Episode 5 - Putting mental wealth in the fast lane
Sponsored by BM Catalysts
In this episode of Garage Talk Unwrapped – The Podcast, Vicky and Ben are joined by Stephen Whitton, founder of [M]enable – a movement dedicated to promoting wellbeing across the automotive industry.
Stephen draws on decades in the automotive trade to explain why the industry’s “tough-it-out” habits are costing people, and what simple, practical steps businesses can take to change that.
Today’s focus isn’t just on mental health; it’s on mental wealth. Shifting the conversation, changing culture and breaking the stigma in our trade.
Here’s a summary of the podcast.
Breaking the stigma
Stephen explains how the culture he entered in the mid-80s shaped what was expected from people working in the industry:
“It was the mid-80s. It was very much a kind of, you know, tough it out kind of environment where you just sucked up whatever was going on for you and just got on with it.”
He argues that long hours, pride and performance pressure have measurable human costs:
“You're going to get rid of a load of people and you're going to expect me to do more.”
Using a rev counter analogy, Stephen asks a simple question about how we run people and businesses:
“Would you drive your cars so that they're constantly in the red?”
“mental wealth”
Rather than waiting for crisis, Stephen frames the idea as proactive and positive - investing in people before they break.
He also highlights a three-word purpose he uses to describe [M]enable’s aim:
“I've narrowed [M]enable’s purpose down to three words. Everyone, safe, always.”
Leadership, empathy and small actions
Stephen says leadership’s modern currency is emotional, and that leaders showing vulnerability matters:
“I think the modern currency of leadership, if I'm honest, is empathy, compassion and vulnerability. Be yourself. Show them that you're human. Show them that you're susceptible to this stuff as well.”
Ben stresses that change doesn’t always cost a lot. Sometimes it’s about small, repeatable habits:
“It's like the other - two weeks ago, it was a lovely day outside. Just go out for a walk for 10 or 15 minutes.”
Practical steps and Menable programmes
[M]enable works with businesses to build culture change (not to replace clinical services). Stephen outlines the idea of creating in-business champions and practical, low-cost programmes:
“Help somebody in your business become a mental wealth champion. That's not a mental health first aider… That could well be that parts advisor or receptionist or a driver even.”
He describes what wellbeing check-ins are for:
“We don't do therapy and counselling. We do well being check ins and that's very different because some people will want to talk to us about what's going on for them and quite often they just need an ear, particularly an ear from somebody who gets it.”
Stephen’s story
Stephen speaks openly about how personal experience shaped his perspective and why authenticity is so powerful:
“I came out as pansexual-bisexual, five years ago and that destroyed the life that I had before, which was what I was fearful of…”
He reflects on the support he received from the industry after being open:
“I honestly thought the motor industry would be the place that would ostracise me, and it has been so supportive.”
Call for Action - world mental health day and beyond
Stephen had one practical ask for the industry:
“Put in a mental wealth check… Help somebody in your business become a mental wealth champion.”
If every business made one small, consistent change - one conversation, one champion, one regular check-in - Stephen says it would create a ripple effect across the trade.
🎧 Listen now on Podbean, or search for Garage Talk Unwrapped - The Podcast on any of your favourite podcast streaming platforms.
💡 Sponsored by: BM Catalysts