Episodes
-
THE HIGH LOW FINALE
It’s here! Expect many tears, intense nostalgia, beautiful letters from our listeners and a big ole dose of DJ CJ to celebrate the last four glorious years of The High Low. Book tickets to the last ever High Low live show, streaming next week and raising money for Blood Cancer UK...
-
An Author Special with Graham Norton - And Some News
We are so thrilled to have the one and only Graham Norton on today's episode, talking all about his new novel, Home Stretch, his favourite celebrities to interview on his chat show, and the weird wonderfulness that is Eurovision. Graham is The High Low's last ever author special - because the…
more -
Maggi's Mary Wollstonecraft, Princess Diana and A Plunge Into The Christmas Ads
Brace yourself: Emily in Paris is back for a second series. More importantly: the Christmas ads have dropped! We discuss some of them, and why a great Christmas ad doesn't actually.... have to have anything to do with Christmas. Also today, we discuss Maggi Hambling's controversial nude statue of...
-
Election Gaffes, Celebrity Truth-Tellers & The Undoing
What a week to be alive! We discuss some of the many ridiculous things that have happened, mainly on the television, during this last monumental week, plus the riveting revelating that Dr Fauci of the Coronavirus task force in the US, had a celebrity zoom to help stop the spread of misinformation...
-
No Nut November, National Sandwich Day, and an Author Special with Otegha Uwagba on Whites
Are you familiar with No Nut November? Move over Movember, there's a slightly queasy new internet challenge in town. Also today, we discuss whether a burger is a sandwich, the concerning omission from the Sean Connery obituaries, and the new YouTube record-breaker. And we have an author special...
-
The Southern Charm of Matthew McConaughey; Free School Meals; & The Web Server That Slows Down Information Overload
From a naturally green puppy called Pistachio, to a charming and surprising memoir by Matthew McConaughey, this week is your usual mixed bag -- including discussion of the government's abhorrent decision to stop funding free school meals for vulnerable children outside of term time (see a…
more -
Cow Hugging, Daddy by Emma Cline & An Exclusive Clip from Joan & Jericha
Today we discuss a love story in Venice, the new "wellness" trend of cow hugging, Matt Hancock's personal app (???) and listeners tell us what they think makes "a good deed". And some things we've been loving, including the feel good Love Life on Netflix. Plus! An exclusive, filthy extract from...
-
Progressive Penguins, Emily in Paris, & What Makes A Good Deed?
We continue our conversation about sharing grief in the aftermath of a still birth or miscarriage, with a special contribution from the grief psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE. We also discuss penguin and seahorse reproduction, a delicious piece of Hollywood gossip involving Cary Grant and Clark...
-
Grief Around Miscarriage, The Social Dilemma & The Phrases Dying Out With Gen Z
We discuss Chrissy Teigen's social media posts about the death of her baby Jack, and the judgement around public grief. Also today, we dissect a list of words and phrases facing expiration (40% of under 30s don't know what "getting sozzled" means) and the fascinating docu-drama, The Social…
more -
Pandemic friendships, and how to mend a broken heart
This year has seen even our closest friendships turn into long-distance ones; what is the impact - and the thought spirals - of your A-list friends becoming peripheral specks in your vision? We discuss, with a funny and thought-provoking piece by Katie Heaney for The Cut. Also today, we natter...
-
A Plunge Into The Body Politics and Choice Feminism of An Instagram Age
Doll's Polls is back, with a strange fact about what heterosexual women most look for, in a man. A handsome face? A tight tush? Nope -- quite frankly, you'll never guess. We also discuss a beautiful ode from a coupled-up woman to her single friends, Matt Haig's new book about finding hope in the...
-
The Joy of A Buffet, Zadie Smith's Lockdown Essays & Ofcom's Diversity Problem
In today's episode we discuss news of the telly: decade-defining reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, is ending after 20 seasons; US soap The Bold & The Beautiful are using dummies in their snogging scenes; and most depressingly and shamefully, Ofcom have received 22,000 (15,600 at the...
-
Revising Our Thoughts on Gwyneth Paltrow, Dettol's Dubious 'Back To Work' Ads & The Best of Garage (Sort Of)
We reminisce over garage music (without being entirely sure what officially defines a garage track), discuss the dicey new Dettol ad that's got everyone's knickers in a twist and why we both felt ashamed when we read Gwyneth Paltrow's recent piece about the trauma of her 'conscious uncoupling'…
more -
Selling Sunset, Gendered Care Work & How Often Do YOU Clear Out Your Pants Drawer?
