The Modern Mann

Pippa spent eight months struggling to conceive her second child. Then, on the brink of beginning IVF, she discovered she was pregnant. But, at ten weeks, she discovered there was a more than 99% chance that her foetus had Down's Syndrome. She and her husband Joe had already decided that, in this situation, they would have an abortion. In this brutally honest conversation with Olly, Pippa explains how the experience left her feeling guilty, compromised, and unsupported; and how she still struggles to reconcile the fact that she chose to terminate the baby she had wanted so much… The NHS has a page offering support for those considering termination for foetal anomaly: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/support/termination-for-foetal-anomaly/ ———————————— Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - fresh from accruing sixty (60!) followers on Spotify with his musical pseudonym Captain Spronk - has spent the past month learning to knit. Is this trend for young men taking up knitting limited to influencers like Tom Dale

Teaching English in Beijing seemed like a great opportunity for Welsh graduate Glen Williams, who’d previously spent time studying in China. He could brush up on his Mandarin, work with children, and earn up to £3k per month tax free. The hitch? The agency that placed him told him that every three months, he’d need to spend the weekend in Seoul - a ‘visa trip’ that, he soon discovered, was commonplace amongst ex-pat EFL teachers.  Then, one day, they changed their tune. “If the Police ask you”, they said, “tell them you sell whiteboards”. In this interview with Olly, Glen reveals what happened next…  ———————————— Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart, fresh from mastering ‘the Crow Pose’ on Instagram, attempts to dominate the internet through the medium of keyword spamming.  Can his well-established musical talent - now masquerading as alter-ego Captain Spronk - stretch to luring in listeners with clickbait titles like ‘Music For Focus’, ‘Music For Meditation’, and, um, ‘Olly Mann’? Judge for yourself, if

Living with narcolepsy - a rare condition that can cause you to fall asleep wherever you are, or whatever you’re doing - required Antonia Gentile to surrender her driving license, and step back from performing, cooking and even reading. As she explains to Olly in this insightful interview, narcolepsy and cataplexy are isolating and debilitating ‘hidden disabilities’. But they can be treated, somewhat, with increased awareness and good ‘sleep hygiene’. If you’re struggling with sleep issues, Antonia recommends sleep improvement app Sleepio, and the charity Narcolepsy UK. ———————————— Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - fresh from uncovering rude place names in his new podcast for the BBC - gets down and dirty in his recycling bin. Can he rise to the challenge of living a waste-free life? After experimenting with the advice from blog Trash is for Tossers, and registering for the Too Good To Go app, the culmination of his efforts is… steaming an old T-shirt in banana skins, broad beans, and sweet potato s

Bedtime stories, ‘social stalking’ and sugar-rationing are on the menu as Olly reunites with comedy podcasters Tom Price and Stuart Goldsmith to compare notes on fatherhood. Their sons are now five years old, and in this episode our Dads ruminate on ‘world-building’, how to make friends at pick-up time, and the dangers of doing a 'Hot Wheels Hunt'. To catch up on the story so far, visit modernmann.co.uk/Dads. And check out Tom and Stu’s podcasts, ‘My Mate Bought A Toaster’ and ‘The Comedian’s Comedian’, wherever you get your podcasts. --- Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart tries his hand at flying a plane - or, at least, a flight simulator, courtesy of Simulator Adventures in Media City, Salford. Will he be able to keep a ‘fly by wire’ Airbus A320 airborne and steady, without getting distracted by the on-board horn and windscreen wipers? How much does a box-fresh aeroplane seat cost? And is his dream flight from Southampton to Bournemouth all it’s cracked up to be? If YOU have a suggestion of a trend y

When Rosie Mitchell went canoeing on a dam in Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park, she thought she’d soak up the views, and soon be back on shore to toast the New Year. Instead, she endured a terrifying close encounter with a 3m-long crocodile, who chomped down on her arm and ripped open her chest. In this vivid and intense conversation, she explains to Olly how her determination to prevail - borne of her experiences ultra-running - helped her survive a seemingly impossible ordeal.  This episode of The Modern Mann is sponsored by Beer52, the world’s largest craft beer club. Get a completely FREE CASE at beer52.com/Modern. ----- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart pores over a menu of post-pandemic dining trends, from nutritionist-inspired gnocchi to pizza a la Gordon Ramsay. Are ‘dark kitchens’ and outdoor seating here to stay? And can you get a boozy buzz from non-alcoholic spirits? The Zeitgeist is sponsored by below-the-waist grooming experts Manscaped. For 20% off and free shipping use the code MANN at M

