Emsolation
Em Rusciano
Join multi-media maven Em Rusciano—writer, singer, comedian, producer, podcast princess, and disability advocate—and her best friend of 30 years, award-winning screenwriter Michael Lucas (Offspring, Party Tricks, Rosehaven, The Newsreader), each week for an unpredictable mix of deeply personal anecdotes, obsessive pop culture dissections, and truly unhinged movie and TV reviews. If you’re after a show full of humour, heart, and hot takes, we’ve got good news for you!We should also warn you: Emsolation isn’t just a podcast—it’s a community. A place where listeners feel seen, heard, and thoroughly entertained.Welcome to the family! We’re so happy you’re here. You’re now an official Emsolator.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 3, 2025 • 22min
Albo’s Wedding, McLaren’s F1 Blunder, Our Golden Globe Predictions & MORE!
This week Em and Michael are info dumping to each other on their favourite topics of the week, so we begin with Michael updating Em on Anthony Albanese’s recent wedding to his partner Jodie Haydon at the Lodge.
Then Em updates Michael on the latest F1 developments and the continuing farce that is the McLaren management team's decisions. Michael drops his predictions for the Golden Globe nominations, which is also in Em’s wheelhouse of faves.
Em’s been watching the final season of ‘Stranger Things’ on Netflix and offers her thoughts, and Michael is frothing out over the steamy seggs scenes in ‘Heated Rivalry’, a gay romance series on HBO Max set in the world of men’s ice hockey.
In our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em updates us on her second date, they get excited about their prep for Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball on the weekend and they come up with the names and backstories for 10 random glamour shots from the 80’s.
Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 26, 2025 • 27min
Keith Urban's Mar-a-Lago Fail & That Wicked "Sex Cardigan"
It’s official, Keith Urban can no longer sit with us, especially after he accepted an invitation to perform at a private party thrown by Aussie billionaire Anthony Pratt, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Donald Trump was in attendance, as well as Gina Rinehart and Pauline Hanson, but the biggest WTF is that Keith performed Chappell Roan’s queer anthem ‘Pink Pony Club’ as part of his appearance. There are several many things Em and Michael have to say about that, as well as side questing into the Kardashians, Caitlyn Jenner and Lady Gaga.
Then it’s onto their regrouping over ‘Wicked: For Good’ after Michael finally saw it over the weekend. There’s three things that left them both perplexed, all of them costume related, the first one is the sex cardigan Cynthia Erivo, aka Elphaba, wears for, and after her sex scene with Jonathan Bailey, aka Fiyero.
There’s also Jonathan’s lack of nipple exposure after said sex scene, and the delicate black see thru hood Elphaba wears as she’s trekking through the desert in the final scene. None of it makes much, if any sense, so prepare for much ridicule and analysis from Em and Michael on all of it.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em went on her first date and she’s ready to spill, she also needs to do an F1 in Vegas info dump, plus Em’s going to rate 10 pictures of different dogs, and decide if she would date them IF she was a dog too, because of course she is.
Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 19, 2025 • 38min
Em-vestigating ‘Wuthering Heights’ & Reviewing ‘Wicked: For Good’
Em’s polished introduction is back and then we dive straight into an Em-vestigation as Em and Michael ‘Okay, Stop!’ the saucy trailer for Emerald Fennel’s adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ starring Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi. Expect much deep breathing and gasps and several many offers from Em to be mic’d up and commentate the entire thing when it’s released.
Then it is onto Em’s review of ‘Wicked: For Good’ where we get the full rundown of Em’s trip to Singapore, from the joys of being cared for by the staff on her flight, to the efficiency of Changi Airport on arrival.
As well as finding new friends in Tik Tokers Aicha Robertson and Katrina West, the shopping in Singapore, the premiere red carpet weirdness and Em’s full spoiler free review of the movie as well.
In the Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael discuss the latest on Trump, the Epstein files and Marjorie Taylor Greene turning on the president, plus we ‘Okay, Stop!’ the trailer for Alicia Silverstone and Jameela Jamil’s Netflix movie ‘A Merry Little Ex-Mas’.
Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 2025 • 25min
Filling Holes *No Actual Holes Filled
After the most chaotic intro EVER, it’s onto the secret Em has been keeping from Michael, she's hard launched a new profile on Feeld, the dating app for open minded individuals!
Michael does the investigative work on her profile, plus she spills the tea on the 221 likes she got from a plethora of mostly younger men, even sharing photographic evidence with Michael. Em’s basically only interested in looking, but revelations have been made.
Then Em reveals how a simple question and a flick of her hair at the local soccer oval on the weekend, scored her a slightly unsettling saucy note from some random dad wedged into her car door handle. They also reveal the story of a Noosa note drop Em planned but that actually never happened.
Hear SOME of the content within plus get the beginnings of Em and Michael’s thoughts and feels having watched the first 3 episodes of Kim Kardashian and the divas of Ryan Murphy’s ‘All’s Fair’.
The full chat is only available in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, where you’ll also hear about their fave new MUST watch TV series ‘Plur1bus’, they also watch the new footage of J’lo and Ben Affleck kissing in Venice and Em reveals some of the hectic research and prep she’s done for her upcoming ‘Wicked: For Good’ interviews in Singapore.
Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 5, 2025 • 34min
In Conversation with Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson, Niecy Nash-Betts & Naomi Watts
It’s the brand new legal drama series from Ryan Murphy now streaming on Disney+. When the trailer for ‘All’s Fair’ dropped, Em described it as “a gay man’s wet dream”, so naturally getting the chance to chat with 4 of the actual divas from the show is Em’s wet dream too.
