Mamamia Out Loud

It took the deliciously unhinged creative genius of Miranda July to invent a dating questionnaire that asks the questions no one else is brave enough to ask. Forget your height or if you like 'long walks on the beach'; Em is looking at the prompts that actually reveal your soul, like a photo of your bookshelves, your messy bed, or a screenshot of your ex describing you via text. So, what would you ask, to really get to know someone? And is the secret to finding love just showing someone the inside of your fridge? There’s a name for that 'meh' feeling you have after a day at work: Office air. Thanks to a smart TikTok creator, Clare has finally figured out why we all look like 'sick Victorian children' by the time the clock strikes five.  Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman is currently on a promo circuit, but she isn't talking about her latest film. Instead, she’s opening up about her desire to become a death doula after the devastating loss of her mother. So Holly’s asking: What is a death doula?

First, a rundown of the scurrilous gossip you missed while you were actually working: Sydney Sweeney’s cameo’s been cut from The Devil Wears Prada 2, Harry Styles is either engaged or ring-baiting us and Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton have hard-launched with a pap-frolic.  In other business, why is Reese Witherspoon suddenly telling all her followers to use AI? Is this a genuine attempt to close the gender tech-gap, or is Reese just the friendliest face the robots could recruit to crack Gen X? In other business, we might be witnessing the most effective character-assassination comeback in history. While Lily Allen is currently touring an album that provides a literal receipt-by-receipt rundown of her marriage breakdown — complete with props explaining David Harbour’s alleged infidelity — her ex is busy being the most lovable man on TV in DTF St. Louis. Holly asks if playing someone lovable is the best way to rehabilitate an actor’s bad reputation? Let’s ask No

Madonna crashed Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella stage and it took the crowd a minute to realise they were in the presence of an(other) icon. Luckily, Madge had a bonus skill up her sleeve: An astrology lecture about Taurus season. Holly Wainwright brings a few little nuggets that slipped out of Meghan Duchess’s fancy Sydney event on the weekend, including a new theme song. Also, Kardashian whisperer and multi-millionaire businesswoman Emma Grede says remote work is a 'career killer' for women. She reckons if you aren’t seen, you aren’t getting promoted. Is flexibility actually costing women their next big move, or allowing women to do their dream jobs in the first place? Amelia Lester has a story about the presentee boss from hell. In other business, we’re diving into the dark world of 'looksmaxxing' after an influencer’s viral breakdown. From 'bone-smashing' to dangerous supplements, why are young men falling for a happiness formula that clearly isn't working? And the debate

Is having a crush the secret to a happy relationship, or the gateway drug to a ruinous affair? We can’t agree. Meanwhile, comedian Nikki Glaser says that sexual cheating is a turn-on and emotional cheating is a no-no. Who’s right, who’s deluded, and who should just be single, according to Emily Vernem? Plus, enthusiasm for hobbies is at an-all time high, but why does it feel like men get all the good ones, while women get the leftovers of leisure? Holly Wainwright talks about her life-changing gardening habit, but acknowledges it’s first to go when life gets busy. So what’s an untouchable 'Sovereign Hobby', and how do we get one?  And, there is an unofficial list of things women do to look like they have their shit together, and it involves everything from keeping whites white, to having enough coathangers, to knowing what stock is. Clare Stephens just wishes she could remember the snacks. TV RECCOS SPECIAL Clare’s watching: DTF St. Louis on HBO Max. A dark, nonlinear

So the ‘royal tour that isn’t’ is in full swing and we have an insider call from Melbourne. Our friend Amy Clark was hanging out with Harry at a men's mental health event this morning, and tells us everything, including which Australian celebrities upstaged the Duke/Prince. But as Harry and Meghan’s itinerary unfurls, Holly Wainwright asks: Is it ballsy or cheeky to be pulling off exactly the kind of tour once reserved for active, working royals?  Plus, as Susan Coyle becomes Australia’s first female Army Chief, the celebrations are almost being drowned out by the sexist trolling. The swampy internet discourse feels gutting for every woman who has ever worked her way to the top only to be met with a chorus of 'DEI hire'. Amelia Lester is unpacking: Should women just ignore the trolling these wins attract, or does that leave us living in a fake reality?  And, 'hey, girl'. Clare Stephens has researched to PhD level the 'Alex vs. Alix' podcast feud. We’ve got Alex Co

