Standard Issue Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Rated or Dated: Harold and Maude Apr 29, 2026

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The ultimate in age-defying relationships turns 55 this year, but how has Hal Ashby's black comedy aged? Starring everybody's favourite manic pixie dream sex pensioner, Ruth Gordon, and soundtracked by the then Cat Stevens - what's not to like? Right?

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Sudi Pigott considers the anchovy Apr 28, 2026

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Journalist and author Sudi Pigott has spent nearly three decades writing about food and travel. In her new book, Consider the Anchovy: a Journey in Pursuit of the Little Fish With the Big Flavour, she pays homage to one of her favourite ingredients, albeit one she thinks is in need of a rebrand.

Jen chats to Sudi about why we should consider the anchovy, 'foodie' culture for the masses, and who inspires her when it comes to cooking.

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Alexandra Wood on Hilary Mantel, Thatcher and political violence Apr 27, 2026

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When back in 2014, the Guardian published Hilary Mantel’s short story The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, it sparked intense controversy. Critics called it a "distasteful fantasy" and "dangerous nonsense”, while others, our Mickey included, would argue that actually it’s a smart, creative exploration of a polarised political era from a literary heavyweight.

It’s also now a play, with Mantel’s short story in the safe hands of playwright Alexandra Wood. As if that wasn’t enough for Mick to want to get Alex on the Zoom, it’s opening in Liverpool, famously a bastion of anti-Thatcher sentiment.

They’re chatting the brilliance of Mantel, alternative pasts and futures, Maggie’s legacy and political violence.

The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher opens at the Liverpool Everyman on Saturday 2 May and runs until May 23. Tickets and more info available from everymanplayhouse.com

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Outside The Box April 2026 Apr 24, 2026

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Looking for some TV suggestions? We have some. So that worked out well. Join us as we chat about Deadloch, The Pitt, Scarpetta, Euphoria, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, Secret Garden, The Dinosaurs, Babies and Bait.

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The Bush Telegraph: Ranting and raving (I'm raving) Apr 23, 2026

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What's Jen got in common with some pensioners in Barnet? Find out in this week's BT as she and Hannah talk about women's health, some bad news for women and girls in Myanmar, the "womanosphere", running marathons while pregnant and throwing some moves while middle aged or elderly.

You can read the Standard Issue Substack here: https://standardissuepodcast.substack.com/

The Government's Women's Health Strategy is here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69df5d7261d2e8e9b9e42d2e/renewed-womens-health-strategy-for-england-web-accessible.pdf

More about the Pachamama Project here: https://www.thepachamamaproject.org/

Find out more about Hotsy Totsy's family raves here: https://hotsytotsyraves.com/

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Rated or Dated: Excalibur (1981) Apr 22, 2026

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Jonathan Boorman’s epic thesp fest was a big hit at the box office and a surprise watch in the Dunleavy household. The cast list is impressive. The lighting is dark. The dialogue is as clanking as the shiny armour. And the laughs come thick, fast and mostly not on purpose. Did Mick, Hannah and Jen have a good time with all the thrusting, grunting, Arthurian legend and whole load of unexpected Geoff Tipps? And does the answer to that mean it’s a good film? Find out!

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Suze Kundu's good news is out of this world Apr 21, 2026

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A space mission that passed the Bechdel test? There’s never been such times! Mick needed no further prompting to get NASA’s finest, Dr Suze Kundu, on the Zoom to chat about bright spot amid the gloom: Artemis II. And not content with that being a feel-good story for the ages, Suze came armed with some other women-centred tales of joy in STEM.

As ever, there’s extra chat for our £5 patreons. And so if you want to know a bit more on how positive this mission has been for women in STEM, learn what’s next for Artemis and hear Suze crying at Carroll the lunar crater, visit patreon.com/standardissue.

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The Hunger, with Katriona O'Sullivan Apr 20, 2026

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After being raised by parents with addictions, professor of psychology at Maynooth University, Katriona O’Sullivan turned her experiences into bestselling non-fiction book Poor. Her follow-up, Hungry: A Biography of My Body, explores how poverty, and the sexual abuse she endured as a child, have shaped her relationship with her body.

Jen chats to Katriona about the vulnerability of neglected children and the adults they grow up to be, and the harm caused by society’s obsession with women shrinking themselves.

Help and support is available for survivors of all types of childhood abuse, via the National Association for People Abused in Childhood.

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Flicking #72: Left-Handed Girl Apr 17, 2026

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Shih-Ching Tsou’s debut feature film caused a stir at Cannes, and tickled many a reviewer’s pickle, but flew under the radar when it landed on Netflix last November. A shame for many reasons, not least because it’s by a woman about women, as the iPhone camera tracks single mum Shu-Fen, and her two daughters – five-year-old I-Jing and university-aged I-Ann – as they try to make a fresh start in their home city of Taipei. What will Yosra and Hannah make of this refreshingly wang-light pick from Mick?

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The Bush Telegraph: This is not an emergency podcast Apr 16, 2026

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Everything is totally normal in America, right? This week, special guest Helen Lewis stops by to talk to Hannah about Trump's war, Hegseth's row with the Pope, AI doom-mongering, the US at 250, and other assorted insanity. Who you gonna call? No really, who?

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