Stories of Men: Beneath the Surface – Details, episodes & analysis

Luke 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 will the kindness of an old friend and a perfect stranger unite to save Luke’s life? And will Luke eventually be able to appreciate how much he has to live for?

Today we will discover the importance of kindness. We will also see how necessary it is for men to speak out when they are at their most desperate.

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 Scott. His frankness, courage and generosity in sharing such a painful story is an inspiration to behold. It also provides a vital insight into how pivotal kindness can be as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world. [Original air date: November 1st, 2022]

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Mentioned in this episode:

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

Daniel 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 after what had happened?

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, Daniel Collins. His honesty, resolve and courage in reliving such a horrific and terrifying moment is a sign of genuine strength and is profoundly appreciated. It also provides a vital insight as we try to piece together what it means to be a man in today’s world. [Original air date: October 25th, 2022]

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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]

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

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Mentioned in this episode:

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

Here 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 built 18-year-old boy who was travelling around the country clamping cars. He hated the job but his father seemed to relish it. 

It was just a small mistake Daniel made, but it spurred on his dad’s attacker.

How badly would Daniel’s dad be hurt? And would Daniel ever be able to go back to his job after this?

Today we discover how he reacted to this situation. And ask, has Daniel’s perception of masculinity changed after witnessing what happened to his father?

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, Daniel Collins. His honesty, resolve and courage in reliving such a horrific and terrifying moment is a sign of genuine strength and is profoundly appreciated. It also provides a vital insight 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/som_the_man_test

Here 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 react to finding out about the village massacre. He suppressed his feelings. But, years later,  that memory from the past was triggered. This time he felt a depth of compassion he had not been able to access before. But would Jed finally allow himself to express the emotions he had previously denied?

Today we discover how Jed dealt with being confronted by the past. And ask, has Jed’s perception of masculinity changed as he has grown older? And what does it truly mean to be a “tough guy” in the 21st century?

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, Jed Irving. His vulnerability, openness and sincerity in talking about bearing witness to such a tragic scene shows inspirational courage. It also provides meaningful reflection 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_som

ep 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 on Christmas day.

Today we learn how Shaun was impacted by the trauma of losing his father at such a tender age. And we ask, how is a man affected by not having a male role model in his life as he is growing up?

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, Shuan Flores. His insight, candidness and bravery in sharing such a traumatic experience is both powerfully moving and inspiring. 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 Fascinate Production

Mentioned in this episode:

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

ep 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 father allowed Bode to find renewed direction in his life. And ask, how can we as men recover from the wounds of childhood in order to become role models for our own children?

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, Bode. The charisma, frankness, and wisdom he shows in talking about the darkest and most inspiring moments of his life is a wonder to behold. 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.

(References made to his book: “Fatherhood by Papa B”)

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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

ep 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 lose one of the most important people in his life.

Today we discover how Anthony came to terms with this loss. While asking, what is it that a man goes through when he loses his best friend? And how can we be more appreciative of the male friendships in our lives?

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, Anthony. His energy, generosity, and courageousness in talking about such a tragic experience 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.

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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

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 discover how Mike was finally able to acknowledge his experience of burn-out at work. And ask, how can men begin to recognise early on when enough is enough and step away from a situation which is causing them mental distress?

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, Mike. His openness, sensitivity, and bravery in retelling moments of profound distress is truly 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.

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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

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 felt comfortable. He’d felt as if he were being pursued. That very night he and his friends would suffer a violent, unmotivated attack by a group of men. Now he asks himself, why didn’t I listen to my instincts? Why didn’t I escape the situation while I  had a chance?

Today we discover how Nicco has dealt with the trauma following the attack. And ask, has his perception of masculinity changed since being the victim of such motiveless violence?

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, Nicco. His perceptiveness, generosity, and tenacity in retelling this traumatic moment in his life 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.

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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