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Stories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceCan your dream job kill you?William was 21 years old and working on a superyacht travelling from Malta to the Maldives. He was living a young man’s fantasy, the life he’d dreamed of since being a young boy.His shift had just come to an end when the shrill ringing of the fire alarm went off. Will’s first response was irritation at having to perform another drill; that was until he saw his Chief Officer running on-deck in his pyjamas screaming “THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!”William and the rest of the crew waited for the fire team to show up...
2024-11-1927 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe surprising secret to improving the relationship with your siblingsIt was cup final day and Sumit and his brothers were dreaming of victory. They had all travelled to Kiev to watch Liverpool play the final match in Europe’s premier competition. All the brothers had to do was navigate their way past the burly, gun-toting security guards and find their seats.Once the brothers had entered the stadium, they were dismayed to discover that their seats were a long distance from the pitch. They also only provided a view of half of the action as a cinder block significantly obscured their view. The brothers would have to...
2024-08-1323 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe worst thing you can do if you're feeling depressed*Content warning: This episode contains graphic details of suicide*George had been struggling with anxiety and depression for a while and he was beginning to lose hope that he would ever feel better again. He was living with his parents and had sworn both of them to secrecy about his current state of mind. But one evening his secret was revealed.George’s parents had been out with friends and one of the friends had asked how George was doing. In response, she’d tearfully broken down and talked about how concerned she was about her...
2024-08-0626 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAre we as men battling a silent war with food?It was as ordinary a situation as you could imagine: Steve and his girlfriend were in Subway purchasing a sandwich. Steve had decided to go for the healthiest option available: a sandwich which was under 3g in fat. He’d chosen roast chicken, no sauces, no cookies and a diet coke.But as Steve was eating the food in front of him, he began to get nervous. A voice in his head was telling him: “What you’re doing isn’t right, you’re going to get fat.” As soon as Steve and his girlfriend got home, he made his...
2024-07-3023 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceCan men really let go of always wanting to control?Adam is driving his teenage daughter to Oxford. During the 1-hour journey, a few meaningful looks are exchanged. He is trying to be strong, but he feels nervous about the future, nervous about the prospect of relinquishing control.Eventually they arrive in a leafy suburb and are directly outside of a large building. Adam knows that this is the place where he must leave her. He goes to help her with her luggage but he’s told that he can not enter the premises. He has to let go now, he has to trust others to take care...
2024-07-2322 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceIs kidnapping your brother a bad thing?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 fa...
2024-07-1623 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWant to own a business? You have to think this wayIt 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...
2024-07-0921 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAshamed of choosing family over work?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...
2024-07-0224 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceI almost took my own life. What made me change my mind?*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 v...
2024-06-2521 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhat men need to understand about the harsh realities of moving to a new countryValerio 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 Engli...
2024-06-1821 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceIs there a manly way of dealing with the death of a loved one?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 c...
2024-06-1119 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhat is it about public speaking that strikes fear into our hearts?“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 li...
2024-06-0424 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe gruelling path to becoming a father and why it isn’t so straightforwardMatt 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 mu...
2024-05-2824 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe dark side of men meeting up with the in-lawsIt 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 b...
2024-05-2131 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAre you less of a man if you’re overweight?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? An...
2024-05-1418 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceMen, ignoring this test could cost you your lifeIt was a beautiful autumnal morning and Andrew was thoroughly enjoying being at a Senior Golf Tour. During the event, a leaflet was handed to him concerning prostate cancer. He took it out of politeness and immediately shoved it into his pocket unread.It wasn’t until many days later that Andrew chanced upon the leaflet again as he was about to take his dog out for a walk. This time, he decided to read it and what he read motivated him to get checked out; it would turn out that this would be one of the mo...
2024-05-0724 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThese strategies to improve a father-son relationship might surprise you...Kazeem had always had a strained relationship with his father. His dad abandoned him when he was a baby and Kazeem only ever had fleeting experiences of spending time with him as he was growing up. After his dad hit him across the face at the age of 12, Kazeem completely broke off relations with his father. But, aged 21 and now an adult, Kazeem decided to give his father one last chance.On Kazeem’s 27th birthday, he received no message from his dad. It wasn’t until 4 days later that the belated birthday wishes arrived. Kazeem decided that...
2024-04-3033 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe surprising link between anxiety and the barber's chairAs a queer man, Matt had always found the barbershop to be a particularly hyper-masculine space. He’d got on with everyone there, particularly the owner, but he had never felt comfortable enough to truly open up and be himself.It was to his great surprise, then, that when entering the barbershop one day he was introduced to a new employee: a flamboyant Brazilian, who seemed to embrace all of the aspects of his personality that Matt had striven so hard not to reveal. Had Matt misjudged his need to keep his authentic self hidden? An...
2024-04-2325 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhy a journalist went to extreme lengths to get his father’s approvalDavid was exploring the world while scaling the heady heights of multi-sports journalism. In only his second “proper job” post-university, he found himself unexpectedly appointed editor of a new magazine specialising in all-terrain vehicles. As this was the only magazine of its kind, David received invites from manufacturers the world over in order to assess and review their products. It was as a result of such an invitation that David found himself speeding through a vast expanse of heathland in Quebec on a brand new quad bike. The problem was, however, that he was feeling highly uncomfortable. He co...
