The High Low

In today's episode, we discuss the findings on Sex In Lockdown: Keep Shagging And Carry On; the astounding work that is Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You and in light of JK Rowling's comments last week, some recommendations for understanding the trans experience. We also feature an exclusive extract from the writer Rhik Samadder's memoir about mental health, love and family, I Never Said I Loved You and lots more podcast recs from Dolly. Plus! Ask The High Low is back.E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet@thehighlowshowShop thehighlowshop - 100% profits go to charity (Show Racism The Red Card and Women's Aid)LinksReadingI Never Said I Loved You, by Rhik SamadderAmateur: A True Story About What Makes a Man, by Thomas Page McBeeThe Gender Games, by Juno DawsonConsider The Greenland Shark by Katherine Rundell https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v42/n09/katherine-rundell/consider-the-greenland-shark?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2FBrit-ish by Afua HirschWatching and ListeningSex In Lockdown: K

We discuss online vs offline behaviour, when it comes to social change; and why historical progress has long relied on the removal of monuments. Also today, tons of podcast recommendations, an homage to Gogglebox and the size 75 shoes made especially for social distancing.E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowLinksSocial media@multiculturalkidsbooks on IG@diverse_kids_books on IG@novelallure on IGReadingKnights Of bookshop http://knightsof.mediaAnti-Racist Baby, by Ibram X. KendiLittle Leaders: Bold Women In Black HistorySuperior by Angela SainiStolen Legacy by George JamesThe Fire Next Time by James BaldwinYou're Silence Will Not Protect you by Audre LordeHere For It by R. Eric ThomasCandice Brathwaite interview by Johanna Thomas-Corr for Observer https://bit.ly/37hGPKaBernadine Evaristo on inclusive publishing for British Vogue https://bit.ly/2XOoaCXYomi Adegoke on the "pics or it didn't happen approach" for British Vogue https://bit.ly/2znzRac8 Books by Black aut

This week’s episode is focused on the resources we can access to educate ourselves on racism. These lists are not exhaustive but may provide a starting point. We also interview the creator of Make Motherhood Diverse, Candice Brathwaite, about her searing new book I Am Not Your Baby Mother. thehighlowshow@gmail.com  Non-FictionWhy I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-LodgeI Am Not Your Baby Mother by Candice BrathwaiteWhite Fragility by Robin DiangeloBetween The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi CoatesThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca SklootHow To Be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. KendiThe Good Immigrant compiled by Nikesh ShuklaThe New Jim Crow by Michelle AlexanderWomen Race and Class by Angela DavisWhite Rage by Carol AndersonBrit-ish by Afua Hirsch   My Name Is Why by Lemn Sissay Slay In Your Lane by Elizabeth Uviebinené & Yomi AdegokeA Burst of Light by Audre LordeDon’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri Taking Up Space: The Black Girls Manife

Did you know there is a word in German for 'social distancing whilst wearing swimming pool noodles as a hat'? We're sceptical, but charmed.As the heaviness weighs on many of you, we have a batch of podcasts, books, articles and surprising lockdown stats to cheer and distract you. Please do e-mail any questions or issues to thehighlowshow@gmail.comOr you can tweet us @thehighlowshowShop thehighlowshop.com - 100% of profits go to charity (Women's Aid and NHS Charities urgent cover relief fund)LinksBook a goat for Zoom (yes) at www.cronkshawfoldfarm.co.uk/goatsonzoomVolunteer during furlough at www.furlonteer.comFind @_lockdownstories on InstagramReadingGirl, Woman, Other, by Bernadine Evaristo Ramble Book: Musings on Childhood, Friendship, Family and 80s Pop Culture, by Adam Buxton, available on audio book now (and in print in September)Insanity Can Keep You Sane, by Molly Young for The New York Times Mag www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/11/mag

It's a pot noodle of an episode this week. From our favourite pandemic stories around the globe - selected especially to cheer you up - to a bunch of recommendations, a deep-dive into the way we metabolise information now, and a compulsory dwell on Stanley Tucci.E-mail: thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet: @thehighlowshowShop: thehighlowshop.com where 100% of profits go to charity (Women's Aid and Covid-19 NHS Urgent Appeal)LinksBook a Migrateful cookery class at migrateful.orgThe Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett - out 2nd JuneBrit Bennett and Emma Cline in conversation for Entertainment Weekly https://ew.com/books/author-interviews/brit-bennett-emma-cline-in-conversation/Robert Pattinson interview by Zach Baron for GQ, US edition https://www.gq.com/story/robert-pattinson-on-batman-tenet-isolation-june-coverLockdown with My Gen Z nieces, by Sathnam Sanghera for The Times magazine https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sathnam-sanghera-lockdown-with-my-gen-z-nie

