Straight Up

No guest again this week, gang, but what we’ve got in store might just be even better! Instead, we chat all about the hottest cultural gossip of the year so far, from music, TV and film, to the biggest talking points that have had the internet in overdrive over the past week. Covering *that* Molly Mae interview on Steven Bartlett’s podcast, The Lost Daughter (Netflix’s most exciting new film) and why having children can be a huge, life-defining regret; we also get deep into The Weeknd’s excellent new album and one of our most mortifying, joint professional faux pas ever.Recommendations discussed:Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcastThe Lost Daughter (Netflix)Magpie by Elizabeth Day“This is what I tell friends who are torn about having children” by Hadley Freedman (Guardian)White Lotus (HBO)Euphoria S2 (HBO)Dawn FM by The WeekndMax Martin on Table Manners podcastFind Kathleen @kathleen.m.johnston and Eleanor @elliehalls1 and drop us a DM, or reach out via email hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!Our music and editing is by Marlon Percy, who you can find on IG @marlonpercy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've got a real Christmas treat for you this week: a hilarious, insightful, thought-provoking interview from Dan Smith of Bastille. Eased along by some red wine, Dan spills the beans on what it's really like to be the frontman of one of the world's biggest bands – 11 million records sold and counting – while also having made the conscious choice to keep as far from the public eye as possible, ever since the four-piece broke through with "Pompeii" back in 2013. Highlights include the time he got spiked at the Brits and embarrassed himself in front Frank Ocean, a hilarious Guatemalan backpacking trip up a volcano, Dan's top culture picks (he's a big film fan) and where he likes to go out in London, plus how much he enjoys having songs that are far more famous than he is. Dan also opens up about his experiences with therapy, including his struggles with performance anxiety and imposter syndrome, as well as giving us a sneak-peek of the band's upcoming, sci-fi wonderland-set album Give Me The Future (out in Feb).Follow Dan on IG @bastilledan, Twitter @bastille and preorder the album here: https://bastille.lnk.to/BastilleGMTFThank you to this episode’s amazing sponsor, the books and beer subscription service Books Plus Beer, a thoughtful and unique gift for Christmas for the book lovers in your life who need some quality R&R. Choose a DIY box as either a one off purchase or a subscription, and fill it with two amazing new releases across nonfiction and fiction, two cans of craft beer and some tasty snacks. Can you think of a more luxurious way to unwind at home? Head to booksplusbeer.com to order!Find Kathleen @kathleen.m.johnston and Eleanor @elliehalls1 and drop us a DM, or reach out via email hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!Our music and editing is by Marlon Percy, who you can find on IG @marlonpercy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is HRVY, the 22-year-old pop sensation and former Strictly semi-finalist who is basically the British, Gen-Z answer to Justin Bieber. HRVY (real name, obviously, Harvey) has been in the music game since 13 and has amassed a crazily dedicated following of more than 4 million fans on Instagram and 4.4 million on Tik Tok. He, is as you might suspect, a big hit with the ladies, lusted after by everyone from the nation's population of teenage girls, to Strictly-watching nans. He recently switched record labels, having had the exact realisation so many young stars do, where he decided to take the reins and change his musical direction. Now, he's given up being a "yes man" and is doing it for himself. His new single "Talking To The Stars" is out NOW so make sure you go and check it out. We love it and you will too. HRVY made for the most hilarious, honest and vulnerable guest, opening up about everything from being a new-gen sex symbol and why he 100 per cent believes in the Strictly curse, to how the school-days mortification of being Facebook-famous has helped in finding the humour in hate comments, plus his thoughts on male objectification, cancel culture, toxic masculinity and what it's like to be on MTV Cribs.HRVY's album Views From The 23rd Floor is out in January.Thank you so much to our two amazing sponsors for this episode:Katie Mullally, the beautiful, independent luxury jewellery brand that is beloved by everyone from Niall Horan to Dua Lipa. From delicate wishbones to chic engraved coins, the gorgeous, vintage-inspired charms are a match made in heaven for anyone who cares about quality and sustainability (all of the pieces from her collections  are hallmarked at either the Dublin or the London Assay Office). To get yours, or to do some next-level Christmas shopping, head to katiemullally.co.uk. Check IG for exclusive discounts and styling inspo: @katiemullallyjewelleryManscaped , the male grooming brand revolutionising male personal grooming with its excellent and hilariously named body trimmers. Manscaped's best products come in one neat Performance Package, which is the perfect stocking filler! After all, 85 per cent of people prefer a man groomed below the waist. Get 20% Off and Free shipping with code STRAIGHTUP20 at ukManscaped.comFind HRVY @HRVY on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter.Find Kathleen @kathleen.m.johnston and Eleanor @elliehalls1 and drop us a DM, or reach out via email hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!Our music and editing is by Marlon Percy, who you can find on IG @marlonpercy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve got another departure from our usual format for you this week, where this time we chat culture recommendations, from the book everyone’s talking about to Netflix’s latest hits. Strap in for our thoughts on Emily Ratajowski’s collection of essays, My Body, and the furore around it, as well as Maid (starring Margaret Qualley and her mother Andie McDowell), Squid Game and Sally Rooney’s latest novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You?. Over some spicy margaritas from Tom Savano, we cover how Emily’s book captures our own feelings about our younger-selves, looking back at the gendered power dynamics that shape teenagedom, how status and beauty intersect, the utterly brilliant gossip from one of the world’s biggest models, plus the male gaze, motherhood (hello, Maid), The Harry Potter reunion and why John Legend really needs to confiscate Chrissy Teigen’s phone.Thank you to our amazing sponsor for this episode, Tom Savano, from which you can get the tastiest bottled cocktails just in time for Christmas, from a spicy Mezcal Margarita to a Mai Tai and Mojito. Unapologetically strong, the cocktails are made with spirits sourced solely from craft distilleries - with sustainable, local links to the regions they are from - and are all inspired by Tom Savano’s travels across the world. Each beautifully presented Christmas delivery box includes a drinks menu, glassware, snacks and coasters, while each bottle holds a generous five serves. Perfect for a special seasonal gift to loved ones, or to enjoy a cosy night in at home! Head to tomsavano.com.*Please drink responsibly*Find Kathleen @kathleen.m.johnston and Eleanor @elliehalls1 and drop us a DM, or reach out via email hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!Our music and editing is by Marlon Percy, who you can find on IG @marlonpercy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest today is Pandora Sykes, the author and podcaster who also happens to be one of our absolute *favourite* journalists ever (top fangirls over here). Pandora got her first big break at The Sunday Times Style magazine and has been one of the most beloved voices in the UK since – you’ll likely know her from No1 podcast The High Low and more recently, her BBC Radio 4 podcast Pieces of Britney. She’s written for everywhere from Vogue and GQ to The Cut and The Observer, her book How Do We Know We’re Doing It Right? Is a Sunday Times bestseller and she also hosts podcasts The Missing and Doing It Right, as well as IRL book events.We sat down for a fascinating, wide-ranging chat about everything from friendship, motherhood and anxiety to Britney, how she and Dolly made The High Low so successful (including the possibility of another joint project!) and what her working day looks like.Over some insanely delicious lychee martinis from Bottle Bar and Shop, Pandora also spoke about balance, her flute phase, first heartbreak, how she’s grown from an anxious child to a contented adult and carving out her own space, plus musical bluffs, The Spice GIrls and why she doesn’t do spon con.Thank you so much to our two amazing sponsors for this episode:Bottle Bar and Shop, one of our favourite bottled cocktail brands, which makes delicious, small batch natural blends in South East London. Winner of a whopping four Great Taste Awards, these cocktails are made by husband and wife duo Natalie and Xhulio on site at their cocktail bar of the same name in Catford. Visit IRL or buy online for nationwide delivery at www.bottlebarandshop.comDame, the world’s first climate positive period brand, making products that are both healthier for you and the planet and which has already saved hundreds of millions of pieces of plastic from going into landfill. This female founded green brand is changing the game with its amazing products including the reusable tampon applicator, tampons and reusable pads – and we are never going back. Enjoy 25 per cent off Dame products with the exclusive code UP25 at wearedame.coFind Pandora on IG @pandorasykes, listen to series two of Doing It Right here and order her book from Waterstones here. Find Kathleen @kathleen.m.johnston and Eleanor @elliehalls1 and drop us a DM, or reach out via email hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!Our music and editing is by Marlon Percy, who you can find on IG @marlonpercy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Kathleen and Eleanor put themselves in the hot seat, and talk all about what it’s really like to chat to celebrities for a living and becoming best friends while working at British GQ. Expect hilarious and juicy gossip about everyone from Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid to Stormzy and Tom Jones. We don’t hold anything back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tanya Burr, who first found fame uploading makeup tutorials to YouTube in 2009 that reached millions of views and made her one of the UK’s very first “influencers”, comes on Straight Up to talk to Kathleen and Eleanor all about her pivot to acting and the launch of her lifestyle brand Authored.As well as recommending her favourite beauty products and explaining their sustainability, Tanya also reveals how her anxiety as a teen stopped her from pursuing her love of drama, but how hours of therapy gave her the confidence to take up acting classes in her mid-twenties and become a professional actress across theatre, TV and film. Over some gin cocktails from Lockdown Liquor, Tanya also talked battling body image issues and why she never reads reviews, as well as finding love in her thirties after going through a divorce at 29. Plus, the music that reminds her of her best memories with friends as well as of her new relationship.Thank you to our two amazing sponsors for this episode:Lockdown Liquor, which sent Straight Up and Tanya the gorgeous Pepino cocktails to enjoy on air. Lockdown Liquor’s range of nine pre blended cocktails are crafted by expert mixologists and include everything from Espresso Martinis to a killer Old Fashioned. Perfect for gifts, nights at home with friends or special events. Order yours from lockdown-liquor.com Dame, the world’s first climate positive period brand, making products that are both healthier for you and the planet and which has already saved hundreds of millions of pieces of plastic from going into landfill. This female founded green brand is changing the game with its amazing products including the reusable tampon applicator, tampons and reusable pads – and we are never going back. Enjoy 25 per cent off Dame products at wearedame.co. with the exclusive code UP25! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Bayley, lead singer, writer, and producer of Glass Animals, talks about quitting medicine for a music career, their record-breaking hit 'Heat Waves,' washing their own underpants on tour, funny drunken stories, strange conspiracy theories, and falling into internet black holes.

