The Polyester Podcast

Is Blake Lively a bitch or being misconstrued? Will Elon ever stop cringing us out? And why is everyone using slurs again?

Every week Polyester's head girlies Ione Gamble and Gina Tonic take you down a weekly rabbit hole of online discourse and pop culture - from trad wives and surrogacy to porn stars and unhinged press tours. Exploring the intersection of IRL and URL through a feminist lens, the Polyester Podcast is your weekly digest on absolutely everything everyone on the internet is talking about.

With guests like Tavi Gevinson and Sofia Coppola collaborator Stacey Battat, and special episodes beamed into your ears from cultural centres like London’s Tate Modern and Barbican Centre, every Monday we offer a down-to-earth take from the front lines of the internet, feminism, and the weird world of celebrity it has spawned.

Hosted by Editor in Chief Ione Gamble with Senior Editor Gina Tonic. Edited by Olivia Graham. Have faith in your own bad taste!

Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3

Polyester is a self published, intersectional feminist arts and culture publication aiming to bridge the gap of URL cyberfeminism with the IRL world.

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

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August 23 · 31 min
The Girlification of Surveillance Culture
The OOTD has taken on a new look: A still snapped from the video your Amazon owned Ring doorbell. Or, if you're Kylie Jenner, a selfie taken on your Meta glasses after bossing around your assistants for an #ad on Instagram. Nadia Lee Cohen and Alex Consani are amongst the swathes of fashion industry heavyweights embracing surveillance tech - but why are they allowing their images to be used for something so seemingly evil? This week, hosts Ione and Gina take on the girlification of the surveillance state, the actual terrors that lie in the tech companies controlling our cameras, and why we need to stand up against the normalisation of peer to peer data capture. Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 16 · 30 min
How Horny Is the Slasher Genre? Dissecting The Queer Metaverse of 'Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma'
It's a long, hot American Summerween and we're so excited for Jane Schoenbrun's third feature film to finally hit our screens. 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' is Schoenbrun's third feature film and this time, they're taking on the slasher genre. This week, hosts Ione and Gina get to grips with the queer metaverse of Camp Miasma, the poignancy of casting Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, and how trans narratives translate to universal experience in the movie of the summer. Watch the film in all good US cinemas now and in the UK from August 21st!! Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 2 · 28 min
Our Take On Charli xcx's New Album, 'Music, Fashion, Film'
Pop's favourite provocateur Charli xcx is back - not that she ever went away - with a host of ‘anti-marketing marketing’ launch her seventh studio album 'Music, Fashion, Film'. From ‘in conversation with’ events and cover profiles to teasing lyrics via Substack posts and arthouse cinema screenings; the rollout for the project looks suspiciously like… the same old marketing tactics. But is the album any good? This week, hosts Ione and Gina get to grips with Charli’s indie influenced new sound, the connotations of her cultural commentary and how the music tracks as a follow up to her beloved 'brat'. Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 19 · 29 min
Extreme Thinness Has Never Been More Coveted, Visible, and Depressing
From Caroline Calloway penning viral essays to the constant discourse surrounding Ariana Grande - it’s no news to listeners of this podcast that thin is in. Yet on a weekly if not daily basis, a new Internet fixation surrounding weight loss rears its ugly head. The content is impossible to avoid, but in a culture that is normalising extreme thinness more and more, is it any wonder how we got to this point? This week, hosts Ione and Gina dig into the proliferation of not just skinniness but pro-ana rhetoric, and whether we will ever return from the ongoing requirement of extreme restrictions in women. Trigger warning: This week’s podcast discusses eating disorders and weight loss and may be triggering for some readers. Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 13 · 47 min
Live: Do Gen Z Have A Problem With Age Shaming?
As Gen Z have aged up, they have become known for a generational distaste (at best) and fear (at worst) of ageing. But how is this expressed and how does it manifest? And why has it developed at all? This week, hosts Ione and Gina are joined by Ellen Atlanta, author of Pixel Flesh, for an extra special live episode of the podcast at the Wellcome Collection. The three discuss sunscreens pros and cons, the fallacy of preventative tweakments and whether having a fear of ageing is an inherent part of human nature. This is a live episode recorded at Wellcome Collection Lates, a free after-hours event. Find out more wellcomecollection.org Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 5 · 36 min
A Retcon On Self Infantilisation Culture Ft. Toddlercore, Fro-Yo, And Commercial Girlhood
