Emsolation

The House of Emsolation

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.

  1. F1’s Hybrid Era, Delta’s Eurovision Gig & Our Oscar Predictions

    8 HRS AGO

    F1’s Hybrid Era, Delta’s Eurovision Gig & Our Oscar Predictions

    Become an Emsolation Extra Member - access BONUS eps & more NOW @ https://emsolation.supercast.com/ Get new Emsolation merch for a LIMITED TIME @ https://emrusciano.store/ On Sunday Em celebrated her birthday by gathering some of her best mates together for a delightful pub meal, you’ll hear more about what went down including what it’s like to walk into a pub with Australia’s sweetheart Missy Higgins. There’s also a Delta Goodrem at Eurovision side quest from Em with stage direction and fashion suggestions thrown in too. Then the recent Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA (aka the Awards formerly known as the SAGs) have thrown a spanner in Michael’s Oscar winning predictions, so he’s keen to talk through why he’s changing his picks for the big winners. Em is also doing another F1 info dump as the Melbourne Grand Prix returns this weekend. Em and her Dad Vincie have concerns about huge changes that are coming to the race. This weekend F1 moves away from petrol, to a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power, running on 100% sustainable fuel plus there’s new drivers & one entirely new team. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael work their way through “The Audacity File”, a collection of the most unhinged dating profiles from men on the Hinge dating app. 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

    35 min
  2. Reviewing ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Pillion’ & ‘The Rip’

    25 FEB

    Reviewing ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Pillion’ & ‘The Rip’

    Become an Emsolation Extra Member - access BONUS eps & more NOW @ https://emsolation.supercast.com We’re showing off new merch in the opening of this episode, get some divas on your chest ASAP, check out the full range at https://emrusciano.store/. To begin, Em has a review for the new Netflix film from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon called ‘The Rip’, along with more Ben and Jen thoughts. Then Michael reveals he spent Valentine’s Day seeing ‘Wuthering Heights’ with his hubby Adrian and he’s keen to talk all about that opening scene that NO ONE is talking about. Michael also checked out the new movie ‘Pillion’ that’s being called a “rom-dom-com” because it follows the BDSM relationship between the characters played by its stars, Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling of Harry Potter fame. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em’s been devouring Ryan Murphy’s ‘Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette’ and is keen to review it and its epic soundtrack, plus we need to talk about the Royal fallout over the Epstein files. 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

    29 min
  3. In Conversation with John Peter Farnham, A.K.A. Michael Paynter

    18 FEB

    In Conversation with John Peter Farnham, A.K.A. Michael Paynter

    Become an Emsolation Extra Member - access BONUS eps & more NOW @ https://emsolation.supercast.com It’s apparently been a secret for ages, but FINALLY it’s out, Michael Paynter is playing John Peter Farnham in the musical paying tribute to our national treasure, ‘Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical’. Together they’ll discuss how long they’ve both been sitting on this news, how the audition process went, and why this means so much to both of them. Michael is also in the midst of his ‘Great Australian Songbook Tour’ performing timeless Australian classics with some very special guests plus a live EP out now too, plus he's also a HUGE nerd when it comes to C.S. Lewis and the fictional realm of Narnia, so Em will quiz him on that too. NEW MERCH ALERT! Get new Emsolation merch NOW https://emrusciano.store Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael discuss his fitness routine, his love of Elvis and Savage Garden & they duet on JPF’s ‘Age of Reason’, plus Michael will also sing Savage Garden’s ‘To the Moon & Back’. 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

    48 min
  4. The AACTAs, Meeting Baz Luhrmann & An Aus Idol Reunion

    12 FEB

    The AACTAs, Meeting Baz Luhrmann & An Aus Idol Reunion

    Become an Emsolation Extra Member - access BONUS eps & more NOW @ https://emsolation.supercast.com Em and Michael are back in the studio and they have a LOT to cover off. First up, Em gets Michael to take us through his wins at the AACTA Awards, from all the backstage gossip, to his flawless, off the cuff speech. There’s also the after party, that lesbian thirst trap shot of Anna Torv and Sarah Snook together, and the story behind Em finally getting to meet Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin. We also check in on that recent Australian Idol S2 Reunion organised for Courtney Murphy, break down the utter joy and precision of the Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance, analyse J'Lo's "Better Than Yesterday" gym photos, and discuss the passing of James Van Der Beek. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em does a deep dive into the erotic novel ‘Lights Out’ by Navessa Allen, and the problematic men who have been hijacking the Winter Olympics. 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

    36 min
  5. The Grammys & Em’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Deep Dive