2024-04-1630 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe dark side of traffic police officers we don't usually seeMark had spent many years working as a traffic police officer. During this time, he had experienced countless tragic sights. His response to these had been to bottle up his feelings. This had led to him becoming desensitised and uncaring. Dedicated counselling had been required to help Mark remove the barriers that had prevented him from dealing with the pain that had built inside.When experiencing inflammatory arthritis then, Mark became devastated when he realised that the same pattern of erected barriers had become repeated, this time via an addiction to opioids.What had led...
2024-04-0930 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceDo we always need a wake-up call to change our lives?Dale Pollitt was 17 years old and appeared to be going nowhere. He’d just dropped out of school and was working at KFC. Like so many teenagers on the estate in which he lived, he spent most of his spare hours smoking weed and playing computer games. But one day he would receive some tragic news that would change his entire outlook on life.He received a phone call from his mum telling him that he needed to come over to the house. He was panicked and sweating as he drove frantically to join her. When he arri...
2024-04-0229 minStories of Men: Beneath the Surface'Chess with violence': A sport that a man never thought he'd playSteve seemed to have a charmed life. After graduating from university, he began travelling around Europe. He then found himself settling at a holiday resort and, in a few short years, went from being the cleaner to becoming the Area Manager. He was living the dream and making the most of what life had to offer. But one day everything would change for good.He was visiting a friend in Germany as part of a birthday surprise. On the way, however, he tripped and fell over the balcony railing. He landed awkwardly and soon realised that he...
2024-03-2634 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhy are men scared of the doctor?Sam was 27 years old and in the midst of embarking upon his American adventure. He had just arrived in New York and was meeting up with some friends he’d made online to help him stay awake and beat the jet-lag. After a meet-up involving the consumption of copious amounts of hotdogs and beer, Sam began to feel very queasy. He went to the bathroom but the feelings of pain would not subside.Four years later, Sam’s condition had worsened. His weight had fallen to around 7 stone. He was in constant pain and found it difficult to get...
2024-03-1919 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceFacing the immense challenge of experiencing grief as a manAfter spending some time as a couple, Rob and Jodie had been friends for over ten years. He had seen her go through health challenges in the past and always re-emerge to be there by his side. It was with great shock then that Rob received a call from Jodie’s sister on his 40th birthday telling him that Jodie had suddenly passed away.Rob went to Jodie’s funeral and found himself breaking down in paroxysms of grief. As he went to pay Jodie his last respects, he wracked his mind to think of the right word...
2024-03-1227 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe dangerous journey that took a young boy completely out of his comfort zoneNick Danziger is an award-winning photographer. He is also a filmmaker and travel writer. His adventures abroad began at a very young age.Nick was 13 and living in Switzerland when he told his parents that he was going to travel to Paris. Nick’s parents did not take their son particularly seriously but little did they know that he had a plan in mind. He had packed some basic food provisions and the little bit of money he had access to. He also took a sketch pad, which would turn out to be the item that would ea...
2024-03-0529 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe last chance to guide a troubled young boy into adulthoodTim was a social worker and started to work with a young boy who had no experience of being told what to do. He committed a crime and he was about to go face-to-face with a magistrate, so Tim felt he had some responsibility to help the boy and do whatever he could.All his efforts didn’t make any difference, and after being reprimanded, the young boy boldly threw a pencil at the magistrate’s face. This was now his final chance.Tim’s training didn’t prepare him for that. What did he say to f...
2024-02-2731 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe magic of three friends coming together in a hospital roomAnthony was 29 years old when he received the news that his best friend, David, was severely ill.The news left him in shock and it proved to be a life changing moment for him.Anthony and David had known each other since they were both 8 years old. They’d played together at school and they would relive the energy and innocence of those days every time they met. Yet, at the tender age of just 29, David was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Anthony wasn’t ready to face that situation with one of the most important people in his li...
2024-02-2019 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceMoments from the edge: The kindness that brought a man back to lifeLuke was at a party with his girlfriend surrounded by his closest friends. He was smiling and laughing and appeared to be having a great time. But, after this moment of celebration, it was his intention to say goodbye. Nobody else knew it but he wanted to take his life that same night.Before taking his life, Luke is driven to make a phone call to a man who he hadn’t spoken to in a long time. He is also being watched by a kind stranger who can see that something isn’t right. How wi...
2024-02-1325 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhen football fans and a wheel clamper collideDaniel Collins was a slight 18-year-old boy who was travelling around the country clamping cars. He hated the job but his father seemed to relish it. One day, they clamped the car of a man that showed up with confrontation in his mind. The man was with 14 of his friends and started to scream and shout. In a split second, the whole situation turned violent and Daniel made a mistake that put his dad on the edge of dying.How did things move so fast? And would Daniel ever be able to go back to his job...
