Stories of Men: Beneath the Surface

Alex Melia
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Stories of Men: Beneath the Surface

Traditional 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. Each guest shares a story from their life that has had a big impact on them. Alex Melia is a businessman and podcaster from Atherton, Greater Manchester. He has 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 independent and meaningful life. This podcast was previously Our Voices.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    When a dreaded hangover can have nasty effects you didn’t expect

    Ross 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. He turned on his phone and it immediately erupted with countless notifications. At first his memory was hazy but then it began to dawn on him exactly what he had been up to the previous night. 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, Ross. His thoughtful and honest reflections on what led to his dependence on alcohol are eye-opening and will be highly relatable to all men who struggle with fitting in. 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: Jan 30th, 2024] ********************* 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/the_man_test

    27 min

  2. 5 NOV

    Growing up without a father: what type of man do you become?

    It 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 everything was unfamiliar but it was with great surprise that Paul would see a face that he recognised  behind a wall of glass: the man who should’ve been his role model. 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, Paul. His open and stirring reflections on what it is like trying to be a good man without having a good role model are both affecting and inspiring. 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: Jan 23rd, 2024] ********************* 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/the_man_test_som

    22 min

  3. 29 OCT

    What we think about when we think about dying

    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’t send me to hospital”. What had led Ketan to enter such a vulnerable state? And in what ways would experiencing this vulnerability change Ketan’s perspective going forward? 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, Ketan. His stark and harrowing description of experiencing illness and needing support are both unsettling and enlightening. 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: Jan 16th, 2024] ********************* 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

    24 min

  4. 22 OCT

    Don't ignore your body's signals - It might just save your life

    Darren openly discusses the plethora of negative feelings that contributed to his emotional breakdown on his way to work. He was working in finance. It was an industry that had provided him with the good life. However, he knew that something deep down was not right. He had been drinking too much and struggling to sleep at night. All of this came to a head on one fateful morning.  “I physically stopped. I stopped and I looked at this big glass building and these big doors that I've walked in so many times. I couldn't. It was as if my legs had grown roots.” ********************* 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/the_man_test

    30 min

  5. 15 OCT

    You'll stop complaining about your life after you hear this man's story

    The 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 contributions as a community advocate have seen him rewarded with an MBE for his efforts. But this was a challenge like no other he had yet faced. 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, Isaac. His story of determination and bravery is as remarkable as it is 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. [Original air date: Jan 9th, 2024] ********************* 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/the_man_test_som

    26 min

  6. 8 OCT

    How a man's excessive focus on work almost ruined his marriage

    For 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 name, nobody answered. He went into the bedroom to look for her and what he discovered forced him to completely re-evaluate the experience that he had believed both he and his wife were having. 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, David. His reflective and self-critical observations on the importance of controlling one’s ego and becoming more empathetic are both enlightening and valuable. 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. [Originar air date: Jan 02nd, 2024] ********************* 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

    22 min

  7. 1 OCT

    The decision that still haunts this man 30 years later

    It 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, at the final second, he decides not to make a challenge. The striker goes past him. He scores. Andy’s team is 1-0 down and it’s only the opening minute. How would his dad react? Why had Andy not reacted? And why is it that Andy has never been able to forget that moment ever since? 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, Andy. His unguarded and moving reflections on his fear of failure will resonate with many. 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: December 19th, 2023] Referenced links: https://thinkunconventionall.com/ ********************* 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/the_man_test

    25 min

  8. 24 SEPT

    Do men thrive more living in the city or in the countryside?

    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 enforcing obedience and conformity. But what would be the circumstances that would lead to this change? And how have James’ childhood experiences inspired him to help and engage young people today? 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 tender and heartfelt reflections on a childhood that was both cherished and lost are deeply moving and highly 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: December 12th, 2023] ********************* 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/the_man_test_som

    24 min
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About

Traditional 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. Each guest shares a story from their life that has had a big impact on them. Alex Melia is a businessman and podcaster from Atherton, Greater Manchester. He has 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 independent and meaningful life. This podcast was previously Our Voices.

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