The Modern Mann

How did the credit card come to be invented? Who was the first man to be cryogenically frozen? And have you heard of the experimental drug club where Victor Hugo used to toke? The answers to these questions – and many hundreds more – can be found in the daily history podcast THE RETROSPECTORS, and in this special compilation for Mann-Fans, Olly introduces three brilliant episodes of the show, themed around The Modern Mann’s regular preoccupations – trends, music and sex... You’ll learn how much mayonnaise a woman can physically consume; how David Bowie and Queen came together to record ‘Under Pressure’; and the strange story of the Frenchman who made his wife wear a chastity belt. To get our entertaining, ten-minute ‘on this day in history’ digest each and every weekday, FOLLOW THE SHOW NOW: • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-retrospectors-today-in-history/id1564093130?uo=4 • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BwUqSOfCS6sSrADe834BR • Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/pod

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 at: muddy-socks.ghost.io In the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the environmental impacts of the death care industry and the trend in Washington State for human composting, with the help of Return Home’s Katey Houston. Our record of the month is ‘In The Wake Of Your Leave’ from Gang of Youths: goy.ffm.to/intoyl If you can afford to, please buy us a beer using our secure form at modernmann.co.uk/beer - and wh

Getting a screenplay into 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. But, as Jack explains in this interview with Olly, the journey from page to screen was not 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. • Jack’s script: https://bit.ly/3suH3Zt • Richard Curtis on ‘In The Studio’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csz1ym • Thanks to ‘The 237: Film School Podcast’: https://podfollow.com/1559372849/links We have approached Richard Curtis for a

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

Olly, Alix and Ollie head to Bournemouth for their annual festive special, joined by young troubadour Thomas Headon and surprise special guests.It’s stuffed with songs, reminiscences and parlour games - and, of course, the legendary XXXmas Foxhole Christmas Quiz. ———————————— 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 pescetarianism and bachelorhood, can he be trusted to lifehack a Moses basket? ———————————— 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’… ———————————— Finally

Guy Babcock is not a 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. 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 who was behind the damaging slurs. 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. Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix looks into erectile dysfunction - an issue believed to affect over

Ken, Kevin and Martin are armed forces veterans. They were discharged from the military; their comrades never discovering why. This Remembrance Sunday, for the first time, they’ve been invited to march past the Cenotaph.  It’s a story of double lives, court payouts and military secrets - and what happened when three men told the truth. _____________________ Until 12th January, 2000, it was illegal for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve in the British Army, Royal Navy and RAF. If they were outed, they could lose their medals, their pensions and their jobs, and sometimes serve a prison sentence. The British Government finally apologised for the policy in 2020. Thanks to Fighting With Pride, the LGBT+ military charity, for putting us in touch. _____________________ 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 _____________________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, expectant father Ollie

Pippa spent eight months struggling to conceive her second child. Then, on the brink of beginning IVF, she discovered she was pregnant. But, at ten weeks, she discovered there was a more than 99% chance that her foetus had Down's Syndrome. She and her husband Joe had already decided that, in this situation, they would have an abortion. In this brutally honest conversation with Olly, Pippa explains how the experience left her feeling guilty, compromised, and unsupported; and how she still struggles to reconcile the fact that she chose to terminate the baby she had wanted so much… The NHS has a page offering support for those considering termination for foetal anomaly: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/support/termination-for-foetal-anomaly/ ———————————— Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - fresh from accruing sixty (60!) followers on Spotify with his musical pseudonym Captain Spronk - has spent the past month learning to knit. Is this trend for young men taking up knitting limited to influencers like Tom Dale

Teaching English in Beijing seemed like a great opportunity for Welsh graduate Glen Williams, who’d previously spent time studying in China. He could brush up on his Mandarin, work with children, and earn up to £3k per month tax free. The hitch? The agency that placed him told him that every three months, he’d need to spend the weekend in Seoul - a ‘visa trip’ that, he soon discovered, was commonplace amongst ex-pat EFL teachers.  Then, one day, they changed their tune. “If the Police ask you”, they said, “tell them you sell whiteboards”. In this interview with Olly, Glen reveals what happened next…  ———————————— Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart, fresh from mastering ‘the Crow Pose’ on Instagram, attempts to dominate the internet through the medium of keyword spamming.  Can his well-established musical talent - now masquerading as alter-ego Captain Spronk - stretch to luring in listeners with clickbait titles like ‘Music For Focus’, ‘Music For Meditation’, and, um, ‘Olly Mann’? Judge for yourself, if

Living with narcolepsy - a rare condition that can cause you to fall asleep wherever you are, or whatever you’re doing - required Antonia Gentile to surrender her driving license, and step back from performing, cooking and even reading. As she explains to Olly in this insightful interview, narcolepsy and cataplexy are isolating and debilitating ‘hidden disabilities’. But they can be treated, somewhat, with increased awareness and good ‘sleep hygiene’. If you’re struggling with sleep issues, Antonia recommends sleep improvement app Sleepio, and the charity Narcolepsy UK. ———————————— Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - fresh from uncovering rude place names in his new podcast for the BBC - gets down and dirty in his recycling bin. Can he rise to the challenge of living a waste-free life? After experimenting with the advice from blog Trash is for Tossers, and registering for the Too Good To Go app, the culmination of his efforts is… steaming an old T-shirt in banana skins, broad beans, and sweet potato s

