Episoder
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Boyzone, cosy murder-mysteries, and all the regular chaos you've come to expect from us this week, plus we discuss whether we even enjoy half the things we do, or are we just good at them?
For more content, including bonus episodes, become a paid member of our substack right here.
Want a taste? Here's the bonus episode from March where we're talking about Gwen Stefani, her right wing values and the discourse around that.
Recommendations
Boyzone Documentary on Now TV
The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz -
We're mixing heavy recommendations with a sprinkle of lighter ones this week, and we're chatting all about Soft Life...
The Soft Life Aesthetic is supposed to be the antidote to Hustle Culture, the idea is to have more self-compassion, more intentionality, slow mornings and effortless routines. But the very nature of this curated trend means there is a lot of hypocrisy and privilege in what the soft life aesthetic stands for and the nature of creating content online means it is far from effortless. But there are some fundamentals of this trend that are important and speak to a wider craving of our generation for a more gentle, slower and compassionate lifestyle.
For more content, including bonus episodes, become a paid member of our substack right here.
Recommendations
IYCMI podcast - Have Influencers Become to Normalized to be Mocked?
Louis Theroux: The Settlers on BBC
Also mentioned
Bad Influence on Netflix
Ransom Canyon on Netflix -
Mangler du episoder?
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You know when you're about to make the big scary decision, and you know it's the right one and that you're being brave and courageous, but it feels the total opposite? Well that's what we're discussing this week. People are always quick to tell you to make the brace decision but fail to mention that when you're making the decision it can feel pretty terrifying. We're looking into why that is, how to overcome it and how you can take comfort in knowing that you have great things waiting for you on the other side.
For more content, including bonus episodes, become a paid member of our substack right here.
Recommendations
Will & Harper on Netflix
Complicating The Plastic Surgery Conversation -
After we've both had wholesome Easter bank holiday weekends, of course we're back with chaos! And this week we're talking about how real self care is not sexy, content-worthy or "aesthetic" like the wellness and self-care we're sold online. Instead self-care is boring, it's effective, it's preventative. But the online aesthetic over-complicates it and creates the pressure to do it "right", rather than doing it genuinely for you. The self-care we're sold online is very privileged and assumes that journalling, meditation, skin care and morning routines are a one-size fits all, without taking into account the unique needs of everyone.
For more content, including bonus episodes, become a paid member of our substack right here.
Recommendations
Franks RedHot Fire Roasted Jalapeno Sauce
A Case for Stagnant Summers
Also mentioned:
https://sabrinamolu.substack.com/
Back to the Future
Nosferatu -
Helli is back from a Bahamas cruise and Charlotte has booked a trip to Antibes so it's safe to say we're both ready for summer! But before then, we're chatting about how to embrace cringe. You need to embrace cringe and be seen trying (and possibly failing) to reach success and the things you want, but so often the fear of failing or looking stupid or feeling embarrassed is a barrier that stops us persisting and going after what we really want.
For more content, including bonus episodes, become a paid member of our substack right here.
Recommendations
Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime
Toxic Town on Netflix
Also mentioned:
Adolescence on Netflix
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown -
This week we're taking about the seemingly insignficant moments that end up being key in your life's trajectory and what could have happened if things were ever so slightly different. We're both utterly obsessed with the idea of "sliding doors" moments (no, not that dodgy Gwenyth film from the 00's) and how things could have been, or maybe never would have been, different if things had panned out in slightly different ways.
For more content, including bonus episodes, become a paid member of our substack right here.
Recommendations
The Lego App
Michelle Andrews on The Inherited Podcast (spoiler, I've since listed to the Vicky Andrews ep too and it's wonderful) -
Seriously, asking for a friend, because we constantly tell each other to "trust the process" but when you're going through that process it can be frustrating, infuriating, anxiety-inducing and just generally not all that enjoyable. Yes, that's where e grow. Yes, it's good to be uncomfortable sometimes. And OF COURSE we know we can't just expect success and everything we want overnight, but that isn't to say it isn't sometimes kinda lonely. We're sharing how we navigate these in-between phases, the reminders that keep us sane and how you can be a bit gentler on yourself when you're in limbo.
If you liked the sound of the bonus episode reacting to this episode of A Bit Fruity and all of our thoughts on Gwen Stefani's transformation/return then you can sign up to be a paid member of our substack right here.
