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The Modern Mann

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Amazing stories, emerging trends, and sex advice - with Olly Mann, Alix Fox and Ollie Peart. 'Best Interview Podcast', British Podcast Awards. New episodes monthly, on the 10th. Get in touch or buy us a beer at https://modernmann.co.uk.

Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

Amazing stories, emerging trends, and sex advice - with Olly Mann, Alix Fox and Ollie Peart. 'Best Interview Podcast', British Podcast Awards. New episodes monthly, on the 10th. Get in touch or buy us a beer at https://modernmann.co.uk.

Language:

English


Episodes

Am I Autistic?

3/10/2024
Lexi struggled to ‘read’ faces. She walked on her toes. She craved routine. She didn’t like her food to touch on a plate, and she was sensitive to light and sound. But, until she was 27, she didn’t know she was autistic. Lexi only took a test when - as a paramedic, grappling with erratic shifts and sleep disturbance - she sought help with anxiety and depression. In this candid conversation with Olly, she considers the ‘trigger points’ for her struggles, explains her support system, and reveals how adjustments have seen her progress in her career and romantic relationships. Content Warning: self-harm. Find out more about autism from the National Autistic Society — Elsewhere, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the intersection of eSports and motor racing. Can platforms like iRacing truly replicate the physics, design, and engineering of real-world cars? Why don’t they use VR headsets? And how come more people don’t know about Max Verstappen’s gaming side-hustle? With the help of Paul Crawford, Head of eSports at Motorsport UK, and sim-racer Jonny Elliot, Ollie discovers how (relatively) affordable home simulators might produce the next Will Byron… — Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from visiting Dennis Severs’ house in Shoreditch - tackles a bearded listener’s question of grooming… how can he minimise friction and tickles whilst going down on his wife? With the help of ‘Celebs Go Dating’ sexpert Dr Tara, Alix considers the options - from flavoured lubes to beard oils - and explains why a German toy, Belou, might provide a viable alternative… — Finally, our Record of the Month comes from the Isle of Wight’s Lauran Hibberd, whose single ‘2nd Prettiest Girl (In The World)’ is out now. — GET IN TOUCH If you have a letter for Olly, a question for Alix, a challenge for Ollie or want to share your story on our show, visit our website, HTTPS://MODERNMANN.CO.UK and fill out the Feedback form. — THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY… • Readly. Mannfans can get an exclusive, three month FREE trial of unlimited newspapers and magazines at https://www.readly.com/mann • BetterHelp. Get started today and enjoy 10% OFF your first month of convenient and affordable therapy at https://betterhelp.com/mann • BBC Maestro. Use the code MANN to get your 40% off your favourite video course or 40% off a subscription at https://bbcmaestro.com. Let the greatest be your teacher! • Who Gives A Crap? Get 20% off toilet paper that does a world of good at https://uk.whogivesacrap.org/ when you use the code MANN. — Thanks for listening! If you can afford to support the show financially, please buy us a beer - we put every penny back into producing this independent podcast just for YOU. … and we’ll see you with a brand new episode on April 10th. x Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Lauran Hibberd. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:22:53

Playback: The Gentleman Bank Robber

2/23/2024
Extreme highs, extreme lows, and a bungled bank robbery Radcliffe Royds had it all - a private education; a job in the City; a wife and kids. So, how did he find himself robbing a bank with a banana, high on crack cocaine, whilst living in a skip in Soho? In this incredible interview, he tells Olly his outrageous story. It's a tale of extreme highs and lows, brutal honesty and dark humour. This interview first aired in 2016. Now remastered and with an update from Radcliffe, we've paired this episode with Our Conviction. Listen now - and if you have an episode from our past you'd like to recommend, let us know at modernmann.co.uk/feedback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:28:14

Our Conviction

2/10/2024
Sue Beere’s husband, John, was jailed for his role in a £53 million drug-smuggling plot. He’s spent time in a maximum-security prison. He’s lost two appeals. But Sue has never doubted his innocence. Alongside charity Appeal, Sue continues to campaign for his conviction to be quashed - and for all the ‘Freshwater Five’ implicated in the alleged cocaine conspiracy to be exonerated. In this compelling conversation with Olly, Sue recounts how - from John’s unexpected arrest to the shocking outcome of his trial - she has battled stigma, financial struggles, and the British legal system… from her family home on the Isle of Wight. Find out more about Appeal on their website, https://appeal.org.uk/ This episode is sponsored by Readly, who are offering Mann-fans an exclusive, three month trial of unlimited newspapers and magazines. Get yours at readly.com/mann —- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is hunting for a cure for Seasonal Affective Disorder… might a simple vitamin tablet do the trick, or is it worth investing in a 10,000 lux therapy lamp? Or, could the trend for Nordic bathing - plunging from a piping hot sauna into freezing cold water - be a mood-boosting salve for S.A.D? Ollie drags Olly along to the Saltwater Sauna in Sandbanks to find out… The Zeitgeist is sponsored by our friends at Beer52. Claim your FREE case of 8 new and exclusive beers from across the world at https://www.beer52.com/MANN —- Elsewhere, down The Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from a mind-blowing movie preview - investigates the booming market in A.I. girlfriends, and uncovers some tasty neologisms for part-time asexuals. Could an over-reliance on ‘fap GPT’ be a bedroom boner-killer? Do straight men get emotional support from their interactions with sex-bots? With the help of psychotherapist Silva Neves, specialist in sexual compulsive behaviour, and sex robot researcher Dr Chloé Locatelli from King’s College London, Alix has the answers… probably. If you have a question of sex and relationships for Alix to answer in a future Foxhole, submit if via our website, https://modernmann.co.uk —- Finally, our record of the month comes from Vince Freeman, whose new single, ‘Blame Myself’ - taken from his new album ‘Scars, Ghosts & Glory’, dropping in March - is out now. —- Thanks for listening! If you can afford to support the show financially, please buy us a beer - we put every penny back into producing this independent podcast just for YOU. … and we’ll see you with a brand new episode on March 10th. x Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Sue Beere, Vince Freeman. Thanks: Jude Habib, Sound Delivery. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2024. This episode includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mann and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:33:42

