Straight Up

The pop culture podcast with no filter, brought to you by besties and journalists Kathleen and Ellie. New episodes out every Thursday!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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256 episodes
Updated Thursday
Explicit

Episodes256

Newest first

Nov 13, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
Sydney Sweeney’s reputation, Timotheé Chalamet and Jennifer Lawrence’s return
Sydney Sweeney’s new film Christy has bombed at the box office, days after her GQ cover interview went viral for all the wrong reasons. Are her days as Hollywood’s golden girl over? We take a look at evolving public image and explore whether her controversies have actually damaged her career. Also on the show: how Sarah Snook’s new kidnapping thriller has prompted a conversation about the gender gap, the I'm A Celeb lineup, what Timothée Chalamet’s very revealing Vogue interview means for Kylie, and we are so here for JLaw’s comeback! Finally, is it fair to say Kim Kardashian has created the worst TV show of all time with All’s Fair? Plus two fab new book recommendations. Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews All Her Fault, Sky/ NowTV All her Fault is a misandrist masterpiece, Vulture Sarah Snook And Dakota Fanning On How New Show ‘All Her Fault’ Reveals The “Invisible Labor” Women Take On In Relationships, Deadline Sarah Snook on Why She Opted for ‘All Her Fault’ After ‘Succession’: “I Can’t Top That, So Finding Something Different Was Really Important”, Hollywood Reporter Our October bonus ep: The myth of having it all and how to break free Did women ruin the workplace?, New York Times Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson Vanity Fair lie detector test, YouTube Jennifer Lawrence, The Interview podcast (NYT) Sydney Sweeney, GQ The Universe According to Timothée, Vogue All’s Fair, Disney Is All's Fair really the 'worst TV drama ever'? BBC The All's Fair cast: ‘It’s good to see women come together and protect one another', Glamour With ‘All’s Fair,’ Ryan Murphy gives us the ultimate Trump-era TV show, LA Times ‘All’s Fair’ and the New Television of Nothingness, Hollywood Reporter Have we passed peak social media? Financial Times Shield of Sparrows, Devney Perry Under The Blue, Suzannah V Evans The Safekeep, Yael van der Wouden . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 6, 2025 · 58 min
How boyfriends became embarrassing, David Harbour and Jennifer Aniston
Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now? Vogue’s viral piece arguing that male partners have become “culturally loserish” has broken the internet, so we dive in and discuss whether it’s a feminist reckoning or pure TikTok rage bait. Also this week: Millie Bobby Brown’s bullying claims against David Harbour, Jennifer Aniston’s Hollywood hypnotist boyfriend, People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Jonathan Bailey, Cruz Beckham’s new music, and The Cut’s hot take on high-earning women dating younger men. Plus some far from mid TV for you to enjoy! Last two tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :) Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews Down Cemetery Road, Apple TV Emma Thompson: The spy thrillers I read as a teenager told me women should fall in love and get killed, Radio Times The Dead of Winter Girl Bands Forever, BBC iPlayer Jonathan Bailey named People magazine’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive, People Millie Bobby Brown Reportedly Filed Harassment and Bullying Claim Against David Harbour, Vanity Fair Jennifer Aniston Finally Hard-Launched Her Hypnotist Boyfriend, The Cut OPTICS and Lick The Toad, Cruz Beckham Just Find a Younger Man: Dating is horrible right now, but some women have discovered a loophole, New York Magazine All Fours by Miranda July The myth of having it all and how to break free, our bonus from last week Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now? Vogue Is it really outrageously uncool to have a boyfriend? the Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 30, 2025 · 57 min
Lily Allen’s West End Girl, Nobody Wants This and Julia Roberts’ controversial thriller
