Merivale Hospitality Scandals, Birkin Bags vs Property, The LaBuBus Craze, Drinking Culture in Decline and Giselle Pelicot Honoured.

This week, Claire and Gab break down the stories everyone’s talking about (and the ones flying under the radar): Labubu Craze What are Labubus, and why are adults lining up overnight for them? We unpack the collectible toy mania, FOMO marketing tactics, celebrity endorsements, and why today’s hot trend could become tomorrow’s $3 op shop item. Plus, the wild world of Labubu knock-offs. Is Buying a Birkin Better Than a House? Gab’s considering a designer handbag in Hawaii, but Claire runs the numbers: would a black Hermès Birkin 25 have outperformed a North Sydney property in the last five years? We dive into luxury resale, investment myths, and what really holds its value. Drinking Culture in Decline Australians are drinking less than ever, and it’s not just Dry July. We explore why younger generations are ditching booze—wellness trends, soaring costs, changing peer pressure—and how the social landscape is shifting. Giselle Pelicot Awarded France’s Highest Honour We celebrate Giselle Pelicot, the 72-year-old woman who courageously waived her anonymity to testify in a landmark case, and who has just been named a Knight of the Legion of Honour in France. What her story means for survivors and why she’s a feminist icon. Merivale Hospitality Scandal: Wage Theft, Superannuation & Melbourne’s Carpark Controversy We break down the latest Merivale controversies—class actions over wage theft, sexual harassment allegations, underpaid super, and a Melbourne carpark deal that’s got everyone talking. What young workers need to know, and why it matters for your future. Plus: Farmers’ markets as luxury experiences Erin Patterson trial fallout If you’re into pop culture, media spin, and asking what’s really going on, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, rate, and share SpinCycle—new episodes every week. Keywords: SpinCycle, Australian podcast, Labubu, Birkin bag investment, drinking culture decline, Dry July, Merivale scandal, wage theft, superannuation, pop culture, Gen Z, Millennials, collectible toys, Erin Patterson trial, feminist icons, Giselle Pelicot, Claire Anglim, Gabriella Bonanno