With zero experience running a professional kitchen, home cook Robert Maxwell poured his life savings into his passion project: a gastropub-inspired Toronto restaurant. It became a crash-course in coping with stress, managing his cashflow, and curbing his ego.

In this funny, forthright interview with Olly, Robert reveals how chasing his dream led to him selling his house, hitting the bottle and falling out of love with the thing he loved the most... cooking.

Meanwhile, in this week’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart considers whether or not he is a B.U.M.M.E.R after reading Jaron Lanier’s new book, ‘Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now’. If you have a Challenge for Ollie, visit MODERNMANN.CO.UK and click ‘Feedback’ to submit your idea.

Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from co-hosting Radio 1’s new podcast ‘Unexpected Fluids’ - advises a Mann-fan on the best techniques for couples to get jiggy… when you’re both fat.

If YOU have a question of sex for Ms. Fox, visit MODERNMANN.CO.UK and click ‘Feedback’ to submit it - you can remain anonymous if you wish. We’re delighted that, for another series, The Foxhole is brought to you in association with our friends at MyCondom.com - remember to use our discount code ‘FOXHOLE’ to get 15% OFF your basket at Checkout.

In this week’s Lifehack, discover some top tips on how to meditate, courtesy of Zoe from The Refinery, Hackney. The Lifehack is sponsored by Podcast Lounge - the new podcatcher app for Windows 10 devices. Get your free trial at the Windows App Store now.

Finally, our record of the week is a stonking track for the Summer - ‘Violet City’ by Mansionair, available to stream courtesy of Glassnote Entertainment.

Enjoying the show? Support us! Please consider buying us a beer, sponsoring an episode, or leaving us a review whether you get your podcasts. All links on our website, MODERNMANN.CO.UK.

Thanks to Toronto Life, who first published an article by Robert Maxwell, thereby bringing his story to our attention. If YOU have a story you’d like to share, visit MODERNMANN.CO.UK and click ‘Feedback’ to drop us a line.

See You Next Tuesday!

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Robert Maxwell, Zoe Bertali, Mansionair. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: 'Skies Over Cairo' by Django Django. Graphic Design: Jenny Mann Design. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2018.

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