After some positive feedback from last year's ep, we've brought back our yearly book reviews. 

We debrief about the best, worst and most unexpected books we've read in 2024. Huuuuge disclaimer that these are just our own opinions and we hope this doesn't deter you from any titles or authors!

Katie Zhou created our fab cover art and India Raine is our wonderful editor and composer of our jingle.

Email us at cultureclubmail@gmail.com, find us on Instagram @cultureclubpod, or on our personal accounts @jasmineeskye and @yemagz.

Jas & Mags xo

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After some positive feedback from last year's ep, we've brought back our yearly book reviews.&nbsp; We debrief about the best, worst and most unexpected books we've read in 2024. Huuuuge disclaimer that these are just our own opinions and we hope this doesn't deter you from any titles or authors! Katie Zhou created our fab cover art and India Raine is our wonderful editor and composer of our jingle. Email us at cultureclubmail@gmail.com, find us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/cultureclubpod/">@cultureclubpod</a>, or on our personal accounts <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jasmineeskye/">@jasmineeskye</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yemagz/">@yemagz</a>. Jas & Mags xoSee <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.<hr>

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

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

Culture Club

The Best & Worst Books We Read In 2024

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e807c6f4-52f7-4c87-a73d-b47f0020942b/transcript

A new season means a new Troye Sivan track, and we are sat for the medieval music video that came with it. We reference Gladys Lai's trend piece for Vogue Australia on the rise of the Renaissance Fair. Plus, Lena Dunham is officially Mother, having had a baby via surrogate.

In culture's biggest story of the week, Ed Sheeran is in strife after bowing to stadium owners and dropping Macklemore from his tour. We chart the story and dissect how Ed being Mr Nice Guy contributed to the controversy.

Sydney Sweeney is once again the face of a hugely controversial advert, having posed nude for sports prediction company Novig. Are we surprised? We read from an op-ed by Marina Hyde for The Guardian.

Next, it's apparently the year of the intellectual influencer. Dazed's Laura Pitcher wrote about the phenomenon happening on our algorithms, and we dissect why people are craving education on reels (hint: it's that damn phone).

We have a spring bumper Bookmarked coming to your podcast feeds later this week, so stay tuned for that! 

Thank you for listening - Jas & Mags xo

A new season means a new Troye Sivan track, and we are sat for the medieval music video that came with it. We reference Gladys Lai's trend piece for <a href="https://www.vogue.com.au/fashion/trends/renaissance-fair-style/image-gallery/42172181e25ebbd81471f267afbf087b">Vogue Australia</a> on the rise of the Renaissance Fair.&nbsp;Plus, Lena Dunham is officially Mother, having had a <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/lena-dunham-shopping-for-baby-october-2026">baby via surrogate</a>.
In culture's biggest story of the week, Ed Sheeran is in strife after bowing to stadium owners and dropping Macklemore from his tour. We chart the story and dissect how Ed being <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm17jz89rxevo">Mr Nice Guy</a> contributed to the controversy.
Sydney Sweeney is once again the face of a hugely controversial advert, having posed nude for sports prediction company Novig. Are we surprised? We read from an op-ed by Marina Hyde for <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/15/sydney-sweeney-sports-betting-ad">The Guardian</a>.
Next, it's apparently the year of the intellectual influencer. <a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/70929/1/thoughtfluencers-hot-takes-tiny-mics-explainer-epidemic-instagram-tiktok">Dazed's Laura Pitcher</a> wrote about the phenomenon happening on our algorithms, and we dissect why people are craving education on reels (hint: it's that damn phone).
We have a spring bumper Bookmarked coming to your podcast feeds later this week, so stay tuned for that!&nbsp;
Thank you for listening - Jas &amp; Mags xo

The Rise of Thoughtfluencers, Ed Vs Macklemore & Sydney Sweeney’s Ad

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/f4cd52bb-e72a-41c9-950d-b4cc00b5591d/transcript

Wimbledon bans influencers, Australia might be opting out of social media algorithms, and unpacking the Stella Lefty nepo pop-star drama. 

First up: Current SNL cast member Veronika Slowikowska (AKA Veronka is Cool) revealed a new singing project: Me As A Girl. Even local sleuth, Triple J presenter Abby Butler, made a TikTok on the subject. 

Next, Nathan Fielder has made a documentary about Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes. We reference this Vanity Fair feature.

In world-breaking news, Australia might be the first to switch off social media algorithms. Thanks to the campaigning of local not-for-profit, Teach Us Consent, the Australian government may encourage an "opt-in" algorithm. Is this a positive? Or is the algorithm becoming a close comfort? We reference our own interview with Teach Us Consent founder, Chanel Contos, from 2023! And this piece in The Conversation by Rob Nicholls.

Wimbledon is banning influencers? Kind of. Wimbledon will not have any accreditation category for influencers or content creators, sparking a debate not just online but also in the Culture Club studio. 

There’s a name that hasn’t left the internet’s lips this month, and that is Stella Lefty. Her country-pop song ‘Boston’ has gone super bonkers viral and, as a result, brought about a LOT of attention. We break down the plagiarism accusations and billionaire father claims. We reference a Yahoo article by Kelsey Weekman and a review by The Guardian: Boston singer’s debut is bland, boilerplate and beyond banal.