2024-02-0622 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe night out that turned into a tabloid shamingRoss was the life and soul of the party. Working as a national radio presenter, he was able to hang out with the rich and famous at awards ceremonies and red carpet events. But he was hiding a secret: his struggle with social anxiety.For years Ross had attempted to deal with his anxiety by masking it with alcohol, but he knew that this was only going to cause him deeper problems in the end. This realisation became crystal clear when he found himself waking up stinking of spirits and cigarettes and suffering with a splitting headache...
2024-01-3026 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhere is my dad? How absent fathers shape menIt was a day out with the family. Despite not knowing where they were going, Paul and his brother were extremely excited to be taken out by their relatives; they didn’t usually get taken out at all. Like two “coiled springs” they leaped out of the car as soon as it pulled up. Soon after they were bundled into a Victorian, stone building. They marched up the steps, excited about what they would find once they reached the top. Eventually they emerged into a room where there was an abundance of individuals bustling around. At first...
2024-01-2321 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceOn your death bed: what would you change?He was lying in bed, restless, in a fever, struggling to catch his breath. He was shivering one moment and then attempting to kick off his duvet the next.He saw a woman coming through the door. She switched on the light. It made him feel confused, anxious. The expression on her face was grave. She told him that what she saw in front of her was a pale, old, withered man. She was worried that he may not make it through the night. In response, all Ketan could say was “Don’t send me to hospital. Don’...
2024-01-1623 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceSky-diving: a rush of blood to the headThe air was so chillingly cold that he could feel it in his bones. The billowing and the roaring around him was so loud that he was unable to hear. As he stood there waiting for the inevitable, his nerves prevented him from being able to speak. He had travelled thousands of miles for this moment and there was no question of turning back now.Isaac is a man who is used to taking on challenges. As someone with complex disabilities, he has spent his life overcoming obstacles and finding a way to achieve his ambitions. His...
2024-01-0925 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceMaintaining a marriage whilst moving round the worldFor David, the dream was just beginning. He and his wife were in their early 20s and had just moved from Canada to Switzerland to start a new adventure.At work, David was also having the time of his life. At the end of one of his first projects, he went to lunch with a client. The restaurant boasted breath-taking views and the client treated him to the finest wine he had ever tasted. He bounded home, eager to tell his wife about the amazing day he’d had. But when he entered the house and called her...
2024-01-0222 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow a former soldier dealt with grief after the horrors of war - Christmas Throwback episodeHere is a special re-released episode of Stories of Men for the Christmas period.You’re a soldier driving through a warzone. You pass through a deserted village. Later you see a lonely crucifix in a field. You find out what it symbolises: one night all of the people in the village were dragged outside of their homes and executed. How do you react? Do you dare to show emotion? Do you dare to show compassion?Jed Irving was a man’s man. He had been trained to keep his emotions in check. He didn’t reac...
2023-12-2625 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceKick off! When tensions spill over in footballIt was Cup Final day against the school’s most fierce rivals. Andy was 12 years old and nervously waiting to hear if he would be included in the team. He looked to his dad watching from the sidelines, hoping his name would be announced. Finally, the team was revealed and Andy would be playing in defence.The game kicks off. In the first minute the opposition start to attack. Andy looks on as the rival striker comes rushing towards him. There’s an opportunity for Andy to get involved and stop his team from losing a goal. But...
2023-12-1924 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceStrict education vs extreme freedom: how do boys react?When it comes to idyllic childhood’s one would be hard-pressed to think of a more harmonious one than James’. He was raised in Villefrance, a town in the Alps located along the French and Italian border. There he spent quality time with his father who taught him about the nurturing power of nature.It was with a sense of horror and disbelief that one day James’ father would tell him that everything he had known would be coming to an end. That his once idyllic life would be replaced by a harsh, stifling, concrete environment, characterised by enfor...
2023-12-1224 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceDriving at 90 mph: How a man gambled with his lifeSpeeding along the motorway listening to music from his youth, Andy was reflecting on happier times. He was thinking about a holiday in Ibiza when he was 19 years old and hadn’t a care in the world. He’d been genuinely happy then. Now he felt angry, destructive. He saw nothing ahead of him except struggle and pain. He put his foot on the accelerator and saw the speedometer rise to 90 miles per hour. He bobbed and weaved his way through the cars. He took his hands off the steering wheel. He closed his eyes, he started to co...
2023-12-0525 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe great pretender: gambling with friendshipIt was his first summer holiday with the boys in Spain. Alan and his mates were bragging about all the money they’d brought with them for their two weeks in the sun. Yet, while his mates all seemed to be expressing genuine excitement, Alan felt anxious about the days to come.After the first night out, all of the lads returned in a drunken state. They left their clothes strewn across the apartment as they collapsed into sleep. Only Alan remained awake. He couldn’t stop thinking about a lie he’d told earlier. He couldn’t stop t...
2023-11-2123 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceBeing the breadwinner when you hate your jobAfter the previously independent company that he’d worked for had been bought up by a much larger one, Anuj had begun to lose his passion for his job. The one benefit that had remained was his team, who he thoroughly enjoyed working with. But even that would come under threat as Anuj was told that he needed to make two of them redundant. Anuj decided that it was time for him to formulate a plan. Once he had it clearly formulated, he steeled himself to tell his boss about it before the scheduled redundancy meeting would take...
