Straight Up

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

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256 episodes
Updated Thursday
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Episodes256

Newest first

Sep 28, 2023 · 1 hr 30 min
Emma Gannon on chronic burnout, the success myth and the joys of being child-free by choice
This week we are so excited to welcome Emma Gannon on the pod, ahead of her speaking at the fantastic Wimbledon Bookfest, which runs 12-22 October. Emma is the author of six books and creator of hit Substack newsletter, The Hyphen. Having published The Success Myth earlier this year, which explains why our obsession with achievement is a trap and how to break free, Emma was diagnosed with chronic burnout, an irony that she unpicks with us as she gets into how it left her dissociated and unable to work for four months. From her own experience of massive success – and how it left her feeling unfulfilled and miserable – to workaholism, the subjective nature of success and how to design a life (not a career) you enjoy, there is so much insight and wisdom for all you angels here regardless of what you do for work! It felt almost like we’d been in one of Emma’s coaching sessions after this chat, and we absolutely loved it. Also up for debate are the joys of being child-free by choice (her novel Olive is all about this and it is fab), finding your own version of “fun”, how to earn more doing LESS work, the importance of prioritising a solo holiday and, of course, boundary setting. Also, a big shout out in our intro to The Apollo Arms, the most gorge new pub in Clapham, South London, that has the most incredible gastro menu we’ve tried in a long time. We implore you to go check it out! apolloarms.co.uk Get your copy of The Success Myth at all good booksellers, follow Emma on socials @emmagannonuk and check out her newsletter at thehyphen.substack.com/subscribe Please do rate review and subscribe and shoot us a DM about what you’d like us to chat about next @straightupod on IG Thanks so much to our three brilliant partner for this ep: London Nootropics, the tastiest sachet-served coffee EVER, which - thanks to its incredible adaptogens such as lion's mane mushroom and zinseng - actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, all without any of coffee's usual classic crashes or anxiety. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at londonnootropics.com Flare, the cutting edge company behind the Calmer earbuds, which soften horrible sounds like chewing, tapping and loud breathing for sensitive souls like us (misophonia!). If you’re someone who gets distracted easily then you absolutely NEED these in your life. Grab a pair for £19.95 at ⁠flareaudio.com⁠. Yonder, the super cool lifestyle credit card that’s ideal for London Huns who want to get huge discounts and freebies across food, drink, and fitness. Every point you spend is then redeemable against amazing experiences in the capital, from top restaurants like Lina Stores to gym F45! The card also includes comprehensive travel insurance. Sign up today at yondercard.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 21, 2023 · 1 hr 24 min
Russell Brand: Misogyny, manipulation and the mainstream media 'agenda'
Hi everyone, we’re all aware of the horrific rape and sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand - which he vehemently denies, maintaining all sexual relations have been consensual - so in this episode we analyse what this means for the media (TW). Why is it that so many Brand supporters think this is a media conspiracy? What does ‘the media establishment’ - Brand and his supporters’ enemy no1 - really mean? And are ‘alt’ voices like Brand really being silenced by traditional titles? Using our extensive experiences in the media we analyse how exactly this kind of investigation would have come about from a legal and editorial perspective, and why alt-right, conspiracy-led content from people like Brand does so well online. Plus, we debate the thorny issue of the age of consent, why there has never been such a divide between men and women, and who Russell Brand’s male and female supporters really are. Let us know what you think of our discussion by sending us a DM on Insta @straightuppod. We will be back to less sombre issues next week! E and K xxx Thanks so much to our two brilliant partners: Yonder, the super cool lifestyle credit card that’s ideal for London Huns who want to get huge discounts and freebies across food, drink, and fitness. Every point you spend is then redeemable against amazing experiences in the capital, from top restaurants like Lina Stores and 45 Jermyn St to gyms F45 and Sweat BXR! The card also includes comprehensive travel insurance. Sign up today at yondercard.com London Nootropics, the tastiest sachet-served coffee EVER, which - thanks to its incredible adaptogens such as lion's mane mushroom and zinseng - actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, all without any of coffee's usual classic crashes or anxiety. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20 per cent off your box with the code straightup at londonnootropics.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 14, 2023 · 1 hr 12 min
Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner and being a 20-something divorcée
We’ve said it before huns, this is the year of the chaotic celebrity divorce, but the Joe Jonas vs Sophie Turner divorce drama has left us REELING. From Joe’s PR team playing what appears to many as a misogynistic smear-campaign against Sophie — who he married in 2019, when she was just 23 — to wild rumours involving partying and ‘ring cameras’, this might be the messiest celeb divorce we’ve witnessed since Brad and Angelina. We discuss everything from Sophie’s public battle with mental health and when Ellie interviewed Joe in 2018, to the very revealing Taylor Swift song thought to be about ‘smug’ ex Joe. Plus, Kathleen tells us why she’s had enough of reading about heartbroken middle-class women, and we reveal our honest thoughts about new It couple Kylie and Timothée. Do they have more in common than we think? Let us know what you think of the episode by sending us a DM @straightuppod ! Recommendation discussed: Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas and why the court of public opinion matters in celebrity divorces, today.com Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisy Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan Real life by Brandon Taylor Mona Hotel Athens Birdman Athens Listener reccos: The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver I'm Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait Maame by Jessica George Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 31, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
Maya and Stormzy, ‘bad boy’ literature and the cheek of Kanye’s bottom
Poor Els got mugged last week huns, so today’s episode starts with the download on her enforced digital detox, before taking a sunnier towards perhaps the best news we’ve heard all year – Maya Jama and Stormzy are back together!! – and our slightly tragic obsession with this ultimate modern day love story. Then, more summer reading recommendations, including Imogen Crimp’s A Very Nice Girl, the buzziest debut novel of last year, and Dolly Alderton’s upcoming second novel, Good Material, as well as some suggestions from you gorgeous listeners. We also debate why there are so few ‘bad boy’ voices in literature these days, the female protagonist overload, and whether we could ever be interested in an ‘incel-y’ perspective. Finally, an unfortunate look at Kanye’s builders bum in Venice (yes you read that correctly), plus a rundown on the ongoing Hollywood strikes, and how they’re shaping TV and film for the future. Recommendations discussed: Jockstrap, I Love You Jennifer B Another Round on Netflix Theatre Camp in cinemas now The Woman in the Wall on BBC1 A Very Nice Girl by Imogen Crimp Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan Good Material by Dolly Alderton (out this November) The List by Yomi Adekoke The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 24, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Cover girl Coleen Rooney, Britney’s bitter divorce and the downfall of Scooter Braun
All the celebs are on holiday this week, angels, so we’ve got another jam-packed pop culture debrief for you, starting with Coleen Rooney’s fabulous – but divisive – Vogue cover for the September issue, the most important of the year! We get into all her explosive Wagatha Christie revelations and backstory with Wayne, as well as the criticisms of the cover. Are the suggestions that Coleen is not a Vogue cover girl rooted in classism? Then, a look at one of the most powerful and hated men in music, manager Scooter Braun – who discovered Justin Bieber and waged war with Taylor Swift in 2019 – who has just been dropped by Ariana Grande, following in the footsteps of J Balvin and Demi Lovato. We get stuck into the rumours as well as some of the disturbing allegations surrounding his management style. Plus, is it ethical for Amy Winehouse’s parents to be publishing her private diaries, and what the hell is going on with Britney’s divorce? Is Sam Asghari a scumbag who plans to take her to the cleaners? Or are the rumours that Britney cheated on him true? We lay out her prenup terms and all the other insider bits of intel, with a debate on her nude Instagram posts. Please leave us a review and send us a little DM @straightuppod on Insta, we love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 17, 2023 · 56 min
Harry Styles’s fertility fetish and 'celeb sickness’ Lyme disease
From the outrageous 'dirty' celeb dating story that has blown up our WhatsApp chats to the Harry Styles rumour that sent the internet spinning, it's safe to say we have been SHOCKED by the world of celebrity gossip this week huns!! And of course we are here to share all of our uncensored thoughts. In more serious news, we also look at the claims that Lyme disease is a 'celebrity' sickness that has become an identity for some, as well as the absolutely horrific allegations that have come out of an investigation into some of Britain's top drama schools. Plus, we get into Zayn Malik's underwhelming comeback (and a very strange story about his pet chicken), and the book you absolutely must bring on your next holiday. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe, it really helps us in the charts and then we can get more fabulous guests! And we LOVE receiving your DMs on Insta @straightuppod, so please send us something cute Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 10, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