It’s Harry and Meghan week in Australia, and we’re hoping for some big news in Jam World.  A lot has changed since the last time they were here and Clare Stephens waited outside the Opera House to touch Prince Harry’s hand. So what can we expect from the royal-not-royal tour? Bieberchella has broken the internet and healed a lot of Millennial hearts. Between a $10 million pay check and a setlist that involved Justin dueting with his childhood self, Em Vernem is asking: Is this a profound moment of healing, or just a very expensive therapy session we were all forced to watch? In other business, Melania Trump decided that this chaotic moment in world affairs was the right moment to make an unprompted address about her "friendship" with Jeffrey Epstein.  And Lena Dunham is releasing a memoir reflecting on fast fame. Her honesty about what peak spotlight did to her coupled with one of the world’s most profitable writers finally revealing her identity, Holly Wainwright is asking:

You click on a link on your partner’s computer and all their unspoken doubts unspool: You have too many cats. You’re ‘fragile’. And then there’s that 'attraction problem'. This is what happened in the viral story we’re unpacking from writer Lindsey Hall about reading her boyfriend’s ChatGPT thread. So, asks Clare, who betrayed who here? And what would you have done?  Also, is having a 'Signature' everything — from a drink to a restaurant to a gift to an outfit — a genius life hack, or just an excuse for us lazy girls?" Plus, science has apparently discovered the exact dance moves that make a man 'sexy' to women, and Hamish & Andy have been putting it to the test. While an avatar might have the moves, Holly insists no man is actually a good dancer unless he’s Harry Styles or Bad Bunny.  And, Em tells us about the lipstick we’re all meant to be wearing right now, and, crucially, where we should put it. SUBSCRIBE here: Support i

Will it be on June 13? Are the people already camping out at a particular Rhode Island resort? Will we even SEE any photos, or will they do a Tom-and-Zendaya? Yes, the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding frenzy is building and Clare Stephens is sifting through the data to decide whether anyone, at all, knows what they’re talking about.  Meanwhile, Donald Trump is back to saying things that make us want to hide under our beds, but Amelia Lester’s found the perfect antidote to the chaos: 'Competency porn'. Whether it's the awe-inducing precision of the Artemis II astronauts or a nurse who is really, really good at their job, there is nothing more comforting right now than watching someone be genuinely competent at what they do. We’re asking: When the world feels like a dumpster fire, is watching collective brilliance the way to stay sane? Also, Succession star Brian Cox spent his weekend unloading some very unfiltered (and very unflattering) opinions on everyone from Margot Robbie to Johnny

Outlouders. Since today isn't a regular kind of Monday, we’re dropping a little treat into your feed. Remember our 'Entirely Random List of Things We Deem Offensive'?  Well, you loved it so much that we simply had to do part two. Before Jessie Stephens headed off to have her twins, she sat down with Holly Wainwright and Claire Murphy to air out a fresh batch of petty grievances and 'no-justification-needed' things we find offensive. From people who load their groceries onto the conveyor belt prematurely to aggressively long acrylic nails and GPS directions that tell you to 'head northeast', we are officially offended. Plus, Jessie draws a line in the sand about 'fish that doesn't taste fishy' and Holly unpacks the one hill she will die on: avocado should never, ever be hot. Join the conversation in the Outlouders Facebook group and let us know the one specific thing that you find just plain rude. SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media  What To Listen To Next:  Listen to:

Yes, it’s Good Friday but we’re being bad and bringing you a show anyway. First point of business is Clare Stephens’ elitist Easter egg power ranking Do you agree with her controversial Number One?  Plus, we’re deep-diving into the Enneagram personality type obsession currently ruining our lives. It seems every A-lister and podcaster is sharing their 'number', so hold our beer. Holly is grumpy about being a 'Peacemaker' 9, Clare is proudly an 'Investigator' 5, and Emily Vernem is a Type 3 Achiever — which apparently means she’s one bad day away from becoming a psychopath. But are Enneagrams just star signs for the self-optimisation era? Also, Em has a very strict list of things you must never do in the hour before a date (hint: checking social media is a dopamine-killing trap). From 'gambling with dairy' to the peril of last-minute eyebrow tints, we’re sharing chaotic pre-date disasters.  And, we’re asking the very important question: What would you qu

