11/12 - Christmas SPECTACULAR! 2020

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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…

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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 her teens, yet thwarted from playing to live crowds - and treats us to two stripped-down tracks: a haunting rendition of single 1,000,000 X Better, and our Record of the Month, ‘Love is a Compass’ - as featured in this year’s Disney Christmas ad.

You can hear all our music selections from the past five years in this Spotify playlist.

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Disney are donating 100% of proceeds for every download made before 31 December 2020 to Make-A-Wish, a charity helping bring small gifts of joy to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Finally, the year’s sexscapades reach a thrilling climax with Alix Fox digging deep in her box of questionable props for another truly unforgettable XXXmas Foxhole Christmas Quiz.

Can Olly Mann locate the labia in under two minutes? Can Ollie Peart stomach a squizz of Bijoux Indiscrets ‘Blowjob Spray’? And how will the boys fare as their anatomical knowledge is put to the test, with the aid of a Dick On A Stick cock-waffle? You will squirm, you will learn, you will laugh.

The Foxhole is sponsored by The Condom People, where you can discreetly purchase premium condoms and lubes including vegan-friendly Skyns and German brand On. Get 15% off with the code FOXHOLE at TheCondomPeople.com.

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This episode of The Modern Mann is proudly supported by:

• Virtual Game Night, the fully interactive gameshow experience. To turn your next virtual gathering into a Virtual Game Night, visit virtualgamenight.live/mann for a free demo. Then, take 20% off any package with the code MANN20.

• Beer52, the world’s number one craft beer club. Claim your FREE case right now at beer52.com/Modern.

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We also need your donations to keep going.

We’re a totally independent podcast - our only income comes from the adverts you hear and the money you give.

Despite everything 2020 has chucked at us, we’ve still cranked out monthly episodes, thanks to YOUR contributions.

We’ve taken you door-to-door on the election trail, exposed injustice in one of our biggest institutions, and brought you an exclusive interview with one of the most unassuming success stories in UK tech history.

No celebs, no-one trying to shift copies of their memoirs... we share these stories with you because they matter. 

If you value what we do, support us to produce more.

Thank you.
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Happy Christmas!

Stay safe, and we’ll see you with a brand new season of the show on Jan 10.

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11/11 - The Family Liaison

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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, the ‘family liaison’ role 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 interview includes references to terrorism, child sexual abuse and murder; and descriptions of dead bodies. 

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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 Britain’s Next Top Male Nail Artist?

Get the look: if you want to try Ollie’s designs for yourself, download his factsheet for the ‘perfect’ menicure HERE.

The Zeitgeist is sponsored by below-the-waist grooming experts Manscaped. For 20% off and free shipping use the code MANN at Manscaped.com.

(Thanks for all your entries to be matched with a friend this Christmas! We’ve had LOADS of applications, so the survey is now closed.)

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Meanwhile, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox (‘Best Sexual Health Ambassador’ in the 2020 Erotic Trade Awards, natch), assists a lady listener in lockdown dating.

Does participating in sexting automatically open the door for more, um, intimate video content? How can one set up boundaries of consent and respect on Tinder? And what’s the best way to communicate them, with one hand down your pants? 

Alix has all the answers, with the help of blogger and pole dancer @bloggeronpole.

The Foxhole is sponsored by The Condom People, where you can discreetly purchase premium condoms and lubricants from brands including the tailored tuxedo of contraception, My.Size. Get 15% off with the code FOXHOLE at TheCondomPeople.com.

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Music this month comes from Internet Money ft. Don Toliver, Gunna & Nav and their supremely catchy, beautifully auto-tuned #1 single ‘Lemonade’:

You can find a full Spotify playlist of our ‘record of the month’ selections here.

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We’ll be back with our ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR on December 10th - until then…

• write into the show, suggest a future guest, challenge Ollie with a trend, or ask Alix a sex question via our FEEDBACK FORM.

• buy us a beer, and SUPPORT THE SHOW.

• leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and SPREAD THE WORD.

Thanks for being a Mann-fan!

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This episode of The Modern Mann is supported by Beer52, the world’s number one craft beer club. Claim your FREE case right now at beer52.com/Modern.

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11/10 - Justice By Numbers

“To this day, we cannot recover from it.”

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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…

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 appeal for justice.

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Elsewhere, in this month’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - fresh from deleting all social media apps from his smartphone - has been tasked with getting creative on Cameo.

Can a platform created for celebrities to cash in on personalised video messages serve up something truly inspirational, or is it just for birthday shout-outs?

View fullsize

Ollie’s celebrity ‘friends’ offering up some inspiration on Cameo

With the help of Blue Peter’s Barney Harwood, Chucklevision’s Paul Chuckle, Hollyoaks’ Annie Wallace, Eastenders’ Ricky Groves, Seinfeld’s Fred Stoller, K-Pop superfan Oli London and The Raconteurs’ Brendon Benson, Ollie does his best to investigate. And the results are… unpredictable.

