4.7 The very worst dates, rom-coms grown up and Rihanna re-brands pregnancy

It's our last episode before Frankie has a baby, so we're talking about the obsession with 'natural' births, and stigmatisation of anything but (and the gas and air ban, too). And we're discussing nepo babies big and small - from famous offspring on the catwalk to the bizarre details of the Beckham-Peltz wedding being aired in a lawsuit.  Plus, how Charlie feels about being labelled as a 'dry texter', the Magic Mike review that no one asked for, and what cult watch Fleishman is in Trouble is stirring up - from the forty-something fuckability double standard to suburban claustrophobia.  Links from the episode: No gas and air in pregnancy? Women's pain is disregarded again - Frankie Graddon, The Times  The hottest fashion accessory right now? A kid - Frankie Graddon, iNews The Beckham-Peltz wedding is the ultimate tale of two nepo babies - Hannah Betts, The Times Take it from a dry texter: short messages don't mean someone isn't interested - Daisy Jones, Vogue Fine, I admit it - I am a 'dry texter'. It beats emojis or verbal diarrhoea - Emma Beddington, The Guardian I chose to move to the suburbs for my children. That doesn't mean it's made me happy - Lucy Foster, Vogue

This week we're in the mood for love - or rather raunch. While Frankie's plotting a Magic Mike spectacular, Charlie's getting back on the dating horse and hoping for a Diet Coke Break from the builders next door - though she fears reality won't match up to expectation. We're discussing Rihanna's Super Bowl half-time show and the transformative effect her public pregnancies have had - and continue to have - on the perception of motherhood. She's made moulded breast plates a maternity must-have for starters. Also on the agenda: how the new slew of grown-up rom coms are proving sex doesn't stop at thirty. How to beat the cost-of-living crisis one Amalfi lemon at a time. And, the very worst dates we've been on. Links from the episode:  Rihanna's baby bump and the rise of the millennial pregnancy 'reveal' – Frankie Graddon, The Times I wish I had the Bank of Mum and Dad to keep me afloat – Charlie Gowans-Eglinton, The Times  Clever ways to be frugal - and still keep up appearances – Steven Doig, The Telegraph 

This week, we're keeping up with the Joneses - and while Frankie has just Modern House-ified her flat in the hopes of selling it (no plastic toys, no visible TVs), Julia Fox's no-fuss house tour on TikTok offers a glimpse of a cool-girl alternative to Mrs Hinch bathrooms and 'sad beige' nurseries. Even Marie Kondo has given up on tidying; so is an unmade bed the latest in Insta-authenticity?  Plus, we're talking about milestone birthdays and bucket lists (with just a week to go until 35, Charlie's ambitions are small but specific), why straight men don't talk about dating, and the debt that Frankie owes the Magic Mike film franchise. Links from the episode: Should I worry about UV damage while getting a gel manicure? - Jennifer G. Sullivan, The Cut Marie Kondo's life is messier now - and she's fine with it - Jura Koncius, The Washington Post  Why do hardly any straight men write about sex and dating? - Imogen West-Knights, The Guardian My boyfriend, a writer, broke up with me because I'm a writer - Isabel Kaplan, The Guardian You can train a baby but a load-bearing dad's another matter - Harriet Walker, The Times

This week, Charlie isn't leaving her house and ignoring plans (we're calling it ghost-uary) but she's got some dodgy-yet-comfy slippers to keep her company. Apparently the youth are all doing it. Meanwhile Frankie's experiencing a body hair phenomenon and found a recipe that will cheer up winter evenings.   The word on the streets of Manhattan is that Aidan and Carrie are back together. We have questions: does he still love turquoise jewellery; has he built an eco home; what thread-count are his plaid shirts? And, what happened to Smith Jerrod? We also discuss Prince Harry's memoir and ask: are we in the era of sharing our truth too much? Plus, are you a visual thinker, a verbal thinker or an over thinker? And could identifying the way we think change us for the better?  Links from the episode:  How should we think about our different styles of thinking? – Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker Depression rooms and doom piles: why clearing the clutter can feel impossible – Dana G. Smith, New York Times  Rachel Roddy's courgette pasta  Nigella Lawson's chicken in a pot with lemon and orzo 

This week, without one single proper resolution between us, we've discovered that we're not really self-improvement types. Instead, Charlie's making plans to not make plans, and while Frankie wouldn't mind a bit more downtime, it will have to wait - first, she has some exciting personal news to share.  Plus, the book that Frankie recommends reading at the start of every new year, the best TV we watched on our festive break (complete with theme-tune singalong) and the shows that we're looking forward to, and the pros and cons of social media 'friendship homework' - with the shock news that Frankie doesn't actually watch half of the memes that Charlie sends her. Happy new year! 

