Introduction to Resilience

Guest Introduction: Dr. David Kuhl

Defining Resilience

Building Resilience Before Adversity

The Importance of Support Systems

Understanding Shame and Guilt

Personal Reflections on Resilience

Recognizing and Addressing Numbness

Understanding Emotional Numbness

The Impact of Societal Expectations

Personal Struggles and Coping Mechanisms

The Importance of Emotional Literacy

The Role of Vulnerability in Relationships

Holding Space for Others

The Systemic Nature of Resilience

Final Thoughts on Connection and Vulnerability

A lot of men were taught that resilience means pushing through.
Staying quiet. Handling it alone. Running on empty and calling it strength.

In this episode, hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin slow that story down and take it apart, not as experts looking down, but as men who’ve lived the cost of getting it wrong.

Joined by returning guest Dr. David Kuhl, physician, professor, and longtime voice in men’s health, the conversation explores what resilience actually looks like when life brings grief, shame, burnout, or emotional numbness. Drawing from decades of experience in palliative care and trauma-informed work, Dr. Kuhl reframes resilience as a dynamic, relational process shaped by our bodies, our relationships, and the environments we live and work in.

Mike shares how unspoken shame followed him years after exiting a business and quietly showed up in his relationship. Trevor reflects on how confusing endurance for resilience led him to self-neglect, substance use, and running himself into the ground. Together, they talk openly about numbness, emotional literacy, and the moment many men reach when “toughing it out” stops working.

You’ll hear practical, grounded insights on:
Why numbness is a signal, not the absence of feeling
How shame fuels isolation and erodes trust
The difference between “I made a mistake” and “I am a mistake”
Why knowing just one person has your back increases resilience
How vulnerability, when practiced honestly, strengthens connection



This isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about paying attention sooner, staying connected, and redefining strength in a way that actually sustains you.

If you’ve been pushing through, feeling disconnected, or quietly carrying more than you let on, this conversation offers language, perspective, and permission to pause and look again.


Support This Podcast and Canadian Men's Health Foundation

https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/

Follow Canadian Men’s Health Foundation
Website - https://menshealthfoundation.ca/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/
Facebook - https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation

 

Follow Mike Cameron
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/
Youtube - https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/
X - Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X 
LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameron
Website - https://mikecameron.ca/
TedX Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong

 

Follow Trevor Botkin
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resilience

00:27 Guest Introduction: Dr. David Kool

02:01 Defining Resilience

03:42 Building Resilience Before Adversity

04:58 The Importance of Support Systems

06:17 Understanding Shame and Guilt

08:50 Personal Reflections on Resilience

15:25 Recognizing and Addressing Numbness

20:49 Understanding Emotional Numbness

21:22 The Impact of Societal Expectations

22:01 Personal Struggles and Coping Mechanisms

22:42 The Importance of Emotional Literacy

25:32 The Role of Vulnerability in Relationships

29:14 Holding Space for Others

35:02 The Systemic Nature of Resilience

37:19 Final Thoughts on Connection and Vulnerability

A lot of men were taught that resilience means pushing through. Staying quiet. Handling it alone. Running on empty and calling it strength.
In this episode, hosts Mike Cameron and Trevor Botkin slow that story down and take it apart, not as experts looking down, but as men who&rsquo;ve lived the cost of getting it wrong.
Joined by returning guest Dr. David Kuhl, physician, professor, and longtime voice in men&rsquo;s health, the conversation explores what resilience actually looks like when life brings grief, shame, burnout, or emotional numbness. Drawing from decades of experience in palliative care and trauma-informed work, Dr. Kuhl reframes resilience as a dynamic, relational process shaped by our bodies, our relationships, and the environments we live and work in.
Mike shares how unspoken shame followed him years after exiting a business and quietly showed up in his relationship. Trevor reflects on how confusing endurance for resilience led him to self-neglect, substance use, and running himself into the ground. Together, they talk openly about numbness, emotional literacy, and the moment many men reach when &ldquo;toughing it out&rdquo; stops working.
You&rsquo;ll hear practical, grounded insights on:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why numbness is a signal, not the absence of feeling</li>
<li aria-level="1">How shame fuels isolation and erodes trust</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between &ldquo;I made a mistake&rdquo; and &ldquo;I am a mistake&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why knowing just one person has your back increases resilience</li>
<li aria-level="1">How vulnerability, when practiced honestly, strengthens connection </li>
</ul>
This isn&rsquo;t about fixing yourself. It&rsquo;s about paying attention sooner, staying connected, and redefining strength in a way that actually sustains you.
If you&rsquo;ve been pushing through, feeling disconnected, or quietly carrying more than you let on, this conversation offers language, perspective, and permission to pause and look again.
 Support This Podcast and Canadian Men's Health Foundation
<a href="https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/">https://menshealthfoundation.ca/donate/</a>
Follow Canadian Men&rsquo;s Health Foundation
<ul>
<li>Website - <a href="https://menshealthfoundation.ca/">https://menshealthfoundation.ca/</a></li>
<li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/">https://www.instagram.com/menshealthfdn/</a></li>
<li>Facebook - <a href="https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation">https://facebook.com/menshealthfoundation</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Follow Mike Cameron
<ul>
<li>Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/">https://www.instagram.com/mikecameron.ca/</a></li>
<li>Youtube - <a href="https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks">https://youtube.com/mikecameronspeaks</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/">https://www.facebook.com/mikedavidcameron/</a></li>
<li>X - <a href="https://x.com/axiommike">Mike Cameron (@axiommike) / X</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>LinkedIn -<a href="https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameron"> https://linkedin.com/in/mikecameron </a>Website - <a href="https://mikecameron.ca/">https://mikecameron.ca/ </a>TedX Talk - <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong">https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_cameron_redefining_badass_the_way_we_think_about_strong_is_wrong</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Follow Trevor Botkin
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-botkin-869ab5143/</a></li>
</ul>
 Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Resilience
00:27 Guest Introduction: Dr. David Kool
02:01 Defining Resilience
03:42 Building Resilience Before Adversity
04:58 The Importance of Support Systems
06:17 Understanding Shame and Guilt
08:50 Personal Reflections on Resilience
15:25 Recognizing and Addressing Numbness
20:49 Understanding Emotional Numbness
21:22 The Impact of Societal Expectations
22:01 Personal Struggles and Coping Mechanisms
22:42 The Importance of Emotional Literacy
25:32 The Role of Vulnerability in Relationships
29:14 Holding Space for Others
35:02 The Systemic Nature of Resilience
37:19 Final Thoughts on Connection and Vulnerability