As chief executive of the British Fur Trade Association, Mike Moser was the face of the UK’s fur industry. He met with politicians in China and Russia, and advocated his ‘luxury product’ in the House of Lords and at an EFRA Select Committee. Then, after a decade promoting the right to wear and sell fur, Mike changed his mind. In this confessional chat with Olly, he considers how he used peer-reviewed science as a crutch, reflects on the implications of publicly switching sides in our polarised society, and reveals how a dog called Barney changed his life. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart tucks his top-knot under a full-body apiarist suit and heads to the hive for a deep dive on beekeeping. Why are 40,000 hobbyists in Britain getting involved? Is it really possible to run a ‘natural’ hive? And what difference has the pandemic made to the taste of our honey? Thanks to Filbert’s of Dorset for keeping Ollie sting-free. The Zeitgeist is sponsored by below-the-waist grooming experts Manscaped. For 20% o

It began as a threesome, arranged through dating app Feeld - but soon Maggie and Cody realised their connection to Janie was more than sexual.  No longer just an adventurous couple in an open relationship, they had become a ‘thruple’ - whose relationship with Janie (their ‘third’) was as vital and equitable as their marriage to each other.  In this interview with Olly, they explain the importance of communication in a three-way relationship, the dangers of jealousy and bigotry - and the complexities of sleeping arrangements and decision-making when you love two people at once. If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly, send us an email via our feedback form. Content warning: brief mention to eating disorder in the Letters Section that opens the podcast. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart dons his VR headset (again) to discover what real-world skills he can glean from his living room.With the help of YouTubers Cas and Chary, and apps Survivorman, The Climb 2, Microsoft Flight Simulator and M

Olivia hardly knew her father. Her parents divorced when she was two, and she was brought up by her Mum. Sent to boarding school at the age of eight, she was estranged from her Dad for a decade. Struggling financially, and weakened by bulimia, she got a call from out of the blue: it was her father, wanting to rekindle their relationship. But - as her health deteriorated, and the UK went into lockdown - her Mum dropped a bombshell that changed everything Olivia thought she knew about her family… Names have been changed.   Content warning: eating disorders; emotional abuse If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly, send us an email via our feedback form. If you’ve been affected by an eating disorder, BEAT or Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous may be able to help. If you’re dealing with emotional abuse, CRISIS Text Line offer free 24/7 support. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart has a 21st century spring clean - testing out Karcher’s new ‘electric cloth’, Samsung’s VS90 Jet and CleanStation, Lupe

Sun, sea and €1 drinks lure thousands of backpackers to Andrew’s hostel in a typical year. But 2020 was not a typical year.Confronting a doomed Summer season and 45 empty bedrooms, Andrew’s family turned their accommodation over to a diverse group of refugees, drug addicts, career criminals and victims of domestic abuse - converting their hostel, in the Cote d’Azur, in to a homeless shelter during Lockdown.As Andrew recounts to Olly, the experience opened his eyes to the realities of life on the streets - the mental health problems, alcoholism, and traumatic violence so often lurking in the background - but also gave him hope that it’s possible to re-make your life, even in the most dire of circumstances.  (Names have been changed.) ----------------------------- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart heads out into the bracing January fog for… a barbecue, of course! Can he ‘upskill’ his outdoor cooking abilities to create a Winter feast? Armed with little more than a plank of plywood and a side of salmon, h

Ho ho ho! In this bumper Christmas special, our three households unite (at an appropriate social distance, of course) for a festive mix of songs, reminiscences and parlour games - and, of course, the legendary XXXmas Foxhole Christmas Quiz. In the Zeitgeist, our one-man matchmaker Ollie Peart explores the unsettling uptick in loneliness wrought by the events of 2020 - and decides to turn the tide with his bespoke Match-A-Mate service. Can his unique algorithm (‘If there’s one thing you can get on with somebody about, it’s something that you both hate’) unite together Mannfans as diverse as a Vancouver-based priest and a Mancunian theoretical physicist? Fifty one-on-one Zoom calls later, he provides audio evidence that suggests that, well, just maybe it can… --------- Next, as has become traditional, there’s some superb live music - in the form of an exclusive performance from singer-songwriter Griff. She talks to Olly about her ‘best worst year ever’ - being nominated for an Ivor Novello award whilst still in

