007 Debates, iPad OAPs & The Acaster Fallout

Hello delicious EIChocolateCornflakeCookies…Ruchira’s birthday week has been huge for us personally and for the news and content cycle, so we’re back as always with your Friday dose of discourse.Beth’s away in Amsterdam, but she’s left us with plenty to mull over…Firstly, Kathryn Turner and her delicious cookies have been all over our feeds. For the uninitiated M&S (and their now viral Director of Product Development) have released a new cookie flavour, which in turn has unleashed a cookie frenzy across the UK. In the cost of living crisis - are sweet treats our last vestiges of joy and are we using them as substitutes for community and life milestones? And we consider what review culture has done for independent businesses - are we even able to think for ourselves any more?!Secondly… ring the terrible celebrity advent calendar alarm because Skims has released their offering for the 2026 festive season, featuring what can only be described as tat that you’d find down the back of your sofa. When will we learn that brands really don’t care about us?We will also be talking about the trial and conviction of Russell Brand who has been sentenced to ten years and six months in prison for rape and sexual assault. How was he enabled by noughties culture and how do we feel in the wake of the verdict? That item will be the last topic on this episode and it will include discussion of rape and sexual assault, if you need to leave us there to protect your mental health, please do.As always, thank you for supporting the podcast. Make sure you’re subscribed on your podcast player, drop us a review and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and Substack. We’ll be back next week for Beth’s review of The History of Concrete! We love ya! O, R, B xFOLLOW US:INSTAGRAM TIKTOK SUBSTACK LINKS:RUCHIRA FOR EIC SUBSTACK: Everything I Learned This Year BLUE FONDUE THEATREBLUE VELVET BLACK DOVES WAR ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL PHU TRONG The Continued Rise of “Little Treat Culture” PARADE People Are Calling Kim Kardashian’s Latest Drop the ‘Fyre Festival of Advent Calendars’ KEMI ALEMORU Russell Brand and the ugly afterlife of 00s excess DEBORAH FRANCES WHITE SKY NEWS Comedian Lucy Beaumont fears she may no longer work on TV after being whistleblower on Walliams THEATRE 503 - Mortal Sin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello EICustomer Service Robots…The three little ladies who live in your dad’s Facebook feed are back again… and we’re here to bring you all our impeccable takes and belated spooky season recommendations.Are you concerned about your parents’ screen time? Are boomers the new iPad generation? How do we respond to the older generation falling deeper into their feeds - and is it our responsibility to police their algorithms?We also really thought we’d be done with Traitors chat by now, but last week James Acaster served us with a twist which we never would have expected… we discuss why we should be speaking more about the representation of neurodivergence on screen.And, unfortunately, the change of seasons is upon us. We want to know: when is it okay to defrost Buble? Have you put your heating on? And what colour is November? Let us know in the DMs and Spotify comments.Love you loads, make sure you’ve followed us, subscribed to the review, left a review and we’ll see you next week. O, R, B xFOLLOW US:INSTAGRAMTIKTOKSUBSTACKLINKS:WIDOWS BAYPRIMETIMEEVERYTHING IS CONTENT Makeovers - A Deep DiveBLUE PLANET IIINY MAG The Adult Children Cleaning Up Their Parents' Feeds EIC SUBSTACK The Traitors Finale, Rage Bait & The Empathy Crisis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello EICreepy Crawlies…This week on the podcast… Jennifer Lawrence has joined Instagram, and guess what ?! - she has a product to sell us! We discuss the entrepreneurification of everyone - why does every celebrity have a product that they claim will change our lives? And why do we keep buying them? Next, we love gay Halloween - or do we?! We take a look at some of the celeb Halloween looks we’ve seen so far this spooky season and yearn back for a time when Halloween was more than just an opportunity for “content”. And who do you think will be Amelia Dimoldenberg’s final chicken shop date? We’re starting a sweepstake - DM us or comment on Spotify with your guesses. As always, we’ve got