Could you have guests over without cleaning all the way up? What about turning off the GPS when you're driving? How about not tracking your kids and partner, no matter what?

This year, it's all about friction-maxxing. Learning to live without a few of the conveniences that have become crutches, all in the pursuit of becoming - no big deal - more human. Em is horrified and Jessie is inspired by this essay in The Cut by Kathryn Jezer-Morton. 

Also, Holly's favourite Dax Shepard says that he will pay for his daughter to freeze her eggs when she turns 18. Is this genius, generous parenting, or snow-plough dadding in action? 

And, is everyone brushing their faces now? 

Plus, our recommendations include something glowy for your face, the best coffee pot in the world, and a book Jessie cannot stop thinking about. 

SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media 

Recommendations

Em recommendsa Moka Coffee Pot 

Jessie recommends Heart the Loverby Lily King.

Holly recommends the L’Oreal Lumi Glotion. 

What To Listen To Next: 
Listen to our latest episode: Our Best Heated Rivalry Theory & Taylor Swift's Mum
Listen: A Spectacular Writers' Festival Collapse & The Jennifer Lawrence Dog Drama
Listen: Why Mia Really Left... And Why She's Back
Listen: Our Notes On The Golden Globes & Hollywood's 'Toxic Mums' Group
Listen: One Of Us Has No Charisma & The New Dating Vocabulary
Listen: The Fingering Renaissance
Listen: Summer Book Club: Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry
Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts 

MOVE by Mamamia is the app that helps you fit movement into your every day. Whether you have 10 minutes, or 45, we've got the workout that fits your time, space and body. Get $20 off an annual subscription until the end of January when you use code OUTLOUD at checkout. Start your free trial today.

SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media 

Watch Mamamia Out Loud: Mamamia Out Loud on YouTube

Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here  including the very latest episode of Parenting Out Loud, the parenting podcast for people who don't listen to... parenting podcasts.

What to read: 
'My word for 2026 is "discomfort." Without it, we're unravelling.'
Kristen Bell, a bad joke, and the age of 'moral ammunition'.
Why people are face brushing for better skin. Yes, face brushing.

THE END BITS: 

Check out our merch at MamamiaOutLoud.com

GET IN TOUCH:

Feedback? We’re listening. Send us an email at outloud@mamamia.com.au

Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message.

Join our Facebook group Mamamia Outlouders to talk about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @mamamiaoutloud and on Tiktok @mamamiaoutloud

CREDITS:

