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…

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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

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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

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Finally, our Record of the Month sees the triumphant return of Modern Mann favourite Griff, with her ‘heartbreak’ choon, Vertigo, out now.

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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.

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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.

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