Emsolation

It’s the show Em couldn’t give a toss about, but her two daughters are utterly OBSESSED with. At the time of recording, the final reveal on who Belly picked between Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah in the final episode of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ hadn’t been broadcast. But Em has a full list of demands she’d like to see realised to satisfy her daughter's expectations of the finale anyway. Michael requests a side quest into the show’s soundtrack provider Taylor Swift, so he can discuss her latest NFL appearance. Then they side quest inside the side quest to reveal their very niche costume choices for Michael's upcoming Halloween party in Sydney. Em then provides us with a life update and reveals she’s added another special celebrity guest to the line up for her Ballroom Encore show at the Forum Melbourne on October 18. Then in our Sealed Section on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael review the Emmys and discuss their multi-generational trip to Uluru on the weekend as well. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

She’s an actual living, breathing Aussie legend, so having her inside the Emsolation Studios is a dream come true for Em and Michael as they chat with the incomparable Rhonda Burchmore. Get ready for some serious razzle-dazzle as Rhonda spills the tea on everything from Michael’s offensive red carpet shirt, to her massive costume collection that covers her entire career (including pieces from her Sugar Babies appearance on London’s West End with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller, and the original Mamma Mia!). Em invites herself to tour her wardrobe and encourages Rhonda to create a retrospective exhibition too. You’ll also hear her hilarious stories about tap dancing for Princess Diana, playing Sister Mary in Sister Act: The Musical, working on variety shows like The Don Lane and Mike Walsh Shows, the Tony Bartuccio Dancers and so much more. Plus Em pushes Rhonda to share her thoughts on why she's been missing from Carols by Candlelight, and commits to helping have her reinstated to the Carols line up. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em defends Selena Gomez's mum, plus we Em-vestigate the VMAs and Mariah Carey's Vanguard Medley Performance from beginning to end and review 'Wednesday' and Gaga's 'The Dead Dance'. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

Em and Michael have returned from their week away in Noosa writing their musical and they have several many things they wish to discuss, plus Em has been up since 4am and has come with added notes. We begin with a full deep dive into Sabrina Carpenter’s new album ‘Man’s Best Friend’, from reviewing all the tracks, discussing Colman Domingo’s drag appearance in the video for ‘Tears’, and even delivering a dramatic reading of the lyrics from Em and Michael too. Then it’s onto ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ taking over Em’s daughter’s lives. Chella is so obsessed she’s made t-shirts and even hijacked the Emsolation Facebook Group to find people to talk about it with. Em isn’t convinced it’s worth watching, but she is enjoying watching the episodes with her daughters and it’s also reminding her of her generation's obsessive love triangle from ‘Dawson’s Creek’, Dawson, Joey and Pacey. In our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael have seen both seasons of ‘Severance’ and Em has all of the theories, plus they reveal their Noosa Accords. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

Em and Michael are off working away on their musical, or sunning themselves on a beach, regardless they aren’t available for an episode this week. Instead Emsolation Producer Benjamin is stepping in to explain that, give you an update on ticket sales so far for Em’s Encore performance of the Ballroom Sessions at Forum Melbourne and share a sampler of Episode 2 of your perimenopause survival guide ‘Rage Against the Vagine’. You’ll also get a sneak peek of this week’s Sealed Section where Em chats with food icon Melissa Leong about her upcoming book ‘Guts’. You can get access and listen to that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the video plus get access to full videos of previous episodes and MORE 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

For decades, Aussie film lovers, especially Em and Michael, devoured David Stratton’s work reviewing movies with Margaret Pomeranz on SBS and the ABC, so we start this episode remembering David’s work. Michael also reveals for the very first time, what it was like to be the subject of one of their reviews with his debut film, ‘Not Suitable for Children’ starring Sarah Snook and Ryan Kwanten. Then Em reveals she had just finished a harrowing interview about her book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’ with Osher Gunsberg, who she first met on the set of ‘Australian Idol’ which ushers in a flood of flashbacks. We also get Em’s spoiler free review of the new Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill film ‘The Life of Chuck’ PLUS she reveals her Ballroom Sessions are returning for one night only. This time with a VERY special guest, in a much bigger venue and on a Saturday night as well. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Michael’s done the full Taylor Swift New Heights podcast so you don’t have to, Em has thoughts on Kylie’s Showgirls themed post, plus Michael reveals he hung out with ‘Wednesday’ creator Tim Burton. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

