The Listen

Need a good cry?? Us too. This week Charlie recommends Steve Coogan’s latest foray into drama, we discuss Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s chic London wedding and if it means the end of ‘big weddings’. Plus, is there anything acceptable for a woman to wear? CMAT and Olivia Rodrigo are currently proving that the answer is apparently… no.  For more overanalysis and recommendations, head to www.thel...

Is doing your nails on a train ever OK? This week we cover this philosophical topic and more.  We discuss the ongoing case of the mysterious death of the founder of Mango (fashion, not fruit), review Netflix’s revealing Kylie Minogue documentary, and the story of CMAT’s biggest hit.  For more overanalysis and recommendations, head to www.thelisten.co.uk You can find us at @thelisten_ , @...

We’d love to speak to the booker for the Tommy Robinson march and why they thought any of the audience cared about a live cello performance.  This week, Charlie and Abi get you up to date on the rise of the silent right wing and why you need to keep having woke conversations with your parents. Plus, we discuss the wedding of Venezuela Fury and a defence of the very pregnant Molly Mae. And the...

It’s officially hen do season, girls. How are we all faring?  Harper Beckham is releasing a skincare brand, but the question is not whether 14-year-olds should have skincare, but whether there should be a 14-year-old CEO? The trailer for the Legally Blonde prequel has dropped, and honestly, we are sad and disappointed.  Plus, the wholesome and morally questionable ‘Virgin Island’, the tr...

After an ode to 5-minute voice notes and discussing the ethics of giving birth to a personal shopper, Charlie and Abi talk about the really important things: the complete overhaul of UK Bank Holidays. Why was the Secretary of War’s wife wearing a SHEIN dress when she definitely has Prada money? We discuss the true meaning of wearing the bottom of the barrel of fast fashion. Plus, off the back of S...

You may be surprised to hear we actually don’t want Trump to be assassinated… HEAR ME OUT!! This week, Abi and Charlie discuss why Taskmaster is your must-watch show, where SNL UK are going wrong and why we want them to succeed and cult of the week RETURNS!! P.S. BRING BACK BEEHIVE BEDLAM!! Subscribe to us on Substack at thelistenpodcast.substack.com You can find us at @thelisten_ , @itsabigib , @...

WE'RE BACK! After a brief (cough, year long) hiatus, the girlies are back with over analysis on the resurgence of Lena Dunham, some insider industry knowledge on Alex Cooper’s podcast network and an incredibly important news story that for some completely insane reason no one seems to know about… TW: There is a discussion about rape starting at 47:33 If you need support, please get in touch with R...

We’re back for a round up of what’s hot and not in 2024! Abi and Charlie have a list of the biggest ups and downs of the year, including: conversations about women’s bodies highlighted by the phenomenal film ‘The Substance’; Unhinged Movie Press Tours (thank you Wicked) and the clean girl aesthetic.  Listen and find out where we rank the audacity of men, Gregggg Wallace and Brat Summer. You c...

A big week in the world of media, Charlie and Abi dive deep into Netflix cancellations and the numbers behind them, and possibly the biggest podcast interview that has happened ever… The girls discuss what the KAOS cancellation says about the modern age of television, Kamala Harris’ shocking appearance on Call Her Daddy and Charlie has a shopping list for some boujee treats.  You can find us...

This week, Charlie and Abi share the rundown of the latest books, TV and films they’ve been devouring… and mainly not enjoying.  Abi discusses the struggles of sick day streaming and the absolutely bizarre choice of film she chose from her sickbed; Charlie shares her review of Speak No Evil and James McAvoy’s interesting acting choices and Abi shares her review of the much-anticipated adult n...

After Charlie is done yelling at her smart speaker, on the agenda this week are misleading trailers and the dramatic change in gig etiquette. Abi and Charlie discuss the new Leigh Miller biopic starring Kate Winslet, and how its own trailer has done it so dirty. Plus, we dive into the tweets that have lifted the lid on the insane world of gigs in 2024, the tradition that one Gen-Z had deemed “a Ti...

We start this week with people lazily posing at monuments and a review of the book of the summer, Big Swiss.  Charlie and Abi go on to discuss the audacity of Aaron Taylor-Johnson going out in public without his wedding ring, The Cut’s fascinating look in the money spent by women to look hot into their 60s and why ultimately we plan on being wrinkly but glamorous old women. Of course, we also...

