Podcast · Society & Culture

Pete Wicks' Man Made

by Bauer Media · English · Society & Culture

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 me

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 42 min
Latest: 30 Jun 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

30 Jun 2026 · 34 min

Jeff Brazier: I Wasn't Healing. I Was Just Surviving.

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…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S2 · E14 · 23 Jun 2026 · 33 min
Katie Piper: You Are Not What Happened to You
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…
S2 · E13 · 18 Jun 2026 · 37 min
Russell T Davies: Grief, Division and the Rise of Online Anger
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…
S2 · E11 · 22 Apr 2026 · 54 min
Lorraine Kelly: Naughty Knickers, Emotional Learning and Lessons from my Father
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…
S2 · E10 · 15 Apr 2026 · 49 min
Steven Frayne: Behind The Illusion
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…
S2 · E9 · 8 Apr 2026 · 51 min
Tyler West: The Night That Changed Everything
Kiss 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…
S2 · E8 · 1 Apr 2026 · 52 min
Fran Kirby: Football Wasn’t Enough
Pete 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…
S2 · E7 · 25 Mar 2026 · 42 min
David Gandy: The Perfect Man?
Pete 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…
S2 · E6 · 18 Mar 2026 · 50 min
Jason Fox (SAS: Who Dares Wins): Am I Man Enough?
Pete 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…
S2 · E5 · 11 Mar 2026 · 50 min
DJ Fat Tony: Recovery, Chaos & Forgiving My Attacker
Pete 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…
S2 · E4 · 4 Mar 2026 · 35 min
Chris McCausland: Men Hide Behind Productivity
What if the thing men are praised for most, is also the place they hide? Pete Wicks welcomes comedian and Strictly champion, Chris McCausland, for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about modern masculinity. In this episode, Chris challenges the idea of strength, opens up about responsibility, and questions whether being “productive” is always the same as being present. From role models and resilience to fatherhood and fear, this is a conversation about the pressures men put on themselves, and the stories they tell to cope. Join the conversation on Instagram and TikTok via…
S2 · E3 · 25 Feb 2026 · 35 min
Jameela Jamil: Are We Failing Young Men?
Pete is joined by writer and activist Jameela Jamil for a conversation about masculinity, empathy and why so many young men feel lost today. From the rise of online role models to the pressures boys face growing up today, this episode explores what happens when men are raised to suppress emotion rather than understand it. Jameela shares her perspective on why anger often replaces vulnerability, how boys are taught what not to be instead of what to become, and why responsibility, friendship and emotional expression matter more than outdated ideas of strength. They also discuss platonic…
S2 · E2 · 18 Feb 2026 · 51 min
Tom Davis: Breaking the Alpha Stereotype
Pete sits down with Tom Davis, BAFTA winning comedian, writer and actor. From dismantling the myth of the ‘alpha male’ to navigating anxiety, burnout and sobriety, this episode explores what happens when the man the world expects you to be doesn’t match how you actually feel inside. Tom opens up about fatherhood and responsibility, the role humour has played in masking vulnerability, and why intention (not image) is what really defines a good man. Tom’s Spudgun 2026 tour has officially begun, with dates up and down the country all year long. If you want to find mental health support where…
S2 · E1 · 11 Feb 2026 · 45 min
Professor Green: Vulnerability and the Journey to Self-Understanding
Pete sits down with musician, rapper and mental health advocate Stephen Manderson (better known as Professor Green). From what it really means to be “a work in progress”, to why anger so often replaces emotion in men, this episode explores accountability, shame, grief, fatherhood and the lifelong search for feeling safe in your body. Stephen speaks candidly about his upbringing, loss, neurodivergence, addiction, and the impact becoming a father has had on how he shows up for himself and others. Heavy at times but hopeful throughout, this one will stay with you long after it ends. Content…
21 Nov 2025 · 28 min
Keir Starmer: Grief, A Distant Father, and What Really Makes Him Angry
For Men’s Mental Health Month, Pete went to Downing Street for a very special one-off episode to interview the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Luckily for Pete, they did let him through that iconic black door to put a few questions to the man in charge of running the country. The bad language may be gone, but Pete’s Big One is here to stay, and Sir Keir opened up about his role models, challenging relationship with his dad, how he’s doing things differently with his own children, and what really makes him angry. Maybe you voted for him, and maybe you didn’t - but either way, this isn’t an…
