Peter McCormack, Bedford’s ‘budget Ryan Reynolds’, is on a mission to take his local team all the way to the Premier League ⚽️ When he bought Bedford FC in 2021, they were in the tenth tier, and unknown outside the town.  After rebranding them as Real Bedford, securing investment from the Winklevoss twins, and internationalising his business model, the Bitcoin guru has achieved back-to-back promotions for his club - despite having zero experience in professional football. How has he done it? With a mix of chutzpah, arrogance, planning and perseverance… as he explains to Olly in this compelling, funny and insightful interview. _______ Meanwhile, in a French-flavoured edition of The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the trends taking Paris by storm, including Loop earbuds, androgynous fashion, and, erm, a giant croissant 🥐 Can French chef Philippe Conticini’s coffee shops conquer Britain? Will London’s trend for hipster Pétanque spread across the country? And what does the French election tell us about the City hosting the Olympics? Ollie reveals all…    _______ Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox chomps down on an English culinary classic, and asks if, in the age of the hook-up app, casual sex can transcend perceptions of being transactional and meaningless 🏩  Is it possible to find a ‘vanilla’, non-kinky partner, who isn’t seeking a long-term relationship? And might seemingly niche apps like Feeld and Fab Swingers provide the answer? Alix investigates… _______ Meanwhile, music this month comes from lo-fi American popstress Clairo, and her 70s-influenced Summer single, ‘Sexy To Someone’ 📀 _______ SUPPORT THE SHOW: We’re an independent podcast and only exist thanks to your donations. THANK YOU.  🍺💰👉https://www.modernmann.co.uk/beer _______ JOIN OUR DISCORD!  100 Mannfans and counting! Sign up: ➡️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 August 10th 📅 Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Peter McCormack, Clairo. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2024 _______ 🍷This episode is supported by Wine52, bringing beautiful wines from around the world to your door. Get your free case now and support the show at https://wine52.com/mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices