Podcast
Pete Wicks' Man Made
Hosted by Bauer Media · EN
What does it really mean to be a man today?
In Man Made, Pete Wicks sits down with friends, peers and public figures to unpack modern masculinity: the good, the bad and the confusing.
They talk openly about the traits that define them, the moments they have got it wrong, and how expectations of men are changing. From vulnerability and relationships to friendship, fame and fatherhood, no topic is off limits.
These conversations are not just for men, but for anyone who wants to better understand them. A place for real conversations about who we are, who we want to be, and how we get there.
If you ever need mental-health support or want to talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope to find services in your area.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jeff Brazier: I Wasn't Healing. I Was Just Surviving.
Jun 3000:33:56Tap to summarizeJeff 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 timeProducer - Connor GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonAudiovisual Technical Manager - Tom ShawDirector of Photography - Ben WarburtonCamera Operator - Stuart DyeSound Recordist - Chris DenmanAudio Mix - John ScottTalent Booker - Jo SheinmanSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Assistant - Jessie MiahProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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Katie Piper: You Are Not What Happened to You
Jun 2300:32:43Tap to summarizeKatie 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 GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonAudiovisual Technical Manager - Tom ShawDirector of Photography - Ben WarburtonCamera Operator - Stuart DyeSound Recordist - Chris DenmanAudio Mix - John ScottTalent Booker - Jo SheinmanSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Assistant - Jessie MiahProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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Russell T Davies: Grief, Division and the Rise of Online Anger
Jun 1800:37:22Tap to summarizeThis 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 identitySocial media and online angerGrief, loss and resilienceThe importance of listeningRole models and growing up gayWhy young people are strugglingFinding hope in a divided worldAll episodes of Tip Toe are available to stream now on Channel Four.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 GaniCommercial Content Lead - Will GoldstonAudio Visual Technical Managers - Tom Shaw & Ayo IgeProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager -Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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Lorraine Kelly: Naughty Knickers, Emotional Learning and Lessons from my Father
Apr 2200:54:02Tap to summarizePete 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 GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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Steven Frayne: Behind The Illusion
Apr 1500:48:35Tap to summarizePete 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 HealthProducer - Connor GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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Tyler West: The Night That Changed Everything
Apr 800:50:47Tap to summarizeKiss Breakfast host and TV personality Tyler West joins Pete in the Man Made studio.Best known for his work on radio, television and for appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, Tyler opens up about the reality behind the energy and positivity people see on screen. From growing up without his father to being raised alongside his brother by a fiercely resilient mother, he reflects on the moments that shaped his understanding of masculinity.At just fourteen, Tyler witnessed a murder outside his home, an experience that led to years of fear, isolation and severe mental health struggles. He speaks candidly about that trauma and the moment he found himself at his lowest point, questioning everything.But this is also a story of resilience. Tyler shares how he rebuilt himself, the coping mechanisms that helped him survive, and why he believes “not giving up” is the foundation of being a good man.He also discusses the pressure of public scrutiny, body image, and how stepping outside his comfort zone ultimately led him to love meeting his fiancée, Molly Rainford.Content Warning: Descriptions of Violence, Mental HealthIf 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 GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Gavin McRaeSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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Fran Kirby: Football Wasn’t Enough
Apr 100:52:23Tap to summarizePete is joined in the studio by Footballing legend and lioness Fran Kirby for a conversation about grief, mental health, and life inside a male-dominated sport.From being the only girl playing football in the park to winning major trophies for England including the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022, Fran’s journey is remarkable, but it hasn’t come without struggle. She shares how losing her mum changed everything, how depression took hold in her late teens, and why she had to step away from the game she loved.Fran discusses masculinity, emotional resilience, and the pressures of elite sport, as well as the importance of family, support systems, and finding peace in being alone.Fran goes beyond football, it’s about identity, healing, and what it really means to keep going when everything changes.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 GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Gavin McRaeSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager -Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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David Gandy: The Perfect Man?
Mar 2500:41:31Tap to summarizePete welcomes global fashion icon and entrepreneur David Gandy to the Man Made studio.Known as the face that redefined male modelling, David opens up about the reality behind the image, and why the idea of the ‘perfect man’ is far more complicated than it looks. From decades at the top of the fashion industry to building his own brands, he reflects on the pressure of being constantly judged, the loneliness that can come with success, and the mindset that’s kept him going.David shares his thoughts on masculinity and why he believes it shouldn’t be boxed into a single definition. He speaks about the importance of male role models, the growing impact of social media on young men, and why so many are struggling to understand themselves He explains how challenge became his coping mechanism, why he never allows himself to feel “comfortable,” and what he’s learned from pushing through difficult periods.He also discusses fatherhood, being present in a world full of distractions, and the values he hopes to pass on to his daughters, from kindness and perseverance to keeping chivalry alive.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 GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager -Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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Jason Fox (SAS: Who Dares Wins): Am I Man Enough?
Mar 1800:50:25Tap to summarizePete welcomes former Royal Marine Commando and SAS: Who Dares Wins instructor Jason Fox (AKA Foxy) to the Man Made studio.From life in the military to navigating the pressures of identity, masculinity and mental health, Foxy opens up about the realities behind the “toughest man” stereotype. He reflects on growing up without a clear blueprint for manhood, the mistakes he made along the way, and how those decisions ultimately caught up with him.He speaks candidly about struggling with confidence, imposter syndrome during his time in the forces, and the difficulty of opening up in environments where vulnerability isn’t the norm. Foxy shares how hitting rock bottom forced him to confront himself, why honesty became the turning point, and how reconnecting with others helped pull him back from the edge.He also discusses the importance of male friendships, why so many men struggle in silence, and what it really means to take responsibility for your actions.Jason is currently on tour with his new live show ‘Jason Fox: Embrace The Chaos’ with dates running across the UK until April 9th, 2026.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: Mental Health & SuicideProducer - Connor GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager -Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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DJ Fat Tony: Recovery, Chaos & Forgiving My Attacker
Mar 1100:50:15Tap to summarizePete welcomes legendary DJ and cultural icon DJ Fat Tony to the Man Made studio.From growing up in Battersea with a dominant father to becoming one of the most recognisable figures in global nightlife, Tony reflects on a life shaped by chaos, addiction and relentless reinvention.In this episode he opens up about the realities of recovery, the long process of confronting learned behaviours, and why getting sober didn’t automatically fix everything. Tony talks honestly about addiction in all its forms, the mental noise that’s followed him since childhood, and the work it’s taken to finally feel comfortable in his own skin.Tony also shares the impact of being violently attacked while DJing in Margate, how he processed the trauma that followed, and why forgiveness rather than revenge ultimately gave him peace.Tony’s Full Fat Season 9 events are running across London with dates until April 2026.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: Addiction, Violence, HomophobiaProducer - Connor GaniSenior Video Producer - Elena CottonCamera Operator - Garry BrownSocial Media Producer - Demi BrockwayProduction Assistant - Emily SpunginProduction Manager - Sarah NichollsExecutive Producer - Finn RyanHead of Production - Cat MoranChief Creative Officer - Lucie Cave
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