The Don’t Change Much Podcast is about men’s mental and physical health and conversations that build awareness, educate and provide simple lifestyle tips to help men and their families take action for better well-being. 

Each episode, host Dan Murphy is joined by Canada’s top influencers, world class athletes and subject matter experts who share their lived experiences and insights for better mental and physical health. 

The goal is to have real conversations about the things so many of us don’t prioritize: lowering stress, eating healthier, getting active and the impacts of not taking care of ourselves. 

Don’t Change Much is all about encouraging men to make simple changes that can have a big impact on their health, their families and their communities. Better health doesn’t have to mean a lifestyle overhaul.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide diagnosis or be a substitute for professional medical advice from a healthcare practitioner. You should not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical or health problem, promptly consult your healthcare practitioner. While this podcast is carefully reviewed, the Canadian Men's Health Foundation does not take responsibility or liability for the medical accuracy of the information provided by its host or guests and is not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage arising from use of this podcast. It is the listeners' responsibility to check the accuracy and relevance of the information.

The Don&rsquo;t Change Much Podcast is about men&rsquo;s mental and physical health and conversations that build awareness, educate and provide simple lifestyle tips to help men and their families take action for better well-being.&nbsp;
Each episode, host Dan Murphy is joined by Canada&rsquo;s top influencers, world class athletes and subject matter experts who share their lived experiences and insights for better mental and physical health.&nbsp;
The goal is to have real conversations about the things so many of us don&rsquo;t prioritize: lowering stress, eating healthier, getting active and the impacts of not taking care of ourselves.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t Change Much is all about encouraging men to make simple changes that can have a big impact on their health, their families and their communities. Better health doesn&rsquo;t have to mean a lifestyle overhaul.
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide diagnosis or be a substitute for professional medical advice from a healthcare practitioner.&nbsp;You should not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical or health problem, promptly consult your healthcare practitioner. While this podcast is carefully reviewed, the Canadian Men's Health Foundation does not take responsibility or liability for the medical accuracy of the information provided by its host or guests and is not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage arising from use of this podcast. It is the listeners' responsibility to check the accuracy and relevance of the information.

Don't Change Much

The Don’t Change Much Podcast is a men’s mental and physical health podcast for men who feel overwhelmed, under pressure, or quietly carrying more than they let on.

Hosted by Trevor Botkin and Mike Cameron, the show features honest, stigma-free conversations about men’s health — from mental health and emotional well-being to physical health, stress, anger, relationships, addiction, and resilience.

Twice a month, Trevor and Mike sit down with athletes, health experts, influential Canadians, and people with lived experience to talk about what men are facing right now. These are real conversations about feeling disconnected, struggling in silence, navigating loss or illness, rebuilding after crisis, and learning how to ask for help without shame.

Created by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, the trusted voice of men’s health, this podcast blends lived experience with expert-backed insight to help men take action earlier, prevent illness, and build healthier lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.

You don’t need to change everything.
Sometimes, not changing much, but changing something, can save your life.

The Don&rsquo;t Change Much Podcast is a men&rsquo;s mental and physical health podcast for men who feel overwhelmed, under pressure, or quietly carrying more than they let on.
Hosted by Trevor Botkin and Mike Cameron, the show features honest, stigma-free conversations about men&rsquo;s health &mdash; from mental health and emotional well-being to physical health, stress, anger, relationships, addiction, and resilience.
Twice a month, Trevor and Mike sit down with athletes, health experts, influential Canadians, and people with lived experience to talk about what men are facing right now. These are real conversations about feeling disconnected, struggling in silence, navigating loss or illness, rebuilding after crisis, and learning how to ask for help without shame.
Created by the Canadian Men&rsquo;s Health Foundation, the trusted voice of men&rsquo;s health, this podcast blends lived experience with expert-backed insight to help men take action earlier, prevent illness, and build healthier lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.
You don&rsquo;t need to change everything. Sometimes, not changing much, but changing something, can save your life.