Playback: CEO at 22

1/26/2024
Raising $1m in venture capital whilst still at Uni; starting a business seemed like child's play for James Routledge. His start-up attracted 50m page views per month, and his investors believed he could be the next Mark Zuckerberg. Except, beneath the surface, he felt stressed, isolated and alone - and his business was burning £30,000 per month. In this honest and compelling interview with Olly, he explains what happened next. This interview first aired in 2017 . Now remastered and with an update on Sanctus, we've paired this episode with Veganuary - Planting The Seed. Listen now - and if you have an episode from our past you'd like to recommend, let us know at modernmann.co.uk/feedback James is co-founder of mental health start-up Sanctus. Read the blog-post that started it all here, and sign up to their weekly newsletter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:30:57

Veganuary: Planting The Seed

1/10/2024
Yorkshire couple Matthew Glover and Jane Land created Veganuary at their kitchen table. Inspired by Movember, their concept of challenging the nation to try veganism for a month gained incredible momentum via social media, and became a global organisation. But, along the way, it drained their finances, crashed their servers, and ate up their Christmasses... In this interview with Olly, the husband-and-wife entrepreneurs consider the flaws of their early strategy; take us behind-the-scenes of the iconic Greggs’ Vegan Sausage Roll; and reveal how they’ve faced down criticism from within the vegan movement, the meat lobby and Piers Morgan… _____________ The health theme continues in the Zeitgeist, for which Ollie Peart investigates the trend for low and no alcohol wine and spirits. From miniature cordials by high-end ‘wine’ brand Jukes, to a sparkling bottle of Muri’s Sherbert Daydream, Ollie attempts to persuade us there’s so much more to the zero-booze booze market than Beck’s Blue and Shloer. But, armed with a trio of mixers from British start-up Three Spirits and a miniature bottle of orange juice from Pret, can he persuade Olly to give up his dirty martinis? _____________ Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox advises a listener whose teenage trans daughter has, she suspects, become intimate with her girlfriend - another trans girl she met at her boys’ school. Stepping around the inevitable minefield this question might attract, Alix consults Dee Lou Whitnell, trans activist and founder of the #TransKidsDeserveToGrowUp campaign, to offer stellar advice on supporting this young couple - whilst steering them away from potential problems. _____________ For our record of the month, it’s over to piano man Tom Odell, whose new song, Black Friday, comes from his new album of the same name. _____________ If you have a question you’d like to put to Alix, a trend you’d like Ollie to try, a Mannbassadorship request, or a letter for Olly to read out, just fill in the Feedback form on our website, https://modernmann.co.uk There you’ll also find our Beer Money page where you can donate to the show AND HELP US CONTINUE TO MAKE IT. Thanks! … And we’ll see you again on February 10th. _____________________ Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Matthew Glover, Jane Land, Tom Odell. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2024. This episode includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/mann and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:31:40

🎄 Christmas 🥂 Spectacular 2023! 🎅

12/10/2023
Olly, Alix and Ollie are under the mistletoe for our annual festive ding-dong, with sensational live music, a feelgood Christmas task, and a bucketload of obscene toys. Deck the Halls! First up, Ollie Peart reports back on his mission to unite to match up the world’s Mann-fans with skills and needs in his philanthrotainment-bashing charity concept, The Modern 2023 Skill-a-thon. Jingle your bells as he unites mountain climbers and copywriters, graphic designers and charity campaigners, and young farmers with energy consultants. Ho ho ho! * Intrigued? Be the first to join our brand new Discord server: https://www.modernmann.co.uk/skills * ———————————— Next up, there’s some superb live music - in the form of an exclusive acoustic performance from duo Ailis Mackay and Hayley Tait, aka Dirty Blonde, whose breakup anthem Favourite Record is, indeed, our favourite record this month… ———————————— Finally, Alix Fox ups the ante yet again with an outrageous edition of her annual XXXmas Foxhole Quiz. Faced with a bowl of jelly, a marble run and a devious range of flavoured condoms, can Peart and Mann survive ‘Mann Summers’, ‘Jellied Eel or No Jellied Eel’ and ‘Kentucky Fried Dickin’? You’ll have to make it to the end of the show to find out. Which may be a challenge at times. ———————————— This episode of The Modern Mann is proudly supported by: • Wine52, the wine discovery club that sends delicious wine to your door from a different country each month. Claim your FREE case now - just pay the postage at wine52.com/MANN • BBC Maestro, world-class online courses. Use the code MANN to get your 40% off your favourite video course or 40% off a subscription at https://bbcmaestro.com. Let the greatest be your teacher! • The Handy, the high-end toy for men that bridges the gap between fantasy and reality. Get 10% OFF when you use the code FOXHOLE10 on their website. • LISTENERS LIKE YOU. If you can afford to buy us a beer each month to say thank you for making you a free 1hr+ magazine show each month - please do. We rely on your support! https://modernmann.co.uk/beer ———————————— Thanks SO much for being a Mann-fan - have a very happy Christmas, and we’ll see you with a brand new season of the show on Jan 10th, 2024! Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Dirty Blonde, Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: 'Skies Over Cairo' by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:08:02

