The Wingwoman

It's our last episode before Frankie has a baby, so we're talking about the obsession with 'natural' births, and stigmatisation of anything but (and the gas and air ban, too). And we're discussing nepo babies big and small - from famous offspring on the catwalk to the bizarre details of the Beckham-Peltz wedding being aired in a lawsuit.  Plus, how Charlie feels about being labelled as a 'dry texter', the Magic Mike review that no one asked for, and what cult watch Fleishman is in Trouble is stirring up - from the forty-something fuckability double standard to suburban claustrophobia.  Links from the episode: No gas and air in pregnancy? Women's pain is disregarded again - Frankie Graddon, The Times  The hottest fashion accessory right now? A kid - Frankie Graddon, iNews The Beckham-Peltz wedding is the ultimate tale of two nepo babies - Hannah Betts, The Times Take it from a dry texter: short messages don't mean someone isn't interested - Daisy Jones, Vogue Fine, I admit it - I am a 'dry texter'. It beats emojis or verbal diarrhoea - Emma Beddington, The Guardian I chose to move to the suburbs for my children. That doesn't mean it's made me happy - Lucy Foster, Vogue

This week, without one single proper resolution between us, we've discovered that we're not really self-improvement types. Instead, Charlie's making plans to not make plans, and while Frankie wouldn't mind a bit more downtime, it will have to wait - first, she has some exciting personal news to share.  Plus, the book that Frankie recommends reading at the start of every new year, the best TV we watched on our festive break (complete with theme-tune singalong) and the shows that we're looking forward to, and the pros and cons of social media 'friendship homework' - with the shock news that Frankie doesn't actually watch half of the memes that Charlie sends her. Happy new year! 

We're back! Did you miss us? After a very, VERY extended summer break we have returned just in time for the festive run-up. To get us in the mood, Frankie has tuned into the Christmas film of the season starring none other than Lindsay 'I'm making a comeback' Lohan. Thrills, spills and dodgy story lines for all.  From Kim K to Y2k's low-slung fashion trend, we discuss the reemergence of size zero and damaging body ideals. Why are we so fixated with it again and did it even really go away? Plus, is Made.com's closure a final nail in the coffin for the millennial generation's claim to cool?  Also on the agenda: heated towel rails, jumper ruts and high school reunions.  Links from the episode:  Could thin be in again? - Michelle Santiago Cortes, The Cut The era of cringe – Hannah Nathanson, ELLE Made.com was a window into mid-century design idea – but with none of the quality – Morwenna Ferrier, The Guardian Millennials thought we had it made. Now we're just as uncool as the boomers – Charlotte Ivers, The Times

This week, we're finally back in the same room - and a celebratory bottle in, since this episode was recorded following Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid's resignations (and not long before Boris Johnson's). Frankie has been lured in by the promise of the summer sales, and Charlie is swearing off men after watching the latest from Love Island.  Plus, we're talking about the idea of taxing the childfree (no prizes for guessing where we stand on this one), and whether it's ever acceptable to baby talk when you're dating. Also up for discussion are no-more-hangover pills, regional merch, and whether No.10 is right about Peter Andre's nap proposal... We'd love to hear from you - get in touch at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com Links from the episode: Should we tax the childless? - Paul Morland, The Sunday Times What's the deal with baby talk in relationships? - Darshita Goyal, Refinery29

This week Charlie has been recovering from a prolonged case of Covid – and finding some unexpected ways of keeping herself occupied in isolation. Two words: nasolabial folds. Meanwhile, Frankie's had too much caffeine following the purchase of a swanky coffee machine and hitting on a new business venture.  We're discussing Beyoncés new banger (and every HR department's worst nightmare) Break My Soul and asking, is it time to kick off our shoes and join the cult of Bey? Plus, forget Feral Girl Summer, this is the season of the side character. Think witty one-liners and a two demential personality. Sign us up.  Also on the agenda: friendship break-ups, hopeless hair and does milk really quench your thirst?  We'd love to hear from you - get in touch at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com * This podcast was recorded on Wednesday 22nd June, 2022, two days before the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.   Links from episode:  The pandemic has taken take its toll on our friendships. How do we fix them? – Claire Cohen, The Guardian   I can't shut up about side character summer - Mia Mercado, The Cut