After a sudden and violent death, the Metropolitan Police will dispatch a member of their ‘Family Liaison' team to the deceased person’s relatives, to ensure their needs are met.  But this wasn’t always the case... As retired officer Tom Simmons explains to Olly in this episode, the role of the ‘family liaison’ was only professionalised in the 90s, after the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry - a process in which he played a part. Before then, shocked and grieving family members were frequently dealt with by detectives with no formal training in the psychological, religious and practical requirements of victims - and who might make no secret of the fact that, as family members, they too might be suspects in a murder… Content warning: this month’s middle feature includes references to murder, terrorism and child sexual abuse, and descriptions of dead bodies.  ------- Elsewhere, in this month’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart explores the trend for ‘menicures’. Can the lady behind Instagram’s ‘Boys In Polish’ help him become Brit

Seeking a secure investment, newlyweds Sara and Ali sank their savings into a dependable, government-backed business - a branch of the Post Office. That decision led them to lose their income, their home - and even their liberty. In this intense interview with Olly, they explain how an unacknowledged software glitch put unbearable strain on their marriage, their family and their livelihoods - and made them question why our institutions place so much faith on the accuracy of complex computer systems in the first place. Listen now at 00:26.13. 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 with Ali & Sara. We’ve changed their names to protect their own appeal for justice. ---------------- Elsewhere, in this month’s Zeitgeist (at 00:04.11), Ollie Peart - fresh from deleting all social media apps from his smartphone - has been tasked w

What’s the reality of male-to-female transitioning on the NHS? Listener Lexi Perry-Weston says the online resources she found didn’t relate to her experiences at all. In this interview with Olly, she explains how she’s been supported in her trans journey by her family, her workplace and the medical establishment - but also harassed by the public, fetishised by partners and discriminated against by businesses. From hormones to dating apps, vocal therapy to changing room etiquette, this is one Mann-fan’s experience of gender transitioning in 2020. CONTENT WARNING: interview contains references to rape, suicide, abuse, recounting of transphobic language and gender dysphoria. 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. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is testing out the ‘No Poo’ trend. Can he survive one whole

The British Army is recruiting gamers, 'phone zombies', and 'selfie addicts' as it broadens its skills for modern military ops. But who are the young men getting these jobs, and what impact does it have on their lives?  Former Grenadier Guardsman Julian Perreira served as a J-TAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) in Afghanistan. As he monitored a 60-inch TV screen relaying live feeds from surveillance balloons and drones, it was his job to decide when and where to deploy ‘kinetic effects’ that could, and did, kill people.  It was, he tells Olly, ‘a bit like playing a computer game’. The experience inflicted lasting damage on his mental health; now treated with CBT only thanks to the philanthropy of a fellow veteran.  --- Julian is now a journalist who blogs at jakbrew.co.uk, where he has also established an outdoor drinkware company. If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly and our listeners, we’d love to hear from you: please reach out using the Feedback form on our website, modernmann.co.uk.

Four years before Facebook, long before anyone knew what ‘social networking’ was, Julie Pankhurst had an idea... What if, without trawling through message-boards or working your way through The Phone Book, you could reconnect with all your old school friends, via one simple database? Friends Reunited rapidly became one of Britain’s biggest ever start-ups, attracting 23m users at its peak, and a reputation for reigniting old flames. In her first ever podcast interview, Julie reveals to Olly how a family separation inspired her invention, why she’s spent the last twenty years shunning the limelight, and how rival bidders tried to woo her - before she and husband Steve sold, to ITV, for £120m. Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Julie recommends the programme from Overcoming MS - https://overcomingms.org/.  ---- Meanwhile, in this month’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart explores Britain’s burgeoning love affair with e-bikes. Can bone conducting technology alleviate the tedium of his two-wheeled commute? Why do