This ep is chockers with glorious things for your ears (and your eyes if you’re an Extra Extra subscriber). We begin by welcoming Michael back from his break, there’s a new backdrop for him to notice, plus an update on Em’s upcoming book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’. Em’s been feeling the rage and frantic calls to her hormone doctor were made, then it’s onto Michael’s night at the Logies, from a fit check on his outfit, to the chaos of the ceremony and the after party too. Taylor Swift has taken to her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast ‘New Heights’ to announce a new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, so there’s much to discuss, with added commentary from our in-house Swiftie, video guy James. Em also offers up a visual explainer of everything she is holding back right now. Michael also offers up his review of Julia Garner and Josh Brolin’s new horror movie ‘Weapons’. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael react to J’Lo’s concert bug incident and Victoria Beckham’s holiday photo dump, plus Em’s daughters Marchella and Odette step in to argue that ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ isn’t the shittest show on TV. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

Em is coming in solo and upping the sexy dressing ahead of Michael’s return, the visuals really MUST be seen. Em’s started promoting her upcoming book ‘Blood, Sweat & Glitter’, hence the giant promotional book cover backdrop Em is sitting in front of while filming this ep, its peak Barbra Streisand. Then it's onto the anonymous cry for help from an Emsolator whose weekend in a 5 star hotel in Sydney saw her being humiliated and shamed by the hotel, after she experienced an explosive peri-menopause period whilst asleep in her hotel bed, safe to say Em has a LOT to say. Finally it's all things Jesus Christ Superstar after the rock opera was performed by Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend. Emsolator Mia was there to give us a full rundown, plus our own version of Jesus, Michael Paynter, has dropped a video of his ‘Gethsemane’ performance too. Also in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, we get a FULL F1 update and things get saucy as Em offers up Em-vestigations of social media wangs from GardenwithJonny, Lewis Hamilton and Jon Hamm. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

Apparently sex sells, or at least Michael’s gutters are appealing enough to help the pod secure more subscribers. So look out, as Em and Michael ask you to suggest sexy attire for them to wear in an upcoming episode. Then inspired by Michael’s gutter reveal, it’s onto the celebs revealing they are secretly fit during the week, like Sam Reid’s latest pic as ‘Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat’ for Season 3 of ‘Interview with the Vampire’ and the Men's Fitness cover reveal of Sasha Baron Cohen’s glow-up for Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’. Then Em reveals everything that happened when she went to the pub with her daughters and their friends for the reveal of Triple J’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, including her favourite moment EVER with The Veronicas. We also get side quests into Em taking to her extensions with vintage tin cutters, New Zealand’s view of Australia, Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry having dinner, Barbra Streisand dating Justin’s dad, plus Destiny’s Child reforming at Beyonce’s concert. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em offers commentary on the World Massage Championships, plus there’s an Elio update, a ‘Big Boys’ TV series review and hot hunks house cleaning chat too. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

DO NOT Listen To This Episode with Children Present! But if you just pressed play and ignored the title and this description, it’s officially your fault mmmkay. Within this episode Em (fresh from cutting her own fringe) and Michael (freshly shaved whilst also rocking a gutter revealing crop top) will be discussing a new game Em stumbled on, that apparently happened at an alternative lifestyle festival in the UK called Swingathon. The three-day event featured pole dancing, foam parties, hot tubs, mobile dungeons, and a game called b*tt-plug bingo. There’s also a new biography coming out about Gwyneth Paltrow which apparently reveals Gwyneth’s favourite Ben Affleck bedroom activity. Plus J’Lo has been accused of being a softcore p*rn artist by journalist Megyn Kelly after footage of her Spanish concert appeared online. Em and Michael will watch the video in question and decide if it’s truly worth clutching pearls over or not. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Michael’s read Em’s full ‘Blood, Sweat & Glitter’ manuscript and has a complete spoiler-free review prepared, plus he’s written the foreword for the book which also needs to be discussed. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

After a fit check to start the show Michael reveals he got his first grey chest hair, this ushers in Em’s admission that she’s getting grey eyebrow hairs. Turns out the 90’s obsession with thin eyebrows and her noughties work around of microblading has delivered an annoying outcome, plus we compare and contrast Em and Michael’s beauty routines as well. There’s an update on Em’s book, then it’s onto the new Netflix game show ‘All The Sharks’ and the UK team that has piqued Em’s interest, Sarah and Dan of the aptly named ‘The Great British Bait Off’. After a deep dive on that, Em and Michael compare and contrast their differing reactions to the new Lena Dunham series ‘Too Much’, with a side quest into Em’s admission that she is actually LOVING the new season of ‘And Just Like That’. Then in our Sealed Section on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em gets Michael to give us his full review of the new ‘Superman’ movie, plus they discuss Elon Musk’s political party & MAGA’s meltdown over the Epstein files. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE 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

