Culture Club

ODd Network
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Arts
  • Updated Semiweekly

Culture Club is a weekly podcast analysing pop culture, the arts, and the internet, hosted by writers and editors Jasmine Wallis and Maggie Zhou.

  1. 2d ago

    Big Tech, Enshittification & Why AI Isn’t Inevitable, With Tech Journalist Cory Doctorow

    Why the AI bubble is bound to burst, the influence of Big Tech and the concept of ‘enshittification’ with tech journalist Cory Doctorow. In today’s episode of Culture Club Chats, we sit down with Canadian-British author, activist, journalist and blogger Cory Doctorow. Cory’s work at the intersection of technology and culture reached new heights following the publication of his 2025 book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It. The term ‘enshittification’ was coined by Cory and describes the degradation of online services and platforms like Facebook, Amazon and X in pursuit of profit.  In this conversation, Cory unpacks why the AI bubble is bound to burst, how Big Tech has reshaped the internet, and what the future of our increasingly online lives might look like. Cory is coming to Australia this month. He'll be at Sydney’s Festival of Dangerous Ideas from the 22nd to the 23rd of August, and Melbourne’s Now or Never Festival, presented by The Wheeler Centre, on the 25th of August.  In Bookmarked, Cory recommends Here Where We Live Is Our Country by Molly Crabapple and Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmer. Thanks for listening - Jas & Mags xo  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Aug 10

    Cosy Fantasy Fiction & Japanese Folklore With Author Naomi Ishiguro

    Cosy fantasy, famous fathers, and spinning fact into fiction, with author Naomi Ishiguro. Our guest today is British author Naomi Ishiguro. She’s the author of the short story collection, Escape Routes, and the novel, Common Ground. If her name rings a bell, it could be because her dad is the Nobel Prize-winning author, Kazuo Ishiguro. The first book from her new fantasy series, The Rainshadow Series, is now out in the world. Book one, The Rainshadow Orphans, is a cosy fantasy read blending magical whimsy with real-world political stakes. In Bookmarked, Naomi recommends Nina Mingya Powles’ Tiny Moons: A Year of Eating in Shanghai and Small Bodies of Water. Enjoy! Follow Naomi Ishiguro here and Culture Club podcast here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Aug 6

    Witch Hunts, Femininity & Capitalism, With Author Lucianne Tonti

    The history of the witch hunts, the devaluation of female power, and how to tap into your witchy side, with Good Witch author and journalist Lucianne Tonti.  Lucianne Tonti is an Australian-based fashion expert, author, and journalist. She’s the fashion editor of The Saturday Paper, sustainability editor of ELLE Australia and a contributor to The Guardian. In 2022, Lucianne published her award-winning book Sundressed: Natural Fibres and the Future of Fashion, which explores the garment industry and how regenerative fibre farming can help revolutionise the future of clothing.  Now, Lucianne has written Good Witch, a brand new non-fiction book that explores how the witch hunts were the catalyst for much of what is wrong with our world today: climate change, our disconnection from nature, and the corrupt patriarchal systems we live under. Good Witch looks back at the witch hunts that swept Europe and America in the 16, 17 and 18th centuries and explores how ‘witchy’ or ‘women’s work’ like gardening and textiles is regaining popularity in the current moment.  We hope you enjoy this chat and if you want to see more of Lucianne's work, you can follow her on Instagram. Watch this episode on YouTube and follow us on Substack. Jas & Mags xo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Aug 3

    August Curriculum: What We’re Reading, Watching & Listening To

    This week, enjoy a bonus bumper Bookmarked episode. This is what we've enjoyed watching, reading and listening to this winter. Plus, what we're looking forward to consuming in August. References: Famesick by Lena Dunham  Good Witch by Lucianna Tonti  Hot History Podcast  Frances Ha  Who Is Lily Jay? The Australian influencer Accused of Using AI in Aid Videos Australian influencer Lily Jay’s tangled web of AI manipulation My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante Whistler by Ann Patchett My Brilliant Career coming to Netflix August 13 The Invite Let us know what you've been loving as well! Thank you for listening - Jas & Mags xo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Jul 27

    Is ‘Cool Girl’ Content Cool? Shein’s Shady New Brand & Olivia Rodrigo’s New BF

    The rise of cool girl content, Shein’s UK rebrand, and Olivia Rodrigo’s new finance bro. Olivia Rodrigo reportedly has a new beau and fans are talking about his "fake job". Who is the mystery man?  In some fashion popcorn bits: Christopher Nolan banned uggs from his set, Zara has created "death" pants, and Shein has launched a brand named Musera to sell its cheap clothes without the tarred reputation. Ick. We reference Rachel Grif, Save the Planet Society and Women's Wear Daily. In our new segment, 'Off The Record', we discuss the rise of Cool Girl Content that's flooding our algorithms at the moment. We hear from local content creator and stylist Joely Malcolm and read from Nylon's article on the new wave of Coolness titled The New Cool Looks A Lot Like Trying by Zara McIntosh and Sam Tracy. Who determines what's cool, and is it just a homogenous term for 'trend'?  No Bookmarked this episode as we have an extended episode later this week! Stay tuned. Thanks for listening - Jas & Mags xo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Jul 20

