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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @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!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download