Meeples & Miniatures – Episode 257 – The Devil in Your Head
Download Episode 257
Neil Shuck & Mike Hobbs have the microphone to themselves for this episode of the podcast.
- 00:00 – Introduction – We introduce our new podcast sponsor – Firestorm Games
- 12:12 – Confessional – Time to own up to all those hobby purchases we have made recently.
- 33:27 – Our Hobby – We talk about our recent gaming and painting, including a weekend painting worshop for Neil.
- 1:13:26 – The Devil in Your Head – In something of a more serious chat to recent shows, Mike and Neil share their struggles with mental health issues, how they found help, and how the hobby helps (or hinders!) them
- 2:12:30 – Outtro – Closing thoughts.
We hope you enjoy the show.
If you are struggling at all with mental health issues, here are a few organisations that could provide help:
In the UK
Mind Homepage – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
Moodzone – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/dealing-with-depression/
For veterans – https://www.combatstress.org.uk/
In the US
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
The Meeples & Miniatures podcast is sponsored by Too Fat Lardies – purveyor of the finest rules and scenarios for wargaming.
The Meeples & Miniatures podcast is sponsored by Firestorm Games – don’t forget to use the discount code that can be found in the show
If you enjoyed this episode of the Meeples & Miniatures Podcast, you may want to become a supporter of the show, Details can be found on our Patreon page.
Tales of The Brummie Dwarf 
A very interesting episode that must have been very difficult for both of you to record. I’ve had similar issues, which I dealt with in a different way, but one thing I would say is that the sense of being psychologically “overwhelmed” is, in my experience, a problem which stems from the modern media-saturated age with its constant bombardment of data, noise and images which the human brain just isn’t designed to cope with. The worst of these, imo, are newspapers and the TV news which rely on peddling a vision of helplessness in the face of total chaos to their consumers in order to drive sales, and curated misinformation in order to serve whichever ideological agenda they ascribe to. It’s pure psychological poison. Turn it off and you’ll feel much better straight away.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with our hobby as well – projects pile up, lead mountains grow, motivation flags, leading to a sense of being out of control (Normans remained unpainted for two years, etc…) – it seems to me that Dave Luff’s philosophy of restraint has our psychological health in mind as well as our financial health. A great guru indeed!
I’m very glad Neil didn’t pack it in at #250, M&M is the leading hobby podcast IMO, and this episode illustrates exactly why that is – as you both say it’s the people that make this hobby what it is, and for better or worse the M&M crew are part of a much wider community of hobbyists then they’ll ever meet in person thanks to the podcast. Please keep it going for at least another 250 episodes. The hobby’s mental health depends upon it 😉
Och, you beautiful middle aged gamer blokes! Speaking as someone often on the other end of these conversations I am so glad you both went to get help, and am so pleased that you were prepared to talk about it in public. It makes such a difference for people to know that there is help available, and to hear that from people who’ve actually been there that it does get better.
It is an illness, it can be treated. Medication is often part of that because doing all the other things that get you well is so hard when you’re feeling terrible. Using medication to support you to get your sleep, social relationships, job, diet and exercise in order can be a helpful step, though as Mike says, it’s not usually the first one.
And having something that brings you joy is really important – often the loss of enjoyment is the most important sign that you are running into trouble and you’re starting to spiral.
Especially if that thing is as awesome as pretending to be an elf, or Napoleon or a space marine 🙂
I want to thank you for such a great podcast. I cannot say how much it means to hear somebody talk about the same issues that I thought myself to be the only one to have.
I so much appreciate how well you both articulated how your individual issues affected you. I would want to record Mr. Hobb’s description and play it for my family and friends, if not the person I talk to.
I can only say, from how deep and dark a hole I climbed out of, that your sharing this means so much. I agree that if anybody can listen to what you shared and get any part of the help that you, I, or all the others with the same issues, then your efforts were well worth it.
Thank you again.
Hi Neil and Mike, excellent episode. In the words of the great bard Bob Hoskins ‘It’s good to talk’ Here’s to another 250 episodes.
Wonderful episode! Thank you both for being so open and honest.
Picking up on the gaming side for a bit. Re: 1066 TTMM, the ability of Harold and William to move themselves doesn’t need to be erratad or FAQd as the definition of Leader is also a Character is on page 3 of the rulebook 😊
Yeah, I just missed it completely! Du’oh!
An absolutely superb and thought provoking podcast on a very important subject. Respect to you both for articulating your personal journeys and the importance of talking and seeking help.
An excellent episode: very brave, well done both of you.
I’d mirror 99% of what Alex W said, except to say, much as I love your show, and it is one of the leading voices in the hobby, if one or both of you need to stop doing it for a while or permanently, then do it.
Merry Christmas to both of you, and all of the other listeners
It was brave of you two to talk about the problems you are dealing with. Hats off to you!
Thanks for doing this, guys. Really appreciate it.
Sometimes this ‘stuff’ creeps up on you, and then before you know it you’re in an ‘altered state’ and doing harm to yourself and others. *Holds own hand up high in the air*
The importance of talking and seeking help cannot be emphasized enough.
Cheers.