Recommendations
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
What Is Analog Wellness by The Good Trade: -
Helli has moved house (and apologies for her echoey muffled audio, studio space has not been figured out yet!) and Charlotte is back from Stockholm and the joys of the ABBA museum. This week we're chatting about all the things we feel like we're getting wrong, we're told to eat local but also get eat diverse. Avoid Amazon but don't overshop if you shop secondhard, reduce screentime but also stay informed.
We’re constantly told what to do, what’s right, what’s wrong, what you should do more of or less of. While we do constantly strive to do better by ourselves, by others and by the planet, the hard truth is that it’s impossible to get everything right on the overwhelming list of “perfect choices”, so how do we come to terms with what we can do?
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
Annie Bot my Sierre Greer
The Americas on BBC iPlayer -
Most of us complain about getting older but between the two of us, we so often talk about how ageing is the ultimate privilege. That's not to say ageing is easy and it certainly comes with its challenges, but ageing is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience and we live in a society, particularly as women, where we're sold anti-wrinkle creams, wellness is commercialised and we praise people who look younger than their years. So why are we all striving for longevity, but we're all still running away from what ageing actually looks like?
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
The Lies We Told by Camilla Way
Break Point on Netflix -
Oh we're getting deep into it this week discussing success, is there such a thing as *too much* success and is it greedy to ask for more when you already have so much? We live in an always-on society where striving for more seems to be the default. Where we always want to seek more the next big thing, but in doing so, are we being a bit greedy? Should we just be happy with what we have?
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
The Heart of Dad Culture on the Culture Society Podcast
Low Energy Habits That Changed My Mental Health by Milk and Cookies -
Charlotte has a new heated blanket and is getting ready to go to Stockholm, Helli is in the depths of house hunting and apologies for her muffled audio, her mic plug broke right before recording... We've got a juicy chat at the start of the episode about the dangers of what you share about your life online and how trends are mimicking history and the problems with idolising a part of history that you weren't part of.
And of course we recognise the irony of our topic this week... but as two humanities students who love to analyse (and over-analyse!), however have we as a society gone too far with trying to find a deeper meaning in everything? Social media has made it easy to over-intellectualise everything from politics to pop culture and while the skills of analysis and being able to vocalise our opinions are important, maybe "being deep" has become performative because of that. Things are allowed to be fun, silly and entertaining, there is value in lightheartedness and maybe we just don't need to have an opinion on absolutely everything.
Let us know your thoughts on this topic - we'd love to chat more about it (head over to our Substack to join the chat!)
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd
How Conservatism Inflitrated Pop Culture podcast episode on A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein
Also mentioned
Heated blanket from Costco
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
The Crunchy to Far Right Pipeline on A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein
Louis Theroux podcast episode with Armie Hammer -
Helli's been ill for the third time this year (thanks, 2025) and Charlotte has thrown her back out, BUT we're here! This week we're wondering, why are we obsessed with labelling people are role models and policing how people behave because we think they're a role model? Really, anyone can be a role model online these days, so is being a role model even an accolade anymore? Or are we holding people to an impossible standard?
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
White Lotus Season 3 is back
American Manhunt: OJ Simpson on Netflix
This Womens Health piece on female friendships -
No. Stones. Left unturned. In this episode we have not one, but two honeymoon recaps, a first glance at the reading lists we managed to get through on said honeymoons, a must-read Substack (that isn’t our own) and a documentary we can’t stop thinking about. And then we’re asking the big question of WHY are the bad things so noisy while the good things happen so quietly? Is it actually a bad thing that we give more air time to the bad? Or is there already enough negativity out there?
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
The Balkans: Europe's Forgotten Frontier with Katya Adler on BBC iPlayer
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Who's Afraid Of Sabrina Carpenter? on Substack -
Helli is a sickly Victorian child this week and Charlotte has her life together with new nails. Prepare yourself for a very in depth chat about Charlotte's stringent Goodreads rating process and Helli's meta take on reviewing books throughout life.
It's February, maybe you're struggling with your New Year goals or maybe you never made any, either way we feel like setting some creative goals rather than metrics-based goals is a great way to find more joy and authenticity in your life and to redefine what an achievement is. Yes, hitting sales targets or income goals is great, but not every goal has to be so black or white or come with so much stress/pressure. Trying something new, getting outside your comfort zone, making something imperfectly, enjoying yourself even if you're not perfect at something, doing something in your community, these are all achievements, maybe it's time we re-defined what goals and achievements look like.
