6/7 - The Confidence Trick

"Sometimes you have to be other people to become who you are."

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Gavin Bain and Olly Mann

Best mates with Eminem, signed by Sony, and on the verge of international superstardom, Californian rap group Silibil 'n' Brains were the music industry's Next Big Thing. There was just one problem: they'd never been to California. They were from Dundee.

In this extraordinary interview with Olly, Gavin Bain - who, as Brains Mcloud, was one half of the hip hop duo - recalls how a heady mix of humiliation, desperation and sheer chutzpah lead him to fool the entire music industry - and brought him to the brink:

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Gavin's book, California Schemin', is out now - and you can find plenty of Sylibil N' Brains music on Spotify. 

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Peart takes a bath, in the name of research

Elsewhere this week, Ollie Peart considers Uber's bid to prevent 'automovom' in this week's Zeitgeist. Also on the agenda: death on social media, Stephen Fry's sleep stories, hand massaging and hot baths.

And, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from enlightening delegates at the Digital Freedom Festival - reveals the art of 'muffing', and answers the query of Mann-fan Pip, who's repulsed by the smell, taste, and even thought of her boyfriend's semen.

As the Foxhole is brought to you by our friends at mycondom.com, you can nab a wonderful 15% OFF just for listening - all you need to do is use our code 'Foxhole' at Checkout. So, why not stock up on some sexy Christmas goodies from their Christmassy Stocking Fillers section?

Meanwhile, this week's Squarespace Lifehack features business journalist Emily Birt, of peoplemanagement.co.uk, providing her Top 3 tips to get a pay rise. (If you have advice of your own to share, start a blog with Squarespace.com - and if you use our code 'Mann' at Checkout, you get 10% off your first website or domain.)

Finally, our record of the week is 'Broken Record', by plucky upstart Van Morrison. It's the opening track from his 38th studio album, Versatile, out now:

Thanks again to all our beer money donors for supporting this series of our independent podcast. If you'd buy us a pint if you met us in real life, please put your money where your mouth is and buy us a virtual one too. Every penny you contribute goes towards making more Modern Mann... 

See You Next Tuesday!

5/6 - The Accidental Pimp

‘We had no idea if we were walking into a gunfight’

Being a landlord means trusting strangers to live in your house. 

Try as you might, you can't know everything about them. Sometimes, you just have to rely on an instinct that your tenants are good people. Until, that is, you get a knock on the door from the Police...

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That's what happened to listener Ian from Dublin. In this interview with Olly, he re-lives the moment he became involved in an armed Police sting - and began to regret renting out his property.

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Also this week, Ollie and Olly head off to Wimbledon and investigate 'tennis-heckling', the rise of Aperol Spritz and the IBM data bunker. Plus, Ollie continues in his quest to become a true trends insider, forsaking Raya for Inner Circle, and preparing to venture to High Wycombe in the name of journalism.

Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox ponders the possibilities of cervical orgasms, and answers a listener question of sexual reciprocity - how should a high-functioning autistic woman get off in the sack, when she can't bear physical contact?

If you have a question of sex for Alix, just fill in our Feedback form - you can remain anonymous if you wish. The Foxhole is sponsored by the love-Gods who run mycondom.com - head over there to fill your boots with condoms, sex toys and lube, all at great-value prices, with an additional 15% OFF when you use our code, 'FOXHOLE'.

Finally, our record of the week - which, like all our favourite 'choons, is featured in our Spotify playlist - is the new one from St Vincent. It’s called New York, and it’s available to download right now.

That's it for this week's show: if you enjoy what we do, please support us by buying us a beer or reviewing us on iTunes.

See You Next Tuesday!

4/6 - The Man Who Stole My Year

What’s it like when the person you’re closest to in the world isn't who you think they are?

‘Elizabeth’ spent a year dating a man who provided only sketchy details about his life, but ingratiated himself into her friendship circle, her family and her home.

In this interview with Olly, she reveals how it felt to discover he was living a double-life, and how it’s affected her trust ever since...

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Also this week, Ollie Peart considers whether the return of The Matrix heralds a new type of film franchise, whether Drake’s new ‘playlist’ heralds the end of the album, and whether his new favourite game heralds a return to text adventures.

And, down The Foxhole, Alix Fox enjoys a trip to the theatre and advises a listener who's unhappy that her vibrator might be 'spying' on her… The Foxhole is supported by our friends at mycondom.com. Want to stock up on condoms, lube or toys? Just use the code ‘Foxhole’ at Checkout to get 15% off!

Finally, our Song Of The Week is ‘Cease Fire’, by former Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore, available for free from thurstonmoore.kungfustore.com:

This week’s episode is sponsored by Al Philp - a listener like you. If you’d like to sponsor a future episode, either as an individual or as a commercial company, just fill in the Feedback form. Or, if you can only afford a small amount, do buy us a beer. Thanks!

See You Next Tuesday.