She Built a Safe Space for Men to Open Up | Candice aka Ninja | Raw Minds S2 Ep. 85

Men’s mental healthAutism awarenessParent mental healthSingle dadsNeurodivergent parentingTikTok mental health livesSouth Africa mental healthRaw Minds PodcastCandice NinjaNinja TalksWhat happens when a woman creates a space where men finally feel safe enough to open up?In this Raw Minds Podcast episode, Erick sits down with Candice, also known as Ninja, from South Africa.Candice is the voice behind Ninja Talks, a growing mental health and awareness movement built around real conversations, autism awareness, parenting, neurodivergence, and emotional support.This conversation fits the heart of Raw Minds because Candice has created a space where men, fathers, parents, and people carrying silent pain can speak without being judged.She talks about raising her son Denver, who is on the autism spectrum, navigating ADHD, sensory struggles, parenting pressure, depression, online hate, and the reality of trying to help others while still carrying your own battles.Erick and Candice also talk about why men’s mental health matters, why many men stay quiet, what single dads go through, and how online communities can become a real support system when they are built with honesty and care.This episode is for the men who do not know how to speak.It is for the parents trying to hold everything together.It is for anyone raising a neurodivergent child and feeling lost.It is for the people who carry pressure quietly and still show up for others.If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who needs it. That is how we reach the people who struggle in silence.Guest:Candice “Ninja”Founder of Ninja TalksMental health advocateAutism awareness advocateSouth AfricaFollow Ninja Talks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ninjatalks/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninjatalksliveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ninjatalksliveYouTube: https://youtube.com/@ninjatalks-liveTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninjatalkshostChapters:00:00 Intro01:51 Welcome Candice “Ninja”02:23 Where to find Ninja03:12 Who is Candice and how Ninja Talks started04:44 Autism, sensory struggles, and early signs06:44 Parenting, postpartum, and trauma08:18 Men can struggle after birth too10:41 Injury, surgery, depression, and isolation13:34 Missing her son’s milestone16:23 Starting Ninja Talks18:16 Online hate and internet trolls20:06 Why men’s mental health matters to Ninja21:12 Erick opens up about being a single dad23:21 How men started opening up in her lives27:20 Building trust with vulnerable conversations31:17 Chris and the Ninja Talks support team35:50 Building a real TikTok community39:13 Odie’s story and finding safe support45:04 Erick shares a personal win for his daughter48:17 Autism support in South Africa51:45 Canada health care, waitlists, and support gaps54:38 School systems and neurodivergent kids57:20 Final thoughts and thank youIf you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out.Canada Crisis Line:Call or text 988You are not alone.Follow Raw Minds Podcast:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdtTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/Contact Raw Minds:[email protected]:www.rawminds.caSubscribe, comment, and share this episode with someone who needs a real conversation today.