9/4 - What Nobody Tells You About Rape

“How many more ways do I have to restrict my life because of what this man has done to me?”

Martha Adam was raped. For a week afterwards, she couldn’t even say the word. Couldn’t tell her parents what had happened to her.

But she did report the assault - and faced hours of courtroom questioning that both embellished and undermined her trauma.

In this compelling conversation with Olly, Martha explains how these events restricted her lifestyle, affected her relationships, and made her question her own sanity…

LISTEN NOW:

• MP3 

• Stitcher

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify 

Elsewhere, for this week’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart heads to Rotterdam to investigate the burgeoning trend for pod hotels - and learns exactly how many records you need to sell to be a Christmas No.1.

Speaking of matters musical, you can VOTE here for previous guest TOM MEADOWS to win Live Session Drummer of the Year!

Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox smells fondants in the bedroom (all a result of synesthesia, not gluttony…), and advises a listener seeking out eco-friendly menstrual aids.

Finally, our record of the week is ‘Swim’, the debut single from Ontario quartet, Dizzy - and it's out now:

If YOU - like Martha - have a story you’d like to share on a future edition of the show, just reach out via our Feedback form. That’s the same place to head if you have a question of sex for Alix, a challenge for Ollie, or would like to nominate yourself as a Mannbassador.

… Oh, and whilst you’re on our website, why not help support the production of our independent podcast? Just click here to buy us a virtual beer. Cheers!

If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in today’s interview, Martha recommends the following organisations:

• Rape Crisis offers online resources and has a network of centres where survivors can access support

• My Body Back Project run clinics giving access to sexual health services for survivors.

8/3 - The Unlucky Ones

Jo and Steve Peck with twins Harriet and Barney, May 2018

Miscarriages are the most common form of pregnancy loss - yet rarely get talked about in public.

Jo and Steve Peck suffered not one, not two, but recurrent miscarriages over the course of four years, before seeking private treatment.

In this searingly honest, compelling interview with Olly, they reveal the toll this took on their marriage, their work and their mental health - as they watched their friends begin families - gradually realising it may never happen for them.

LISTEN NOW:

• MP3

• Stitcher

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

Elsewhere, in this week’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart heads off for a ‘sound bath’ at the behest of Mann-fan Nicola Kelly, and learns about Tibetan bowls, crystal trance and his Chakra alignment.

Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox advises a gay teenager with I.B.S about his options for anal sex, and uncovers some unexpected titbits about Viagra.
 

The Foxhole is proudly sponsored by our friends at mycondom.com.
Use the code ‘FOXHOLE’ at Checkout to get 15% off your cart!

This week’s Lifehack comes courtesy of Matthew Brown, ‘Productivity Ninja’ at ThinkProductive.co.uk. His Top 3 tips on making the most of your time at work? Unchain yourself from email, keep your head down 9-6, and start the day with a book…
 

The Lifehack is sponsored by Podcast Lounge - the new podcatcher app for Windows 10 devices. Get your free trial at the Windows App Store now.
 

Finally, our Record of the Week is ‘Cacophony’ by Halona King. Enjoy:

Got a story for the show? A trends challenge for Ollie Peart? A sex question for Alix? An idea of a future guest? Get in touch using our Feedback form.

Love the show? Support us! Buy us a beer to say thank you. We use the money to make thirty quality episodes of the show every year and deliver them direct to your phone.

See You Next Tuesday!

* If you’ve been affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy, the Miscarriage Association offers support and a pregnancy loss helpline: miscarriageassociation.org.uk/

5/3 - I See Dead People

"The more we talk about death, the less it will take us by surprise"

View fullsize

Pathology technician Carla Valentine always knew she wanted to work with corpses. In childhood, she conducted funerals for roadkill. These days, she is curator of the Barts Pathology Museum, and a passionate advocate for more awareness about what happens when the mortuary doors swing shut...

In this interview with Olly, she reveals how to prepare for an autopsy, how to get a sense of how a person lived from examining their remains, and how to create that ‘look of gentle repose’ so important to grieving families. You’ll discover when rigor mortis starts, how identify the difference between primary and secondary flaccidity, and you'll learn about alkaline hydrolosis (‘the new cremation’) and the American trend for being embalmed sitting up.

LISTEN NOW:

• MP3

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

If you'd like to hear more from Carla, do check out her excellent book, Past Mortems.

For this week’s Lifehack, Sasha Morgan from Peckham-based arts educational charity Bold Everywhere reveals her top tips to run a successful meeting: know your objectives, invite the right people, and assemble your allies before the meeting even commences! The Lifehack is supported by our friends at Squarespace.com - if you want to build yourself a beautiful website, there is no better port of call. There’s a two-week free trial, and then use our offer code ‘MANN’ to get 10% off your first year’s subscription.

Ollie's quest hits another stumbling block...

Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart’s quest to become a true trends insider continues. This week, he inches ever-closer to being able to *touch a Nando’s black card*, and learns why TV presenter Emma Willis will NEVER be allowed such an honour. He also considers the trends for brand disloyalty and dockless bike sharing. If you think you can help Ollie with his mission, contact him on Twitter.

Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox reveals why, when it comes to condoms, there are such things as ‘teat-less wonders’. She also explains what spermatorrhea is, why she’s created a new sexual term, ‘ledging’, and why - despite detesting the book - she has a certain fondness for the Fifty Shades Of Grey toy crossovers.

The Foxhole is sponsored by our friends at mycondom.com. They stock all you need for a legendary night in the sack - or many more to come. Remember to use our discount code ‘FOXHOLE’ to receive an astonishing 15% off! And, if you have a question of sex for a future edition, do get in touch via our Feedback form.

Finally, our song of the week is Machine, by The Horrors - out now:

If you enjoy this week's show, please do support us and buy us a beer, write us a review on iTunes, or simply tell your friends about us.

See You Next Tuesday!