Skill-A-Thon Update...

11/21/2023
With just ten days to go, Ollie reports in on his challenge to fix charity. Have a need? Or a skill? modernmann.co.uk/skills Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:04:34

Hearts And Minds

11/10/2023
Caz Jaine faced danger, isolation and even assault when she took a foreign office role in Basra during the ‘reconstruction’ phase of the Iraq war. But she thrived on the adrenalin of conflict zones - and was even diagnosed with ‘post-traumatic development’... As she explains to Olly in this wide-ranging conversation, her subsequent experiences as a Police emergency call handler led her to broaden her self-care and resilience. Now a meditation teacher, Caz takes police officers on forest retreats, and advocates passionately for culture change and emotional support within blue light professions. CONTENT WARNING: suicide, self harm, animal harm. — Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart checks out the trend for ‘philanthrotainment’ - influencers leveraging their platforms to raise money for charity. Is the technique - evidenced by the likes of Youtuber Mr Beast and Instagram’s King of Chemo - a more direct, straightforward way of supporting charitable causes than the corruption-prone supply chains of larger organisations? Or do household name organisations remain the best places to donate, given the administrative struggles of smaller charities? With the help of Lucinda Rouse from Third Sector, Ollie navigates the best way to help out this Winter - and establishes his own side-hustle to support Mann-fans in need: * REGISTER NOW FOR OLLIE’S MODERN MANN SKILL-A-THON *: https://www.modernmann.co.uk/skills — Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox, fresh from discovering the etymological roots of orchids and testicles, advises a widowed Mann-fan about post-bereavement dating. When is the best time to disclose that your wife has died? Is it best to blurt the information out early, and risk ruining the conversation, or better to wait until you’ve established a deeper connection? And what are the stigmas around desire when you’re recently bereaved? With the help of WAY (Widowed And Young) and Lets Talk About Loss, Alix reveals all. The Foxhole is sponsored by The Handy, a high-end toy for men that bridges the gap between fantasy and reality. Get 10% OFF when you use the code FOXHOLE10 on their website. — Finally, our record of the month comes from an artist described as one of the most original voices in UK rap - Jelani Blackman - and his current single, Clear. — THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY… • Readly. Mannfans can get an exclusive, three month FREE trial of unlimited newspapers and magazines at https://www.readly.com/mann • BetterHelp. Get started today and enjoy 10% OFF your first month of convenient and affordable therapy at https://betterhelp.com/mann • BBC Maestro. Use the code MANN to get your 40% off your favourite video course or 40% off a subscription at https://bbcmaestro.com. Let the greatest be your teacher! • LISTENERS LIKE YOU. If you enjoy the show, support our independent podcast and BUY US A BEER via our website, https://modernmann.co.uk/beer - and you too could become a Mannbassador! Thanks. — CREDITS: Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Caz Jaine, Jelani Blackman. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: 'Skies Over Cairo' by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. SUPPORT: In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:33:58

Return To Sender: The Post Office Scandal Revisited

10/10/2023
After twenty years, Kamran Ashraf is still seeking justice. Wrongfully sent to prison by the Post Office, he and his family are one of 700 subpostmasters and sub postmistresses that were convicted on false evidence - provided by a broken computer system known as Horizon. Three years after our original interview, we discover what happened next. Was his appeal successful? And what will it take to see justice for the hundreds of men and women affected? The ‘Horizon scandal’ has since been described as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in recent British legal history. You can discover more at postofficetrial.com. Our thanks to journalist Nick Wallis for connecting us. In the original story, we changed their names to protect their appeal for justice. _____________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart has spent the month avoiding Ultra Processed Foods, using The Nova Scale. From sausages to cornichons, Ollie takes us through the things some experts think we should remove from our diet - and reveals a few surprising omissions along the way. But is the science all it’s cracked up to be, when compared to a liberal dash of salt on a home-cooked meal? And how much of a trend is it really? The Zeitgeist investigates. The Zeitgeist is sponsored by DIRTEA. Find your favorite mushroom powder and get 10% off your first order with promo code MANN at https://dirteaworld.com/mann ____________ Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox conquers her very specific fear of diving near an airport - and then in our listener question of the month, she advises a Mann-fan who has vestibulodynia, a condition that leads to chronic pain around the vagina. So how can she and her partner conceive a baby in the old-fashioned way? With the help of The Vulva Pain Society, Alix discusses the fun of playing with insemination kits, conception-friendly lubes like Conceive Plus and Pre Seed. _____________ For our record of the month, we welcome British indie pop artist flowerovlove and her energetic new single, ‘Next Best Exit’. _____________ If you have a question you’d like to put to Alix, a trend you’d like Ollie to try, a Mannbassadorship request, or a letter for Olly to read out, just fill in the Feedback form on our website, https://modernmann.co.uk There you’ll also find our Beer Money page where you can donate to the show AND HELP US CONTINUE TO MAKE IT. Thanks! … And we’ll see you again on November 10th. _____________________ Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Kamran Ashraf, Siema Kamran. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Sponsors: BetterHelp. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month of convenient and affordable therapy when you visit https://betterhelp.com/mann Readly are offering Mann fans an exclusive, three month FREE trial of unlimited newspapers and magazines. To get yours, go to readly.com/mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:43:47