What do you do when you're about to embark on a world tour but are suffering from burnout? London Grammar frontwoman Hannah Reid sat down with Kathleen and Eleanor to trace her journey from the band forming at Nottingham University to coping with a chronic illness and industry misogyny all the while going to No1. Hannah spoke powerfully about her experiences of sexism in the music business (from getting her lyrics called "vacuous" by critics to being dismissed as "irrational"), as well as the problematic adoration of the complicated male genius and how macho culture can also corrode men in the music business as well as women. Straight Up also drilled into why some male critics write about women’s music so patronisingly, and how Hannah felt pressured to desexualise her image to be taken seriously.Plus, Hannah revealed what she blew one of her first paycheques on, the one person she stalks religiously from the London Grammar Instagram account and the career she secretly fantasises about if she ever calls it quits on music. And of course, as always, shares the songs that have soundtracked her highs and lows.This episode of Straight Up is supported by two brilliant sponsors:Strykk, the no-alcohol, calorie-light spirit range that will save you from your worst mornings. By swapping to Strykk, you'll be waving goodbye to hangovers without compromising on taste or the fun of a fancy drink. All of the spirit, none of the alcohol - what's not to love? It’s as simple as using each one as a straight swap for its namesake spirit, bringing some much needed balance for those who want to take a flexible approach to drinking. We are so happy to be offering listeners of Straight Up 25% off site wide with code STRAIGHTUP25. Check out the amazing Not Vanilla V*dka, perfect for pornstar or espresso martinis, and the rest of the range, from Not G*n to Not R*m, s at strykk.comQ Acoustics, the must-have wireless, widescreen speakers that can connect with everything from your phone and tablet to your TV and turntable. They will upgrade your listening experience as well as your living room, and are perfect for listening to London Grammar's new album Californian Soil at home with friends. Snap up your pair at qacoustics.co.ukFollow Eleanor on Instagram @elliehalls1 and Kathleen @kathleen.m.johnstonStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy. Follow him on Instagram @marlonpercy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you keep your privacy when you're one of the most famous YouTubers in the entire world, and have shared your entire life online? One of the first YouTubers to make his name on the platform (where he has 23 million subscribers) KSI spoke to Kathleen and Eleanor about the pressures of being in the public eye from such a young age. Over Bacardi rum cocktails, KSI also talked through the songs that have soundtracked his life's highs and lows, from the song he wrote for his first romance (and which he has tried to scrub from the internet) to the songs he associates with heady nights of success. Plus, KSI spills the beans on how he met his girlfriend of three years – and how he has managed to keep her identity from prying fans – his reflections on getting cancelled for using a transphobic slur, and whether we will ever see him come offline completely.Also in this episode, KSI reveals his favourite cryptocurrency, whether he will let his kids use social media and the songs he loves to sing in the shower.Thank you to this episode's two brilliant sponsors:Bacardi, who provided the amazing Coco Colada Spritzes we drank with KSI during the record: a simple but delicious mix of pineapple juice, soda water and Bacardi's coconut flavoured white rum. It's the perfect drink for the holiday season, immediately bringing the tropical island vibes we are all so sorely missing. Get your bottle from major retailers including Asda, Sainsburys, Ocado and Tesco.Q Acoustics, the must-have wireless, widescreen speakers that can connect with everything from your phone and tablet to your TV and turntable. They will upgrade your listening experience as well as your living room. Snap up your pair at qacoustics.co.ukFollow Eleanor on Instagram @elliehalls1 and Kathleen @kathleen.m.johnstonStraight Up's music and editing is by Marlon Percy. Follow him on Instagram @marlonpercy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.