We back! And it's the old mixed bag of content: from grubby gussets to bathroom-heavy mansions in WeHo, via a revisitation of our noughties book shelves. Links below, you know what to do. Shop [email protected] Tweet @thehighlowshow Shop thehighlowshop.com - 100% profits go to charity...
-
Wiley’s Anti-Semitism, Kiley Reid’s Such A Fun Age & An Author Special w/ Nesrine Malik
It’s our last episode of the season - and boy, do we have a bumper episode for you. In this week’s show we discuss what Twitter’s failure to suspend Wiley says about our failure to combat anti-semitism (and what you can do to help), the graphic and glorious podcast of the year, Brown Girls Do It...
-
Lockdown Sexscapades & Friendship in Old Age
We dig further into the cultural conversation around parenting, courtesy of masses of feedback from our listeners on last week's ep and a thoughtful piece on same-sex parenting. Also today: Taffy Brodesser-Akner's short story, Dolly's favourite new dating columnist, a novel that delves into the...
-
A Deep Dive Into The Child-Free Vs Motherhood Dialogue
Today we discuss how motherhood and child-free women are culturally discussed and pitted against one another, referencing podcasts, a journalistic series and Emma Gannon's new novel, Olive, along the way. We also answer an Ask The High Low from a woman whose partner wants children, but she's...
-
On Why We Shouldn't Look For Relatability in Celebs & An Interview with Adam Kay about Dear NHS
The pubs have opened; but why is the beauty sector still in lockdown? Also today, we discuss the slew of videos of children interrupting their parents during a pandemic, a new book about love and loneliness in 1950s suburbia, and a deep-dive into Nora Ephron. And Dolly interviews the brilliant...
-
The Glastonbury That Never Was; & Ruby Tandoh on The Art of Quitting
Wishing you were at Glastonbury? Get stuck into Zing Tseng's piece, instead. Ruby Tandoh reads us an excerpt of her beautiful piece on quitting, and we discuss why quitting is not just a physical act - but a state of mind. Also today: a Doll's Polls on first date turn-offs (verdict: most of them...
-
The Madness of 2020 Can Be Summed Up In Lynx Africa's Marmite Edition
Mmmm get that yeasty pong. Today we recall the wisdom of Zadie Smith, chat more about the jaw-dropping drama that is Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You, discuss Naoise Dolan's piece on how autism has shaped her work and recommend Munroe Bergdorf's Table Manners interview. We also drop a lot of not...
-
Lockdown Sex, I May Destroy You, and Rhik Samadder's I Never Said I Loved You
In today's episode, we discuss the findings on Sex In Lockdown: Keep Shagging And Carry On; the astounding work that is Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You and in light of JK Rowling's comments last week, some recommendations for understanding the trans experience. We also feature an exclusive...
-
After The Hashtags
We discuss online vs offline behaviour, when it comes to social change; and why historical progress has long relied on the removal of monuments. Also today, tons of podcast recommendations, an homage to Gogglebox and the size 75 shoes made especially for social distancing. E-mail...
-
Anti-Racism Resources & An Author Special with Candice Brathwaite
This week’s episode is focused on the resources we can access to educate ourselves on racism. These lists are not exhaustive but may provide a starting point. We also interview the creator of Make Motherhood Diverse, Candice Brathwaite, about her searing new book I Am Not Your Baby Mother....
-
Why Moments of Insanity Are Part of Keeping Sane; And The Worrying Increase in Lockdown Mullets
Did you know there is a word in German for 'social distancing whilst wearing swimming pool noodles as a hat'? We're sceptical, but charmed. As the heaviness weighs on many of you, we have a batch of podcasts, books, articles and surprising lockdown stats to cheer and distract you. Please do…
more -
'Seksbuddies', Robert Pattinson's pasta & information overload
It's a pot noodle of an episode this week. From our favourite pandemic stories around the globe - selected especially to cheer you up - to a bunch of recommendations, a deep-dive into the way we metabolise information now, and a compulsory dwell on Stanley Tucci. E-mail: [email protected]...