S1 · E12 · 23 Jul 2025 · 43 min
12. Sam Thompson: Role Model Marvin Humes, Match Ball Mission, and Why Pete Should Play Padel
For the last episode of this series, there was only one guest that Pete could invite on. His best friend, business partner and podcast co-host Sam Thompson. In this honest conversation, Pete and Sam put joking aside and talk seriously about self-esteem and getting out of ‘a pickle’. Listen now to find out whether Sam will crack Pete’s tough exterior to find out whether or not he does have a goey centre. 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…
S1 · E11 · 16 Jul 2025 · 45 min
11. Sam Ryder: Pride, Gratitude and Golden Retriever Energy
This week, Pete is joined by Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder, to chat about the importance of delusion, and how finding fame and success relatively later in life has shaped Sam’s world view. While Sam may not know a huge amount about football, he does know a thing or two about an attitude of gratitude that has given him a reputation for being one of the nicest, happiest men in British music. 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…
S1 · E10 · 9 Jul 2025 · 42 min
10. Joel Dommett: Good Gigs, Bad Gigs and Faking a London Accent
Comedian and television presenter Joel Dommett in the chair this week. Their conversation ranges from the adorable (having a toddler for a role model) to the absurd (faking a London accent). With a comedian as a guest there’s no surprise there are a lot of laughs in this episode, and Joel shares some wisdom about why a bad gig can be a good thing. 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 in the conversation, to do so follow…
S1 · E9 · 2 Jul 2025 · 41 min
9. Jordan Stephens: Therapy, Dogs, and Crying In A Brazilian Carpark
This week’s guest on the pod is Rizzle Kicks popstar and writer Jordan Stephens. In this conversation, more like a pub chat than an interview, Pete and Jordan talk about the importance of grandparents, the beauty of dogs and a lot about how therapy can completely change your life. 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 in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok For Biscuit Jim Lead producer – Elly…
S1 · E8 · 25 Jun 2025 · 33 min
8. Jake Humphrey : Empathy, Lacking a Best Friend, and Stealing Michael Schumacher ’ s Plane Seat
Jake Humphrey got his big break on CBBC, before moving into sports presenting and launching his hugely successful podcast High Performance.He wasn’t always a high-performer, and in this conversation with Pete he talks about being rubbish at everything growing up, lacking close male friendships and the importance of two amazing role models:his dad, and F1 boss Eddie Jordan. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visitthe Hub of Hope ( www.hubofhope.co.uk ) where you can find links to services across the UK. We’d love you to join in the…
S1 · E7 · 18 Jun 2025 · 28 min
7. Olly Alexander: Pride, Self-Destructive Behaviours & Disney Crushes
This week’s guest on the pod is Olly Alexander. You may know him from playing Ritchie Tozer in the Channel 4 series It’s A Sin, or maybe as the lead singer in the band Years & Years, or when he represented the UK in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Olly has achieved so much in such a short space of time, but as this conversation shows, it wasn’t always that easy. He and Pete tackle the issue of identity, self-loathing and learning to accept and be proud of who you are – and the difficulties of the concept of pride in general. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk…
S1 · E6 · 11 Jun 2025 · 41 min
6. Yungblud: Boxing, Bowie and why the album is called ‘Idols’
Dominic Harrison is much better known by his stage name Yungblud. Pete gets him talking about all sorts to find out a bit more about the man behind the persona. They discuss the transformative power of boxing, the importance of taking time out for creativity and learning more from failure than from success. 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 in the conversation, to do so follow @manmadepod on Instagram & TikTok For Biscuit…
S1 · E5 · 4 Jun 2025 · 46 min
5. Vicky Pattison: Tricked Into Therapy, Tears, and Doing More Push-Ups Than Rocky Balboa
Vicky Pattison has come a long way since her debut on Geordie Shore. The radio & TV presenter has many strings to her bow, including an I’m A Celeb crown and a confronting and honest documentary about the devastating impact of alcohol addiction on families. Vicky and Pete have been friends for a long time – something which is reflected in the intimacy and frankness of this conversation. There’s laughter, plenty of tears and even an anecdote about Sting’s milkman brother. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (…