The Private Prosecutor

9/10/2023
Britain’s shoplifters fear David McKelvey. His companies, TM Eye and My Local Bobby, have brought over 1,200 private prosecutions - and never lost a case. Commandeering a commercial force of savvy ex-coppers, David pursues thieves the Police usually let go with a caution - guys who steal steaks from Waitrose and flog them to restaurants, and housewives hawking fake handbags on Facebook. In this wide-ranging and illuminating conversation with Olly, David explains how private individuals can make arrests and bring court cases; answers the criticisms of the system thrown up by the Post Office scandal; and explains why buying counterfeit designer labels from car boot sales is not simply a crime of copyright theft - but the tip of a large-scale operation that can involve child labour, toxic materials, and terrorist gangs… —------------------- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart enlists the help of former Top Gear presenter Rory Reid to investigate just how environmentally-friendly electric vehicles truly are. Does the intensive production process, and consequences of battery manufacture, have an adverse effect on an EV’s eco-credentials? Is the higher upfront cost of going electric justified by the lower running cost compared to petrol? And to what extent does it matter what country you’re in, and what their energy mix is? Ollie finds out… The Zeitgeist is supported by DIRTEA, super blends derived from potent functional mushrooms. Get 10% off your first order with promo code MANN at dirteaworld.com/mann —------------------- Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox takes to the skies in a ‘very forgiving’ Microlight, returning just in time to discuss a letter from an anonymous Mannfan experiencing insecurity about his small penis, and intense jealousy about his partner's past sexual experiences. What societal pressures or personal triggers lay behind this sudden self-doubt? How best to communicate his feelings with his apparently blameless wife? And just how important is penis size when it comes to sexual satisfaction in a straight relationship? With the help of psychosexual and relationship therapist Silva Neves, and Lynsey Murray, of Relationship Matters, Texas, Alix has the answers… If you have a relationship question for Alix, reach out via the Feedback page of our website, modernmann.co.uk —------------------- Finally, our Record of the Month sees the triumphant return of Modern Mann favourite Griff, with her ‘heartbreak’ choon, Vertigo, out now. —------------------- If you enjoy the show, please do SUPPORT US! We need help to continue producing our independent monthly podcast, so buy us a beer via our website, modernmann.co.uk/beer. It’s a secure link and you can contribute as little and often as you like. Cheers! … and we’ll see you on October 10th. —------------------- Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, David McKelvey, Griff. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Sponsor: BetterHelp. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month of convenient and affordable therapy when you visit https://betterhelp.com/mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:23:00

How To Be A Dad, Part 9

8/10/2023
Tom Price and Stuart Goldsmith return to the show to compare notes with Olly on raising their now seven-and-a-half year-old boys. Can they now swear freely in front of their kids? How best to deal with ‘8pm extension negotiations’ at bedtime? And how should one answer the ‘Is Santa real?’ question? Plus, how to use ‘Frozen 2’ as a teaching device, the pitfalls of monitoring WhatsApp messages, and the foolproof way to extract young children from softplay… To catch up on the story so far, visit https://modernmann.co.uk/dads Check out Tom and Stu’s shows, ‘My Mate Bought A Toaster’ and ‘The Comedian’s Comedian’, wherever you get your podcasts. _____________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is investigating the trend for ‘Looksmaxing’. After a month of ‘mewing’, jaw-stretching, lip-brushing, face-cleansing, drinking more water, vitamin D, trimming his beard and working out… does Ollie feel any different? Or, more to the point, in a world where your desirability is numerically ranked on Reddit, and superkeen lookmaxxers even resort to cosmetic surgery, is how you *feel* even relevant? The Zeitgeist is sponsored by DIRTEA. Find your favorite mushroom powder and get 10% off your first order with promo code MANN at https://dirteaworld.com/mann _____________ Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox has news of not one but TWO new treatments for erectile dysfunction: topical gel Eroxon, and EMS patches from IN2 Patch. Could they provide an answer for ED sufferers who can’t/won’t take pills? In our listener question of the month, Alix advises Mann-fan Chris, who wants to know if the roots of his smokish fetish lie in the 1966 TV version of ‘Batman’! To what extent does the telly we watch as children inspire our desires later? With the help of Calandra Balfour, fetish expert from dating and social app WeAreX, Alix explains that many members of the WAM (Wet and Messy fetishism) community also trace their interests directly to the gunge-drenched TV of their youth… and asks whether smoking fetish will soon be replaced - by vaping… CONTENT WARNING: reference to child sexual abuse. _____________ For our record of the month, get your sitars out because Kula Shaker are BACK! Their super-Summery single, ‘Waves’, is out now. _____________ If you have a question you’d like to put to Alix, a trend you’d like Ollie to try, a Mannbassadorship request, or a letter for Olly to read out, just fill in the Feedback form on our website, https://modernmann.co.uk There you’ll also find our Beer Money page where you can donate to the show AND HELP US CONTINUE TO MAKE IT. Thanks! … And we’ll see you again on September 10th. _____________________ Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Tom Price, Stuart Goldsmith, Kula Shaker. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Sponsor: BetterHelp. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month of convenient and affordable therapy when you visit https://betterhelp.com/mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:29:22

