The Polyester Podcast
The Polyester Podcast
Is Blake Lively a bitch or being misconstrued? Will Elon ever stop cringing us out? And why is everyone using slurs again? Every week Polyester's head girlies Ione Gamble and Gina Tonic take you down a weekly rabbit hole of online discourse and pop culture - from trad wives and surrogacy to porn stars and unhinged press tours. Exploring the intersection of IRL and URL through a feminist lens, the Polyester Podcast is your weekly digest on absolutely everything everyone on the internet is talking about. With guests like Tavi Gevinson and Sofia Coppola collaborator Stacey Battat, and special episodes beamed into your ears from cultural centres like London’s Tate Modern and Barbican Centre, every Monday we offer a down-to-earth take from the front lines of the internet, feminism, and the weird world of celebrity it has spawned.Hosted by Editor in Chief Ione Gamble with Senior Editor Gina Tonic. Edited by Olivia Graham. Have faith in your own bad taste!Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3Polyester is a self published, intersectional feminist arts and culture publication aiming to bridge the gap of URL cyberfeminism with the IRL world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 3, 2025 • 29min
Let’s Talk About Lily Allen's New Album, West End Girl
West End Girl has taken the internet by storm as Lily Allen returns to the charts with a new confessional album dissecting the relationship breakdown between her and ex husband David Harbour. From the extremely detailed lyrics to the, well, even more extremely detailed lyrics, fans are thrilled to get fully behind the curtain of everything that's gone wrong in Allen’s marriage.In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina dig into the album, asking whether encouraging parasocial relationships is a marketing ploy, how influencer culture has changed the landscape of songwriting and why more cynicism is required when listening to pop music.Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here!Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here!A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 27, 2025 • 30min
Cute Debt - Is Klarna Killing Our Self Esteem?
Delve into the world of 'cute debt' as hosts dissect the charming allure of Buy Now, Pay Later schemes, especially marketed to young women. They reveal how installment plans can obscure true costs and lead to hidden debt. Influencer culture's impact on spending habits is explored, alongside the fine line between glamorizing and normalizing debt. The troubling profit motives behind BNPL, including the exploitation of low incomes, paint a stark picture of its broader economic harms. At the end, the discussion ties together concerns about consumer vulnerability and debt culture.
Oct 19, 2025 • 28min
Why Kim Kardashian’s Pubic Wigs Are So Depressing
2025 has been the year of the pube, from bushtok going viral for promoting an overgrown mon pubis to the sold out SKIMS merkins that Kim Kardashian launched last week, we can't stop talking about our intimate hair - or lackthereof.While some point to the Margiela couture show last year that promoted fake pubic freedom for the rise in intimate hair's popularity in the zeitgeist, this week's episode looks at the wider implications that the Kardashian pube thong represents. Tackling the fashion week shows that limited body types and compromised movement for models alongside the lingerie launch, hosts Ione and Gina ask whether there's been a worse time for feminism in fashion.Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here!Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here!A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 12, 2025 • 29min
On Taylor Swift's Biggest Flop To Date: ‘The Life Of a Showgirl’ Dissected
The reception to Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album has been markedly different than historic fan reactions; as Swifties and Swift haters unite to deliver the best meme about how bad the new music is.In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina dissect the poorly received Charli xcx diss track, why the album’s lyricism has fallen flat, and whether just how rubbish The Life Of a Showgirl is indicates how an ardently capitalist point of view rots the joy out of good pop music.Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here!Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here!A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 5, 2025 • 32min
Is Harry Potter Worth Human Rights Violations? The Emma Watson Vs. JK Rowling Debacle Dissected
It doesn't take much to goad JK Rowling into a Twitter tirade these days (allegedly.) A fake news story about bra buying in Markses? Up for days raving about it? A former colleague gives a milquetoast response about differing opinions and expresses love towards her? Time to take advantage of the X Premium perk of no word count limit. Pronouns in bio? Great opportunity to go berserk. In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina get to grips with the ongoing dissonance between actors signing up for Harry Potter related roles and their supposed ethical standards, whether or not we should want previous Potter stars to stand up in the press against Rowling's views and if we should promote the 'accepting differences and loving each other' rhetoric in such a politically dangerous time. Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here!Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here!A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 28, 2025 • 27min
Is Jimmy Kimmel A Martyr For Fascist America?
It's been an absolutely mental month for the US media and one face has emerged as the hero of free speech for the Left, a person none of us saw coming to the pulpit to expunge us of our sins: Jimmy Kimmel. The late night host was promptly reprimanded by being taken off the air after making light of Trump's lack of visible grief over the murder of Charlie Kirk, only to be quickly reinstated after mass boycotts across America following the firing. In this week's episode, hosts Ione and Gina dig into the late stage capitalism that has monopolised media outlets in America, how conspiracy conversations are clouding our judgement and whether comparisons of the current Republican party to previous fascist regimes are eye opening or distracting.Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here!Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here!A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 21, 2025 • 29min
Are We All Doomed To Have AI Boyfriends?
If over half of gen z have interacted with an AI companion and dating apps are rolling out bots to date on your behalf - where is the line drawn between real love and falling for a fantasy?In this week's episode, Ione and Gina dig into the growing romantic relationships people are having with Replika, how AI companies are ignoring queerness, whether or not bot love is legitimate and why everyone is ignoring the ecological impact of AI chat bots.Support our work and become a Polyester Podcast member <3Order Ione's book, Poor Little Sick Girls, here!Order Gina's book, Greedy Guts, here!A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians.Have an opinion and want to be featured on an upcoming episode? We want to leave from YOU! Leave a review, send us your thoughts on this episode to ione@polyesterzine, or drop us a DM on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 14, 2025 • 28min
Is Woke Cool Again? Why The Dirtbag Left Are Pivoting
Hosts delve into the surprising turnaround of former edgy comedians now embracing social justice. They analyze the impact of 'dark woke' on leftist politics, questioning if mimicking provocation is effective. The discussion extends to how offensive humor once marginalized creators, contrasting with the now more inclusive narrative. They also explore how capitalism has reshaped counterculture, pondering if shifts in discourse are ultimately positive or just a slick assimilation into the mainstream.
Sep 7, 2025 • 28min
We’ve Had ENOUGH of The Performative Male
The hosts dive into the intriguing world of the performative male, a modern archetype that blends charm with irony. They dissect TikTok trends and celebrity examples, evaluating whether these men represent something new or just recycled personas. The conversation explores the tension between genuine authenticity and performative acts, questioning if irony can shape identity. They also touch on complex themes like gender, class, and relationship dynamics, making for a thought-provoking discussion. Tune in for laughs and insights!
Aug 31, 2025 • 28min
Taylor Swift’s Engagement, Toxic Fandom, And The Death Of The Critic
In a whirlwind of news, Taylor Swift gets engaged and makes her podcast debut. The hosts dive into the intense fan reactions and the scrutiny that follows. They critique the decline of music journalism, questioning if press tours have become mere sycophantic platforms. Celebrity podcasts and curated vulnerability are examined as reasons for the erosion of critical distance. The discussion touches on the Kardashianification of fame, and the essential role of cultural critics in discerning good art from bad. Buckle up, Swifties!
