Lexi struggled to ‘read’ faces. She walked on her toes. She craved routine. She didn’t like her food to touch on a plate, and she was sensitive to light and sound. But, until she was 27, she didn’t know she was autistic. Lexi only took a test when - as a paramedic, grappling with erratic shifts and sleep disturbance - she sought help with anxiety and depression. In this candid conversation with Olly, she considers the ‘trigger points’ for her struggles, explains her support system, and reveals how adjustments have seen her progress in her career and romantic relationships. Content Warning: self-harm. Find out more about autism from the National Autistic Society — Elsewhere, in The Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart investigates the intersection of eSports and motor racing. Can platforms like iRacing truly replicate the physics, design, and engineering of real-world cars? Why don’t they use VR headsets? And how come more people don’t know about Max Verstappen’s gaming side-hustle? With the help of Paul Crawford, Head of eSports at Motorsport UK, and sim-racer Jonny Elliot, Ollie discovers how (relatively) affordable home simulators might produce the next Will Byron… — Meanwhile, down the Foxhole, Alix Fox - fresh from visiting Dennis Severs’ house in Shoreditch - tackles a bearded listener’s question of grooming… how can he minimise friction and tickles whilst going down on his wife? With the help of ‘Celebs Go Dating’ sexpert Dr Tara, Alix considers the options - from flavoured lubes to beard oils - and explains why a German toy, Belou, might provide a viable alternative… — Finally, our Record of the Month comes from the Isle of Wight’s Lauran Hibberd, whose single ‘2nd Prettiest Girl (In The World)’ is out now. — GET IN TOUCH If you have a letter for Olly, a question for Alix, a challenge for Ollie or want to share your story on our show, visit our website, HTTPS://MODERNMANN.CO.UK and fill out the Feedback form. — THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY… • Readly. Mannfans can get an exclusive, three month FREE trial of unlimited newspapers and magazines at https://www.readly.com/mann • BetterHelp. Get started today and enjoy 10% OFF your first month of convenient and affordable therapy at https://betterhelp.com/mann • BBC Maestro. Use the code MANN to get your 40% off your favourite video course or 40% off a subscription at https://bbcmaestro.com. Let the greatest be your teacher! • Who Gives A Crap? Get 20% off toilet paper that does a world of good at https://uk.whogivesacrap.org/ when you use the code MANN. — Thanks for listening! If you can afford to support the show financially, please buy us a beer - we put every penny back into producing this independent podcast just for YOU. … and we’ll see you with a brand new episode on April 10th. x Presenter: Olly Mann. Contributors: Alix Fox, Ollie Peart, Lauran Hibberd. Producer: Matt Hill. Theme Music: ‘Skies Over Cairo’ by Django Django. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Copyright: Olly Mann / Rethink Audio 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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