The Apostate

What would you give up to follow your heart? Your faith? Your parents? Everyone you’ve ever known? For Theo Howarth, raised a Jehovah’s Witness, the question wasn’t hypothetical. It was the choice he spent his twenties trying to dodge, and the one that almost broke him. In this remarkable conversation with Alix Fox, Theo talks candidly about realising he was gay in a church that calls homosexuality a ‘gross sin’; staying celibate through his teens; and then landing, aged 30, in a brand new community… yet separated from his parents, for good. Faith to Faithless supports apostates in the UK: https://www.faithtofaithless.com/ This interview includes discussion of a suicide attempt. If you’re struggling, Samaritans are there to listen, day or night, on 116 123 or at samaritans.org. _____________ Meanwhile, in the Zeitgeist, Ollie Peart guides us through the ever-expanding world of non-chocolate advent calendars - from Bonne Maman jam to B&Q toolsets and gourmet cheese selections. Does this trend show any sign of slowing down? Do the much touted ‘beauty’ calendars from the likes of Liberty and Selfridges offer true value for money? And what are the best options for kids? With the help of Advent.Center’s Max Zeshut, Ollie has the answers… and a fistful of Comte. For 10% off the Paxton and Whitfield calendar, use offer code MANN10 at paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk _____________ Elsewhere, down the Foxhole, Alix and Olly discuss ‘Doxy PEP’, the morning-after antibiotic that’s quietly changing sexual health. Is popping pills after condomless sex a reckless move - or wise? Does one dose really count as a full course? And what’s any of it got to do with mosquitoes? Download The Little Back Pocket Guide to DoxyPEP for FREE here: https://www.queerhealth.info/lbgt/doxypep Thanks to https://www.thelovetank.info/ Get 20% off all toys at huxi.global with the code MANN - and remember, if what you purchase doesn't tickle your pickle for whatever reason, you can return it for a full refund within 60 days. _____________ Finally, our record of the month is Koysar, a new song - and a whole new vibe - from Kings Of Leon, ahead of their forthcoming album, O My Beloved. 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 for our NOTORIOUS Xmas special on December 10th. Presenters: Olly Mann, Alix Fox. Contributors: Theo Howarth, Ollie Peart, Kings of Leon. Producer: Matt Hill. 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