The Snake Man of South Wales

7/10/2023
Since encountering a grass snake at the age of eight, Dr Rhys Jones has felt a profound connection with reptiles. He has rescued them, toured the country with them and even studied them at Cardiff University; an achievement that seemed impossible when he graduated from school with just 3 O Levels - and undiagnosed dyslexia. In this adventure-packed chat with Olly, Rhys reveals how his snake-charming skills have come in handy with Masai tribespeople, BBC camera crews, and even assisting the Police with drug busts. Rhys’ memoir, ‘Becoming Dr Jones: A Wild Life’, is released on Aug 3rd. _____________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - having taken a gander at Meta’s ‘Twitter killer’, Threads - turns his hand to eFoiling. Boosted by a 2.5 hr battery and speeds of up to 50 km/hr, is electric hydrofoil riding about to revolutionise watersports? Ollie heads to Poole’s Easy Riders to find out, aboard an ‘aeroplane grade’ Fliteboard… If you have a trend you’d like to challenge Ollie to investigate in a future episode, fill in the Feedback form on our website, MODERNMANN.CO.UK. _____________________ Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox considers Roam’s selection of skin tone condoms - a welcome addition to diverse bedroom play, or an unnecessary innovation? Her listener question of the month comes from an anonymous 34 year-old MannFan recently diagnosed with rectal cancer. What impact will the radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery have on her sex life? What tips can Alix offer to offset the vaginal scarring, early on-set menopause and fatigue that may result? And how do you maintain body positivity during sex with a stoma? With help from Bowel Cancer UK, Trekstock, and Hayley Gullen - author of upcoming graphic novel ‘This Might Surprise You’ - Alix investigates. If you have a question of sex you’d like Alix to answer, fill in the Feedback form on our website, MODERNMANN.CO.UK. You can remain anonymous if you wish. _____________________ In music corner, our Record of the Month comes from ‘people’s poet’ Jamie Webster, and his new single, ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ _____________________ We’re an entirely independent show and we rely on LISTENERS LIKE YOU to fund our podcast and bring our monthly extravaganza to your ears. Buy us a beer, drop us a line and become a Mannbassador on our website, MODERNMANN.CO.UK … And we’ll see you again on August 10th - with our annual ‘How To Be A Dad’ special! _____________________ Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Dr Rhys Jones, Jamie Webster. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Sponsor: BetterHelp. Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month of convenient and affordable therapy when you visit https://betterhelp.com/mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:22:25

Sex, Sobriety and Rock & Roll

6/9/2023
Booze, drugs and music are deeply intertwined - from the beers given to bands in their ‘riders’ to the excessive consumption facilitated by festivals and after-show parties. For music promoter Chris De Banks, consuming up to thirty pints a day had become typical behaviour. In the fug of his addiction, he lost jobs, friends and self-respect. Following rehab in 2016, he founded Not Saints, the UK’s only record label working with musicians in recovery from addiction. In this candid conversation with Olly, Chris traces his problem drinking back to childhood, discusses methods for the music industry to clean up its act, and celebrates some artists he’s supported through their drug and alcohol recovery: Ella Hayes, Mishkin Fitzgerald & The Chemical Perils, Phil Mac, and Little Tealeif, who provides our Record of the Month, ‘Pedestal People’. You can find out more about Chris and NotSaints at notsaints.co.uk or on social media @NotSaints. If you or someone you know thinks they may have a problem with drugs or alcohol then speak to your GP or contact your local Drug and Alcohol Services for help and further guidance. _____________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart, inspired by the likes of YouTube sensation Odd Tinkering, is attempting to restore some retro tech. His weapon of choice is a 1980s Philips AM/FM radio, picked up for a fiver in a Westcountry market - but, with a little help from Google Nest - can he make it ‘Smart’? __________ Finally, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox unboxes the Womanizer Wave - the first ever shower head that doubles as a sex toy. (Well, the first one to do so officially, anyway…) Her listener question of the month is from an anonymous MannFan who considers himself straight… and prefers to be in a relationship with women… but enjoys sexual encounters with men on the side. Is he simply bisexual, or… is he ‘heteroflexible’? With assistance from integrative counsellor and psychotherapist Anthony Davis and Vaneet Mehta, author of ‘Bisexual Men Exist’, Alix unpicks the pride, shame and stigma of queer categorisations - and explains why, for some people, it’s important to define their place on the sexuality spectrum with a specific label. ____________________ If you have a question you’d like Alix to answer, a challenge for Ollie, or you’d like to send Olly a letter or suggestion for a future guest, just fill in the Feedback form on our website, MODERNMANN.CO.UK You can also donate to the show there. We rely on listeners like you to fund our independent podcast. Thank you so much. … And we’ll see you again on July 10th! Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Chris De Banks. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:24:33