Today we discuss the surprising lockdown sales boom, an animal fact and a few new pandemic lifestyle theories. Just another episode of The High Low, then.We also ring up Samatha Irby in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to discuss her hilarious new essay collection (a joy for anxiety-ridden times) wow, no thank you. E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowShop at www.thehighlowshop.com - 100% of profits go to charity (currently Women's Aid and the COVID-19 NHS Urgent Appeal)Linkswow, no thank you, by Samantha Irby - out nowI've craved a slower pace of life - and want to make it permanent, a Dear Mariella column for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/10/i-have-craved-a-slower-pace-of-life-and-want-to-make-it-permanent-mariella-frostrupThe lockdown dick margin, by Lauren Bravo for Refinery29 https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/bad-temper-lockdownThe buzz of big cities is losing out to cottagecore, by India Knight for The Sunday

This week we discuss what your books on your bookshelf say about you, the new lockdown lingo (are you drinking furlough merlot?), whether lockdown telly might have reached its apex, and the concept of heteropessimism.You can e-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.com and shop at thehighlowshop.com - 100% of profits go to charity.LinksApply here for Penguin's WriteNow scheme: https://www.penguin.co.uk/company/creative-responsibility/writenow.htmlIf I Had Your Face, by Frances ChaCulture Call, a podcast by The Financial TimesLouis Theroux on Adam Buxton podcastA Manual For Heartache: How To Feel Better, by Cathy RentzenbrinkExploding the myths behind K-Pop, by Crystal Tai for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/mar/29/behind-k-pops-perfect-smiles-and-dance-routines-are-tales-of-sexism-and-abuseMarian Keyes interview with The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/feb/28/marian-keyes-books-that-made-meIndiana Seresin on heteropessimism for The New Inquiry ht

Thank you for bearing with us. We weren't able to bring you an episode last week for personal reasons, but we will try and make it up to you today - starting with a BIG apology to Lizzo for saying it wasn't possible to jam on a flute. It bloody well is. Mea culpa.Today we discuss the micro-trends of lockdown (are you a lockdown cliche?) and a Dolls Polls about what we're all apparently buying. You will never guess the top billing (no - it's not loo roll. Or pasta.) Also today, a new podcast from Louis Theroux, a discussion of the adaptation of Normal People, the wonder that is Quiz and lots more reading, audio reccs and daft stories.E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowShop online at www.thehighlowshop.com - 100% of profits go to charity (currently Women's Aid and the NHS Charities Covid-19 Urgent Appeal)Linksbooksinstations.co.ukBreathing Lessons, by Anne TylerThe Wonder Spot, by Melissa BanksGrounded, by Louis Theroux for BBC Radio 4Sentimental Garbage: Eat Pray

It's Week 4 of lockdown and we hope all you cats and kittens are doing okay. Sorry - blame Carole Baskin. We've been watching Tiger King and eesh, do we feel icky. We discuss why that is and why streamed content is becoming increasingly crass. What does the flatpacking of problematic people into entertainment, reveal about us?Also today, Dolly interviews the YA and contemporary novelist, Holly Bourne, about her new book, Pretending. They discuss sexual violence, the cultural expectations of sex and romance and why porn is doing women a disservice. And we discuss some podcasts that will help us all navigate what Brene Brown calls "the collective weary".E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshow ReadingHouse of Glass by Hadley FreemanPretending, by Holly BourneSense and Sensibility: The Screenplay and Diaries, by Emma ThompsonComing Undone, by Terri White, out July and avail online for pre-orderSilver Sparrow by Tayari JonesWatching & ListeningAlain de Botton on

It's been a rough few weeks so we thought we'd bring you an extra episode for the long Easter weekend. Lots more culture reccs and more thoughts on lockdown life (with a belated shout out to Madonna's Instagram page.)We've also bought back Ask The High Low! You can e-mail us with your question at thehighlowshow@gmail.com and we will be answering a few every week.You can shop our merchandise at www.thehighlowshop.com and 100% of profits go to charity - 10% to Women's Aid and 90% to the NHS Charities Urgent Appeal for COVID-19.Watching Little Women - available on Amazon Prime on 11th MayCheer, Love is Blind, Sex Education and Don't Fuck With Cats, and Marriage Story - all on NetflixListening toGuys We Fucked on Luminary https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/corinne-fisher-and-krystyna-hutchinson-465/guys-we-f-d-luminary-exclusive/drunk-v-day-special-he-used-your-duvet-as-a-diaphragm/d5dfed7c-f10c-41ed-bbb3-03c5573f8a35Greta Gerwig on Scriptnotes https://johnaugust.com/