An Instagram post asked working mothers for their tips on juggling, and the comments section rebelled. Which is proof that in the last week of a school term, with the holiday/work pressure building, we are not in the mood for helpful hacks, we are in the mood for burning the whole thing down. So, how and why and when did the 'how do you do it all?' bubble burst? Plus, Amelia Lester is here to help us pick through the chaos of Washington for anything that looks like a golden glimmer in a pile of poo. And some of the optimism is coming from some very unexpected corners. So, we’re unpacking: what happens when the 'worst person you know' actually makes a great point? And in other business, butter. Just lots and lots of it. From 'butter-dipped' soft serves at the Royal Easter Show to parents on TikTok feeding their kids whole sticks of the stuff for 'brain fuel', it’s being hailed as the new superfood. So, is butter the new avocado?  Oh, and, the clitoris has finally been mapped, but will that mak

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are on a press tour, and the Internet’s calling them ‘classy’ because they’re not pretending to be in lust. Instead, they’re giving each other high-fives like they’re at a corporate seminar. Have we just witnessed the death of the 'fauxmance'? Plus, in the US, a 20-year-old woman has won a landmark case against YouTube and Meta. She accused the tech billionaires of 'engineering addiction' and ruining her childhood in the process. Their punishment is negligible, so why is this moment being called social media’s ‘Big Tobacco’ moment? And is it a reason for Australia to feel smug about our child social media ban?  In other business, a new biography of Queen Elizabeth II is shattering the 'cuddly grandma' illusion. Why are we so obsessed with minimising the most powerful women in history into just 'nice old ladies'? Also, anyone want to go to the Evil Ex-Situationship Boxing Rave? Welcome to the particular hell of organised fu

We’re following The Washington Post and asking the question Clare Stephens has been quietly pondering for a while: Are boomers the real iPad babies? Plus, it’s been celebrity facelift week on social media and it’s unclear if actress Denise Richards is being celebrated as a person or an old church in the spon-con post telling us about her “restoration”. Holly wants to know if being open about your facelift is the new vulnerability, or are we just applauding the erasure of a life well-lived? And, if you’re tired of the "How are you?" and "What are you doing?" cycle of boring small talk, Em has some very specific (and slightly unhinged) alternatives. From questioning how many pigeons it would take in your house before you suspected a conspiracy, to identifying which kitchen utensil you feel most connected to, the woman has you covered. SUBSCRIBE here to get 25% off an $89 annual subscription PLUS 25% off Nala. Your Mamamia discount will be applied at checkout. Then find your N

It’s all anyone’s talking about: petrol. How much it’s costing, how much there is to go around and how much worse are things going to get? Is the panic caused by this consequence of war in the Middle East warranted, considering the humanitarian crisis unfolding at the same time? And how do we keep our cool, particularly those of us in regional areas where public transport is a myth?  Plus, Sarah Ferguson has been caught up in a controversy that is, frankly, bizarre even for the royals: she’s been approached to clone and sell Queen Elizabeth's corgis for a reality TV show. Is cloning the late Queen’s pets the ultimate side hustle or a bridge too far? In other business, noughties fashion icon Rachel Zoe is back in the algorithm, and she’s hard launching her 'divorce era' on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Is the 'Hot Divorcee' trope actually the most empowering thing on TV right now? And, we remember Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling, who has passed away

Outlouders, enjoy this free taster of Mia Freedman on today's subscriber episode. Listen to the full conversation — 'Three Very Different Opinions On Lindy West’s Throuple' — at 5 pm TODAY. What do you mean, you're not a subscriber yet? Solve that problem HERE.The death of millennial feminism.  A bad marriage. Absolutely none of our business. These are just some of the Internet’s takes on the memoir Adult Braces by millennial icon Lindy West. And of course Mia — who has met and interviewed Lindy and found her delightful and blisteringly smart — has a few opinions of her own.  Joined on this subscriber episode by Clare Stephens and Holly Wainwright, Mia asks and answers some questions about the most talked-about memoir of the moment. Questions like: If you spill all the details of your polyamorous throuple in a series of personal essays, can you actually argue that your relationship is not 'for public audit'? And: Do we just find it impossible to believe a wom

