Higher Love with Megan

In this conversation, I am joined by Andrew 'Bernie' Bernard to explore the complexities of masculinity beyond the 'man box' and address the crisis of violence against women and girls. Bernie has spent the past decades educating teens about gendered inequality and coercive control recognising the importance of education in shaping healthier relationships. Together, we discuss the societal pressures on young men, the role of social and mainstream media in influencing perceptions and the stumbling blocks - centred around what Bernie describes as manufactured male victimhood - that often derail these crucial conversations. Bernie shares personal experiences and insights on how to empower the next generation to challenge harmful narratives and embrace empathy and understanding. This is an essential listen and a complementary episode to Lewis Wedlock on Feminism, Embracing Discomfort and Fostering Brave Spaces.

About Bernie:
Andrew `Bernie` Bernard is an entrepreneur, a TEDx Speaker, and facilitator who over the past couple of decades has worked with schools, businesses, charities, universities and colleges. He runs signature workshops including 'What Makes a Man/(Hu)Man', 'Sarah's Legacy / Domestic Violence', 'Look What you Made Me Do: Coercive Control Insights' and 'Life by the Balls'. As of December 2025, Bernie has spoken to over 70,000 young people about masculinity, coercive control and domestic abuse.
W:  innovativeenterprise.co.uk
V:  https://vimeo.com/156256349 
Tw / X / IG:  @_WhatMakesAMan_

References:
Liz Plank - For the Love of Men
Florence Knapp - The Names
Melanie Brown - Brutally Honest
Andrew Bernard - The Ladder: Supporting students towards successful futures and confident career choices
Bernie is currently editing his forthcoming book 'Masculinity, Relationships and Respect in Schools' a guide to discussing sexism, misogyny and 'toxic' / dominance-based masculinity in educational settings.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Connection
03:15 Understanding Masculinity and the Man Box
04:44 The Impact of Hyper-Masculinity
07:25 The Role of Men in Addressing Violence Against Women
08:39 Personal Experiences and Their Influence on Advocacy
10:00 The Importance of Education in Relationships
12:07 Coercive Control and Its Effects on Young People
14:30 The Need for Critical Conversations in Schools
17:15 Challenging Misconceptions About Feminism
19:49 Empathy and Understanding in Education
22:14 Empathy and Gendered Experiences in Public Spaces
24:00 The Normalization of Women's Safety Concerns
26:10 The Role of Social Media in Gender Dynamics
28:20 Media Representation of Violence Against Women
31:50 Understanding Violence as a Men's Issue
34:18 The Complexity of Coercive Control
39:01 Personal Impact of Violence and Societal Awareness
39:27 Understanding Coercive Control
43:16 The Ecosystem of Male Victimhood
50:43 Navigating Hope and Empowerment
54:41 The Journey of Self-Discovery

In this conversation, Megan Cooper hosts past guests Kaia Allen-Bevan and Viv Grant, who together share their personal and professional experiences around education.
Kaia and Viv describe how their own personal experiences as students catalysed their journeys into education, with Viv being the youngest head teacher in the UK turned founder and director of Integrity Coaching, supporting school heads and senior teachers and Kaia founding Youth the Gap CIC.
They delve into the challenges and complexities of the educational system, the importance of inner work for leadership, and the collective responsibility to address systemic harm. The discussion emphasises the need for long-term allyship, unity, and a long-term commitment to anti-racist work in schools, while also reflecting on the coexistence of grief and joy, discomfort and hope.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Backgrounds
03:39 Feelings About Education
06:53 Experiences as Students
17:23 Inspiration for Current Work
20:22 Leading Change in Education
26:30 Resistance and Systemic Harm
29:28 Vision for a Liberated Education
34:55 Awakening to Unity and Resistance
36:23 Defining Anti-Racist Work in Education
39:32 Youth the Gap: Transforming School Ecosystems
41:49 Pro Stewarding the Future: Legacy in Education
46:29 Belonging and Justice in Education
49:59 Walking in the Dark: Navigating Uncertainty
54:44 Invitations to Inner Wisdom and Hope
56:55 Outro

About Kaia:
Kaia Allen-Bevan is a multi-award winning activist, founder of Youth The Gap and director at Edge of Difference, creative and host, recognised by Forbes and Business Today as making a 'global impact' Kaia invites us all to be comfortably uncomfortable in addressing injustice, and not just leaving it all up to the 'activists' to spark long-term and meaningful change.
@kaia.ab
@youththegap
About Viv:
Viv Grant is an Executive Coach, author and public speaker known for her deep insights into leadership, vulnerability and resilience. She is the Director of Integrity Coaching, London's leading provider in coaching services for Headteachers and Senior School Leaders.
https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/

> Please take a moment to leave a rating or review.
You can get in touch with Megan at
www.higher-love.com
@higherlove_withmegan

This week I am joined by masculinities educator Lewis Wedlock. Together we explore the complexities of masculinity, the impact of patriarchy, and the importance of self-care in activism. Lewis discusses the roots of his advocacy for men's wellbeing and the need to address systemic issues like misogyny and violence against women. We delve into the 'Not All Men' debate, emphasising the importance of accountability and the need for men to engage in conversations about masculinity, feminism and equity in order for us to build better communities and better futures.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Lewis Wedlock
01:26 Lewis's Journey into Masculinities Education
06:34 Understanding the Impact of Patriarchy
07:14 The Role of Men in Addressing Loneliness
09:48 Exploring Hyper-Patriarchy and Its Effects
12:13 Navigating Pushback in Conversations
15:02 Creating Safe Spaces for Discussion
16:05 The 'Not All Men' Debate
20:41 Embracing Complexity in Masculinity
26:14 Encouraging Men to Step Up
30:20 Confronting Bias and Discomfort
31:39 Creating Safety in Conversations
33:54 Addressing Violence Against Women
39:50 Navigating Masculinity and Feminism
50:02 Sustaining Hope in Activism
54:08 Resources for Further Learning
59:00 Outro

