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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
  • Playback: The Knock At The Door

    Playback: The Knock At The Door
    Apr 26 2026
    Teaching English in Beijing seemed like a great opportunity for Welsh graduate Glen Williams, who had previously spent time studying in China. He could brush up on his Mandarin, work with kids… 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… This episode first aired in August 2021. Now remastered and with an update from Glen, we're replaying this interview after this month's feature with Cheryl Bennett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • 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
  • Playback: The REAL California Schemin'

    Playback: 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
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