Lily Allen’s West End Girl isn’t just a comeback, it’s a brutally honest divorce album and everyone is talking about it! We unpack where art ends and reality begins, who “Madeline” might be and Lily’s viral interview quotes about sex, age, personal branding and the media’s obsession with her private life. Also this week: our reviews of the second season of Nobody Wants This, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield’s controversial campus cancel culture film After the Hunt, Aimee Lou Wood’s gorgeous rom-com series Film Club and Dave’s new album. Plus: are we rooting for Sophie Turner and Chris Martin? And why is Geri trying to stop Netflix’s Spice Girls biopic? Enjoy hunnies! Final tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :) Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews After the Hunt, in cinemas now After the Party, Channel4 The Chair, Netflix Film Club, BBC iPlayer Aimee Lou Wood reveals how debut writing project Film Club helped her embrace her neurodivergence, Radio Times West End Girl, Lily Allen Lily Allen on her sensational new album, Perfect Lily Allen: ‘Intimacy is messy… I’ve had a tough year’, The Times ‘Madeline’ from new Lily Allen album comes forward after affair with David Harbour, NME The Boy Who Played the Harp, Dave Nobody Wants This, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2025 · 46 min
The myth of ‘having it all’ and how to break free
The myth of having it all has us trapped and the pressure to excel in every area of life can feel relentless. No wonder there’s a crisis in women’s happiness. Whether you’re single and stretched thin, dating and disillusioned, or juggling work and motherhood, it feels like we can never do enough. In this special ep, economist Corrine Low, author of Femonomics: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and How to Get the Most Out of Yours, explains why it’s not all in your head and why women today are overwhelmed from every angle. She breaks down why divorced women are statistically happier, the rise of heteropessimism, why she made the data-driven decision post-divorce to only date women and how to navigate those impossible trade-offs between success and self-care. From dating to fertility and the career ladder, Corrine is here to help us all ensure we get a better deal and ultimately enjoy life more! You can check out Corinne’s free resources at corinnelow.com and get Femonomics via all major booksellers. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Femonomics: What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and How to Get the Most Out of Yours Platonic, AppleTV All Fours by Miranda July This Economist Crunched the Numbers and Stopped Dating Men And she’s never been happier, The Cut . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa’s real-life rom com and why fluffy celeb interviews are out
Celebrity interviews without substance seem to be officially out, as the reaction to Kim Kardashian’s surprisingly flat Call Her Daddy episode proved last week, while thoughtful conversations about art (think Cillian Murphy and Stephen Graham) are in. We discuss! Also this week: Callum Turner’s heart-melting Sunday Times interview about Dua Lipa, Lily Allen’s candid Vogue comeback piece, Britney Spears' response to Kevin Federline’s new memoir, as well as our reviews of Molly Mae: Behind It All S2 and the Austin Butler–Zoë Kravitz film. Plus two gripping true-crime recs: a podcast discovery courtesy of a hun, and Netflix’s ‘revolutionary’ new doc The Perfect Neighbor. Final tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :) Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews Wisecrack podcast The Perfect Neighbor, Netflix The Perfect Neighbor: How a 'revolutionary' CCTV film captures a shocking US killing, BBC Callum Turner: ‘Love? It’s never not worth it’ The Times Gwyneth’s Second Coming: “I’m Much Easier On Myself, I Would Say”, Vogue ‘It Was a Way for Me to Process What Was Happening’: Lily Allen on Marriage, Motherhood, and Her Music Comeback, Vogue Britney Spears: the brutal media shaming of America’s teen dream, Straight Up You Thought You Knew, Kevin Federline Britney Spears, The Woman in Me Kim Kardashian on Call Her Daddy Kim Kardashian’s faux pubic hair thong is a patriarchal fever dream, Impact Molly Mae: Behind It All S2, Amazon Prime Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, in all good bookshops The Beauty Queens of MAGA World, Wall Street Journal Caught Stealing, available to rent on Amazon Prime etc . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Celebrity traitors, Ariana Grande and Keira Knightley’s new thriller
Celebrity Traitors is giving us the will to live as we battle flu season hunnies, and we are so hooked! We debate our faves to win and round table strategy. Also this week: we review Keira Knightley’s The Woman in Cabin 10, Harris Dickinson’s directorial debut, Joe Wicks’s provocative doc about protein bars and Elizabeth Day’s new book. Plus our thoughts on the rumours surrounding Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner’s relationships, new couple Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau, and the lowdown on Charli XCX’s feature film and Kim K’s TV drama. And make sure you listen to yesterday’s bonus ep on Victoria Beckham if you haven’t already! Tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :) Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews Joe Wicks: Licensed to Kill, C4 Ultra-Processed People, Dr Chris van Tulleken Why Karolina Krzyzak Followed the Raw Vegans to Bali, The Cut Urchin, in cinemas now Harris Dickinson won’t be your heartthrob, Vulture The Moment teaser Father of the Bride Part II, Disney+ All’s Fair trailer Celebrity Social Media (Ariana Grande story), Lainey Gossip Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, in all good bookshops Celebrity Traitors, BBC1 One of Us, Elizabeth Day Flesh, David Szalay The Woman in Cabin 10, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 15, 2025 · 39 min