In recommendations, Maggie loved Sterling Point while Jas recommends the new A24 movie about Anthony Bourdain, TONY.

Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Substack and YouTube as well.

Wimbledon bans influencers, Australia might be opting out of social media algorithms, and unpacking the Stella Lefty nepo pop-star drama.&nbsp;
First up: Current SNL cast member Veronika Slowikowska (AKA Veronka is Cool) revealed a new singing project: Me As A Girl. Even local sleuth, Triple J presenter Abby Butler, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@flabbygutler/video/7677845172415221010?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7549912834957297170">made a TikTok</a> on the subject.&nbsp;
Next, Nathan Fielder has made a documentary about Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes. We reference this <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/story/nathan-fielder-elizabeth-holmes-doc-secret-screening-telluride">Vanity Fair feature</a>.
In world-breaking news, Australia might be the first to switch off social media algorithms. Thanks to the campaigning of local not-for-profit, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdAnqUiCe9g/?img_index=1">Teach Us Consent</a>, the Australian government may encourage an "opt-in" algorithm. Is this a positive? Or is the algorithm becoming a close comfort? We reference our <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/consent-laid-bare-with-advocate-chanel-contos/id1698271610?i=1000628313099">own interview</a> with Teach Us Consent founder, Chanel Contos, from 2023! And this piece in&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-may-soon-be-able-to-switch-off-social-media-algorithms-is-that-censorship-291359">The Conversation</a> by Rob Nicholls.
Wimbledon is banning influencers? Kind of. Wimbledon will not have any accreditation category for influencers or content creators, sparking a debate not just online but also in the Culture Club studio.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s a name that hasn&rsquo;t left the internet&rsquo;s lips this month, and that is Stella Lefty. Her country-pop song &lsquo;Boston&rsquo; has gone super bonkers viral and, as a result, brought about a LOT of attention. We break down the plagiarism accusations and billionaire father claims. We reference a <a href="Stella%20Lefty%20has%20an%20inescapable%20hit,%20a%20billionaire%20dad%20and%20a%20growing%20list%20of%20copying%20accusations%20by%20Kelsey%20Weekman%20for%20Yahoo">Yahoo article</a> by Kelsey Weekman and a review by The Guardian:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/21/stella-lefty-long-way-home-review">Boston singer&rsquo;s debut is bland, boilerplate and beyond banal.</a>
In recommendations, Maggie loved Sterling Point while Jas recommends the new A24 movie about Anthony Bourdain, <a href="https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/movies/tony">TONY</a>.
Thanks for listening! You can follow us on <a href="https://cultureclubpodcast.substack.com/">Substack</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CultureClubPod">YouTube</a> as well.

Opt-In Algorithms, Wimbledon Bans Influencers & Stella Lefty, Pop’s New Nepo Baby

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/88972348-4374-4fe9-8870-b4c500c80e49/transcript

The internet's sexual beginnings, cyberfeminism, and the intersection of design, fashion and tech with author and academic Mindy Seu.

Mindy Seu is an American designer, researcher, author and one of the youngest tenured professors teaching Design Media Arts at UCLA. In 2023, Mindy published the Cyberfeminism Index. What began as a public spreadsheet on the topic of cyberfeminism evolved into a book charting three decades of online activism and net art. 

Now Mindy is touring a new project, A Sexual History of the Internet. Described as part participatory lecture-performance, part 700-page artist book, the performance traces the tangled history of our digital tools. Guests gather to explore the intertwined histories of sexuality and technological development, all while becoming active participants by reading historical citations and anecdotes aloud through a shared script delivered via Instagram Stories.

Mindy’s lectured everywhere from MoMA to Pornhub, and has been profiled in The Los Angeles Times, Dazed, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and more. Read our Substack interview with Mindy here. 

Thanks for listening to Culture Club. 

The internet's sexual beginnings, cyberfeminism, and the intersection of design, fashion and tech with author and academic Mindy Seu.
Mindy Seu is an American designer, researcher, author and one of the youngest tenured professors teaching Design Media Arts at UCLA. In 2023, Mindy published the <a href="https://cyberfeminismindex.com/">Cyberfeminism Index</a>. What began as a public spreadsheet on the topic of cyberfeminism evolved into a book charting three decades of online activism and net art.&nbsp;
Now Mindy is touring a new project, <a href="https://asexualhistoryoftheinternet.com/">A Sexual History of the Internet</a>. Described as part participatory lecture-performance, part 700-page artist book, the performance traces the tangled history of our digital tools. Guests gather to explore the intertwined histories of sexuality and technological development, all while becoming active participants by reading historical citations and anecdotes aloud through a shared script delivered via Instagram Stories.
Mindy&rsquo;s lectured everywhere from MoMA to Pornhub, and has been profiled in The Los Angeles Times, Dazed, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and more. Read our Substack interview with <a href="https://cultureclubpodcast.substack.com/p/mindy-seu-shares-the-old-internet">Mindy here</a>.&nbsp;
Thanks for listening to Culture Club.&nbsp;

Cyberfeminism & The Internet’s Sexual History With Tech Researcher Mindy Seu

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b9d84a2b-83b9-4c19-8e5c-b4be00b6c393/transcript

The Best & Worst Books We Read In 2024

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