It’s the week that England broke their penalty curse; Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne broke up; Roman Polanski (yup, he who is wanted for statutory rape) sat FROW at Miu Miu; and let’s not forget! There’s a bumper session of Ask The High Low. We resisted doing it in Joan and Jericha’s voices - but it was hard. We’ve never had something recommended so much to The High Low - via email; Twitter; Instagram DM - as much as we had ‘Nanette’ a stand-up show performed by Australian comic, Hannah Gadsby. A su...
Jul 04, 2018•1 hr 9 min
In today's episode, we discuss that jacket worn by Melania Trump whilst visiting an immigrant children's camp in Texas; Lionel Shriver's follow-up to her anti-diversity rant; Johnny Depp's bonkers Rolling Stone interview; Dolly's new favourite podcast Dear Joan and Jericha; and why mindfulness should be less about emptying your mind - than filling it. Also today, we host the Oscar-nominated actor, producer and now memoirist, Gabourey Sidibe. Her book, This Is Just My Face, Try Not To Stare is a ...
Jun 28, 2018•1 hr 2 min
We speak to Clemmie Hooper - aka the midwife and influencer Mother of Daughters, who recently suspended her Instagram account after the trolling got too much - about why men and women are not equal in the eyes of social media. Why doesn’t her husband, Simon (aka Father of Daughters), who exists in exactly the same family and has twice the amount of followers, get nearly so much abuse? We talk misogyny and mothering; why women aren’t allowed to be financially successful in the same way men are; a...
Jun 21, 2018•1 hr 7 min
It’s a live podcast brought to you from the Möet & Chandon Summer House, in London! This week we are discussing the story gone viral, of party-girl-fraud, Anna Delvey. Are we living through the golden age of scamming? Also today, Love Island and it’s golden homogenised beauty types. Do producers of structured reality shows owe us a more realistic body type; or should we expect nothing less from a show which is a platform for Instagram influencers-in-waiting? BooHooMan awaits. Links Dietland,...
Jun 10, 2018•47 min
What does a trailblazer owe us? That’s a question we’re pondering this week, as we discuss actor Issa Rae’s spicy monologue on Kanye West - who many believe is betraying his black identity, in support of Trumpian conservatism - and Germaine Greer’s controversial views on rape. Once a radical second-wave feminist, is she in danger of becoming a parody? Also this week, we discuss the misogyny in social media; the concept of ‘moral triumphalism’; why processed food feels like a cuddle; and the glor...
Jun 07, 2018•1 hr 6 min
It’s National Biscuit Day! One of (but not the only) favourite days in Dolly’s calendar. We discuss the huge response to our segment on Ireland’s abortion referendum (they repealed!) and issue some vital corrections; natter about why we’re in the golden age of telly; and debate whether a role model - specifically, footballer Raheem Sterling and his gun tattoo - has to reflect societal concerns. Also today, we host one of our favourite authors Meg Wolitzer, whose novel, The Female Persuasion, mak...
May 30, 2018•59 min
This week, we discuss why Ireland’s proposed repeal of the 8th amendment on 25th May, is so important. We learn about Ireland’s history (from the brutal 'symphysiotomy’ procedure, to the abuse of unmarried mothers in mother and baby homes like Bon Secours) and talk to Irish writer, Caroline O’Donoghue about what pro-choice campaigners learned from Brexit’s liberal echo chamber. And of COURSE, we discuss the royal wedding. From the funny bits (he-llo Bishop Michael Curry) to the starry bits (Opra...
May 23, 2018•1 hr
It’s another live episode, recorded at The Old Selfridges Hotel in collaboration with Google Pixel 2. Dolly’s hungover, Pandora’s no longer pregnant - so some things have changed since our last live episode; but some things have stayed the same. We discuss Georgina Chapman’s first ever interview about her ex-husband Harvey Weinstein in US Vogue, 5 months after allegations broke, triggering MeToo. Was this the right outlet for fashion designer Georgina, to give this interview? Is it a PR move? Di...
May 14, 2018•43 min
It’s a week of controversy: Rachel Dolezal, the white woman who says she’s black, is back in the public eye thanks to a Netflix documentary, The Rachel Divide. What trauma led to her fraudulent ‘transracial’ identity? And why does Rachel refuse to back down? We called up gal-dem deputy editor and Guardian writer Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff to discuss the documentary - and whether or not Netflix were right to air it. Also on today’s agenda: the glitzy annual Met Gala and it’s ‘Catholic’ theme, courte...
May 09, 2018•52 min
Amber Rudd’s resignation; Mary Beard’s sparkly sneaks; Kanye’s ‘basic Plato’ tweets - oh and the news that beer goggles really DO exist. Yup, it’s just another week at The High Low. This week sees the return of the author special, with trans activist and YA author, Juno Dawson, whose 14th book about a teenage heroin addict, Clean, had us both hooked. We discuss addiction, privilege, teenhood and trans issues with Juno, whilst her miniature chihuahua Prince, looked on. Links Milk & Honey, by ...
