Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show host or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
[00:05:24] Speaker B: WVUAFM, Tuscaloosa.
[00:05:26] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show host or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis sur service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
[00:06:07] Speaker B: Hey, everybody, welcome back. For this first segment, as we were talking about in the earlier intro, we are, we're wrapping up our last episode here and so we kind of wanted to take a look back into the highlights and kind of the lasting advice we want to leave. Nick and I do.
Looking back on this podcast, what we enjoy the most about it, what we enjoy talking about the most and we thought were the most prominent things to leave behind for future listeners, current listeners, as we hope this podcast continues to grow throughout the year. So I'll leave the floor to you guys on what kind of stuck out, stuck out the most from the past year that we've had together or semester.
[00:06:48] Speaker C: Yeah, I think for me, like, I'm really proud of the content we made, but, like, what I'm most proud of is, like, how it was received. So, like, every conversation that I had with listeners was, like, about how cool it was.
And to me, like, in my mind, that was kind of accomplishing, like, what we were doing. Like, if somebody has admiration for the project, then that's, you know, normalizing these conversations.
And that just, like, left me with warm feelings in every conversation I had about it. So if you did that, I appreciate it. It kept me going.
[00:07:32] Speaker D: Yeah, it's been nice to run across those kinds of comments. I know that over the last couple of weeks, you know, lunch with a few students who mentioned, like, on their own, the podcast and how not only how much they've enjoyed it, but how much they really thought it was important to be able to talk about college men's mental health here at Alabama and how very seldom is mental health around for college men talked about. And so they felt it was really. It was nice. It was refreshing to kind of bring it out into the open, but then also to have this invitation, as we mentioned previously, to draw that circle larger. Right. How do we invite others to share their stories, their experiences? You know, Carter is a perfect example of that. And I think Tyler and Luke, they both did great jobs to share their experiences. And so I think that I feel really good about the way we started and how we want to carry it forward.
It's going to be an interesting transition, though, not having the two of you here next year.
And so it's an opportunity to, again, not only draw the circle wider, but also to have new perspectives, new ideas and things of that sort.
And just as I'm talking now, I'm also thinking about, you know, those episodes that we've had together that have been most either impactful or memorable. Do you. Do you have one or a few that have been most memorable to you all?
[00:09:26] Speaker B: It felt like the ones that were the most impactful were kind of the ones that we just did off the cuff.
[00:09:31] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:09:31] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:09:32] Speaker B: You know, the ones that were the most uncomfortable to talk about, and I don't know what that means. I don't know why it felt so impactful to me. I think it's because men don't necessarily talk about this. Kind of going back to what you said earlier, like, I've had people come up to me saying, I think this is so good that what you're doing, like, what you are doing is so impactful and stuff, and it kind of gives me some, like, sort of peace. Like, all men really feel a lot of these emotions, or if not all of them. And granted, I didn't know that, and I think a lot of people don't know that and are kind of stuck in their own head. Like, I'm the only person that can feel this, and I can't really reach out to help or people won't understand what I'm going through. And I think the goal of this podcast was to put that out in the open and to talk about the hard stuff and the uncomfortable stuff. I think whenever we talked about loss in one of our episodes and grieving, I mean, that was extremely hard, and we were kind of walking on eggshells for the beginning of it. I think towards the end, we really dove into it and understood, or not understood, but went through all of the really Hard things to talk about. We're not experts in really anything that we're saying, but we're doing it in order to kind of bring to light how we experience emotions as men. As men who are seniors now, been to the University of Alabama and kind of been in a lot of different aspects on campus. And so we feel kind of knowledgeable to talk about certain things, but some things we really don't, but we still talk about them in order to help promote people to talk about their emotions with their friends, their close circles, so they can feel, you know, more at peace with their mental health.
[00:11:12] Speaker C: Yeah, I, I like, agree with, like, the sentiment that, like, we have some of the experiences and that, like, adds some good insight onto some of the topics.
But for that reason, I think that, like, the one where we talked about anxiety and in college men was my favorite.
I, like, have a really hard time listening to these because I, like, hate the sound of my voice on the mic. But that's one that, like, I listened to back, like, multiple times because I, I really appreciated what everybody had to say.
But it's also just like, probably what I've struggled with the most as, like, I've grown older is just, like, dealing with anxiety and like, the limitations that can sometimes feel like it's placing on you.