VICTORIA BECKHAM: marriage, money and the Brooklyn fall out
Victoria Beckham’s docuseries has arrived on Netflix so we’re diving into the glossy three-part portrait of Posh Spice turned fashion powerhouse in this bonus episode! From what it reveals about fame and misogyny, to her relationship with David and the bitter Brooklyn feud, we unpack all the drama and our favourite moments. Is it a boring advert for brand Beckham or juicy TV? We hope you enjoy hunnies, see you back here tomorrow for our regular Thursday debrief! Get tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on Weds 19 November here! We can't wait to meet you!! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too x Recs/ reviews Victoria Beckham, Netflix Beckham, Netflix Learning To Fly, Victoria Beckham Spiceworld The Movie, rent via Sky Store Nadia Hallgren on directing the new Victoria Beckham documentary, Stylist Victoria Beckham: ‘It takes a lot to make me cry, but I did cry’,The Times Louis Tomlinson on Diary of a CEO . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 9, 2025 · 58 min
Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl, The Threesome and Nicole Kidman
Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl has caused quite the storm since it’s release on Friday, so we’re getting into everything from the Charli XCX ‘diss track’ to the recent gear shift around music criticism. Also this week: Nicole Kidman’s divorce drama, the new AI actor touted as a real-life The Substance situation, Diddy’s sentencing, two excellent film recommendations and a review of Amazon’s new rom-com The Threesome. Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too. Recs/ reviews: I Swear, in cinemas now I Swear Review, Variety Weapons, Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Sky Store etc Weapons review — gorgeous, terrifying and the best thriller of the year, Times The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl review, Pitchfork Taylor Swift says diss track is 'love letter to someone who hates me', BBC Taylor Swift’s Charli xcx hit job misses the point – and underscores her tedious obsession with conflict, Guardian Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes Nicole, Keith, and Maggie, Lainey Gossip The Threesome, Amazon Prime . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 2, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Emma Watson, Leonardo DiCaprio and open relationships
Emma Watson’s first longform interview in five years has been making headlines this week, huns, so ofc we had to dive in and dissect the nearly-three hour podcast with Jay Shetty. A bounty of excellent film and TV has also arrived just in time for cosy season, from Dakota Johnson’s dark comedy about open relationships, to Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘era defining’ film One Battle After Another. As well as our five-star review, we discuss why everyone still seems to love Leo despite his controversies. Plus: House of Guinness, Mae Martin’s Netflix thriller Wayward and ITV’s The Hack. Finally, some advice to a hun needing help with a friendship breakup dilemma. Enjoy! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required! Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.com We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews: Emma Watson, Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast From Palestine to JK Rowling, has Emma Watson taken her final form as the millennial people’s princess? Independent Splitsville, AppleTV One Battle After Another, in cinemas now ‘One Battle After Another,’ With Its Thriller Vision of Authoritarianism, Is the Rare Movie That Could Rule the Cultural Conversation, Variety House of Guinness, Netflix Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes Let There Be Light, why modern TV shows are often too dark to See, Independent The real life Descendants of the Guinness Dynasty to Know Now according to one of the family, Vogue The Hack, ITV1 Wayward, Netflix Feel Good, Netflix Wayward is unlike any other thriller – for one unexpectedly inspired reason, Radio Times Stereophonic, Duke of York’s Theatre (tickets via OfficialLondonTheatre.com) . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 25, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Harry Styles, controversial new Bumble film Swiped and Reese Witherspoon
