14/7 - The Snake Man of South Wales

“In the middle of the village, I see a forest cobra. Which has clearly taken a wrong turn.”

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Since encountering a grass snake at the age of eight, Dr Rhys Jones has felt a profound connection with reptiles.

He has rescued them, toured the country with them and even studied them at Cardiff University; an achievement that seemed impossible when he graduated from school with just 3 O Levels - and undiagnosed dyslexia.

In this adventure-packed chat with Olly, Rhys reveals how his snake-charming skills have come in handy with Masai tribespeople, BBC camera crews, and even assisting the Police with drug busts.

Rhys’ memoir, Becoming Dr Jones: A Wild Life, is released on Aug 3rd. You can pre-order here.

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - having taken a gander at Meta’s ‘Twitter killer’, Threads - turns his hand to eFoiling.

Boosted by a 2.5 hr battery and speeds of up to 50 km/hr, is electric hydrofoil riding about to revolutionise watersports?

Ollie heads to Poole’s Easy Riders to find out, aboard an ‘aeroplane grade’ Fliteboard

If you have a trend you’d like to challenge Ollie to investigate in a future episode, fill in the Feedback form.

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Elsewhere, in the Foxhole, Alix Fox considers Roam’s selection of skin tone condoms: a welcome addition to diverse bedroom play, or an unnecessary innovation?

Her listener question of the month comes from an anonymous 34 year-old MannFan recently diagnosed with rectal cancer.

What impact will the radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery have on her sex life?

What tips can Alix offer to offset the vaginal scarring, early on-set menopause and fatigue that may result?

And how do you maintain body positivity during sex with a stoma?

With help from Bowel Cancer UK, Trekstock, and Hayley Gullen - author of upcoming graphic novel This Might Surprise You - Alix investigates…

If you have a question of sex you’d like Alix to answer, fill in the Feedback form. You can remain anonymous if you wish.

Alix recommends the following resources regarding sex and cancer:

• ‘Let’s talk about sex’: patient-led survey on sexual function after colorectal and pelvic floor surgery

Gladrags and Bags – a blog by Suzanne Doré, diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at age 36

• ‘Pleasure & Intimacy: A Guide for People Living With Cancer’ – free e-book by Fruit Fly Collective, who help children, adults and families affected by cancer

Girl Vs Cancer – a gutsy collective aimed not only at women, but also they/them-identifying, non-binary and femme folk experiencing or affected by cancer

Sex With Cancer – online sex shop designed by people with cancer

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Our record of the month comes from ‘people’s poet’ Jamie Webster, and his new single, ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ 👇

Love the show? Help us make it! 💰

We rely on listeners like you to fund our independent podcast and bring you these stories. DONATE HERE

… And we’ll see you again on August 10th - with our annual How To Be A Dad special!

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This episode is supported by BetterHelp.

Get started today and enjoy 10% off your first month of convenient and affordable therapy when you visit https://betterhelp.com/mann

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Posted on July 10, 2023 and filed under Season Fourteen.