The Black Country Blokes

About The Black Country Blokes

Introducing The Black Country Blokes, a podcast that dives deep into the topics of mental health, disability, and the ups and downs of life in general. With hosts Lee Cadman and Kev Dillon leading the way, each episode brings a wealth of insights and perspectives to the table, thanks to the addition of guest experts from various fields. The Black Country Blokes isn't just another podcast - it's a safe and welcoming space where listeners can feel heard, understood, and empowered to tackle life's challenges head-on. From mental health struggles to navigating life with a disability, the conversations are honest, raw, and always thought-provoking. Join Lee, Kev, and their guests as they share their experiences, challenges, and victories in a way that inspires and uplifts. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and expertise, The Black Country Blokes is the podcast that will leave you feeling seen, heard, and ready to take on the world. Tune in today and join the conversation! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bcb (http://supporter.acast.com/bcb). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

BCB

Category

education · health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

30 Sept 2019

Latest episode

24 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 253 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   24 Mar 2026

   My Brother Died at 42… So I Had to Change My Life

   In this episode of The Black Country Blokes, Kev and Lee sit down for a proper honest chat about grief, health scares, fitness, discipline, and making changes before it’s too late. After losing his brother to a heart attack and realising his granddad died at the same age, Kev opens up about the drastic lifestyle changes he’s made — cutting out booze, processed food, sugar and cigarettes, losing weight, and trying to take control of his health before it controls him. Lee shares positive news about Dravet syndrome research, why raising awareness matters, and how running and training have helped both physically and mentally — even when motivation disappears. This one is about more than weight loss. It’s about: dealing with loss and perspective doing something before your body forces you to discipline vs motivation vs accountability building habits that actually stick getting healthier for your heart, your head, and your family why starting small still counts Whether you’re trying to lose weight, get fitter, clear your mind, or just stop putting yourself last, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to be perfect — you just have to start. If this episode hits home, subscribe, share it, and follow The Black Country Blokes across all socials. #BlackCountryBlokes #MensMentalHealth #Grief #FitnessJourney #WeightLossJourney #DravetSyndrome #MentalHealthAwareness #Discipline #HealthMatters Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bcb (http://supporter.acast.com/bcb). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   6 Mar 2026

   From Boxing Club to School: How Paul Gough Is Changing Young Lives in Dudley

   In this episode of The Black Country Blokes, Kev and Lee sit down with Paul Gough, the long-standing director and head coach of Priory Park Boxing Club in Dudley, who has spent 30 years using boxing to change lives. What started as a boxing club on Priory Road has grown into a community hub supporting 300–400 people every week, offering training, mentorship, and opportunities for young people, veterans, emergency services and local families. The club has produced Schoolboy, Golden Gloves and National Youth champions, but Paul’s proudest achievement might be what’s happening outside the ring. Paul also founded Priory Park Community School, an alternative provision for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties, or those at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream education. Located in the Wren’s Nest area of Dudley, the school offers something unique — combining education with mentoring through sport, boxing, and outdoor learning. Students benefit from: 🥊 Mentoring through Priory Park Boxing Club 🌿 Outdoor education in Wren’s Nest Nature Reserve — one of Britain’s most important geological sites 🎓 Qualifications including ABA Awards, ASDAN, BTEC and GCSEs 💬 Confidence building, resilience training and life skills The aim is simple but powerful: Give young people structure, belief and opportunity — and help them return to education, work, apprenticeships or training. This episode explores: Paul’s 30-year journey running Priory Park Boxing Club Why boxing gyms often become lifelines for communities The reality of working with young people at risk of exclusion How sport can rebuild confidence and discipline The mission to reduce permanent exclusions in Dudley Priory Park isn’t just building fighters — it’s building futures. 📍 Priory Park Boxing Club Priory Road, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4EU #BlackCountryBlokes #PaulGough #PrioryParkBoxingClub #Dudley #AlternativeEducation #BoxingChangesLives #MensMentalHealth #CommunityMatters Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bcb (http://supporter.acast.com/bcb). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   16 Nov 2025

   Beyond “Just Talk, Lads”: Spartan Mental Fitness & The Truth About Men’s Mental Health

   In this episode of The Black Country Blokes, Kev and Lee are joined by long-time friend DR Emily Barney from Spartannn Brain Gym– back in the very room where she now runs her mental fitness sessions. Together, they dive into a big question: Is the message “men just need to talk” actually helping – or does it oversimplify a much bigger problem? They get properly stuck into: Why saying “he should’ve talked” can sound a lot like blaming the bloke who’s died How men do ask for help – and how often nobody really listens The reality of trying to get support when services are underfunded and impossible to access Phones, doomscrolling, dopamine and whether we’re all addicted to constant stimulation The pressure to provide, being a dad, and that “messy middle” of life where everyone wants a piece of you Emily’s idea of “mental fitness” – training your brain like a muscle with “mental press-ups”, gratitude reps and tiny daily wins Why our brains are “Velcro for negatives, Teflon for positives” – and what you can actually do about it They also talk about taking this work into prisons, rowing challenges to represent the number of men lost to suicide, and why treating people as humans not statistics might just be the start of real change. If you’ve ever felt like you should be grateful but your head says otherwise, or you’re sick of being told to “man up” and “just talk”, this one’s for you. 👉 If you want to connect with Emily, look up Spartannn Brain Gym / Spartannn mental fitness training online. 👉 Follow, share and tag us to keep the conversation going: #MensMentalHealth #BlackCountryBlokes #MentalFitness #DadsSupportingDads Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/bcb (http://supporter.acast.com/bcb). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Inside a recent episode

Transforming Adversity into Triumph: The Inspiring Journey of David Jones

Published 6 Feb 2024 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And what you said earlier, if you're brave enough to ask the help. And it's one of my favorite quotes. It's from the boy, the model, the horse, and the fox. It's a book, but they did it into a little movie. Brilliant. You've never seen it that much. I've got a book, I read it. I thought, yeah. But what it is, it's a short movie on BBC one -on -one, I play it only off and out. Brilliant, one of the best things I've ever seen. And it's lovely thing because what's the highest thing you're about to say is help. Help isn't giving up. It's refusing to give up. And I thought, why? Hopefully, why I'm putting that is. […]

Who has been a guest on The Black Country Blokes

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jack Vaughan
• Sam Eggington
• Gav
• Pras

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

296,921

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

4.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 79 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

91

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

81

Contact The Black Country Blokes

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.