On the show this week: Reese Witherspoon has teamed up with Harlan Coben to write a thriller, an AI R&B artist has just landed a £2.4 million record deal and Matthew McConaughey’s take on the secret to lasting love has gone viral. Plus, Harry Styles’ marathon run, Charli XCX’s Sicily wedding, the controversial new Kanye West doc In Whose Name and our review of the Bumble founder biopic Swiped. Does Lily James’ portrayal of Whitney Wolfe Herd signal the return of the girl boss, or provide proof that dating apps really are dead? Enjoy hunnies! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required! Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.com Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews Reese Witherspoon, The Interview, NYT Gone Before Goodbye, Reese Witherspoon Gen Z Only Watches TV Through Social Clips. Hollywood is Scrambling, The Ankler Matthew McConaughey, Diary of a CEO Cornfield Chase, Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar soundtrack In Whose Name Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, from all good bookshops Swiped, Hulu / Disney+ Tell Me Lies, Disney+ Culture Debrief: Are We Witnessing The Second Coming Of The Girlboss? Grazia Black Rabbit, Netflix Lily James leads a Girl Boss social network that is half film, half Bumble advert, Independent Lily James: ‘Would I use a dating app? Maybe I don’t need one’, Telegraph . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 18, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
The Summer I Turned Pretty, marriage resentment and The Girlfriend
We prayed for good TV and The Girlfriend more than delivered! We review Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke’s deliciously crazy psychosexual thriller: team Cherry or team Laura? Plus, why millennial women have fallen head over heels for The Summer I Turned Pretty, a look at whether Thailand is as ‘dark’ as Zara McDermott’s new documentary portrays, and our verdict on divorce comedy The Roses starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. Also: our thoughts on Yellowface author RF Kuang’s new book Katabasis. Enjoy hunnies! Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com. Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.com We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews The Roses, in cinemas now Thailand: the dark side of paradise, BBC Antioxidant scanning at BACKSTAGE Salon The Girlfriend, Amazon Prime Video The Girlfriend: Warning! This sexy oedipal thriller may be too shocking for vanilla viewers, Guardian The Summer I Turned Pretty, Prime Video Why Are Forty-Something Women Obsessed With The Summer I Turned Pretty?, Vogue Why Almost Every Woman You Know Is Obsessed With The Summer I Turned Pretty, Elle In ‘The Girlfriend,’ Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke ‘go feral.’ But who’s the real villain?, LA Times Katabasis by RF Kuang The Problem With RF Kuang's Fiction, Slate Katabasis by RF Kuang review – a descent into the hellscape of academia, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 11, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Wuthering Heights, Jacob Elordi's next role and a wild RichTok wedding
Saltburn director Emerald Fennell seems to have enraged the internet with the trailer for her new Wuthering Heights adaptation starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, but is this really ‘ragebait cinema’ or just her signature ‘stylised depravity’? We discuss! Also this week: Elordi’s other big trailer for Netflix’s Frankenstein, the Thursday Murder Club adaptation, queen of RichTok Becca Bloom’s wedding and the Etsy witches she credits with banishing bad weather, a viral Wired long-read about surrogacy, the rise and fall of Vice magazine, and what a new ‘nepo baby’ editor means for Vogue. Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com. Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.com We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews Popbitch, Substack Thursday Murder Club, Netflix Attack of the Rotten Tomatoes, Puck Magazine Atomic, NowTV Bland, easy to follow, for fans of everything: what has the Netflix algorithm done to our films? Guardian Emerald Fennell’s Hyper-Sexualized ‘Wuthering Heights’ Gets Polarized Reception at First Test Screening, World of Reel Is Emerald Fennell the Bonnie Blue of cinema? Dazed $3 Million Watches and Caviar for the Cat: How Becca Bloom Became the Queen of RichTok, WSJ I hired an Etsy witch to save my wedding day weather. Here's what happened, Glamour Vice is Broke, Amazon Prime Video The Baby Died. Whose Fault Is It? Wired Can Vogue Go Niche, Business of Fashion The Memification of Nepotism and How Proud Nepo Babies Are Rebranding Inequality, Substack . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 10, 2025 · 32 min
OZEMPIC: medical miracle or body image nightmare?
