Pete Wicks' Manmade

Jeff Brazier has spent much of his life holding everything together for everyone else. But behind the positivity was a man who realised he'd never really processed his own pain. In this honest conversation, recorded live at the Union Chapel in London, Jeff reflects on childhood trauma, grief, fatherhood, therapy, people pleasing and the lifelong process of healing. Together they explore why so many of us stay in survival mode, how old defence mechanisms follow us into adulthood, and what happens when you finally stop pretending you're okay. A conversation about healing, identity and becoming more yourself, one honest conversation at a time Producer - Connor Gani Senior Video Producer - Elena Cotton Audiovisual Technical Manager - Tom Shaw Director of Photography - Ben Warburton Camera Operator - Stuart Dye Sound Recordist - Chris Denman Audio Mix - John Scott Talent Booker - Jo Sheinman Social Media Producer - Demi Brockway Production Assistant - Emily Spungin Production Assistant - Jessie Miah Production Manager - Sarah Nicholls Executive Producer - Finn Ryan Head of Production - Cat Moran Chief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave

Katie Piper's story is one of the most extraordinary examples of resilience you'll ever hear. After surviving an acid attack that left her with life-changing injuries, Katie could have allowed that moment to define her. Instead, she rebuilt her life, found a new sense of self, and became one of the UK's most inspiring voices on confidence, identity and recovery. In this powerful conversation, recorded live at the Union Chapel in London, Katie joins Pete to talk about overcoming trauma, learning to trust yourself again, and why what happens to you should never define who you become. They discuss modern masculinity, the qualities that make someone feel truly safe, finding love after adversity, and the lessons Katie hopes to pass on to her daughters. This is a conversation about resilience, self-worth, vulnerability and the power of choosing your own story. If you've ever faced a setback, struggled with confidence, or wondered how to move forward after life takes an unexpected turn, this episode is for you. Producer - Connor Gani Senior Video Producer - Elena Cotton Audiovisual Technical Manager - Tom Shaw Director of Photography - Ben Warburton Camera Operator - Stuart Dye Sound Recordist - Chris Denman Audio Mix - John Scott Talent Booker - Jo Sheinman Social Media Producer - Demi Brockway Production Assistant - Emily Spungin Production Assistant - Jessie Miah Production Manager - Sarah Nicholls Executive Producer - Finn Ryan Head of Production - Cat Moran Chief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave

This week on a special episode of Man Made, bought to you in partnership with Channel Four, Pete sits down with one of Britain's most celebrated writers, Russell T Davies. From Tip Toe and It's A Sin to masculinity, grief and the growing influence of social media, Russell shares his thoughts on some of the biggest issues shaping modern life. Together, Pete and Russell explore why so many people feel lost and disconnected, the dangers of online echo chambers, the importance of listening rather than simply talking, and why defining what it means to be a man might be impossible in the first place. Russell also opens up about the loss of his husband, how grief has shaped his life and writing, the role models who influenced him growing up, and why he remains hopeful about the next generation despite the challenges they face. A thoughtful, funny and deeply honest conversation about identity, connection and what it means to be human. Topics include: Modern masculinity and male identity

Pete is joined by broadcaster and national treasure Lorraine Kelly in the Man Made studio. From growing up in working-class Glasgow to becoming one of the most trusted voices on British television, Lorraine’s story is shaped by the men who influenced her, particularly her father. A kind, curious, and quietly progressive figure, he helped define her early understanding of masculinity, even in a time when men were expected to stay silent. But behind that warmth was a more complicated reality. Lorraine opens up about her father’s later struggles with mental health, the generational silence around emotion, and the helplessness of watching someone you love slowly lose their spark. Drawing on decades of interviewing everyone from global pop stars to Hollywood icons, Lorraine shares what she’s witnessed in men over time from bravado and pressure to a growing willingness to be vulnerable. She explores how fame, expectation, and identity shape male behaviour, and why so many still struggle to open up. She also dives into motherhood and how becoming a grandmother has finally allowed her to slow down, be present, and find a new sense of contentment. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk), where you can find links to services across the UK. We’d love you to join the conversation, follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok. Producer - Connor Gani Senior Video Producer - Elena Cotton Camera Operator - Garry Brown Social Media Producer - Demi Brockway Production Assistant - Emily Spungin Production Manager - Sarah Nicholls Executive Producer - Finn Ryan Head of Production - Cat Moran Chief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave

Pete is joined by magician and illusionist Steven Frayne in the Man Made studio. Known to the world as Dynamo, Steven’s journey from growing up in Bradford to becoming one of the most famous magicians on the planet is extraordinary, but behind the magic is a story shaped by racism, illness, and the need to prove he was worthy of being here at all. He opens up about a childhood marked by instability, the profound influence of his grandfather, and how magic became both an escape and a lifeline. From hustling his way backstage at concerts to building his career from nothing, Steven reveals the relentless drive that took him from survival to global success. But this all came at a cost. Steven speaks candidly about living with Crohn’s disease, the physical and mental toll of fame, and the breaking point that forced him to stop. Steven’s story is more than just magic. It's about pain, purpose, and rebuilding a life when everything falls apart. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk), where you can find links to services across the UK. We’d love you to join the conversation – follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok. Content Warning: Self Harm, Mental Health Producer - Connor Gani Senior Video Producer - Elena Cotton Camera Operator - Garry Brown Social Media Producer - Demi Brockway Production Assistant - Emily Spungin Production Manager - Sarah Nicholls Executive Producer - Finn Ryan Head of Production - Cat Moran Chief Creative Officer -  Lucie Cave