loads of recommendations that we’ve been loving which should help you keep the SAD away - from sexy baskets to vitamin D spray, there’s something for everyone. AND we celebrate the trailer drop for the first instalment of Beth’s upcoming YA series!!! We love you - make sure you’re following us on Instagram, TikTok and Substack - and please do leave a review if you enjoy the show. We’ll see you next week - stay spooky! O, R, B xxx FOLLOW US: INSTAGRAM TIKTOK SUBSTACK LINKS: BETH MCCOLL - Girl, Unfiltered NIAMH CONNELLY - We Go Way Back WICKER CYNTHIA ERIVO ON SNL YOUTH IT GETS WORSE SUZANNE COLLINS - The Hunger Games THE CUT - Jennifer Lawrence Hopes You Won’t Hate Her New Project RIDE WITH BENITO SKINNER AND MARY BETH BARONE CHICKEN SHOP DATE THE CELEBRITY TRAITORS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pop open the EIChampagne - we have the best news ever for you hehehehehe!!! This week we’ve all been loving the big news from Oenone HQ - and no, it’s not that she has been double fisting aliens on her way to New York. Today, we’re going to fill you in on all the week’s headlines, including unrest in France, the trial of Russell Brand and rumours surrounding the Celeb Traitors cast. From 6th November, Porn showing choking or incest will be banned in the UK. We discuss the impact of the ban and why some people are questioning how effective it may be. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion show returned this week - featuring Kylie Jenner in a $50 million bra. Why do we feel so drawn to the VS show? And how has Victoria’s Secret managed to shake off controversy of the past? And in other Kardashian news, Khloe Kardashian’s brand has been caught up in some niche nano-influencer drama. Stay tuned until the end of the podcast to hear the big news - we’re all giddy with excitement! Love you loads, make sure you’ve followed us, subscribed to the review, left a review and we’ll see you next week. O, R, B x FOLLOW US: INSTAGRAM TIKTOK SUBSTACK LINKS: CLUB KIDJORDAN FIRSTMANJON RONSON JON RONSON - Offline with Jon Favreau JON RONSON - So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed PROJECT HAIL MARY DISCLOSURE DAY RUSSELL T DAVIES - The Adam Buxton ShowMULHOLLAND DRIVE THE GUARDIAN Pornography with strangulation and incest to be banned in England and Wales next monthEVERYTHING IS CONTENT - Porn: A Deep Dive GINA MARTIN ON VICTORIA’S SECRET OENONE FORBAT Bad Influence REDDIT: The Good American Pop Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dear EICorrespondents…Oenone’s about to jet off to NYC to see if she can get cast in the Girls reboot (!!) but before then we have a week of delicious content to feast on…Beth is back on her Bond Business, Ruchira is continuing her horror quest and Oenone’s been loving everything Larsson.We’ve also been treated to some exquisite internet nonsense as Kelly Clarkson has reignited a lost art... complaining about customer service on main. What doesn’t kill you really make you stronger... or something?Next up- a Reddit forum has given us hope that there might be a way out of the male loneliness epidemic via the kitchen.And finally- all of us have been enjoying Netflix’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East Of Eden. We’re all discovering the story for the first time and so we want to hear from all of the Steinbeck-heads at home. Is the adaptation living up to its promise? Any notes/gripes or compliments to share?Thank you so much as always for supporting the podcast - make sure you’re subscribed, leave us a review and give us a follow. We appreciate you! Love, O, R, B xxDr No THE CONJURING THE SIXTH SENSE YOUNGERTHE CORRESPONDENT AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REDNY TIMES: The Toy Store Feuding With Kelly Clarkson Over a $15 Million BirdLOVEGQ: Inside the viral Subreddit where men share dinners – and intimate feelingsEAST OF EDEN BARRETT ADAIR: cathy ames can’t be a nine-year-old dominatrix bitch anymore, because of woke LUCY MANGAN: East of Eden Review Bliss Kolb design Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello EIClaudiaWinklemans…. Your diva chaperones are back to guide you through this week in pop culture. This week we’ve all been loving movies… from Sheep Detectives to horror classics - we have not left any genres untouched. The Sad Girl community has been celebrating this week - as the Primavera Sound 2027 line-up has been