The Poshcast

Welcome to The Poshcast, a riotously funny and irreverent examination of modern social norms, what ‘the done thing is’ these days and the dirtiest c-word of all: class.     Forget war! Forget energy prices! Forget civilisation burning to a crisp or being taken over by robots! Instead, turn to The Poshcast to debate the real questions that divide Britain. Is yours a shoes-on or shoes-off household? Have the Cotswolds become the naffest place in the country? And is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as basic as a premiership footballer now he has a double-barrelled name?   It’s hosted by Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson, two good pals who met a few years ago at a party and bonded over dogs and writing bonkbusters while knocking back margaritas.  After a childhood spent riding ponies, then a spell at Tatler before writing several novels featuring eccentric toffs, Sophia brings her lifelong understanding of the aristocracy to the table; Cleo worked in Conservative politics before writing a couple of very saucy novels not at all based on her experiences of Lords calling women ‘fillies’ or bundling MPs out of strip clubs. Together, with the tally-ho enthusiasm of two Jilly Cooper characters, they will navigate you through the choppy waters of how to behave nowadays.   Every week, Sophia and Cleo will discuss a big talking point, ranging from Waitrose to Range Rovers, Dubai to dog breeds, straightforward shooting weekends to Secret Santa. No subject is off-limits in our valiant quest to decode what ‘posh’ really means. And there’ll be listener input, too, because we want to help tackle the country’s thorniest etiquette questions. How do you tell your host in advance that you’re on Mounjaro? Should you dump a man because of his shoes? And how best to navigate the tricky ‘bathroom’ issue on the first weekend away with a new lover? Towards the end of each episode, they will pick their favourite bit of manners mail and offer their helpful thoughts on the subject.   Because like it or loathe it, Britain’s favourite hobby remains pretending not to care about class while quietly caring about it very much, judging everything from your kitchen taps to your holiday destination, and whether you say ‘toilet’ or ‘loo’. The spirit of Hyacinth Bucket lives on! Do, please, keep on your shoes, take off your gloves and hold on to your hats for The Poshcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 27 Aug

    Enough is enough! Why playing music out loud in public is the new social taboo

    It's not just tiaras and tafetta here - this week The Poshcast gets political. This week Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson dive into the increasingly barbaric noise levels in our public spaces. From people watching films loudly on the train to the “pestilential” behaviour of playing music without headphones, Sophia and Cleo celebrate a recent crackdown on this anti-social trend and share their tips for maintaining a little sanity in a noisy world. And, fingers on the pulse as ever, the pair discuss Liechtenstein’s decision to bin off male primogeniture and what this means for the British aristocracy (and why we’re still stuck in the Henry VIII era). Plus, the duo tackles another thorny listener dilemma: how on earth do you get dinner party guests to leave when they’ve clearly overstayed their welcome? From “loading the dishwasher” tactics to the ultimate “hostile environment” strategy, Cleo and Soph provide you with a sure-fire guide to this etiquette conundrum. Don't say we don't treat you.  Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Read: Wetherspoons bans customers from using phones on loudspeaker: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/18/wetherspoon-bans-customers-from-using-phones-on-loudspeaker/ Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Why do people think it’s acceptable to use their phones on loudspeaker in public?How to get dinner party guests to pleave Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Enough is enough! Why playing music out loud in public is the new social taboo
  2. 20 Aug

    The Poshcast Q&A special: When is too old to say ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’? And other dilemmas

    Forget politics, war, and the crushing weight of modern existence—we’re here to tackle the questions that really matter. This week, we’ve raided the mailbag to answer the dilemmas keeping you up at night. In this episode, Sophia and Cleo navigate the perilous social etiquette of sunbathing in Sardinia, debate the tackiness of digital jewellery, and finally settle the age-old question: at what point is it “gross” to still call your parents Mummy and Daddy? Plus, Cleo and Sophia delve into culture by discussing a new mockumentary about an eccentric Lady, and decrying the insufferable bore that is the television snob. Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Read: Is it ever appropriate to sunbathe topless with your father? - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/parenting/should-daughter-ever-sunbathe-topless-with-father/ Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Ruby Borg Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - Important Port Protocol Update 05:15 - Culture Corner: Reviewing the new film ‘Lady’ 09:20 - Cleo’s Mirror Disaster & A Scottish Holiday Update 14:15 - Are Owls the New Peacocks? 18:15 - Mommy & Daddy: When to draw the line? 22:15 - Is 'The Traitors' posh TV? 25:15 - Topless Sunbathing: Benidorm or European Chic? 29:15 - The Great Nail Debate: Garish or Neat? 33:15 - Are the Posh fleeing Instagram? 36:15 - The Wedding Ring Dilemma 39:15 - Rafe vs. Ralph: The Ultimate Pronunciation Guide Highlights: The Poshcast Q&A specialWhen is too old to say ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’? And other dilemmas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Poshcast Q&A special: When is too old to say ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’? And other dilemmas
  3. 30 Jul

