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Sentimental Garbage

Justice for Dumb Women·Hosted by Caroline O'Donoghue·226 episodes

ArtsSocietyCultureRotating guestsPop culture criticismGuilty pleasuresNostalgicStandalone episodesMini-series

Sentimental Garbage is a podcast hosted by Caroline O'Donoghue about the culture we love that society can sometimes make us feel ashamed of. Formerly a chick-lit podcast, sometimes a Sex and the City podcast. We don't know the most, we feel the most. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why listen

Sentimental Garbage is for listeners who want pop culture criticism with feeling, wit, and zero shame about loving the supposedly unserious stuff. Caroline O'Donoghue and her guests revisit books, films, TV, music, celebrity culture, and rom-com canon with the energy of a smart friend who can make a guilty pleasure feel culturally important. It is especially good if you like funny, affectionate conversations that mix nostalgia, close reading, and personal memory.

Series(1)

Episodes

1 hr 24 min
Dec 19, 2025Episode 7
Friends Thru A Lens: The Holidays with Ella Risbridger

The one where we celebrate the best festive moments of Friends, and reflect on why this timeless TV show feels most at home at Christmas. Join us for the final episode of the year, and the season finale of this mini-series - Merry Christmas all xSong credit: Oystercatcher - Merry Christmas! I Love You! I'm Falling Apart!!! - https://oystercatchr.bandcamp.com/album/gifts-winter-25 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 hr 12 min
Dec 11, 2025Episode 6
Friends Thru A Lens: 'It's all Relative' with Dr Dolly Alderton

Dr Dolly Alderton PHD rejoins us for a Freudian lens into Friends TW: Brief discussion on eating disorders (01:15:10 - 01:20:19) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 18 min
Dec 4, 2025Episode 5
Friends Thru A Lens: Joey's Acting Career with Jessie Brown Findlay

One moment, you're unemployed and playing table football against your financially stable flatmate to win enough money to pay the rent. The next, you're buying a giant dog sculpture and matching gold friendship bracelets... this week Jessie Brown Findlay joins us as we take a look back at Joey’s best moments, mad acting career, and what it takes to be a successful creative in the working world - the nominees are… *cue award ceremony montage*…  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 16 min
Nov 27, 2025Episode 4
Friends Thru A Lens: Phoebe's Upsetting Childhood with Ryan Farrell

This week, Ryan helps us dig a little deeper into the most complex and beloved Friend of them all - Princess Consuela Banana Hammock (aka Phoebe Buffay). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 33 min
Nov 20, 2025Episode 3
Friends Thru A Lens: House Parties with Alexandra Haddow

This week, queen hostess and friend of the pod Alexandra Haddow joins us to dissect the house parties of Friends - bring your red solo cups and lukewarm mixer (Fun Bobby plus ones encouraged). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 18 min
Nov 13, 2025Episode 2
Friends Thru The Lens of a Ross Apologist with Imogen West-Knights

Silence in court! This week we get our barrister wigs on and lay out the character faults of the least liked Friend - Ross Geller. Imogen West-Knights is the defence. The charges are… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 hr 11 min
Nov 6, 2025Episode 1
Friends Thru A Lens: Weddings with Kate Young

Welcome to Friends Thru A Lens, a Sentimental Garbage mini series where I talk about the show FRIENDS with a lower case-f friend through the LENS of their choosing. This week we're talking to former wedding caterer and romance novelist Kate Young about the weddings of Friends. More specifically, we're ranking them.Episodes to watch:S1 E1S2 E11 & 24S4 E23 & 24S5 E24S7 E11, 23 & 24S10 E12 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 20 min
Oct 30, 2025Episode 9
Fall Out Boy with Ashley Hamilton

An ode to the horniest group of short kings since The Monkees. Sugar, we're going down! Me and Ashley's Fall Out Boy Hate F**k playlistAshley's podcast Good Noticings Patrick Stump's upsetting op-ed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 19 min
Oct 23, 2025Episode 8
Bend It Like Beckham with Nikkitha Bakshani