But I felt like we were very, like, candid about the experience, and I think that that comes across to the listeners. So if I were to, like, pick one and be like, this is the one you should listen to, that's probably the one I would do.
[00:12:20] Speaker D: That's the one. So let me ask you something, Nick. You know, as you've been pretty open with coping with anxiety, how anxious was it for you to start this?
[00:12:32] Speaker C: Man, this is tough.
I, like, generally this sounds so bad to, like, for anybody who's listening who might be, like, weighing on my potential for success or whatever, but, like, I'm not the biggest self start. Like, I really appreciate direction and like, when I'm given direction, like, I'll get whatever it is that needs to get done done, but doing things where you don't really have, like, a clear end in sight. Like, we had goals, but, like, not really. Like, it was something that was like, mendable or like, it was like, like kind of like what Johnny was saying earlier. Like, we didn't know if we were actually going to be able to record right?
So, you know, figuring it out was really tough for me.
But, you know, I put a lot of trust in, like, you guys because you guys deserved that from, from me. So at some points I was just like, this is tough because I, like, don't know what's gonna happen, but if I'm doing it with them, like, it feels, it feels like it's gonna be okay.
[00:13:42] Speaker D: Right.
[00:13:43] Speaker C: And this is such a low stakes thing. Right? Like, having these conversations is so low stakes and I, I think that's kind. That we're trying to send to everybody is like having conversations about this should be so normal and like, so okay and so open to reception. So just putting a mic in front of us, I think, like, I should feel comfortable doing it, especially because that's the message I'm trying to.
[00:14:09] Speaker D: That's the message. Yeah, it was, it's, it's, it's been fun for me. I think the conversations that we've had even before this made. It certainly made it easier for me to be with the two of you and to continue these conversations. It was only having after these daggone mics in front of us that, you know, we sort of tensed up a bit and we sort of felt, oh, what is this now that we're having to speak into? But I think that we sort of came into it pretty, pretty easily and pretty naturally. So it's been nice to be in the same boat.
[00:14:42] Speaker C: Yeah. It's funny looking back to our first one, like, we were all so nervous about it and like we had most of what we were gonna say written down.
[00:14:52] Speaker D: Right.
[00:14:52] Speaker C: We were using.
[00:14:53] Speaker D: We were around one mic.
[00:14:55] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:14:55] Speaker E: Right.
[00:14:57] Speaker C: So not only the production quality has gotten better, but I think like forcing ourselves to have this dialogue in a way that's like really consumable and like vastly available has kind of pushed, at least for me, into a better understanding of like, myself and like, these kind of issues.
[00:15:17] Speaker D: No, I agree wholehearted with, Wholeheartedly with you. You know, the episodes for me that were most memorable are certainly the ones where we riff off of each other and the language of grief. That one most recently was very memorable for me. But then also the first one around anxiety, right, where we talk about anxiety, that I think was the first one where we've really let ourselves go.
And I loved it. In fact, as I look at all the other episodes, the ones where we really allow ourselves to, to do that, let ourselves go, or the longest episode, so it's outside the 30 minute norm or 30 minute limit. But I think it also goes to show that when we are having these great conversations, that it's certainly beyond the time limits that we've at least artificially set for ourselves, but we want to honor the conversation. So this has been.
It's been a remarkable journey. I want to really thank the two of you for allowing me to be a part of it. It's going to be different next year, I think, to consider what this podcast would be like. I'm looking forward to it. And I also know that I'll miss the two of you.
[00:16:38] Speaker C: Totally miss you.
[00:16:40] Speaker B: Yeah.
I think looking back at some episodes while you were talking, I kind of thought of something, and if I were to break it up in terms of men at the University of Alabama that are freshmen is one case, and then sophomore, junior than seniors, I think for freshmen, the best episode is finding your true north. I think that's super important as a freshman, setting the course right. You know, the Hubble Telescope, you know, analogy. If you set your, you know, if you're looking out into space and you move it a degree to the right, you're vastly off course, you know, miles down the road. And that's the same with this, you know, with college. If you set your. If you set your bearings in the right direction, you more likely than not, are way better off than if you just, you know, went dilly dallying, whatever. So I think that's a good episode for freshmen and then kind of the sophomore, junior. I think it's important to look at the Hustle culture episode with Tyler because it's. It's really hard to get caught up in that with. With expectations and comparing yourself to others. That's something that I fell victim to 100. Looking at the person beside me and not only having that internal competition that I have to do better than him, but also allowing myself to feel good enough and feel that I am, you know, worthy of, you know, praise, whatever, regardless of if I wanted to do anything or not.
That was. That's. That's a good episode, I think, for the people that are, you know, got their bearings at this point and their sophomore, junior year, but they're looking forward to their career at Alabama. And then lastly, again, we talked about this multiple times, this segment, but the anxieties episode, I think my. The end of my junior year, senior year, when I actually was, you know, I have to go to the real world now or I have to do something after this. Like, being at the University of Alabama has been so fun and so, you know, caught up in everything that I haven't thought about past it. And so that gave me a ton of anxiety going out. So I think that that was battling anxiety and confronting anxiety with yourself is super important. And that's A good episode, I think, for the following or for the seniors kind of leaving. So I think breaking it up that way, especially for people that are, you know, maybe this is like a year behind of whether actually listening and they're thinking about, you know, they're looking back at all the episodes, like, what should I listen to?
[00:18:57] Speaker D: Right.
[00:18:58] Speaker B: I think that that's a good kind of step through to what we've been talking about. But yeah, that was kind of my little tidbit, so I kind of went off on that. But we're super excited for this next segment as we'll introduce everybody to who will be speaking for the next year to come. So we're super excited to get you, get you guys familiar with these two guys. We'll see you in the next segment. This is the Mama Balance, wvuafm, Tuscaloosa.
[00:19:40] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling and no relationship is created between the show hosts or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA Counsel student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
[00:20:22] Speaker C: Hey, everybody. Welcome back. And as Johnny promised, we got a big reveal. We got two guys that are taking over me and Johnny's spots. So I'm going to give the floor to Edward and Brooks to introduce themselves. We'll start with Edward.
[00:20:36] Speaker F: Hey, I'm Edward Fountain. I'm a sophomore here at ua. I'm excited to be a part of the BAMA Balance.
[00:20:43] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:20:44] Speaker E: What's up, guys? I'm Brooks Barbary from Pinnock City, Alabama. Junior accounting student here going into senior year. So excited for senior year and to be working along Dr. Perez next year.
[00:20:56] Speaker D: It's so strange. We've actually shifted seats. So during the break we shifted seats and now Brooks and Edward are in the co driver seats for this podcast and Johnny or Nick are in these other seats over here where we typically would have the guests. And it's been a shift already. It feels different. I don't know how it's feeling for you, Edward and Brooks, but it's weird. Is it like have like, what's it like for you being here today? Kind of talking into this microphone.
[00:21:27] Speaker E: This is my first time talking to the microphone. I may have sang karaoke a few times.
[00:21:32] Speaker D: Okay.
[00:21:32] Speaker E: I'm not gonna put the.
[00:21:34] Speaker D: I'm gonna write that.
[00:21:34] Speaker E: I'm not gonna put the listeners through that right now.
[00:21:36] Speaker D: That's all right. We got a whole year for that. I got a whole year for that. How about for you, Evan?
[00:21:41] Speaker F: It's really cool. I mean, I'm. I'm. I've been. I've been thrown in charge of all of the buttons and the recording and all that, so it's nice to kind of learn on the fly there. But I'm excited. This is going to be. It's going to be a lot of fun.
[00:21:51] Speaker D: That's very cool. I'm trying to remember, I know we got together earlier this semester, but trying to think in terms of how we roped you guys in, because we started talking sometime. Well, we started talking almost like halfway through the early part of the year.
We were aware that we were going to make.
[00:22:11] Speaker C: It was like, honestly before the end of the fall semester.
[00:22:16] Speaker D: I think you're right.
[00:22:17] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:22:18] Speaker D: I think you're right.
[00:22:18] Speaker F: Yeah.
[00:22:19] Speaker C: Because I remember talking to Edward at like a holiday party.
[00:22:22] Speaker D: Okay.
[00:22:23] Speaker F: Yes, yes, I remember that.
[00:22:25] Speaker B: Yeah. We had like six guys, and then none of the six could do it. Then these two were the last.
[00:22:32] Speaker D: Oh, that's right. That's right. You're right. They were like, yeah, we had to.
[00:22:39] Speaker E: I know.
[00:22:39] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:22:39] Speaker F: Scraping the barrel.
[00:22:40] Speaker B: Right.
[00:22:41] Speaker C: If the first six guys change their mind, just let us know. These guys are easily replaceable.
[00:22:49] Speaker D: I think all truth be told that the two of you were the ones that we sort of talked about or thought about initially, and as we thought about it, more landed on and so welcome to. Welcome to the podcast.