2023-11-1421 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAdapt at your peril: the art of being an unreasonable manJonathan was daydreaming while his chemistry professor was putting chalk to blackboard. He’d snuck his NME magazine into the lecture theatre and was reading about an upcoming gig: Alice in Chains, a world-famous band, were coming to perform in his city!The news got even more exciting; the band’s bassist would soon be leaving. This gave Jonathan a wild idea: why not apply to be the band’s bassist himself? He knew all of their songs and was certain to be attending the gig anyway. Resolved on this idea, he began writing an application letter to the...
2023-11-0723 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceStrengthening the bond with your brothers via the beautiful gameIt was cup final day and Sumit and his brothers were dreaming of victory. They had all travelled to Kiev to watch Liverpool play the final match in Europe’s premier competition. All the brothers had to do was navigate their way past the burly, gun-toting security guards and find their seats.Once the brothers had entered the stadium, they were dismayed to discover that their seats were a long distance from the pitch. They also only provided a view of half of the action as a cinder block significantly obscured their view. The brothers would have to...
2023-10-3122 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThink your life is chaotic? Learn lessons from a men’s mental health advocate*Content warning: This episode contains graphic details of suicide*George had been struggling with anxiety and depression for a while and he was beginning to lose hope that he would ever feel better again. He was living with his parents and had sworn both of them to secrecy about his current state of mind. But one evening his secret was revealed.George’s parents had been out with friends and one of the friends had asked how George was doing. In response, she’d tearfully broken down and talked about how concerned she was about her...
2023-10-2426 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceA chef’s harrowing realisation about foodIt was as ordinary a situation as you could imagine: Steve and his girlfriend were in Subway purchasing a sandwich. Steve had decided to go for the healthiest option available: a sandwich which was under 3g in fat. He’d chosen roast chicken, no sauces, no cookies and a diet coke.But as Steve was eating the food in front of him, he began to get nervous. A voice in his head was telling him: “What you’re doing isn’t right, you’re going to get fat.” As soon as Steve and his girlfriend got home, he made his...
2023-10-1723 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceMeet the dad who let go of his young daughterAdam is driving his teenage daughter to Oxford. During the 1-hour journey, a few meaningful looks are exchanged. He is trying to be strong, but he feels nervous about the future, nervous about the prospect of relinquishing control.Eventually they arrive in a leafy suburb and are directly outside of a large building. Adam knows that this is the place where he must leave her. He goes to help her with her luggage but he’s told that he can not enter the premises. He has to let go now, he has to trust others to take ca...
2023-10-1022 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceKeeping your brother locked up for 73 hoursMark 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 fa...
2023-10-0323 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow an unconventional approach saved a man’s businessIt 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 t...
2023-09-2621 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceFrom the corridors of power to becoming a dadJimmy 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...
2023-09-1923 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhat I learnt from my suicide attempt*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...
2023-09-1221 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceNew school, new language, new life?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 Engli...
2023-09-0521 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceBattling with reality to bring back the people we loveIt 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 c...
2023-08-2919 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe podcast that saved a man’s life“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 li...
2023-08-2225 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe difficulties men face when having kidsMatt 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 mu...
2023-08-1525 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhy men get social anxietyIt 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 b...
2023-08-0831 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhat we do as men after realising we’ve put on weightThere 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? An...
2023-08-0118 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhy all men should do this testIt was a beautiful autumnal morning and Andrew was thoroughly enjoying being at a Senior Golf Tour. During the event, a leaflet was handed to him concerning prostate cancer. He took it out of politeness and immediately shoved it into his pocket unread.It wasn’t until many days later that Andrew chanced upon the leaflet again as he was about to take his dog out for a walk. This time, he decided to read it and what he read motivated him to get checked out; it would turn out that this would be one of the mo...
2023-07-2525 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe lessons from an absent fatherKazeem had always had a strained relationship with his father. His dad abandoned him when he was a baby and Kazeem only ever had fleeting experiences of spending time with him as he was growing up. After his dad hit him across the face at the age of 12, Kazeem completely broke off relations with his father. But, aged 21 and now an adult, Kazeem decided to give his father one last chance.On Kazeem’s 27th birthday, he received no message from his dad. It wasn’t until 4 days later that the belated birthday wishes arrived. Kazeem decided that...
2023-07-1833 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe struggle to be yourself whilst getting a haircutAs a queer man, Matt had always found the barbershop to be a particularly hyper-masculine space. He’d got on with everyone there, particularly the owner, but he had never felt comfortable enough to truly open up and be himself.It was to his great surprise, then, that when entering the barbershop one day he was introduced to a new employee: a flamboyant Brazilian, who seemed to embrace all of the aspects of his personality that Matt had striven so hard not to reveal. Had Matt misjudged his need to keep his authentic self hidden? And why ha...