This week, we've both been watching Love Island - and we're divided on one of the big talking points of week one. Are Crocs really a red flag? Charlie thinks we'll all give in to them soon, but Frankie's staying firm. We're also talking about dating age gaps, lap dances, and celebrity offspring. Plus, Frankie's back from her first holiday without a baby in 18 months (think chic city break meets pink prosecco on the plane) and Charlie's planning a train picnic for her own (soggy) holiday.  We'd love to hear from you - get in touch at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com Links from episode: Love Island: How have people already decided Gemma Owen has an 'attitude problem'? - Georgia Aspinall, Grazia

This week Frankie's binge drinking following an outbreak of chickenpox in her flat and the threat of a cancelled holiday (who said kids were a good idea?). Meanwhile, Charlie's contemplating the underwear situation on the Cannes red carpet and wondering when bagel bump dresses will hit the high street.  Is your Instagram feed negging on Amber Heard? As the Johnny vs Amber trial nears its conclusion, we explore how social media is playing a significant role in affecting public opinion and ask, why do we believe some women over others? Plus, what's up with the pasta portions at Kravis' wedding? This and more on the celebrity wedding of the moment.  To hear more from us every fortnight, subscribe to the podcast here. Get in touch at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com Links from the episode:  Which women do we choose to believe? - Claire Lampen, The Cut Amber Heard isn't a perfect victim and the internet has a problem with that – Sophie Wilkinson, Grazia 

This week the Wingwoman is on tour... in Frankie's flat. Since her husband is only in the next room, Charlie feels it's the perfect moment to ask if they're amongst the growing contingent of marrieds who never have sex. And speaking of sex - we're also talking about the sweet scent of nature in May, which is apparently something of a turn on. Plus, Frankie has booked in for a haircut - please, all think positive thoughts, as this usually ends in tears and a ponytail - and is considering trying the chat-free haircut trend. And Charlie's been dealt some karmic retribution... To hear more from us every fortnight, subscribe to the podcast here. Get in touch at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com Links from the episode:  It smells like sex out there - and we seem determined to ignore it - Nell Frizzell, the Guardian Silent Salons: why people are choosing to keep quiet at the hairdresser - Brittney Rigby, the Guardian Too busy to have sex? Here's what you're probably doing instead - Helen Rumbelow, the Times The Inside Man: buying are needn't be scary - here's where to go and how to do it = Jermaine Gallacher, the Evening Standard The woman who killed Roe: Marjorie Dannenfelser's single-minded pursuit of an end to abortion - Kerry Howley, the Cut

This week we're indulging in a celebrity gossip deep-dive. The Beckhams threw a mega-wedding (with a mega dress for mother of the groom VB), Britney's having a baby, and Bennifer are engaged again - though we have a lot of questions about that bathtub proposal. Did he wear a suit? Half a suit, like Pooh bear? A bathrobe? Nothing at all? Plus, in not-at-all-A-list news, Frankie's on a wet beach 'n' fairground holiday in Wales, and Charlie's taking up a potentially-tricky new hobby (with a wardrobe, and maybe some shin pads, to match).  To hear more from us every fortnight, subscribe to the podcast here. We'd love to hear from you at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com Links from the episode: I'm invested in Britney's happy ever after, but not Brooklyn's - Harriet Walker, The Times Nicola Peltz has married Brooklyn Beckham at her family's oceanfront Palm Beach estate - Kerry McDermott, Vogue Calories on menus? Date night is ruined! - Michael Odell and Hannah Evans, The Times 

Do you date according to the horoscope? And would you snog someone the first time you met? This week, Charlie's been binge-watching Love Is Blind's Japanese and Brazilian versions on Netflix, and is considering the differences in international love languages. Meanwhile, Frankie's re-casting her rom-com in the light of something that Sandra Bullock shared this week about working with Channing Tatum... As calories are added to restaurant menus, we're wondering if they could do more harm than good, and talking about Rebel Wilson's weight loss speech at the BAFTAs. Plus, Frankie's wondering when Pamela Anderson's apology is coming, and Charlie shares a cautionary tale of off-brand mini eggs.  To hear from us every fortnight, subscribe to the podcast here. Get in touch with any questions or thoughts at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com  Links from the episode:  The Year I Ate New York - Tammie Teclemariam, New York Magazine Charlie's interview with Renate Reinsve, star of The Worst Person in the World - Sunday Times Style  Sandra Bullock on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert At the time of recording, the Russian invasion into Ukraine is ongoing. Here's what we're reading and listening to - plus how to support the people of Ukraine.  Homes for Ukraine - register here 'Sirens howl, bombs fall. We eat ice cream': a Kherson mother's diary of invasion - The Guardian The Daily - The New York Times  Three ways you can help the people of Ukraine from the UK - The Guardian Ukraine help: what can people in the UK do? - BBC The British Red Cross Unicef  Save The Children  Choose Love 