What are you two looking forward to the most? What excites you? What scares you?
[00:23:11] Speaker E: I'll say. Working along. You. And I met Johnny, too, this beginning of fall semester, working on the GRIT program with our new incoming freshmen in the fraternity. And that was just such a. Such a real thing to be able to sit down, talk to them, you know, as a friend and somebody they can look up to. And especially having Johnny around to help out. That was a different, unfamiliar face, but a knowledgeable person on. There are literally no limits as a freshman. And I think that's great for them to hear and know. And I mean, I'm just looking forward to trying to make a difference and whether this accomplishes it or not, we'll find out. But I'm excited for it.
[00:23:50] Speaker D: Brooks was one of the co facilitators of the GRIT program. We piloted that last. About a year ago, right?
[00:23:56] Speaker E: Yes, sir.
[00:23:57] Speaker D: With a couple fraternities and you did an amazing job with that.
[00:24:02] Speaker E: Thank you.
[00:24:02] Speaker D: Did an amazing job with that. I think as we were thinking about different topics for this podcast, some of the things that came up were some of the elements of the GRIT program, like finding your true north, for example. Right.
[00:24:13] Speaker E: That was probably the best lesson than grit, I thought something anybody can get something out of, especially an incoming kid to college. That's so important.
[00:24:24] Speaker D: That's right. Gosh, yeah. That was a lot of fun, Edward. I think we were having breakfast or coffee one morning.
[00:24:32] Speaker F: We had got breakfast at wasn't another broken egg. It was big, bad breakfast.
[00:24:38] Speaker D: A big bad breakfast. Right.
[00:24:39] Speaker F: And you just mentioned it and I was like, oh, that sounds really cool.
[00:24:42] Speaker D: Right. Because we were. It wasn't planned, I don't think. Not at.
[00:24:45] Speaker F: We were.
[00:24:46] Speaker D: Yeah, no, I think we were catching up or we were kind of talking about plans for the year or something like that.
And as you were talking, I mean, in the back of my mind I went, Edward's got a good conversational like manner. He would do pretty well with something like this. Plus, I know you have a background in some audio or music production as well.
[00:25:11] Speaker F: Well, you know, I'm sure that we'll break that down at a future date. I'll leave that up to Mystery for now.
[00:25:17] Speaker B: Ok. Yeah, keep them coming for next time.
[00:25:19] Speaker D: That's fine.
[00:25:20] Speaker F: For those who know you get to enjoy that now, but.
[00:25:22] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think that'll be. Yeah, we don't want to have it all revealed or all rolled out at once, but it'll be. It'll be kind of nice, I think.
[00:25:32] Speaker F: I agree.
[00:25:33] Speaker D: What are you looking forward to and maybe what are you most apprehensive about?
[00:25:37] Speaker F: I'm really looking forward to share just kind of my experience and also hear from others and I think, think it's such a powerful thing to just share like stories and experience when you have these people and you have these good conversations, it allows for bridges to be built. It allows for people to be impacted because they get. I think a lot of the times guys struggle because they sometimes think that they're the only ones going through what they're going through. But hearing someone else go through it, they're more likely to talk about it. And talking about it is important to work through it.
[00:26:13] Speaker D: Right.
[00:26:14] Speaker F: So I'm excited to hopefully be. I mean, we'll be a part of that, sure.
But to hopefully see that work in the lives of a lot of. A lot of guys at ua just be really cool.
[00:26:27] Speaker D: I'm kind of excited too because, you know, this is still a relatively new thing that we're continuing here, but for next year, the two of you are much different stages sort of academically. Right. So Brooks, you're. You'll be a senior next year.
[00:26:45] Speaker E: Yes, sir.
[00:26:45] Speaker D: Right. And then Edward, Jr, you'll be Jr next year. So kind of different stages in sort of academic life here. And it'll be kind of interesting to see what.
What differences you have just, you know, as we. As we talk and. And how others might relate to that. Because I know with. With Johnny, Nick, bother. You know, you were seniors and now you're out of here. Right, right.
[00:27:08] Speaker B: I think the thing with Nick and I is we're so alike in terms of our roadmap to get here. We were both in SGA for, like, majority of our college careers, both seniors, both doing graduate school. So it was like. It's like everything he's like. He said. I was like, yeah, it's not like we had different experience. So that's why I'm super excited for this following year with these two guys. Not only are they in different stages of, you know, college, but they're also involved in different things on campus, which I think is what's great about their pairing. That's going to really help the average listener that's tuning into this for maybe some help or just for insight. I think that these guys can attest to pretty much anything that a guy can go through on this campus.
