Stories of Men: Beneath the Surface Alex Melia

*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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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

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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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

“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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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

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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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

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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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