In this episode, co-host Bob Vines shares his own story about struggling with depression and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of his struggle, he found himself in a fight against COVID that landed him in the Intensive Care Unit hooked up to a ventilator. Upon his release after nearly two months in hospitals, the first thing he did was seek help through therapy for his depression and survivor’s guilt.

Men Speak focuses on the stories of Wyoming men that challenge socialized beliefs surrounding masculinity. Men Speak events feature storytellers from diverse backgrounds sharing true stories about fighting the stigma of men’s mental health, challenging gender stereotypes, and simply learning how to be a good person.

The Men Speak podcast tells these stories as well as taking a deeper dive into each of the subjects with prevention specialist Bob Vines and journalist Cooper McKim. It is our belief that storytelling can be used as a catalyst for social change, teaching empathy, and making a safer world for everyone.

Men Speak is sponsored by the Albany County Campfire Initiative, a joint effort between the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Albany County SAFE Project.