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 he had had enough of his father’s lack of commitment and set out to break off relations with him once and for all. But, at a family function, they would find themselves unwillingly brought face-to-face once more. How would Kazeem react to seeing the man who had so constantly proved to be a disappointment? And how would Kazeem’s father react to being rejected by his son?

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, Kazeem. His thoughtful, open and considered reflections on a subject which so many will be able to relate to are immensely important and 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 voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

As 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 had Matt originally found it necessary to mask his own form of masculinity in order to fit into this space?

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 openness in discussing the challenges he and many in his community face is both enlightening and poignant. 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: July 11th, 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 voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

David 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 couldn’t see the terrain well enough to feel safe and, the longer the ride continued,  the more vulnerable he began to feel.

What was it that underlay the vision problems that David was experiencing? And would he be able to extricate himself from such a perilous situation without experiencing serious harm?

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 humility, bravery and frankness while telling his story make for a powerful experience. 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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Check out the Stories Of Men website for more on this story

We're also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

A voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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.

What had led Mark to walking down the very path he had been determined not to retread? And what could our health care system do differently to support people like Mark more effectively in the future?

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 frank and eye-opening reflections on the challenges he has faced are shared with both bravery and wisdom. 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: June 27th, 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 voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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 arrived, he saw his mother, his father, his sister and a police officer waiting to receive him.

What would Dale discover that would lead to a complete evolution in his view of life? And what would Dale learn about becoming a man in the process?

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, Dale. His bravery and generosity in talking about such a tragic and transformative moment in his life is both inspiring and 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. [Original air date: June 20th, 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 voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Steve 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 couldn’t move.

Steve would later discover that he would no longer be able to walk. But, instead of this being the end of Steve’s journey, it proved to be a new beginning. He would go on to discover a new sport, a new vocation and a new level of achievement.

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, Steve. His courage and determination and his ability to adapt to the circumstances he has faced in the best possible way is nothing short of 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: June 13th, 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 voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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 out of bed. Finally, he decided he had no option but to seek medical help. On arrival at the hospital, he discovered just how risky his delay to see the doctor had been. But why did he feel the need to wait until a crisis had occurred before seeing the doctor? And why are so many men reluctant to seek medical attention when they need it?

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, Sam. His frankness and willingness to discuss a phobia so many men can relate to is deeply 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: June 6th, 2023]

Mentioned in this episode:

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

After 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 words.

What could Rob say that would encapsulate everything that he had felt for her over the years he had known her? And how would he be able to come to terms with his grief following her passing?

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, Rob. His openness in acknowledging how he was able to express such profound grief as a man is highly 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: May 23rd, 2023]

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Rob also has a podcast named "Sketchplanations".

His podcast is a series to accompany the collection of sketches at Sketchplanations.com; that explain stuff simply from the world around us.

Each week they select a different sketch and discuss how it applies in our lives and to society at large - with a little bit of silliness thrown in.

With friends for 25 years; Engineer & Broadcaster Rob Bell, Sketchplanations creator Jono Hey, and The Apprentice winner 2011 Tom Pellereau.

Listen here: https://tr.ee/U9BRt3bjcy

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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 voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Nick 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 earn him money on his travels.

After sneaking onto and off the train, Nick did in fact arrive in Paris. But while a world of potential adventure opened up to him, so did a world of potential danger. How would a young Nick navigate this danger? And what would he learn on his travels that would influence him throughout his life?

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, Nick. His reflective and profound observations on travel and the privileges he has experienced as a white, western male are illuminating and wise. 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 voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

[Original air date: May 30th, 2023]

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Tim 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 finally get through to the boy? Could it be that the experience of being a man might be the very connection he needed to use to help this boy to change?

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, Tim. His eloquence and thoughtful reflection on the meaning and importance of connection is both refreshingly honest and insightful. 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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Check out the Stories Of Men website for more on this story

We're also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

A voices.captivate.fm/fascinate-productions">Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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