After witnessing bleak conditions inside a mental health unit, artists Tim A. Shaw and Niamh White decided to take action. 

Drawing on their background in contemporary art, they set out to transform sterile clinical spaces with bold, thought-provoking artworks, via their charity, Hospital Rooms.

Today, they commission over 40 leading artists a year to create immersive, site-specific pieces in psychiatric hospitals across the UK — from sweeping murals to hands-on workshops that put patients at the heart of the creative process. 

But despite critical acclaim, the battle for funding continues — and every brushstroke must be justified to NHS accountants.

In this episode, Tim tells Olly why he won’t let hospitals sell off the valuable artwork he installs; explains why patients should look beyond the ‘recovery tree’; and reveals how his recent experience on pediatric wards has hardened his belief in the healing power of art…  

Find out more about Hospital Rooms at https://hospital-rooms.com/

_______

Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart tries his hand at ‘smart gardening’: growing vegetables without soil. 

Is hydroponics a workable alternative to getting an allotment? How much faster is it to grow a tomato indoors? And is the whole trend really just a fig-leaf for at-home cannabis growers? 

Ollie has the answers… from a ‘smart bench’.

_______

Elsewhere, down The Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from attending a provocative menopause seminar - investigates how a Mann-fan can hire sex workers who are into… belching. 

With the help of VTuber giantess Ana Valens, Alix uncovers a full-blown subculture in which burps are considered not just bodily functions but sensual, often spontaneous, expressions of intimacy. The appeal, it turns out, is both nostalgic and transgressive… Burp!

_______

Finally, our Record of the Month is ‘Inland Ocean’ by Matt Berninger, of The National... from his second solo album, Get Sunk - released on May 30.

_______

BUY US A BEER

Your support keeps this show going! So, if you can afford to, please buy us a beer

🍺💰👉https://www.modernmann.co.uk/beer

_______

Meet Other Mann-Fans on the Modern Mann Discord: 

🤹➡️  https://discord.gg/SKHnY6ZB72

_______

CONTACT US…

If you have a challenge for Ollie, a question for Alix, or some feedback for Olly; if you’d like to nominate yourself as a Mannbassador, or have a suggestion of a future interview for the show, just fill out our Feedback form:

✍️ https://www.modernmann.co.uk/feedback

… and we’ll see you on June 10th!

This episode is supported by Shopify. Dream big, build fast, and grow far with 3 months for just £3 at https://shopify.co.uk/modernmann 

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Tim A. Shaw, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Matt Berninger. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2025

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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. 

This interview first aired in 2021 - now remastered and with an update from the thruple in question, we're pairing this with our last Foxhole discussion on legal rights for thruples - check it out now!

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When Armin Samii signed up to deliver food for Uber Eats, his intentions were to explore his city, and help pay off his new bike.

He soon realised the app was poorly configured for cyclists, and uncovered glitches including a non-existent branch of McDonald’s. But getting support from Uber was frustrating.

When he believed they were also underestimating his mileage - and therefore underpaying him - he used his background as a computer coder to create ‘Uber Cheats’, a Chrome extension that got the attention of gig workers around the world.

In conversation with Olly, he sheds light on life as a gig worker and considers the future of worker’s rights.

The company has not acknowledged any systemic error in how distances are calculated. An Uber spokesperson told us: "More drivers and couriers are choosing to earn on Uber than ever before and we know that the vast majority are satisfied with their experience.

"The Uber app reviews real-time information to provide the best price to appeal to the drivers or couriers in the area, helping to minimise waiting times for customers and maximise earnings. Our matching tools follow a process that balances a number of different factors such as time and distance to provide the best possible experience for everyone using the app."

—-----

Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the trend for gourmet sandwiches. Do they really taste better, or are they just for showing off on Instagram?

Olly and Ollie head to award-winning London sandwich shop Sandwich Sandwich to taste for themselves… 

After studying sandwich influencers Max Halley and Sensational Sandwiches, can Ollie go viral with his own take on a Steak Frites Entrecote sandwich?