The 24 Weekers

5/10/2023
Elaine Gregersen was 24 weeks pregnant when her waters broke. Having endured sickness throughout her high-risk pregnancy, she and husband Mark had not suspected anything sinister was happening when she appeared to be suffering from bladder weakness too. After a traumatic 24 hours in the maternity ward, the Gregersens were faced with the reality that their twin boys, Henry and Blake, were unlikely to both survive beyond the neonatal unit. In this interview with Olly, they tell their story. Content warning: intense experience, infant mortality. — Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates if, following the Coronation of King Charles III, Republican sentiment is trending upwards. What path is there for Royal refuseniks to achieve their desire for an elected UK Head of State? Thanks to columnist and commentator Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Ollie unpicks the arguments monarchists put forward - and rewrites the National Anthem whilst he’s at it… If you’ve got a trend for Ollie to test in a future edition of the Zeitgeist, head to our website and fill out the feedback form. — Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox - high on life from some Personal News - answers your sex questions: this month, a Mannfan whose girlfriend burst into tears when he called her a ‘whore’ in the missionary position. Is there a way to recover his mojo? Must he apologise for overstepping the mark? And how should you do ‘pillow talk’ - whilst respecting your partner’s boundaries? With the help of sex educator Lola Jean and playwright and storyteller Cameryn Moore, Alix has the answers! If you’ve got a sex and relationships question for Alix to tackle in a future edition of the Foxhole, submit it via the feedback form on our website. — Finally, our record of the month is ‘Letter To Myself’, something peppy and fun from Leigh’s The Lottery Winners featuring Frank Turner. It’s out now. — Love the show? Support the show! We rely on listeners like you to fund our independent podcast and bring you these stories. Buy Olly and the team a beer right now - using our secure payment form at MODERNMANN.CO.UK — See you on June 10th! Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Elaine Gregersen, Mark Gregersen, The Lottery Winners. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:35:15

Mike, Inc

4/11/2023
Imagine delegating your decisions to a group of people online, some of whom are total strangers. Imagine sharing the most intimate parts of your life in order to get their approval. Imagine answering your personal problems in the same way a bank asks its shareholders to vote on corporate outcomes. This is the life chosen by Mike Merrill. Since 2008 - when he created 100,000 shares of himself and sold them at $1 each through his website, KMikeyM - he has asked his ‘investors’ for advice on his choice of romantic partner, diet and body art. This is not for a TV show. It’s not for a book deal. It’s for real. In this conversation with Olly, Mike traces back his unconventional lifestyle to the DIY art scene in Portland,Oregon; his brush with corporate share-prices whilst seated at the front desk of a trucking company; and the anti-corporate activism with which he spices up his dates… ____________________ Meanwhile, Ollie Peart has decamped to Camberwell for this month’s Zeitgeist, in an attempt to approximate the trend for ‘immersive’ exhibitions. With a budget totalling £50. Armed with an Oculus headset, a projector and a hacksaw, can Ollie convince Olly of the merits of experiential art? And are interactive super-exhibits the future for museums and galleries? Warning: includes the return of Captain Spronk. _____________________ Elsewhere, we revisit a classic edition of the Foxhole, where Alix Fox advises a horny student on his three-times-per-night escapades. From the comfort of a Vauxhall Corsa. Finally, music this month comes from ethereal groovster Eliza Rose, and her ace new track, ‘Better Love’. _____________________ Support for this episode comes from: Listeners like you. Buy us a beer 🍻 once per month, or simply make a one-off pledge - fill in our secure BEER MONEY FORM on our website, https://modernmann.co.uk Blinkist, the app that helps you understand the most important things from over 5,500 non-fiction books and podcasts in just 15 minutes. Start your 7-day free trial and get 25% off of a Blinkist Premium membership at https://www.blinkist.com/modernmann _____________________ Thanks for listening. We’ll see you on May 10th! Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Mike Merrill, Eliza Rose. Producer: Matt Hill. Feature Producer: Annalise Freimarck. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:09:25

