Ian Westmoreland OAM

Reading Man Unplugged by John Broadbent was both stimulating and thought-provoking—a book I wish I had come across much earlier in life. Now, at 71, with 13 grandchildren, I found myself nodding in agreement, sometimes wincing at memories, and often reflecting on my own journey from boy to man, to father, and now grandfather. One of the moments that made me squirm was recalling the very awkward sex discussions I had with my own father as a boy—conversations that were just as uncomfortable years later when I had them with my son. If only we had better guidance back then! John’s insights into how we arrived at our current situation as men made complete sense, and I was encouraged to see that we are, albeit slowly, improving things. John does more than just analyse the issues—he shares his own lived experiences with remarkable vulnerability, something I deeply admire. His call for an Office for Men’s Health is spot on. Simply lumping men’s and women’s health together in generic services doesn’t serve men well. We must invest more in men if we truly want to see change. The powerful metaphor of Kintsugi—broken pieces being reassembled with gold to become even more valuable—resonated deeply with me. Just as Kintsugi restores broken pottery, Man Unplugged offers a path to repair and renewal for boys and men. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand, support, and empower men on their journey through life.

Ian Westmoreland OAM ~ Founder of Mentoring Men Founder & CEO of Kintsugi Heroes