So that's why they were kind of the first two. I was kidding about the six. They were the first two that were. They were chosen. So I can't express how excited I am.
[00:28:03] Speaker C: Yeah, yeah, yeah, sorry. We're sharing a mic back here, so we're going back and forth. But yeah, I think you guys are gonna kill it. You know, in as long as I've known the both of you, you guys have been really easy to have conversations with. And I think that comes across over, you know, podcast platform, where it's like, this guy is, like, not that fun to listen to, but, like, I've always enjoyed the conversations that we've had. And you guys also, you know, are serving as, like, a representative of, like, what. I think Johnny and I are super proud of, like, what we've done, and I.
I like out of a compliment, like, I think that you guys are the ones that are going to carry it on really well.
And I wouldn't say that if I didn't think that. So, yeah, I'm glad that you guys are. Are taking over.
[00:28:56] Speaker D: Yeah.
What was that like to hear A lot.
[00:29:01] Speaker F: Yeah.
[00:29:02] Speaker E: Means a lot.
And thank y'all for leading the way. Y'all are gonna do great things. You're gonna kill it.
[00:29:09] Speaker D: I don't.
[00:29:10] Speaker E: Nick's over here shaking. He doesn't like.
[00:29:11] Speaker D: He doesn't say goodbye.
[00:29:13] Speaker C: I don't do it.
[00:29:14] Speaker F: I don't do it.
[00:29:15] Speaker E: But it means a lot. And we're gonna. We're gonna wear that very proudly.
[00:29:18] Speaker F: Do our best to carry the torch a little bit.
[00:29:20] Speaker D: What's. What does it feel like to be handing over the reins?
[00:29:25] Speaker B: I'll take the mic on that one. No, it's definitely weird. I think I'm going to be able to actually listen to it without cringing as much because I don't have skip over your. I won't have my. I do skip over my voice, but sometimes there's like a five second cutoff where I missed the intro. Something. I go back and listen to my voice a little bit, but I think I'll be able to actually tune in. And like we said, Nick, like I said earlier, Nick and I had so much similar experience. It was kind of hard to branch out from what we didn't know. Well, you don't know. You don't know. And so these guys have a lot of stuff that I don't know and gone through things that I don't know about. So I'm super excited to hear about their personal stories, their. Their journey through UA and everything that they plan to do and everything that they have been through. That's. That's what I'm excited about. But handing over the reins is definitely kind of bittersweet. But at the same time, it's obviously a necessary thing that has to happen. But I, like, we keep going on and on about this, but there's no two better guys that can take over what we have here.
[00:30:23] Speaker F: Agree?
[00:30:24] Speaker C: Yeah, I. Similar sentiment, but, like, also want to express, like, some excitement for you two guys.
Like, I'm a little sad that we're not having these conversations every Tuesday anymore, but I'm really excited for you guys to get to experience that because I really do feel like I've grown so much as a byproduct of, like, doing the Bama balance.
And I would expect you guys to, like, have a similar experience just by the nature of, like, pushing yourself to talk about this so openly and kind of serving as, like, Sorry, I don't mean to say representative again, but, like, serving as a representative of somebody who's open to talk about this kind of thing and, like, that movement to make this super Normal. Normalized.
But, yeah, it's sad, you know, the getting to hang out with you, too. Sorry. Dr. Prez and Johnny has been really, like, the highlight of my semester, so not having. We'll have to, like, do phone calls or something.
[00:31:27] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:31:28] Speaker C: I'll see y'all when I see y'all. Right. Right.
[00:31:30] Speaker D: We can. So we can stretch the limits of this technology here and have the two of you on a zoom call, and we can sort of bring you guys in virtually that way as guests at this point in time. So interested in. So, Brooks and Edward, what kind of. Are there questions that you would want to. Like, are you dying to ask Johnny and Nick before they fully let you have the reins? As you think about it, you know, now's your chance.
[00:32:00] Speaker C: It's the last time.
[00:32:01] Speaker D: It's the last time.
[00:32:02] Speaker E: Yeah, I'm gonna have to think on this one.
[00:32:04] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:32:05] Speaker D: Yeah. I mean, I guess one question I would have is, how nervous have you guys been each time we've recorded?
