Pairings

For their first foray into fiction this season, Amile and Phoebe turn to Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear. Through the character of Natalie, a self-styled tradwife, they explore what it means to perform the role of the “perfect” woman, and why some versions of femininity are so addictive to consume online.As they unpack her story, they revisit themes from earlier episodes through a refreshed lens...from the second shift to motherhood and of course, the manosphere.This episode pairs well with:Yesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanUnchosen (2026 TV series)Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke (2025, Hulu)Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story (2025, Netflix)Swapping your wholemeal loaf for sourdough.Praying that your raw milk is free from listeria. Make sure to read the book!A&P

In the second of their Pixel Flesh deep dive, Amile and Phoebe turn to the idea of beauty maintenance. Comparing their TikTok algorithms, they discuss the shift towards more intensive, expensive and invasive forms of upkeep.They reflect on the ever-growing rejection of ageing and fatness, and the pressures that sustain these insecurities. Moving between viral advice, personal dilemmas, and cultural expectation, they consider what it means to invest in the face and body over time. From skincare and fitness to medications and injectables, how far are we willing to go?This episode pairs well with:Warning (poem) by Jenny JosephThe Year All My Friends Got Botox by E.Clein (The Cut, April 2026)The Substance (2024), dir. Coralie FargeatGetting a blepharoplasty without telling anyoneAn iced matcha with added collagenHappy listening,A&P

In the first of a two-part series inspired by Ellen Atlanta’s Pixel Flesh, Amile and Phoebe explore the evolving landscape of beauty in the digital age. From size zero to “slim-thick”, and video vixens to the Kardashian era, they trace how beauty standards have intensified online.Reflecting on their different experiences growing up and what they thought of the Olsen Twins. Most apparent is the tension between critique and participation. How does one resist beauty ideals while still engaging in the rituals that sustain them? From filters and fitness to neurotoxins and aesthetic treatments, the list is endless. Join them as they discuss what it means to perform beauty in a world where being seen has never mattered more.This episode pairs well with:Pixel Flesh by Ellen Atlanta"Pretty Hurts" (2013) by Beyonce"Unpretty" (1999) by TLCChecking your reflection in the front-facing cameraSaying “it’s just maintenance” and half-believing itA Belvedere vodka soda with three lemonsHappy listening,A&P

This episode explores grooming in childhood. Drawing on cultural touchpoints from My Dark Vanessa to Lolita and Cat Person, they examine the archetype of the “inappropriate adult” and the subtle ways in which boundaries are pushed.Alongside this, they consider the idea of the “imperfect victim”. Who do we protect? And who do we turn a blind eye to? With a focus on British and Western culture, they reflect on how narratives are shaped, mobilised, and oftentimes, weaponised to serve wider agendas.This episode pairs well with:My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth RussellHalf His Age by Jeanette McCurdy“Cat Person” (2017), The New YorkerCharlene (The Crime Desk podcast)Lucky Boy (Tortoise Media podcast)Pandering to power instead of trusting your gut.A cup of tea gone cold.Happy listening!A&P

In the second part of their Chums deep dive, Amile and Phoebe turn to the figures and cultural touchpoints that continue to shape Britain’s class system. From Jacob Rees-Mogg to Princess Diana and The Crown, they reflect on how class remains deeply embedded in British life, and why access to its upper echelons is rarely as fluid as it first appears. Phoebe shares why Brexit was the worst referendum of all time. Amile explains why she’s never read the Metro. They end by reflecting on the tension between disillusionment and hope & what it might mean to stay engaged in a system that doesn’t always feel built for you.This episode pairs well with:Chums by Simon KuperThe Crown (TV series)A Gin & Dubbonet served over ice à la the late Queen Elizabeth IIRemembering where you were when Princess Dianna diedSkipping past eh newspaper headlines to get to the crossword

In a special two-parter, Amile and Phoebe turn to Simon Kuper’s Chums to explore the networks shaping Britains political elite. They trace the shared paths of those in power, asking why our last 6 prime ministers were Oxford educated. From the college dorm rooms to Downing Street, they reflect on how belonging is signalled, and why entry to these spaces is rarely accidental. Along the way, they discuss the enduring question of who the system is really built for.This episode pairs well with:Chums by Simon KuperEngines of Privilege by David Kynaston & Francis GreenSaltburn (2023), dir. Emerald FennellA cup of Early Grey, with a splash of milk. No sugar.Pretending not to care which college people attended.Realising the same surnames keep reappearing.Happy listening,A&P