May 02, 2018•50 min
The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to another baby prince, but all anyone’s talking about is that bouncy blow dry, that red dress and those heels - a mere 7 hours after she gave birth. Is this glamorous portrayal of new motherhood doing a disservice to mothers and the trauma of birth? Why is it an inevitable part of Kate’s role as a princess? And could it in fact be a form of protection? Also today: we discuss Millie Bobby Brown’s inclusion on Time’s 100 Most Influential List. The 14 year old a...
Apr 25, 2018•58 min
Some excellent e-mails on voice notes in The High Low mailbag this week - turns out The HL listeners are more than a little bit obsessed with voice notes. On this week’s agenda: a butt-load of article recommendations from Pandora (Christie Watson’s book about the NHS had Pandora in a puddle), some stellar advice from Dolly on how to survive your social life sober, a hefty discussion on miscreditation and appropriation in the internet age and - the big stuff - why we all love to hate Coachella (i...
Apr 18, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Well, THANK YOU High Lowers - last week’s episode pushed us over 2 million downloads and up to No.3 on the iTunes podcast charts. The mailbag was also bulging this week: some helpful kind corrections; some not-so-helpful - and we’ve got a little something to say on that.... This week we discuss the results of The ONS’s report into loneliness, which has revealed that - contrary to popular belief - it is not pensioners who are society’s most lonely, but 16-24 year olds. Is social media to blame? H...
Apr 12, 2018•1 hr 3 min
The High Low is back! Where did those 6 weeks go? Dolly’s been on a nationwide book tour; Pandora’s birthed a tiny dictator. We round-up all the articles, programmes and podcasts we’ve been enjoying during our hiatus, as well as the topics that made us miss The High Low. On today’s agenda: the depressing arc of the weightloss celebrity and the esoteric nature of reality TV (Dolly compares it to an old-fashioned Italian family - Pandora wonders if that is a good thing); and the controversial verd...
Apr 04, 2018•1 hr 5 min
The High Low is going on maternity leave - or maturity leave, as Pandora accidentally e-mailed someone this week - for 6 weeks, so we’ve decided to go out with a bang, with an interview with the Oscar nominated actor and producer, Margot Robbie. We discuss I, Tonya, about American figure skater, Tonya Harding, with the Australian A-Lister, how she plans to put women centre stage via her production company, LuckyChap productions and what Hollywood really looks like, post MeToo. Also this week, Pa...
Feb 19, 2018•27 min
An explosive Quincy Jones interview via Vulture; an even more explosive Sex and The City row via Kim Cattrall (just try and get Dolly to shut up about it); and some fun Valentine’s Day facts for you: did you know that 5% more babies are conceived during Valentines week than any other time (Christmas comes second); and that 52% of people are choosing to stay at home for Valentine’s - or Galentines - this year? Also, old people are having more sex than ever and Dolly’s very happy about it. Much ha...
Feb 14, 2018•56 min
Your usual mixed bag this week: Cheddar Man, Nutella fights and Lady Doritos. It’s the 100 year anniversary of the Suffragettes! We deliver to you some facts and a round-up of this week’s celebrations. We discuss Kylie Jenner’s secret pregnancy (her daughter, Stormi Webster was born this week.) How did the world’s most famous 20 year old - Kylie has over 100 million followers and is the richest of all of the Kardashian/Jenners - hide her pregnancy from the paps for an entire 10 months? Is it yet...
Feb 07, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Kim Kardashian is making all kinds of headlines this week; not because her new baby boy, Chicago, arrived via surrogacy - but because she’s sharing dozens of pics of herself in the nuddy with what she has called ‘Bo Derek’ braids aka: cornrows or Fulani braids. We discuss the knotty issue of cultural appropriation, how it exists within fashion and beauty and speak to Sharmadean Reid, the founder of WAH Nails and Beauty Stack, on why she isn’t offended by Kim’s appropriation of a black hairstyle ...
Jan 31, 2018•1 hr
First thing’s first: 1 in 4 women are still skipping their smear test - please don’t be one of them. Dolly talks to Kate Sanger from Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust who emphasises the importance of smear tests in preventing cervical cancer. Also today, we discuss the UK’s newly appointed Minister for Loneliness, Tracey Crouch - and why loneliness is not just a problem in the elderly ; new evidence which suggests that psychologically we are all children until the age of not 18, but - duh duh duhhhhhh ...
Jan 24, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Episode 43 is a pretty exciting one for The High Low - a bit of a pinch-me moment, if you will. One minute we were begging Faber & Faber for an advance copy of French novelist Leila Slimani’s cult read, Lullaby - a troubling but beautifully written read about a nanny who murders her two young charges - the next, we had Leila in our studio. The twelfth woman to win the Prix Goncourt, last year (the highest literary prize in France, previous winners include Proust) Lullaby sold a whopping 600,...