Bedtime stories, ‘social stalking’ and sugar-rationing are on the menu as Olly reunites with comedy podcasters Tom Price and Stuart Goldsmith to compare notes on fatherhood. Their sons are now five years old, and in this episode our Dads ruminate on ‘world-building’, how to make friends at pick-up time, and the dangers of doing a 'Hot Wheels Hunt'. To catch up on the story so far, visit modernmann.co.uk/Dads. And check out Tom and Stu’s podcasts, ‘My Mate Bought A Toaster’ and ‘The Comedian’s Comedian’, wherever you get your podcasts. --- Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart tries his hand at flying a plane - or, at least, a flight simulator, courtesy of Simulator Adventures in Media City, Salford. Will he be able to keep a ‘fly by wire’ Airbus A320 airborne and steady, without getting distracted by the on-board horn and windscreen wipers? How much does a box-fresh aeroplane seat cost? And is his dream flight from Southampton to Bournemouth all it’s cracked up to be? If YOU have a suggestion of a trend y

When Rosie Mitchell went canoeing on a dam in Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park, she thought she’d soak up the views, and soon be back on shore to toast the New Year. Instead, she endured a terrifying close encounter with a 3m-long crocodile, who chomped down on her arm and ripped open her chest. In this vivid and intense conversation, she explains to Olly how her determination to prevail - borne of her experiences ultra-running - helped her survive a seemingly impossible ordeal.  This episode of The Modern Mann is sponsored by Beer52, the world’s largest craft beer club. Get a completely FREE CASE at beer52.com/Modern. ----- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart pores over a menu of post-pandemic dining trends, from nutritionist-inspired gnocchi to pizza a la Gordon Ramsay. Are ‘dark kitchens’ and outdoor seating here to stay? And can you get a boozy buzz from non-alcoholic spirits? The Zeitgeist is sponsored by below-the-waist grooming experts Manscaped. For 20% off and free shipping use the code MANN at M

As chief executive of the British Fur Trade Association, Mike Moser was the face of the UK’s fur industry. He met with politicians in China and Russia, and advocated his ‘luxury product’ in the House of Lords and at an EFRA Select Committee. Then, after a decade promoting the right to wear and sell fur, Mike changed his mind. In this confessional chat with Olly, he considers how he used peer-reviewed science as a crutch, reflects on the implications of publicly switching sides in our polarised society, and reveals how a dog called Barney changed his life. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart tucks his top-knot under a full-body apiarist suit and heads to the hive for a deep dive on beekeeping. Why are 40,000 hobbyists in Britain getting involved? Is it really possible to run a ‘natural’ hive? And what difference has the pandemic made to the taste of our honey? Thanks to Filbert’s of Dorset for keeping Ollie sting-free. The Zeitgeist is sponsored by below-the-waist grooming experts Manscaped. For 20% o

It began as a threesome, arranged through dating app Feeld - but soon Maggie and Cody realised their connection to Janie was more than sexual.  No longer just an adventurous couple in an open relationship, they had become a ‘thruple’ - whose relationship with Janie (their ‘third’) was as vital and equitable as their marriage to each other.  In this interview with Olly, they explain the importance of communication in a three-way relationship, the dangers of jealousy and bigotry - and the complexities of sleeping arrangements and decision-making when you love two people at once. If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly, send us an email via our feedback form. Content warning: brief mention to eating disorder in the Letters Section that opens the podcast. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart dons his VR headset (again) to discover what real-world skills he can glean from his living room.With the help of YouTubers Cas and Chary, and apps Survivorman, The Climb 2, Microsoft Flight Simulator and M

Olivia hardly knew her father. Her parents divorced when she was two, and she was brought up by her Mum. Sent to boarding school at the age of eight, she was estranged from her Dad for a decade. Struggling financially, and weakened by bulimia, she got a call from out of the blue: it was her father, wanting to rekindle their relationship. But - as her health deteriorated, and the UK went into lockdown - her Mum dropped a bombshell that changed everything Olivia thought she knew about her family… Names have been changed.   Content warning: eating disorders; emotional abuse If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly, send us an email via our feedback form. If you’ve been affected by an eating disorder, BEAT or Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous may be able to help. If you’re dealing with emotional abuse, CRISIS Text Line offer free 24/7 support. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart has a 21st century spring clean - testing out Karcher’s new ‘electric cloth’, Samsung’s VS90 Jet and CleanStation, Lupe

Sun, sea and €1 drinks lure thousands of backpackers to Andrew’s hostel in a typical year. But 2020 was not a typical year.Confronting a doomed Summer season and 45 empty bedrooms, Andrew’s family turned their accommodation over to a diverse group of refugees, drug addicts, career criminals and victims of domestic abuse - converting their hostel, in the Cote d’Azur, in to a homeless shelter during Lockdown.As Andrew recounts to Olly, the experience opened his eyes to the realities of life on the streets - the mental health problems, alcoholism, and traumatic violence so often lurking in the background - but also gave him hope that it’s possible to re-make your life, even in the most dire of circumstances.  (Names have been changed.) ----------------------------- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart heads out into the bracing January fog for… a barbecue, of course! Can he ‘upskill’ his outdoor cooking abilities to create a Winter feast? Armed with little more than a plank of plywood and a side of salmon, h

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… --------- 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

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 in this episode, the role of the ‘family liaison’ 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 month’s middle feature includes references to murder, terrorism and child sexual abuse, and descriptions of dead bodies.  ------- 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 Brit

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. Listen now at 00:26.13. 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 own appeal for justice. ---------------- Elsewhere, in this month’s Zeitgeist (at 00:04.11), Ollie Peart - fresh from deleting all social media apps from his smartphone - has been tasked w

What’s the reality of male-to-female transitioning on the NHS? Listener 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 transitioning in 2020. 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. --- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is testing out the ‘No Poo’ trend. Can he survive one whole