13/3 - Beneath The Avalanche

“The mountains are not out to get you. One reason they're so inspiring is because they’re also quite dangerous.”

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After surviving an incredible 200ft plunge from the Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, multi-sport athlete Adam Campbell thought his mountaineering days were behind him.

But, thanks in part to his wife, Dr. Laura Kosakoski, Adam was able to return to the slopes.

Then, one day in 2020, he triggered an avalanche - with catastrophic consequences for both of them…

As Adam explains in this emotional interview with Olly, dealing with the fallout has meant coming to terms with guilt, accepting his vulnerability, and tackling the notion of ‘high-performance grief’.

Adam’s blog, Muddy Socks, can be found here.

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - fresh from interviewing Mann-fan Lizzy Yarnold for his Winter sports podcast The Apres - investigates the environmental impacts of the death care industry and the trend in Washington State for… human composting!

How does the process work? What takes the place of traditional funeral rituals? And what can you do with the compost that results? Ollie reveals all…

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Elsewhere, our record of the month is this toe-tapping romp from Gang of Youths - it's called In The Wake Of Your Leave, and the video is even better than the song 👇

This episode is sponsored by:

• Pact, the speciality subscription coffee company. New customers get a free V60 filter kit (worth £11) when they sign up to a Pact plan at pactcoffee.com and enter the code MANN at checkout.

• Betterhelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform. Get 10% off your first month of affordable, private therapy at betterhelp.com/modernmann

• Stitch Fix, the personal styling site that sends you great clothes to try on at home. Get started today and get 20% off when you keep all five items at at StitchFix.co.uk/mann

• Manscaped, the only men’s brand dedicated to below the waist grooming. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com

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This show is free to download, but it isn’t free to produce.

If you can afford to, please buy us a beer once per month - or as often as you like - using our secure, customisable form here. Thanks!

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… And we’ll be back (Alix Fox included!) on April 10th.

CONTENT WARNING: interview includes account of extreme sports injury, moment of death, and suicidal thoughts. Zeitgeist section includes description of body decomposition.

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.

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13/2 - Taking The Credit

“This film played in my head for all these years. And, suddenly, I'm not a part of it.”

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Getting a screenplay in to production is notoriously tough.

Writer Jack Barth came closer than most - scripting an episode of The Simpsons, and attracting the attention of Lord Puttnam at Columbia Pictures.

He achieved his dream after 40 years in the business, when his script ‘Cover Version’ was optioned by Working Title.

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But, as Jack explains in this interview with Olly, the journey from page to screen did not go entirely as he’d hoped…

His script was adapted into Yesterday, written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle. The movie made over $150m, but Jack never received another penny, and watched from the sidelines as Curtis’ publicity interviews for the film implied he’d never read Jack’s script. At a screening, Jack’s ‘Story By’ credit was “buried” in the closing titles.

[We’ve asked Richard Curtis’ agent to comment, but have yet to receive a reply. In 2020, he told The 237: Film School Podcast: “We are well aware of Mr Barth’s claims and they are of course refuted, in general and in detail - as he knows. He was well paid for his work under the terms of the perfectly reasonable contract with Working Title and did receive a proper credit for his contribution - a contribution that I would say Richard has acknowledged often and enthusiastically”.]

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the world of non-fungible tokens by minting - and offering up for auction - the very first Modern Mann NFTs.

And - as is his wont - he’s taken to virtual reality to do it. Can he persaude a hardcore Mann-Fan snap up his digital wares? What is the environmental cost of trading with Ethereum? And are NFTs a fad - or here to stay?

The Zeitgeist is sponsored by Manscaped, the only men’s brand dedicated to below the waist grooming. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com

If you’d like to challenge Ollie to investigate a trend, fill out the Feedback form.

You can visit the virtual space Ollie set up at Spatial here.

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Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox investigates dating after divorce. At 40+, is it possible (or desirable) to leave the ‘baggage’ from your previous relationships at the door? Plus, she dishes out some advice for a listener considering dipping his toes in polyamory.