released, and it’s a real feast of gorgeous gloomy pop girlies. Will we (three non-festival gals) be tempted to attend? And how will festivals adapt to the extreme weather conditions we’ve seen as a result of climate change? Sofa season is officially here - we’re deep into the second series of The Celebrity Traitors. And don’t worry - this episode was recorded before episode three was released, so we are (mostly) spoiler-free. And can someone tell us who is making all these James Acaster horny edits? Lastly, we discuss Gen Z’s Me Too Moment - the Cornell 7. As a content warning, we will be discussing the case as the final item in the podcast, so feel free to leave us there if that’s what’s best for you. And… James Blunt - if you’re listening, please get in touch!We love you - thank you for supporting the podcast, and we’ll see you next week. Love, O, R, B x FOLLOW US: INSTAGRAM TIKTOK SUBSTACK LINKS: NOW – TV Youth AMAZON PRIME - Younger SENSE AND SENSIBILITY THE SHEEP DETECTIVES DIGGER CARRIE OBVIOUS CHILD WAITRESS ADAM BUXTON - Dylan Moran BBC The Celebrity Traitors THE CORNELL DAILY SUN DAZED - Tear the frat houses down LILY O’FARREL TODAY EXPLAINED - What happened at Cornell NY MAG - The Post–Me Too Generation Gets Its Me Too Moment VOX - The Burnerverse NY TIMES - In a Mattress SNARLY CARLY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello EICurmudgeons…In the midst of some sitcom-worthy activities in our personal lives, we’re back with another episode breaking down the biggest- and weirdest- pop culture stories.We’re heading to the Congo Basin (not literally, we hope) as British survivalist Ash Dykes prepares to embark on a 700km kayak expedition down the Sangha river.With equal peril we’ve also decided to discuss Taylor Swift. Should we be applauding the encore to The Life Of A Showgirl? And why are her four new tracks leaving a sour taste in the mouths of some of her die-hard fans?We break down our fashion highs and lows from the VMAs, before giving our takes on the mask-only lesbian bar that broke the internet.As always thank you so much for supporting our independent podcast. We'd also love if you could subscribe to the show on your podcast player, leave a review/rating & follow us on Instagram, TikTok and now Substack. Love you! O, R, B xThis week Beth's been loving The Love Hypothesis, Ruchira's been loving Dog Day Afternoon & Oenone's been loving Younger, Have You Tried Unplugging The AI & this episode of the Ezra Klein Show.LinksPR Daily - Taylor Swift’s latest album announcement raises a question about audience fatigueTikTok - Thee Swiftologist “The Encore was a bad idea” Substack - Taylor Swift’s Shrinking World by Candice Wuehle Page 6 - MTV VMAs 2026 red carpet: See all the celebrity outfitsAsh Dykes - Project 6 NOE - Congo Basin forests: an ally against the climate crisis that must be protected before it's too lateThe Guardian - The Love Hypothesis review The Guardian- #NotAllLesbians – we can’t let the Massachusetts bar drama turn us all into a punchlineHollywood Reporter - Viral Lesbian Bar Article From Boston Globe Is Piquing Hollywood’s InterestThe Boston Globe - Greenfield lesbian bar Last Ditch faces mask-rule backlashAutostraddle - Excommunicate Me from the Church of Social Justice YouTube - You Can See Everything Trailer Instragram - Ash Dykes YouTube - The Swiftologist / Life of a Showgirl: The Encore Substack - What the fuck happened to Taylor Swift YouTube GENER8ION ft Yung Lean at the VMAs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello EICucumbers…We’re all back and we’ve peeled Beth away from Vanderpump Rules to record this week’s episode of the podcast for you…We’re piling in on the internet’s hot debate of the week - is it unprofessional to bring an iced coffee to a job interview? Matcha girls, prepare to be outraged… because we have strong opinions on this one.EmRata has joined the ever growing list of celebrities advertising the prediction market PolyMarket. Does everyone have a price? We discuss how - when it comes to prediction markets - almost everyone loses.Oenone’s been within touching distance of Sharon Horgan this week - we swoon over her and take a look at her new series Youth.And - the mums are on SnapMaps… would you let your parents track you at Freshers Week? A mum has gone viral this week for detailing how she spies on her teenage son in a piece for The Times. We examine the dangers