Dissecting the Lizzo scandal and Ariana Grande's 'steal your man' energy
It's a dark and sordid week in the world of fame and celebrity huns, with pop stars Lizzo and Ariana Grande both getting flack from all directions. Lizzo is at the centre of wild allegations from three former dancers – all of which she denies – while Ariana Grande has been accused of living a little close to her lyrics by finding herself at the centre of yet another cheating drama. We get into all the arguments for and against both women, and let you be the judge! Finally, we have a juicy debrief on the politics of sharing bills with your partners, thanks to a divisive Refinery29 Money Diaries post. Plus, TV recommendations including S2 of Netflix's brilliant Heartstopper, and Kevin Costner's contemporary cowboy, Succession-style drama Yellowstone. Let us know what you think of the episode by shooting us an Insta DM @StraightUpPod and please do rate, review and subscribe on your fave podcast platform! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 3, 2023 · 1 hr 35 min
Gizzi Erskine: naked dinner parties, magic mushrooms and how ADHD almost killed her
We are SO excited to share this fascinating chat with our favourite chef and cookery writer Gizzi Erskine with you all this week, getting into everything from naked dinner parties to psychedelics, via public shaming, misogyny and body image. Author of killer books from Gizzi’s Healthy Appetite to Slow and Restore, you might recognise Gizzi from her various TV appearances over the years, or perhaps from her lockdown fakeway brand with Professor Green, Giz and Greens. She’s a proper celeb chef and a pop culture icon, writing regularly for the Independent and as a London party scene fave, with a whole host of famous friends and fascinating insight into that world. Gizzi talks incredibly honestly about how her extreme ADHD and cyclothymic disorder made life feel like utter “chaos” for decades, and how she’s since come through the other side, after addiction, losing all five of her businesses last year and hitting financial rock bottom. Ever the optimist, Gizzi reveals all the ways she’s been putting her life back together, from experimenting with different mushrooms, to settling down in Brighton. And, of course, her must-try restaurants in the UK! Enjoy huns, don’t forget to leave a review, and shoot us a DM with your thoughts on the episode @straightuppod on Insta. Thank you so much to our wonderful partner Flare Audio, who have game-changed the way we sleep thanks to their amazingly nifty little earplugs, Sleeeps, which totally block out pesky sounds — from snoring to traffic — ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep. Plus they are so tiny, so comfortable, and don’t fall out! Get your Sleeeps, starting at £4.95, from flareaudio.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 27, 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
The big Barbie debrief: Sex dolls, incels and Ken’s controversial crotch
The headline speaks for itself huns, this episode is spicy!! After seeing Barbie together last week (dressed in pink, obv) we couldn’t wait to discuss our verdicts and debate the VERY polarised online conversation, including Barbie-burning Republicans and some very cross incels. Plus, we deepdive into Barbie’s salacious origin story and the woman who created her, and reveal why Ken’s crotch became one of toymaker Mattel’s most unexpected nightmares. Also, what is going on with so-called Margot Robbie fans editing her face beyond recognition, and what does this say about our warped beauty standards? Which obviously prompted us to fret that everyone around us is getting tweakements and we should too *cries* Finally, we have a ‘cheugy’ moment dissecting the latest TikTok lingo, as well as the very strange success of new ‘robot’ social media star PinkyDoll. Please do rate review and subscribe, and send us a DM with all your hot pink Barbie thoughts to @straightuppod on Insta And enjoy our two delicious restaurant reviews of Little Kudu in Peckham and Sale e Pepe in Knightsbridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 20, 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
Caroline Calloway: the infamous influencer on scamming, revenge and surviving scandal