Inside Em will chat with Sarah Paulson and Naomi Watts about everything from reminding Sarah of their meeting backstage in NY, what vocal unloading is, Naomi’s delayed gratification, who’s the best lawyer, the scripts, and a side of broken headphones for Em to deal with too.
Then it’s onto Glenn Close and Niecy Nash-Betts, where Em congratulates Niecy for her Out 100 Icon of the Year Award and Glenn for having a secret bottle of maple syrup. They also talk Ryan Murphy’s love of creating complicated older women for his shows, who they’d pick as their fave lawyer and if Glenn remembers meeting Em too. Em also has a huge announcement about the upcoming ‘Wicked: For Good’ premiere in Singapore.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael discuss Michael’s HUGE Halloween party, plus Em discovered the gay cruising app ‘Sniffies’ and she has MUCH to report.
Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch Em with Glenn, Niecy, Naomi and Sarah with our video episodes on our Extra extra tier via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2025 • 32min
The Sydney ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’ Book Launch
Em’s got a little intro to explain what you’re about to hear as we take you inside the echoey halls of the Paddington Uniting Church in Sydney for the launch of ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’ on the actual day the book arrived in stores. Michael takes on the role of host for this event, peppering Em with questions about the book, from how it came about, to her process of writing it.
There’s cameos from her publisher Tom, her Wiggles love life obsession, her dreams of writing erotic fiction, the inspiration for the book cover and her daughter Odie’s artwork within. Em also reveals how difficult it was writing the book and being so open and honest about her struggles over the last few years.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em does a proper Em-vestigation of the new Lily Allen album ‘West End Girl’ plus she’s finally watched ‘The Hunting Wives’ and is obsessed.
Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the video episodes via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 22, 2025 • 33min
Mariah’s Sydney Show & Your ‘Blood, Sweat & Glitter’ Reviews
Em and Michael are back in studio and Em is now a Signal Award winning podcast host who’s side questing even before the intro is out into Michelle Obama’s brother, her ABC Conversations interview, and a recommendation for the new season of ‘The Diplomat’.
Mariah’s recent appearance at the ‘Fridayz Live’ concert tour with Pitbull has caused a stir, Anthony Callea has come for Mimi over claims she mimed her performance. Em and Michael review the footage and offer their approval for her doing whatever she wants because she is Mariah Carey.
There’s a Cowardly Lion from ‘Wicked For Good’ side quest, then we chat to Emsolator Erika, who actually saw Mimi’s Sydney show. Em also updates us on the trauma of recording the final chapter of the audiobook version of her ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’ book, plus they listen to the very first book reviews from Emsolators Lyndall, Chelsea and Bec.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Michael reviews Em’s dating profile and pics, plus they Em-vestigate the Celebrity Traitors UK fart moment, the trailer for the Netflix Christmas movie ‘My Secret Santa' and Kevin Rudd’s awkward Trump moment. Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 15, 2025 • 30min
Diane Keaton’s Legacy, Em’s Celeb Interviews & Katy Perry with Justin Trudeau
This week Em and Michael are coming to you from inside the wardrobe of Em’s hotel room in Sydney, they’re both exhausted from the hustle and huddled around Em’s iPhone to fill you in on all that’s caught their attention this week.
We begin with the shock loss of Diane Keaton and all the glorious movie moments she gave us, while also thinking about all the other iconic divas we are eventually going to have to say goodbye to. There’s also a bunch of upcoming celebrity interviews Em is scheduled to do, including this weekend with Glenn Close and Sarah Paulson for the upcoming Ryan Murphy series ‘All’s Fair’.
Em reveals more details about the upcoming launch events for her new book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’, plus she offers up more details on this weekend’s Ballroom Sessions Encore show at the Forum. Finally they wanna chat about the new images of Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau cuddling on a yacht off the coast of California and J’Lo and Ben Affleck getting back together on the red carpet.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael Em-vestigate the ‘Victoria Beckham’ doco, Em has some single life updates, plus they react to Kylie Jenner’s new video and AI actress Tilly Norwood. Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the video episodes via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 8, 2025 • 21min
Nicole Kidman’s Divorce, Taylor’s The Life of a Showgirl & Gaultier’s Fashion Fail
Em and Michael are back with one of them choosing to rock up wearing a sleeveless ensemble, naturally that earns said sleeveless one a new nickname and much ridiculing of the decision to wear so little on a brisk Melbourne day.
There’s an actual copy of Em’s new book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’ in the studio for Michael to show off too. Then it’s onto the shocking news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have announced their divorce after 19 years together. Em and Michael have several many theories and thoughts to discuss.
Then for our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, you get Em and Michael doing a deep dive of Taylor Swift’s new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ and reviewing a selection of the eye raising looks from Jean Paul Gaultier’s recent Ready to Wear show at Paris Fashion week.
Get access for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 25, 2025 • 40min
Trump’s Misinformation, Pop Divas Dominate & Experiencing Uluru
Before we even get Em’s usual introduction out, Em and Michael are keen to dive deep into the chaos ushering forward from the US right now. There’s a flood of Trump controversies and the fatigue of constant outrage from every new announcement to process, plus we tackle that unhinged Autism claim as well.
We also take a critical look at the pop music landscape, the pop girlies are in abundance, but who is bringing it for the pop boys? Em also reveals the 3 songs worth adding to your playlists. We discuss the highly anticipated remake of "The Bodyguard" and Em and Michael offer up their dream cast, plus we talk the recent ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion. They also share their profound and moving experience of visiting Uluru.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael Em-vestigate the upcoming Victoria Beckham Netflix documentary, Mariah Carey's hilarious critiques of her album cover photos and Michael's new TV series announce. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