Hi hunnies! We had so many messages about Serena Williams’ weight-loss jab ad that we knew we had to dig deeper behind the headlines into the world of GLP-1s for this extra episode. From the shame still clinging to these drugs, to the groundbreaking new research on how they could help treat psychiatric disorders, addiction and even Alzheimer's, we’re weighing up the pros and cons. We also share how a GLP-1 has transformed the life of one listener with PCOS, ask what’s really driving the obesity epidemic and get into the difference between GLP-1s for medical vs. aesthetic use. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Reccs: How is Ozempic changing the world? Why? With Emma Kennedy podcast A GLP-1/obesity expert breaking down Jameela Jamil's post How weight-loss wonder drugs are redefining the way our bodies work, Guardian Here’s Why Doctors Are Hopeful That GLP-1s Can Help Treat PCOS Symptoms, Women's Health Health and productivity losses from obesity ‘far outstrip weight-loss jab costs’, Guardian A Year on Ozempic Taught Me We Are Thinking About Obesity All Wrong, New York Times . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 4, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Sabrina Carpenter, the Lily Phillips doc and Meghan Markle’s return
British OnlyFans creator Lily Phillips comes second to Bonnie Blue for her extreme sex stunts, yet she has a very different public image, as a new Stacey Dooley doc makes clear. What does this say about our notions of femininity? And is the criticism around Stacey ‘platforming’ Lily fair? Also on the show: Sydney Sweeney’s new romance, Molly Mae’s nanny furore, our verdict on Sabrina’s new album and another season of With Love, Meghan on Netflix. Enjoy hunnies! Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com. Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.com We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews Inter Alia, National Theatre (or National Theatre Live) Lilo and Stitch, Disney+ Disney's latest unnecessary remake is a monstrosity, Guardian Chief of War, Apple TV The Inheritance, C4 Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over with Lily Phillips, S6 E1, U Lily Phillips: I slept with 100 men in a day, YouTube ONLYFANS: Bonnie Blue, sex stunts and the rise of the porn 'influencer' (Straight Up ep from May) Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter Sabrina Carpenter to Taylor Swift: Why female pop stars embracing sex is still controversial in 2025, BBC With Love, Meghan, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 28, 2025 · 55 min
Serena Williams’ weight-loss ad, Millie Bobby Brown and the twisted tale of Amanda Knox
Serena Williams has sparked a serious debate with her sponsored content promoting an Ozempic-style weight-loss jab. We get into the pros and cons of these so-called ‘miracle drugs’ and the inevitable media-fuelled fall-out with Jameela Jamil. Also this week, we dive into the Millie Bobby Brown adoption ‘backlash’, give an update on the most divisive film of the year (match-making rom com The Materialists), and review the controversial new Amanda Knox Disney drama, along with Netflix’s number one show Hostage. And, of course, as promised, our verdict on The Real Housewives of London! Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs The Materialists, in cinemas now The Logic of the ‘9 to 5’ Is Creeping Into the Rest of the Day, The Atlantic Speculating about Millie Bobby Brown’s adoption is unacceptable, Stylist Op-Ed: I Judged Serena Williams For Using A Weight-Loss Drug — Now, I Get It, Essence Fears that sport will be the loser as Serena Williams embraces weight loss jabs, The Observer Dua Lipa, #SkinnyTok and the labubu doll craze, Straight Up May episode Why with Emma Kennedy podcast: How is Ozempic changing the world? The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, Disney+ Why the new Amanda Knox TV drama is misguided, BBC ‘It’s a new kind of prison’: Amanda Knox on redemption , rage, and her unlikely friendship with the prosecutor who hounded her, Guardian Hostage, Netflix The Real Housewives of London, Hayu . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 21, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Taylor Swift, the horror renaissance and another Beckham update
Taylor Swift has officially entered her sexy era, announcing a new album in her first-ever podcast interview with Travis Kelce, alongside a showgirl-themed shoot that’s got everyone talking. We debrief on both! Also this week: from Weapons to 28 Years Later, we’re deep in a horror renaissance, Chris Hemsworth drops a wellness doc with an appearance from pal Ed Sheeran, the mind-blowing new science of signs, Netflix’s depressing Biggest Loser doc and of course, yet another Beckham update, this time courtesy of Brooklyn and Nicola’s vow renewal. Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews discussed: 28 Years Later, in cinemas now Weapons, in cinemas now Together, in cinemas now Limitless: Live Better Now, Disney Neuroscientist (Dr. Tara Swart): Evidence We Can Communicate After Death! Diary of a CEO The Signs: the New Science of How to Trust Your Instincts, Tara Swart Pillow Talk. What Travis Kelsey does that's made Taylor Swift suddenly so sexy, Daily Mail Taylor Swift’s Sultry, Spangled Next Act, Vogue Taylor Swift has gone raunchy for the life of a showgirl. What can it mean? Times Wait, Is Taylor Swift Teasing a Super Bowl Halftime Performance? Vulture David and Victoria Beckham face fresh heartache as new details emerge of Brooklyn's vow renewal speech to wife Nicola Peltz, Daily Mail Fit for TV: The reality of the Biggest Loser, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 20, 2025 · 56 min
THERAPY: ChatGPT, false memories and therapy speak
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’, we deep-dive into the dark side of the therapy boom. Plus, what makes a good therapist, and can AI offer an accessible alternative to what has become a luxury? We hope you enjoy this special bonus hunnies, we’ll be back with our usual Thursday pop culture debrief tomorrow! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! 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.