'Twas the episode before Christmas and Charlie has narrowly escaped a snowy disaster (thank God for her middle-class gardening boots) while Frankie has caught the winter lurgy and cancelled her party plans. Boo hoo.  Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary is giving us lots to discuss: should the Royals be treated like celebrities; has the media gone too far; how much does an Hermès blanket cost? Also on the agenda, how does sitting for a nude affect body image? Charlie reveals all, literally.  Plus: profiterole towers, pre-breakfast arguments, seafood sauce and fridge stress – it's Chriiiiiiiiiiiistmas!   We'll see you in the New Year, until then - have a good one xx 

This week, Frankie's embracing the start of Sagittarius season and working on her birthday list: anything OTT that she can wear to Christmas parties galore. But Charlie needs to work up some social stamina first, and see if she can work out how to balance a desire to make up for lost parties with the rising cost of croissants (and everything else) - what happens to emotional spending in a cost of living crisis? Plus, we're talking about royal plus ones, shapewear eureka moments, Joe Goldberg in London, and the best spot in town for remote working days... Links from the episode: Treat yourself! The rise of emotional spending among young people - Serena Smith, Dazed Both sides of a breakup - The Cut Honest Boss - Stylist

We're back! Did you miss us? After a very, VERY extended summer break we have returned just in time for the festive run-up. To get us in the mood, Frankie has tuned into the Christmas film of the season starring none other than Lindsay 'I'm making a comeback' Lohan. Thrills, spills and dodgy story lines for all.  From Kim K to Y2k's low-slung fashion trend, we discuss the reemergence of size zero and damaging body ideals. Why are we so fixated with it again and did it even really go away? Plus, is Made.com's closure a final nail in the coffin for the millennial generation's claim to cool?  Also on the agenda: heated towel rails, jumper ruts and high school reunions.  Links from the episode:  Could thin be in again? - Michelle Santiago Cortes, The Cut The era of cringe – Hannah Nathanson, ELLE Made.com was a window into mid-century design idea – but with none of the quality – Morwenna Ferrier, The Guardian Millennials thought we had it made. Now we're just as uncool as the boomers – Charlotte Ivers, The Times

This week it's been hot, hot, HOT. While Frankie has decamped to the cooler climes of Devon, Charlie is sweating it out in London – that God she accidentally ordered a fridge full of fizzy drinks. But as the heatwave rages on we ask: why is it still ok for men to go topless, yet women get shamed for flashing a nipple (see Florence Pugh at the Valentino show)? And if baring your boobs is considered unacceptable, how come every summer dress this season has a cut-out back that prohibits wearing a bra? As Jennifer Lopez becomes Jennifer Affleck after tying the knot with her former ex Ben, we discuss the politics of taking – or not taking – your partner's name. Plus, what does the boom of Only Fans say about the modern workplace? Also on the agenda: dishy men in good outfits, paddling pools and knitwear in the freezer. We've off on a summer break and will be back in September for a brand new series. Until then – happy holidays!

This week, we're finally back in the same room - and a celebratory bottle in, since this episode was recorded following Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid's resignations (and not long before Boris Johnson's). Frankie has been lured in by the promise of the summer sales, and Charlie is swearing off men after watching the latest from Love Island.  Plus, we're talking about the idea of taxing the childfree (no prizes for guessing where we stand on this one), and whether it's ever acceptable to baby talk when you're dating. Also up for discussion are no-more-hangover pills, regional merch, and whether No.10 is right about Peter Andre's nap proposal... We'd love to hear from you - get in touch at [email protected] Links from the episode: Should we tax the childless? - Paul Morland, The Sunday Times What's the deal with baby talk in relationships? - Darshita Goyal, Refinery29