[00:32:17] Speaker B: I think it's the obvious answer, but it's gone downhill with every episode.
Actually, not with every episode. I think the first two, I was nervous, and then third and fourth, I was less nervous. And then fifth on. It's just like having a conversation just with a mic in front of me. And that's, you know, what we tried to do in the first few episodes. But it was really hard because all I was thinking about was articulating every single word and making sure I said the right thing. But a lot of times I slip up and kind of say something that, like, you know, might not be, like, extremely appropriate or, like, you know, I don't know, maybe a little crass or whatever, but it's how I felt. And I think that's what's important about having this, is we're not here to. To necessarily coach or lecture or be a therapist. We're here to ex. It's, you know, real men having real stories about college, men's mental health. That's what we're doing. And real stories have to be real stories. And so if there's, you know, if there's hiccups in that, that's. That's important because not everything is crystal clear and smooth. And that's kind of how I. How I would, you know, characterize it, because I haven't been smooth in every single accident. I know that for a fact.
[00:33:30] Speaker D: Yeah, but been real.
[00:33:31] Speaker B: Yeah, been tried. Tried.
[00:33:33] Speaker D: Both of you. Been very real.
[00:33:34] Speaker B: Try to.
[00:33:35] Speaker C: Yeah, I think that's the. The same thought that I had early on was definitely nerve wracking because I wasn't. I was nervous, like, just by nature of having a mic in front of my face, but also I was, like, unsure of how it was going to be received or if, like, what people are going to think about not just the podcast, but, like, me as a member of the podcast.
And so, again, like, pointing to the people that have commented on it and given me encouragement, that really has helped a ton and, like, ease the nerves of, like, yeah, like, I am supposed to be doing this kind of thing. The mission that we had set out at the beginning of the years coming to fruition, at least, like, to a few people that have mentioned it to me. So definitely, like, receiving those comments and, like, over time, growing more comfortable doing it has eased the nerves. But I was terrified the first time.
[00:34:37] Speaker D: I'm sure.
[00:34:38] Speaker C: I'm sure these two are, like, not the most comfortable right now, but it'll come.
[00:34:43] Speaker D: You'll ease into it.
[00:34:45] Speaker E: Too bad.
[00:34:46] Speaker F: What would you say, like, kept your. I mean, obviously it's, like, a lot of fun to do, but, like, what was, like, got y'all excited about it every week to kind of come back and do this?
[00:34:55] Speaker C: Honestly, I didn't really feel too much burnout in doing it.
I felt like this was, like, a valuable part of my week, just getting to talk with Johnny and Dr. Perez, but also knowing that we had accomplished, at least to some extent, like, what we're. We're trying to do. When we saw the metrics of, like, how many monthly listeners we had, right. That really, it was like, the first time we had seen anything that, like, showed how many people were tuning in. And we had about 200.
[00:35:32] Speaker D: It's crazy.
[00:35:33] Speaker C: Yeah. And I was like, wow, this is actually people listening to our show. And I, like, had originally thought that it was four people, right? And they were like, my fans, including us. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So definitely seeing that we're actually doing something and this has, like, a purpose that's being fulfilled was.
Was what kept me going.
[00:35:58] Speaker B: Yeah, echo that.
But we've talked about it multiple times already this episode, so hate to sound like a broken record, but. But people coming up to me and Nick specifically and saying, like, I really do appreciate that what you're doing. And, you know, people don't necessarily tune into a Men's Health Mental or Men's Mental Health podcast, you know, just to listen. Sometimes they're actually struggling. And for people to come up to you and say that it shows a lot of vulnerability. It also shows that you're doing the right thing. And. And I think I was maybe a little hesitant to tell my friends, like, I'm doing a mental health podcast because of the backlash that I might receive. And I don't feel that way anymore. I think the reason I kept coming back is because I kept getting this feedback that, you know, was positive, that felt like I was doing something right.
And it's such a rewarding feeling that I know you guys are going to continue to have because you guys are going to have meaningful conversations that. That kind of go beyond what you have typically with your friends or with your close circles.
And so it's super exciting. And week after week talking about stuff that was uncomfortable or personal stories, that was what, you know, I also just like to talk. So that was another part of it.
[00:37:20] Speaker D: Which made it easy for the three of us, I think, to get together this week.
[00:37:24] Speaker B: Well, again, super excited for these two as they carry on this Bama Balance podcast into the new year.