The Foxhole is sponsored by Handy - a WiFi-enabled sex toy for men, designed and developed in Norway. For free express shipping, use our code ‘Foxhole' at TheHandy.com.

Got a sex question for Alix? Reach out via the Feedback form.

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Finally, our record of the month is this soulful number from jazz powerhouse Poppy Ajudha, Holiday From Reality 👇

Her new album, The Power In Us, is out on 22nd April.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Pact, the speciality subscription coffee company. New customers get a free V60 filter kit (worth £11) when they sign up to a Pact plan at pactcoffee.com and enter the code MANN at checkout.

• Betterhelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform. Get 10% off your first month of affordable, private therapy at betterhelp.com/modernmann

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This show is free to download, but it isn’t free to produce.

If you can afford to, please buy us a beer once per month - or as often as you like - using our secure, customisable form here. Thanks!

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… And we’ll see you with something new on March 10th.

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13/1 - After The Car Crash

“I just don't see how a jury of my peers would convict me as a criminal for wanting to walk and talk.”

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Jim Finch’s life changed forever when his car flipped over in a devastating accident that left him with multiple neurological issues.

He developed PTSD, suffered from seizures - and even became afflicted with Tourettes.

But the medication he was prescribed was almost as bad: triggering fits, impotence and bloody discharge. Then he discovered cannabis...

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Now a registered, legal user of skunk, Jim campaigns for medical marijuana to be made available on the NHS.

As he explains in this intense, compelling conversation with Olly, for disabled people who can’t afford a private prescription, the current alternatives are to support the criminal black market, or risk arrest by growing weed themselves.
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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is gearing up for 2022 by road-testing some ‘New Year, New You’ health gadgets: ketosis breathalyser Ketoscan Lite, and ‘microcurrent toner’, the Foreo Bear.

Can a facial be compared to a workout? How many carbohydrates do you need to cut out to reduce your fat stores? And what is the all-time best legume? Ollie has the answers.

The Zeitgeist is sponsored by Manscaped, the only men’s brand dedicated to below the waist grooming. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com

Got a challenge for Ollie in 2022? Let us know via the Feedback form.

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Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox explores if, and why, straight men are so ‘in to’ feet. Can this fetish be traced back to childhood? Is porn to blame? And what is the allure of a stinky sock?

With the assistance of Dr Justin Lehmiller, Club Pedestal, and her foot-servicing pal, Sol Server, Alix endeavours to find out…

The Foxhole is sponsored by Handy - a WiFi-enabled sex toy for men, designed and developed in Norway. For free express shipping, use our code ‘Foxhole' at TheHandy.com.

Got a sex question for Alix? Reach out via the Feedback form.

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Finally, our record of the month comes from blues-rock foursome Palace, and their stunning new single, ‘Shame On You’. 👇

Their new album, Shoals, is out on 21st January.

This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform. Get 10% off your first month of affordable, private therapy at betterhelp.com/modernmann

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This show is free to download, but it isn’t free to produce.

If you can afford to, please buy us a beer once per month - or as often as you like - using our secure, customisable form here. Thanks!

————————————

… And we’ll see you with something new on February 10th.

CONTENT WARNING: interview includes account of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempt, highly offensive language and on-mic drug use.

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.

LISTEN: Apple // Spotify // Google // MP3 // RSS // TuneIn

12/12 - Christmas SPECTACULAR! 2021

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Meeeeeeerrry Christmas, Mannfans!

This year Olly, Alix and Ollie have have headed to Bournemouth for their annual get-together, joined by young troubadour Thomas Headon and surprise special guests.

It’s stuffed full with songs, reminiscences and parlour games - and, of course, the legendary XXXmas Foxhole Christmas Quiz.

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First up, new father Ollie Peart has broken his dietary habits and started eating meat again - and also the habit of a lifetime by finally listening to a ‘How To Be A Dad’ episode. Having abandoned both pescatarianism and bachelorhood, can he be trusted to lifehack a Moses basket?