What a time to be alive. It feels like we've all aged a decade since our last episode under 4 months ago.Today we discuss lockdown life - what we're wearing; eating; meme-ing - and recommend a plethora of articles, books and podcasts. There will be another episode on Sat.*Please do note that because we are recording remotely via a trilogy of new tech, there may be some occasional audio issues.*This year 100% of profits for The High Low's merchandise (thehighlowshop.com) will be going to charity - 10% to Women's Aid and 90% to the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. You can donate directly here: https://bit.ly/2xc17HxE-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.com or tweet @thehighlowshow ReadingDavid Nicholls #twitterbooklaunch on Twitter @DavidNWriterFatima Bhutto and Sanam Maher's Stay Home, Stay Reading initiative, via @fbhutto and @topbastard on Instagram Florence Welch's book club @betweentwobooks on InstagramThe Love Letters of Dylan Thomas https://amzn.to/3e6Io0vJoin

Oodles of cracker jokes, festive Dolls polls, jolly songs and weird Christmas facts; and Dolly pays a snowy visit to everyone’s favourite filthy agony aunts, Joan and Jericha for their first EVER audio interview. Their top tip for Christmas? A handjob under the dining room table.Tweet @thehighlowshowE-mail @thehighlowshowWe’ll be back from maternity leave in April 2020!Donate to Solace Women’s Aid: https://www.solacewomensaid.org/news/solace-womens-aid-christmas-campaign-invites-support-women-who-arrive-refuges-nothingBuy a homeless young person a Christmas dinner: https://centrepoint.org.uk/more-than-a-christmas-dinner/Painfully British Haikus, by Dale Shaw *Please note that the inbox will be unmanned during this time.*    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The High Low has launched merch! Roll up, roll up: berets, sweaters, t-shirts, tote bags and notepads are on sale at www.thehighlowshop.com and 10% of all profits go to Women's Aid. Order by December 18th to get your goodies in time for Christmas.Today we discuss Boris's prediction for a post-Brexit "bonking bonanza", the brilliant scheme that is Press Pad and (more) global idioms.Also today, the woman who was chucked off an American Airlines flight for her "offensive" slogan tee, which read 'Hail Satan.' Are words the same as actions? Dolly says no; Pandora thinks that in our scripturient time, they just might be.LinksDonate to PressPad https://natwestbackherbusiness.co.uk/diversifythemedia Elizabeth Is Missing, on BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000c6pvWild Game: My Mother, Her Lover and Me, by Adrienne Brodeur https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1116165/wild-game/9781784742577.htmlHow To Throw A Great Christmas party, by Raven Smith https://www.thetimes.co.

We talk perineum sunning, Christmas tree erection, global idioms and polygraphs. And we host the journalist and author of Jog On: How Running Saved My Life and The Jog On Journal, Bella Mackie, to discuss mental health, running and why it's nothing to do with wellness or personal bests, divorce before the age of 30 and what the media gets wrong about mental health. E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowLinksJog On: How Running Saved My Life, by Bella MackieThe Jog on Journal, by Bella MackieBeing Single at 30, by Bella Mackie for British Vogue https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/being-single-at-30-a-vogue-memoirHow I Found My Wedding Dress (For The Second Time), by Bella Mackie for British Vogue https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/how-i-chose-the-dress-for-my-second-weddingIn the Dream House, by Carmen Maria MachadoWhen I Hit You, by Meena KandasamyBikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/80221584David Merritt on the death of his son, Jack Merr

This week we discuss the party leaders Question Time, the tragic murder of Grace Millane (and what we have learned and still need to learn about BDSM), the incredible documentary that is For Sama and the upcoming shortage of middle-class foods. Hold on to your halloumi...And we cover the news that Victoria's Secret have axed their catwalk show - a pop-culture institution that cost £12 million to produce - after sales continue to dive at the lingerie brand. We talk choice feminism, body diversity, the underwear market and models in the age of social media.E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowLinks@sendb00ks on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sendb00ks/?hl=enMUBI.com for international cinemaOnloan clothing rental: https://onloan.co/73 Questions with Cardi B, for US Vogue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qTROr7cgCYMy Wild and Sleepless Nights: A Mother's Story, by Clover Stroud https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/111/1116784/my-wild-and-sleepless-nights/978085752

