Background Men’s mental health continues to be a significant health challenge in Australia. Traditional mental health supports may not suit some men’s preferences, communication styles and lived experiences, highlighting the need for alternative approaches. Podcasts offer a flexible, accessible format that may align with these preferences. Objective This study examines men’s preferences for gender‐tailored podcast‐based mental health support and podcast listening habits. Methods A cross‐sectional online survey of 150 Australian men aged 18–70 years was conducted via Prolific. The survey assessed podcast listening habits, preferred podcast formats and mental health content preferences. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, whilst qualitative responses were coded using qualitative description. Results Most participants (71%, n = 107) listened to podcasts monthly, with YouTube and Spotify as preferred platforms. Interest in a gender‐tailored mental health podcast was high (83%, n = 125), increasing to 89% ( n = 98) amongst men with higher distress. Preferences varied across formats and content, with strong interest in lived experience narratives, psychologists and research experts. Six content categories were identified: coping strategies, mental health literacy, specific mental health conditions, social connection, masculinity and mental health and lived experience narratives. Many men reported listening during periods of low cognitive load (e.g., chores, exercise or commuting). Conclusion Podcasts represent a promising, low‐barrier platform for engaging men in mental health dialogue. Tailoring content to men’s preferences, through relatable storytelling, practical advice and flexible formats, may enhance engagement and mental health literacy. These findings can be used to inform future codesigned, gender‐responsive digital health tools for men.
Dascombe et al. (Thu,) studied this question.