Sunday Lunch

From the island of Fårö we bring you this episode recapping our Booker Prize disappointment and reviewing Mia Hansen-Løve’s ‘Bergman Island’

You ask, we answer vibes! We're back with another episode featuring all the brilliant, thought-provoking, unnerving, and everything in between questions that you posed to us over Instagram. We talk about Dutch politicians who are secretly in love with each other, prayer, how to let go of boys you're hung up on, and the second life of Judy Garland's 'The Trolley Song'. As always, send us questions,...

We're soaking up Spring with an episode recorded on location during a beautiful day at Bakoven. We discussed the latest in viral discourse — the case of one Dawn Dorland vs. Sonya Larson, reported on in The New York Times last week, that raises some of the most pressing questions of our time: What are the ethics of borrowing things from someone else's life in your art? What makes one a writer? And...

We’re back, and perturbed about the State of Things™️ (but only in an ironic, cold, distant way). This week, we get into the thick of the new Sally Rooney novel, ‘Beautiful World, Where are You?’ and use Shumon Basar’s ideas of autophobia, emotional capitalism and the compression of time to understand our place (and the place of our future novels) in the world. Email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com...

For this episode, friend of the pod Winford Collings joins us for a discussion about recent dramedies The Chair and The White Lotus, in relation to this piece by Brandon Taylor on good art in an era of mass production of well-manufactured content. We'd love to hear your thoughts on vibes as aesthetic theory, hierarchies of taste, or what season of Survivor Zahra should start watching. Please do sh...

In this episode we answer your many questions on Olympic athletes, Instagram’s algorithm, and the enduring love of #Bennifer. If you’d like to Join the Conversation™️, be sure to email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter

This Sunday we recorded remotely to discuss two gals and their scandals — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her open letter and the Tiger Mom™️ Yale law prof Amy Chua embroiled in “Dinner Party-gate” — plus a review of Lifafa’s album ‘Jaago’. We’d love to hear your thoughts on these ladies, or anything else, so please do share them with murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: Murray's newsletter &amp...

We’re back in the New York groove with a guest, Zahra’s capital B boyfriend. Together we review Weyes Blood’s Titanic Rising and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s last offerings: his weight gain and new musical ‘In the Heights’.

Back from our hiatus, we’re talking hedgehogs and turning 23, reviewing Kate Bush’s ‘The Dreaming’ and season one of The Sopranos, and inviting you to confess your crushes to us over email at murrayandzahra@gmail.com (to be read out anonymously in our next episode!).

Missed us? We certainly missed you. We’re back with an episode on Pr*nc* Ph*ll*p’s passing, gender fluidity, and the Oscar-buzzing film Promising Young Woman (for which, spoiler alert). As always, feel free to hit us up with your Oscar predictions at murrayandzahra@gmail.com NOTE: Zahra, upon Googling further photos of Emerald Fennell, does not find her attractive. She would like to retract her st...

A tale as old as time... a princess locked away in a tower, fearing trolls below, is whisked away to live in Tyler Perry’s house with rescue chickens. We delve into the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah, sparking a conversation about confession, performance, and truth. Be sure to tell us your secrets at murrayandzahra@gmail.com

A new season is upon us! We’re back from our hiatus to answer your burning questions, offer our thoughts on the latest offerings in pop culture, and warn you of the perils of P*r*t* B*y! Send your welcome home greetings to murrayandzahra@gmail.com (or get your mother to do it for you)

We’re really pulling out all the stops this week for our last episode of the season! We’re taking a hiatus, but going out with a bang, discussing Zadie Smith’s ‘Intimations’ and then answering some questions from our fave fans! We’ll miss you over the break, so keep in touch at murrayandzahra@gmail.com - love you tonnes! Links mentioned: Rilke on breakups https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/09/26/r...

In this episode, we chat screwing in kitchen cabinets, zits, and the brilliant new TV show by Michaela Coel ‘I May Destroy You’. Content warning: discussion of sexual assault & Murray’s sexual frustration. Hit us up at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned:  Murray’s playlist of perfect songs https://music.apple.com/za/playlist/thing-is-its-a-perfect-song/pl.u-EdAVzy4TaAokb90  E Alex Jung, 'Mic...

Is cancel culture real? Is it a problem? Is it coming for us and you too? In this episode, we reflect on "A Letter on Justice and Open Debate," published via Harper's Magazine, as a starting point for a discussion on free speech in this moment. We'd really love to hear your thoughts on this one, so please do send them through to murrayandzahra@gmail.com Texts mentioned: The letter & the counte...

In this episode we tackle the lackluster second half of ‘White Fragility’ by Robin DiAngelo, and dive on in to a discussion about apologies, bold girls, and fiction. If you want to cancel us, email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: https://samkriss.com/2020/06/10/white-skin-black-squares/

The sparkling wine and wit flow on this episode as we discuss Zahra's gynaecologist appointment, the Leon Schuster/Showmax scandal, and (as promised!) the first half of Robin DiAngelo's 'White Fragility'! Please feel free to share your thoughts with us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com

We bring an IRL recording to you today - on savage book critics, whiny J Cole, and femme police robots, to think through modes of politics and their transnational application. As always, we hope to hear your thoughts - email us as murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: https://www.vulture.com/amp/2020/06/national-book-critics-circle-resignations.html#click=https://t.co/PqCZKYP5YM

In this episode we discuss the worldwide protests currently calling for an end to police brutality and the manner in which it disproportionately affects POC. We reflect on the grief, images, and reading lists of this moment. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com. Power to those protesting — we hope you and your loved ones have been taking care! Texts mentioned...

Some days you wake up and your nose is missing. Some days you wake up and it's another fokken day of lockdown. But how is the distance from other bodies changing our relationship to our own bodies? In this episode - our first as 22 year olds! - we chat bodies, binaries, and, most importantly, beignets from @eggandshoulders. As always, contact us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com with updates from the qu...

Taurus szn continues in style for the Sunday Lunch pod! We chat about watching the TV adaptation of Normal People, and with it, share some thoughts on love, submission, and cheese fondue. If you’re tired of hearing us talk about Sally Rooney then unsubscribe tbh, but also know that today’s conversation discusses Roland Barthes, Jenny Hval, and the revelation of another important conceptual lunch g...

“The future is certain, it’s the past that’s unpredictable,” the Soviet joke goes. Your hosts discuss this, nostalgia, Glee’s bold political vision, and more this sensual Sunday. What’s the most reckless thing you’ve done in recent memory? And have you been re-watching anything? Let us know - or send us any other notes from quar - at murrayandzahra@gmail.com

How’s the lockdown treating you? Your favourite long distance podcasting couple are chatting online learning, the Z**m boom, and the comfort they’ve been holding onto in these days. What poems have been dear to you in this time? Share the stanzas with us - or anything else you’d like - by emailing murrayandzahra@gmail.com and for the love of God USE SKYPE! Links mentioned: Zoom as malware https://...

Do you believe in life after quar? Your favourite hosts brave a new frontier in podcast technology to chat about their respective experiences of lockdown and the impact of COVID-19 on the arts! Be sure to pen us letters from the frontline of the quar and contact us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/features/as-a-virus-upends-hollywood-may-never-be-a...

TW for severe nihilism / We’re in the trenches... but there’s WiFi! This episode is about what is on everyone’s lips, and surfaces and faces and noses, so be sure to wash your hands. We’re here to bring you and your grandmothers entertainment, movie suggestions, and a meditation on optimism. We wish you safety and calm in the months ahead! Links mentioned: Vee’s Insta @veetasty & https://www.thepa...