This week, Nikkitha Bakshani joins us to discuss the highly requested 2002 CLASSIC Bend It Like Beckham. Don't forget your shin pads! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 15 min
Oct 16, 2025Episode 7
Remembering Diane Keaton with Fiona Zublin

"That's you and me, kid. You and me." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 47 min
Oct 6, 2025Episode 6
Taylor Swift: Life of a Showgirl

It's not her best work, but it might just be ours Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 14 min
Oct 2, 2025Episode 5
Attack The Block with Aamna Mohdin

This week we're in SE London getting chased by big glow-in-the-dark gorilla wolf aliens! The Guardian's community affairs correspondent Aamna Mohdin joins us to discuss Joe Cornish's directorial debut 'Attack The Block'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 6 min
Sep 25, 2025Episode 4
Nepo babies with Benjamin Dean

Hello? It's Brooklyn Beckham selling you his latest hobby/career on your insta feed. This week, YA author and ex-celebrity reporter Benjamin Dean joins us to discuss the fascinating epidemic of nepo babies. Grab your privilege, phone case lip gloss and parental trauma! Ben's book 'Bury Your Friends' is out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

57 min
Sep 18, 2025Episode 3
LIVE at The Strand in New York with Natasha Hodgson (+Skipshock audiobook!)

Broadway star, friend-of-the-pod and Skipshock narrator Natasha Hodgson joins Caroline on stage at The Strand to talk about friendship, creativity, Hey Arnold and magical admin. Skipshock is out on audiobook everywhere now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 15 min
Aug 21, 2025Episode 2
"The Special Relationship": The strange case of American women and English men with Monica Heisey

Taylor Swift and Matty Healy, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Carrie Bradshaw and Duncan who lives downstairs. Too Much writer and actual-lover of English men Monica Heisey returns to talk about the hundred year tradition of American girls coming to England to fall in love.Monica's book Really Good Actually is available now. Her show, Smothered is available on SKY.Tickets for Caroline's Library of National Congress National Book Festival event: https://www.loc.gov/events/2025-national-book-festival/schedule/item/event-417959/weird-times-in-otherworldly-novels-ya-with-caroline-odonoghue-and-ransom-riggs/2025-09-06/The Strand with friend of the pod Natasha Hodgson! http://eventbrite.com/e/caroline-odonoghue-skipshock-tickets-1591998192449?aff=oddtdtcreator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 hr 13 min
Aug 14, 2025Episode 1
Sentimental in the City: RIP And Just Like That

It's the last time we will (probably) ever talk about Sex and the City, so buckle up, break out the cosmos, and for god's sake – ITS JUST A BIT OF PISS. Help Abood's family: https://chuffed.org/project/120630-help-abdul-karims-family-survive-in-gazaHelp Haitham's family: https://chuffed.org/project/130692-help-haithams-family-in-gaza?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad4Er2E2-_QSDcR6VfNxgOo3TUU2inCijEj-wS4s1rrnX0xE-CogVB9TY4eYg_aem_r6TLFcfTn4i9E_AhdYZA4wHelp Nada's family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mohammeds-family-find-safety/cl/s?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_GB&ts=1755104356 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 38 min
Aug 7, 2025Episode 14
His Dark Materials: The Subtle Knife with Ella Risbridger

Lyra's back and she inexplicably has a new friend straight out of a Jacqueline Wilson novel. Phillip Pullman's The Subtle Knife tackles parallels worlds, god's existence, quantum physics, skull-drilling, and funding applications – and somehow is the greatest book for children over the age of eleven of all time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

51 min
Jul 31, 2025Episode 13
The Hunger Games Prequels: Sunrise on the Reaping

Traci Thomas is back yet again for part two of our conversation on The Hunger Games prequels. This one is on Sunrise on the Reaping!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 28 min
Jul 24, 2025Episode 12
The Hunger Games Prequels: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes with Traci Thomas

