About the show
Amazing stories, emerging trends, and sex advice – with Olly Mann, Alix Fox and Ollie Peart. ‘Best Interview Podcast’, British Podcast Awards (2019). New episodes monthly, on the 10th.
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.
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…
_______
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tweets by @Themodernmann