We are SO excited to introduce you to this week’s utterly fascinating and highly controversial guest: Caroline Calloway, one of the very first internet celebrities, a self- anointed ‘scammer’ and perhaps our first guest who has been publicly shamed. If you haven’t heard of her before, don’t worry, we give you the complete lowdown in our intro, but in a nutshell: Caroline moved from New York to the University of Cambridge in 2013 and swiftly became famous as one of the first Instagram influencers, then was commissioned aged just 23 by a major British publisher to write a memoir. But by 2019 her life had fallen to pieces. The book was never finished, she was $100k in debt to her publisher, and her former best friend had written a viral, tell-all piece claiming all her fame and success was a scam. She was attacked from all corners of the internet as an emblem of everything wrong with influencer culture, while her ex-friendship became a sordid topic of public fascination. Now, she’s finally written a self-published memoir, Scammer (which is actually fab!) has built an incredibly successful personal brand off her own controversies, and has become a kind of anti-hero with a cult following. Her life rights have even been bought by Lena Dunham!! So we got her on Zoom to chat all about her insane and unusual experience of fame, the catharsis of rage, making ‘chaos’ her brand, how she dealt with an overwhelming online pile-on, her complicated feelings around friendship, and MUCH more. She was incredibly eloquent, charming and thoughtful, and we have to say, she very much won us over. But what do you think? Let us know! Buy Caroline's book Scammers via carolinecalloway.com and find her on Insta @carolinecalloway. Please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and find us on Insta @straightuppod. We'd love to hear from you, especially if you have a topic suggestion for future episodes. Thank you to our fabulous sponsors for this episode: Art Fund, which has an amazing art pass that allows you to see paid exhibitions at major galleries from the Tate to the V&A and National Gallery at half the price! Head to artfund.org/straightup to claim your discounted under 30 membership – then we recommend booking DIVA at the V&A. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at ⁠yondercard.com⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 13, 2023 · 1 hr 9 min
Jonah Hill’s 'boundaries', Louis Theroux's lost touch, Kim and Kourtney’s epic fallout
No interview this week angels, instead, we're covering the hottest celeb talking points from the past few days. First, we get into the topic that's currently ruling the internet, actor Jonah Hill's toxic 'boundaries', which came to light when his ex Sarah Brady shared their private messages on her Instagram. We debate the dangers of therapy speak and at which point it becomes a tool for manipulation and narcissism, the difference between boundaries and controlling behaviour, plus why fame enables emotional abuse. Next, a rich-person drama to rival Succession: the epic fallout between Kim and Kourtney Kardashian over Dolce and Gabanna. Did Kourtney steal Kim's "wedding country" and "wedding singer" Andrea Boccelli? Is Kim a money-grabbing manipulator who puts fame before family? And finally, *whisper it*, has Louis Theroux lost his touch? We debrief on Louis' new Spotify podcast, in particular the episode with former Straight Up guest Amelia Dimoldenberg, where his interview style seemed to not only irk her, but in all honesty, us as well. Please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and find us on Insta @straightuppod Articles, TV shows, podcasts, films etc. discussed: normalondon.com restaurant on Charlotte Street Green Tea Peng live at Somerset House. Keep up to date with GTP's upcoming shows via her IG @greenteapeng Why are millennials talking in therapy speak? Sidney Lima for The Times You People The Kardashians The Louis Theroux Podcast on Spotify Thank you to our fabulous sponsors for this episode: Art Fund, which has an amazing art pass that allows you to see paid exhibitions at major galleries from the Tate to the V&A and National Gallery at half the price! Head to artfund.org/straightup to claim your discounted under 30 membership – then we recommend booking DIVA at the V&A. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at ⁠yondercard.com⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 6, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
The Barbie invasion, chaotic celebrity divorces and Idris Elba’s irresistible Hijack
Right huns, gets ready for an episode full of drama, because this week we're debriefing on America’s sweetheart Blake Lively getting her first taste of cancellation, and why celebs are in their peak chaotic divorce era (and we secretly love it). Plus, is it at all possible to escape the insane multi-million pound marketing campaign for Margot Robbie’s new Barbie blockbuster, encompassing everything from AirBnb to inflatables — and might it be overcompensating for a potential flop? We also get stuck into Idris Elba’s thrilling new role in Apple TV’s Hijack, in which he plays a VERY sexy corporate negotiator on a hijacked plane flying from Dubai to London. And of course we couldn’t not update you on the final of The Idol, which we are sorry to report enters a whole new realm of terrible. Finally, we discuss one of Lily-Rose Depp’s little known roles in the film Wolf, as a troubled young woman who identifies a cat and is sent to a sadistic treatment centre to be ‘cured’. Are we the only ones who seem to have watched it? Let us know! Please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify, and find us on Insta @straightuppod Thank you to our fabulous sponsors: Art Fund, which has an amazing art pass that allows you to see paid exhibitions at major galleries from the Tate to the V&A and National Gallery at half the price! Head to artfund.org/straightup to claim your discounted under 30 membership – then we recommend booking DIVA at the V&A. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at ⁠yondercard.com⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 29, 2023 · 1 hr 17 min