of surveillance and how location trackers may do more harm than good.Stick around to the end of the episode to hear an announcement about our future plans for the podcast. Thank you so much for your support - whether that’s listening every week, contributing, following us or leaving a review… we appreciate you all. Love ya, O, R, B xSwyft Discount 🫶🏻Ruchira's been loving:Maggie Nelson - The Argonauts ,Bangerz Beth's been loving: Fire of LoveOenone's been loving:Tracey Emin - Strangeland ,The Gentlemen ,Lost LambsMaggie Nelson - BluetsWSJ - Why Almost Everyone Loses—Except a Few Sharks—on Prediction Markets at freshers week — and I’m not the only one EIC - The Girlification of BettingWSJ - Helicopter Parents Are Co-Piloting Their Adult Children’s Careers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pick up, EICallers… It’s your favourite podcast calling!In this week’s Everything In Conversation, we’re asking: is cold calling your friends the answer to sustaining a healthy friendship?In response to a new Cut piece by Kathleen Walsh titled ‘I Should Be Allowed to Cold-Call My Friends’, we’re pondering how and why we seem to be so averse to calling our friends out of the blue to have a good old natter. We consider all the benefits of phone calls, what we might be missing on without them, and discuss some ways to make a cold-call less anxiety-inducing. This is an independent podcast and the best ways you can support us are giving us a follow on your podcast player, dropping a review and following us on Instagram, TikTok and now Substack. Thank you for being here, and we’ll see you next week. Love, O, R, B x swyfthome.com/pages/eic-podcastLINKS: THE CUT - I Should Be Allowed to Cold-Call My FriendsFOLLOW US: INSTAGRAMTIKTOK SUBSTACK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello EICave Divers… It’s been a WEEK of bizarre stories and we’re here to (attempt to) guide you through them… In the wake of the news that all of Ed Sheeran’s support acts have quit his tour in solidarity with Macklemore and the Palestinian people, we discuss the power of taking a stand in the face of billionaires. The HYROX Poo has been everywhere across our timelines this week. How well has the sport responded to this PR disaster? And what does this expose about the culture around HYROX? Meanwhile, another shitstorm (sorry) has been brewing around Sydney Sweeney - who has posed nearly-nude to advertise a sports prediction market. Have we come to expect this from her? What the hell is happening at Sweeney HQ? It’s the question we’ve all been asking this week: is AI really on track to kill us all within a decade? Jacob Coxon, former AI researcher at Anthropic who previously also worked at Open AI went viral earlier this month when he shared a post on X saying he’d resigned from the company over safety fears and that time is running out to ensure AI is safe. Before we get swept up in the panic, we’ve consulted several tech experts’ analysis and fact checks to try and wade through it all… And last up - we’ve been to see One Night Only, a new rom-com – or dystopian thriller depending on your reading which explores what it would be like if pre-martial sex was outlawed and singles only had one night to f to their genitals’ galore. Let’s just say, opinions are mixed within the team… Make sure you’re subscribed and please leave us a review, it’s the best way you can support our independent podcast. Enjoy the ep and we’ll see you next week. Love, O, R, B xx swyfthome.com/pages/eic-podcastLINKS: MEG MASON: Sophie Standing There DISNEY PLUS: Adults BBC NEWS: Hyrox apologises for allowing race to continue after athlete soils herself THE ATHLETIC: The Sydney Sweeney advert ignores decades of progress BBC NEWS: Why some experts increasingly fear AI will take overMETR - Brief independent investigation of agents’ behavior, reasoning and collaboration in the OpenAI / Hugging Face hacking incidentThe Guardian - The Elon Musk v Sam Altman battle is a distractionWIRED: The AI Researcher Who Just Quit Anthropic Says It’s ‘Crunch Time for Humanity’X - AJEYA COTRA: Hugging Face explainer Platformer - The AI safety vibe shift NY TIMES: This is Really Bad WASHINGTON POST: For years they warned that AI could kill all humans, now people are listening CIGI - AI National Security Scenarios / Special ReportFOLLOW US: INSTAGRAMTIKTOKSUBSTACK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.