2023-07-1125 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe hidden price of seeking your Dad’s approvalDavid was exploring the world while scaling the heady heights of multi-sports journalism. In only his second “proper job” post-university, he found himself unexpectedly appointed editor of a new magazine specialising in all-terrain vehicles. As this was the only magazine of its kind, David received invites from manufacturers the world over in order to assess and review their products. It was as a result of such an invitation that David found himself speeding through a vast expanse of heathland in Quebec on a brand new quad bike. The problem was, however, that he was feeling highly uncomfortable. He co...
2023-07-0430 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAre we addicted to painkillers?Mark had spent many years working as a traffic police officer. During this time, he had experienced countless tragic sights. His response to these had been to bottle up his feelings. This had led to him becoming desensitised and uncaring. Dedicated counselling had been required to help Mark remove the barriers that had prevented him from dealing with the pain that had built inside.When experiencing inflammatory arthritis then, Mark became devastated when he realised that the same pattern of erected barriers had become repeated, this time via an addiction to opioids....
2023-06-2730 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceFrom Tragedy to Triumph: Bouncing Back From GriefDale Pollitt was 17 years old and appeared to be going nowhere. He’d just dropped out of school and was working at KFC. Like so many teenagers on the estate in which he lived, he spent most of his spare hours smoking weed and playing computer games. But one day he would receive some tragic news that would change his entire outlook on life.He received a phone call from his mum telling him that he needed to come over to the house. He was panicked and sweating as he drove frantically to join her. When he arri...
2023-06-2029 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceShattering stereotypes: a new life post-accidentSteve seemed to have a charmed life. After graduating from university, he began travelling around Europe. He then found himself settling at a holiday resort and, in a few short years, went from being the cleaner to becoming the Area Manager. He was living the dream and making the most of what life had to offer. But one day everything would change for good.He was visiting a friend in Germany as part of a birthday surprise. On the way, however, he tripped and fell over the balcony railing. He landed awkwardly and soon realised that he...
2023-06-1334 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceSurviving in Silence: The Hidden Struggle of Men Avoiding The DoctorSam was 27 years old and in the midst of embarking upon his American adventure. He had just arrived in New York and was meeting up with some friends he’d made online to help him stay awake and beat the jet-lag. After a meet-up involving the consumption of copious amounts of hotdogs and beer, Sam began to feel very queasy. He went to the bathroom but the feelings of pain would not subside.Four years later, Sam’s condition had worsened. His weight had fallen to around 7 stone. He was in constant pain and found it difficult to get...
2023-06-0619 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhy it’s important to break the rules: the war photographer who left home at 13Nick Danziger is an award-winning photographer. He is also a filmmaker and travel writer. His adventures abroad began at a very young age.Nick was 13 and living in Switzerland when he told his parents that he was going to travel to Paris. Nick’s parents did not take their son particularly seriously but little did they know that he had a plan in mind. He had packed some basic food provisions and the little bit of money he had access to. He also took a sketch pad, which would turn out to be the item that would ea...
2023-05-3029 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceLife after death: keeping alive the memory of lost loved onesAfter spending some time as a couple, Rob and Jodie had been friends for over ten years. He had seen her go through health challenges in the past and always re-emerge to be there by his side. It was with great shock then that Rob received a call from Jodie’s sister on his 40th birthday telling him that Jodie had suddenly passed away.Rob went to Jodie’s funeral and found himself breaking down in paroxysms of grief. As he went to pay Jodie his last respects, he wracked his mind to think of the right word...
2023-05-2328 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceGetting mixed signals? The myth of finding 'the one'Samuel had just made a number of significant changes in his life following the pandemic. He had changed jobs, moved house and left a 4-your relationship. It was to his great surprise then that on a night out at the pub, he thought that he had found “the one”. She was petite and blonde, just his type. She also shared his taste in music and films. The similarities were so extreme that they even had the same birthday. Samuel asked for the woman’s number and they proceeded to have their first date. It was perfect. But, after s...
2023-05-1628 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe great taboo: male survivors of domestic abuseFrom the outside, Zahir seemed to be living the perfect life. He had a successful job, a beautiful apartment and he had just got married. Behind closed doors, however, the situation was much less than ideal.Zahir and his wife were miserable. They were constantly arguing and those arguments were beginning to escalate. Eventually, Zahir felt that the situation could not continue and he told his wife that they should consider a divorce. Her reaction was one of fury. She marched towards Zahir and pinned him against the wall, she then proceeded to put her hands around...
2023-05-0936 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow a history of violence almost ended in manslaughterEmmanuel was the youngest of six children. He was also the only boy of the household. As a child, Emmanuel’s father would often disappear for weeks or months on end, during which time Emmanuel would eagerly anticipate his return.One night, Emmanuel would be woken from his sleep as his father unexpectedly stormed home. He had roused the entire household because a dirty cup had been left in the sink. He got Emmanuel and his sisters to stand in a row and stood before them with a wooden spoon in hand. He then proceeded to ask ea...