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Next, there’s some superb live music - in the form of an exclusive acoustic performance from singer-songwriter Thomas Headon, whose poppy earworm, Strawberry Kisses, is our Record of the Month.

Thomas chats to Olly about the weirdest things he’s been sent by his teenage fans; how Aussie Christmas measures up to British Christmas; and why Urban Dictionary may not be the best source to interpret the meaning of ‘Strawberry Kisses’…

A Christmas jumper and a buffet of chocolate foofs: it can only be Alix’s XXXmas Quiz.

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

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

Olly takes on Ollie in a sex toy-inspired rap battle; there’s a fight to the death in a pelvic pumping challenge; and a Durex advent calendar is plundered for a flying penis. You will squirm, you will learn, you will laugh.

The Foxhole is sponsored by Handy - a WiFi-enabled sex toy for men, designed and developed in Norway. For free express shipping, use our code ‘Foxhole' at TheHandy.com.

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This episode of The Modern Mann is proudly supported by:

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

• Manscaped, the only men’s brand dedicated to below the waist grooming. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com

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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.

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

Thanks, and happy Christmas!
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We’ll see you with a brand new season of the show on Jan 10.

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12/11 - Don’t Google Me

“If people knew how easy it is to destroy someone online, they would be frightened.”

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Guy Babcock is not paedophile. He is not a sociopath, or a racist, or a ‘deadbeat’. He has not served time in prison.

And yet, if you search his name online, you get a very different impression: hundreds of posts, smearing his reputation, all over the internet.

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In this interview with Olly, Guy explains why - despite a court ruling against the person ruining his reputation - these posts live on.

He recalls the terrifying day he realised his name was being dragged through the mud, and explains how he came to understand that a vengeful ex-employee was behind the damaging slurs…
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This episode is sponsored by:

• Beer52, the world’s number one craft beer club. For an exclusive FREE trial case of 10 beers, a magazine and a snack, visit beer52.com/modern 

• Manscaped, the only men’s brand dedicated to below the waist grooming. Get 20% Off + Free Shipping, with the code ‘Mann’ at Manscaped.com
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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Alix Fox posits her theory that ‘immersive scent experiences’ are about to be the next big trend.

With the help of scent designer Tasha Marks, Olly and Alix test out some scents currently on show at the Museum of Docklands and the Wellcome Trust; muse on how difficult it is to describe a smell; and anticipate a world of VR smellathons...

The Zeitgeist is sponsored by Handy - a WiFi-enabled sex toy for men, designed and developed in Norway. For free express shipping, use our code ‘Foxhole' at TheHandy.com.

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One of the online smears targeted at Guy - and still searchable on Bing

Guy Babcock and Olly Mann,
October 2021

Olly, Alix and scent designer Tasha Marks having a ‘Sniff-along’ for this month’s Zeitgeist

Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix looks into erectile dysfunction - an issue believed to affect over four million men in Britain, a surprisingly large segment of whom are not yet 40.

As Alix explains, the causes of E.D. can include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, problematic use of pornography, anxiety and depression - and, although there are numerous pills on the market, they’re actually unsuitable for around 40% of sufferers.

This month’s Foxhole is brought to you by MAC Clinical Research, who are conducting two clinical trials to evaluate potential new treatments for those living with Erectile Dysfunction, and are looking for volunteers to take part. Up to £690 and reasonable travel expenses are included. To find out more, click here.

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Finally, our record of the month is the lively and infectious ‘Wake Me Up’ from FOALS. It makes walking through fire sound like a LOT of fun. 👇

This show is free to download, but it isn’t free to produce.

If you can afford to, please buy us a beer once per month - or as often as you like - using our secure, customisable form here. Thanks!

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… And we’ll see you for our ☃️🎄ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR ❄️🎁on December 10th.

Our thanks to NORD VPN for their support of this episode. To access TV shows, news websites, sports and movies from over 59 different countries, head to NordVPN.com/mann and use the code MANN to get 73% off your 2-year plan, plus four bonus months for free.

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