This week a highly caffeinated Frankie is recalling her throw-back beauty faux pas while Charlie is getting her thrills from fruit. We discuss the significance of Rihanna taking her baby bump to fashion week and ask, what's all this about potato milk?  As Jennifer Lopez's signals the return of the romantic comedy with the release of so-bad-it's-good 'Marry Me', we celebrate the cinematic genre and indulge in a little amateur script writing ourselves. Four words: Jeff Goldblum, fisherman's knit. We also talk about Liz Hurley's £3k jaunt to Austria and the dangers of detox culture.  This episode of the podcast was recorded on March 2nd, 2022. The Russian invasion into Ukraine is ongoing. Please find below links to resources we've been informing ourselves with, along with charities to donate to and petitions to sign. Our thoughts, love and support are with the people of Ukraine.  The Daily, The New York Times  Three ways you can help the people of Ukraine from the UK, The Guardian Ukraine help: what can people in the Uk do?, BBC The British Red Cross  Unicef  Save The Children  Choose Love  Waive Visa requirement for Ukraine refugees To hear from us every fortnight, subscribe to the podcast here. Get in touch with any questions or thoughts at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com 

This week, we're obsessed with the con. We've been gripped by Netflix's The Tinder Swindler, and we have a lot of questions. Why isn't he in prison (when Anna Sorokin is)? Why do we always blame the woman? And why is it so awful to admit that money's a consideration when we're dating?  Plus, we're talking about Hollywood fatphobia, funny men, and Tesco moules-frites. Frankie's glamming up with nowhere to go, and Charlie's living in a rom-com (minus the rom).  To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free newsletter. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com. Links from the episode: The Tinder Swindler's victims were neither stupid nor gold diggers - Bella Mackie, Vogue Millennial Love podcast: a conversation with the women in The Tinder Swindler - Olivia Petter The Thing About Pam's fat suit proves Hollywood still has a fatphobia problem - Katherine Singh, Refinery29

This week we're getting boozy. After polishing off a bottle of red, Charlie is relaying her 2am tax statement ordeal and Frankie is in light despair following an Omicron-sabotaged week... But she is feeling zen-like after a social media mini-break.  We're also discussing celebrity pregnancy announcements; the good, the bad and the Beyoncé. And asking, what's the real impact of an Insta bump reveal? Plus, love it or loathe it Valentine's Day is around the corner so we've done a deep-dive into the divisive holiday.  Also on the agenda: hair tongs, mini eggs and Happy Birthday Charlie!  To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free newsletter. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com. Links from the episode: Women aren't "forgetting" to have children, they can't afford to – Vicky Spratt, Refinery 29 Liking for two: navigating the complicated politics of sharing pregnancy on social media - Olivia Petter, The Independent  Wine from the episode: aime, RED

This week, our underwear drawers are in disarray: visible thongs are making a comeback and we're even wearing underwired bras again. Is 2022 the year of uncomfy undies? Speaking of uncomfortable, we're also talking about a Princely teddy bear collection, and whether it's ever possible to separate the art from the artist when it comes to problematic people.  Plus, Frankie's being snack-shamed by her toddler while Charlie's in raptures over Goldblum and MacLachlan on the Prada catwalk... To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free newsletter. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com. Links from the episode: Thongs are back - and Gen Z love them - Harriet Walker, The Times Uh, Prince Andrew has a teddy bear collection? - Mia Mercado, The Cut  A possible sex offender doesn't look good on a commemorative tea towel - Tanya Gold, The New York Times The undoing of Joss Whedon - Lila Shapiro, New York Magazine

Happy New Year! How do you feel about resolutions? This week Charlie and Frankie are discussing the January tradition and asking: is 2022 the year we should rethink the entire thing? Plus, Frankie shares her revelation on anger and Charlie realises she might well be people-phobic.  Also on the agenda: PDAs, pasta, the UK's best book shops and the staggeringly fabulous return of Cher.  To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free newsletter. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com. Links from the episode: A Loving Defence of New Year's Resolutions - Michelle Ruiz, Vogue.co.uk The Modern House podcast with Margaret Howell  An A-Z of Pasta: Stories, Shapes, Sauces, Recipes 

