The Trawl

Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

The Trawl is the podcast that dives headfirst into the political chaos, media spin, and social media absurdity of the week - so you don’t have to.

Hosted by broadcasters and political commentators, Jemma Forte and Marina Purkiss, it’s part therapy, part takedown, and always unfiltered.

Each episode, Jemma and Marina trawl through the week’s most viral tweets, jaw-dropping headlines, and rage-inducing soundbites - offering sharp analysis, dark humour, and the occasional expletive. From Westminster to world affairs, they call out hypocrisy, amplify truth, and remind you that you’re not losing your mind - just living through it.

If you’ve ever shouted at the news or laughed through the tears, The Trawl is your people.

Find the trawl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetrawlpod/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590931382660

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

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430 episodes
Updated Thursday
Explicit

Episodes430

Newest first

Feb 11, 2024 · 40 min
Ep 127: Sunak's Gaffes
We'd bet you a £1000 you've heard about the bet between Sunak and Piers Morgan, only there's a cost of living crisis and we're not that crass. Yes, the Prime Minister of Britain actually thought it was appropriate to allow himself to be boxed in by Morgan to the point where he shook his hand on television, betting that he'd get a plane load of refugees into the air. A new low. His defence? I was taken by surprise. Marina and Jemma aren't entirely sure that's much comfort coming from the leader of the country. Then, to make a bad week even worse, Sunak makes a 'joke' in Parliament about Starmer not knowing what a woman is, on the day the mother of murdered trans girl Brianna Ghey is in the chamber. Despite how appalling this is, no apology has been made. Instead, MP after MP fall over themselves to defend, gaslight and double down. Warning - none of it is edifying but Jemma and Marina try to make sense of it and discuss why they think Sunak gets it so wrong time and time again. We finish off with a bit of corruption and a fantastic pudding from Munya Chawawa. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 10, 2024 · 41 min
Ep 126: Brexit Anniversary: Four years on.
In this ep Jemma and Marina are 'celebrating' the fourth anniversary of Brexit by listening to some old clips of people who were certain it would be marvellous. The Trawl ladies were tempted to exchange gifts but in order to stick to the theme, they'd have needed a ring which turns your finger green or a carriage clock that doesn't work. They particularly enjoyed the compare and contrast moment of the lead singer of Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson, talking about how his industry wouldn't be affected back in 2018 vs him speaking now, in 2024 about how....his industry has been affected. Ah, hindsight's a wonderful thing though to be fair he probably had slightly more of a grasp on Brexit than the Love Islanders. Though only slightly. Still, at least he's not a politician who has championed something she said would be great for business who now says businesses need to suck it up ( not actual words). Cue Andrea Leadsom. Once Andrea has said the word so many times it no longer means anything, we turn to Jacob Rees Mogg to hear what he's up to on this glorious anniversary. In a quite extraordinary clip, hear him trying to tell a farmer about farming. (Spoiler the farmer isn't delighted with Brexit). Then, Marina and Jemma take a moment to ponder why the French rioted when they found out their retirement age was to increase by two years, whereas here, it's being said we'll have to work till we're 71 and no one's batted an eyelid.A glorious exchange between Matthew Wright and Ann Widdecombe is a wonderful palate cleanser before pudding by The Exploding Heads. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 28, 2024 · 38 min
Ep 125: Lucy Frazer calls bias, we call bull...
The Tory bellendery is strong in this ep... First, we have the audacity of a Govt known for 'losing' its WhatsApps announcing its new Govt WhatsApp, followed by a series of car crash interviews that are almost painful to listen to - a pile-up if you like. Staring with... Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, the little girl who cried bias. Or was it perception of bias? Or evidence of bias? Same Same. Jemma and Marina explore the possibility that the BBC may be bias, but arrive at a conclusion that is just a tad different to Lucy's. Next up for interviews they'd rather forget was Tory MP, Huw Merriman who has a perception that the BBC is bias because The News Quiz mocked Tory MPs and the Government - which ironically gives us even more reason to mock Tory MPs and the Government. And finally, it's guaranteed-to-go viral, Susan Hall, the Tory Mayoral candidate who does Sadiq Khan's campaigning for him. In another Nick Ferrari interview on LBC she is exposed for not knowing the stuff she is supposed to know about now, and then not really knowing the stuff that she supposedly once knew about - splendid stuff. The ladies touch upon that moment when Sunak laughed in the face of a woman asking him about the NHS and reminded us that he has less charisma and likeability that Mark Francois on a Tory rebellion day. Then it's into underrated tweets, followed by a pudding so powerful that it couldn't be left out. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeJRdniLDY1H90x_MMPQ_A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 26, 2024 · 40 min