It's been three years, how are we still 'just girls'? Is it because of food trend focussing on nostalgia? A need to heal our inner child? Or a lack of definition of what adulthood without conservative family goals can be? This week, hosts Ione and Gina reckon with what some media outlets are calling 'toddlercore'. From eating tater tots and fro-yo to wearing baggy jeans, is arrested development a serious problem in gen z and millennial adults or are we just reacting to the crumbling society we've inherited? Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 28 · 37 min
Are Teenage Social Media Bans Slay Or Unc?
The UK - and a lot of other countries, actually - are rolling out social media bans for under sixteens as well as social media curfews for those under eighteen. The news has caused uproar with teens promising they'll find workarounds, parents stressing about the impact on their kids and everyone raising concerns about giving mega corporations access to our government ID info. This week, hosts Ione and Gina get to grips with the cultural impacts of excluding future generations from the internet, the implications of big tech taking on this responsibility and, most excitingly, an insight on the Sheila Matrix. Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 14 · 29 min
Why Has Taste Become an Internet-wide Obsession?
It appears tech bros are shaking in their boots because... they're being called cringe - even when they buy a Rimowa suitcase and a full wardrobe from The Row. In a now viral essay, writer Emily Segal assigns the term 'tasteslop' to the lack of taste signified by items that used to be upheld highly in the taste algorithm when enjoyed by those who don't get it - aka, AI bots and the AI company owners. This week, hosts Ione and Gina rub their hands together because The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste is landing on shelves just in time to tackle the tasteslop phenomenon. The pair chat through why everyone is speaking about taste right now, how the inherent hierarchies of taste are changing and whether or not we're heading towards the worst outcome of all: The era of no taste. Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 7 · 25 min
Is Being Lonely The New Status Symbol?
You're in bed on your own scrolling through your phone. On your screen, a woman your age is entering her new build apartment, making herself a bowl of pasta and a glass of Diet Coke on a lap tray, then sitting on a huge sofa to rewatch Friends with a candle burning. Her caption reads 'Life when you have no kids. No friends. No boyfriend.' and her comments are full of other women seeing her lonely lifestyle as aspirational. This week, hosts Ione and Gina get to grips with the new trend of lonely influencers: Female creators positing having no social circle as a net positive. Is it great to find joy in the growing isolation many of us are feeling? Or should we take a radical stance against introversion in order to stand up for the importance of community? Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 31 · 29 min
So… Euphoria Season 3 Is A Flop
It's no surprise to many that the third season of Sam Levinson's former hit TV show has had a less than best reaction from audiences. Aside from the show's actual plot and characterisations - don't worry, we'll get into those later - Levinson's real life reputation and his own world view has seeped into even the most die hard Euphoria stan's perception of the show. This week, hosts Ione and Gina dive into a show that few seem to ride for: from OnlyFans to human trafficking, fentanyl, fetish content, sugar babies and rattle snakes - Euphoria is falling trap to cliche while committing the biggest TV sin of all: Being boring. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 24 · 29 min
Let Olivia Rodrigo Wear Babydoll Dresses
Olivia Rodrigo is the subject of the internet's ire for *checks notes* allegations of pedobaiting. The star's music video and stage outfits - consisting of babydoll dresses, bloomers and ruffles - are causing controversy as the 'drop dead' singer is accused of simultaneously sexualising and infantilising herself and indoctrinating her young audience into pandering to the male gaze. In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina question if the outfits are problematic in and of themselves and ask what happens when women are blamed for society's sexism. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 17 · 45 min
Live: In An Era Of Oversharing, Why Is Women’s Art Still Shocking?
Celebs are no longer monoliths, Instagram is my diary and you no longer need to buy a memoir to know the intricate details of a public figure’s life. Across PR campaigns, podcast appearances and TikTok lives, influencers, musicians and actors alike push to seem authentic and relatable. With those in the public eye sharing more and more, why does the incredibly personal art still manage to shock us? In this week's episode, join hosts Ione and Gina for an extra special live episode at Tate Modern as they discuss their incredible exhibition Tracey Emin: A Second Life and explore the ways classism, ableism and sexism intersect within the work of one of Britain's most notorious artists. This episode is in partnership with Tate Collective, Tate's young people scheme for 16-25 year olds. It's completely free to sign up and gives you access to £5 tickets to see shows like Tracey Emin: A Second Life. The Tracey Emin show is open until 31st August and you can get in late to see it Friday and Saturday at 9pm, and 8pm on Sundays! Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 10 · 28 min
How Pilates Girls Became An Incel Dog Whistle
Why are manosphere influencers, Hinge bios and cast members of Love Is Blind requiring 'doing pilates' from their potential beaus? In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina get to grips with the pervasion of this particular exercise in pop culture, the potential abuse inherent in men's preferences towards women's exercise and whether or not we should consider the fascist implications of influencers selling fitness. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 3 · 31 min
Can True Crime Ever Be Feminist?
While the biggest audience for true crime content is young women, it's not often that anyone considers the every growing cultural phenomenon through a feminist lens. What do podcasts, documentaries and tv shows get right about revealing the reality of crime against women? And do we benefit from being more about what violence can (and has) happened against women throughout history? This week, our hosts Ione and Gina are joined by The Polyester Podcast editor and host of Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead, Olivia Graham, to explore the complex feelings surrounding the genre from behind the mic, as a consumer and as a society that often depersonalises femicide. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order The Polyester Book Of Bad Taste here! Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 26 · 29 min
The Lena Dunham Renaissance Is Here
Did Girls shape a generation (or two) of women? Yes. Is Famesick a great memoir? Yes. Should we be more forgiving of the writer considering everything she has (and hasn't) been through? Maybe. This week, hosts Ione and Gina get to grips with one of the most controversial figures of our lifetime - the inimitable over-sharer Lena Dunham. It's undeniable that the multi hyphenate has had an indelible impact on culture and as the 2010s icon reflects on the highs and lows of a life shaped by a HBO deal at the age of 23, this episode charts the hits and misses of the much anticipated memoir. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 19 · 28 min
Are Botox, Fillers and GLP1’s Changing Not Just Our Bodies, But Our Minds Too?
As we’re slowly learning more about drugs like Ozempic, we’re also finding out more about their side effects. Does botox reduce our ability to empathise? Are we all just numbing ourselves from the world in the pursuit of self optimisation? In this week’s episode, hosts Ione and Gina dig into how people are using tweakments not just for their advertised effects - but for the ways they change our emotions and habits. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 12 · 32 min
Is A24’s 'The Drama' Worth This Much Discourse?
It's that time y'all! The Polyester Podcast is wading into the discourse deep end about another widely critiqued movie but this time, there's a twist: We're actually enjoyed the film! In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina dig into the subtext of Kristoffer Borgli's new dark comedy The Drama. Is the Zendaya and Robert Pattinson fronted flick a failure at analysing such a sensitive subject matter? Does the film fail to take into consideration its casting? And will the culture ever move past needing movies to make their politics unequivocally clear? Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 5 · 28 min
Millennial Feminism Is Dead, Long Live Millennial Feminism
We're back and the world has gone ape in our absence! Between X discourse about Slut Walks and criticism of Lindy West's new memoir Adult Braces, it's time for a full retcon of the past and present state of Millennial Feminism. In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina reflect on 2010s sex positivity, the commodification of feminism throughout the ages and the nihilistic point of view gen z feminists are left to reckon with. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 16 · 28 min
How Mormonism Took Over Pop Culture
Please note this was recorded and released prior to the release of series four of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, the cancellation of The Bachelorette and the news regarding Taylor Frankie Paul. Growing up, Mormonism's pop culture imprint belonged solely in South Park jokes and the occasional mention in American politics. Now, it feels like we can't move without a new Mormon influencer - from Nara Smith to MomTok - taking over our feeds. This week, hosts Ione and Gina explore what Mormonism actually is, how the new wave of Mormon influencers have changed how the Latter Day Saints are perceived and whether or not reality telly can truly sugar coat the toxic problems within the religion. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 9 · 29 min
How Looksmaxxing, Clavicular, And Alt-Right Masculinity Went Mainstream
Before 21 year old looksmaxxer streamer Clavicular walked the Elena Valez runway at NYFW, his brand of hyper misogynist masculinity was confined to teenage boys in their bedrooms and the terminally online taking the piss out of him. But after making his fashion debut, Clavicular has garnered attention from nearly every mainstream mag imaginable. With other designers sending ‘looksmaxxing’ T-shirts down the runway, has inceldom found a mainstream home? In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina unpack Clavicular's lore, from bone smashing to extreme racism, dissect the fashion world's continuing flirtation with the alt right and ask whether or not deplatforming really works for gen z influencers? Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3 Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here! Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here! A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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