Caroline O’Donoghue: Carrie Bradshaw, celeb gossip and the reality of being a best-selling author
Today’s guest is the best-selling author Caroline O’Donoghue, the GENIUS behind one of our favourite podcasts, Sentimental Garbage, for a pop cultural deep dive on everything from And Just Like That and Desperate Housewives, to Fleishman in Trouble, the career vs kids conundrum and why fame is less like being the most important in the room, and more like being the entire public’s PA. Plus, Caroline’s top recommendations for you all, including Brooke Shields’s Pretty Baby documentary and her favourite London pub. If you take one thing from this chat gang, make sure you buy a copy of The Rachel Incident, which, as thought-provoking as it is funny, is without a doubt one of the best novels we’ve read in the past few years! It’s out now so you can grab yours from all good book shops. Follow Caroline on IG ⁠@czaronline⁠ Enjoy the episode, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple, or send us a DM ⁠@straightuppod ⁠on Insta. Thanks to our two amazing sponsors for this episode: Art Fund, which has an amazing art pass that allows you to see paid exhibitions at major galleries from the Tate to the V&A and National Gallery at half the price! Head to ⁠artfund.org/national-art-pass⁠ to grab your 3-month trial National Art Pass for just £15, PLUS until June 30th you can add a free plus one to your trial membership with promocode STRAIGHTUP. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at ⁠yondercard.com⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 22, 2023 · 1 hr 10 min
Black Mirror, AI boyfriends and The Idol: torture porn or top TV?
Gang, we have waited SO long to debrief about HBO’s new “torture porn” show The Idol, starring Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd that is already the most talked about TV show of 2023, and since three episodes have passed we think we’re finally ready to give our verdict. We get stuck into its grotesque flaws and surprisingly more promising moments, debating everything from whether Lily-Rose Depp is any good (and if her character Jocelyn could ever really be a viable pop star), to the allegations of “heavy sleaze” and its inescapably male gaze. Plus, the new Black Mirror anthology has dropped on Netflix after a four year wait, and one episode in particular is highly relevant to us celeb culture nuts: 'Mazey Day', the one in which a vulnerable celebrity is stalked by paparazzi. No spoilers huns, instead we debate the ethics of photographing someone who has consented to becoming a public figure, and whether the paparazzi has evolved since its infamous heyday. Plus, a quick overview of episode one, Joan Is Awful, the most "vintage", deliciously "Black Mirror" of all of the new series. Finally, Ellie has a new boyfriend, and we get to meet him! Enjoy the episode, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple, or send us a DM @straightuppod on Insta. Thanks to our two amazing sponsors for this episode: Art Fund, which has an amazing art pass that allows you to see paid exhibitions at major galleries from the Tate to the V&A and National Gallery at half the price! Head to artfund.org/national-art-pass to grab your 3-month trial National Art Pass for just £15, PLUS you can add a free plus one to your trial membership with promocode STRAIGHTUP. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 15, 2023 · 1 hr 23 min
Alastair Campbell: Princess Diana, celebrity politicians and how to ACTUALLY make a difference
Hi huns, we’ve got someone a little different from the usual celeb on the pod this week: Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who is currently having a second wind of fame thanks to his top-charting podcast The Rest is Politics, of which both of us are HUGE fans. This month he also released a brilliant new book called But What Can I Do? which is all about motivating young, capable people to get into politics and shake things up, with lots of practical tips on how to improve the essential skills you need in politics, from communication to body language. Of course, true to the Straight Up USP, we had to ask Alastair all about his most surreal – and nightmarish – celebrity encounters, from Princess Diana to Jimmy Savile. Plus, he revealed his biggest celebrity crush, how he feels about his daughter's risque comedy, and his surreal interlude writing erotic fiction. We had so much fun (despite Alastair ripping us for our shameful lack of general knowledge) that he even let us accompany him to his home after the recording to sign some books for us. Though he may have got cross that we didn't immediately recognise his portrait of John Lennon - oops. We hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording this one! Please let us know what you think by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or rating us on Spotify and come say hello on Insta ⁠@straightuppod⁠ Thanks so much to our amazing partners for this episode: Art Fund, which has an amazing art pass that allows you to see paid exhibitions at major galleries from the Tate to the V&A and National Gallery at half the price! Head to artfund.org/national-art-pass to grab your 3-month trial National Art Pass for just £15, PLUS you can add a free plus one to your trial membership with promocode STRAIGHTUP. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com Also thanks very much to the Dartmouth Arms in Highgate for hosting us! This gorge pub has an amazing dining club, the next one is on Thursday 29 June in collaboration with Uncharted Wines and is just £50 a ticket for five courses and a welcome drink with an optional £30 wine pairing supplement, tickets available at disappearingdiningclub.co.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 8, 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Matty Healy, Phil Schofield and why modern dating is so broken
This week’s mad developments in celebrity culture has aligned perfectly with Straight Up’s USP, to deconstruct ‘fame’ in all its surreal highs and horrible lows, so we’re talking about everything from Matty Healey’s controversial performative fame and the online outpouring of outrage from Taylor Swift fans, to the the surreal This Morning saga and Phil Schofield's fall from grace, as well Johnny Depps's return to Cannes. Then, we debrief on the wildly shocking new data on what top podcaster Chris Williamson calls ‘the mating market’ (ie, the dating scene), investigating why so many amazing women are single and why it feels like there aren’t enough ‘good men’ to go round (spoiler: because there literally aren't). Plus, we tell you all about our new TV obsession: Platonic, starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne as old friends reuniting, which got us wondering why opposite-sex, heteronormative friendships in adulthood becomes so hard to maintain. Enjoy angels and please do leave us a little review, rate us on Spotify and let us know what you think on Insta ⁠@straightuppod⁠ Thanks so much to our amazing partners for this episode: Flare, the cutting edge company behind the Calmer earbuds, which soften horrible sounds like chewing, tapping and loud breathing for sensitive souls like us (misophonia!). If you’re someone who gets distracted easily then you absolutely NEED these in your life. Grab a pair for £19.95 at flareaudio.com. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com Huel, the game-changing, high protein nutritionally complete meal you can have in a shake that has got both of us into the best shape of our lives, and feeling our healthiest, too! Our fave is the Black Edition – get a free shaker and a T-shirt when you order at ⁠huel.com/straightup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 1, 2023 · 1 hr 19 min
Sophie Ellis-Bextor: noughties nostalgia, phone hacking and fame vs family
Hello huns, we were SO excited to go round for tea at Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s gorgeous London home the other week to chat all about her extraordinary experience of fame, from her initial “failed” start in a band as a teenager, who were dropped by their label before their second album, to the incredible success of her iconic hit Murder on the Dancefloor just a few years later (Europe’s biggest song of 2002 and our primary school selves’ FAVE). The queen of the kitchen disco was just as fun as we’d hoped, getting into everything from her most embarrassing showbiz fail and how she played the tabloids by making up her own stories, to her insane archive of vintage clothing and a retrospective on what the noughties music scene was really like. Plus, how fame can affect family dynamics, dealing with phone hacking, the paparazzi and a stalker, and what it’s like to be such a successful musician with five children. Sophie's new album HANA is out 2nd June, find it here: sophieellisbextor.komi.io Follow Sophie on IG @sophieellisbextor Leave us a little review, rate us on Spotify and let us know what you think on Insta ⁠@straightuppod⁠ Thank you so much to our sponsors for this episode: Flare, the cutting edge company behind the Calmer earbuds, which soften horrible sounds like chewing, tapping and loud breathing for sensitive souls like us (misophonia!). If you’re someone who gets distracted easily then you absolutely NEED these in your life. Grab a pair for £19.95 at flareaudio.com. Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com Huel, the game-changing, high protein nutritionally complete meal you can have in a shake that has got both of us into the best shape of our lives, and feeling our healthiest, too! Our fave is the Black Edition – get a free shaker and a T-shirt when you order at ⁠huel.com/straightup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 25, 2023 · 1 hr 13 min
Kesha’s ghost exorcism, the genius of Jury Duty and the Hailey Bieber dilemma