'Twas a week before Christmas, and Frankie was waiting for a PCR test to determine her fate, while Charlie was bemoaning the lack of sexual tension in the booster jab queue... ho ho ho, merry Christmas! SPOILER ALERT: this week, we're unpacking all of our thoughts from the first two episodes of Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That... We cried, we raged at the screen, and we googled cardiologists. Now we're ready to talk about that twist, the clothes, and the sex - or lack thereof.  To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free newsletter. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com Links from the episode: Ask a cardiologist: should Carrie have called 911? - Rachel Handler, Vulture Why are we so awful to our spouses? - Liz Krieger, The Cut On Location - The New York Times

Fantastic news! Magic Mike the third is in production, which has cheered up Frankie up no end. Meanwhile, Charlie is getting her kicks from a TikTok eyebrow hack and imagining what Samantha Jones would get up to in the Big Smoke, in light of the character's fictional relocation (And Just Like That... Peckham?!) Having binged season 4 of Selling Sunset, we discuss the Hollywoodification of post pregnancy bodies and examine our obsession with female TV villains. Plus, we take a deep dive into the online phenomenon that is Tattle Life an ask: what makes people so angry? Also on the agenda: dirty jokes, boobs are back and Em Rata's fluffy bucket hat. To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free newsletter. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com  Links from the episode: Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn: 'Jealousy Is Such an Ugly Thing' - Camilla Long, Style  'People are nasty as hell on there': the battle to close Tattle – the most hate-filled corner of the web - Sirin Kale, The Guardian  Alice Sebold Apologizes to Man Wrongly Convicted of Raping Her - Alexandra Alter and Karen Zraick, The New York Times  When a Witness Recants - Jennifer Gonnerman, The New Yorker  Green Elf Trees

We've had our first glimpse of the Sex and the City revival, there's a Harry Potter follow-up in the works, and Paris Hilton had a whopper of a wedding: that's hot! We have full-throttle noughties nostalgia this week. Plus, Frankie's been reading about the push to criminalise sending dick pics, and Charlie's been away on a 'workcation.' We're also taking sides on the kitsch vs. classic Christmas decoration divide, sharing our thoughts on the toasted sandwich, and searching for the perfect dating app song choice... To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free newsletter. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com. Links from the episode: How 'Workcations' could revolutionize travel - Derek Thompson, The Atlantic 'Flashing won't fly on the street, so it shouldn't be tolerated in your inbox' - Whitney Wolfe Herd, Grazia

This week, we're talking about the state of dating now, from the increasingly charged heterosexual dating culture to lessons on etiquette and body shaming spotted - where else? - on Love Island.  Plus, we're looking at the aftermath of England's loss in the Euros, considering swapping the 'freelance' label for 'self-employed', sharing our pop culture recommendations for the week and hearing about Frankie's attempt at a chic holiday by the sea - even with a baby in tow.  To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free weekly newsletter every other Sunday. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com. Links from the episode: If England gets beaten, so will she: football's culture of misogyny - Emma-Louise Boynton, The Stack In 2021, how are women supposed to be with men? - Vicky Spratt for Refinery29 We'll take good chat over a six pack, thanks Love Island - Hattie Crisell for Grazia I saw the condom on the floor - and I realised I'd been 'stealthed' - Olivia Petter for The Times Recognising being 'stealthed' as rape is shocking. After my story, women wanted to talk - Olivia Petter for The Times In Good Company podcast - Otegha Uwagba Call your Girlfriend podcast - Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow  The Other Woman: Jennifer Coolidge spins roles as trophy wives and divorcées into comic gold. Now she gets to show what else she can do - E. Alex Jung for New York 

This week, there's something in the water - could Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller be the latest celebrity recoupling? And what do we call Bennifer this time around, since J-Lo clearly deserves top billing... J-L'Affleck? Speaking of comebacks, we're talking about the return of both the PDA and FOMO, and longing for the return of properly good parties. Plus we're discussing Emma Barnett's toilet talking points, and dressing to please yourself during the heatwave - and sharing our pop culture recommendations of the moment. To hear more from us, sign up at TheWingwoman.co.uk to receive our free weekly newsletter every other Sunday. Or get in touch with any questions or feedback at thewingwomanofficial@gmail.com. Links from the episode: Emma Barnett just sparked a very important debate about toilets - Hollie Richardson, Stylist The Return of Fomo - Matthew Schneier, New York Magazine Help! Socialising is back - but so is my FOMO - Hattie Crisell, The Times Imposters podcast - Claire Cohen, The Telegraph