2023-05-0236 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow meeting Sir Alex Ferguson changed a young boy’s lifeAlex was an 8-year-old kid with an obsession for football and a love of Manchester United. When he heard a rumour that his hero and Manchester United legend, Alex Ferguson, would be at a local venue, he convinced his father to take him.Arriving at the venue, Alex still didn’t really believe that Alex Ferguson would be present. However, after spotting a local football presenter that he recognised from the TV, he went over to find out once and for all whether the Manchester United manager was there. He would subsequently discover that his hero was me...
2023-04-2535 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceFronting up to guilt: why we can't always be in controlRobert was a young doctor working in an intensive care ward when a patient was urgently admitted to him with pancreatitis. Robert proceeded to provide treatment for his patient and left him in what he believed to be a stable condition.Later on, the alarm over his patient’s bed was triggered. Robert and a team of specialist doctors and nurses rushed to the scene. The patient’s bag had filled with blood and his heart had stopped. Robert was panic-stricken and filled with guilt. How responsible had he been for the patient entering such a critical condi...
2023-04-1832 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAlix Popham tells us why men sacrifice themselves for sportAlix is a former professional rugby player who made it to the very top of his profession. After retiring, his wife noticed that he was displaying some strange behaviour. But Alix dismissed his wife’s concerns until one day he went on a fateful bike ride.He was riding along what should have been a familiar route. It was a loop that he had done countless times before. But, on this day, he found himself stranded. He couldn’t work out how to complete his journey. Panic-stricken, he called his wife for assistance. Ali...
2023-04-1135 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceLiquid confidence: Why do men need so much alcohol?Jack, a record-breaking cyclist, was engaging in a social event with his fellow competitors. It was the off-season and they found themselves cycling across the French border and emerging onto the sun-dappled beaches of Spain. It was time to take a rest and Jack began to fantasise about having a large cup of coffee.After drinking his coffee, one of the crowd asked him if he was going to have a beer. Jack revealed that he didn’t drink. The immediate reaction from the all-male crowd was one of shock. This shock then turned into mockery....
2023-04-0429 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceFight or flight? What to do when a bully squares up to youChris was doing a typical day’s work at the local butcher’s when a man behind him started swearing at him, claiming he had got blood on his shirt. A few weeks later, Chris found himself confronted by a burly individual who accused Chris of disrespecting his friend. At first Chris tried to avoid confrontation but, as he found himself pursued in the street, he decided that the only way to protect himself was to challenge his pursuer. When he did so, the pursuer backed away.This would not be the end of the situation, however. Chri...
2023-03-2830 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhat are the consequences of pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion?Phil had taken financial risks and had fallen into debt. But he was the man of the house and he had to find a way forward. He began working harder and harder. He found ways to keep pushing himself further in pursuit of success.One night he was taking the night time drive home. It was 45 minutes along the motorway. He’d taken the trip countless times before but this time his eyes were feeling a little too heavy, he was afraid he might lose concentration. Then he opened his eyes and realised that he was speeding st...
2023-03-2133 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow we can help young boys become better menYou are a social worker and you are working with a young boy who has no experience of being told what to do. He has committed a crime and he is about to go face-to-face with a magistrate. If he does not behave himself, he will only make his situation worse.You are straining to convince him that his best option is to follow the magistrate’s instructions, but the boy continues to act up. After being reprimanded, he throws a pencil at the magistrate’s face. You know this is his final chance.Your trai...
2023-03-1430 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow to deal with losing your jobYou are a lawyer and you find yourself unemployed for the first time in two decades. You’re sitting on your sofa in your underwear. You feel like you have failed. Feeling that you need to express your disappointment, you decide to reveal your true thoughts to the world. You write a post on LinkedIn. You pour out your heart. You worry that you may be burning your professional bridges but something compels you to take the risk.After a few hours, it becomes clear that your post has had an impact in a...
2023-03-0725 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhat would you sacrifice to achieve your lifelong ambition?You are a boxing fanatic. You have been obsessed with the sport ever since you were a child. As a teenager you have one overriding ambition: to work for the most prestigious boxing magazine in the country, “Boxing News”.Now you are a young man. You tell your brother that you have plans to emigrate to Australia. You tell him there’s only one possible outcome that could prevent you from doing so: being offered a job at the magazine you have idolised for so long. Then the phone rings. Your brother answers it. He tells you the ed...
2023-02-2832 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow to continue living after losing the love of your lifeYou are travelling with your childhood sweetheart and her family. You met her at school when you were just 17 years old and you’ve been together for 10 years. You have made plans for the future. You’re engaged to be married. You’re playing eye-spy on the roadside together. And then a tragic accident takes her away from you forever. You are distraught. Everything that the future was supposed to be has now changed. How could this have happened? What are you meant to do now?Today we’ll be asking: is it possible to learn to live wit...
2023-02-2128 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceWhy men find it so difficult to visit the doctorYou’re in your favourite blues bar. You’re dancing to the melodic guitars. You see a woman across from you. She captures your attention. You capture hers. You speak to her outside of the bar. You discover that the connection is real.Over the next few months, you fall in love. But she’s seen something on your leg: a small bump. She thinks you should get it checked out. You tell her it’s nothing. But the bump is getting bigger. Eventually, you follow her advice and you receive the diagnosis which is going to change y...