Why I Make Porn

3/9/2023
Rosie Hodsdon was struggling to make ends meet on a pHD stipend. Then she hit Record and began to make sex videos from her student flat, indulging her fetish for kink. As she explains to Olly in this intimate conversation, her sexy side-hustle introduced her to a range of peccadillos, including ‘Giantess’ porn and ‘sploshing’ - and even led her to be invited to join the cast of a professional adult video. But it also left her exposed to assault. Now an advocate for charity National Ugly Mugs, Rosie campaigns for increased rights for sex workers, and nurtures support networks for performers who fall prey to violence. CONTENT WARNING: explicit sexual content; sexual assault. —— Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - fresh from scooping up a Sports Journalism Award for producing the podcast ‘Brown Gal Can’t Swim’ - investigates the trend for breakdancing. Or, as he discovers, ‘break’, as it is correctly called… How will it fare as an Olympic sport in 2024? How does one go about gaining the highest score in a battle dance? And will he permanently damage his knees by just giving it a go? With help from break expert DJ Renegage and sports commentator Tim Warwood, Ollie BREAKS UP THE DANCE FLOOR. —— Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox has a memorable encounter with Susie Dent, assists a listener in an open relationship, and proves she knows the difference between a low cervix and a short vagina. As if we ever doubted it. She also showcases Islam-centred sex ed resources and support services, including The Village Auntie, Amaliah podcast ‘Lights On’, sexologist Shaakira Abdullah and writer Habeeb Akande. —— Music this month comes from podcaster Rory Powers, known for his hugely entertaining show ‘This Paranormal Life’. Our Record of the Month is ‘Down Bad’, from his forthcoming EP. —— Remember, we are only able to make this show with YOUR SUPPORT. Buy us a beer per month, or simply make a one-off pledge - whatever you can afford - by clicking ‘Beer Money’ on our website, https://modernmann.co.uk . THANKS! This episode is supported by: Blinkist, the app that helps you understand the most important things from over 5,500 non-fiction books and podcasts in just 15 minutes. Start your 7-day free trial and get 25% off of a Blinkist Premium membership at https://www.blinkist.com/modernmann  If you have a question of sex for Alix, a trend you’d like to ask Ollie to investigate, or a story you’d like to share with our listeners, that’s also the URL you need to contact us - just click the ‘Feeback’ form. —— See you on 10th April! Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Rosie Hodsdon, Rory Powers. Research: Annalise Freimarck. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. If you've been affected by the discussion in the main interview, there are always people to talk to. Here are some of our team's recommendations: thesurvivorstrust.org 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 malesurvivor.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:22:53

Challenge Ian

2/9/2023
Ian Mudge was a teenage punk, whose exploits included chucking chairs out of a train window. He became a teacher, whose unconventional methods and connection with kids saw him rise through the ranks, becoming Headteacher of a Pupil Referral Unit - responsible for educating some of Britain’s most challenging children, many with histories of violence and abuse. As he explains to Olly in this lively conversation, it was a career that required lateral thinking and exhaustive energy - but ultimately left him burned out. When Putin’s army invaded Ukraine in 2022, Ian’s wife suggested he should collect aid to support Ukrainian refugees… and that was all the prompt he needed to organise five trips personally delivering aid to Poland. Ian’s website is https://stroudukrainesupport.com/ ____________________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - who owns a book about wood-chopping, don’t you know - explores the phenomenal potential of A.I. chatbot Chat GPT. How will ‘large language models’ change the way we search, write and study? How will Microsoft’s investment into Open AI affect the usability of the program? And will all journalists soon be out of a job? With the help of The Economist’s science correspondent, Alok Jha, Ollie has the answers. (And also thinks up some unspeakable things in the name of A.I-generated erotic literature.) _____________________ Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox prepares for Valentine’s with some up-to-date figures on the amount of nerve endings in the clitoris. Then, she assists listener Delores, who wants to support ‘ethical porn’ sites. Is it worth seeking out studios who offer safer working environments for their stars? Are free Tube sites necessarily ‘unethical’? And what about the ‘farm-to-table’ models like OnlyFans? Alix has a long list of suggestions for Delores - and any wanker who wants to do the right thing… _____________________ Finally, our record of the month is ‘This Is How We Move’, another laid-back charmer from Billie Marten. _____________________ This episode is sponsored by Stitch Fix, the personal styling site that sends you great clothes to try on at home. Try their service FREE at StitchFix.co.uk/mann ———————————— WANT TO SUPPORT THE SHOW? Buy us a beer 🍻… whatever you can afford makes a real difference: https://modernmann.co.uk/beer … and we’ll see you on March 10th. Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Ian Mudge, Billie Marten. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: 'Skies Over Cairo' by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:22:20

Adventures In Microdosing

1/11/2023
Ketamine and magic mushrooms are notorious for their damaging side-effects, including paranoia, depression and other ‘bad trips’. But the process of carefully administering small amounts of these drugs - so-called ‘microdosing’ - is now gaining traction both recreationally and in medical settings. In this episode, Olly meets NHS worker Nathan*, who credits his psilocybin experiments with improving his interpersonal skills at work; and Irish artist Tamzin, who suffered poor mental health for decades until a pioneering Austrian doctor suggested she should try a course of ketamine as an antidepressant… ____________________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart checks out the Chinese medical tradition of ear seeds. Can placing a series of small stickers on his ears make him feel less anxious, or suppress chronic pain? And what of his other ‘health trend’ predictions for 2023 - padel tennis, personalised nutrition plans, and weight-loss drug tirzepatide? Are any about to become a permanent fixture in our health routines? _____________________ Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox has exciting news of a little-known fetish for elbow-sucking, and assists a listener who would like to know how to dig deep into his partner’s G-Area… Which toys are best suited for G-Area play? Is G-Area enhancement surgery worth considering? And why don’t we call it the G-Spot any more? Alix has all the answers. _____________________ Finally, our record of the month is ‘Long Live The Strange’ a delicious slice of rock-fun from Gaz Coombes, from his new album Turn The Car Around. _____________________ This episode is sponsored by Stitch Fix, the personal styling site that sends you great clothes to try on at home. Get £10 off your first purchase at StitchFix.co.uk/mann _____________________ • SUPPORT THE SHOW: If you can afford to buy us a beer each month to say thank you for making you a free 1hr+ magazine show each month - please, please do, at https://modernmann.co.uk/beer • SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS: Our listeners make some excellent products which you can find in the Zeitgeist Collab: https://modernmann.co.uk/shop … And we’ll see you on February 10th. Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Tamzin, Nathan. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: 'Skies Over Cairo' by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:21:36