-
Cottagecore, Covidism & Other Lockdown Theories; Plus, An Author Special with Samantha Irby
Today we discuss the surprising lockdown sales boom, an animal fact and a few new pandemic lifestyle theories. Just another episode of The High Low, then. We also ring up Samatha Irby in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to discuss her hilarious new essay collection (a joy for anxiety-ridden times) wow, no...
-
Are Your Book Shelves A Reflection of Your Character - Or Your Curiosity?
This week we discuss what your books on your bookshelf say about you, the new lockdown lingo (are you drinking furlough merlot?), whether lockdown telly might have reached its apex, and the concept of heteropessimism. You can e-mail [email protected] and shop at thehighlowshop.com - 100%…
more -
The Micro-Trends of Lockdown & The Wonder That Is The Quarantucci
Thank you for bearing with us. We weren't able to bring you an episode last week for personal reasons, but we will try and make it up to you today - starting with a BIG apology to Lizzo for saying it wasn't possible to jam on a flute. It bloody well is. Mea culpa. Today we discuss the…
more -
An Author Special with Holly Bourne & The Problem With Tiger King
It's Week 4 of lockdown and we hope all you cats and kittens are doing okay. Sorry - blame Carole Baskin. We've been watching Tiger King and eesh, do we feel icky. We discuss why that is and why streamed content is becoming increasingly crass. What does the flatpacking of problematic people into...
-
An Extra Easter Treat & The Return of Ask The High Low
It's been a rough few weeks so we thought we'd bring you an extra episode for the long Easter weekend. Lots more culture reccs and more thoughts on lockdown life (with a belated shout out to Madonna's Instagram page.) We've also bought back Ask The High Low! You can e-mail us with your question…
more -
A Bumper Back To School Special
What a time to be alive. It feels like we've all aged a decade since our last episode under 4 months ago. Today we discuss lockdown life - what we're wearing; eating; meme-ing - and recommend a plethora of articles, books and podcasts. There will be another episode on Sat. *Please do note that...
-
A Christmas Special with Joan and Jericha
Oodles of cracker jokes, festive Dolls polls, jolly songs and weird Christmas facts; and Dolly pays a snowy visit to everyone’s favourite filthy agony aunts, Joan and Jericha for their first EVER audio interview. Their top tip for Christmas? A handjob under the dining room table. Tweet...
-
Does A Slogan Tee Have The Power To Offend?
The High Low has launched merch! Roll up, roll up: berets, sweaters, t-shirts, tote bags and notepads are on sale at www.thehighlowshop.com and 10% of all profits go to Women's Aid. Order by December 18th to get your goodies in time for Christmas. Today we discuss Boris's prediction for a...
-
Why Mental Health Is Nothing To Do With Wellness, with Author Bella Mackie
We talk perineum sunning, Christmas tree erection, global idioms and polygraphs. And we host the journalist and author of Jog On: How Running Saved My Life and The Jog On Journal, Bella Mackie, to discuss mental health, running and why it's nothing to do with wellness or personal bests, divorce...
-
What Women Want: The Rise and Fall of Victoria's Secret
This week we discuss the party leaders Question Time, the tragic murder of Grace Millane (and what we have learned and still need to learn about BDSM), the incredible documentary that is For Sama and the upcoming shortage of middle-class foods. Hold on to your halloumi... And we cover the news…
more -
What Was He Thinking? Prince Andrew's Car Crash Interview
Dolly goes wild for Rod's railway, whilst Pandora decides to spend her upcoming maternity leave at the world's first vagina museum. Plus: Gregg's diet donut, the cassette tape revival and Nan Goldin's protest against the Sackler family. And of course, we discuss Prince Andrew's disastrous,...
-
Megan Phelps-Roper On Leaving The Westboro Baptist Church, AKA 'America's Most Hated Family'
We talk about rapper T.I.'s incredibly creepy confession that he gets his teenager daughter's hymen checked every year, what 'shitposting' really means and Emma Watson's re-naming of singledom as 'self-parternering'. And of course: there are some updates in the now legendary segment, Dolls Polls....
-
Obama on Wokeness & Our Love for Modern Love <3
This week we discuss Snapchat dysmorphia, the data-collection of period-tracking apps and why Dolly wants to shag Autumn. Also today we discuss Obama's speech-gone-viral on wokeness - which wasn't really about wokeness but on seeking not to shame, or humiliate others, in the name of progress. Is...