Ep 124: Steel yourself - we're off to Port Talbot
Jemma and Marina decide this episode is an 'eat your greens' type of ep because what's happened in Port Talbot certainly isn't funny. Around 3000 people are set to lose their jobs when the blast furnaces are closed so the tone is perhaps more serious than usual because the Trawl ladies really want to look at how it's got to this point. After all, Sunak gave Tata Steel £500 million to 'protect jobs', only it turns out he didn't get any assurances in return. Now, a community is decimated and we'll be the only country in the G20 not to be making steel. The majority of the media are blaming Net Zero so thank goodness for Byline TV and ex first minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones who actually utters the 'B' word and explains why Brexit has caused this. It won't come as a huge surprise to find out that the people of Port Talbot voted Leave, but then they were targeted with Facebook ads which claimed in order to protect the steel industry that was what they needed to do. It's a sorry mess. Thank goodness for the Nicola Sturgeon WhatsApp online brouhaha. There are also some excellent under rated tweets to lighten the mood and, in Jemma's case, lower the tone. Pudding is from the magnificent Munya Chawawa and is Traitors themed. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeJRdniLDY1H90x_MMPQ_A Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 20, 2024 · 50 min
Ep 123: Sniggling - When 30p Lee became Hurty Lee
Another week of Tory psychodrama, another week of Tories making utter fools of themselves. It's hard to know where to start, so Jemma and Marina intro with a gem from Tory mayoral candidate, Susan Mason and her Essex nightclub howler. Then it's a quick chat about THAT YouGov poll - and how it was oh so perfectly timed to collide with the Rwanda vote. And my word...what a kerfuffle. All that noise, pressure, threats, resignations - all for the bill to pass with just 11 looney rebels prepared to stand firm. Trust Tory rebels to be too incompetent to rebel. Jemma and Marina savour the moment '30p Lee' became 'Hurty Lee' and invented a whole new word to describe the utter trauma of being...sniggled at. The ladies chat through the desperate lengths Sunak is going to in pursuit of his albatross Rwanda bill - including his magic trick, where from out of nowhere he is going to abracadabra up 150 judges. It would be rude not to include Therese Coffey's ruinous House of Commons moment regarding Rwanda, and then it's onto an observation of "Dodgy" Dave Cameron's Brexit admission on the Laura Kuenssberg show. To finish, Jemma shares some cheeky weather reports, Marina brings up the Royals - because apparently we are a nation reeling and worrying ourselves sick over how Prince William will manage bathtime, and you're in for a treat with a perfectly on theme 30p Pudding. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 12, 2024 · 50 min
Ep 122: A Very British Post Office Scandal
Why can’t every freeborn Briton burn his Christmas tree in his own hearth? Jemma and Marina ponder how this question, that is on precisely nobody's lips, was chosen by blovitaing bell Boris Johnson as the hill to die on for his £15k per column article in the Daily Mail. You've got to wonder if they're having buyer's remorse yet. Then brace yourselves, as it's onto our new Brexit benefit! Move aside pint of wine, because now we have shellfish in the Thames! Prawn cocktail a la Thames, anyone? Or perhaps a bit of Coquille St Craps? But the meat of this pod is dedicated to the utterly gut-wrenching Post Office scandal. The ladies discuss why this story has finally captured everyone's attention and how it is sadly symptomatic of a country where the rich and powerful can cheat and crush the little person. They discuss the gross gangster-style bullying and intimidation carried out by the Post Office and talk about the person who is really at fault here... Keir Starmer - apparently! Plus they pay homage to tireless campaigners of the cause like Priti Patel, or at least she made out she was, until a Community Note on X proved otherwise. After a delicious dose of fury from Ian Hislop as he schooled Tory MP Jake 'not very bright' Berry, the ladies move on to Kate Middleton's winning fashion formula, which is totally accessible for all - we just need to wait for H&M to start stocking diamond-encrusted tiaras, shields and tridents. Then it's onto underrated tweets and clips of the week, including a particularly cheeky Farage-flavoured one and a belter of a Post Office pudding from the wonderful satirist, Rosie Holt. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 10, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
