidence coach who went from life as a professional dancer to helping people back themselves in business and in life.Find Sian here -https://www.instagram.com/sianbrennantodd?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==We get into why confidence isn’t something you’re “born with” — it’s something you build one small promise at a time. Sian talks openly about the fear of being seen, why public speaking scares so many of us, and how communication skills can make or break you, especially if you’re self-employed in the trades.We talk about:• Why confidence is a daily practice, not a switch• How your social circle impacts your belief in yourself• Why stepping outside your comfort zone is the only way to grow• Setting boundaries, saying no, and protecting your energy• How gratitude, self-reflection, and kindness shift everything• The pressure social media puts on self-worth• Why professionalism matters more than ever in the tradesThis one’s for anyone who wants to level up personally or professionally but feels stuck, doubtful, or held back by their own thoughts. If you run a business, work for yourself, or want to communicate with more confidence, Sian gives simple, practical tools you can start using today.It’s a proper reminder that confidence isn’t magic — it’s a habit.Thanks to our Headline Sponsors - Zinsser Chapters00:00 Introduction to Confidence Coaching04:33 Cultural Perspectives on Trades and Confidence10:34 Empowerment and Public Speaking17:21 The Role of Confidence in the Trades23:25 Communication and Trust in Business29:26 The Impact of Attitude on Success35:33 Embracing Growth Beyond the Comfort Zone42:46 Navigating External Opinions and Self-Perception50:58 The Role of Professionalism in Confidence59:39 Surrounding Yourself with Supportive Circles01:05:02 The Power of Connection and Communication01:16:55 Building Confidence Through Commitment01:22:06 Trusting Yourself and Taking Risks01:28:52 The Journey of Growth and Confidence01:34:31 Saying No: A Confidence Builder01:40:04 Communication as a Key to Confidence01:50:10 The Impact of Kindness on Confidence01:55:55 Taking Control of Your Life02:01:00 The Importance of Communication Skills02:08:30 Encouraging Social Interaction in the Younger Generation02:15:11 The Power of Communication in Business02:20:13 Embracing Change and Personal Growth

In this episode of The Talking Tradesman, I sit down with Will Castle — TEDx speaker, filmmaker, mental-health advocate, and founder of the “Heirlooms” project. Find Will at www.willcastle.comhttps://www.instagram.com/willc239?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Will lost his father to suicide at just 22 years old, an event that shattered his world and forced him into a journey of grief, identity, and survival. For years he held that pain in silence, but eventually turned it into a mission to break the stigma around men’s mental health and suicide bereavement.Will opens up about his childhood, the day he discovered his father had taken his own life, and the emotional fallout that followed. He talks about depression, anger, guilt, and the hidden impact suicide has on the families left behind. We explore why so many men still struggle to ask for help, how generational silence contributes to mental-health decline, and why open conversations are one of the most powerful tools we have.He also shares the story behind “Heirlooms” — the award-winning short film he helped create to give a voice to those living with suicide loss. The project has reached thousands, raising awareness and building understanding around a topic many still fear or avoid. Through his talks, filmmaking, fundraising and advocacy, Will has become a leading voice for people navigating grief, trauma and post-suicide recovery.This episode is raw, emotional, honest — and vital. Whether you’ve experienced loss yourself or you simply want to understand mental health on a deeper level, Will’s story will stay with you long after the episode ends.Thanks to ourHeadline Sponsor - Zinsser Topics we cover: • The moment Will’s life changed forever • How grief affects mental health over time • The stigma surrounding suicide and why it persists • Why men struggle to talk openly about their emotions • Creating Heirlooms and amplifying unheard stories • How to support someone affected by suicide • Finding purpose after traumaIf you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. Talking saves lives.

In this episode of The Talking Tradesman, Chris Ryan sits down to unpack a career that spans painting and decorating, psychotherapy, and co-founding the new wellbeing platform, Handily.Find Chris here -https://www.instagram.com/handily.app?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==This one goes deep. We get into why listening is a superpower on and off the tools, how family dynamics shape the way we work, and the reality of mental health challenges in the construction industry. Chris shares what he learned volunteering with Samaritans, the hidden pressures tradespeople carry, and how trauma, substance abuse, and emotional health show up in day-to-day life.We talk openly about men’s mental health, the power of therapy, and what real self-discovery looks like when you finally stop running from your own story.You’ll also hear Chris break down the messy, playful, human side of therapy — toxic compassion, boundaries, supervision, and why the industry desperately needs better regulation and honesty. If you’ve ever wondered how to choose the right therapist, or why some approaches work for one person and not another, this episode will hit home.And for the first time, we introduce Handily — a brand-new platform designed to support tradespeople with community, wellbeing tools, and a space to talk about the stuff we’re all dealing with but rarely say out loud.If you work in the trades, if you care about mental health, or if you’re just trying to understand yourself a bit better… this episode is a must-listen.Thanks to our Headline sponsors - Zinsser Chapters00:00 Navigating Self-Disclosure in Professional Settings00:54 The Journey to Mental Health Awareness04:56 The Role of Listening in Therapy08:52 Finding Purpose Through Volunteering13:03 Balancing Family and Business in the Trades17:57 Mental Health Challenges in the Construction Industry22:01 Understanding the Perfect Storm of Issues26:30 The Nature of Suffering and Generational Trauma28:34 The Transmission of Trauma31:45 Understanding Mental Health and Emotional Health35:24 The Role of Construction in Men's Mental Health38:30 The Distinction Between Mental Health and Emotional Health44:56 Anger: A Tool for Protest and Boundary Setting49:58 Understanding Emotions for Lasting Change56:02 The Journey to Becoming a Therapist01:01:03 Engagement in Therapy: The Playful Approach01:02:43 Toxic Compassion: The Balance of Care01:05:16 The Importance of Supervision in Therapy01:06:48 Integrative Therapy: A Blend of Modalities01:10:25 Finding the Right Therapist: A Personal Journey01:11:42 The Wild West of Therapy: Regulation and Standards01:15:40 The Responsibility of Mental Health Advocates01:20:11 Boundaries in Mental Health Conversations01:23:42 The Therapeutic Alliance: Building Relationships in Therapy01:35:26 Navigating Social Interactions and Personal Boundaries01:38:39 The Role of Context in Social Expectations01:41:38 Understanding Vulnerability in Therapy01:44:40 Bridging the Gap: Therapy for Tradespeople01:49:45 Introducing Handily: A New Platform for Trades01:58:44 Community and Networking in the Trades02:05:15 The Future of Social Media and Community Building