Today Em sits down to chat with Aussie singer, songwriter, producer, performer, gamer, activist and former Eurovision contestant, Montaigne, aka Jessica Cerro about their first independent album ‘It’s Hard to Be a Fish’. It’s being described as a strange, tender epic - a record about family, survival, disconnection and the slow work of becoming whole. Em described it as looking directly into the sun and one of the most beautiful things she has ever heard. Together they discuss how the new album successfully brings together the trio of dealing with the mother wound, late-stage capitalism, and environmental catastrophe through the lens of pop music. Covering everything from the impact of intergenerational trauma, particularly from her Filipino heritage, and her decision to go no-contact with her mother, through to microdosing mushrooms, being an independent artist in today’s music industry, their Eurovision experience and so much more. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service, Emsolation Extra, Michael comes bearing gifts for Em, they discuss the new ‘Superman’ movie and Michael’s deep love of the franchise, his mum visiting the set of his partner Adrian's new movie and the Mushroom trial. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of it via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Netflix movie that’s taken over Em’s entire personality and you better believe we are gonna be talking about it A LOT - ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’. Michael’s seen it and is ready to give his feedback too. Then after a full ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ gush, it’s onto Elio’s recent betrayal during a visit to the park and how it also inspired Em’s campaign against whoever created the centre seam on leggings. Plus Michael is keen to discuss the end of times that was the wedding between Amazon owner Jeff Bezos and media personality and astronaut Lauren Sanchez. The gross display of excessive wealth reportedly cost over 50 million dollars and saw over 90 private jets flying into Venice with guests like Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Oprah and the Kardashians turning up for it too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's an Emsolation episode for the ages! Em and Michael are back in the studio and we're talking all things Rom-Coms with a deep dive (and some spoilers!) into Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans' new movie, ‘Materialists’. What happens when Em, Michael, his husband Adrian, and his mum Jo, rock up to a screening of the 2025 edition of a rom-com? You’re about to find out as Em and Michael give you their full review, plus Em reveals why one scene in particular absolutely sent her, so much so that she posted about it on her socials. Plus, Em's shocking dental saga is about to come to a glorious conclusion, and we look at who has and hasn’t been nominated for this year's Logies, including our very own Michael. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em’s been watching Season 2 of ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ and Michael’s husband Adrian has started filming his first feature film, a horror movie called ‘Leviticus’. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of it via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s your exclusive sampler of what’s on offer inside our Sealed Section on our premium service Emsolation Extra this week. There’s MUCH to discuss, in fact there is so much to discuss that Em and Michael have to gloss over some of it, like J’Lo’s very high cut “tuck” for her performance at World Pride. Then it’s onto Em’s latest obsession, Donald Trump’s military parade for his birthday, from how much it cost, to its lacklustre turnout, and the huge crowds who instead turned up for the “No King” protests on the same day. Then we have to cut it before we get into chatting about the situation unfolding in Los Angeles, plus Em and Michael discuss Em’s role in the new Pixar film ‘Elio’. They review the movie and talk about the premiere, as well as the realities of Em taking her son Elio to see it with her too. Finally they discuss Katy Perry’s Melbourne concert with the help of comedian Joel Creasey, plus Emsolator Hayden gives us his review of the concert and reveals what it was like being at the gay club that Katy turned up to after the show as well. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of it via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the reunion we’ve all been waiting for since they connected and cried together during the ‘Wicked’ press tour. Now, with her brand new album ‘I Forgive You’ finally available to download and stream, Em reunites with one of her personal heroes, the one and only Cynthia Erivo. Together they revisit the tears that somehow had the whole world crying (or weirdly in some cases seething with anger). There’s also chat about Cynthia’s recent Coachella performance, the elite level of her attire on the day and why the ‘Waiting to Exhale’ soundtrack is the best movie soundtrack EVER! Then it’s on to reviewing and discussing her new album ‘I Forgive You’, which Em has had an advance copy of that she’s been playing on repeat. Naturally Em’s gone deep in her analysis and review of it, MUCH to Cynthia’s utter joy, so prepare to discover layers to the album you might have missed, and hear about the inspiration and difficulty of writing and recording it. Finally Em also manages to squeeze in a quick chat about Cynthia hosting the upcoming Tony Awards and also how not ready she is to witness Cynthia and Ariana Grande take on ‘For Good’ in Wicked 2, with Cynthia offering some VERY useful advice about seeing the movie. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and her bestie Michael talk baby goats, Lady Gaga’s Tudum appearance, new season ‘Wednesday’ and ‘Hacks’, plus they dive into the controversy over Patti Lupone’s latest interview. You can sign up and listen for $1.87 a week, or watch weekly video episodes via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We begin this deep dive by analysing the recent American Music Awards hosted by Jennifer Lopez, aka J’Lo. There’s the sniff of MAGA about the entire show plus the obsession for famous women of a certain age, like J’Lo, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani & Janet Jackson, to not actually age. There’s a side quest into Lindsay Lohan’s restorative juicing routine, plus all the other AMA “moments” worth reflecting. The ageless divas obsession also brings up how much women are expected to do, with a side quest into the Human Rights lawyer who recently ran and won an ultramarathon, whilst breast feeding her 6 month old baby along the route, because of course she did. Then it’s onto the problematic history of Dolce and Gabbana before we ‘Okay, Stop!’ the new D&G fragrance commercial with Theo James. Then Em gives us her one page TED talk on why it’s okay to be ogling Theo James. In our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em hilariously details how she shot her own nude photo shoot alone in her office after hours to launch her new book cover. You can sign up and listen for $1.87 a week, or listen and watch the video of our main episode via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The whirlwind US tour won and done, Em and Michael are back on home turf at Down the Hill Studios and getting up close and personal whilst comparing bicep bulges…wait is this real life? Has this become a toxic bro podcast without us even realising it? Speaking of toxic, the Weeknd has a new movie out called ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’, he wrote it, produced it and stars in it with Jenna Ortega. The Daily Beast called it a “feature length ego stroke of monumental hubris and the worst film of the year” so naturally Em and Michael are mad keen to discuss it and watch it. Then we’re talking sport…wait, what? Yep, only because Em is living for the fact a gay men’s group called the Bears Perth have been inundated with interstate membership requests after the NRL announced WA’s very first NRL team, the Perth Bears, perfect. There’s also side quests into Susan Boyle, Em’s upcoming book release and her residency singing with her band and friends every Monday in July at the Brunswick Ballroom, tickets are on sale NOW! Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael discuss the Netflix comedy series ‘The Four Seasons’, the shock breakup of the Liberal-National Coalition, Chris Jenner’s face, Amy Poehler’s podcast and so much MORE! You can sign up and listen for $1.87 a week, or listen and watch the video of our main episode via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the whirlwind tour of the US that we’ve all been hanging out for, now it’s time for Em and Michael to drop all the details on their most eventful holiday EVER! We begin with the original reason for the tour, Em’s tour of the Pixar Studios in San Francisco for their upcoming animated film ‘Elio’, in which Em voices the character of “Female Co-Worker A”. From touring the Pixar Cafe and sampling their world famous bacon, through to meeting the women who helped create the movie and talking Australian birds and spiders with one of the movie’s animators, it was easily a lifetime achievement for Em. Then we get to hear Michael recount his side of their night on Broadway watching Sarah Snook in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and hanging with icons Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson, Rob Lowe, Gayle King and Jackie Weaver. There’s also dinner at Taylor Swift’s favourite Italian restaurant, and their night witnessing Andrew Scott (the hot priest from ‘Fleabag’) singing Broadway tunes and holding Chella’s hand. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael discuss their night at Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter tour, plus there’s other bonus material too saucy for our main episode! You can sign up and listen for $1.87 a week, or listen and watch the video of our main episode via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday night Em and Michael celebrated the 2 year anniversary of Emsolation going independent by doing a live stream of the podcast. Understandably not everyone could be there for it, so we’ve assembled some of our favourite moments from the full hour of hilarity for you to enjoy. Inside Em and Michael chat about the election result and what Anthony Albanese needs to do next, and even what the future holds for the Liberal party and Peter Dutton. Em reveals her algorithm is serving her reels of slow-mo rugby men and guys in spandex doing backflips, Michael also introduced Em to the abs of former rugby player and independent politician David Pocock. They also talk about their last minute trip this week to the US and took your questions answering if they got Lady Gaga tickets and will they be doing more ‘Okay, Stop!’ segments and so much more. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael reveal all the details about why they’re off to the US and everything they plan to do while there and it’s a LOT! You can sign up and listen for $1.87 a week, or listen and watch the video of our main episode via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Paynter is one of Em’s best friends, they’ve worked together on her music, he also has mad singing skills (best believe that he is a SING-GER!) which he’s currently showing off 8 times a week, playing Jesus in the latest version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. Together they’ll discuss his awe inspiring take on the role of Jesus, from why he chose to accept the gig, the part Mahalia Barnes played in his decision, through to the enormity of taking on this kind of role and the emotional toll it takes on him during each performance. Plus Em asks him how he prepares himself before a show and what it’s like to take on a musical like this when he’s never even acted or done musical theatre before. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael Paynter give you an extra 35 minutes where they discuss how they first met, their shared love of John Peter Farnham and both of them work their way through a bunch of hilarious and revealing rapid fire questions. Michael will also truly captivate you and prove his status as a SING-GER by singing his favourite John Farnham song ‘Burn For You’. You can sign up and listen for $1.87 a week, or watch the entire video of this conversation via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices