Cursed Objects

If this is indeed a new Cold War, then when did it get so hot in here? Dan and Kasia are back with a bang, launching Series 2 of Cursed Objects with a bit of geopolitical pizzazz - talking leadership cults, "great men of history" and the ironic veneration of dictators. Stalin makes an appearance, and we look at the time Vladimir Putin extolled the virtues of hip-hop for clean living and a greater Russia.

If you're enjoying Cursed Objects, please support our Patreon - and get access to bonus eps and extra content: patreon.com/cursedobjects. You can also follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK.

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

A sexy Putin calendar. An unauthorised Fearne Cotton biography. A Van Gogh eraser shaped like his dismembered ear. Adorno takes on his horoscope, Stuart Hall takes on Canary Wharf, the 1970s take on dinner parties and the 2020s take on "brand collabs"... guess who just got back today?

That's right! Hosts Dr Kasia Tee and Dan Hancox return on Monday 31 January - and then every Monday for the next 10 weeks - with your favourite podcast about big ideas, weird history, pop culture and tat. 

For more info: follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK or join our Patreon: patreon.com/cursedobjects

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

Deck the halls with mince pie-flavoured Wensleydale, Dan and Kasia have both been shopping, opened some disgusting cans of seasonal beer, and are back for a one-off Christmas special! There's pigs-in-blankets everything and dried fruit where it shouldn't be, as we discuss our festive favs, 'premium mediocre', the 17th century roots of the Christmas meal, and the very recent history of gross supermarket product design.

Season 2 is coming very soon! For more info: follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK, email us at [email protected], or join our Patreon for bonus episodes: patreon.com/cursedobjects

Very special festive theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

Series 1 closes with an Olympian nightmare. Kasia and Dan de-mythologise London 2012: surface-to-air missiles on east London rooftops, cops arresting protesters, VIP lanes on the roads - all in the name of "cheering up the country in hard times". We talk about riots, food banks, authoritarian capitalism, and what the controversial London 2012 Opening Ceremony tells us about national identity. Key object: The 2012 games official mascot – Wenlock Police Officer Figurine.

This is the final episode of Series 1!  If you're enjoying Cursed Objects, please support our Patreon to help us make Series 2 as soon as possible: patreon.com/cursedobjects. You can also follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK.

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

It's Episode 9, and this week Dan and Kasia are looking at the transcendental appeal of cheap religious tat, and the mass reproduction of images. There is faith, forgery, bootlegging and breakfast... and glow-in-the-dark Baby Jesus keyrings. We ask why Topshop went through a phase of selling rosary beads, and why people buy postcards of the Mona Lisa. Moreoever, does the reproduction of art reduce or expand its political power?

Key object: Virgin Mary toast stamp.

This is the penultimate episode of Series 1!  If you're enjoying Cursed Objects, do support our Patreon to help us make Series 2 as soon as possible: patreon.com/cursedobjects. You can also follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK.

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

Kasia and Dan are struggling to feel ‘mindful’ despite using their fresh-off-Amazon colouring-in wallcharts, puzzles and self-help books. Interrogating the mental health crisis and neoliberalism, they discuss ‘mindfulness’ and the ways that employers and political parties pay lip service to the health of the nation.

Key object: Labour 'colour-in-at-home' postcard.

For more: follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK, and if you are enjoying Cursed Objects support our Patreon patreon.com/cursedobjects

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

Kasia and Dan dig into the cursed experience of being 'on the apps' - dating apps - and discuss 'tweevertising', why companies are more interested in 'driving engagement' than selling products, and how we came to live in a world where brands want nothing more than to be our mates.

Key object: Hinge bath bomb

For more: follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK, and if you are enjoying Cursed Objects support our Patreon patreon.com/cursedobjects

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

Dan and Kasia are having a kickabout and looking into the role of the Spanish Civil War in left-wing mythology. What connects lower league English football with the Spanish Republic of 1931-1939? Why do the International Brigades – the independent fighters who came from across much of Europe to fight against fascism – mean so much to the British Left so long after the war was lost?

Key object: Clapton CFC football shirt

For more: follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK, and if you are enjoying Cursed Objects support our Patreon patreon.com/cursedobjects

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

It's episode 5, and this week Kasia and Dan are worrying about 'Agamben Toys': dystopian play-things for kids like Playmobil prisons and riot cops with tiny plastic riot shields, guns, mean-looking dogs and roadblock accessories. Why do these objects exist, why do they unsettle adults more than they do kids, and what can they tell us about the Boring Dystopia of the real world? What is the history of toy soldiers and the "pleasure culture of war", and why has Britain always been so obsessed with them both? This week's key object: a Guardia Civil toy soldier.

For more: follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK, and join our Patreon for full weekly show notes patreon.com/cursedobjects

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford

Join Kasia and Dan as they take a walk down the 'world food aisle' of the Big Sainsburys - delving into the politics of flavour, globalisation, multiculturalism, cultural appropriation and identity, via imported spices and delicious salty snacks. Key object: Polish curry-flavoured instant ramen.

For more: follow us on twitter and instagram @CursedObjectsUK, and join our Patreon! patreon.com/cursedobjects

Theme music and production: Mr Beatnick

Artwork: Archie Bashford