Lottie Woods was in her early twenties when she was sent, alone, to meet a powerful buyer for a high street fashion brand in Guangzhou, China. They went out for a drink. The next morning, they had a meeting. In this interview with Olly, she recounts what happened in between. Along the way, she reveals the pressures of designing garments for the ‘fast fashion’ sector, the challenges of raising ethical standards, and the fallout from one fateful evening in a country she didn’t know, in a language she couldn’t speak. --- Lottie is now a freelance designer, working with ethical brands, and blogs about slow fashion and sustainable awareness at intotheeco.com If YOU have a story you would like to share on the show, do what Lottie did - head to our website, modernmann.co.uk, and click ‘Feedback’. And, if you have been affected by this conversation - know that there is always someone you can talk to in confidence. A good place to start is Safeline [https://www.safeline.org.uk/]. --- Meanwhile, in this month’s Zeitgei

Comedians Tom Price and Stuart Goldsmith reunite with Olly Mann to compare parenting notes - this time, in lockdown...Can they turn mundane household tasks into games? What kids’ TV shows are best avoided? And how DO you explain the pandemic to a four year-old?In this laugh-out-loud, typically honest encounter, our trio of Dads share stories and support each other through a uniquely challenging milestone on their journeys through fatherhood. To catch up with the previous five conversations in our ‘How To Be A Dad’ series, visit modernmann.co.uk/dads. For even more from Tom and Stu, subscribe to their podcasts. Tom pores over the Amazon purchase histories of his guests in ‘My Mate Bought A Toaster’ - and a certain Olly Mann is his most recent victim. Find it at smarturl.it/toasterpod.Stu’s show, ‘The Comedian’s Comedian’, features in-depth interviews with the nation’s favourite stand-ups; check it out at comedianscomedian.com. Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart turns his hand to making ‘luxury products

Blaine Harrison, lead singer of Mystery Jets, is also a ‘property guardian’, who lives and works in the capital’s empty commercial premises. For a while the entire floor of an office block on London’s Strand was his home. Each weekend he had a front-row seat as NHS marches, Brexit protests, Extinction Rebellion demos and Tommy Robinson rallies made their way past his window.  In this thoughtful interview with Olly, he explains how what he saw on the streets inspired his songwriting. Mystery Jets’ new album, A Billion Heartbeats, is released April 3. --- Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart considers how the current lockdown has prompted an unlikely rebirth for retro-gaming, VR, quiz apps and even ancient gaming platform Second Life. There’s also some chat about deckchair storage...  If you have a suggestion of a trend Ollie can test - from his home in Dorchester, for now - get in touch via the Feedback form on our website, modernmann.co.uk.  Thanks to our sponsors, Blue Microphones: we recorded this editi

Scammers took £160,000 from Nick’s father in just eighteen months.  He believed, in return, they’d send him gold, or stocks and shares, or even come to his home in Cyprus and begin a relationship with him. Instead, they just kept the cash. In a reflective, revelatory conversation with Olly, Nick recounts how he confronted his Dad, to prevent him burning through his pension - and the moment he realised that not all was as it seemed… Continuing the financial theme, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. If he saves 50% of his earnings, can he live on his passive income? And, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from a rope bondage class - advises a listener who wants to squeeze and stretch her boobs in the bedroom, without causing any long-term damage.  Music this month comes from Mann-fan Sebastian Schub (himself interviewed on the show in Sep 2019), with his excellent debut single, Paradise. If you have a story to share in a future edition of the show,

Layla Moran MP is fighting to keep her seat. There are trolls, there are threats, there are hostile journalists. And throughout the journey, as she campaigns in the 2019 general election... we are at her side. In this Modern Mann exclusive, host Olly Mann and producer Matt Hill accompany the Liberal Democrats’ rising star as she pounds the streets, battles her opponents, and goes public about her sexuality. From campaign launch to vote count, we learn what it takes to face the electorate in a divided nation. And, quite by accident, find ourselves documenting someone who may yet become leader of one of Britain’s major political parties... Elsewhere this episode, Ollie Peart tries out a trio of health trends in this month’s Zeitgeist - getting seriously sweaty at CrossFit, bouldering his way round a climbing course in Poole, and trying his hand at Ayurvedic massage. You’ll never dress your salad with sesame oil again. Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox advises a listener affected by inflammatory skin conditi