The Modern Mann

Chris Moss has travelled the world. From Vancouver to El Salvador, Indonesia to Spitsbergen. But now… he wants you to visit Wolverhampton.
Or Harwich. Or Gillingham. Britain’s bypassed towns that perhaps you’ve passed on the train, but never once got off at.

In this entertaining chat with Olly, he explains why - after 37 years exploring Argentina and Patagonia - he now finds joy in a canal walk that ends under the M5, and a ham roll in a Victorian pub. How, if we look beyond the ‘crap towns’ stigma and dayglo shopfronts, up at our historic buildings and down at our cobbled streets, the UK’s second-tier conurbations have just as much to offer visitors as their tourist-swamped counterparts.

Chris’s books, Where Tourists Seldom Tread: Postcards from Bypassed Britain, and Lancashire: Exploring the Historic County that Made the Modern World, are out now.
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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, the world is ending, and Ollie Peart is READY.
Following this Summer's droughts and wildfires, the government wants us all to have a plan.
But what kit does a sensible, mid-level prepper actually need? Which foodstuffs can actually survive an apocalypse? And how much loo roll is too much?
Our team try out a £30 emergency shelter from Highlander, a wind-up solar radio from Roberts, and a bag of 25-year-shelf-life survival food from Readywise. Yum!
Check out Ollie’s ultimate prep list HERE.
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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox is exploring ‘Locktober’, the annual challenge in which the nation’s kinksters lock up their knobs in chastity cages and hand over the keys to willing partners.
Why is this fetish booming? Is there a safe way to imprison your genitals? And, if the thrill depends on a physical feeling of restriction, is it really ‘chastity’ at all?
The Foxhole is sponsored by Huxi, who offer a 60 day, no questions asked money back guarantee on their delightful range of toys.
Take a look at huxi.global and use our code MANN for 20% Off
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Finally, our record of the month is a welcome return from Johnny Marr (yes! THE Johnny Marr!), and his defiant single, It’s Time, from his new album The Age of Everything.
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If you’ve got a letter for Olly, a relationships question for Alix, or a challenge for Ollie, please head to our website (where you can also SUPPORT THE SHOW with donations): https://modernmann.co.uk
And/or join our Discord here.
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Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on November 10th.
Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Chris Moss, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Johnny Marr. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026.

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Martha Adam was raped. For a week afterwards, she couldn’t even say the word. Couldn’t tell her parents what had happened to her.

But she did report the assault - and faced hours of courtroom questioning that both embellished and undermined her trauma.

In this compelling conversation with Olly, Martha explains how these events restricted her lifestyle, affected her relationships, and made her question her own sanity…

Content warning: discussion of rape and trauma.

If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in today’s interview, Martha recommends the following organisations:

This interview first aired in 2018, and was awarded Best Interview at the British Podcast Awards 2019. Now remastered and with an update from Martha, we're playing it this month because we're up for the same award in 2026.

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When nurse Bernadette Rochford asked awkward questions about an NHS database at work, she says she found herself belittled, bullied and ignored.

Identifed as a whistleblower, she went on to face years of meetings, investigations, and two employment tribunal claims.

In this compelling conversation with Olly, Bernadette recounts how she lost her job, and her savings - but eventually found validation in a new role protecting other whistleblowers.

She reflects on what happens when organisations close ranks instead of listening, and why she believes the answer isn't punishing individuals, but fixing the systems that let problems grow.

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist: Chinese cars are suddenly everywhere, but are they any good? Ollie Peart investigates how brands such as BYD, Chery and Geely offer tech-packed motors for dramatically less than their European rivals.

Then, after heading to the Formula E championships at London’s Excel to witness electric supercars in action, he takes Olly for a spin in the tiny Microlino EV, a Swiss quadricycle that you enter through the front and which feels considerably more exciting than its top speed may suggest. 

Is this the future of urban transport - or just a glorified second car that happens to be brilliant fun?

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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox advises a listener who wants a clitoral orgasm via oral sex, but doesn’t know how to get her new partner to give it to her…

What practical ways can cunnilingus become more comfortable and enjoyable? How long should women expect their partners to go down on them? Is it too clinical to set timers? And can saliva enhancers and toys like the Svakom Klitty and LELO Ora 3 assist? Alix has the answers.

