Straight Up

From Lena Dunham announcing the birth of her baby girl via surrogate in a fashion piece for Vogue, to Ed Sheeran’s PR disaster over Palestine and free speech, this week both celebs have found themselves at the centre of debates they’d tried to side-step. Is commercial surrogacy inherently “anti-feminist”? And can stars really be apolitical in this day and age? Also on the show: we review Sharon Horgan’s brilliant new series YOUTH, all about ageing anxiety and dating in your 50s. Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews YOUTH, HBO Max Sharon Horgan: My sexual shelf life and dating over 50, The Times Lena Dunham Is a Mother! The Sweet, Singular Story of How She Prepared, Vogue Whose Babies Are These? A Chinese man hired a Florida surrogate, then didn’t pick up his kids, sparking a custody battle that could upend the industry, The Cut When Political Reality Collides With Ed Sheeran, New York Times Ed Sheeran wants to stay out of politics. By quitting his tour, his support acts have exposed the hollowness of neutrality, Guardian ‘With Gaza, I Couldn’t Not Speak Out’: Ms. Rachel on Controversy, Fame, and the Future, Rolling Stone . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re revisiting our ep on the dark side of the therapy boom, from unqualified therapists planting false memories in vulnerable people and an obsession with labels to ‘therapy boasting’ on Hinge and the weaponisation of ‘therapy speak’. Plus, what makes a good therapist, and can AI offer an accessible alternative to what has become a luxury? We’ll be back with our usual pop culture debrief next Thursday! Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs: Dangerous Memories podcast My therapist told me Mum had abused me. She hadn’t, Times The therapist who planted false memories, Pandora Sykes, Substack How the language of therapy took over dating, NYT Nobody has a personality anymore, Substack OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns users not to trust ChatGPT agent with sensitive or personal data, Decoder Chatbots Can Go Into a Delusional Spiral. Here’s How It Happens, NYT He Had a Mental Breakdown Talking to ChatGPT. Then Police Killed Him, Rolling Stone What does bad therapy actually look like? Stylist Can AI therapists really be an alternative to human help? BBC . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mega-influencer Alix Earle’s new reality show has dropped on Netflix and so we’re unpacking it all, from all the details of her feud with Alex Cooper to the family’s bizarre dynamics. Could Earle Meets World be Gen Z’s answer to The Kardashians? Also this week: series two of The Gentlemen starring Maya Jama, as well as the brilliant film spin-off of French comedy Call My Agent! featuring an excellent cameo from George Clooney. Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Where Are The Kings, Donal Ryan The Gentlemen, Netflix Call My Agent! The Movie, Netflix Earle Meets World, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali G is back after more than 20 years, sparking a backlash over the character’s racist stereotypes with cinemas saying they’ll boycott the new film. And speaking of controversial comebacks, the planned John Galliano exhibition at the Met has been pulled, so this week we’re discussing cancel culture, second chances and when some things are better left in the past. Also on the show: the sky-rocketing of push-up bra sales, breastfeeding in public, Bonnie Blue’s baby announcement and Olivia Wilde’s new film, plus the Lindsay Clancy trial. Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews Get our book club pick Where Are the Kings here FRIENDSHIP BREAKUPS: ghosting, group dynamics and comparison culture (our ep) Outcome, AppleTV Toy Story 5, SkyTV Furious, Disney Plus I Want Your Sex, in cinemas Eyes Down Here: Push-up bras are back with a vengeance, The Cut Not My G, More Brit (ish) Than Ever Substack, Afua Hirsch The Metropolitan Museum of Art Is Making a Very Bad Mistake, New York Times Lucky Boy, Tortoise Investigates . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do so many adult men seem stuck in arrested development? We review the buzzy new novel from the “male Sally Rooney” Jem Calder, whose rom-com I Just Want You to Be Happy charts a dysfunctional age-gap relationship between a 35-year-old man-child and 23-year-old woman. Also on the show: our thoughts on the backlash to North West’s “age inappropriate” Dazed cover, Meghan Markle’s new career move, Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi’s hard launch and a possible sequel to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. We’ve released a final batch of tickets to our book club on Wed 2 September! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and order Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews I Want You to be Happy, Jem Calder I Want You to Be Happy is the excruciating millennial novel everyone will be reading this summer, The Independent Alice and Steve, Disney Plus Prue Leith – On leaving Bake Off and finding love again at 70, Experience is Everything Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi’s Dating World Tour Continues in London, Vogue North West: ‘Music is what I wanna do with my life’, Dazed Fresh Hell, Tina Brown’s Substack . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariana Grande’s tour has been getting rave reviews, but the increasingly feverish discussion around her weight has us asking whether it’s more harmful to comment or stay silent, and what this and the tragic case of Jason Arday tell us about how journalists can lose sight of the real people behind headlines. Also this week: romantasy fans rejoice as Sarah J Maas reveals the covers, titles and blurbs for ACOTAR 6 and 7, Nicole Kidman faces backlash for looking “unrecognisable” on the cover of Vogue and the passing of actor Hayden Panettiere. Join the ticket waitlist for our book club on Wed 2 September via Ticket Tailor and order Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews DTF St Louis, HBO Max The A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Sarah J Maas The Last House, Netflix The Invite Camp Miasma How do you assign a star rating to Ariana Grande? Ellie’s Substack When the Snowflakes Pretend They Played No Part in the Avalanche, Conquest of the Useless Substack “Where Am I Going? And What’s Next?”: Nicole Kidman Is Keeping Her Heart Open, Vogue We call her Emma podcast This Is Me: A Reckoning, Hayden Panettiere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nara Smith came on Call Her Daddy to rebuke her status as “poster girl” for the tradwife movement, but do we buy her rebrand? We discuss whether her content glamourising hyper-feminine domesticity causes real-world harm or whether she’s being held to unfair standards. Plus, rave reviews of masterpiece non-fiction thriller London Falling, the epic third season of House of the Dragon, and Epstein-coded serial killer drama Furious. Tickets for our book club on Wed 2 September are on sale now! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and order Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews London Falling by Patrick Radden-Keefe Patrick Radden-Keefe on How to Fail Where Are The Kings, Donal Ryan House of the Dragon, NOWTV The House That Dragons Built, HBO Furious, Disney Plus “Furious” Is a Crime Drama for a Post-Epstein World, New Yorker Cape Fear, AppleTV Nara Smith: Stop Calling Me a Tradwife, Call Her Daddy Yesteryear, Caro Claire Burke  The Tradwife Illusion Meets the Anti-Trump Reality, New York Times “You Can’t Just Be Showing Matcha-Pilates-Alo”, Vulture Influencers Are Being Paid to Spread the Mormon Church's Gospel, Bloomberg Emilie Kiser: The Loss That Changed Her Forever, On Purpose with Jay Shetty Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in cinemas Gary Stevenson: “I was obsessed with making money”, The Louis Theroux Podcast We Call Her Emma, Tortoise Investigates . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes on a topic that still feels like a taboo despite its clear universality, with the help of lots of deeply honest and moving DMs from the huns. A friendship ‘breakup’ is an experience more than 80% of women have been through and it can be even more gut-wrenching than ending a romantic relationship. Yet in our society that prioritises romantic over platonic love, there’s no social script for dealing with it. We cover everything from ghostings and estrangement to boundaries and therapy-speak, as well as how politics, exes and different life stages can lead to rifts and resentment. If you’ve been through something similar, then hopefully this ep will help you feel less alone! Tickets for our book club on Wed 2 September are on sale now! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and preorder your copy of Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs Bad Friend, Michelle Elman Bride Wars We Need to Talk about Our Ex Best Friends, Elle Bad Friend, Tiffany Watt Smith The Lingering Wounds of Friendship Breakups, Elle The White Lotus S3 E8, HBO Will Our Friendship Survive Your Baby, New York Magazine . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re diving into Jia Tolentino’s viral essay on the new age of cosmetic enhancement, from how algorithms are changing our faces to whether Botox really helps women get ahead at work – and why our own feelings on tweakments have recently radically changed. Also on the show: Olivia Wilde’s brilliant new film The Invite, where she and Seth Rogen play a miserable middle-class married couple, Apple’s sci-fi dystopia Silo, dispatches from the newborn trenches, and the latest doc exploring the ethics of reality TV, The Love Island Curse. Enjoy huns! Tickets for our book club on Wed 2 September are on sale now! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and preorder your copy of Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: On whether having a baby ruins your life or not, Sam Parker, Substack Silo, AppleTV The Invite, in cinemas The Drama, available to rent Half Man, iPlayer The Curse of Love Island, Prime Video Our incredible September book club pick Where Are the Kings, by Donal Ryan – pre-order your copy here Our Plastic Surgery Nightmare, The New Yorker How 'The Botox Psyop' Broke Our Brains in the Name of Beauty, Diabolical Lies . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are so excited to be reunited and resuming normal service this week with a very overdue pop culture catch up! First up: reviews of Christopher Nolan's much talked-about Hollywood epic The Odyssey and "perimenopausal" crime caper Ride or Die starring Hannah Waddingham, before we dive into the fascinating new Katie Price docu-series. Plus: the new data showing that nine out of 10 of Britain's best-selling novels feature a murdered woman, and the Chris Martin-curated World Cup halftime show, from its bizarre performances to Madonna and Justin Bieber's reported feud. Enjoy huns and don’t forget to put Wednesday 2nd September in your diaries for our next book club at The Hoxton Holborn! Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcast Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: The Odyssey, in cinemas Sex, beds and grisly executions: what Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey changed, invented – and left out, Guardian Chastity, nodding and enormous pores: will women also love Nolan’s Odyssey?, Guardian Obsession, in cinemas Ride or Die, Amazon Prime ‘An overnight success after 25 years? Delicious’: Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham on sexism, stunts and stardom at 51, Guardian Lucky, Prime Video Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, NOWTV/ Sky Nine out of 10 bestselling novels in UK have one thing in common: a woman is murdered, Guardian 9 of Britain's 10 Bestselling Novels Begin With a Dead Woman. I Asked Authors, Literary Experts and a Criminal Behavioural Analyst Why, Marie Claire Hawk, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re sharing our favourite reads of the year so far, from the novels we couldn’t put down and 2026’s most-talked about titles to the memoirs that kept us up at night. Consider this your summer reading inspo: including the ultra-hyped Strangers by Belle Burden, Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash and Devil Wears Prada-style thriller Workhorse. As promised, we’re also reviewing the trad-wife thriller Yesteryear again, as well as the addictive true story of how actor Hannah Murray found herself sucked into a creepy wellness cult. Enjoy huns and please do share your book recs in the comments! Our next book club will be announced in the next couple of weeks – watch this space hunnies! You can also find our 10 best books of all time over on Patreon, where we drop bonus eps every month and offer our main eps completely ad-free. Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Strangers, Belle Burden Belle Burden on the Collapse of Her 20 Year Marriage & Her Bestselling Memoir, The Oprah Podcast Why I Don't Feel Sorry for Belle Burden, Kathleen Harmer on Substack Yesteryear, Caro Claire Burke I’m obsessed by the trad wife world — this was the best way to expose it, The Times The Caro Episode, Diabolical Lies Lost Lambs, Madeline Cash “I Always Felt Ripe for a Cult”: Meet Madeline Cash, Author of the Year’s Buzziest Debut, Interview Magazine The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, Hannah Murray Workhorse, Caroline Palmer Hooked, Asako Yuzuki . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have more entertainment than any generation in history, so why does everything feel boring now? Fatigue, the death of originality and digital overwhelm are things we’ve been mulling over a lot recently, after finding ourselves sick of the onslaught of mid-level media, the memeification of politics, nihilism, AI slop and remake after re-release upon algorithm-driven copycat. Is this all just a symptom of the attention economy in overdrive? And what can we do to reclaim our interest? This week we’re deep-diving into why we all feel so bored of everything and how we fight back in the age of average. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs / reviews: “Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture?” The Atlantic The decline of Hollywood talent and originality, Brad Starks on LinkedIn This is what it looks like when nothing matters, The Atlantic What Does '6-7' Mean? Don't Expect Gen Alpha to Explain It. New York Times What Does Boredom Do to Us—and for Us? New Yorker When Did Reading Become A Competitive Sport? Elizabeth Day on Substack . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are supposedly getting married this weekend, so we discuss how much of a spectacle it will be. Plus, what Olivia Wilde’s unfiltered Call Her Daddy episode says about the demonisation of mothers, what the glamourisation of smoking says about today’s weight-loss era, and why the exploitation of Marilyn Monroe feels so deeply relevant today. Also, the return of Caroline Calloway, boyfriend shaming, and why singles nights are revolutionising dating. Thank you to this week’s wise and wonderful guest co-host Olivia Petter, award-winning journalist, author of the brilliant debut novel Gold Rush and founder of Red Lips Dating. Hear Olivia answer your juicy dating questions in our exclusive bonus ep now on Patreon! patreon.com/StraightUpPodcast Olivia’s IG: @oliviapetter Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews Red Lips, @redlipsdating on IG Gold Rush, Olivia Petter Olivia’s first Straight Up ep in 2024 The Unheard Tapes, Netflix Marilyn Monroe–The Rest Is History Letters from Scamelot, Airmail My Week with Marilyn I recognise the person in Netflix’s Wellmania — it used to be me, The Times Olivia Wilde, Call Her Daddy Olivia Wilde has to disappear, The Cut Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer Two Weeks in August, ITV The Invite, in cinemas Friday . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Brooklyn Beckham just blow up any chance of a family reunion with his controversial $1m Door Dash ad, or is it straight out of the Victoria Beckham playbook? Also this week: the increasingly fraught discourse about Ariana Grande's weight loss, and whether Emily Ratajkowski is ragebaiting us with her viral new essay and accompanying photoshoot that’s ‘sexualising breastfeeding’. Plus, why women are obsessed with Off Campus, the must-read, five-star book about the Kardashians, and the traumatising experience of reporting sexual misconduct within the Met Police. Thank you to this week’s incredible guest co-host, broadcaster, writer, pop culture queen and OG hun Jackie Adedeji! Jackie’s IG: @jackieadedeji Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews DeKonstructing the Kardashians, MJ Corey The Moment, AppleTV Off Campus, Amazon Prime Off Campus’s Hannah Finally Makes Me And My Big Boobs Feel Seen, Pedestrian TV Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, SkyTV (out July 8) Karen Carpenter offers a haunting warning for Ariana Grande fans, Telegraph What if we're not actually worried about Ariana Grande? Liz Plank, Substack Reporting ‘police sexual misconduct’ - my traumatic experience, Channel 4 News My Big Boobs: Untold, Channel 4 I Don't Trust My Therapist: Untold, Channel 4 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pregnant women are being unfollowed in their droves on social media, but at the same time, pronatalist messaging has never been harder to escape. So why is it that both the child-free community and parents alike feel so under siege? We take a look at the celebs at the centre of the discourse, from Margot Robbie facing backlash for “pretending she’s not a mum” and Emma Grede catching heat for her comments on balancing work and motherhood, to Rihanna’s body being under constant surveillance and Nara Smith-style ‘momfluencer’ culture. Plus: K’s personal experience of pregnancy, why society isn’t set up for people to procreate and postpartum representation. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Madeleine White Responds to Commenters Who Say They Are Unfollowing Her for Being Pregnant, People Margot Robbie, stop pretending you’re not a mum, The Courier Mail The Bump Watch That Won't Quit, Yahoo Entertainment Influencers are selling a delusional fantasy of being postpartum. Why is it so easy to believe? Substack The Kardashian Whisperer Who Says Three Hours With Her Kids Is Enough, WSJ Emma Grede: from the East End to $300m with the Kardashians, The Times The Big Kids Question: does anyone want to be a parent anymore? Straight Up Dispatches from Motherhood, Substack . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Dua Lipa just host the celebrity wedding ‘of the decade’? We rake over all the gossip from the three-day bash in Palermo and debate over whether Callum Turner’s status as ‘Mr Dua Lipa’ is reductive and career-damaging. Also on the show: how former ‘kidfluencer’ Piper Rockelle monetises a Lolita fantasy on OnlyFans (including a countdown to her 18th birthday), Bonnie Blue's 'golden' baby shower and Euphoria star Chloe Cherry’s viral interview about how we’re having the wrong conversations about sex work. Plus, Cara Delevingne’s incredible Call Her Daddy episode, the Right-wing backlash to Alex Cooper’s pregnancy, and the woman selling ‘good wife’ courses to Christian women. Thank you to this week’s very special guest Emma-Louise Boynton, journalist, broadcaster and author of the incredible new book Pleasure: The Reclamation of My Body, about how sex therapy transformed her relationship with her body and broke a 17-year-cycle with bulimia. Pleasure: A Reclamation of My Body, by Emma-Louise Boynton is available to buy here. Come to see Ellie and Emma-Louise at our How to Date Better event next Wednesday in London! Tickets Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/reviews Michael Jackson: The Verdict, Netflix Margot’s Got Money Troubles, AppleTV The strange surveilled life of Piper Rockelle: why did a former child influencer decide to go on OnlyFans?, Guardian Euphoria’s Chloe Cherry On Cassie’s OnlyFans Storyline: “Holy Sh*t, That’s Where We Are In Society?”. Refinery29 The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, Netflix Why is the Right so mad about Alex Cooper’s pregnancy? New York Magazine Gen Z Women's New "Anti-Woke Voice", Diabolical Lies ‘A husband expects a yes’: how wife schools are shaping submissive Christian women, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Insecurities from body image in the Ozempic era to aging and whether we’d have cosmetic surgery are first up on the agenda today, huns, as we answer all your juiciest questions! We get deep into changing our minds about having children, gender disappointment, pregnancy, the single life and getting back with an ex, as well as whether incel culture is making dating harder. Also: book recs, subreddits and our absolute fave things about one another! Enjoy and please do let us know any questions you might have for future ‘ask us anything’ eps x Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The BBC’s disturbing new Panorama documentary about Married at First Sight’s abuse allegations should be a watershed moment for reality TV, but will anything actually change? Plus, the problem with Harper Beckham’s new skincare line, the rise of tween skincare influencers and the ‘toe-dipping’ rumours around why Maya Jama split with Reuben Dias. Finally, a big debrief on Rivals s2, from Rupert Campbell Black’s potentially problematic redemption arc to the show’s female stereotypes. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: 1536, Ambassador’s Theatre The Dark Side of Married at First Sight, iPlayer ‘An element of exploitation’: the world of TikTok child skincare influencers, Guardian Rivals s2, Disney Plus Rivals is a depressingly familiar study of women and the toxic workplace, Glamour Topology Interiors . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Guilty Feminist, aka Deborah Frances-White, is on the show this week and we couldn’t be more excited! In this fascinating chat with the OG podcasting queen, we get into everything from whether feminism is currently on the defensive in mainstream culture and the eroding of women's rights, to the rise of the manosphere, ‘brocasters’ and her thoughts on Steven Bartlett. Plus: the threat of Christian nationalism, dating apps, identity politics and Deborah’s culture recs! You can buy Deborah’s book Six Conversations We're Scared to Have: How to Change Minds, Including Your Own here. Deborah's IG: @theguiltyfeminist Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women, Susan Faludi Feminism on the defensive in the mainstream culture, The iPaper Money, Lies, and God: Inside The Movement To Destroy American Democracy, Katherine Stewart  The Conspiracists, in cinemas Manhunt, Apple TV Stalked (podcast)  All British Comedy Explained (podcast) ROAD TO GILEAD: Fascism with Desiree Burch and Professor Roger Griffin, Guilty Feminism In The Print, King’s Head Theatre . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dua Lipa and Britney Spears have been embroiled in very different legal dramas this week, so we’re breaking down exactly what’s going on with both. Kris Jenner has been raving about peptides – but what actually are these supplements and why are celebs and biohackers alike so obsessed? Plus: the tragic passing of reality TV star Jake Hall and the so-called “TOWIE curse”, those Sarah Ferguson and P Diddy romance rumours, Amandaland series two and gossip from the set of Rivals, from Alex Hassell’s prosthetic penis fitting to Danny Dyer’s return as Britain’s most unlikely heartthrob. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: But First, Dinner, Eleanor Steafel Amandaland s2, BBC iPlayer Legends, Netflix All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now, Ruby Tandoh Britney Spears Embraces ‘Spiritual Journey’ After Pleading Guilty to Reckless Driving: ‘All a Blessing in Disguise,’ Singer Says, People Alex Hassell: ‘On Rivals we’re all filthy with each other’, The Times ‘Men are so frightened of being too cuddly or affectionate’: Danny Dyer on going from hardman to heart-throb in Rivals, Guardian Kris Jenner Is a Peptides Devotee, Too, The Cut Why Are People Injecting Themselves with Peptides? The New Yorker What are peptides, are they safe and is there evidence to back up the hype? Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is out and so ofc we had to review it on today’s show! From how the sequel compares to the 2006 cult classic to Vogue’s piggy-backing of the promo cycle, we’re diving into its very timely depiction of billionaire influence over fashion and the decline of glossy magazines – arriving in the exact same week the Met Gala faced backlash over its Bezos ties. Like Miranda Priestly, does Anna Wintour have a master plan? Plus: the return of The Celebrity Traitors, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have settled out of court and our thoughts on Matthew Rhys’ hit new comedy horror Widow’s Bay. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Try the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: Widow’s Bay, AppleTV DTF St Louis, Now TV Should I Marry a Murderer, Netflix Why the Bezos-backed Met Gala is so controversial, Today In Focus The Devil Wears Prada 2, in cinemas now The Devil Wears Prada 2' Filmmakers on How They Nailed the Fall of Fashion Magazines, Back Row with Amy Odell Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour on Power, Fashion, and Acting the Part, Vogue The Devil Wears Prada 2 Is A Love Letter To Female Ambition, Grazia The Real-Life “Emily” From ’The Devil Wears Prada’ Publicly Reveals Her Identity Decades After Film, Hollywood Reporter Exclusive: Leslie Fremar on Being the Real Emily In 'The Devil Wears Prada', The Run-Through with Vogue Life After 'The Devil Wears Prada', Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd is back with a divisive new series about toxic masculinity: should Half Man be mandatory viewing for men or is it just trauma porn? Also on the show: Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz seem to be engaged, what the explosive I’m a Celeb live show fallout says about reality TV and the Bloomberg expose into Alex Cooper’s company. Plus, Dan Levy’s new crime comedy, Netflix thriller Unchosen and a look at some of the creepiest real-life British cults. Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and ad-free listening patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs / reviews: Strangers, Belle Burden Big Mistakes, Netflix Unchosen, Netflix Transmissions From Jonestown Inside Alex Cooper’s Unwell: Tears, Screaming and Employees Looking for the Exit, Bloomberg I Read Russell Brand's Unreadable New Book, For My Sins, New Statesman Half Man, Netflix Half Man review – more brave, brutal, blazing TV from the maker of Baby Reindeer, Guardian Half Man Is Masochism at Its Absolute Worst, Esquire . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OnlyFans, motherhood and sex work are in the spotlight this week as one of our fave novels, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, gets an Apple TV+ adaptation starring Elle Fanning. Also on the show: the murder charges against alt-singer D4vd dominating the pop culture news cycle, a first look at the new Kate Moss biopic, Zayn Malik allegedly punching Louis Tomlinson and the Gen Z vs millennial divide at the heart of Carey Mulligan's season of Beef. Join us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightup Shop our go-to canned wine from 100% organic Sicilian wine company Vinca at vincawine.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews Beef S2, Netflix How a Gold House Dinner Helped ‘Beef’ Creator Lee Sung Jin Land Season 2 Star Charles Melton, Hollywood Reporter I Love My Husband (Who Hates Me), The Cut D4vd charged with first-degree murder over death of teenage girl, BBC Moss & Freud trailer Kate meets Lucian and they get on brilliantly with absolutely no funny business at all, Guardian Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Apple TV Elle Fanning comedy drama about OnlyFans and motherhood is five-star TV, Independent Margo’s Got Money Troubles actually gets OnlyFans right, GQ ONLYFANS: Bonnie Blue, sex stunts and the rise of the porn 'influencer' Behind the Scenes With Sophie Rain, the Clean Queen of the Dirty Internet, GQ . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re diving into Lena Dunham’s brilliant but provocative new memoir Famesick, about chronic pain, the toxicity of fame, and the turbulent making of GIRLS. Why is it that Dunham gets so much hate from the media, and is she a reliable narrator? Also on the show: our reviews of Euphoria and the Testaments, the two biggest TV shows of the year. Is Euphoria as “grubby” as the critics are saying, and does The Testaments live up to the Handmaid’s Tale? Plus: Ruby Rose’s disturbing allegations against Katy Perry, the Alex Cooper vs Alix Earle beef, and a quick debrief on Coachella. Join us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightup Shop our go-to canned wine from 100% organic Sicilian wine company Vinca at vincawine.