So we're super excited. Nick and I are to continue to listen to them. And they're lucky to have a guy like Dr. Perez each week to talk to as we've enjoyed them every Tuesday.
And so we'll wrap things up in this ending segment. This is the Bama Balance wvuafm Tuscaloosa.
[00:38:11] Speaker A: This show is not a substitute for professional counseling, and no relationship is created between the show hosts or guests and any listener. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are usually student, we encourage you to contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective counties crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
[00:38:52] Speaker D: Welcome back to the Bama Balance, everybody. This, this final segment and I guess really to close out, I'm interested, Brooks and Edward, kind of your thoughts on where men's mental health here at UA stands. What are some of the things that you want to kind of bring to the table and talk about?
[00:39:14] Speaker E: I think it's a very important problem, honestly. I can tell you that I don't think it's great just based off of what we have happen year to year, you know, but this is stuff that, you know, I'm having to somewhat feel comfortable about talking, but it's not easy for anybody. And that's one of the things in the GRIT program that we talked about to those freshmen. You have so many resources on this campus to talk to and to get help from and to just know that they're there to help you.
But I mean, it's a tough thing, but it's a real thing. It's going to happen. There's no way to avoid it. But I guess just for everybody to know that there is somebody to talk to at all times, that's very important.
[00:39:58] Speaker D: Right.
[00:40:00] Speaker E: You know, if we have to be those people that come on here and talk, I'm fine with that.
[00:40:04] Speaker D: Sure, sure.
[00:40:05] Speaker F: Yeah. I think it's just important to, you know, I know I kind of talked about it earlier, but like, making sure guys know they're not alone and what they're going through.
Because it can be really easy as a, as a guy to just kind of put your head down and try to get through everything and keep going and think, oh, you know, I just need to man up or what, what not. But it's just, it's really important that they realize, like Brooke says, there are tons of resources for guys and there's plenty of opportunity. And I think also like changing a lot of, like, the dialogue around it. I got a lot of, A lot of guys feel uncomfortable to do it because they think they might be judged.
But if we just, you know, I think it's important to let a lot of people know, hey, like, this is not. It's a serious thing.
You shouldn't be judged for it. And there are places where you won't be where you can talk about it.
So I think that's one, like, that's one area where I'd love to see kind of growth for a lot of our, really every guy here on campus.
[00:41:11] Speaker D: Sure, sure. You know, one of the things that I think about, and I've thought about it as we had developed the Bama balance and still continue to think about it now, is that there are a number of resources on campus and certainly, you know, each year we talk to incoming students about, here are the resources that you can use and that are available for you in terms of your own mental health and well being.
And, you know, the. Having the opportunity to work on the GRIT program last year continued to give me some thought about what other opportunities can be created for college men to address mental health. And not just opportunities to attend a program or opportunities to attend a presentation, but what are some opportunities that college men can really engage in that further the dialogue on mental health that allow them to engage in a way that is different in a way that they can relate to.
And so I guess my question is, where do you, what role do you think The Bama Balance podcast has in those kinds of resources on campus.
Either of you?
[00:42:42] Speaker E: Yeah, I can take it. So, like I said with that Grit program, I hate to bring this up again for our group, and Dr. Perez, you worked very close with me and my crew on this, and we ended up bringing Johnny in because we thought that'd be a great idea. It's another voice, and this is how I treat this. There are people going through what you've gone through. They've already gone through it. Me and Johnny were older, talking to those kids, and it was a different aspect to approach things. And sometimes people don't want to ask. It's easier to just tell them and let them listen.
[00:43:18] Speaker D: Sure.
[00:43:19] Speaker E: So I think that's why this is such a critical role. And maybe. Maybe somebody's scared to ask, but. But here we are talking about it, and it's easy to tag along into.
[00:43:28] Speaker D: So if they hear others kind of talking about similar concerns or similar worries, they're more likely to relate easier to that than something else. Okay. Makes sense.
[00:43:40] Speaker F: Just like awareness, too.
[00:43:41] Speaker D: Awareness.
[00:43:41] Speaker F: Just spreading awareness and letting people know about where they can get help to is just important. I think this is a great platform to do that because, I mean, obviously we're not, you know, like I think Johnny mentioned earlier, none of us are experts, but, you know, we certainly can do our best to try to point people in the right direction.
[00:44:00] Speaker D: Right. I think as time passes, though, you both feel comfortable in your un expertness and at the same time, feeling like there's so much that you want to share with our students. So I appreciate that. I appreciate that a lot.
