Bad Aura Karma, The Dystopian Enhanced Games & Are Artists “Purging” Fans?

Kylie Jenner’s Meta Glasses, The Surveillance State, Rebranded And Taylor Swift’s Wedding

Hi friends, Olivia Rodrigo launches an all-women festival, A24’s AI deal, and the rebranding of the surveillance state is here. Reminder: you can join the Culture Club world on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CultureClubPod] and Substack [https://substack.com/@cultureclubpodcast]! First up – we have some pop culture popcorn bits for you, including another nostalgic adaptation and more rumours about Taylor Swift's imminent wedding. Olivia Rodrigo is adding festival organiser to her resume with the announcement of the all-female festival, Daisy Chain Fields. In film news, A24 [https://variety.com/t/a24/] and Google [https://variety.com/t/google/] have struck an AI research partnership deal that will see the independent studio work to develop new AI-powered technologies for filmmakers. Cinephiles and Letterboxd-heads the globe over are not happy with the decision. Is this a step backward for the indie studio or a needed tool for research? Meta has partnered with Kylie Jenner to release a line of AI-powered glasses. Named the Meta Starfire Glasses [https://wwd.com/shop/shop-fashion/kylie-jenner-meta-glasses-collaboration-how-to-buy-online-1239029454/], Kylie Edition, the sunglasses can take photos and videos, play music, take calls and offer voice controls for you to go about your day hands-free. The accompanying marketing has been praised for its style and fashion, proving that all the surveillance state needed was a little rebrand. We discuss the ethical implications of these AI-powered sunglasses and the rise of Ring camera content online, including this Instagram post from style icon Alex Chung [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ5aQ88AJjO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] herself. In recommendations, we have two TV series for you. Maggie recommends The Four Seasons [https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81750702], season 2 on Netflix, while Jas enjoyed Margo's Got Money Troubles [https://tv.apple.com/au/show/margos-got-money-troubles/umc.cmc.6wgw0u6vuwydp6obbzzccup3w] on Apple TV. Thank you for being here and for listening!!! We <3 you. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cultureclubpod/?hl=en] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@cultureclubpod]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Aestheticisation Of Loneliness, Grammys’ Asian Award & Girl Math Hits Retail

The Grammys' new controversial category, Girl Math hits the retail sector, and the problem with aestheticised loneliness influencers. Reminder, we're on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CultureClubPod] and SUBSTACK [https://substack.com/@cultureclubpodcast]. Hi friends! In this episode, we kick off with some celebrity pop culture bits, including a revelation from TikTok user Jessmess69 [https://www.tiktok.com/@jessmess69/video/7651834568009387285?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7549912834957297170] regarding Sarah Pidgeon and one former Culture Club Chats guest! The Grammy Awards is adding five new categories: R&B collaboration or duo/group performance, best traditional pop vocal performance and best traditional folk album. But, the categories causing concern include best Asian pop music performance and best Latin song. Is this progress or a form of musical segregation? Australian fashion brand, Lioness, has come under fire this week after its graphic tees were accused of sexist language. A t-shirt, which is being sold in Myer as well as in their online store for $29 features a slogan on the front that reads: “I’m too pretty to do math”. We break down our thoughts, including the new wave of bimbo-fication that's now being sold to women. We reference this opinion piece for the Sydney Morning Herald titled What a Degrading T-shirt: Girls Told They’re ‘Too Pretty To Do Math’ [https://www.smh.com.au/national/girls-being-told-they-re-too-pretty-to-do-math-is-degrading-20260616-p607b4.html] by educator Allan Dougan. Next, have you noticed a certain type of social media content that’s focused on loneliness? Writer Rachel Pick wrote a piece for The Cut titled, “The Loneliness Influencers Inside The Luxurious Tedium Of “I Have No Friends” TikTok” [https://www.thecut.com/article/loneliness-influencers-on-tiktok-make-introversion-videos.html]. We discuss the influence of this type of content and if it's perpetuating or helping the loneliness crisis. We also read from Milk Fed by Caitlyn Richardson and her piece called Heidegger And The Illusion Of Aestheticized Loneliness [https://caitlynrichardson.substack.com/p/heidegger-and-the-illusion-of-aestheticized]. In recommendations, Maggie watched the Australian horror movie, Leviticus [https://www.hoyts.com.au/movies/leviticus], while Jas read and loved Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage [https://www.penguin.com.au/books/strangers-9781529936124] by Belle Burden. Thank you for being here! Jas & Mags xo ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Our Winter Favourites: Books, Films, Music, Beauty & More

