Mark was outside the door, his brother was locked in. The student apartment they were in was rat-infested and in complete disarray. All Mark’s brother had access to was 20 sausage rolls, a bottle of ketchup and a bucket. It was Mark who had access to the keys.

His brother began by pleading with Mark to open the door. Then he started to threaten and scream. It was when his brother seemed to be losing his mind that Mark’s resolve began to soften. Should he let his brother out? Wasn’t literally holding him captive going too far? Despite his doubts, what began to happen within the 72 hours of captivity would change both the brother’s lives forever.

But why was it necessary for Mark to go to such extreme lengths? And what did this experience teach Mark about being both a man and a brother?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Mark. His impassioned and unique perspective on what makes life worth living is both fascinating and stimulating. It  also provides a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/som_the_man_test

It was March 2020 and Brad had just received confirmation that his current business model had become unworkable. A lockdown had been ordered following the pandemic, and the vast quantities of money that had been flowing through Brad’s account were set to disappear overnight.

Brad’s wife was in tears as she learned the news. But Brad knew that tears were not going to help him: this was a moment for action. He stormed into his office and, in a creative frenzy, put together a plan which might just be crazy enough to work. He then picked up the phone to call an old mentor. It was make or break time and Brad was more than up for the challenge.

What ideas would Brad put together to save his family’s livelihood? And what can we learn as men about taking action during challenging times?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Brad. His unique and powerful story is both motivating and deeply inspirational. It also provides a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world.

Episode references: 

https://www.bradburton.biz/

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Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/the_man_test

Jimmy was sitting in the waiting room thinking carefully about the decision he was about to announce. He had risen to a point of great success in his career, he was literally operating in the corridors of power.

He sat there thinking carefully about each word he was going to utter. Up to now, nothing had been announced, he could go back on his plan. Was he really making the right decision? Could he really be about to walk away from such a high-powered position to become a stay-at-home dad?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Jimmy. His unique and considered reflections on life experienced at the heart of government and his decision to walk away from it all are both fascinating and revealing. They also provide a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/the_man_test_som

*Content warning: This episode contains graphic details of suicide*

It was a perfect storm of events and emotions. Dan had recently lost his mother. He’d had a number of business ventures which had not worked out. He was also struggling with his mental health. As a result, he decided to take a walk along the quiet streets at night, hoping that no-one would see him. He had a length of rope wrapped around his arm, carefully concealed from view.

He was searching for the perfect tree which he could attach his rope to. As he visualised his plans for the future, he was the calmest he had been in a long time. But what Dan did not realise was that this night would end up going very differently to the night that he had planned.

But what is it that pushes men to contemplate suicide? And what can be done to help those who are seriously struggling with their mental health?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Dan. His frank and authentic recounting of such a difficult story shows remarkable courage and is profoundly appreciated. It also provides a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world.

Episode references: 

The Samaritans hotline: 116 123

Middle Finger Club

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Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/som_the_man_test

Valerio grew up in a small Italian province. He enjoyed his life and was comfortable in his surroundings. It was something of a shock to the system, then, when his dad got a job in London while Valerio was just 12 years old. Valerio found himself moving to a metropolis, where he didn’t speak the language and knew nothing of the culture. 

It was at his new school that life was most difficult. On just his second day, he found that he didn’t know how to find his classroom. Not knowing anyone and hardly speaking any English, he had no means of asking for help.

Would anyone be willing to come to Valerio ‘s aid? And how would such moments of helplessness make Valerio feel as a foreign male in the UK?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Valerio. His sensitive and enlightening reflections on what it is like to be a foreigner in Britain are greatly appreciated. They also provide a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world.

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We're also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

A Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/the_man_test

It was a day as ordinary as any other. Luke was taking a leisurely stroll to the shops when he began to feel the strangest of sensations. He felt time beginning to slow down. He experienced a feeling of entering a parallel universe, a place where reality no longer existed. He was fighting a battle against his own sense of truth, a truth he had known for years. 

