Brotherhood, Business & Vulnerability: Kieran Hughes and Eugene Patterson on 18 Years of Friendship

Vanessa Maria hosts “You’re Invited” with guests and best friends Kieran Hughes—founder of Trap House and 3QUENCY, a cultural agency that has worked with brands like Spotify and Dr. Martens—and Eugene Patterson, founder of Revibed Drinks sold in places like Holland & Barrett. They reflect on meeting in primary school in Erdington, how university and leaving Birmingham expanded their perspectives, and how building businesses has deepened their bond. The conversation centers on men’s vulnerability, safe spaces, panic attacks, breathwork, and the tension of societal expectations around masculinity, including the value of female friendships and learning across diverse cultures.

00:00 - Intro, guest welcome and iconic best-friend introductions

02:00 - How Kieran and Eugene first met - school days, green eyes and the rain story

03:00 - From Birmingham to uni - how their friendship deepened through new environments

06:00 - Male friendship, panic attacks and checking in beyond “I’m fine”

07:00 - “Friendship is transactional” - what makes a relationship actually deep

10:00 - Vulnerability, masculinity and why emotional safety between men matters

13:00 - Being raised by women and how that shaped the way they relate to people

16:00 - Fathers, survival mode and why this generation thinks differently about friendship

24:00 - Bell Hooks, patriarchy and the mixed messages men are given

26:00 - Nature or nurture - emotional intelligence, upbringing and why they feel ahead of the curve

29:00 - Curiosity, open-mindedness and breaking out of the Birmingham bubble

32:00 - Self-isolation, holding space and why people stay silent for too long

35:00 - Talking about suicidal feelings, supportive parents and learning how to listen

39:00 - What they thank each other for - brotherhood, belief and growing together

42:00 - Final word challenge, Cannes memories and a warm closing

Vanessa

📩 Join the mailing list: https://vanessamaria.os.fan/mailing-list

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessamariaw/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nessamariaw

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamariawilson/

OFC, You're Invited

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofc.urinvited/