Traci Thomas is back for our deep-dive of both The Hunger Games, starting with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Next week we're doing Sunrise on the Reaping so don't say we didn't tell you.You can learn more about World Central Kitchen here: https://wck.org/relief/chefs-for-gazaResources to write to your MP here: https://www.redlineforgaza.org.uk/takeaction/searchTraci Thomas's podcast is The Stacks: https://www.instagram.com/thestackspod/?hl=en Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 20 min
Jul 17, 2025Episode 11
Return to Oz with Shon Faye

Shon Faye joins us to talk about Oz and the thrilling art of scaring children to deathYou can support Nada's family here: www.gofundme.com/f/help-mohammeds-family-find-safety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 20 min
Jul 10, 2025Episode 10
The Fall (2006) with Jen Cownie

We're finishing up our fairytale trilogy with a discussion on manipulating kids to get morphine for us. You can support Haitham's family here: https://chuffed.org/project/130692-help-haithams-family-in-gaza?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad4Er2E2-_QSDcR6VfNxgOo3TUU2inCijEj-wS4s1rrnX0xE-CogVB9TY4eYg_aem_r6TLFcfTn4i9E_AhdYZA4w Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 20 min
Jul 3, 2025Episode 9
Labyrinth with Juno Dawson

This week, Juno Dawson joins us to discuss the 1986 cult magical fantasy classic Labyrinth.If you'd like to donate to Abood, you can do so through the following link: https://chuffed.org/project/120630-help-abdul-karims-family-survive-in-gaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 5 min
Jun 26, 2025Episode 8
Shrek with Jen Cownie

We talk about Shrek! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

53 min
Jun 19, 2025Episode 7
LIVE at Hay Festival with Jack Edwards

Recorded on 24th May at the Hay Festival, join Jack Edwards and Caroline in the Welsh fields of Hay-on-Wye as they discuss writing, the power of time and Caroline's new YA novel Skipshock.SKIPSHOCK - OUT NOWHead to your local bookshop or order online: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 26 min
Jun 12, 2025Episode 6
The Princess Bride with Jen Cownie

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.SKIPSHOCK - OUT NOWHead to your local bookshop or order online: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 54 min
Jun 5, 2025Episode 5
His Dark Materials: Northern Lights with Ella Risbridger

Friend of the pod Ella Risbridger joins us for our summer fantasy book club, where we'll be covering Philip Pullman's iconic trilogy His Dark Materials.This week we kick off with the first book of the series: Northern Lights.ALSO - SKIPSHOCK IS OUT TODAY!Head to your local bookshop or order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 29 min
May 29, 2025Episode 4
Dragonheart (& dragons in general) with Samantha Shannon

Author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree Samantha Shannon comes to discuss her life-long love of Dragonheart! We talk dragons, knights, St George, dragons as elemental force, "wyrms", novels-as-video-games and the great cinematic traditions of the Dragonheart franchise.SKIPSHOCK - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 9 min
May 22, 2025Episode 3
Mermaids with Katherine Webber

Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty... get out ya shell bras and silicone tails losers, we're going swimming with Katherine Webber to dive deep into the world of mermaids.SKIPSHOCK - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 17 min
May 15, 2025Episode 2
The Hunger Games with Traci Thomas

The Stacks host Traci Thomas joins us to talk about the original Hunger Games trilogy! Mostly the books! Five stars on Uber for Suzanne Collins!SKIPSHOCK - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 34 min
May 8, 2025Episode 1
The Lord of The Rings, Ranked with Jen Cownie