Jan 17, 2018•1 hr 1 min
Hello, you stable geniuses! (Or as the pedants may prefer, genii.) The Golden Globes happened on Sunday night in Hollywood and The High Low has many a point to discuss: Does the #TimesUp movement - where actors wore black dresses on the red carpet, in solidarity with victims of sexual harassment - convey a real and true political message? Can a gown be a harbinger for social change? The New York Times’ T Magazine Fashion Critic, Alexander Fury, provides an eloquent argument in favour. Or, is it ...
Jan 10, 2018•1 hr 3 min
Happy 2018! It's the first High Low episode of the year. We've got some books, shows, podcasts and articles to recommend to you, a Queens impression from Pandora (that's the suburb in New York, not the royal OAP) and a reader question about what to do when you're a Hot Mess. In this week's episode, we discuss the shocking - or is it so shocking? - new research from Kings College London, which reveals that 27% of pregnant women suffer from mental health problems. Is the 'pregnancy glow' myth to b...
Jan 04, 2018•1 hr 5 min
Happy New Year High Lowers! 2017 has been the year of covfefe, Dr Robert Kelly and of course the birth of yours truly. We have friend of The High Low’s and Guardian journalist Stu Heritage on to review the highs and lows of the past year, including Pandora’s very own and rather difficult Big Fat Quiz of the year which listeners can play at home. We talk resolutions, New Year plans and Stu’s fantastic book published earlier this year called Don’t Be A Dick, Pete. The book is a very funny and ofte...
Dec 27, 2017•1 hr 9 min
It’s a festive episode with a special High Low nativity play; written by professional screenwriter (as you will be able to tell) Dolly - and sponsored by frankincense and myrrh. As Amazon and John Lewis declare ambitions to open their end of year sales on Christmas Day itself, and the Bishop of Cambridge descends into outrage, we talk the evolution of ‘family time’ and whether online shopping during a day of rest (and/or religion) is a moral issue or merely one of ease and convenience. What abou...
Dec 20, 2017•45 min
Pandora's been moving house and Dolly's been hosting Pretendmas (don't ask; she'll tell you all about it anyway) but there are still plenty of water cooler topics to discuss this week. From some brilliant pieces of journalism (including a heart-breaking piece by Empire Editor Terri White on the vital role a woman's refuge played in both her own childhood and in British society as a whole) to plenty of podcast recommendations from the ultimate podcat, Dolly, this week we discuss 'Cat Person', the...
Dec 13, 2017•1 hr 4 min
It’s December, which means that silly season is officially upon us. Thank goodness, then, for Alabama student Kelsey who dressed up as a Christmas tree - for every single lecture. Oh, and the scientists who think they’ve found one of Santa’s bones. We discuss Christmas in all it’s technicolour madness, and whether or not it’s really anything to do with religion anymore. Also today, the hashtagged social trend of 'women spreading’ (Pandora prefers ‘fem spreading’ but also acknowledges that it sou...
Dec 06, 2017•53 min•Ep. 37
Thank you to everyone who enjoyed our special episode with Tina Brown last week - we had a huge response. We miss her already <3 This week in the Tina-free studio, we discuss whether corporations offering to pay for women to freeze their eggs - as happening in America and soon, Australia - is a generous health benefit, or a patriarchal attempt to stave off motherhood. Shouldn’t we improve conditions and parity for working mothers (subsidised nurseries, better paternity leave, flexi-hours) fir...
Nov 29, 2017•58 min
Welcome to our favourite *ever* episode of The High Low - as we try not to fangirl the fuck out. For those of you with short memories, the High Low is named in homage to iconic editor Tina Brown. The creator of High Low journalism - our founding ethos of merging the trivial with the political; the irreverent with the weighty - Tina became editor of Tatler aged just 25, of Vanity Fair aged 29, and then The New Yorker, before launching the short-lived Talk and then The Daily Beast. Now, in an argu...
Nov 23, 2017•55 min•Ep. 35
No singing this week courtesy of Louis Theroux, but three different accents from Pandora in compensation. This week on The High Low, we discuss Boris Johnson’s buffoonery - and when being a dotard can put another woman’s life in danger. Our hearts go out to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 19 months into a 5 year sentence in Iran. As Boris (finally) meets Nazanin’s husband, Richard, we discuss the Foreign Secretary and why we struggle to understand the seeming impotence of the government in scenarios ...
Nov 15, 2017•58 min
After some disruption to the schedule (namely two live recordings in a row and an author special, whilst Dolly’s enjoyed monsoon season in Thailand and practiced wellness with a monk) The High Low is back in the Acast studio. And we’ve got tons (literally tons) of reading, listening and watching recs for you, from our sojourns away. This week we discuss Kevin Spacey’s “I’m Gay” disclaimer, Netflix dropping him and whether or not you can separate the art from the artist. Will their legacy live on...
Nov 08, 2017•1 hr 2 min