2023-02-1424 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe phone call no one ever wants to receiveYour biological father disappeared from your life when you were a young child. You have been raised by another man who has been a father to you in every way you could possibly imagine. But, many years later, your biological father returns.You find that you have a lot in common with him. But your relationship is not that of father and son. He’s more like a best friend. You’re playing computer games in his flat one night. The next day you receive a phone call. It’s about the man who left and so recent...
2023-02-0726 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceScared of being outed with Stephen K AmosYou’re 20 years old. You’ve been hiding your sexual identity from all of those around you. But now you find yourself on a journey towards your first ever gay bar.You’re excited but you’re also terrified. You’re terrified that someone who recognises you will see you enter the bar. You’re terrified that your secret will finally be revealed. You circle the bar 6, 8, 10 times, checking each time that no-one you know will see you enter. You go into the bar and finally the journey of discovering your authentic self begins.Today we’ll find o...
2023-01-3128 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow to reset your life after going to prison?ep 14: You get a phone call from a friend who’s asking to be picked up. He has a reputation as a dodgy character but you agree to help him out. Before you know it, you’re being pursued by a police car. It’s now that your friend tells you he’s carrying something he shouldn’t be.You think about driving away but you suddenly find yourself surrounded. You and your mate are dragged out of the car and the police find cocaine. You will end up being sentenced to 32 months in prison. And you will share...
2023-01-2425 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow Jacob found the courage to speak out about an abusive pastEp 13: You’re finishing a night-shift at work. You receive a text from a family member. The person is requesting to see you right now. They need to talk and it is not a conversation that can happen over the phone.You arrive at the family member’s house. They are visibly upset. Then they break down. They are crying in front of you. It is at this point that they tell you their truth. As you listen to their story, you are deeply shaken by its familiarity. And you realise that it’s time to unburden yourse...
2023-01-1731 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceTelling your old-school, Catholic father about your sexualityEp 12: You’ve grown up in a provincial Irish town. You’ve known that your sexuality is different to those around you since you were a teenager. But, as you grow up, you find that you do not fit the stereotype of what a gay man is perceived to be and you are reluctant to define yourself by your sexual preference. One day, however, you realise that one of the people you love most does not truly know you. Your father is an old-school man whose values belong to generations past. You’ve never spoken to him about s...
2023-01-1023 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceFacing down violent football fansHere is a special re-released episode of Stories of Men for the New Year.You’re facing down 15 angry men. It’s just you and your dad. You clamped their cars earlier and you’ve been waiting for the men to arrive. You knew they weren’t going to be in a good mood. They’re glaring at you; screaming; shouting. Your father demands the men pay the money before you unclamp the cars. You make one small mistake. The next thing you know, your father is lying unconscious in your arms.Daniel Collins was a slightly...
2023-01-0320 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow a former soldier dealt with grief after the horrors of warHere is a special re-released episode of Stories of Men for the Christmas period.You’re a soldier driving through a warzone. You pass through a deserted village. Later you see a lonely crucifix in a field. You find out what it symbolises: one night all of the people in the village were dragged outside of their homes and executed. How do you react? Do you dare to show emotion? Do you dare to show compassion?Jed Irving was a man’s man. He had been trained to keep his emotions in check. He didn’t reac...
2022-12-2725 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe impact of growing up without a fatherep 11: It’s Christmas Eve. You’re 6 years old. Your father is taking you shopping for an early Christmas present. He buys you a dictionary, a symbol of his wish for your future education.It’s the next day and you’re woken up by a commotion in the bathroom. You get out of bed and see your father on the toilet clutching his chest. Your mum lies him down and starts performing CPR. She tells you to call 999. You call the ambulance but it will not be enough to save him. You are going to lose your dad...
2022-12-2024 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceLearning to be the father you never had with Bode Aboderinep 10: You’re estranged from the mother of your child. You’re jobless. You have no permanent home. You find yourself living in your ex-mother-in-law’s spare room surviving on £20 a week. You’re lying under your duvet. You’re contemplating ending it all.Then you get a phone call from your father. You’re reluctant to answer. You know that his judgement will only add to your misery. But, for some reason, you accept the call and you receive an offer that is going to completely change your fortunes.Today we discover how reconnecting with his fath...
2022-12-1331 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe tragic loss of a lifelong friend with Anthony Ogogoep 9: You’re 29 years old and you get the worst news you could ever imagine receiving. It’s about your best friend, the person you’ve known since you were a child. He’s ill and he isn’t going to recover.It was a friendship that had lasted a lifetime. Anthony and David had known each other since they were 8. They’d played together at school and they would relive the energy and innocence of those days every time they met. Yet, at the tender age of 29, David would be diagnosed with terminal cancer. Anthony was about to los...
2022-12-0619 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAre you burnt out at work?ep 8: You’re struggling at work. Your energy levels are perilously low. You’re losing confidence. Even the minutest of challenges feels like a massive hurdle. On the train ride home, you are in paroxysms of tears. Something isn’t right.You get home and your wife asks if you’re OK. You tell her no but you don’t want to talk about it. The next morning you wake up with a heavy feeling in your stomach. You realise that the situation is coming to a head. You cannot keep going on like this.Today we d...