Welcome back to another cultural debrief gang! This week, Ellie interviewed the icon that is Kesha for the Telegraph ahead of her brilliant new her album Gag Order, out now, and gave us all the behind-the-scenes gossip and juicy talking points, specifically: did Kesha really have a vaginal ghost exorcism? Plus we both reveal our own experiences with the paranormal, featuring Kathleen’s mum’s run-in with a hag at the end of her bed and Ellie’s unexplained sleep paralysis... Then, we debrief on Lily Allen’s new show Dreamland, prompting all kind of existential questions, from whether you can ever innocently party with your friend’s partner, to what counts as an unforgivable betrayal, and why filming such scenes were so triggering for Lily, who cheated on her former husband with female escorts. Finally, we get into why everyone is watching Jury Duty right now, as well as all the ethical implications of Amazon's reality hit. And finally, our thoughts on Hailey Bieber’s interview with The Sunday Times Style, where she said that public hate makes her scared to have children, and whether she’s really as “calculated” as Selena Gomez fans would have us believe. Leave us a little review, rate us on Spotify and let us know what you think on Insta @straightuppod Thank you so much to our amazing partners for this episode: Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com Thank you to Huel for supporting this episode, the game-changing, high protein nutritionally complete meal you can have in a shake that has got both of us into the best shape of our lives, and feeling our healthiest, too! Our fave is the Black Edition – get a free shaker and a T-shirt when you order at ⁠huel.com/straightup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 18, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Allan ‘MC Grindah’ Mustafa: prank calls, insecure men and winding up Jared Leto
Buckle up huns because today’s guest is one of our all-time favourites: fellow Londoner and proper funny man Allan 'Seapa' Mustafa, the BAFTA-winning actor, writer and co-creator of hit crime comedy, The Curse, as well as the ICONIC People Just Do Nothing, the BBC mockumentary series – and feature film – where he played MC Grindah. In this hilarious chat, Allan tells us all about the inspiration for PJDN, from his work in a call centre (featuring retellings of some of his best pranks), to the pirate radio and raving scenes he loved, as well as his relationship with weed and partying, and how that has evolved now that he’s a 37-year-old celeb. We also get stuck into whether Allan has always been a natural-born performer, how he met his best friends and collaborators Asim, Steve and Hugo, why they never cared about being famous and how he learned to be a brilliant writer and actor, all on the job. Plus: harnessing imposter syndrome, his “celebrity regret” featuring Post Malone, the comedic tragedy of bravado, meeting fans when your persona is so well known and Allan’s top restaurant recommendations (as a bonafide member of food collective Taste Cadets). Follow Allan on IG @seapa220 and @tastecadets. Watch both series of The Curse now via Channel 4. Thank you to our three partners for making this episode possible: Black Lines, the amazing bottled cocktail company behind the Spicy Tommy's margarita we drank on air. Allan's fave, our fave and this one is utterly delicious – it's our drink of the summer, from festivals and picnics to parties and date nights. Try it for yourself by using the code STRAIGHTUP15 for 15% off at blacklinesdrinks.com Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com Thank you to Huel for supporting this episode, the game-changing, high protein nutritionally complete meal you can have in a shake that has got both of us into the best shape of our lives, and feeling our healthiest, too! Our fave is the Black Edition – get a free shaker and a T-shirt when you order at ⁠huel.com/straightup Leave us a little review, rate us on Spotify and let us know what you think on Insta @straightuppod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 11, 2023 · 1 hr 2 min
Gwyneth Paltrow on Brad vs Ben, and a deep dive into the ‘It Girl’
We’ve got a real treat in store for you today angels, starting with the latest explosive Gwyneth Paltrow interview and the many, many revelations she made on how her exes Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck compare, as well as a big debate on therapy, finding yourself and how the Goop guru’s life advice actually works in practice. Next, we get into a fascinating chronology of the ‘It Girl’ phenomenon, based on a new New York Magazine feature, covering Jaime King, Chloe Sevigny, Alexa Chung et al and exposing how these women have been both deified and damaged by that attention. Finally, is Sydney Sweeney our era’s It Girl? All the gossip around the rom-com she’s currently filming with Glenn Powell would certainly suggest so… Thank you to Huel for supporting this episode, the game-changing, high protein nutritionally complete meal you can have in a shake that has got both of us into the best shape of our lives, and feeling our healthiest, too! Our fave is the Black Edition – get a free shaker and a T-shirt when you order at ⁠huel.com/straightup Leave us a little review, and rate us on Spotify, it helps boost us in the charts and then we can continue getting more fabulous guests and spending time curating juicy, informative content about all things celeb culture. And let us know what you think on Insta @straightuppod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.