Dolly goes wild for Rod's railway, whilst Pandora decides to spend her upcoming maternity leave at the world's first vagina museum. Plus: Gregg's diet donut, the cassette tape revival and Nan Goldin's protest against the Sackler family.And of course, we discuss Prince Andrew's disastrous, obfuscating interview with Emily Maitlis, as she quizzes him about the allegations of sexual assault against him and his continued friendship with the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowLinksRefinery 29's campaign to decriminalise abortion https://www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-make-abortion-a-medical-issue-not-a-criminal-offence-imacriminalTo buy Christmas cards from the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists visit www.mfpa.ukThe Crane Wife, by CJ Hauser for the Paris Review https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2019/07/16/the-crane-wife/Naomi Campbell interview, by Nosheen Iqbal for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/nov/16/na

We talk about rapper T.I.'s incredibly creepy confession that he gets his teenager daughter's hymen checked every year, what 'shitposting' really means and Emma Watson's re-naming of singledom as 'self-parternering'. And of course: there are some updates in the now legendary segment, Dolls Polls.This week we have one of the most important and moving author specials we have ever had. Megan Phelps-Roper's memoir, Unfollow, charts her upbringing in the radical Westboro Baptist Church, a church in Kansas made famous by their shocking picketing of funerals, where they held up signs that read: God Hates Fags, and Pray For More Dead Soldiers. They were also the subject of two Louis Theroux documentaries, including the 2007, 'The Most Hated Family In America' - as WBC then became known. Megan left the church in 2012, aged 26, after her conversations with 'outsiders' on Twitter opened up an internal chasm in her faith. We talk about radicalism, indoctrination, religion and how the ideology of a binary,

This week we discuss Snapchat dysmorphia, the data-collection of period-tracking apps and why Dolly wants to shag Autumn. Also today we discuss Obama's speech-gone-viral on wokeness - which wasn't really about wokeness but on seeking not to shame, or humiliate others, in the name of progress. Is there space for Obama's brand of gradualism - or do we actually need radical change?And we talk about Amazon Prime's Modern Love, based on the New York Times column, which we have both fallen hook, line and sinker for - because we are but sentimental fools.E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowLinks Modern Love on Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Love-Season-1/dp/B07VNF5351Modern Love, Edited by Daniel Jones https://www.waterstones.com/book/modern-love/daniel-jones/9780307351043One Dimensional Woman, by Nina Power https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Dimensional-Woman-Zero-Books/dp/1846942411Sabotage, by Emma Gannon for The Pound Project https://www.kic

We've got facts about sloths, sea turtles and rats that drive cars. We also discuss the new terms we've learned this week - 'soft ghosting' and 'gradualism' - and Harvey Weinstein's appearance at a showcase for emerging comics.Our author special today is with award-wining journalist and The Sunday Times Middle East correspondent, Louise Callaghan, who has written a tender, funny and impactful book, Father of Lions, about the zookeeper of Mosul who kept his animals alive through the ISIS occupation of 2014-2017. We discuss the nuances of radicalism, what the west is getting wrong with the dialogue around ISIS brides and the reality of working in a warzone. What is daily life like when you're on the frontline? How do you decompress?E-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet@thehighlowshowLinksPostmark collaboration with The Miscarriage Association https://postmarkonline.co.uk/miscarriage-association-cardsFather of Lions, by Louise Callaghan https://www.waterstones.com/book/father-of-lions/lou

We discuss Extinction Rebellion, Meghan and Harry's African tour documentary for ITV and Deborah Orr, the brilliant journalist who sadly died this week. And it's our favourite time of year: that time when The OED adds its new words into the dictionary. 2019's additions include 'omnishambles', 'nomophobia' and 'simples'. We unpick the good, the bag and the ugly new entries.The High Low is currently on tour! The next High Low Experience tour date is Monday 28th October in Manchester. For more info: https://www.fane.co.uk/our-shows/the-high-low-experienceE-mail thehighlowshow@gmail.comTweet @thehighlowshowHarry & Meghan: An African Journey, for ITV https://www.itv.com/hub/harry-meghan-an-african-journey/2a7842a0001The creator of 90s anxiety unpicks the appeal of his 5 most popular posts, for Man Repeller https://www.manrepeller.com/2019/10/90s-anxiety-instagram-nostalgia.htmlThe sadness of miscarriage can build up like soot, by Lucy Pavia for The Evening Standard https://ww