The Trawl Meets: Jen Brister
Comedian and writer Jen Brister eschews X but is massive on Instagram where clips of her brilliant stand-up frequently go viral. Jemma and Marina love her so much, they've both been to seen her live so imagine their delight when they found out Jen, not only listens to The Trawl, but also can't stand the Tories. Inevitably, politics is at the forefront of their minds in this get together, but there's plenty of chat about parenthood and why it's OK to admit playgrounds are boring (for adults). Marina and Jemma enjoy playing clips of their Jen Brister highlights and it all makes for a very fun Trawl. Jen's new special: The Optimist https://800poundgorillamedia.com/products/jen-brister-the-optimist Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 8, 2024 · 47 min
Ep 121: Sunak tries to be normal...
It's the first Trawl of 2024 and the ladies are back with a bang - or indeed, a massive bell! Jemma and Marina lament taking quite so long to record the first new year's Trawl. They expected the Tories to be less chaotic over the festive period and into the new year, but alas, they got that as wrong as a Patrick Minford economy prediction. There were many uncool yule moments, and many festive bells, but in this episode Jemma and Marina explore the lowlights of a man with more community notes than your local civic centre: Rishi Sunak. And the little weasel has been busy... First Rishi did Home Alone, then Rishi did Southampton FC, then Rishi did the oldest youth centre known to man - but what Rishi didn't do, was the truth. Sunak's 2023 lookback was interesting... In that it was a lookback on a 2023 that will have been familiar to absolutely no one, but worry not, as you'll be sure to find comedian Tilly Thorpe's version is far more on point. The ladies discuss the latest in global Britain, including Sunak opening the year with a tweet announcing the end of global Britain. Because stopping a Chinese student from bringing their mother to the UK is now delivering for the British people... Then it's onto the biggest bells of all - Gongs! Jemma and Marina lament a country where Sir Wetherspoon is now a thing and breakers of electoral law don't get banned from parliament, but instead embedded within it. They also wonder what cup size one must reach before their political opinions become irrelevant - this might be one for Lord Bailey of Paddington to answer. Underrated tweets include a fox hunting gem, all polished off with a tuneful treat from The Marsh Family regarding those peerages, with a sing named: “Does Truss not feel ashamed?” Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 21, 2023 · 50 min
Ep 120: Festive Trawl - Jingle Bell Ends like Mone and Gullis
Jemma and Marina invite you to The Trawl Christmas Party. It's in your ears, whenever you want to attend. Wear what you want, it's all very laid back though the chat veers from serious to light, to ridiculous and the drinks are imaginary. The slow dance isn't obligatory but does add the office party feels... First Marina and Jemma toast the fact that 2024 will hopefully be the year we finally get a general election. A glimmer of hope on the Tory landscape. Then the Trawl ladies wonder why it's so hard to find press coverage of Prince Harry's win in court. It's almost like the press don't want to besmirch the press. Then - we need to talk about Mone. After all, she's the one who organised an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, which went about as well as the one Prince Andrew did. Come to think of it, he didn't think he'd done anything wrong either. Marina and Jemma are not impressed by Mone's defence that the millions are her husband's so 'nothing to do with her, honest guv' or the facts of what went on during the pandemic when it came to doling out PPE contracts. The party is taking a turn for the grim, so the girls turn their attention to some of the funniest clips of 2023 and chat about their favourite Christmas movies. Though Marina might be having a rethink on one of hers..... There's just time for some underrated tweets and some thank you's. Marina and Jemma have had a ball trawling this year and literally couldn't do it without you. Merry Christmas you filthy animals. They'll be back in January ready for a massive 2024 xx Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 17, 2023 · 47 min
Ep 119: Lost WhatsApp's, memories gone & former-footballer fiascos