-
Soft Ghosting, Driving Lessons & An Author Special with Louise Callaghan on The Zookeeper That Defied ISIS
We've got facts about sloths, sea turtles and rats that drive cars. We also discuss the new terms we've learned this week - 'soft ghosting' and 'gradualism' - and Harvey Weinstein's appearance at a showcase for emerging comics. Our author special today is with award-wining journalist and The…
more -
It's An Omnishambles! Our Fave New Words To Be Added To The OED
We discuss Extinction Rebellion, Meghan and Harry's African tour documentary for ITV and Deborah Orr, the brilliant journalist who sadly died this week. And it's our favourite time of year: that time when The OED adds its new words into the dictionary. 2019's additions include 'omnishambles',...
-
We've Only Gone And Done It: A Deep-Dive Into Wagatha Christie
The chicken nugget Reddit scandal and our favourite polls from the week including what is no longer selling in shops (drones and suspenders) and what not to say on a date. And of course, it's the Wagatha Christie scandal. Coleen Rooney masked as Poirot outed fellow WAG Rebekah Vardy as the person...
-
Prince Harry's Letter To The Tabloids; & Do Brits Spend Money On Being Polite?
It's a big week for the food chains: Pizza Express - every millennial's favourite nostalgic restaurant - is in chronic debt; and Rory Stewart has pledged allegiance to Pret. We talk loos and why women spend 2.3 times as long in the loo as men, the return of our favourite podcast, Dear Joan and...
-
An Author Special With Drag Queen Amrou Al-Kadhi
Greta Thunberg gave an emotional speech at the UN Climate Summit in NYC, Sally Challen did her first video interview about emotional abuse and coercive control to Sky News since she was cleared of murdering her husband in July and Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry became Dolly's new hero...
-
Digital Etiquette (& Why We Need It); & Male Vs Female Vanity
It’s a riot of celebrity news this week: Madonna, J-Lo and Brad n Leo’s sarnie dates. Whole gang’s here. Plus: Mark Ronson’s sapiosexuality, Fleabag’s Emmy sweep, Thomas Cook’s crash and Justin Trudeau’s blackface scandal. Also this week: we discuss male vs female vanity (klaxon: men look in the...
-
She Said; Once Upon A Time In Hollywood; & The Personal Essay That 'Broke' The Internet
It's always good to start with a jolly, and this time we've found a woman who wore a dinosaur costume to her sister's wedding. Also today, we play a clip from Chanel Miller, the "Emily Doe" of the Brock Turner sexual assault case, whose memoir is soon to be published, and discuss the shocking…
more -
An Author Special on Being The Other Mother with Comedian Jen Brister
Dolly's found an emotional support horse called Flirty; Pandora is in love with a Twitter thread about what it was really like to work in HMV. And - gird your loins - Thatcher Wine has done his FIRST INTERVIEW. It's predictably surreal. Today we host comedian Jen Brister, the author of The Other...
-
A Bumper Back To School Book Special
Hello High Lowers! Sharpen your pencils, the heat wave is over and a new school term is upon us. We cover some of the news stories of the summer plus our favourite bonkers surveys, including a shockingly disgusting underpants poll and the best place to find love (Oxford, apparently). Plus, it's...
-
Jacob Rees-Mogg’s Style Guide; & On Young People Not Watching The News on TV
Have you survived the heat wave? HAVE YOU? This week, Dolly discovers a woman who loves a chandelier, Jared O’Mara resigns after assault charges and his press chief sensationally quit via Jared’s own Twitter, and justice is served as the 4 teenagers who assaulted Melania Geymonat and Chris, in…
more -
Instagram's Proposed Removal of The 'Like' Counter; & Why Are We So Obsessed With Other People's Process?
Ding dong the BoJo's in. Duuuuuude. This week: curry seagull; the controversial Cats trailer; and why Ireland's 8th amendment might have been repealed - but is far from what has been legally mandated. And on today’s agenda, we delve into Instagram's proposed removal of the 'like' counter, which…
more -
An Author Special with The One, The Only, The National Treasure: David Nicholls
Westminster rules in favour of gay marriage and abortion rights in Northern Ireland, former EDL leader Tommy Robinson is sentenced to 9 months in prison (and banned from YouTube), a man dressed in a gimp suit terrorises the people of Somerset, and a love letter from Tupac to Madonna is expected…
more