The News Diet

Wrapping up our first season the only way we know how – talking about Taylor Swift. Today is a bit of a melting pot:Nigel Farage stirring up drama over immigration (shocker).The rise of a new Ghanaian romance scam that’s basically a modern-day “Nigerian Prince.”Labubu mania – how long can this creepy-cute craze actually last?And yes, Taylor Swift’s recent engagement (because obviously).Until szn 2 🫡 A & N xLinks: This Labubu bubble will turn ugly, by Matthew Bishop for The Observer | https://observer.co.uk/news/business/article/this-labubu-bubble-will-turn-uglyNo need to calm down: how Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement broke the internet, by Alaina Demopoulos for the Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/aug/26/taylor-swift-engaged-travis-kelce-reactionEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comTiktok: @newsdietpodInsta: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are back with another deep dive episode! This week we delve into the oh-so hot and divisive topic that is Miss Bonnie Blue. Love her or loathe her, she’s been at the centre of every dinner party chat. So of course, it felt only right we jump on the bandwagon too. From OnlyFans going mainstream to Bonnie’s infamous stunts, join us for another week of deep chats and the occasional giggle. Email: newsdietpod@gmail.comTiktok: @newsdietpodInsta: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we delve into Trump's so-called peace summit with Putin in Alaska and ask the question on everyone’s lips: where the helly is Zelensky? From radicalised grannies to J.D. Vance causing a right scene in the Cotswolds - and not forgetting the Kardashian chin strap - it’s not one to miss.Email: newsdietpod@gmail.comTiktok: @newsdietpodInsta: @newsdietpodPalestine Action and the radicalisation of grandmahttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/society/2025/08/palestine-action-and-the-radicalisation-of-grandmaThe one change that worked: I felt self-conscious – until I started complimenting strangershttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/aug/11/one-change-worked-felt-self-conscious-started-complimenting-strangers  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are sooo back! Apologies again for our disappearing act last week but every now and then life gets in the way of our podcast commitments (I know, how rude). Today we're getting into the Tea app's hacking nightmare and what it means for womens' safety in the world of dating. We also unpack the Sydney Sweeney scandal – valid or total overreaction? From oyster harvesting in The Gambia to Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson becoming the latest it couple, this ep hopefully makes up for our week of silence! (boy can we yap yap yap away about the news).Also shout out to Lewis who made his debut in today's episode – he always makes sure our production is tippety top (even when Annabel is being a pain and won't sit still!).Until next week 🤟🏻 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we delve into *that* viral kiss cam moment that united the world and tore apart a family all before lunch. From toxic relationships being played out on screen to our almighty Lionesses taking a stand - and exploring the ugly, complex depths of the Epstein files. And not forgetting, the big, royal elephant in the room: Will Haz and Meg clear the heir with the rest of the fam? Links:The story of the Coldplay couple unfolded like a soap opera. But was the pile-on that followed a proportionate response?https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/22/the-story-of-the-coldplay-couple-unfolded-like-a-soap-opera-but-was-the-pile-on-that-followed-a-proportional-response-ntwnfbWe've Never Seen a Toxic Relationship on TV Like Thishttps://www.thecut.com/article/bravo-the-valley-toxic-relationships-jax-taylor-brittany-cartwright.htmlEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: this episode contains discussions of topics including violence and traumatic events.On today's episode (our tenth anniversary, if you will) we welcome the brilliant Kathy Kleiner Rubin.One of the few surviving victims of Ted Bundy’s infamous 1978 attack on the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University, at just 20 years old she endured a brutal assault. She suffered from a fractured jaw, a nearly severed tongue and other severe injuries – while two of her sorority sisters tragically lost their lives.In her memoir A Light in the Dark: Surviving More Than Ted Bundy, co-authored with Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, she shares her powerful journey from trauma to triumph – and challenges the media’s glamorised portrayal of Bundy.Together, we discussed the importance of giving victims a name and a voice – and the dangers of romanticising killers through true crime media. Kathy shares powerful insights on trauma, healing and why the real story is in the survival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We dig into what on EARTH is going on in the House of Commons, the nitty gritty of the death cap mushroom murders and the so-called Salt Path scandal. Before anything else, we would like to flag that this episode was recorded before Raynor Winn released her response to Chloe Hadjimatheo’s article in The Observer – which we encourage you to read (linked below). Links: Here Is the Science of Why You Doomscroll, by Emily Falk for the New York Times | https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/06/opinion/decisions-neuroscience-brains.htmlThe real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were spun from lies, deceit and desperation, by Chloe Hadjimatheou for The Observer | https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-real-salt-path-how-the-couple-behind-a-bestseller-left-a-trail-of-debt-and-deceitRaynor Winn’s statement in response to the article in The Observer | https://www.raynorwinn.