Christmas Spectacular 2022

12/10/2022
Olly, Alix and Ollie gather round the podcasting chimney for a festive knees-up, with musical guest Ashley Singh and entrepreneur Jules Parker. There are yuletide songs, holiday films, a ‘Christmas collab’ - and, of course, the LEGENDARY XXXMas Foxhole Christmas Quiz. Ho ho ho! First up, Ollie Peart has bought his one year-old child a skateboard, so can he be trusted to go into business with fabulous start-ups run by Mann-fans? (Spoiler: yes he can - and you can buy the result NOW at https://modernmann.co.uk/shop ) With the help of Manchester’s Brick Chocolate, beard specialists Runesilk and craft evangelists Knit Slips, Ollie wraps up 2022 with a collab-tastic way to support British artisan producers. ———————————— Then, there’s some superb live music - in the form of an exclusive acoustic performance from singer-songwriter Ashley Singh, whose heartbreak anthem Autopilot is our Record of the Month. Ashley reveals his disappointing middle name, explains why he has a burner phone, and reveals his soft-spot for Jim Broadbent… ———————————— Next up, Jules Parker, a metalworker from East Sussex, has come to chat to Olly. His side-hustle is Moot - a lingerie store for men, offering sensual underwear for people with penises. Does he see a mainstream future for lacey men’s undies? And what does he wear when he goes to the GP? Jules reveals all… ———————————— Finally, Alix Fox has outdone herself with a laugh-out-loud edition of our annual XXXmas Foxhole Quiz. This year, Olly takes on Ollie in a game of ‘Murder She Scrote’; erotic titles are conjured from thin air; and there’s a harrowing round of ‘Two Ollies, One Cup’. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. ———————————— This episode of The Modern Mann is proudly supported by: • Stitch Fix, the personal styling site that sends you great clothes to try on at home. Get £10 off your first purchase at StitchFix.co.uk/mann • Wine52, the wine discovery club that sends delicious wine to your door from a different country each month. Claim your FREE case now - just pay the postage at wine52.com/MANN • Manscaped, now offering their Ultra Smooth Package for sale in Europe. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com • LISTENERS LIKE YOU. If you can afford to buy us a beer each month to say thank you for making you a free 1hr+ magazine show each month - please do. We rely on your support! https://modernmann.co.uk/beer ———————————— Thanks for being a Mann-fan - have a very happy Christmas, and we’ll see you with a brand new season of the show on Jan 10th, 2023! Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Ashley Singh, Jules Parker. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: 'Skies Over Cairo' by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:02:07

Inside Strangeways

11/10/2022
Neil 'Sam' Samworth spent 11 years as a prison officer at HMP Manchester - better known as Strangeways, one of Britain’s most notorious jails. Building rapport with the men incarcerated there, he prided himself on de-escalating violent and threatening situations; an approach becoming increasingly impossible as the prison service churns through staff. In this interview with Olly, he confronts corruption; considers the toll his job took on his mental and physical health; and explains why, in his view, officer training is inadequate for purpose… Neil’s books, ‘Strangeways: A Prison Officer’s Story’ and ‘Strangeways Unlocked’ are out now. His video series, ‘Real Porridge with Sam Samworth’ is on YouTube. — Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart tries his hand at white labelling and drop-shipping. Using Chinese wholesalers Taobao and AliExpress, can he stumble upon the next big consumer sensation? How do Western brands ‘add value’, ensure decent customer service and client satisfaction when they’re flogging goods they’ve never even SEEN? If you run a small business making stuff… we’d love to hear from you for our Christmas Collab! Drop us a line using the Feedback form. — Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox runs through Plenty of Fish's dating trends for 2023, from ‘bae realing’ to ‘eco-dumping’ - is it time for online courtship to enter a ‘sincerer era’? Plus, it’s No-Nut November; when members of the NoFap movement encourage one another to abstain from masturbation for an entire month… Are there any health benefits to taking part? Does the original study that kicked off the NoFap movement bare scrutiny? Alix dives deep into the manosphere to discover more. — Finally, our record of the month is the Jungle-produced single from Poppy Ajudha - the turbo-charged and rebellious ‘NO!’ (It isn’t about No-Nut November, apparently). — This episode is sponsored by: • Wine52, the wine discovery club that sends delicious wine to your door from a different country each month. Claim your FREE case now - just pay the postage at wine52.com/MANN • Manscaped, now offering their Ultra Smooth Package for sale in Europe. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com • LISTENERS LIKE YOU. If you can afford to buy us a beer each month to say thank you for making you a free 1hr+ magazine show each month - please do. We rely on your support. — And we’ll see you for our Christmas special on December 10th! CONTENT WARNING: interview includes account of extreme self-harm and suicide attempt, drug and alcohol abuse. In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here. Presenter: Olly Mann. Producer: Matt Hill. Contributors: Neil Samworth, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Poppy Ajudha. Interview Producer: Sophie King. Theme Music: Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:25:38