S1 · E4 · 28 May 2025 · 27 min
4. Dave Berry: Bad Tattoos, The Beauty of Suits and Sleeping Through Breakfast
Pete sits down with Absolute Radio Breakfast host Dave Berry to talk about modern masculinity. Well, eventually, after being half an hour late – something that Dave only brings up half a dozen times. In between jibes about punctuality, Pete and Dave discuss the decision to choose vintage clothing over university and the allure of a three-piece suit. They also touch on weightier issues, including the power of taking a break from drinking and the importance of the Breakfast Show during the pandemic and the positive impact it had on listeners’ wellbeing. If you want to find mental health…
S1 · E3 · 21 May 2025 · 44 min
3. Caitlin Moran: Annoying Sir Paul McCartney, Male Friendships, and Why We Need to be 'Team C**k
Caitlin Moran wrote the book on this subject… literally. After writing best-selling books about women (How to be a Woman, More than a Woman) Caitlin turned her attention to men in What About Men? In this episode the author and journalist explains why and shares what she found, and what she describes as ‘heartbreaking’ Find out why Pete described this episode as ‘f***ing weird’ and at one point asks whether we’ve booked the right guest! 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…
16 May 2025 · 6 min
Bonus Mini Ep - Mental Health Awareness Week - Yungblud
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week – so we’re releasing some short bonus episodes which feature a few of our upcoming guests talking specifically about mental health. Today’s mini episode is from singer, songwriter and actor Dom Harrison aka Yungblud. You’ll be able to hear the full episode soon, but here Dom talks about his need to take time away, as well as why boxing is so important to him and the value to creating a routine. 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…
15 May 2025 · 5 min
Bonus Mini Ep - Mental Health Awareness Week - Dave Berry
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week – so we’re releasing some short bonus episodes which feature a few of our upcoming guests talking specifically about mental health. Today’s mini episode is from the host of the Absolute Radio Breakfast Show – Dave Berry. You’ll be able to hear the full episode soon, but here Dave talks about one of the themes of Mental Health Awareness Week – the ability to ask for help. He also has a dig at Pete for turning up late to his own podcast! If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (…
S1 · E2 · 14 May 2025 · 43 min
2. Billy Billingham MBE: Street Fights, SAS: Who Dares Wins, Armed Combat and ‘Brangelina’
Billy served over 20 years in the SAS having joined the Parachute Regiment at the age of 17. His life before joining the military was very different to his life afterwards. A criminal record, gang involvement and a close shave with death after being stabbed were replaced with discipline and respect. In an extraordinary conversation with Pete, Billy opens up about the men who saved him, who made him realise that he wouldn’t amount to much if he continued down the path he was on. If you want to find mental health support where you live, or talk about your feelings, visit the Hub of Hope (…
13 May 2025 · 7 min
Bonus Mini Ep - Mental Health Awareness Week - Caitlin Moran
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week – so we’re releasing some short bonus episodes which feature a few of our upcoming guests talking specifically about mental health. Today’s mini episode is from journalist, author and feminist Caitlin Moran. You’ll be able to hear the full episode soon, but here she talks about why men are reluctant to see a doctor, suicide, and why friendship is a doing word. 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.
12 May 2025 · 5 min
Bonus Mini Ep - Mental Health Awareness Week - Jake Humphrey
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week – so we’re releasing some short bonus episodes which feature a few of our upcoming guests talking specifically about mental health. Today’s mini episode is from presenter and podcaster Jake Humphrey. You’ll be able to hear the full episode soon, but here he talks about loneliness and what we could all do to help our friends. 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.

About Pete Wicks' Man Made

Pete Wicks' Man Made is a English society & culture podcast from Bauer Media. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Bauer Media
Language: English
Category: Society & Culture
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 42 min
Latest episode: 30 Jun 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1811990387
Rights: Bauer Media

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