    The Hudson Williams’ Double Standard, Zendaya’s Private Jetted Dress & AI In Media

    Hudson Williams’ paparazzi blow-up, Zendaya’s private jet dress and another AI gaffe.  Hi listeners! A reminder that you can receive a few extra Bookmarked recommendations on our Substack, plus you can watch this episode on YouTube. Lots of pop culture popcorn this episode, so grab your coffee/ tea and settle in. Heated Rivalry actor Hudson Williams has been accosted by Parisian paparazzi and is fed up. Is this warranted or is it one standard for celebrity women versus men? We reference this post by creator Susan Hyatt. This past week, Marie Claire Australia was called out on the global stage (including on Saint Hoax) for an AI gaffe. We reference a report on it via Crikey's daily news column The Snoop, and ask if, rather than blaming the writer, it's a symptom of a systemic rot in the media industry worldwide.  The Odyssey by Christopher Nolan is out now, and Zendaya has been STUNNING on red carpets during its press tour. One showstopping angel-inspired dress we reference is by French label Matières Fécales (aka Fecal Matter). Another was by Schiaparelli and had to be personally private jetted from Paris to London ahead of the premiere. We reference the original video by fashion creator ly.as.  In Bookmarked, Jas enjoyed First Light, the debut feature from Filipino-Australian James J. Robinson. You can see it in select cinemas now. Maggie recommends The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa, translated by Stephen Snyder.  Thank you for listening!  Jas & Mags xo  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Jul 13

    Wasia Project On Sibling Tests, Heartstopper & Their Debut Album, Nocturne

    Wasia Project sits down and opens up about sibling dynamics, new music and Heartstopper Forever.Hi listeners! A reminder that we are on YouTube AND now Substack!  Consisting of siblings William Gao and Olivia Hardy, Wasia Project was formed in 2019 and grew during the COVID lockdowns when Olivia and Will were just teenagers. After two EPs and a hit track that was picked up by Heartstopper, Wasia Project’s debut album Nocturne is dropping later this year, on September 18. Described as “turning coming-of-age angst into catharsis”, Nocturne is a ballad-filled, soaring pop album that explores growing up in a fractured digital world, all backed by the siblings’ classical music training. We sat down with the British band when they were on their small world tour to chat about their first album, Heartstopper's impact, and how to collaborate when you work with your sibling. In recommendations, Will enjoyed Heretic on the plane over to Australia, while Olivia recently picked up A Philosophy of Walking by Frederic Gros. Thank you for listening and being a part of the Culture Club world 3  Jas & Mags xo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Jul 6

    Celebrity Flops, Finstas & Breaking Out Of The Khia Asylum

    Ashley Tisdale's Toxic Mom TV show, Zoella’s surprising life update, and Lizzo speaks out about the Khia Asylum. Hi listeners! A reminder that we are on YouTube AND now Substack! More Culture Club, woo hoo! In this week's episode, we start with Maggie's Zoella update and the TikTok comment that had her bf Tom blushing. We also chit chat about Ashley Tisdale's Toxic Moms TV show (inspired by her public friendship drama earlier this year), as well as the cringe marketing tactics brands posted after the Empire State proposal. After our Kylie Jenner Meta glasses post popped off, in this week's episode, we chat about the rise of celebrity Finstas. In The Finsta Renaissance Is Here for Nylon, the writer Sam Tracy shares some examples of the finstas and asks why people are creating second (yet public) accounts. Lizzo is back in the headlines after her latest album Bitch failed to chart after dropping on June 5.  During an interview with "Swiftologist" last week, Lizzo reflected on the poor sales and discussed the phenomenon of the Khia Asylum. We break down the internet space and read from Sending Women To The ‘Khia Asylum’ Is Music’s Latest Cruel Trend. But It Reflects An Old Historical Bias by James Hall for The Conversation, as well as The Guardian's 2/5 star review of Bitch. We also hear from PhD candidate Sascha Samlal, whose research focuses on fan culture and shame and had a differing perspective on the Khia Asylum than James/ The Conversation did. You can hear her full take in our Substack this week. In Bookmarked, Maggie recommends the Chinese family drama film, Dear You, while Jas recommends the new Australian history podcast from the ABC, The Dead Can't Sue. Thank you for being a part of the Culture Club world 3 We appreciate you! Jas & Mags xo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Celebrity Flops, Finstas & Breaking Out Of The Khia Asylum
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About

Culture Club is a weekly podcast analysing pop culture, the arts, and the internet, hosted by writers and editors Jasmine Wallis and Maggie Zhou.

Information

  • Creator
    ODd Network
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    238
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Culture Club
  • Show Website
    Culture Club