The Forge Within Podcast
🎙 What if one talk could change the way you see yourself? Welcome to The Forge Within — a raw, powerful mental health experience where we don’t sugarcoat the struggle. This isn’t therapy. This is real talk. Hosted by Sam Wilkes — father, survivor, and author of The Forge Within: This Ain’t Therapy. This Is Real Talk — this show dives deep into what it really means to fight through life’s darkest moments and come out stronger. Each episode is built like a story and a mirror. You’ll hear about masks we wear, fatherhood, guilt, survival, self-worth, and why healing starts with honesty.
Episodes
Being a dad isn't just about showing up — it's about surviving the storm while trying to stay strong for everyone else.
In this raw and honest episode, I dive into what it really feels like to be a father living with mental health struggles. From the guilt and pressure to the unspoken fears we carry behind closed doors, this is a conversation for every man who’s ever felt like he's drowning in silence.
I talk about my own...
We all wear masks. The strong one. The joker. The overachiever. The one who says “I’m fine” when they’re anything but.
In this episode, Sam strips back the layers and explores the hidden emotional toll of pretending to be okay. With raw honesty and lived experience, he unpacks why so many of us hide behind roles and expectations — and what it really costs us.
This isn’t just a conversation about mental health. It’s about identity, su...
In this episode of The Forge Within Podcast, we dive headfirst into the raw, unfiltered reality of living with anxiety. This isn’t a clinical breakdown or a polished pep talk — it’s a real conversation from someone who’s been in the trenches.
Sam opens up about the panic attacks, the silent spirals, the isolation that hides behind everyday smiles — and what it really takes to survive it. Not manage it. Not mask it. Survive it.
This e...
In this deeply personal episode, Sam Wilkes opens up about the truth behind The Forge Within — not the brand, not the book, but the man. From childhood bullying and silent panic attacks, to high-stakes humanitarian work in Thailand, a crushing breakdown at university, and the moment he nearly ended it all in 2018… this is the story he never thought he’d tell.
But survival changes you.
Fatherhood, guilt, recovery, and the slow, painfu...
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