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: The Testaments, Disney+ In 'The Testaments,' Teen Girls See Gilead Differently, New York Times Euphoria s3 Euphoria has descended into one man’s creepy, sex-obsessed fantasy, Telegraph Alix Earle Replies After Alex Cooper Calls Her Out for 'Passive Aggressive' Behavior, People Famesick, Lena Dunham Lena Dunham Is Still Trying to Figure Out Why People Hated Her So Much, New York Times I got everything I dreamed of – when I had no ability to handle it’: Lena Dunham on toxic fame, broken friendships and her ‘lost decade’, The Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The drama surrounding Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s new rom com The Drama is first on the agenda this week, alongside the hugely hyped, Ballerina Farm-inspired tradwife thriller Yesteryear. Plus, the latest in the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni case, the Kanye West Wireless controversy and our review of Jame Laing and Sophie Haboo’s documentary series Raising Chelsea. Enjoy huns! Get tickets to our book club this Sunday at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor Join us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightup Shop our go-to canned wine from 100% organic Sicilian wine company Vinca at vincawine.com Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: The Drama, in cinemas You Need a Dark Sense of Humor for The Drama, Esquire The Drama Is Too Cowardly to Commit to Its Provocative Premise, Vulture Yesteryear, Caro Claire Burke Diabolical Lies podcast ‘Serve, smile, procreate’: Yesteryear author Caro Claire Burke on the rise of the tradwife, The Guardian I’m obsessed by the trad wife world — this was the best way to expose it, The Times A Tradwife Wakes Up in 1805… The New York Times Why women can't resist tradwife porn, Cosmopolitan Inside the secret smear machine that's targeting Hollywood, Hollywood Reporter Who Trolled Amber podcast Raising Chelsea, Disney+ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should stars get a say in who plays them and how they’re portrayed? We’re diving into the debate this week after actor Kim Novak called Sydney Sweeney “totally wrong” for her upcoming biopic, and Daryl Hannah spoke out about her reputation-ruining portrayal in Love Story. Also on the show: the record-breaking Harry Potter teaser, a look at Euphoria's long-awaited series three, much-hyped hospital drama The Pitt, Riz Ahmed’s latest passion project, Rachel McAdams’ new satire and the Rupert Murdoch doc on Netflix. Join us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcast Get 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightup Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews Bait, Amazon Prime Riz Ahmed’s ‘Bait’ Is About James Bond — But Mostly About Shame, Rolling Stone Dynasty: The Murdochs, Netflix The Pitt, HBO Max Send Help, rent on Sky, Amazon etc Kim Novak: ‘Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time. She could never play me’, Times How Can ‘Love Story’ Get Away With This? New York Times Euphoria s3 trailer 2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone official teaser How ITV met its match when it got hitched to Olivia Attwood, Times . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chappell Roan’s in the news after being accused of making Jude Law’s 11-year-old daughter cry, so this week we’re diving into the debate around celebrity boundaries vs fan behaviour. Do stars have a right to set limits when it comes to fame? And is the kind of brutal trolling Barry Keoghan has recently spoken out about ever justified? Also on the show: the latest AI publishing controversy, our review of Saturday Night Live UK, the glossy new thriller starring Elizabeth Moss and Kerry Washington, Rose Byrne’s motherhood horror, and a return to the ethics of reality TV after The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was abruptly cancelled. Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor and order your copy of our book pick Hooked here. We can't wait to hang out with you all! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews Imperfect Women, Apple TV The Square, Prime Video Force Majeure, Prime Video If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, in cinemas I confessed a deplorable secret about motherhood to a friend – and it changed my life, Guardian Why Does A.I. Write Like … That? New York Times Shit You Should Care About, Substack Project Hail Mary, in cinemas The Bachelorette's messy break-up with its unlikely star Taylor Frankie Paul, BBC Momfluencer Faces More Consequences than All Men In Epstein Files Combined, Liz Plank Saturday Night Live UK, Sky/ Now TV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere go far enough? That's the big question on the show this week as we review his divisive new Netflix doc about male alt-right influencers. We discuss misogyny vs ragebait, the manosphere’s influence on politics and how this all affects young women and girls. Plus: a debrief on the Oscars, Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood career pivot, a Devil Wears Prada 2 update and the ‘bombshell’ new book about Meghan Markle. Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor and order your copy of our book pick Hooked here. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews Train Dreams, Netflix The Secret Agent, in cinemas Kylie Supreme! A Makeup Mogul Enters Her Hollywood Era, Vanity Fair Jessie Buckley’s Oscars win is a battle cry for women in their mid-thirties,Grazia ‘I, too, get to make mistakes’ — how Meghan put herself first, Times Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere, Netflix Louis Theroux On Internet Culture, The Manosphere & Getting "Cooked", The Romesh Ranganathan Show Did Louis Theroux’s Manosphere documentary Change Anyone's Mind?, BBC News @YourmoneymateSarah,TikTok Gen Z males twice as likely as baby boomers to believe wives should obey husbands, Guardian I am a 15-year-old girl. Let me show you the vile misogyny that confronts me on social media every day, Guardian GIRLS: Gen Z and the commodification of everything, Freya India Why does Bari Weiss keep winning? Vox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Styles has dropped his long-awaited album, ACOTAR author Sarah J Maas went on Call Her Daddy and Timothée Chalamet is facing backlash for his comments on ballet and opera – it’s been a busy week in pop culture! Plus: Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall’s sexy new series Vladimir has landed on Netflix just as the “smut renaissance” reaches fever pitch. From romantasy to Heated Rivalry, is our insatiable appetite for steam a symptom of the loneliness epidemic? Finally, a quick look at Lily Allen’s tour reviews, that *very* awkward new Louis Theroux interview and a super exciting announcement: book club is back in April! We can’t wait to see some of you there <3 Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor and order your copy of our book pick Hooked here. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs Maybe Knowing Too Much About Motherhood Has Ruined Me, The Cut ‘I regret having children’, The Cut Vladimir: A Novel, Julia May Jonas Vladimir, Netflix Vladimir author Julia May Jonas: ‘We’re imprisoned by our obsessions’, The Guardian Is it true that … if you pluck a grey hair, two will grow in its place? The Guardian Julia May Jonas on Bringing Vladimir to Netflix—and What She Changed, Elle Hooked, Asako Yuzuki Sarah J. Maas on Call Her Daddy Are We in a ‘Smut Renaissance’? New York Times Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, Harry Styles Harry Styles - Zane Lowe & Apple Music ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ Interview ‘Would you like me to cry now?’: Louis Theroux on the manosphere, marriage and misunderstandings, The Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette has us all hooked, from the Sex and the City-style NYC setting to its retelling of the 90s' most iconic romance. But how much of it is dramatised vs what actually happened? Also this week: star of the moment Olivia Dean’s BRIT Awards sweep, why Jay Shetty remains un-cancellable despite an excruciating new interview, Lily Collins as Audrey Hepburn and former Call Her Daddy host Sofia Franklyn’s revenge memoir about her split from Alex Cooper. Enjoy huns and please do get in touch to let us know what you think of the ep! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette, Disney+ I Knew JFK Jr. I Thought I Would Sob Through ‘Love Story.’ Instead, I Laughed Out Loud, Hollywood Reporter What’s Fact And What’s Fiction In Disney's 'Love Story', Elle Calvin Klein! The brand that made Kate Moss into the ’90s It Girl, Talk 90s to me podcast ep with Sali Hughes Paul Anthony Kelly Tells Mel Ottenberg How He Became John-John, Interview Uncovering the higher truth of Jay Shetty, The Guardian Wellness guru Jay Shetty has raised some doubts. Including his own, The Interview, New York Times Jay Shetty Knows Exactly What You Want. That's the Problem. Liz Bucar, Substack Hard work, romance and bell hooks: how Olivia Dean became British pop’s newest megastar, The Guardian Emily in Paris star Lily Collins to play Audrey Hepburn in film about Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Guardian The Babies Kept in a Mysterious Los Angeles Mansion, The New Yorker . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new America’s Next Top Model doc has everyone talking about the ethics of reality TV and just how bonkers the 15-year phenomenon really was, so this week we’re diving into everything from how things have changed since the noughties to how terribly Tyra Banks comes across. Also on the show: Gordon Ramsay’s Netflix docuseries and the scandals it skips over, Bonnie Blue’s pregnancy announcement, the gorgeous BAFTA-winning film My Father’s Shadow and a recap on everything that went down at the awards on Sunday night. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews: Paris recs: La Fondation hotel, Le Cheval D'or, Mischief My Father’s Shadow, in cinemas now Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, Netflix We were all rooting for Tyra Banks to give us some answers – but this America’s Next Top Model documentary gaslights its audience, Independent Being Gordon Ramsay, Netflix Swearing, Marty Supreme … and Prince William: Bafta’s 12 biggest snubs and surprises, Guardian I Swear, AppleTV/Amazon Prime Video ‘Marty Supreme’ Ties BAFTA Record for Most Losses in History, Variety . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Symbol of survivor-led justice Gisèle Pelicot has released her memoir, so this week we’re discussing some of the most powerful and inspiring interviews from her press tour. Also on the show: hologram concerts, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner top the Standard’s list of London’s 25 power couples, Cruz Beckham’s Beatles-themed 21st birthday bash, and our thoughts on Vogue’s viral essay from a woman who refuses to split the bill on a first date. Plus, reviews of the Derry Girls’ creator’s new show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast and the gorgeous BBC sitcom Small Prophets. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Abba Voyage at the Abba Arena Tivoli La Caleta, Tenerife How to get to Heaven from Belfast, Netflix Waiting for the Out, BBC iPlayer Small Prophets, BBC, iPlayer Anniversary, Netflix Traindreams, Netflix A Hymn to Life, Gisèle Pelicot Gisèle Pelicot, The Interview, New York Times Gisèle Pelicot: “I’ve Given Myself Permission To Be Happy”, Vogue Gisèle Pelicot: The Newsnight Interview review, Guardian So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls, Guardian I don't want children. I don't want children. I don't want children. I don't want children, Jameela Jamil, Substack The Girl Who Wouldn’t Split the Bill, Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights is the most talked about and divisive film of the year, so obviously we had to race home from the cinema to record our review for you as a special bonus episode! From Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s chemistry to the many controversies that have people hating, we weigh in on every juicy detail and share the honest thoughts we had while watching. Enjoy huns, we’ll be back tomorrow with our usual pop culture debrief! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs Wuthering Heights, in cinemas now Should Jacob Elordi Play Heathcliff? Why the ‘Wuthering Heights’ Casting Is So Controversial, According to Literary Experts and More, Variety Jacob Elordi, Heathcliff and the Controversy Over ‘Wuthering Heights’, New York Times 'The hostility has been relentless': How Wuthering Heights became this year's most divisive film, BBC How Far Is Too Far? Emerald Fennell on Gothic Obsession and Wuthering Heights, V&A Museum YouTube . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wuthering Heights is out this weekend so we’re diving into some of the press tour’s juiciest moments, from Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie’s ‘affair baiting’ to Elordi’s Esquire interview with Emerald Fennell. Also on the show: Bella Hadid’s break-up, Charli XCX on her fave red carpet moments, and the powerful rise of motherhood horror, from Rose Byrne’s ‘monumental’ new film to an addictive, hun-recommended book about a baby shower gone terribly wrong. Plus, the viral Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore TV series, an excellent Romantasy rec and Freida McFadden’s new revenge novel. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: Landman, Paramount+ Yellowstone, Netflix What ‘Landman’ Understands About Oil, New York Times Charli xcx is the Moment, Gloves Off with Nicky Campbell on YouTube Jacob Elordi Opens up on the Magnetic Power of Margot Robbie and the Yorkshire Moors in Wuthering Heights, Esquire Rose Byrne: ‘You lose part of yourself when you become a mother’, The Times If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, in cinemas from 20 Feb Expectation, Anna Hope So Thrilled for You, Holly Bourne Dire Bound, Sable Sorensen Dear Debbie, Freida McFadden . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chappell Roan’s nipple-ring dress was the talk of the Grammy Awards red carpet, so naturally we’re debriefing on that this week, as well as the night’s other biggest moments. Also on the agenda: all things Formula 1, from Brad Pitt’s Oscar-nominated F1: The Movie to the latest rumours that Lewis Hamilton is dating Kim Kardashian, The White Lotus season 4 updates (including Helena Bonham Carter’s casting!) Katie Price’s highly concerning new husband, Olivia Attwood’s separation, a tribute to comedy icon Catherine O'Hara, the long-swirling allegations against David Walliams and a check-in on Marvel’s newest superhero show, which is actually all about acting. Enjoy huns! Get one of the last few tickets to our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews Wonderman, Disney+ F1: The Movie, AppleTV Grammys 2026 highlights: the 10 biggest moments of the night, The Times Katie Price starting to think marriage to Lee Andrews was ‘huge mistake’, Metro Olivia Attwood ‘to divorce’ Bradley Dack & removes wedding ring, The Sun Hilltop hijinks: White Lotus to take over luxury chateau on French Riviera, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Beckham feud rolls on and of course we have a big juicy update for you! We comb through everything that’s happened over the last week, from wedding witness DJ Fat Tony setting the record straight on Victoria’s “inappropriate” dance, to weigh-ins from Brooklyn and Nicola’s exes. So what’s the future for Brand Beckham? Also on the show: what unsealed texts from the upcoming It Ends with Us trial reveal about Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s rumoured fallout, and our thoughts on the Meghan Trainor surrogacy backlash. Plus, the snubs from this year’s Oscar nominations and a debrief on The Beauty, the wild body horror satirising our culture of physical perfection starring Bella Hadid. Enjoy huns! Get your ticket to our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: Steal, Amazon Prime Alana Hadid, whose brother dated Nicola Peltz, weighs in on Brooklyn Beckham drama, Independent Victoria Beckham owns trademarks to all her children’s names, Times Brooklyn Beckham doesn’t need his parents. He’s got a secret weapon, Times Meghan Trainor Faces Onslaught of Hate Over Surrogate Baby, Newsweek  The Baby Died. Whose Fault is it? Wired The Beauty, Disney Plus Ratched, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Styles has new music out, ‘Skins meets Succession’ show Industry is back for season four and Paul Mescal is playing Shakepeare in tear-jerker Hamnet – it’s a good week for pop culture! Also on the show, we’re debriefing on Amazon’s first-look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, the ice hockey romance that’s taken the internet by storm, Heated Rivalry, and Molly Mae’s Adidas collab. Plus a fab Call Her Daddy ep with Jennette McCurdy (author of our book club pick Half His Age), a gripping podcast series from Alice Levine and our initial thoughts on s2 of Idris Elba’s Hijack. Enjoy huns and don’t forget to listen to our Brooklyn Beckham bonus episode from yesterday, where we deep-dive into his explosive statement on his relationship with Victoria and David! Tickets for our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn are going quickly! Get yours via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews Hamnet, in cinemas now Hamnet feels elemental, but is it just grief porn? New Yorker How accurate is Hamnet? The Times 21 Questions to Fall in Love with Paul Mescal, GQ The Roofman, Amazon Explosive Lies podcast Riot Women, BBC iPlayer Heated Rivalry, NOW TV/ Sky UK viewers warm up for steamy ice hockey hit Heated Rivalry, BBC Jennette McCurdy: Half His Age, Call Her Daddy Heavy Is the Crown: George R.R. Martin on His Triumphs and Torments, The Hollywood Reporter A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, NOW TV Molly Mae: Behind It All, Amazon Industry, BBC iPlayer Industry’s Marisa Abela and Myha’la on success, sisterhood and strap-ons, Glamour How to Fail with Marisa Abela Marisa Abela: ‘Industry isn’t afraid to do things that upset people’, Times Hijack, Apple TV . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brooklyn Beckham has broken his silence on the family feud and so *obviously* we had to record an emergency episode for you huns! In an utterly jaw-dropping statement, Brooklyn has accused his parents Victoria and David of putting brand Beckham above absolutely everything, with allegations ranging from a vendetta against wife Nicola Peltz that includes planting false stories in the press, to his mum dancing inappropriately “on” him after hijacking the first dance at their wedding. Is this fall out the inevitable culmination of a lifetime in the public eye? Or is Brooklyn a brat with a controlling wife whose parents have tried their best? We dissect it all! As always we’re dying to know your thoughts huns so please do get in touch with your takes x Tickets for our book club on Sunday 15 Feb at the Hoxton Holborn are now live here! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ References: It’s a Brooklyn v Beckham Inc disaster: what happens when the elephant in the room goes rogue, The Guardian VICTORIA BECKHAM: marriage, money and the Brooklyn fall out, Straight Up (our ep) I don't want to reconcile with family, says Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, BBC Nicola Peltz Has Married Brooklyn Beckham At Her Family’s Oceanfront Palm Beach Estate, Vogue Nicola Peltz’s Custom Valentino Couture Wedding Dress Was Like “A Work Of Art”, Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor at the Golden Globes so it’s time for our Marty Supreme review! Also on the show: Kendall Jenner has set the record straight on her sexuality and plastic surgery in her most candid interview yet. But could her nose really have changed shape from acne medication? Plus, our thoughts on the backlash against Diary of a CEO founder Steven Bartlett following his guest Chris Williamson’s controversial comments about the falling birth rate, and a couple of TV recs to beat the January blues. Tickets for our book club on Sunday 15 Feb at the Hoxton Holborn are now live here!! Run don’t walk because the first 20 ticket buyers get a FREE baby tee from the iconic slogan baby tee brand Ruby Loot. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews His & Hers, Netflix People We Meet on Vacation, Netflix Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story, Netflix Hunting Wives, iTVX The Night Manager, iPlayer ‘Diary of CEO’ Guest Calls Out Girl With the List on Birth Rate—She Replies, Newsweeks The Golden Globes ceremony ignored politics. But their big winner taps today’s unhappy turbulence, Guardian Marty Supreme, in cinemas Hamnet, in cinemas . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Traitors is back with a whole new twist and we have thoughts! Also this week, we review Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried’s wild thriller The Housemaid and Callum Turner’s afterlife romcom Eternity. Speaking of, Mr Dua Lipa looks set to be the next James Bond… but would he make a good 007 or is he too safe a bet? Then of course we had to debrief on Timothée’s Chalamet’s speech about Kylie after winning Best Actor at the Critic’s Choice awards, and update you on the never-ending Beckham family feud saga. Plus, our first book club title has been decided and tickets will be on sale very soon! Enjoy the ep huns and as always please do let us know your thoughts, we LOVE hearing from you. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews So Thrilled For You, Holly Bourne Half His Age, Jeanette McCurdy Flesh, David Szalay The Housemaid, in cinemas now Eternity, AppleTV Can Callum Turner handle what it takes to be the new James Bond? Times Critics Choice Awards: Full Winners List, Hollywood Reporter Weapons, available to rent from home The Beckham family's 'sad' escalating feud with Brooklyn and his wife Nicola explained, Hello! The Traitors, BBC iPlayer . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy almost New Year, huns! We’re rounding off 2025 with our list of the top ten books of the year, from award-winning heavyweights to addictive romantasy and some stand-out non-fiction. We’re reviewing the reads that dominated group chats, the ones recommended by you guys, and the under-the-radar faves we still can’t stop thinking about. Plus: the books we’re desperate to dive into in 2026 and an update on our book club! We really hope you enjoy this ep, we’ll be back next Thursday for our usual pop culture chaos. Let us know what you think of the ep, share your fave books of the year and just generally get in touch via socials or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Recs The Names, Florence Knapp Flashlight, Susan Choi Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yaros Shield of Sparrows, Devney Perry Our Salt Path episode Careless People Sarah Wynn-Williams Girl on Girl, Sophie Gilbert New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates Bring the House Down, Charlotte Runcie Flesh, David Szalay Alchemised and CeCe reviews episode Alchemised, SenLinYu CeCe, Emmelie Prophete The Safekeep, Yael van der Wouden The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, Kiran Desai Perfection, Vincenzo Latronico Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid What We Can Know, Ian McEwan Half His Age, Jeanette McCurdy Dear Debbie, Freida McFadden . . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Christmas hunnies and here’s a little treat from us: our definitive list of the top 10 TV shows of 2025. From thrillers to comedies and coming-of-age dramas, these should keep you entertained throughout the Christmas hols. We've kept our main list to original shows of the year, but with special mentions to our fave returning seasons too. Plus a run through of a few of the year’s very worst shows. We’ll be back next Tuesday for our Best Books of 2025 ep, then back to our usual Thursday pop culture debrief the week after that! Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your top TV recs of the year and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on TikTok @straightuppod Recs The Beast In Me, Netflix Pluribus, AppleTV Sirens, Netflix Film Club, BBC iPlayer Adolescence, Netflix Toxic Town, Netflix The Girlfriend, Amazon Prime Video Down Cemetery Road, AppleTV What It Feels Like For A Girl, BBC iPlayer Overcompensating, Amazon Prime Video Platonic, AppleTV Amandaland, BBC iPlayer Severance, AppleTV Big Boys, Channel 4 The White Lotus, NOW TV . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift’s The End of an Era documentary is already breaking Disney records, so we review the first two episodes. Is it pure hagiography or genuinely insightful? Also on the show: why Bonnie Blue wrote a Spectator op-ed backing Nigel Farage, George Clooney’s new marital rule, and the surprising subculture that’s helped make Zootopia 2 box office gold. Plus a review of Alchemised, the incredible fanfic inspired by Harry Potter and the Housemaid’s Tale that netted a seven-figure film deal. Enjoy hunnies and remember next week’s ep is dropping on Tuesday! Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your recs and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on TikTok @straightuppod Recs/ reviews Backstage Beauty Salon Alchemised, SenLinYu The fanfiction written on a notes app that’s become a bestseller – with a seven-figure film deal, Guardian Margaret Atwood on Desert Island Discs, BBC Sounds The MaddAddam Trilogy, Margaret Atwood Cece, Emmelie Prophete Grace Beverley: the Oxford student with a £70m wellness brand, The Times Zootopia 2, in cinemas now Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Netflix Taylor Swift: The End of an Era, Disney . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

50 Cent’s explosive Diddy documentary is dominating the headlines, so this week we’re unpacking the most shocking moments from Sean Combs: The Reckoning. Also on the show: Sydney Sweeney finally addresses her “great jeans” ad controversy, Margot Robbie has given a wonderfully juicy Vogue interview around Wuthering Heights, Channing Tatum’s “career defining” film with Kirstin Dunst is out, Miley Cyrus’s fiancée has everyone talking about age-gaps again and Ellie Goulding’s new baby daddy is a “bad boy”. Plus: the Netflix and Warner Bros mega-deal that has Hollywood spooked! Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your recs and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on TikTok @straightuppod Recs/reviews: Roofman, Apple TV ‘Roofman’ Stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst Talk That Nude Scene, Which Toys They Took From Set, Hollywood Reporter Margot Robbie, British Vogue The end of big-screen cinema? What Netflix hopes to achieve by buying Warner Bros, Guardian All About Miley Cyrus’s Fiancé Maxx Morando and Their ‘Low-Key’ Relationship, Elle Sean Combs: The Reckoning, Netflix Sean Combs: The Reckoning review – you can see why the musician is fighting to ban this horrific documentary, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Sheeran’s new songs hint at cracks in his seemingly perfect, previously ultra-private marriage, while Jessie J has had to set the record straight on her breakup with Channing Tatum. So just how literally should we take pop stars’ lyrics? Also this week, we’re diving into the BBC’s Gossip Girl-style mother-daughter thriller Wild Cherry, the so-called “female Adolescence", David Szalay’s Booker Prize-winning novel Flesh and 2025’s Word of the Year. Plus, the surprising news that we’re technically teenagers until 32, reports of wild parties from the set of Rivals, and, finally, our (spoiler-free) review of Wicked 2! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews: Wild Cherry, BBC iPlayer Flesh by David Szalay Shuggie Bain, Douglas Stuart Ignore the pessimists – we are living through a literary golden age, New Statesman How to Stop Time, Matt Haig Threw it Away, Jessie J Play, Ed Sheeran Straight Up behind the music miniseries ep with Ed Sheeran’s manager Stuart Camp Adolescence lasts into your 30s, major new study on brain development finds, The Independent Wicked: For Good, in cinemas now . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.