    Phones besides plates, elbows on the table and clinking coupes - your guide to table manners

    It may have been been a scorcher yet again this week, but that’s no excuse to lose control. In today’s Poshcast Cleo and Sophia tackle the thorny issue of table manners. What matters, these days, and what doesn’t? Do we care about elbows on the table anymore, or is that a fusty old Victorian throwback? Is it deeply common to clink glasses and say ‘cheers?’ From which body part should you eat caviar, and is it ever acceptable to have your phone beside your plate? Plus they answer a question from a nervous young listener who’s off on holiday with her boyfriend’s parents for the first time and wants to make a good impression (no bawdy chipolata jokes). They may not have the answer to all Britain’s problems, but Sophia and Cleo can offer strong opinions on knives and napkins — what further encouragement do you need to watch The Poshcast? You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mbuXBuO_5sE Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk Height shouldn’t matter when it comes to matters of the heart, Sophia Money-Coutts: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/relationships/sophia-money-coutts-height-shouldnt-matter-affairs-of-heart/ Video Producer: Carla Mercer Social Editor: Alex Marshall Executive Producer: Louisa Wells Highlights: Phones besides plates, elbows on the table and clinking coupesThe Poshcast guide to table manners Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast 01:03 Punctuality Rant 03:15 Airbnb Interior Nightmares 05:58 Height Lies on Dating Apps 09:38 Toilet Break Film Debate 11:11 Clink or Not to Clink 13:23 Champagne Glass Rules 15:08 Miffers Controversy 16:44 Napkins and Cutlery Etiquette 21:27 Bread Roll Etiquette 23:51 Asparagus and Pear Protocol 24:47 Meghan Markle and Pud Debate 27:10 Bathroom Breaks during Meals 29:19 Salt Pepper and Passing Port 32:39 Phones and Bags at Table 34:56 Napkin Rings 36:18 Holiday With Boyfriend's Family 41:31 Final Tips and Sign Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Phones besides plates, elbows on the table and clinking coupes - your guide to table manners

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About

Welcome to The Poshcast, a riotously funny and irreverent examination of modern social norms, what ‘the done thing is’ these days and the dirtiest c-word of all: class.     Forget war! Forget energy prices! Forget civilisation burning to a crisp or being taken over by robots! Instead, turn to The Poshcast to debate the real questions that divide Britain. Is yours a shoes-on or shoes-off household? Have the Cotswolds become the naffest place in the country? And is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as basic as a premiership footballer now he has a double-barrelled name?   It’s hosted by Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson, two good pals who met a few years ago at a party and bonded over dogs and writing bonkbusters while knocking back margaritas.  After a childhood spent riding ponies, then a spell at Tatler before writing several novels featuring eccentric toffs, Sophia brings her lifelong understanding of the aristocracy to the table; Cleo worked in Conservative politics before writing a couple of very saucy novels not at all based on her experiences of Lords calling women ‘fillies’ or bundling MPs out of strip clubs. Together, with the tally-ho enthusiasm of two Jilly Cooper characters, they will navigate you through the choppy waters of how to behave nowadays.   Every week, Sophia and Cleo will discuss a big talking point, ranging from Waitrose to Range Rovers, Dubai to dog breeds, straightforward shooting weekends to Secret Santa. No subject is off-limits in our valiant quest to decode what ‘posh’ really means. And there’ll be listener input, too, because we want to help tackle the country’s thorniest etiquette questions. How do you tell your host in advance that you’re on Mounjaro? Should you dump a man because of his shoes? And how best to navigate the tricky ‘bathroom’ issue on the first weekend away with a new lover? Towards the end of each episode, they will pick their favourite bit of manners mail and offer their helpful thoughts on the subject.   Because like it or loathe it, Britain’s favourite hobby remains pretending not to care about class while quietly caring about it very much, judging everything from your kitchen taps to your holiday destination, and whether you say ‘toilet’ or ‘loo’. The spirit of Hyacinth Bucket lives on! Do, please, keep on your shoes, take off your gloves and hold on to your hats for The Poshcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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