Culture Club

Sally Rooney’s book ban, the unconscious bias in Traitors, and does your friendship have a wellness gap? Hi friends! After a quick catch-up, we get into pop culture news, including the HBO Max reunion of the CENTURY. We play a Reel from Girls Rewatch Podcast . Books by Sally Rooney will no longer be sold in the UK because of the Irish novelist's support for Palestine Action, an organisation...

Alix Earle and the literary crisis, Olivia Rodrigo speaks out about invasive paparazzi, and the privilege of being off social media. Hi friends! We kick things off with a chat about our weeks including Jas' experience at Reading Party Melbourne and Maggie's Olivia Dean concert . In other Olivia news, Olivia Rodrigo has spoken out about the paparazzi caring about her love life in a Hollywood R...

Neighbours is Being Re-released for vertical video, Taylor Swift Fan Culture Gone Wild and the Cornell 7 Case.  In today's episode, we begin with the news that the Australian soap, Neighbours , is returning to our screens. Our vertical screens, that is. Pete Davidson is being dragged for not understanding the influencer economy in our big year of 2026. Does he have a point?  A trigger wa...

The generational interview debate, celeb burner accounts, and why are robots infiltrating fashion shows? We kick off with popcorn celeb bits: Taylor Swift is back, Channing Tatum could be running a burner account, and Mary Beth Barone & Joe Awlyn are starring in a rom-com. At both Vogue World in Milan and London Fashion Week, we saw robots take centre stage, so what does this say about where t...

Spring is here, and these are our seasonal favourites: from books and music to hobbies and beauty.  Let us know in the comments what you're loving as well! Forest Therapy Brat by Gabriel Smith The Ruiners by Ellena Savage Rebecca Daphne du Maurier   Pool House by Mary K. Choi   Alien   Minority Report Sense and Sensibility   Industry Widow's Bay   Fiona Apple  Tr...

A new season means a new Troye Sivan track, and we are sat for the medieval music video that came with it. We reference Gladys Lai's trend piece for Vogue Australia on the rise of the Renaissance Fair. Plus, Lena Dunham is officially Mother, having had a baby via surrogate . In culture's biggest story of the week, Ed Sheeran is in strife after bowing to stadium owners and dropping Macklemore...

Wimbledon bans influencers, Australia might be opting out of social media algorithms, and unpacking the Stella Lefty nepo pop-star drama.  First up: Current SNL cast member Veronika Slowikowska (AKA Veronka is Cool) revealed a new singing project: Me As A Girl. Even local sleuth, Triple J presenter Abby Butler, made a TikTok on the subject.  Next, Nathan Fielder has made a documentary ab...

The internet's sexual beginnings, cyberfeminism, and the intersection of design, fashion and tech with author and academic Mindy Seu. Mindy Seu is an American designer, researcher, author and one of the youngest tenured professors teaching Design Media Arts at UCLA. In 2023, Mindy published the Cyberfeminism Index . What began as a public spreadsheet on the topic of cyberfeminism evolved into a bo...

Amazon is burning rare books, why girls are dressing up for the Dolomites, and the pros and cons of trending pregnancy bumps. Shoutout to the state of Queensland for our slate of AI updates up top. From Australia banning AI music in the ARIA charts to Brisbane banning "smart glasses" in public pools, it's a good news week. Although, Amazon have been caught shredding rare books, so... We reference...

Role Model’s break-up, the ethics of auto-fiction, and how has the ‘kinda chic’ trend altered our vocabulary? Maggie is back from her Europe trip, meaning we're back with a pop culture episode for you! First up, Role Model and Dakota Johnson have broken up. But wait? Didn't she just feature on a song from his brand new album? Yes. Yes she did. Lena Dunham and Carly Rae Jepsen hav...

Why the AI bubble is bound to burst, the influence of Big Tech and the concept of ‘enshittification’ with tech journalist Cory Doctorow. In today’s episode of Culture Club Chats, we sit down with Canadian-British author, activist, journalist and blogger Cory Doctorow. Cory’s work at the intersection of technology and culture reached new heights following the publication of...

Cosy fantasy, famous fathers, and spinning fact into fiction, with author Naomi Ishiguro. Our guest today is British author Naomi Ishiguro. She’s the author of the short story collection, Escape Routes, and the novel, Common Ground. If her name rings a bell, it could be because her dad is the Nobel Prize-winning author, Kazuo Ishiguro. The first book from her new fantasy series, The Rainshad...

The history of the witch hunts, the devaluation of female power, and how to tap into your witchy side, with Good Witch author and journalist Lucianne Tonti.  Lucianne Tonti is an Australian-based fashion expert, author, and journalist. She’s the fashion editor of The Saturday Paper, sustainability editor of ELLE Australia and a contributor to The Guardian. In 2022, Lucianne published he...