Back from a brief break and in the throws of autumnal vibes, we’re catching you up on all things culture. This week, Charlie and Abi share the TV they’re watching to prepare them for the incoming dark nights, their thoughts on Chappell Roan daring to set boundaries with her “creepy” fans and the cult of the week gets deep with a discussion about gender roles and gifting baby dolls to little girls....

This week after a big announcement from Abi, the girls get into Love is Blind UK, US politics and of course the latest Hollywood scandal. In this episode, Charlie and Abi discuss the scary incel on Love is Blind UK, the weird way the US talks about their female politicians and whether or not it’s a tactic to even you should admit being a woman on the political stage.  Plus, they dive into the...

This week, there is not much to add to horror of the news cycle. Instead, we’re offering our recommendations for films, TV shows, books and podcasts that will help you with some much needed escapism.  You can find us at @thelisten_ , @abigib , @imcharlieperry and send us a love letter here for us to read out next week. Follow Abi on Letterboxd @abigib . This is an Astrid podcast. For more inf...

Charlie and Abi reveal their very different weekends (one involving 13 hours in a cinema, the other – a pond) before getting into what’s been haunting their brains this week. Charlie explains why the Olympics is her latest obsession, Abi digs into the trad wife that has everyone talking which leads into a hefty discussion on the contradictions and complexity of womanhood. You can find us at @theli...

This week, Charlie discusses the possibly tortuous training for NASA astronauts and Abi shares her new obsession for cheerleaders. In this episode, we’re asking how often you participate in Tsundoku, if you’d survive trapped with your coworkers for over a year and why we’re vehemently against sequels for established romantic comedies.  You can find us at @thelisten_ , @abigib , @imcharlieperr...

On the week we got the one nice day of summer, Charlie and Abi discuss the latest horror of a documentary on Netflix ‘The Man with 1000 Kids’, why Sheerluxe’s AI enhanced Editor shows we still don’t know what the heck AI is for and whether or not The Bear should be categorised as a comedy.  You can find us at @thelisten_ , @abigib , @imcharlieperry and send us a love letter here for us to rea...

This week Abi and Charlie predict the plot for the Devil Wears Prada sequel, which honestly needs to be heard by Hollywood. The girls discuss the film trailers that have got them excited, why they’re not surprised by Lena Dunham’s choice to drop out of the Polly Pocket movie and the lesson Mattel failed to learn from Barbie’s success.  Plus, they dissect Katy Wix’s empowering essay which has...

We’re back from Glastonbury so after some tales of festival mishaps Charlie and Abi discuss their take on SZA’s Sunday headline set, they recap the General Election and the lore of Count Binface. Plus, they discuss the latest weaponised incompetence video that’s set Twitter ablaze, they own their own incompetence and they discuss some dinner party etiquette from the New York Times… shoes on or sho...

In the week we angered the TikTok Men Rights Activists again, Abi and Charlie discuss the latest dystopian film ‘Civil War’, the era of hot rodent boyfriends and discuss whether they are rat-faced or pig-faced. Plus, they discuss the unnecessary reactions to Luke Newton’s girlfriend reveal and the cult of the week that has captured the tweens of the Western world.  You can find us at @thelist...

On the week that Nigel Farage got milkshaked, Abi and Charlie discuss Rupert Murdoch’s FIFTH marriage, why men with money are the real apex predator and why Love Island needs to give it a rest. You can find us at @thelisten_ , @abigib , @imcharlieperry and send us a love letter here for us to read out next week. This is an Astrid podcast. LINKS Millionaire owes £48k for demolition of 'man cave' Ru...

This week, Charlie and Abi discuss what’s going on in the world of pop music with an intense battle for top of the charts and fan girl over the cast for Knives Out 3. Plus, Charlie recommends a new Apple TV show (shock) and the girls recap the latest news from ‘WTF is happening in America’ with Donald Trump’s guilty verdict.  You can find us at @thelisten_ , @abigib , @imcharlieperry and send...

Charlie and Abi start off with a unique ice breaker before sharing their thoughts on part 1 of  Bridgerton season 3.  The girls discuss the cheek of Netflix of dropping new series in two parts, why we need to normalise not finishing books and Charlie shares Gen Z’s reaction to the 90s TV staple of Sex and the City.  Plus, Abi discusses chat free hair salons and the generational deba...

This week features a serious overanalysis of Challengers (only proper spoilers at 29:25 - 31:03). Charlie and Abi discuss Challengers' female power fantasy and how they nailed the tennis elements. Plus, they discuss Met Gala misconceptions and the hilarious backstory to Anne Hathaway’s new romcom.  You can find us at @thelisten_ , @abigib , @imcharlieperry and send us a love letter here for u...