Sunak and Johnson have both lost their whatsapp messages - the ones which were sent when they were Prime Minster and Chancellor and in charge. It's 'such' a coincidence and makes total sense that it's magically happened to both of them. Jemma and Marina are totally convinced - honest guv. Marina's worried about Sunak's memory too. The poor sausage can't recall anything. Jemma suggest fish oils maybe? Still, Dorries is on hand to thoroughly discredit her love, Johnson, without even realising she's doing it. In fact, in her world she's supporting him, it's quite a talent. Lineker is blowing up X again by daring to reply to people and Mone has paid for a documentary which is entirely neutral and fair. In other news Joey Barton has decided women shouldn't be allowed to commentate on football. Marina and Jemma have a lot to say on this and just hope Joey is alright with that. Oh and Farage is back from the jungle having come in at 'who cares' third place. Pudding is quite sublime and suitably festive. Politics Joe have pulled it out the bag again. Enjoy! Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 15, 2023 · 45 min
Ep 118: 5 Families, 0 Rebellions & 1 Massive Bell
Five seconds after Jemma and Marina finished recording the last Trawl, typically, British politics took a new turn for the mad. Cleverly has declared that unless you earn £37.5K you can't settle here with a foreigner. Having crushed millions of people's hopes and dreams and stuck a big Tory finger up to romance, there's hardly time to scream 'But what about Shirley Valentine?' before moving on to the next psychodrama. Oh yes, it's Rwanda shitshow time. The Tories are fighting like rats in a sack, determined to get the 'Rwanda Safety Bill' through and to hell with the law. None of it has been edifying but Mark Francois strutting about talking about his 'star chamber' and 'spartans' and the 'five families' is particularly astounding and generates a lot of great tweets. George Monbiot put in a brilliantly impressive turn on Question Time so Marina and Jemma make sure you hear a bit of that. Then it's time to pay tribute to poet Benjamin Zephaniah who sadly died. It's fitting that this episode finishes with a poem for pudding. This one is written by Michael Forte (Jemma's dad) and the Trawl ladies think it's got Trawl written all over it. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 8, 2023 · 44 min
The Trawl Meets: Dan Hodges
This month, The Trawl met someone you might not expect us to... Someone who certainly bucks the trend of people we’ve spoken with thus far, because it’s a person, who you could argue, finds themselves on the other side of the debate more often than not. Even if you don't know of Hodges himself, you'll definitely know who he works for - The Mail, or as Jemma and Marina tend to refer to it - "one of those Tory right-wing sh*trags". At time of record, Braverman has just been sacked following the remembrance day riot at the cenotaph, which one could argue was almost sponsored by the papers Hodges is associated with. Needless to say, the ladies quiz him on this and how someone with such a well-known, anti-Tory, Labour MP mother, could end up working where he has. Disagreements ensue, from the pro-Palestine and pro-ceasefire marches to who it is that really chooses our leaders: the electorate or the press barons? Jemma asks whether Dan cares about the non-dom nature of his big boss and if ever he and his colleagues turn up to work and despair at the bilge they're paid to write. Prepare to be shocked by Dan's verdict on the Tory VIP PPE lane, and to be not shocked at all by his thoughts on the revolving door between press and politics - after all, what would you expect from the man once referred to in The Spectator as David Cameron's "new favorite columnist? An interesting chat, somewhat baffling and, at times, a lot like nailing jelly to a wall. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 6, 2023 · 49 min
Ep 117: Starmer Drama and Tory Trauma
The Trawl schedule has gone off piste due to haywire Christmas diaries (normal practice will resume next week). And so it is that this week, Jemma and Marina find themselves trawling, just as news is breaking that Cleverly has announced a tranche of policy, supposedly designed to cut immigration figures. Their heads are spinning as they try to absorb the latest ill thought out Tory batshittery which means foreign carers won't be able to bring dependants with them (nice). Oh, and if you fall in love with anyone foreign, unless they earn 37K, they can't come and live with you. Okaaaaa There do follow some reasons to be cheerful - more Tory MPs are reportedly considering leaving the sinking ship before they can be booted out. One of the names mooted is Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, but she's busy wreaking havoc before she offskies. Childcare is the latest sector under the Trawl spotlight and Marina and Jemma's conclusions are that.....things aren't not looking good. Free hours can only be free if someone pays for the labour. A lot of people of note have sadly passed since the last ep. The Trawl ladies take a look at the people who have died in the last week and discuss whose deaths have moved then personally in the past. Jemma would never have predicted who Marina says. There's news from the jungle, tweets from Cop 28 and a chat about why on earth Starmer felt the need to describe Thatcher's legacy as 'meaningful.' It's caused a ruckus on the left that's for sure. Cilla's back for a quick blast and Larry and Paul serve a very well themed pudding. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 3, 2023 · 37 min