The cause of these feelings was a car he had just witnessed of a very specific model. The colour was the same, as were the wheels and trim. Luke craned his neck in order to see the number plate. Would that be the same too? Could it be that the person he had thought he had lost forever had returned?

Today we focus on the powerful impact of grief, how it can affect us, and what men can do to process these intense feelings.

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Luke. His sensitive and thoughtful reflections on such a personal topic are deeply appreciated. They also provide a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world. [Original air date: August 29th, 2023]

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A Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/the_man_test_som

“The Waffle Shop”, a podcast started by James, had been doing particularly well when he decided to throw his first ever live event. Everything was in place; however, as the beginning of the event approached, James began to experience extreme anxiety back-stage.

He was sweating profusely. His fists were tightly clenched. He couldn’t help but think about the repercussions if this event were not to be a success. When he finally heard the MC announce his name, he mechanically made his way to the stage almost blacking out in the process.

How would James’ first live event go? And why is it that so many men struggle with extreme anxiety when doing public speaking?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, James. His reflections on performance and vulnerability demonstrate an openness that is profoundly valued. His story also provides a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world. [Original air date: August 22, 2023]

Referenced link: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-waffle-shop/id1514646770 

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A Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/som_the_man_test

Matt was on his way to the fertility clinic in order to produce a sample for his wife’s IVF treatment. This would be the 7th time the couple had attempted the procedure and it would likely be the final time they would have the financial and emotional resources to do so.

At the clinic, Matt couldn’t help but notice how unconducive the environment was to achieving his goal. The wifi was dodgy and the only magazine available was Backdoor Boys, a gay publication. Despite such challenges, Matt succeeded in his mission, yet there would remain a much longer journey to be completed. 

What was it that drove Matt and his wife to keep undertaking such a procedure? And how does it feel as a man to be so powerless during the IVF journey?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Matt. His frankness and humour in talking about such a difficult subject are greatly valued. His story also provides a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world. [Original air date: August 15th, 2023]

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We're also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

A Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/the_man_test

It was a beautiful summer’s day and Kevin was enjoying a boat trip along a picturesque canal with his girlfriend and her parents. His in-laws had arranged the trip as a way to celebrate their daughter’s birthday and they were all appreciating the tranquil waters as their boat bobbed along.

As the trip was progressing, Kevin’s father-in-law asked him which sandwich he wanted. For some reason, Kevin found that he was unable to respond. In addition, he felt a pain in his chest. As he felt his body going into complete shutdown, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassment as he noticed that all of the attention was now on him. What had prompted Kevin to react in this way? And how would he feel after being the cause of “ruining” his girlfriend’s big day?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Kevin. His honesty and willingness to talk about his own vulnerabilities is deeply valued. It also provides a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world. [Original air date: 8th August, 2023]

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We're also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

A Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/the_man_test_som

There was nothing that Arjun loved more than a wedding celebration. It was an opportunity for him to sing and dance and dress in elegant clothing, while also spending time with people he knew and loved.

On one particular occasion, however, Arjun was much less excited about celebrating as he discovered that the clothing he had worn at a previous wedding no longer fit. As a result, he needed to borrow wedding clothes from his father. The situation led to Arjun feeling both unconfident and depressed.

But what had led to Arjun’s weight gain? And why is it that putting on weight can so often have a significant impact on the way men feel and the way they view themselves?

Alex Melia, and the Stories of Men team are on a mission to uncover what it means to live an independent and meaningful life. We'll be sharing this knowledge with you every week.

We’d like to extend our appreciation to today’s guest, Arjun. The way in which he confidently and openly reflects on a topic which often causes so much shame and difficulty for men is greatly admired and appreciated. It also provides a vital part of the puzzle as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world. [Original air date: August 1st, 2023]

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Check out the Stories Of Men website for more on this story

We're also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

A Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

Take The Man Test here: https://bit.ly/som_the_man_test