Culture Club

Why are people calling New York City influencers boring? Are we in a party deficit? And should we be compartmentalising all of our different selves?

A TikTok by @martinifeeny has garnered millions of views after she declared: “I hate all of the New York influencers. I think that they're boring as fuck and they're all carbon copies of each other.” 

This has sparked a week of TikTok discourse as users question why they're following rich, white influencers. Spoiler alert: The app is a microcosm of society. We reference an article by Stephanie McNeal for Glamour.

Next, are we in a party deficit? Despite Jas gearing up to host the biggest party of her life and Maggie loving a picnic and small gathering, we think... yes. 

We reference a piece titled Americans Need To Party More by Ellen Cushing for The Atlantic (and its subsequent TikTok).

Afterwards we chat about two of the biggest entertainment moments of the last few years: The Substance and Severance. This convo was sparked by a guest essay that Jas read in The New York Times by professor Eric Schwitzgebel. 

Is it a coincidence that these two pieces of work reference splintering the human mind and body? To compartmentalise ourselves? We share our thoughts on the essay and how it's relevant to our own lives. 

In recommendations, we have two new books to share! Jas enjoyed The Coin by Yasmin Zaher while Maggie read Signs Of Damage by Diana Reid. 

We hope you enjoy and chat to you next time! 
Jas & Mags xo 

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A Tumblr blast from the past, Millie Bobby Brown's call out, and is food now an aspirational status symbol?

After a quick recap about Melbourne Fashion Festival and Jas' Adelaide trip, we get into some pop culture tidbits and discourse. 

Fila has dropped a new collection with Hailey Bieber this week and while it's giving Sporty Spice, the campaign images have us asking whether we've reached a crescendo of food as an aspirational luxury item. In this segment we reference a TikTok by user Zauey and an article in Vogue Business titled To Gen Z, food is the new luxury. What does that mean for fashion? By Lucy Maguire. 

In recommendations, Maggie loved an Australian rom-com set in New York while Jas binged two seasons of a British comedy-thriller. 

Chat next time! 
Jas & Mags xo 

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In the last few years, Nawal Sari has become one of Australia's most notable influencers. As a modest fashion influencer, she's worked with the likes of Gucci, Valentino and Fendi and was the first Muslim hijabi bride in Vogue Australia. 

Aside from social media creation, Nawal also hosts her podcast Just Delusional and has a Substack called Nawal's Diary. She was a contributing editor for Refinery29 Australia and has led her own TedX talk.

In this chat, we the balance between faith and influencing, how dangerous media tokenism is and the importance of wearing (and living) your values.

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After a quick Laneway recap, we dive into this week's episode. 

Firstly, The Cut has published an article interviewing five Reddit "snarkers" who love to hate online personalities. This comes after anonymous gossip site, Tattle Life, announced it was shutting down (although the site is still live at the time of recording).

We ask why these sites exist and even dissect Maggie's very own anonymous hate mail. 

Next, would you pay thousands to be a part of a member's club that doesn't physically exist? It's a question writer Taylor Lorenz posed in her newsletter User Mag this month. TuxedoSociety is an “Instagram club” where you pay to dress up and make “old money” content with a bunch of aspiring “old money” influencers. We chat about the rise of content clubs and why they're a sign of economic downturn. 

In recommendations, we share one trending Aussie TV show and a weepy rom-com... 

Chat to you next time! 
Jas & Mags xo

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Hi friends! 

We have a bumper episode today so strap in. 

Firstly, what was with those Ryan Reynolds paparazzi photos last week? Amidst the It Ends With Us lawsuits between his wife, Blake Lively and her co-star Justin Baldoni, TikTok users wonder if Ryan's PR team set him up with staged fans. We also briefly recount where the lawsuits are at as of this week. 

Next, Gracie Abrams fans have been called out after they tried to create a petition to replace Dora Jar, her tour's opening act. We discuss the entitlement many pop fans feel towards their faves. 

In local news, Australian fast fashion brand Glassons has customers shocked by their new marketing campaign. Instagram users were perplexed by the Bondi Junction store when multiple slim models were turned into irl mannequins as they walked on treadmills at the front of the store in the new activewear collection. We discuss what this says about Australia's fashion culture and ask why brands are still using one type of body to promote their products. 

Next, one of Australia's biggest social media stars, Anna Paul has been pulled into drama this week after her former friend (and brother's ex-girlfriend) Mikaela Testa shared allegations of Anna fat-shaming fans, lying about growing up poor and luring young fans into subscribing to her Only Fans content under the guise of giving away money prizes.