Ep 116: Tax cut lies, Susan Hall lows & Elon Musk meltdowns
The episode opens with a trip to the Plymouth Christmas lights switch-on, where Torty MP, Johnny Mercer is met with a different type of Christmas cheer. Then it's report time... Because last week the OBR published its economic and fiscal outlook for 2024, and it's a grimmer read than one of Nadine's dirty novels - though in the OBR report, a significantly higher number of people are getting screwed. Jemma and Marina discuss the numerous newspaper headlines celebrating Hunt's tax cuts, which is problematic, given we're now facing the biggest tax burden since WWII. But hey, why let the truth get in the way of a client journalist's headline? Then settle in for a gripping, action-packed, true crime story, featuring Tory Mayoral candidate Susan Mason. Less Die Hard, more Lie Hard. Underrated clips of the week include Elon Musk wiping another few billion off the X share price during a public soiling of himself, and a little treat from Cilla Black - God Rest Her Soul. Pudding is served up by Moog with his version of Susan Mason's terrifying run-in with the criminal underworld of London. Sadiq Khan has a lot to answer for... Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 1, 2023 · 41 min
Ep 115 Greek marbles, Rwandan sovereignty & British denial
When all about you are losing their marbles... Greece is trying to claim theirs back. And it's computer says no from Rishi Sunak who has decided to start a diplomatic war with Greece because he doesn't want to give them back their marbles - which is exactly the response you'd expect from our populist PM, and incidentally, also a spoilt toddler. Then it's onto our new Home Secretary, James Cleverly, who, despite the House of Commons being laden with cameras and microphones, decided to direct profanities at the entire constituency of Stockton, and then despite recorded evidence of exactly this, tell us he didn't. More records are smashed for Sunak - just in the wrong direction to what he promised with this week's revelation of unprecedented migration figures. And Richard Tice takes to X to chat about climate change in a clip that gives Cillit Bang's, Barry Scott a run for his money. Underrated tweet is a naughty little jab at GB News from Aid Thompsin and for pudding, comedian James Acaster gives his take on the Elgin marbles debacle. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 25, 2023 · 35 min
Ep 114: Rwanda, Vallance's Diary & Exploding Heads
Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to the Covid Enquiry we go to hear what Vallance and Whitty had to endure during the pandemic. Spoiler alert - incompetence, idiocy and disrespect mainly. We also find out they were burdened with a PM who didn't understand the science and thought if people died it was 'OK' if they'd had a 'good innings.' Lovely. But first, Jemma and Marina are thrilled that The Exploding Heads' catchphrase 'Love to the family Colin' is catching on. Hear an extraordinary caller who was so aerated about immigrants he was positively yelling at Tom Swarbrick on LBC. Then Jemma also encountered yet another 'Colin' on Jeremy Vine. 'Love to the family....love to the family' was the only worthy response. Funny how it's always 'foreigners' these 'types' get so worked up about. Which brings us to Rwanda- ie the most unworkable, costly, morally dubious idea ever to have been deemed unlawful multiple times. The latest ruling by the Supreme Court is in and when Sunak binned Braverman he had the perfect opportunity to bin the policy off with her. But no, Dr Death (as he's being referred to on X due to his ill advised Eat Out to Help Out policy) is standing by it, doubling down and trying to change the law in order to change fact. On a lighter note, Cliff Richard, went on This Morning and told the world that he didn't get photographed with Elvis because he'd put on weight. At times like this Twitter can be fun. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 23, 2023 · 43 min
Ep 113: Jungle Ratings, Populism and Class War
