The Modern Mann

The Whistleblower

The Modern Mann

Show Notes

When nurse Bernadette Rochford asked awkward questions about an NHS database at work, she says she found herself belittled, bullied and ignored.

Identifed as a whistleblower, she went on to face years of meetings, investigations, and two employment tribunal claims.

In this compelling conversation with Olly, Bernadette recounts how she lost her job, and her savings - but eventually found validation in a new role protecting other whistleblowers.

She reflects on what happens when organisations close ranks instead of listening, and why she believes the answer isn't punishing individuals, but fixing the systems that let problems grow.

_____________

Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist: Chinese cars are suddenly everywhere, but are they any good? Ollie Peart investigates how brands such as BYD, Chery and Geely offer tech-packed motors for dramatically less than their European rivals.

Then, after heading to the Formula E championships at London’s Excel to witness electric supercars in action, he takes Olly for a spin in the tiny Microlino EV, a Swiss quadricycle that you enter through the front and which feels considerably more exciting than its top speed may suggest.

Is this the future of urban transport - or just a glorified second car that happens to be brilliant fun?

_____________

Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox advises a listener who wants a clitoral orgasm via oral sex, but doesn’t know how to get her new partner to give it to her…

What practical ways can cunnilingus become more comfortable and enjoyable? How long should women expect their partners to go down on them? Is it too clinical to set timers? And can saliva enhancers and toys like the Svakom Klitty and LELO Ora 3 assist? Alix has the answers.

_____________

Finally, our record of the month is ‘In Motion’, the latest banger from The Snuts, from their forthcoming album 'Joy In Short Moments', out in October. 🎸

_____________

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.

_____________

Thanks for listening - and we’ll see you on October 10th.

Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Bernadette Rochford, Alix Fox, Ollie Peart. Producer: Matt Hill. Thanks: Sound Delivery, Krazy Horse Motorcycles. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Artwork: Podcast Discovery. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2026.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from The Modern Mann

Oct 10, 2026

Chris Moss has travelled the world. From Vancouver to El Salvador, Indonesia to Spitsbergen. But now… he wants you to visit Wolverhampton.Or Harwich. Or Gillingham. Britain’s bypassed towns that perhaps you’ve passed on the train, but never once got off at.

Sep 30, 2026

Martha Adam was raped. For a week afterwards, she couldn’t even say the word. Couldn’t tell her parents what had happened to her.

Aug 28, 2026

Manny Waks was 11 years old when he was first sexually abused.

Aug 10, 2026

What would you do if your phone rang and someone told you they'd kidnapped a member of your family?

Jul 31, 2026

Olivia hardly knew her father. Her parents divorced when she was two, and she was brought up by her Mum.

See all episodes →