WHAT IS THE MODERN MANN?
““A lively series from podcasting pioneer Olly Mann””
““An astonishing, thoughtful and comical listen” ”
A former drug dealer. A wrongfully convicted postmaster. Britain’s most prolific private sperm donor.
These are just some of the amazing true stories The Modern Mann has brought you since our inception in 2015. We're the magazine show for your ears; each month bringing you extraordinary people who share fascinating experiences that shed light on the modern world.
““A nicely produced, empathetic and jolly magazine show” ”
Each edition kicks off with The Zeitgeist, in which listeners challenge Ollie Peart to experience the trends of the day - whether that’s ‘neuro-priming’, matched betting, or trying his hand at an open mic night.
Next comes an unpredictable, inspiring middle feature in which host Olly Mann hits the road to meet unusual characters who provoke or confuse: an OnlyFans performer, a Strangeways prison officer, a private prosecutor… Through their stories (typically recorded face-to-face), we gain insight into a hidden world, and often learn something we never knew we needed to know: how to make the perfect cup of coffee; how to get selected for a TV gameshow; or how to spot signs of undiagnosed autism.
Then, at the back, the sex bit: The Foxhole with Alix Fox - the softly-spoken, foul-mouthed love expert who warmly tackles listener questions about the messy brilliance of sex and the difficult, darker side of it too. What’s the best way to get off in a tent? How do I clean my vibrator? How do I ween myself off an addiction to A.I. girlfriends? Alix has a frank, funny, non-judgemental take on it all.
Each episode also brings you a record of the month. Over the years we've championed great recording artists like British Sea Power, Glass Animals, Mystery Jets and Los Campesinos!
The Modern Mann is a proudly independent show, attracting over two million downloads and more than 250 five-star reviews on Apple Podcasts. It's financially supported by a legion of ‘Mannbassadors’, who regularly donate beer money to the cause.
The show has twice been nominated 'Podcast of the Year' at the UK Radio Academy Awards, winning Silver in 2016.
In 2019, we won ‘Best Interview’ at the British Podcast Awards, for our acclaimed episode ‘What Nobody Tells You About Rape’. The judges said: “The questioning is both intelligent and provocative in a gentle way, moving the conversation along in an impactful and compelling manner. In a crowded field this was thought to be a clear winner, an interview podcast of the highest order.”
THE TEAM
OLLY MANN - Host
Olly has been podcasting since 2007, with credits including The Week Unwrapped, Today in History with The Retrospectors and cult comedy show Answer Me This!
On the radio, Olly has hosted shows for LBC, Magic, Times Radio and 5 Live; and, for BBC Radio 4, has presented editions of Four Thought, The Male Room, Saturday Live, The Media Show and Archive On 4.
He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife, two kids, three chickens, cat, dog, and, at the last count, five goldfish.
He’s also written for The Observer, Reader’s Digest, The Week, and Telegraph Men. You can find out more about Olly and his work on his website, ollymann.com
OLLIE PEART - Presenter, 'The Zeitgeist'
Ollie is the Modern Mann's trending stream, uncovering the best of the month’s trends in our opening segment, 'The Zeitgeist'.
He is a 5'6" blonde haired, ginger bearded descendant of some vikings... probably. He's a writer and presenter but spends most of his time walking his dog in the Dorset countryside.
He has been described as a 'digital disruptor', a 'pint-sized geek' and 'the angriest man in action sports'. He has hosted Please Accept Cookies for The Guardian, Epic Guff for Epic TV and The Indestructibles for Dave, and currently scripts and develops TV programmes that no one will ever see.
He once auditioned to be the Milkybar Kid, but, sadly, didn't get the part.
ALIX FOX - Presenter, 'The Foxhole'
Alix is the show’s resident sexpert, although she prefers the term “sex spurt”. She's an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and sex educator.
A proud Ambassador for Brook sexual wellbeing charity, a face of National HIV Testing Week, and co-host of BBC Radio 1's X-rated comedy show Unexpected Fluids, Foxy is a script consultant on hit Netflix show Sex Education and can be seen on screen in E4's The Sex Clinic. She works as Sex & Relationships Expert for Superdrug, Womanizer and Tenga toys. You can find her writing in The Guardian, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Stylist, and scrawled on various toilet walls.
Alix's accolades include being named Best Sex Expert 2018 at the ETO Awards; finalist in the Women of the Future Awards 2017; winner of the Sexual Freedom Award as Cause Publicist of the Year 2017; and shortlisted for the Family Planning Association Rosemary Goodchild Award for Sexual Health Journalism 2017.
Her goal in life? "To be decently indecent."
MATT HILL - Producer
Matt is the director of podcast production company Rethink Audio, and is behind such shows as Happy Place, Homo Sapiens, The Waiting Room and more.
Team Modern Mann at the UK Radio Academy Awards 2016.
Front Row: Producer Matt Hill, our former Music Associate Fuzz Choudhrey, Presenter Ollie Peart
Back Row: Presenter Alix Fox and Host Olly Mann