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
Fin Carre Salted Pretzel Milk Chocolate Bar from Lidl / Reese's Take 5
Hello Beautiful by Anne Napolitano -
Charlotte reveals which celebrities she gets mixed up and we're both surprised to learn how literal the direct translation of the names are in Lion King... Plus who is the internet obsessed with right now.
So all this feels very fitting that we're talking about brain rot content. Oxford English Dictionary named "brain rot" their word of the year for 2024, but what does it mean? What is brain rot content? How do we classify it and is it different for everyone? Is it fundamentally bad? And how much does our intention behind our content consumption decide whether or not it's brain rot? Sometimes we find the low quality content or easy-to-consume content entertaining and it serves as escapism, but if that's the dominant content we consume, how healthy is that for us?
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
The Muse podcast with Chloe Lloyd - episode with Mollie Campsie
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristin Perrin -
A discussion about ice hockey was not on our 2025 podcast bingo card, but we like to keep you (and ourselves) guessing!
This week we're chatting about the phrase "you're not like other girls". This phrase feels like it was normalised in 90s rom-coms and was always the "ultimate compliment" from a guy. We both get a big ick from this phrase for many reasons, why shouldn't we be like other girls? and how does this backhanded compliment double as a patriarchal means of controlling women? Also, why do you never hear "you're not like other boys"? We're dissecting it all and we'd love to hear your thoughts too.
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
The Finch app - available on App Store and Play Store
Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action on Netflix -
We’re back and boy are we feeling REFRESHED. It could be the 5 weeks off, it could be that crisp New Year feeling or it could be our brand new look, music and Substack (!). Whatever combination it is, we’re thrilled to be back bringing you more unfiltered, honest conversations about society, culture and early adulthood.
It’s no secret we love a to do list, but this year we’re looking at our “To NOT Do List”. The behaviours we want to change, the little things we want to stop doing and what we’re making more space for (or as the Wicked-fans say, “holding space” for).
Did someone say Substack?
Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.
Recommendations
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Why is the internet blaming ChatGPT for the fires in LA? On The Cut -
We missed last week's episode which just tells you how chaotic this last month has been with Black Friday, wedding planning, travelling to Christmas Markets and Christmas prep. BUT we are back with our end of year wrap up and how we're feeling about goals and intentions for going into 2025. If you're not feeling sure about your goals or how you feel about going into the New Year, you're not alone!
You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here - https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12
If you're enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:
[email protected] / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury
Recommendations
Shogun on Disney Plus
Glad We Had This Chat podcast with Caroline Hirons - episode with Emily English
Also mentioned
Black Doves on Netflix
Our Little Secret (Lindsay Lohan's new Christmas movie on Netflix)
Starbucks Peppermint Mocha with soy milk (Charlotte's favourite festive Starbucks order)
Helli's top Christmas market tip - go to Christmas Markets during the week (Mon-Thurs) and not on Fri-Sun unless you love crowds! -
Charlotte has no hot water, Helli has injured her neck, it's been a week of annoyances, made more stressful as we approach the busy end of the year. If the end of the year is starting to feel hectic and like you're in a hamster wheel, you're not alone! It's easy to feel busy and stressed at this time of year but how do we maintain motivation and momentum? How do we get unstuck from the hamster wheel and find perspective and purpose?
You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here - https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12
If you're enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:
[email protected] / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury
Recommendations
Peer Suite Newsletter by Becky Van Djik
Boybands Forever documentary on BBC iPlayer
Also mentioned
The Amazon to do list notepad *affiliate link -
Anyone else feeling Christmassy early this year? We're chatting birthday parties, netball, rubbish Christmas movies and how we're feeling in the run up to December as well as two new recommendations this week.
We've all heard of overthinking and know what it is and the self-doubt and feelings of comparison that come with it, but what about the wider impact on your overall happiness and enjoyment of the moment? Does overthinking how you appear to others take away your authenticity? In a world where authenticity and relatability have become marketable - how to do you show up authentically in a way that feels true to you?
You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here - https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12
If you're enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:
[email protected] / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury
Recommendations
The Missing Family by Tim Weaver
The Business of Fashion Podcast - How Dupe Culture is Challenging Traditional Luxury
Also mentioned
Hot Frost
- Se mer