It has been an amazing year to get this podcast started, and I certainly can't thank enough our colleagues in the Office of Student Media for getting us started on this.
On this adventure. Shout out to Terry Siggers and their crew for really encouraging us and consulting with us along the way at the very beginning.
And much heartfelt thanks to you, Nick, and to you, Johnny, for lending your voice, being a part of this from conception to birth, really, and lending your own expertise to what I know is such an important issue on our campus, and one in which I'm confident that the two of you have been able to advance for the greater good. I think that, you know, what the two of you started here will continue to live on, and I'm confident in Brooks and Edwards ability to carry on your voices, too. So thank you. I want to thank you both very much.
[00:45:26] Speaker E: Yeah, of course.
[00:45:27] Speaker C: Thank you. I don't know if the mic picked that Up.
[00:45:30] Speaker B: Well, I'll say my thank you. Thank you to Nick for Nick's really the guy who started this all, who had the idea for a mental health podcast, and Dr. Perez, thank you all for bringing me on. I had no idea of or no involvement in the creation of it, but I was lucky enough to have been asked to be a part of it. And I can't thank you enough because it's been a huge help for me. I think talking through these different things, thinking in your head one thing and talking it out is completely different. Two different things. And sometimes I say something that I've always thought in my head, but I don't actually think that way. And this has really changed my life for the better. And the way I attack different things that go on throughout a college man's life.
It's been a huge journey for me. And so I'm excited to continue to listen in and see these guys thrive throughout this podcast. And I can't thank the listeners enough for the positive affirmations you've given us throughout the year to keep us going, because truly, it kind of felt like we were talking into a vacuum for a little bit whenever it was the first episode or two, and we really weren't really getting any feedback. But as that feedback started rolling in, it really made me at least excited to come in and talk about this stuff with these guys.
It's grown us closer, which I'm so thankful for.
And, yeah, I think the Bama balance has been bigger than I ever imagined it could be for myself, for the campus, for men.
And I know. I'm so confident it's going to continue to grow and be bigger than. Bigger than it was this year and will continue to grow for many years, many years to come.
[00:47:16] Speaker D: Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, Johnny.
[00:47:18] Speaker C: Yeah. You guys have been such a important part of my senior year.
Again, not gonna get too emotionally charged in my conversation. I can't do it. I can't do it.
But, you know, like, these conversations and, like, the journey that, like, the commonality that everybody experiences in their journey with mental health is, like, really the focal point of, like, what I care about a lot.
I wish, like, I could phrase that a little bit better, but this idea of being able to bring awareness, kind of like what Edward was saying earlier to a topic that is often brushed under the rug, which causes, like, crazy amounts of problems, not just here, but everywhere, was so important to me. And you guys have been. Been like, such great facilitators for. For this change that we're, like, enacting through the Bama Balance.
So thank you guys so much for that. The support that you guys have showed me showed the. The podcast has been so admirable and like, yeah, that's where I'm gonna cut it before I get. I get too much. But yeah, you guys are awesome and this will definitely be like an experience that I'm going to carry with me for the rest of my life. So thank you all.
[00:48:48] Speaker D: It's been a great year. It's been a great year and an initiative and a continuing effort that I've been proud to be a part of. So thank you very much. It's been an amazing journey and an amazing experience for all of us.
And thank you all for joining us on this venture and hope you'll continue to pick up with us as we say goodbye for now. But we'll be back in the fall. And until then, this is the bama balance. I'm Dr. Tony Perez.
[00:49:23] Speaker C: I'm Nick Smith.
[00:49:25] Speaker B: I'm Johnny Foster.
[00:49:26] Speaker E: I'm Brooks Barbary.
[00:49:27] Speaker F: And I'm Edward Fountain.
[00:49:28] Speaker D: And we'll see you all in the fall. Take care, everybody.
[00:49:47] Speaker A: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa this show was not intended as a substitute for professional counseling. Further, the views, opinions and conclusions expressed by the show hosts or their guests are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Alabama, its officers or trustees. Any views, opinions or conclusions shared on the show do not create a relationship relationship between the host or any guest and any listener, and such a relationship should never be inferred. If you feel you are in need of professional mental health and are a UA student, please contact the UA Counseling center at 348-3863. If you are not a UA student, please contact your respective county's crisis service hotline or their local mental health agency or insurance company. If it is an emergency situation, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