This week, enjoy a bonus bumper Bookmarked episode. This is what we've enjoyed watching, reading and listening to this winter. Plus, what we're looking forward to consuming in August. References: Famesick by Lena Dunham  Good Witch by Lucianna Tonti  Hot History Podcast   Frances Ha   Who Is Lily Jay? The Australian influencer Accused of Using AI in Aid Videos Australian influe...

The rise of cool girl content, Shein’s UK rebrand, and Olivia Rodrigo’s new finance bro. Olivia Rodrigo reportedly has a new beau and fans are talking about his "fake job". Who is the mystery man?  In some fashion popcorn bits: Christopher Nolan banned uggs from his set, Zara has created "death" pants, and Shein has launched a brand named Musera to sell its cheap clothes without t...

Hudson Williams’ paparazzi blow-up, Zendaya’s private jet dress and another AI gaffe.  Hi listeners! A reminder that you can receive a few extra Bookmarked recommendations on our Substack , plus you can watch this episode on YouTube . Lots of pop culture popcorn this episode, so grab your coffee/ tea and settle in. Heated Rivalry actor Hudson Williams has been accosted by Parisian...

Wasia Project sits down and opens up about sibling dynamics, new music and Heartstopper Forever. Hi listeners! A reminder that we are on YouTube AND now Substack !  Consisting of siblings William Gao and Olivia Hardy, Wasia Project was formed in 2019 and grew during the COVID lockdowns when Olivia and Will were just teenagers. After two EPs and a hit track that was picked up by Heartstop...

Ashley Tisdale's Toxic Mom TV show, Zoella’s surprising life update, and Lizzo speaks out about the Khia Asylum.   Hi listeners! A reminder that we are on YouTube AND now Substack ! More Culture Club, woo hoo!   In this week's episode, we start with Maggie's Zoella update and the TikTok comment that had her bf Tom blushing. We also chit chat about Ashley Tisdale's Toxic Moms TV sho...

Hi friends, Olivia Rodrigo launches an all-women festival, A24’s AI deal, and the rebranding of the surveillance state is here. Reminder: you can join the Culture Club world on YouTube and Substack ! First up – we have some pop culture popcorn bits for you, including another nostalgic adaptation and more rumours about Taylor Swift's imminent wedding. Olivia Rodrigo is adding festival organiser to...

The Grammys' new controversial category, Girl Math hits the retail sector, and the problem with aestheticised loneliness influencers. Reminder, we're on YouTube and SUBSTACK . Hi friends! In this episode, we kick off with some celebrity pop culture bits, including a revelation from TikTok user Jessmess69 regarding Sarah Pidgeon and one former Culture Club Chats guest! The Grammy Awards is adding f...

Our winter favourites, from hobbies and skincare to books and music. Cosy up with this episode on YouTube . Here are the links for our picks! Skincare Dr Jart Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 | Exfoliating Face Toner
 Aesop Sublime Replenishing Night Masque Makeup MERIT Flush Balm Books Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh The In Between by Christos Tsiolkas Films The...

Hi friends, This week is a shorter episode as we have a bonus ep coming later this week! Keep your eyes peeled for our seasonal winter recommendations. You can watch this episode on YouTube . Olivia Rodrigo is coming for the Queen of Pop title with her new album 'You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love'. We debrief and share our top picks (upon first listen). One of the most famous celebrity wed...

The rise of phone-free shows, Taylor Swift’s new Disney song, and what’s behind Gen Z’s horror movie obsession? You can watch this episode on YouTube . Taylor Swift has written a song for Toy Story 5 –– I Knew It, I Knew You marks Taylor’s return to the country genre and was inspired by the cowgirl, Jessie. Also in music news, Phoebe Bridgers has been playing a string of phone-free pop-up shows ac...

Cynthia Erivo speaks out about Wicked, the Pattie Gonia lawsuit explained, and why are dot cakes creating discourse? Hi friends, We're back in the studio this week, so if you want to watch this podcast, head here . In today's episode, Cynthia Erivo speaks out about Wicked, the Pattie Gonia lawsuit explained, & why are dot cakes creating discourse? After a quick chat about Off Campus, we dive into...

Pete Davidson’s messy break-up, are Harry Styles and Charli XCX purging fans, and what the hell are the enhanced games? Hi friends! After a quick catch up we jump straight into music news. Olivia Rodrigo has released a brand new single titled ‘The Cure’ and we theorise on whether Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and Charli xcx are trying to purge the fans they gained during their mega world tours. ...