The I'm a Celeb ratings have plunged since last year. Two million fewer people are watched the launch compared to last year, despite what the GBeebies gang are saying. Then again, they did get hold of the wrong data. In reality, it looks like, booking a 'fash for cash' isn't the ratings hit ITV hoped it would be. The Trawl ladies discuss whether or not there's a difference between someone's values and someone's opinions or, whether it's OK, necessary even, to conflate the two in order to get the measure of someone. Meanwhile, over in Argentina, far-right, self-proclaimed madman, Javier Milei, has been voted into power. Chainsaw wielding, anti abortion, gun-loving Milei wants to legalise the sale of human organs, abolish the central bank and privatise everything. What could possibly go wrong? With inflation rampantly high and 40% of Argentinians living in poverty, Marina and Jemma discuss the links between desperate times and populism. It isn't the first time a leader with unkempt hair has struck a chord with a disillusioned electorate after all. Then of course, there's the usual array of Tory bellendery (new word) to mull over. The run up to the budget has seen Hunt mooting slashing inheritance tax whilst making cuts to the benefits of the long term sick. Bit rich from the man who 'bulk bought' six flats and managed to evade paying stamp duty on them thanks to a terribly convenient loophole. Alright for some eh? With underrated tweets and pudding as normal. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 18, 2023 · 41 min
Ep 112: Dodgy Dave is back...
It's reshuffle time... First, Steve Barclay goes from deeply sh*te Health Secretary, to deeply compromised Environment Secretary, and Victoria Atkins becomes Health Secretary in charge of managing the nation's obesity crisis while married to the CEO of British Sugar...let the lobbying begin! The ladies run through who stays and who goes, which includes deputy chairman, Lee Anderson who stays on despite suggesting that the party of law & order should simply ignore law & order. Common sense is in abundance, with our new Common Sense Tzar who thought the suffragette movement included Emmeline Pankhurst winning the vote for women while lying naked with her bum out. And then they reach the crescendo of the reshuffle - the appointment of a literal f*ckpig, back to the scene of his crimes with a peerage to boot. Who doesn't just LOVE British democracy? The ladies discuss the best reaction to our new Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron of Greensil who seemingly saw fit to rejoin our cabinet because he was "bored sh*tless". Lucky us. Then it's underrated tweet time with a mic-drop moment to savor and a stroke of magic from Politics Joe to commiserate Dave's return. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 16, 2023 · 34 min
Ep 111: I predict a riot...and a sacking.
Get on your knees... It's Tory MP remembrance Sunday photo-op time! And boy, did they all get the memo - because nothing says heartfelt moment of solemnity like a staged pic for the socials. Jemma and Marina discuss the events of Saturday when a brainless crew of Suella's biggest fans descended onto the streets of London to defend...the realm. Did The Mail take any responsibility for their whipping up of hate? Did they f*ck. Instead, their post-event coverage centered on a "jostled" Michael Gove who just happened to find himself amid a Palestine protest group. The ladies discuss the fun day out had by the far-right 'patriots' - because nothing says respecting our war dead like a punch-up at the Cenotaph. Then...ding-dong the witch is dead. Braverman gets the boot and becomes the proud author of one of the bitchiest resignation letters of all time with more than a few self-owns. The ladies then have some jungle chat - both incredulous that a figure as damaging as divisive as Farage was deemed a fantastic new protagonist for a family TV show. And we wonder why the country is in the state it's in... Then it's onto some underrated tweets, with a splash of sass, including a gem from Joe Lycett, before an impeccably on-brand pudding from Munya Chawawa. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 13, 2023 · 56 min
The Trawl Meets: Jenny Jones
This month, The Trawl Meets Green Peer, all round Wonder Woman and good egg, Jenny Jones. Regular Trawl listeners will have often heard Jemma and Marina singing Looooord of the Week before reading some suitably bonkers tweet from a Lord, so who better to chat all things House of Lords with someone who is a bona fide 'Good Lord' (Baroness). Jemma and Marina are fascinated to find out what really goes on in the hallowed corridors of Parliament. Which party are the friendliest? (The answer to this may surprise you...) What does Jenny make of Lord Frost's climate denial? And can Jenny persuade Daniel Hannan to unblock Marina. Find out what happened when Jenny was arrested and how she felt when she pretty much single- handedly prevented an horrific piece of water-polluting Tory legislation. An inspiring chat which lifts the lid on the goings on in The House of Lords and is surprisingly affirming. Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreon https://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including: • Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on • Early access to The Trawl Meets… • Glorious ad-free episodes Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat. And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone. Come join the fun: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.