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Finally, our record of the month is ‘In Motion’, the latest banger from The Snuts, from their forthcoming album 'Joy In Short Moments', out in October. 🎸

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If you’ve got a letter for Olly, a relationships question for Alix, or a challenge for Ollie, please head to our website (where you can also donate to the show 🙏): https://modernmann.co.uk

And/or join our Discord here.

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Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on October 10th.

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Bernadette Rochford, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart. Producer: Matt Hill. Thanks: Sound Delivery, Krazy Horse Motorcycles. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026.

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Manny Waks was 11 years old when he was first sexually abused.

Raised in the ultra-Orthdaox sect of Judaism known as Chabad, he lacked the education or vocabulary to understand what was going on.

By the time he was studying for his bar mitzvah, he was molested by a second perpetrator.

Both men were members of staff at his school - the Yeshiva Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

In this searingly honest, compelling and sometimes angry conversation with Olly, he recalls how he was groomed, abused, disbelieved, and shunned - and recounts the moment he decided, aged 18, to turn his back on Hasidic Judaism for ever - and join the Israeli Defense Force...

In 2016, Manny confronted his first abuser, Velvel Serebryanski, in New York. In 2013, Manny's second abuser, David Cyprys, was sentenced to eight years for sexually abusing Manny and eight other boys.

His book, ‘Who Gave You Permission?’, is out now.

This interview https://www.modernmann.co.uk/new/closuredisclosurehttps://www.modernmann.co.uk/new/closuredisclosure as part of our regular magazine show. Now remastered and with an update from Manny, we've chosen to pair this with our most next episode, due September 10th.

Content warning: graphic descriptions of rape, child abuse.

Additional resources: Stop it Now! UK and Ireland is a useful website for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. Survivors UK provides information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused. The Samaritans offer confidential, emotional telephone support 24 hours a day. This is a useful list for international listeners.

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What would you do if your phone rang and someone told you they'd kidnapped a member of your family?

Scott Walker knows. As one of Britain's most experienced hostage negotiators, he spent years helping families through the worst moments of their lives before moving into the private sector, where he negotiated with pirates and organised crime gangs across the world.

In this revealing conversation with Olly, Scott explains why lying almost always backfires, why the calmest person in the room usually wins, and how to keep your nerve in a seriously stressful ‘Red Centre’.

Scott’s books, Order Out Of Chaos and The Eye of the Storm, are out now. 

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart takes time out of his holiday golf regime to discuss humane alternatives to rat traps.

Are rodent populations on the rise, thanks to global warming? And how should you stay safe while dealing with droppings and drains that spread disease?

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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox tackles the thorny dilemma of what to do when a man you used to hook up with turns up on Are We Dating The Same Guy?

Are you responsible for warning his current spouse of his non-consensual history? Alix consults blogger and activist Girl On The Net to discuss… 

(Content warning: rape, sexual assault).

If you need support with any of the themes discussed, the following organisations can help: 

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/

https://thesurvivorstrust.org/

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Finally, our record of the month is Antony Szmierek’s new single, ‘Seminal’.

But, if you’d rather listen to some more speech… do check out Olly’s BBC Sounds series about the Universal Studios project in Bedfordshire, ‘Rollercoaster: Universal’s Bedfordshire Journey’.

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If you’ve got a letter for Olly, a relationships question for Alix, or a challenge for Ollie, please head to our website (where you can also donate to the show 🙏): https://modernmann.co.uk

And/or join our Discord here.

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Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on September 10th.

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Scott Walker, Antony Szmierek. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026.

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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.

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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…

Content warning: eating disorders, childhood trauma.

Names have been changed.  

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.

If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly, send us an email via our feedback form.

This interview first aired in 2021, under our regular show, with the same title. Now remastered and with an update from Olivia, this playback is paired with our most recent annual instalment of our How To Be A Dad series.

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Tom Price and Stuart Goldsmith return to compare parenting notes with Olly, their sons now having reached the age of 10½.

Up for discussion: how to make friends with your kids’ parents, the dangers of ‘backdoor’ YouTube exposure, and the challenges of coping with impromptu sex education...

Plus, the appealing fraternity of teenage skateboarding, the toxicity of ‘Jordan and Salish’, and the big question of the Summer: should they make their kids try for grammar school? 

This is the twelfth instalment of our annual ‘How To Be A Dad’ series. 

Catch up with all previous episodes HERE. 