While we share the toplines of the drama, we also discuss why wealthy people feel they need to pretend to be poor and reference this video essay by Michael Sorensen. This also leads us into a chat about the Lola Young nepo-niece allegations. 

In recommendations, Maggie loved The Beesting by Paul Murray while Jas recommends Good With Money by Emma Edwards. 

Lots of love, 
Jas & Mags xo 

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It's awards season and we have a bone to pick with the Academy. 

Rugby star Ilona Maher has sparked a conversation this week around imposter syndrome. We share our own experience with the phenomenon that feels increasingly common amongst women (for better or for worse?). During this chat we also reference the Mel Robbins Podcast and the 'Let Them' theory.

Next, we've been read to filth by Melbourne-based brand strategy consultant and lecturer Eugene Healey who posted a TikTok about what he deems the new post-luxury status symbol: ‘wasteful' time. 

Maggie references The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Economic Study of Institutions by Thorstein Veblen and her own Instagram caption. 

In recommendations, Jas enjoyed Babygirl (you can enter our ticket giveaway on Culture Club's Instagram) while Maggie recommends Paddington In Peru. 

See you next time! 
Jas & Mags xo 

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After some positive feedback from last year's ep, we've brought back our yearly book reviews. 

We debrief about the best, worst and most unexpected books we've read in 2024. Huuuuge disclaimer that these are just our own opinions and we hope this doesn't deter you from any titles or authors!

Katie Zhou created our fab cover art and India Raine is our wonderful editor and composer of our jingle.

Email us at [email protected], find us on Instagram @cultureclubpod, or on our personal accounts @jasmineeskye and @yemagz.

Jas & Mags xo

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Concetta Caristo is one of Australia's most exciting media stars. 

From hosting the coveted Triple J Breakfast slot with co-host Luka Muller to her impressive comedy chops and work on TV screens across the country, we sat down with Concetta in the DM Sydney studio to learn more about her journey. 

In this chat, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the world of comedy (plus the graft it took Concetta to get to where she is) and touch on her lived experience with domestic violence, including how she's using her story to help others. 

You can listen to Concetta on Triple J Breakfast and follow her on Instagram. 

This episode contains reference to domestic violence.

If you have experienced violence and need immediate or ongoing help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) to talk to a counsellor from the national domestic violence hotline. 

Katie Zhou created our fab cover art and India Raine is our wonderful editor and composer of our jingle. Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Instagram @cultureclubpod or on our personal accounts @jasmineeskye and @yemagz. 

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In our last pop culture episode for 2024, we debrief on the Internet's new hyperfixation: Luigi Mangione. Is the alleged murderer a flash-in-the-pan meme? Or will this American antihero spark meaningful change in the US social systems? 

We reference a piece in the New Yorker titled Luigi Mangione And The Making Of A Modern Antihero by Jessica Winter. 

Next, Matilda Djerf, founder of fashion label Djerf Avenue and the prototype for Scandi Clean Girls worldwide, is under fire this week after Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet spoke with 11 current and former Djerf Avenue employees who accuse Djerf of fat shaming, favouritism, and bullying. 

We share the accusations and ask if influencers can lead healthy businesses. We reference videos by creators Elena Tea, Barefaced Media, and Carmen Azzopardi. 

In recommendations, Jas enjoyed Who's That Girl, a world-first interview with influencer Anna Paul for In Style by Courtney Thompson. Maggie loved the podcast How To Be a Good Ancestor w/ Roman Krysnaric by Upstream.

Thank you for listening. <3 Jas & Mags xo 

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There’s no denying that Shameless Media has been taking over our podcast apps and socials since 2018. After years of growing the business, Shameless has recently launched Inherited, an open and honest interview show that asks guests about their recipes, rituals, relics and rules for life. 

Described as an "anti-small talk" podcast, the show is hosted by Everybody Has A Secret's producer, Ruby Hall. 

Ruby’s career journey has been anything but linear, from being a child actor in a beloved Australian kids TV show to moving from Perth to Melbourne to pursue her media dreams. 

We sat down with Ruby in our Melbourne studio to ask her how she nabbed a dream job at one of Australia's most coveted media empires and why her Saturn return has shown Ruby just how good things can get. 

Listen to Inherited here and follow Ruby's socials here. 

Jas & Mags xoxo

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