Question: Why was the latest season of The Bachelorette US cancelled days before release, costing more than US$30 million? Well, it’s got something to do with stunt casting and a very disturbing video leak…  Also, millennial feminist icon Lindy West has written a memoir about being in a happily married throuple. The problem is, the Internet has seen her unvarnished honesty and unilaterally decided her book is a lie. Does West protest too much? Or do we have a problem believing a woman could ever be happy beyond the white picket fence? Plus, nap times, little lunch and a giant TV on wheels. Things we miss from primary school that should definitely be part of the workplace, pls. And, Chappell Roan and Coldplay kiss-cam star Kristin Cabot have some facts for us about public shaming.  Oh, and how about those Matildas? The lessons we can only learn from (almost) winning. SUBSCRIBE here to get 25% off an $89 annual subscription. Ends 1st April. Code applies at checkout.SUBSCRIBERS: Get 2

Your 'difficult' friends aren't just annoying; they are literally bad for your health. No big deal but it’s official: 'Hasslers' who create drama also accelerate your ‘biological decay’. Is it time to prune the friend tree for the sake of your longevity? Plus, Belle Burden’s divorce memoir Strangers has the internet asking if telling your 'emotional truth' is just a fancy term for fibbing. With inconsistencies surfacing, Clare wonders if we even care about facts if the story is good, while Em insists that if you’re selling your life story, the least you can do is tell the truth. So, who owns your story and… does the truth even matter any more? Meanwhile, in other business, Em presents an 'unhinged' list of rules that states men shouldn't drink matcha and women shouldn't know movie directors' names. Yes, it appears we’re all living in her Mojo Dojo Casa House now.  Oh, and, in breaking news, we’ve all been saying 'Chupa Chups' wrong. RECOMMENDATIONS Clare r

Outlouders, enjoy this free taster of Mia Freedman on today's subscriber episode. Listen to the full conversation — 'Mia's Diary Note: Burnout & Bras & Books, Oh My!' — at 5 pm TODAY. What do you mean, you're not a subscriber yet? Solve that problem HERE. Mia is deep in a nostalgia hole this week after bingeing the JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy series, Love Story. It turns out, seeing a world without DMs, TikTok trends, or the urge to live-stream your breakfast has her ready to trade her smartphone for a flip phone and some chic minimalism. Are we actually 'connected' or just... exhausted? In this episode: The 'Always On' Burnout: Mia gets real about the specific brand of fatigue that comes from being reachable 24/7. When did 'relaxing' become just another word for 'scrolling in a different room'? The Content Trap: Why are we obsessed with turning every family moment into a production for the group chat? Mia asks if it’s possible to just exist — without look

Celebrity gossip lip-readers have changed the game. Because of them we know Timothée Chalamet hated the Oscars, King Charles says F and Prince William had no time for 'Andrew’s' apology. So is that ‘zero privacy’ development fair play? And what DID Timmy say to his sister about Kylie Jenner?  In other scurrilous gossip, we’re meant to think that Nicole Kidman has a new friends-to-lovers boyfriend, and that Keith Urban is 'reeling'. Hmmm. Plus, peptides are the new cottage cheese, in demand from both older women and teenage boys. Except, unregulated, they can be rather more dangerous than a protein-heavy snack. So what the hell is a peptide, and how worried should we be about influencers spruiking them? (Hint: Very) 'Our' Queen Mary is touring Australia and once upon a time, that would have guaranteed tabloid mayhem. These days everything is… quieter. Is that because a midlife Queen is less enticing to the attention economy than the Carrie-esque lure of the princess f

Outlouders, enjoy this free taster of Mia Freedman on today's subscriber episode. Listen to the full conversation —  'Are Flaps In Or Out?' Mia's Rogue Oscars Fashion Feedback — at 5 pm TODAY. What do you mean, you're not a subscriber yet? Solve that problem HERE. The biggest night in Hollywood has come and gone, and while the show itself was - dare we say - a bit of a snooze, the fashion gave us plenty to talk about. In this exclusive subscriber episode, Mia Freedman and Em Vernem dive into this year’s Oscars fashion. From Demi Moore’s bird/snake vibe to Rose Byrne’s head to toe perfection, Mia has feedback. So, did the celebs play it too safe on the red carpet? Also, while Em was focused on the outfits alone, Mia was too distracted by the bodies in them and how different the red carpet looks in 2026.   Plus, from Gwyneth Paltrow’s glittery ‘naked’ pants to Jeff Goldblum’s wife Emilie Livingston’s high-cut pantless look, they unpack t