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From bosoms to Bezos, we are (as usual) bringing an eclectic platter - including the concept of justice when it comes to the Lucy Letby case, wrapping our heads around the already infamous Bob Vylan antics at Glasto and whether the Royal family earn their pocket money (Annabel says the one expense that should never need to be justified is K Middy’s allowance for Choos). Also 1000 downloads who this?! Thank you so much for your continued support. We can’t wait to keep growing our team of dieters.Links:‘A marker of luxury and arrogance’: why gravity-defying boobs are back – and what they say about the state of the worldhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jun/28/a-marker-of-luxury-and-arrogance-why-gravity-defying-boobs-are-back-and-what-they-say-about-the-state-of-the-worldKneecap and Bob Vylan shouldn’t be prosecutedhttps://www.spectator.co.uk/article/kneecap-and-bob-vylan-shouldnt-be-prosecuted/Meet the Podcaster : The News Diet https://www.acast.com/en/blog/meet-the-podcaster-the-news-dietEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trying to make this week’s episode tasty was not unlike trying to polish the proverbial. That being said, we are nothing if not consistent and have dished up your weekly need-to-know as usual. From asking the question we’ve all been discussing over the dinner table (…is this World War III?!) to spitters and spittees and whether a watermelon really has a husk or not. Oh, and we’ve been deprived of our trusty studio this week so our entire ep is brought to you via the unglamorous but oh so reliable Google Meet. So strap in, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!Links:How a Salary Figure Changes Everything in ‘Materialists’, by Alissa Wilkinson for The New York Times | https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/movies/materialists-salary-dating.htmlSpitting in Someone's Mouth Is the Latest New Sex Trend by E.J. Dickson for The Cut | https://www.thecut.com/article/spitting-in-mouth-sex-trend.htmlEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod ‎<This message was edited> Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special episode we delve into the murky waters of birth rates.. Falling birth rates have been a hot political, social and cultural topic for some time so you best believe we had a lot to say about it. From Trump's latest attempt at getting more people to have children to lots of existential dread around parenthood - and of course, how young women fit into all of this - join us as we talk all things babies.No long reads this time just a lot of yap, some good ol' stats, and a healthy dose of criticising politicians. Email: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTiktok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a week!! Hence our longest on record (of the whole 5 we have done). It's long but a goodie...From the ICE protests to the infamous Lively v. Baldoni feud, literature to the rescue of masculinity and whether Nicole should spend all her earnings on a fresh new babyface – we’ve gone through the lot. Guess Friday 13th really is luck for some...Links:The revenge of the young male novelist, by George Monaghan for The New Statesmen | https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/2025/06/the-revenge-of-the-young-male-novelistTeenage girls’ TikTok skincare regimes offer little to no benefit, research shows, by Nicola Davis for The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/09/teenage-girls-tiktok-skincare-regimes-offer-little-to-no-benefit-research-showsReturn of the witch trial, by Annabel Preston for Bursting the Bubble | https://open.substack.com/pub/annabelpreston/p/return-of-the-witch-trial?r=3ae8k8&utm_medium=iosThe Elon Musk and Donald Trump Feud Proves Men Are Just Too Emotional to Be in Charge, by Stephanie McNeal for Glamour | https://www.glamour.com/story/the-elon-musk-and-donald-trump-feud-makes-us-think-they-are-too-emotional-to-be-in-chargeEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we have a really ✨interesting ✨ catch up for you – it’s a pretty varied one, so strap in for a wild ride! From MI5 to weight loss jabs, Greggs sausage rolls to the South Korean election, we’ve covered the lot. Some may even say, all too well…Links: ‘Feels bigger than herself’: the importance of Taylor Swift’s latest victory, by Adrian Horton for The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/may/31/taylor-swift-buy-master-recordingsDude, where’s my paunch? Men, masculinity and Mounjaro, by Joel Golby for The Observer | https://observer.co.uk/style/features/article/joel-golby-men-masculinity-and-mounjaroEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annabel & Nicole debrief this week's headlines including Trump waging war on the Ivy League, the many promises made by hopeful PM, Nigel Farage, and the 30 different ways to pronounce Shein (yes, one of them is "fast fashion").Links:From TikTok to the track: gen Z are driving running’s third great boom, by Sean Ingle for The Guardian | http://theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/27/running-gen-z-boom-athletics-london-marathonHas Brigitte Macron got away with ‘le slap’?, by Rowan Pelling for The Independent | https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/emmanuel-macron-wife-brigitte-shove-face-plane-vietnam-b2758606.htmlEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annabel & Nicole discuss this week's headlines including the mysterious case of Bella May Culley, the B-word (Brexit) reset deal and whether the UK has too many dogs (Annabel says c'est non).Links:Why Britain’s dog obsession is becoming a problem, by Guy Kelly and Meike Eijsberg for The Telegraph | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/17/does-britain-have-too-many-dogs/Can AI therapists really be an alternative to human help?, by Eleanor Lawrie for BBC | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ced2ywg7246oEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Annabel & Nicole discuss this week's headlines namely Pope Leo XIV, Keir Starmer, Kim Kardashian and the bird from Duolingo.Links:The first lady vanishes, by Edward Helmore for The Observer | https://observer.co.uk/news/politics/article/the-first-lady-vanishesThe Pope’s Florida Brother, a MAGA Disciple, Plans to ‘Tone It Down’, by Richard Fausset for The New York Times | https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/louis-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-brother.htmlEmail: newsdietpod@gmail.comInsta: @newsdietpodTikTok: @newsdietpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.