Our winter favourites, from hobbies and skincare to books and music. Cosy up with this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CultureClubPod]. Here are the links for our picks! Skincare Dr Jart Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream [https://www.mecca.com/en-au/dr-jart/cicapair-intensive-soothing-repair-cream-V-069993/] Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 | Exfoliating Face Toner [https://www.clinique.com.au/product/1682/15502/skin-care/exfoliatorsmasks/clarifying-lotion-2?size=200ml&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cm_mmc=Paid_Search-_-Google-_-Digital-_-&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23083100785&gbraid=0AAAAADKVq9-aDCcV8HVghMBWjKpmo6LCO&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs7RBhDuARIsAIVfBD28Zix_tFPm8GMaYgRfLUzxioyWYoxdbeLXixDZRjhqq600QRWjzjEaAvxwEALw_wcB] Aesop Sublime Replenishing Night Masque [https://www.aesop.com/skin-care/exfoliants-masks/sublime-replenishing-night-masque/SK67.html] Makeup MERIT Flush Balm [https://www.meritbeauty.com/en-au/products/flush-balm] Books Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800248/tillinghast-by-clare-cavenagh/] The In Between by Christos Tsiolkas [https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Christos-Tsiolkas-In-Between-9781761470011] Films The Airport Chaplain [https://miff.com.au/program/film/the-airport-chaplain] (series) 2007 Films Lars and the Real Girl [https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/lars-and-the-real-girl/] Music Daniel Caesar’s Son of Spergy [https://open.spotify.com/album/2LKW0m9cC63QzEI9tJH3ql] Olivia Rodrigo's You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love [https://open.spotify.com/album/3WZZF72ihlKPZBS4zSsNHl] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Gwyneth Paltrow Sells Out, Dua Lipa’s Wedding & Olivia Rodrigo’s Best Album Yet?

Hi friends, This week is a shorter episode as we have a bonus ep coming later this week! Keep your eyes peeled for our seasonal winter recommendations. You can watch this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CultureClubPod]. Olivia Rodrigo is coming for the Queen of Pop title with her new album 'You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love'. We debrief and share our top picks (upon first listen). One of the most famous celebrity weddings of the year took place in both London and Palermo after Dua Lipa and actor Callum Turner tied the knot. Maggie has a take on the first pictures and we share why locals aren't happy. The first trailer for The Social Network’s sequel, The Social Reckoning, has dropped. We debrief the plot of the Aaron Sorkin film and debate if it's the story they should be focusing on. Finally, Gwenyth Paltrow has come under fire after starring in ads for luxury apartments in Israel. Will this make even the tiniest dent in her career? There are no Bookmarked recs this week, as we have a whole episode's worth coming soon. Thank you for listening and if you enjoyed this episode (or any others), please share with a friend or give it a rate and review! Jas & Mags xo ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Gen Z’s Horror Obsession, Taylor Swift Does Disney & The Rise Of Phone-Free Concerts

The rise of phone-free shows, Taylor Swift’s new Disney song, and what’s behind Gen Z’s horror movie obsession? You can watch this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@CultureClubPod]. Taylor Swift has written a song for Toy Story 5 –– I Knew It, I Knew You marks Taylor’s return to the country genre and was inspired by the cowgirl, Jessie. Also in music news, Phoebe Bridgers has been playing a string of phone-free pop-up shows across small cities and college towns in America. The $1 gigs mark a return to tech-free shows and has us asking, are we all looking for an excuse to put our phones away? Next, have you noticed that so many TV shows and movies right now have the same villain? In a piece titled “‘Bogeyman of the moment’: Why every TV show seems to have the same villain” [https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/bogeyman-of-the-moment-why-every-tv-show-seems-to-have-the-same-villain-20260527-p601bb.html] for The Age, Michael Lallo makes the claim that AI is the villain we’re seeing everywhere at the moment. It's also sparking a renaissance in human-made art, as seen in a viral tweet by producer Adam Faze [https://x.com/adamfaze/status/2060809634496082022?s=46&t=rRbHvbJT0x5VwtkHrZjorw]. Two Gen Z horror directors are the talk of the internet and film world this month, creating conversations about a new era of filmmaking. Backrooms and Obsession, created by two Gen Z YouTubers, are topping box offices globally. We break down why the films are so popular and why Gen Z is obsessed with the horror genre. We reference an article for The Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/01/youtube-gen-z-filmmakers], the ABC [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-05/why-are-horror-movies-popular-again-schmeitgeist-episode/102419970], and Why YouTubers Are Turning Hollywood Upside Down [https://variety.com/2026/film/features/backrooms-obsession-youtubers-hollywood-kane-parsons-curry-barker-1236764464/] by Marlow Stern for Variety. In Bookmarked, Jas shares the three books she bought for her winter cabin retreat: Yesteryear [https://www.readings.com.au/product/9780008742775/yesteryear--caro-claire-burke--2026--9780008742775] by Caro Claire Burke, Strangers [https://www.penguin.com.au/books/strangers-9781529936124] by Belle Burden, and Tillinghast [https://harpercollins.com.au/products/9780008742553_tillinghast] by Clare Cavenagh. Maggie shares a music recommendation with Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers' album, Glory [https://teenjesusandthejeanteasers.bandcamp.com/album/glory-deluxe]. Thank you for listening! We appreciate you so much. Jas & Mags xo ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.