Hosts: Emily Vernem, Jessie Stephens & Holly Wainwright

Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine

Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock

Audio Producer: Leah Porges

Video Producer: Josh Green

Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz

Could you have guests over without cleaning all the way up? What about turning off the GPS when you're driving? How about not tracking your kids and partner, no matter what?
This year, it's all about friction-maxxing. Learning to live without a few of the conveniences that have become crutches, all in the pursuit of becoming - no big deal - more human. Em is horrified and Jessie is inspired by this essay in <a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/brooding-friction-maxxing-new-years-2026-resolution.html">The Cut by Kathryn Jezer-Morton</a>.&nbsp;
Also, Holly's favourite Dax Shepard says that he will pay for his daughter to freeze her eggs when she turns 18. Is this genius, generous parenting, or snow-plough dadding in action?&nbsp;
And, is everyone brushing their faces now?&nbsp;
Plus, our recommendations include something glowy for your face, the best coffee pot in the world, and a book Jessie cannot stop thinking about.&nbsp;
SUBSCRIBE here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Support independent women's media</a>&nbsp;
Recommendations
Em recommends a <a href="https://www.myer.com.au/p/bialetti-moka-express-coffee-pot-silver">Moka Coffee Pot&nbsp;</a>
Jessie recommends <a href="https://www.qbd.com.au/heart-the-lover/lily-king/9781837265787/">Heart the Lover </a>by Lily King.
Holly recommends the <a href="https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/6001473">L&rsquo;Oreal Lumi Glotion.&nbsp;</a>
What To Listen To Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Listen to our latest episode: <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/best-heated-rivalry-theory/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Our Best Heated Rivalry Theory &amp; Taylor Swift's Mum</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/jennifer-lawrence-dog-drama/">A Spectacular Writers' Festival Collapse &amp; The Jennifer Lawrence Dog Drama</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/why-mia-freedman-left-mamamia-out-loud/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Why Mia Really Left... And Why She's Back</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen: <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/our-notes-on-the-golden-globes-hollywoods-toxic-mums-group/">Our Notes On The Golden Globes &amp; Hollywood's 'Toxic Mums' Group</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/rizz-slang-meaning">One Of Us Has No Charisma &amp; The New Dating Vocabulary</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen: <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/fingering-female-pleasure">The Fingering Renaissance</a><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/subs-the-three-questions-you-should-ask-on-a-first/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol"></a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/summer-book-club-great-big-beautiful-life-emily-henry">Summer Book Club: Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/mamamia/id6442502456?ign-itscg=80085&amp;ign-itsct=pod_cha_mamam332_NA">Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
MOVE by Mamamia is the app that helps you fit movement into your every day. Whether you have 10 minutes, or 45, we've got the workout that fits your time, space and body. Get $20 off an annual subscription until the end of January when you use code OUTLOUD at checkout. Start your free trial today.
SUBSCRIBE here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Support independent women's media</a>&nbsp;
Watch Mamamia Out Loud:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@mamamiaoutloud">Mamamia Out Loud on YouTube</a>
Discover more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/">Mamamia Podcasts here </a>&nbsp;including the very latest episode of <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/parenting-out-loud/">Parenting Out Loud</a>, the parenting podcast for people who don't listen to... parenting podcasts.
What to read:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/discomfort-word-of-the-year-2026/">'My word for 2026 is "discomfort." Without it, we're unravelling.'</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/kristen-bell-anniversary-post/">Kristen Bell, a bad joke, and the age of 'moral ammunition'.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/face-brushing-skin-care/">Why people are face brushing for better skin. Yes, face brushing.</a></li>
</ul>
THE END BITS:&nbsp;
Check out our merch at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamiaoutloud.com.au/store">MamamiaOutLoud.com</a>
GET IN TOUCH:
Feedback? We&rsquo;re listening. Send us an email at outloud@mamamia.com.au
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">Send us a voice message</a>.
Join our Facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/outlouders">Mamamia Outlouders</a> to talk about the show.
Follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mamamiaoutloud/?hl=en">@mamamiaoutloud</a> and on Tiktok&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mamamiaoutloud">@mamamiaoutloud</a>
CREDITS:
Hosts: Emily Vernem, Jessie Stephens &amp; Holly Wainwright
Group Executive Producer: Ruth Devine
Executive Producer: Sasha Tannock
Audio Producer: Leah Porges
Video Producer: Josh Green
Junior Content Producer: Tessa Kotowicz

Australia's #1 podcast for women is where smart women come for good conversation — with an occasional side serve of chaos. Covering news, pop culture and big ideas, plus the small stuff that matters, Mamamia Out Loud is hosted by journalists and authors Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright. It's your daily dose of conversation that's like catching up with your best, funniest and sharpest friends in the group chat, offering conversation at its most addictive.

Australia's #1 podcast for women is where smart women come for good conversation &mdash; with an occasional side serve of chaos. Covering news, pop culture and big ideas, plus the small stuff that matters, Mamamia Out Loud is hosted by journalists and authors Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright. It's your daily dose of conversation that's like catching up with your best, funniest and sharpest friends in the group chat, offering conversation at its most addictive.

A weekly podcast that's smart, often silly and sometimes surprising.

Mamamia Out Loud

We’ve Entered The Year Of Friction-maxxing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/38701e76-6aff-4580-909d-b3c8018b3320/transcript