Aug 14, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Freakier Friday, Pamela Anderson and why 'all the good men are taken'
‘Heteropessimism’ is all over our feeds right now, so this week we’re asking: where are all the eligible men? Plus, our verdict on the Freaky Friday sequel (Freakier Friday), Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson’s rumoured romance, “recreational argument” families and the recent but inescapable rise of rage-bait, from Sydney Sweeney’s genes and the Skims chin strap, to sex stunts and wedding cake-smashing. Also: why Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne’s Platonic might just be our favourite TV show of the year! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews: Freakier Friday, in cinemas now Freakier Friday is humiliating to everyone involved, Time Cosmetic procedures make Freakier Friday confusing as hell, Allure ‘Generations of women have been disfigured’, Jamie Lee Curtis, Guardian Platonic, AppleTV My Oxford Year, Netflix The Store, Oxford How the Right Shaped the Debate over Sydney Sweeney ads, New York Times From Kim Kardashian’s ‘face shapewear’ to Sydney Sweeney’s jeans controversy, is everything rage bait now? Glamour Heteropessimism and our declining faith in the straight, cis man, Glamour Where Are All The Eligible Men? British Vogue Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson Are Dating: 'It's Clear They're Smitten' People The Emma Guns Show . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 7, 2025 · 1 hr
Caroline O’Donoghue, stolen time and the problem with selling trauma
This week we're diving into the pressure female authors face to turn their personal trauma into marketable content. Why is women’s fiction so often mistaken for ‘autofiction’? And why does the publishing world seem to reward pain over imagination when it comes from women? Writer (and returning guest!) Caroline O’Donoghue joins us to unpack her brilliant recent piece in The Bookseller, deep-diving into everything from the first-person industrial complex, stolen time and tweakments, to her current pop culture picks including books, TV and film. Also this week, K has been to see match-making rom-com The Materialists and E has a book rec! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠ Recs/reviews: I Who Have Never Known Men, Jaqueline Harpman Orlanda, Jaqueline Harpman The Materialists, in cinemas Materialists review – Celine Song’s Past Lives follow-up is a mixed bag, Guardian ‘Materialists’ Review: When Dakota Met Pedro (and Chris), New York Times Past Lives, Amazon Prime Up close and personal, Caroline O’Donoghue for The Bookseller Skip Shock, Caroline O’Donoghue Where's the 'you'? Naoise Dolan on Substack I felt myself split into before and after’: how giving birth triggered a life-changing illness, Guardian The Terrible Things I Have To Do To Be Me, Philippa Snow In Love With Love, Ella Rusbridger 84 Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff The Cinemile podcast You’re Wrong About podcast Lena Dunham’s C Word podcast Ologies podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 31, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Bonnie Blue’s shocking new doc and the ‘real’ Gwyneth Paltrow
Is Bonnie Blue a ‘sexual predator’ or an empowered businesswoman? That’s the question driving the controversial new Channel 4 documentary about the porn star’s sex extremism, including sleeping with 1057 men in 12 hours. We went to the doc’s press screening last week, with Bonnie herself in attendance for a post-screening Q&A, so we discuss the its most uncomfortable moments, as well as Bonnie’s motivations, societal responsibility and what she’s really like in person. Also in this ep, a look at the juiciest revelations from the new and unauthorised Gwyneth Paltrow biog, from Goop’s toxic work environment to her fallout with Madonna. Plus a couple of TV reviews for you to get stuck into! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply. Recs/reviews The Assassin, Amazon Prime The Secrets of TikTok Shop: UNTOLD, Channel 4 ONLYFANS: Bonnie Blue, sex stunts and the rise of the porn 'influencer' (our 28 May bonus ep) 100 Men and Me: the Bonnie Blue Story, Channel 4 Bonnie Blue: 1,000 men and the worrying normalisation of porn, The Times Confronting Andrew Tate & Bonnie Blue: World Exclusive: Have Men Lost Their Power & Has Feminism Ruined Society? Disruptors podcast Bonnie Blue, Channel four and the problem with commodifying sexual violence, Glamour The Affair podcast Gwyneth: The Biography, Amy Odell Back Row, Amy Odell’s Substack Sorry, you’ll never be Gwyneth Paltrow. Whoever she really is, Washington Post Shakespeare in Love, BBC iPlayer . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.