2022-11-2921 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceShould you run from violence or fight back?ep 7: You’ve just been out partying with your friends. You’re walking home and it’s late at night. You hear footsteps behind you. They seem to be getting louder with each stride. Do you turn around to see who it is? Do you run away as fast as you can? Or do you carry on and hope that there’s nothing wrong?Nicco had only just arrived in the UK and he was trying to fit in. He didn’t want to come across as paranoid or be seen to over-react to his surroundings. But he hadn’t...
2022-11-2221 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceIs it OK to cry in front of other men?ep 6: You’re working in a job that you hate. It’s become so bad that you’ve started searching for other vacancies during working hours. But one day you get called into the office and you’re told that you’ve lost your job. How do you react?Jay Smith was sat in that office in front of his two male superiors and his reaction was to cry. He thought about his financial commitments. He thought about how he would be perceived as a man who was now unemployed. But, immediately, he began to feel ashamed. Why had he...
2022-11-1520 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow the effects of being bullied at school can manifest in later lifeep 5: You’ve just started at a new school. You’re standing in the playground. You’re minding your own business. Suddenly, you’re attacked by three boys. They fling you to the ground. Your nose hits the floor. You’ve been humiliated, and embarrassed. How do you respond? Do you assert yourself and try to stand up to the bullies? Or do you stay quiet and risk being picked on again?Scott Johnston decided to assert himself and he was attacked even more viciously. It was at the end of the attack that he discovered the motive. He...
2022-11-0820 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow a man was saved from a suicide attemptep 4: You’re at a party with your girlfriend surrounded by your closest friends. You’re smiling and laughing and appear to be having a great time. But, after this moment of celebration, it is your intention to say goodbye. Nobody else knows it but you plan on ending your life that very night.Before taking his life, Luke is driven to make a phone call to a man who he hadn’t spoken to in a long time. He is also being watched by a kind stranger who can see that something isn’t right. How will the...
2022-11-0126 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceFacing down violent football fansep 3: You’re facing down 15 angry men. It’s just you and your dad. You clamped their cars earlier and you’ve been waiting for the men to arrive. You knew they weren’t going to be in a good mood. They’re glaring at you; screaming; shouting. Your father demands the men pay the money before you unclamp the cars. You make one small mistake. The next thing you know, your father is lying unconscious in your arms.Daniel Collins was a slightly built 18-year-old boy who was travelling around the country clamping cars. He hated the job bu...
2022-10-2520 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceHow a former soldier dealt with grief after the horrors of warep 2: You’re a soldier driving through a warzone. You pass through a deserted village. Later you see a lonely crucifix in a field. You find out what it symbolises: one night all of the people in the village were dragged outside of their homes and executed. How do you react? Do you dare to show emotion? Do you dare to show compassion?Jed Irving was a man’s man. He had been trained to keep his emotions in check. He didn’t react to finding out about the village massacre. He suppressed his feelings. But, years later...
2022-10-1824 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceThe most painful question to be askedep 1: Your dad’s on life support. Do you turn it off? All eyes are on you to make the ultimate decision. What do you do? Alexander Lindsay was struggling with burnout. Having just left the job he loved, he received a phone call nobody is ever prepared for. On getting to the hospital Alexander found himself in a room with both his mum, and his dad’s lover. But with doctors needing answers, this was no time for family drama. As the oldest male in the family, all eyes are on you. Would...
2022-10-1118 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceTrailer - Stories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceTraditional ideas of masculinity are dead, and now men struggle to find their place in the world. In Stories of Men, Alex Melia speaks to men who’ve overcome challenging circumstances to find out what they’ve learned about being a man in today’s world.Alex Melia is a businessman and podcaster. From humble beginnings in Greater Manchester, he built a business which now employs over 30 people. Ten years in, and the company sustains him without his involvement. He now travels the world on a mission to uncover what it means to live an indepe...
2022-10-1102 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceAlex Melia on Processing TraumaAlex Melia, the founder of the Our Voices podcast, discusses the traumatic experience of being the victim of a brutal attack on the streets of Mexico. He also reveals how, in the aftermath of the attack, he began to experience panic attacks for the first time in many years. All of this caused him to reflect on the expectations of masculinity and saw him go on a journey which led back to unresolved childhood trauma.*********************Check out the Stories Of Men website for more on this storyWe're also on Facebook, Twitter...
2022-08-1622 minStories of Men: Beneath the SurfaceSeason trailer: On men & masculinityThis season, we're asking what does it mean to be a man in the modern era? and how can we become better every day. I’m to discover how men are dealing with conflicting expectations. And I’m going to take you along for the ride.We’ll learn how to process failure, and deal with confrontation. When to stand up for what you believe in, and how to manage being on the brink of bankruptcy. But first up, I’m going to tell you my story. It's about an event, just a couple of months a...
2022-08-1502 min