—-----

Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox investigates the legal status of consensual non-monogamy.

For example, can a thruple inherit each other’s possessions when they die, as married couples can? What paperwork exists to evidence each part of a polycule? 

With the help of lawyers Rachel Frost-Smith and Lucy Bluck, and phychotherapist DK Green, Alix has the answers…

… and, in light of research from BackMarket about the increasing issue of sex toy e-waste, Alix discovers that ‘Vibrators’ are now an official category for ‘Small Electricals’ recycling in the UK! 

—-----

Music this month comes from Mann-favourite Self Esteem. After a few years moonlighting in the West End, she’s back with new track, If Not Now, It’s Soon' 

BUY US A BEER

Your support keep this show going! So, if you can afford to, please buy us a beer

🍺💰👉https://www.modernmann.co.uk/beer

_______

Meet Other Mann-Fans on the Modern Mann Discord: 

🤹➡️  https://discord.gg/SKHnY6ZB72

_______

CONTACT US…

If you have a challenge for Ollie, a question for Alix, or some feedback for Olly; if you’d like to nominate yourself as a Mannbassador, or have a suggestion of a future interview for the show, just fill out our Feedback form:

✍️ https://www.modernmann.co.uk/feedback

_______

… and we’ll see you on May 10th!

This episode is supported by Readly. Get your exclusive, three month trial of unlimited newspapers and magazines at readly.com/mann

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Armin Samii, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Self Esteem. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2025

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Sperm donors are anonymised in British clinics.

Recipients don’t even get to see a photo of the man who will father their child. Donor-conceived kids can only discover the identity of their biological father upon reaching adulthood themselves.

But Mitch Kennedy is a private donor. His sperm has been used by 23 couples - and he’s met them all. In most cases, he’s slept in their spare room during the conception. He has around 40 children.

In this fascinating interview with Olly, Mitch explains the logistics of his bespoke donation process, the legalities of his paternal responsibilities, and the ‘dark cloud’ that deters him from donating to hetrosexual couples...

This episode first aired in October 2017 - now remastered and with an update from Mitch, we're replaying this with the news that sperm in the US is now one of their most priciest resources.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California wildfires ripped through L.A. this year, killing 29 people, destroying more than 18,000 buildings, and putting wildland fires back into the headlines. But what’s it like being one of the poorly-paid workers sent in to risk your life to fight the flames? 

Wildland firefighter Nathan Bell has ‘held the line’ across the United States: in Elk City, Idaho; on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Utah; and in the desert conditions of Sedona, Arizona.

For 16 hour workdays, for weeks away from home, he will hike up a mountainside towards a raging fire with a 40 pound backpack on his shoulders, and a chainsaw over his shoulder. And his starting salary is less than a worker at Burger King...

In conversation with Olly, he exposes the back-breaking, exhilarating life of a wildland firefighter - and the unspoken trauma so many of his peers experience ‘between seasons’...

_______

Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the trend for A.I. makeovers. 

From LolaAI, the ‘stylist and shopping copilot’ baked in to Open Wardrobe, to the at-home body scans offered by Bodymapp, can Ollie get himself a fresh Spring look - using only A.I?

As ever, frankly, the results are mixed…

_______

Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox pops into Kiiroo to see how their teledildonics have adapted to the world of OnlyFans - and answers a listener question from a new Mum struggling with sex after breastfeeding. 

Once a source of pleasure, her boobs now feel sore, sensitive, and more like functional tools than instruments of intimacy. Will they ever feel sexy again?

With the help of breastfeeding peer support worker Emilie Wardle, Frome Birth Talk’s Lucy Plummer and sex and relationship therapist Rhian Kivits, Alix explores considers the under-discussed issues of milk mishaps in the bedroom and babies getting a little too handsy; and proposes new erogenous zones for when ‘boobs are off the table’...

_______

Music this month comes from Manchester indie band The Lottery Winners, and their infectious single, ‘Turn Around’. It’s our Record of the Month, and it’s out now.

