When Tad Tomlinson set out to learn leatherworking, he stumbled into one of Britain's most secretive subcultures.
From handcrafted gimp masks and bespoke straitjackets to dungeon installations and novelty jockstraps, Tad spent years making luxury bondage equipment for wealthy, discerning collectors.
In this eye-opening conversation with Olly, he recalls some of his most elaborate commissions - including a coffin that transformed into a sacrificial altar; reflects on the military and medical fantasies that occasionally tested his comfort zone; and lifts the lid on a much misunderstood community…
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Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart - burned by his seemingly non-cancelable ‘free pants’ subscription - investigates the world of AI-enhanced gadgetry.
Can note-taking devices like Plaud and Anker’s Soundcore elevate the drudgery of a morning meeting? Will smart catflap OnlyCat help cat owners block unwanted ‘contraband’ from their homes? And what exactly is the Rabbit R1 for? Ollie finds out…
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Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox tackles phimosis and adult circumcision, and advises a couple in their twenties whose bedroom activity is losing its lustre after reuniting from a long-distance relationship. All while sucking on a bone-conducting lollipop…
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Finally, our record of the month is ‘Track and Field’ by JJerome87 - alter-ego of Joe Newman, the former frontman of alt-J. We can’t wait for his new album, The Canyon.
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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 join our Discord here.
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Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on July 10th for the latest instalment of ‘How To Be A Dad’.
Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Tad Tomlinson, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, JJerome87. Producer: Matt Hill. Thanks: Rebecca Grisedale-Sherry. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026.

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