11/9 - What To Expect When You're Transitioning

“This is actually going to work. I’m going to get to be me.”

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What’s the reality of male-to-female transitioning on the NHS?

Lexi Perry-Weston

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 transition in 2020.

If you would like to share YOUR story on a future edition of the show, contact us now via our Feedback form.

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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart is testing out the ‘No Poo’ trend.

Can he survive one whole month without washing his hair or body using soap or shampoo? 

Along the way, he learns about sebum oil, microbiomes, and a surprising use for cornstarch. And washes his hands, because as we all know good hand hygiene is imperative at the moment. Stay Alert, kids.

If YOU would like to challenge Ollie to investigate a contemporary trend, send your suggestion through now via our Feedback form.

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Elsewhere, in The Foxhole, Alix Fox assists a listener who wants to get eco-friendly in the bedroom. Is there such a thing as a truly biodegradable condom? And how many air miles has her favourite vibrator travelled, before it heads down below?

Alix consulted Gabrielle Lods, founder of Green Condom Club, for advice.

If YOU have a question of sex - you can remain entirely anonymous if you like - reach out now via our Feedback form.

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Music this month comes from Creeper, and their song, ‘Poisoned Heart’:

You’ll find it on their compelling theatrical rock album, Sex, Death & The Infinite Void, out now.

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Remember, The Modern Mann is a completely independent podcast, supported by listeners like you. If you can afford to contribute, we’d be astonishingly grateful. BUY US A BEER.

And/or, do tell your friends about us on Twitter, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts…

… and we’ll be back with a new episode on October 10th.

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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.

11/8 - The Kinetic Effect

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The British Army is recruiting gamers, 'phone zombies', and 'selfie addicts' as it broadens its skills for modern military ops. But who are the young men getting these jobs, and what impact does it have on their lives? 

Former Grenadier Guardsman Julian Perreira served as a J-TAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) in Afghanistan. As he monitored a 60-inch TV screen relaying live feeds from surveillance balloons and drones, it was his job to decide when and where to deploy ‘kinetic effects’ that could, and did, kill people. 

It was, he tells Olly, ‘a bit like playing a computer game’. The experience inflicted lasting damage on his mental health; now being treated with CBT only thanks to the philanthropy of a fellow veteran. 

Julian is now a journalist who blogs at jakbrew.co.uk - where he has also established an outdoor drinkware company.

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Elsewhere, for this month’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart chats to couples who are ‘child-free by choice’.

Along the way he discovers ‘antinatalism’, swots up on some intriguing statistics about parental unhappiness, and disrupts a childfree web forum that definitely ISN’T ‘a movement’…

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Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from judging a talent competition that is unlikely to be televised - considers the dilemma of a listener who ‘bears down’ during orgasm, frequently finding herself the victim of inconvenient farts.

Our thanks to pelvic floor physiotherapist Elaine Miller, AKA ‘Gussie Grippers’.

If you think you may be suffering from a hypertonic pelvic floor, resources and support are available via the International Pelvic Pain Society and the Pelvic Pain Support Network.

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Music this month comes from Modern Mann favourites Another Sky and their new song, ‘Fell In Love With The City’:

You’ll find it on their new album ‘I Slept on the Floor’, out Aug 7th.

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If you love our show, and value what we do, here are THREE GREAT WAYS to support us:

1. TELL YOUR FRIENDS! We’re @themodernmann on Twitter.

2. POST A REVIEW for the show on Apple Podcasts. It helps others find us.

3. SEND US MONEY. We know times are tight at the moment - but we are an independent podcast, and every contribution, no matter how small, helps us create the best show we can. Buy us a beer now.

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If YOU have a story you’d like to share with Olly, a sex question you’d like to ask Alix, or a trend you’d like Ollie to investigate, get in touch with us via our Feedback form.

That’s it for the Summer - we’ll be back, as per our new release schedule, on September 10th. See you then!

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10/6 - Surgery on the Front Line

Adrenalin, stress and composure - it’s all in a day’s work for a trauma surgeon.

But how do these doctors cope with routinely operating on patients with devastating injuries? Does it ever get easy to deliver difficult news?

LISTEN NOW:

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Olly Mann and Dr Allan Philp; NYC May 2019

In this intimate conversation, Olly meets Dr. Allan Philp, chief trauma surgeon of Allegheny Health Network, Pennsylvania, and Mr Shehan Hettiaratchy, trauma lead surgeon for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, to discuss alleviating anxiety, performing amputations - and how both men’s military background in Afghanistan has informed their work with civilian casualties.

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Olly and Shehan Hettiaratchy; St Mary’s Hospital London, Sep 2019

Elsewhere, in this month’s Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the trend for escape rooms - by designing and building his own, complete with terrifying deployment of ancient technology. Luckily, he’s roped in the services of escape room champion Sarah Dodd.  Just watch out for those Party Poppers...

Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox advises a couple with wildly different libidos on how to get their sex schedule back on track. Along the way, she considers couple’s counselling, dirty diaries, and ‘bossy massage’.

Finally, our record of the month is ‘In Time’ by Self Esteem, solo project of former Slow Club singer Rebecca Taylor. It’s ace:

Remember, this show is supported by donations from listeners like you. If you can afford to, please buy us a beer. Thanks!

If you have a question of sex for Alix, a challenge to suggest to Ollie, a guest you’d like Olly to interview, or you’d like to become a Mannbassador, just reach out via our Feedback form.

This episode is brought to you in association with Thriva, the at-home fingerprint blood test. For £30 off your first Thriva kit visit thriva.co and use the code Mann30.

See you when our next episode drops, on Nov 1st!