_______

SUPPORT US - every penny counts:

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your generous donations - independent shows like ours only exist with your support: 

🍺💰👉https://www.modernmann.co.uk/beer

_______

WANNA CHAT TO MANN-FANS? JOIN OUR DISCORD! 

➡️https://discord.gg/SKHnY6ZB72

_______

CONTACT US

If you have a challenge for Ollie, a question for Alix, or some feedback for Olly; if you’d like to nominate yourself as a Mannbassador, or have a suggestion of a future interview for the show, just fill out our Feedback form:

✍️https://www.modernmann.co.uk/feedback

_______

… and we’ll see you on April 10th!

CONTENT WARNING: references to suicide.

SUPPORT: 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.

CREDITS: Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Ollie Peart, Alix Fox, Nathan Bell, The Lottery Winners. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: 'Skies Over Cairo' by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2025.

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Falling overboard following a fit of food poisoning, Brett Archibald survived 28 hours alone in the Indian Ocean.

In this extraordinary interview with Olly, he re-lives his onslaught of hallucinations, his encounter with a shark and how he contemplated certain death...

Read more about Brett's amazing story on his website, and in his book, Alone. 

This episode first aired in October 2017. Now remastered, we have paired this episode with our latest episode, Naked And Exhausted, for reasons known only to our producer.

Watch the moment he's rescued: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOq5g0O9v9s

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Imagine building a brand from scratch, and running your business for fifteen years - only to be told by a global corporation that your name isn’t yours to keep. 

That’s what happened to Rebecca Dowdeswell, founder of waxing business NKD, when she received a legal letter from cosmetics giant L’Oréal, opposing her application to renew her trademark.

In this compelling conversation with Olly, Rebecca takes us inside her David vs. Goliath battle against one of the world’s biggest corporations; a tale of perseverance, justice, and the high price of standing your ground.

Support Rebecca’s small business, and find out more about her story, here:

https://nkdproducts.shop/pages/because-were-worth-it-too-loreal-vs-nkd

Thanks to Private Eye for their help sourcing this story.

_______

Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart dives deep into his DNA, to discover whether companies like Color can detect predispositions to serious diseases. 

After talking to journalist Molly Guinness, who was diagnosed with colon cancer at 38, Ollie investigates the growing trend for people proactively checking their health beyond the tests offered by the NHS, and - thanks to UK-based company Selph - discovers he has a hitherto undetected genetic condition, Lp(a).

_______

Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox uncovers the truth about a kinky MRI incident that’s taken the internet by storm, and advises a listener whose partner is not in-sync with his peccadillos.

How can he balance a fulfilling monogamous relationship, while staying true to his most extreme desires? Might understanding the emotions behind his kinks lead to creative compromises? Or could attending a workshop, or even opening up his relationship, provide the right solution?

With the help of Psychosexual and Relationship therapist Shae Harmon and Lola Phoenix’s new book The Non-Monogamy Journal, Alix reveals all…

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Down in music corner, our record of the month is the brilliantly arresting ‘Angie’s Wedding’ from Manchester-based poet, writer and producer Antony Szmierek. His album, ‘Service Station At The End Of The Universe’, comes out February 28th.

_______

SUPPORT US:

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your generous donations - independent shows like ours only exist with your support: 

🍺💰👉https://www.modernmann.co.uk/beer

_______

JOIN OUR DISCORD! 

➡️https://discord.gg/SKHnY6ZB72

_______

CONTACT US

If you have a challenge for Ollie, a question for Alix, or some feedback for Olly; if you’d like to nominate yourself as a Mannbassador, or have a suggestion of a future interview for the show, just fill out our Feedback form:

✍️https://www.modernmann.co.uk/feedback

_______

… and we’ll see you on March 10th!

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Rebecca Dowdeswell, Antony Szmierek. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2025.

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With zero experience running a professional kitchen, home cook Robert Maxwell poured his life savings into his passion project: a gastropub-inspired Toronto restaurant. It became a crash-course in coping with stress, managing his cashflow, and curbing his ego.