About Lewis
Lewis Wedlock is a masculinities educator specialising in person centered, culturally attuned deliveries and interventions. 
He has spent the last five years working with thousands of young men across the UK in secondary and higher education, engaging them in topics such as feminism, allyship, accountability, sexism, misogyny and VAWG. 
He has designed and delivered several interventions for schools looking to transform their masculinity school cultures and has worked with thousands of educators to support and empower young men within their school spaces. His debut book “Masculinities in Schools” was published by Sage in 2025.
Lewis’s podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ChVU9ZIBqJCuXvfmgc0xu
Lewis’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LewisWedlock
Website: www.lewiswedlock.com 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-wedlock/
Men's Work: www.lewiswedlock.com/menswork
Socials: @lewiswedlock on Instagram and TikTok

ANDDD we're back! After a January hiatus, the Higher Love with Megan Podcast returns to usher in a new year. And we are kick-starting 2026 with Zack Alexander. In this episode, Zack and I explore the tumultuous landscape of 2026 so far, reflecting on the disillusionment of 2025 and the collapse of false structures in society. We discuss the intersection of spirituality and politics, the challenges of navigating identity and activism, and the impact of global events on personal perspectives. Zack shares his journey from the wellness industry to a more politically aware stance, emphasising the importance of listening to diverse voices and the role of anger and grief in healing. The conversation culminates in a discussion about hope amidst chaos and the collective growth needed to create a better future.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:52 Reflections on 2026: A Year of Change
05:09 Zack's Journey: From Law to Spirituality
09:29 The Intersection of Spirituality and Activism
17:12 The Impact of Geopolitical Events on Personal Values
21:59 Navigating the Complexities of Identity and Trauma
30:41 Privilege and Spiritual Constructs
34:50 The Need for Maturity in Wellness
53:41 Social Media's Impact on Discourse
54:02 Cultivating Hope in Challenging Times
57:30 Outro

About Zack: Zack is a Spiritual and Leadership Mentor, a Jewish mystic weaving together psychology, grounded spirituality, political philosophy, business and leadership into one path. He reflects on what’s often unseen to help others deepen their journey and supports the process of healing through a trauma-informed lens.
IG: @iamzackalexander
Substack: https://zackalexander.substack.com/

Please take a moment to RATE, REVIEW and SHARE this episode with anyone who can benefit from the conversation.
You can contact me directly via my website www.higher-love.com or find me on IG @higherlove_withmegan

In this special edition of Higher Love with Megan, I look back at the podcasts past and present as we draw this year to a close. When I relaunched this podcast 18 months ago, my intention was to host the conversations I felt were most missing from the wellbeing space, taking listeners on a journey to learn, unlearn and grow together.
This episode is a celebration of that shared journey. I revisit some of the most powerful moments from the last year, featuring voices that have challenged us to redefine what it means to be well in an unwell world. From the moral clarity of Misan Harriman to the bravery of Dr Mo Mustafa in Gaza, and the enduring spirit of Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, this compilation highlights our collective commitment to standing together in solidarity.
Key Takeaways
A Hunger for Change: The significant growth in the podcast’s audience demonstrates how hungry we are as a community for change at a time when despair can feel close.

Co-creation and Community: This podcast is a collaboration and a symbiotic co-creation between guest, host, production and listener, embodying our shared collective humanity.

Redefining Wellness: We are moving away from the silence often found in spiritual spaces and acknowledging that the highest iteration of spirituality involves speaking out against injustice.

Interconnected Struggles: The genocide in Palestine has shone a light on wider systems of harm, including imperialism and capitalism, revealing how our struggles and our liberation are inextricably intertwined.

Episode Highlights

04:00 – Dina Ghandour and Charles Myssey discuss the shock of silence within the wellness industry and the fallacy of ‘love and light’ bypassing.

07:40 – Misan Harriman reflects on the power of protest photography as an act of resistance and the importance of a clear conscience.

10:30 – Dr Mo Mustafa, Jen Brister and Georgia Takacs share insights on the bravery of medical workers in Gaza and the necessity of getting uncomfortable for the sake of humanity.

14:30 – Kieran Andrieu describes the emotional departure of the Freedom Flotilla and the tectonic shift in global solidarity for Palestine.

19:00 – 88-year-old Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos and his daughter Andrea discuss his newfound 'celebrity' status as an activist.

About the guests

This episode features a collection of guests from throughout the year, including:
Dina Ghandour & Charles Myssy: Practitioners and guides.

Misan Harriman: Photographer and activist.

Dr Mo Mustafa: Doctor and humanitarian.

Jen Brister & Georgia Takacs: Founders of All Our Relations.

Kieran Andrieu: Journalist and commentator for Novara Media.

Antoine Raffoul & Yasmin Say: Palestinian voices and storytellers.

Stephen & Andrea Kapos: Holocaust survivor and filmmaker.

Marina Purkiss: Political commentator.

Khaled Abdalla: Actor and activist.

About Megan

Instagram: ⁠@‌HigherLove_withMegan⁠

Website: ⁠www.higher-love.com⁠

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk ).
If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review.