    4 FEB

    The Grammys & Em’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Deep Dive

    Become an Emsolation Extra Member - access BONUS eps & more NOW @ https://emsolation.supercast.com/ This week Em’s flying solo as Michael is off being a delightful plus one for his husband’s feature film debut at the Sundance Film Festival, so Em is offering up her thoughts on two of her fave topics this week. We kick off with the Grammy Awards, talking Chappell Roan’s outfit choices and the most overlooked moment of the night, with a bonus side quest thrown in on what is appropriate for a middle aged woman to wear to Laneway Festival. Then it’s time to gird your loins and prepare yourself for Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Em’s worried you don’t realise what you're in for with this gothic romance, she also wants to discuss the fake affair energy Margot and Jacob are delivering, and the elite level of farshun Margot’s rolling out for the press tour. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em has advice for men setting up dating profiles, plus more surprise TV wang, the highlights from Mariah’s Person of the Year Award & MORE! 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

    30 min
  6. In Conversation with Mark Lizotte, A.K.A. Diesel

    28 JAN

    In Conversation with Mark Lizotte, A.K.A. Diesel

    Become an Emsolation Extra Member - access BONUS eps & more NOW @ https://emsolation.supercast.com/ If you’d told teenage Emelia that she would eventually sit down for chats with one of the stars whose posters were Blu-Tacked all over her bedroom walls, she would have lost her actual shiz. Today, Em sits down with one of her favourite singers, Mark Lizotte, a.k.a. Diesel, to discuss everything from his witchy side, to his obsession with good “stinks”. He’ll reveal what it was like being so huge in the 90’s, his mother's archiving efforts, his love of Charli XCX, his national tour and so much more, plus they duet on Diesel's hit with Jimmy Barne’s ‘Still Got a Long Way To Go’. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service, Emsolation Extra, Mark reveals the behind the scenes goss on meeting and touring with Tina Turner, attending the ARIA’s in the 90’s, how he met and proposed to his wife, PLUS you get all the banter before and after Mark and Em duet on ‘Still Got a Long Way To Go’ and ‘Tip Of My Tongue’. Get 'Diesel By Request' tour info HERE 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

    49 min
  7. Brooklyn Beckham’s Beef, Michael at Sundance & ‘Heated Rivalry' Success

    21 JAN

    Brooklyn Beckham’s Beef, Michael at Sundance & ‘Heated Rivalry' Success

    Become an Emsolation Extra Member - access BONUS eps & more NOW @ https://emsolation.supercast.com/ Back for a brand new year, Em and Michael are keen to deliver a forensic deep dive into the Beckham family drama. David and Victoria Beckham’s eldest son Brooklyn released a 6 page statement this week, accusing his family of trying to sabotage his relationship with his wife.  First though, Michael’s about to head to Utah as a plus one for his husband Adrian, who’s debut feature film ‘Leviticus’ is premiering at the Sundance Film Festival and Em is keen to know what's happening when they get there. There's also side quests on 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' and the new Harry Styles album. There’s also much more (spoiler free) discussion needed from both Em and Michael on the continuing success of the HBO Max series ‘Heated Rivalry’.  Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael will offer up their predictions for 2026, plus they ‘Okay, Stop!’ the new video of Celine Dion revealing what’s in her handbag. 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

    37 min
  8. Em’s Dating Lessons, Goop Gifts & the Top 10 Diva Moments of 2025

    17/12/2025

    Em’s Dating Lessons, Goop Gifts & the Top 10 Diva Moments of 2025

    It’s been a HUGE year, so inside we reflect on the sheer volume of things Em and Michael achieved this year, they also talk their Xmas gift wishlist (which includes several many #TheNorthFace references *wink, wink*). There’s also AI Twilight, Michael's incredible new gig as a 'trophy wife' at Sundance, and the risks of gifting things to Em. Em has learnt much from her recent dating experiences and wants to talk on that, plus the joys of the love of friends and family, and that elusive quest for secure attachment in a world of ‘low effort’ Hinge profiles (don’t worry, the screenshots are being collected for a future stand-up show). We unpack Gwyneth Paltrow's bonkers Goop Holiday Guide, which includes a $105 candle that smells of pasta water…for reals. Then it’s time to BRING ON THE DIVAS! After debuting it last year, Michael is returning with his selection of the Top 10 Diva Moments of 2025. You’ll get the first two entrants in his Top 10 Diva Moments in this episode, but to hear numbers eight, through to one, you need to subscribe to our premium service Emsolation Extra. 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

    32 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
546 Ratings

About

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.

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