🎧Tom’s podcast is My Mate Bought A Toaster; and Stuart’s is The Comedian’s Comedian. 

🎤 Stuart's show "Canary" is at the Edinburgh Fringe from 17-30th of August, then on tour 

📖 "You Know, Sex" by Cory Silverberg is out now

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart heads over to Olly’s house to cook up some BBQ barnstormers: ‘Swicy’ Korean Chicken Burgers, Gochujang Wagyu, and Logan Moffitt’s viral cucumber salad.

What are the flavour trends making their way on to our menus this Summer? And can Olly’s Ninja FlexFlame compete with a charcoal barbeque?

🫕 Check out all of Ollie’s recipe’s here.

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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox assists a listener who wants to know how to keep sex fun. Why is laughter a bedroom taboo? And how can you lighten the mood whilst staying sexy?

If you’ve got a letter for Olly, a relationships question for Alix, or a challenge for Ollie, please head to our website (where you can also donate to the show 🙏): https://modernmann.co.uk

And/or join our Discord here.

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Finally, our record of the month is ‘Nosedive’ by Man/Woman/Chainsaw, out now. 

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Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on August 10th.

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Stuart Goldsmith, Tom Price, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Man/Woman/Chainsaw. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026.

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Andrew Ramroop OBE made his first pair of trousers whilst he was still in school shorts. At 17, he headed away from his home nation of Trinidad, gravitating towards London’s world-famous Savile Row.

In this interview with Olly, he recalls how the racism he faced as a young tailor fuelled his career progression, and how he went on to create suits for Tony Curtis, Samuel L Jackson and Princess Diana.

He also explains how, from a possible choice of 12,000 different fabric combinations, he could make YOU the perfect suit…

Andrew is the owner of Maurice Sedwell Ltd. Find them at 9-10 Savile Row W1, or online at savilerowtailor.com.

This episode first aired in 2017, under the title Suits You Sir. Now remastered and with a 2026 update from Andrew (including an appearance on Desert Island Discs no less), we're replaying this episode as we felt it paired perfectly with our latest interview: The Art of Human Restraint.

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When Tad Tomlinson set out to learn leatherworking, he stumbled into one of Britain's most secretive subcultures.
From handcrafted gimp masks and bespoke straitjackets to dungeon installations and novelty jockstraps, Tad spent years making luxury bondage equipment for wealthy, discerning collectors.
In this eye-opening conversation with Olly, he recalls some of his most elaborate commissions - including a coffin that transformed into a sacrificial altar; reflects on the military and medical fantasies that occasionally tested his comfort zone; and lifts the lid on a much misunderstood community…
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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - burned by his seemingly non-cancelable ‘free pants’ subscription - investigates the world of AI-enhanced gadgetry.
Can note-taking devices like Plaud and Anker’s Soundcore elevate the drudgery of a morning meeting? Will smart catflap OnlyCat help cat owners block unwanted ‘contraband’ from their homes? And what exactly is the Rabbit R1 for? Ollie finds out…
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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox tackles phimosis and adult circumcision, and advises a couple in their twenties whose bedroom activity is losing its lustre after reuniting from a long-distance relationship. All while sucking on a bone-conducting lollipop…
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Finally, our record of the month is ‘Track and Field’ by JJerome87 - alter-ego of Joe Newman, the former frontman of alt-J. We can’t wait for his new album, The Canyon.
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If you’ve got a letter for Olly, a relationships question for Alix, or a challenge for Ollie, please head to our website (where you can also donate to the show ): https://modernmann.co.uk
And/or join our Discord here.
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Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on July 10th for the latest instalment of ‘How To Be A Dad’.
Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Tad Tomlinson, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, JJerome87. Producer: Matt Hill. Thanks: Rebecca Grisedale-Sherry. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026.

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Pathology technician Carla Valentine always knew she wanted to work with corpses. In childhood, she conducted funerals for roadkill. These days, she is curator of the Barts Pathology Museum, and a passionate advocate for more awareness about what happens when the mortuary doors swing shut...

In this interview with Olly, she reveals how to prepare for an autopsy, how to get a sense of how a person lived from examining their remains, and how to create that ‘look of gentle repose’ so important to grieving families. You’ll discover when rigor mortis starts, how identify the difference between primary and secondary flaccidity, and you'll learn about alkaline hydrolosis (‘the new cremation’) and the American trend for being embalmed sitting up.

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