"I was Don Quixote. I was chasing a windmill. I didn’t see the obstacles in my way."

In this funny, forthright interview with Olly, Robert reveals how chasing a dream led to him selling his house, hitting the bottle and falling out of love with the thing he loved the most... cooking.

This interview first aired in June 2018 - now remastered and with an update from Robert in 2025.

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Why are so many restaurants closing down? Across Britain, the hospitality industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Twelve months ago, it was the turn of chef Tony Rodd.

His passion for food saw him progress from hosting dinner parties for friends, to being a Masterchef runner-up, to eventually opening his dream London restaurant - Copper & Ink, in affluent Blackheath.

But the dream unravelled. Crippled by Covid, increasing energy costs, VAT bills and ‘no-shows’, he shut up shop in 2024.

One year later, he’s back, with an intimate new restaurant in Broadstairs. In this engaging interview with Olly, he explains how he’s making it work… this time, on his own terms.

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Meanwhile, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart steps out into the cold night air to investigate the trend for smart telescopes, which combine automated star alignment and wireless connectivity to capture incredible images of the night sky.

How easy is it to find stars and take photos of them? What is driving the interest in astrophotography? And are they a worthy upgrade to an old-fashioned eye-piece? With a Vaonis Hestia by his side, Ollie reveals all...

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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox discovers how sound effects are created for erotic audiobooks, and tackles a question from a listener who wants to know about anal botox.

Can bum injections reduce pain during anal play, heal fissures, and relax muscles for easier intercourse? Dr. Evan Goldstein, aka “The Bottom Whisperer,” certainly thinks so…

… Alix considers the potential downsides, and investigates other aesthetic trends for 2025, from anal bleaching to skin tag removal, ‘scrotox’ and ‘showtox’.

_______

Music-wise, our record of the month comes from The Lumineers, whose new single Same Old Song spearheads their fantastic new album, Automatic._______

SUPPORT US:

We’re a completely independent podcast. We’re professionals. We only exist thanks to your financial contributions. THANK YOU.

https://www.modernmann.co.uk/beer

_______

JOIN OUR DISCORD!

https://discord.gg/SKHnY6ZB72

_______

CONTACT US

If you have a challenge for Ollie, a question for Alix, or some feedback for Olly; if you’d like to nominate yourself as a Mannbassador, or have a suggestion of a future interview for the show, just fill out our Feedback form:

https://www.modernmann.co.uk/feedback

_______

… and we’ll see you on February 10th!

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Tony Rodd, The Lumineers. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2025.

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Join Olly Mann and the gang for our bumper festive extravaganza… Featuring:

🎶 Live music from Sons of Town Hall – the Victorian-inspired duo from the Madmen Cross The Water podcast join us to serenade the season with their folksy harmonies - and test their Anglophiliac credentials with a Mannfan-made ‘citizenship test’… 

💸 To Tip or Not to Tip? – Wondering how much to tip your postie, milkman, or the plumber who saved your pipes? Ollie Peart dives into the age-old debate on festive gratuities - and launches his new JUST THE TIP service!

🤪 The XXX-Mas Foxhole Quiz – Things take a turn for the risqué with Alix Fox’s annual laugh-out-loud Q&A… this time involving scented underwear, rubber chickens, and some out-of-context audio erotica… 

So, pour yourself a wine (courtesy of our sponsors, Wine52, of course), sit back, and enjoy our modern, mad, magical Christmas celebration! 🎄

We’ll be back with a brand new series on 10th January, 2025. 

In the meantime… why not buy us a beer, and help us keep our independent show running into its TENTH anniversary year? https://modernmann.co.uk/beer

Join us on the Modern Mann Discord ➡️https://discord.gg/SKHnY6ZB72

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Sons of Town Hall, Charlie Hedges, Lucy Fennell, Sue Beere, Sarah McCammon, Sam Shepherd. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2024

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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...

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.

This interview first aired in July 2017, in the episode, 'The Accidental Pimp'

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