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

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

Sep 17, 2025 • 32min
The Summer I Turned Pretty Finale & A New Ballroom Encore Guest Reveal
It’s the show Em couldn’t give a toss about, but her two daughters are utterly OBSESSED with. At the time of recording, the final reveal on who Belly picked between Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah in the final episode of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ hadn’t been broadcast. But Em has a full list of demands she’d like to see realised to satisfy her daughter's expectations of the finale anyway.
Michael requests a side quest into the show’s soundtrack provider Taylor Swift, so he can discuss her latest NFL appearance. Then they side quest inside the side quest to reveal their very niche costume choices for Michael's upcoming Halloween party in Sydney. Em then provides us with a life update and reveals she’s added another special celebrity guest to the line up for her Ballroom Encore show at the Forum Melbourne on October 18.
Then in our Sealed Section on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael review the Emmys and discuss their multi-generational trip to Uluru on the weekend as well. 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

Sep 10, 2025 • 35min
In Conversation with Rhonda Burchmore
She’s an actual living, breathing Aussie legend, so having her inside the Emsolation Studios is a dream come true for Em and Michael as they chat with the incomparable Rhonda Burchmore.
Get ready for some serious razzle-dazzle as Rhonda spills the tea on everything from Michael’s offensive red carpet shirt, to her massive costume collection that covers her entire career (including pieces from her Sugar Babies appearance on London’s West End with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller, and the original Mamma Mia!). Em invites herself to tour her wardrobe and encourages Rhonda to create a retrospective exhibition too.
You’ll also hear her hilarious stories about tap dancing for Princess Diana, playing Sister Mary in Sister Act: The Musical, working on variety shows like The Don Lane and Mike Walsh Shows, the Tony Bartuccio Dancers and so much more. Plus Em pushes Rhonda to share her thoughts on why she's been missing from Carols by Candlelight, and commits to helping have her reinstated to the Carols line up.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em defends Selena Gomez's mum, plus we Em-vestigate the VMAs and Mariah Carey's Vanguard Medley Performance from beginning to end and review 'Wednesday' and Gaga's 'The Dead Dance'. 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

Sep 3, 2025 • 41min
Emsolation Reviews Sabrina Carpenter's 'Man's Best Friend' & 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'
Em and Michael have returned from their week away in Noosa writing their musical and they have several many things they wish to discuss, plus Em has been up since 4am and has come with added notes.
We begin with a full deep dive into Sabrina Carpenter’s new album ‘Man’s Best Friend’, from reviewing all the tracks, discussing Colman Domingo’s drag appearance in the video for ‘Tears’, and even delivering a dramatic reading of the lyrics from Em and Michael too.
Then it’s onto ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ taking over Em’s daughter’s lives. Chella is so obsessed she’s made t-shirts and even hijacked the Emsolation Facebook Group to find people to talk about it with. Em isn’t convinced it’s worth watching, but she is enjoying watching the episodes with her daughters and it’s also reminding her of her generation's obsessive love triangle from ‘Dawson’s Creek’, Dawson, Joey and Pacey.
In our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael have seen both seasons of ‘Severance’ and Em has all of the theories, plus they reveal their Noosa Accords. 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

Aug 27, 2025 • 15min
A Ballroom Encore Ticket Update & a RATV Sampler
Em and Michael are off working away on their musical, or sunning themselves on a beach, regardless they aren’t available for an episode this week. Instead Emsolation Producer Benjamin is stepping in to explain that, give you an update on ticket sales so far for Em’s Encore performance of the Ballroom Sessions at Forum Melbourne and share a sampler of Episode 2 of your perimenopause survival guide ‘Rage Against the Vagine’. You’ll also get a sneak peek of this week’s Sealed Section where Em chats with food icon Melissa Leong about her upcoming book ‘Guts’.
You can get access and listen to that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the video plus get access to full videos of previous episodes and MORE 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
Aug 21, 2025 • 14min
Emsolation Welcomes: Rage Against The Vagine
As regular listeners to Emsolation will already know, Em Rusciano is a writer, a singer, a stand up comedian, a maximalist power Queen, a neurodivergent magic brain and a podcaster, but AS IF she's resting there. She's also in the throes of perimenopause, so why wouldn't she just add creating the ultimate perimenopause survival guide podcast series into the mix? 'Rage Against the Vagine' is that survival guide and we thought we'd share the introduction to it with all our Emsolators, just so you know what it is all about and can share it with everyone and anyone. Here's your explain on how it works:Before we dive headfirst into the chaos of perimenopause, patriarchy and medical gaslighting, this prologue is your 101 guide to Rage Against the Vagine - the six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano that’s here to help you feel less alone and a lot more informed.Think of this episode as your pre-game warm-up: what the podcast’s about, why we made it, and how it might just give you the language, clarity and validation you’ve been missing.This isn’t medical advice, but it is a fierce, funny, and honest look at what so many of us are going through.Episode 1, You Are Not (F*cking) Alone, is already out for you to listen to, with new episodes every Monday through August and September.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 20, 2025 • 31min
David Stratton, Aus Idol Chats, ‘The Life of Chuck’ & Em’s Ballroom is Back!
For decades, Aussie film lovers, especially Em and Michael, devoured David Stratton’s work reviewing movies with Margaret Pomeranz on SBS and the ABC, so we start this episode remembering David’s work. Michael also reveals for the very first time, what it was like to be the subject of one of their reviews with his debut film, ‘Not Suitable for Children’ starring Sarah Snook and Ryan Kwanten.
Then Em reveals she had just finished a harrowing interview about her book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’ with Osher Gunsberg, who she first met on the set of ‘Australian Idol’ which ushers in a flood of flashbacks.
We also get Em’s spoiler free review of the new Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill film ‘The Life of Chuck’ PLUS she reveals her Ballroom Sessions are returning for one night only. This time with a VERY special guest, in a much bigger venue and on a Saturday night as well.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Michael’s done the full Taylor Swift New Heights podcast so you don’t have to, Em has thoughts on Kylie’s Showgirls themed post, plus Michael reveals he hung out with ‘Wednesday’ creator Tim Burton. 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

Aug 13, 2025 • 39min
Peri Rage, Michael’s Logies, Taylor’s Showgirl & Reviewing ‘Weapons’
This ep is chockers with glorious things for your ears (and your eyes if you’re an Extra Extra subscriber). We begin by welcoming Michael back from his break, there’s a new backdrop for him to notice, plus an update on Em’s upcoming book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’.
Em’s been feeling the rage and frantic calls to her hormone doctor were made, then it’s onto Michael’s night at the Logies, from a fit check on his outfit, to the chaos of the ceremony and the after party too. Taylor Swift has taken to her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast ‘New Heights’ to announce a new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, so there’s much to discuss, with added commentary from our in-house Swiftie, video guy James.
Em also offers up a visual explainer of everything she is holding back right now. Michael also offers up his review of Julia Garner and Josh Brolin’s new horror movie ‘Weapons’.
Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael react to J’Lo’s concert bug incident and Victoria Beckham’s holiday photo dump, plus Em’s daughters Marchella and Odette step in to argue that ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ isn’t the shittest show on TV.
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

Aug 6, 2025 • 36min
Being Barbra, Hotel Period Horror Story & Jesus Christ Superstar
Em is coming in solo and upping the sexy dressing ahead of Michael’s return, the visuals really MUST be seen. Em’s started promoting her upcoming book ‘Blood, Sweat & Glitter’, hence the giant promotional book cover backdrop Em is sitting in front of while filming this ep, its peak Barbra Streisand.
Then it's onto the anonymous cry for help from an Emsolator whose weekend in a 5 star hotel in Sydney saw her being humiliated and shamed by the hotel, after she experienced an explosive peri-menopause period whilst asleep in her hotel bed, safe to say Em has a LOT to say.
Finally it's all things Jesus Christ Superstar after the rock opera was performed by Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend. Emsolator Mia was there to give us a full rundown, plus our own version of Jesus, Michael Paynter, has dropped a video of his ‘Gethsemane’ performance too.
Also in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, we get a FULL F1 update and things get saucy as Em offers up Em-vestigations of social media wangs from GardenwithJonny, Lewis Hamilton and Jon Hamm.
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