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The Modern Mann

The Modern Mann

By: Olly Mann
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 Olly Mann brings you a monthly selection of incredible life stories, tests out the latest trends, and answers your relationship questions - with Alix Fox, Ollie Peart and guests. 'Best Interview Podcast', British Podcast Awards. New episodes on the 10th. Reach out or buy us a beer at https://modernmann.co.uk.Olly Mann / Rethink Audio Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • My Deepfake Nightmare

    My Deepfake Nightmare
    Apr 10 2026
    Cheryl Bennett doesn’t follow politics. But when her colleague said he was standing in local elections, she agreed to help deliver leaflets. Within days, doorbell video footage was circulating online, in which Cheryl could be seen calling prospective voters “f***ing P***s”. Cheryl had never said such words, but wasn’t sure anyone believed her. After being posted by an independent candidate for West Midlands mayor - ‘TikTok lawyer’ Akhmed Yakoob - the deepfake went viral, receiving over two million views across TikTok, Facebook and X. Cheryl was sent death threats. Police were sent to her house to arrest her. She was forced into hiding. Her career as a PE teacher was put on hold. And, even after the video was proven to be an AI distortion, she is still feeling the consequences years later. In her first podcast interview, Cheryl tells Olly how her world turned upside down - all because she did a favour for a friend… Content warning: racist language, suicidal ideation. _____________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the trend for prediction betting - in which users buy and sell "Yes/No" shares on a variety of weird and wonderful real-world outcomes. How much money can a Mannfan make with a $100 trade? How do services like Kalshi and Polymarket differ from conventional trading markets? And why aren’t they legal in the UK? _____________ Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox assists a Mannfan whose libido has RISEN following the death of his wife. It may seem counter-intuitive that an intense and devastating bereavement would leave you feeling horny - but it’s a well-established phenomenon, known to counsellors as ‘Widow’s Fire’! With the help of Nicky Wake, founder of Chapter 2 (a dating and community app designed specifically for widows and widowers), Alix discovers the world of post-grief sex… _____________ Finally, our record of the month is James Blake’s new one: aptly enough, called Trying Times… _____________ If you’ve got a letter for Olly, a relationships question for Alix, or a challenge for Ollie, please head to our website (where you can also donate to the show 🙏): https://modernmann.co.uk And/or you can join our Discord here. _____________ Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on May 10th. Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Cheryl Bennett, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, James Blake. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • The REAL California Schemin'

    The REAL California Schemin'
    Mar 30 2026
    The amazing true story behind James McAvoy's directorial debut feature: Olly Mann sits down with Gavin Bain, one half of Silibil 'n' Brains⁠, the Californian rap group that never was. "Sometimes you have to be other people to become who you are." Best mates with Eminem, signed by Sony, and on the verge of international superstardom, 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. This interview first aired in 2017, under the title, The Confidence Trick. Now remastered, we're republishing this episode to coincide with the new feature film, California Schemin', released on April 10th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • I Want My Kids Back

    I Want My Kids Back
    Mar 10 2026
    When Karina Graham’s children were removed from her care, social services did not step in with support. Instead, she was left to recover from her alcohol addiction alone. To form functional relationships with her sons’ foster parents. And to heal from this intensely traumatic moment. But that still wasn’t enough to get her boys back… In this frank, raw conversation with Olly, Karina recounts how her life’s been affected by domestic abuse; why she found herself turning to drink and drugs; and what happens when a reformed mum fights the system to reunite with her family. Karina is an advocate for Pause, a national charity that works to improve the lives of women who have had – or are at risk of having – more than one child removed from their care, and the services and systems that affect them. To find out more, visit https://pause.org.uk —----- Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart freeloads his way to consumer nirvana. With the help of services like Olio, Freecycle, the Library of Things and Magic Freebies, how many free products can he add to his bag of swag? And is the trend for using and abusing multiple free trials now OVER? —----- Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from discovering some staggering stats about prolactin production - provides a brief history of ‘pegging’. A term coined by advice columnist Dan Savage, the activity of strap-on play itself likely goes way back to ancient times, with references appearing in Greek theatre and even the Kama Sutra. But what was a ‘peg boy’? How did a well-circulated 1980s VHS add to the practice? And is it still called pegging when it’s between two men or two women? Alix, as ever, has the answers… —----- Finally, our hand-picked record of the month, ‘Generation Left On Read’, comes from Murkage Dave (ft Konopinsky). Enjoy! —----- If you’ve got a letter for Olly, a relationships question for Alix, or a challenge for Ollie, please head to our website (where you can also donate to the show 🙏): https://modernmann.co.uk And/or you can join our Discord here. Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on April 10th. Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Karina Graham, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Murkage Dave. Producer: Matt Hill. Thanks: Sounddelivery Media. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 34 mins
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