Our thanks to Laurie Harrison at Green Bird Recordings and Tim Gifford for helping Ollie create a new musical masterpiece.

The Zeitgeist is sponsored by below-the-waist grooming experts Manscaped. For 20% off and free shipping use the code MANN at Manscaped.com.

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Meanwhile, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox explores whether it’s safe, practical and enjoyable to indulge in anal sex when you’re pregnant.

With the help of Dr. Rebecca Levy-Gantt, author of Womb With a View: Tales from the Delivery, Emergency and Operating Rooms, and midwife and ‘placenta artist’ Deborah Neiger, she dispenses some wise words for those wanting to have bum fun with a bun in the oven.

The Foxhole is sponsored by The Condom People, where you can discreetly purchase premium condoms and lubricants from brands including Wingman. Enjoy 15% off everything with the code FOXHOLE at TheCondomPeople.com.

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Music this month comes from Royal Blood, with their sensational slice of rock-disco, ‘Trouble’s Coming’:

You can find a full Spotify playlist of our ‘record of the month’ selections here.

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This episode of The Modern Mann is supported by Beer52, the world’s number one craft beer club. Claim your FREE case right now at beer52.com/Modern.

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We’ll be back with something new on Nov 10th - until then…

• write into the show, suggest a future guest, challenge Ollie with a trend, or ask Alix a sex question via our FEEDBACK FORM.

• buy us a beer, and SUPPORT THE SHOW.

• leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and SPREAD THE WORD.

See you soon!

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11/9 - What To Expect When You're Transitioning

“This is actually going to work. I’m going to get to be me.”

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What’s the reality of male-to-female transitioning on the NHS?

Lexi Perry-Weston

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 transition in 2020.

If you would like to share YOUR story on a future edition of the show, contact us now via our Feedback form.

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is testing out the ‘No Poo’ trend.

Can he survive one whole month without washing his hair or body using soap or shampoo? 

Along the way, he learns about sebum oil, microbiomes, and a surprising use for cornstarch. And washes his hands, because as we all know good hand hygiene is imperative at the moment. Stay Alert, kids.

If YOU would like to challenge Ollie to investigate a contemporary trend, send your suggestion through now via our Feedback form.

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Elsewhere, in The Foxhole, Alix Fox assists a listener who wants to get eco-friendly in the bedroom. Is there such a thing as a truly biodegradable condom? And how many air miles has her favourite vibrator travelled, before it heads down below?

Alix consulted Gabrielle Lods, founder of Green Condom Club, for advice.

If YOU have a question of sex - you can remain entirely anonymous if you like - reach out now via our Feedback form.

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Music this month comes from Creeper, and their song, ‘Poisoned Heart’:

You’ll find it on their compelling theatrical rock album, Sex, Death & The Infinite Void, out now.

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Remember, The Modern Mann is a completely independent podcast, supported by listeners like you. If you can afford to contribute, we’d be astonishingly grateful. BUY US A BEER.

And/or, do tell your friends about us on Twitter, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts…

… and we’ll be back with a new episode on October 10th.

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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.

11/8 - The Kinetic Effect

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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 being 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.

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Elsewhere, for this month’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart chats to couples who are ‘child-free by choice’.

Along the way he discovers ‘antinatalism’, swots up on some intriguing statistics about parental unhappiness, and disrupts a childfree web forum that definitely ISN’T ‘a movement’…

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Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from judging a talent competition that is unlikely to be televised - considers the dilemma of a listener who ‘bears down’ during orgasm, frequently finding herself the victim of inconvenient farts.

Our thanks to pelvic floor physiotherapist Elaine Miller, AKA ‘Gussie Grippers’.

If you think you may be suffering from a hypertonic pelvic floor, resources and support are available via the International Pelvic Pain Society and the Pelvic Pain Support Network.

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Music this month comes from Modern Mann favourites Another Sky and their new song, ‘Fell In Love With The City’:

You’ll find it on their new album ‘I Slept on the Floor’, out Aug 7th.

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If you love our show, and value what we do, here are THREE GREAT WAYS to support us:

1. TELL YOUR FRIENDS! We’re @themodernmann on Twitter.

2. POST A REVIEW for the show on Apple Podcasts. It helps others find us.

3. SEND US MONEY. We know times are tight at the moment - but we are an independent podcast, and every contribution, no matter how small, helps us create the best show we can. Buy us a beer now.

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If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly, a sex question you’d like to ask Alix, or a trend you’d like Ollie to investigate, get in touch with us via our Feedback form.

That’s it for the Summer - we’ll be back, as per our new release schedule, on September 10th. See you then!

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