Welcome to Magical Garbage - a Sentimental Garbage mini series!To celebrate the upcoming release of my new YA novel SKIPSHOCK, Sentimental Garbage is diving into the world of fantasy and exploring the magical storytelling that made us who we are, with pals old and new.This week, we're starting off with a biggy - friend of the pod Jen Cownie joins us to rank the storylines of The Lord of the Rings.SKIPSHOCK - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 5 min
Apr 3, 2025Episode 16
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Special with Sally Phillips & Alexandra Haddow

Am late, with mad hair and can barely breathe in scary knickers - this can only mean one thing...Join Caroline, comedian Alexandra Haddow and the legendary Shazzer herself, Sally Phillips, for a live Bridget Jones Special.Recorded on 26th March 2025 at the Ham Yard Hotel, Soho.Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - available to buy or rent at home now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 35 min
Mar 6, 2025Episode 15
Theme Parks with Sarah Griffin

Sarah Griffin joins us in the queue to the haunted mansion for the final episode of the season. Bring your Mary Blair Mickey ears, sick bags, childhood nostalgia, and sneaky gin tinnies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 21 min
Feb 27, 2025Episode 14
He's Just Not That Into You with Lauren Bravo

This week, Lauren Bravo joins us to discuss the self-help book turned star-studded romcom 'He's Just Not That Into You'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 27 min
Feb 20, 2025Episode 13
10 Things I Hate About You with Coco Mellors

Bestselling author Coco Mellors joins us to talk about one of our most-demanded episodes, 10 Things I Hate About YouCoco Mellors is the author of Blue Sisters and Cleopatra & Frankenstein, both in paperback now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 32 min
Feb 13, 2025Episode 12
Live at the Union Chapel with Alexandra Haddow

Recorded on Feb 6th at the Union Chapel, Caroline and Alexandra Haddow talked about 90s pop, 'relaunched' boyfriends, Working Girl, van life and what's real to them Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 27 min
Feb 6, 2025Episode 10
Tick, Tick... Boom! with Kate Young

Kate Young returns to the pod for a conversation about art, creativity, Flesh Kermit and RENT. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 17 min
Jan 30, 2025Episode 9
West Side Story with Jensen McRae

This week, musician Jensen McRae join us to discuss the iconic 1961 West Side Story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 11 min
Jan 23, 2025Episode 8
The Phantom of the Opera with Rebecca Kuang

Angel of music Rebecca Kuang emerges from her organ to talk Phantom of the Opera, gothic love, pre-teen horniness and the mystery of Gerard Butler's casting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 13 min
Jan 16, 2025Episode 7
Waitress (2007) with Janina Matthewson

Writer Janina Matthewson joins us this week to discuss Adrienne Shelly's delicious 2007 film Waitress. Bring pie please. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 49 min
Jan 9, 2025Episode 6
Continental Garbage: Hook (1991)

FILM DISCUSSION BEGINS AT 36.04We're back on the continent with Jen Cownie and this time, we're talking Norway, New Years and nude saunas. We also cry about Hook (1991) and consider whether Caroline might be ready for therapy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 8 min
Jan 2, 2025Episode 5
Mean Girls (2024) with Okechukwu Nzelu

Welcome back to Sentimental Garbage, where the sequel is better than the original and the movie is better than the book. This week, Caroline admits she was wrong about Mean Girls the musical and guest Okechukwu Nzelu reminds her what was so good about the franchise to begin with. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 23 min
Dec 19, 2024Episode 4
The Richard Curtis Christmas Special!

He's England's answer to Nora Ephron and knows that love is the most important thing in the world - this Christmas special, Caroline and friend of the pod Ella Risbridger dive deep into the world of Richard Curtis and his iconic romcom universe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 21 min
Dec 12, 2024Episode 3
The Sound of Music with Katherine Rundell

This week we've been thirst von trapped by the Captain - it's the 1965 film adaptation of 'The Sound of Music'.Sentimental Garbage is live for one night only at the Union Chapel this February 6th: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbageJoin us at the afterparty! https://www.designmynight.com/london/pubs/angel/the-old-queens-head/sentimental-garbage-the-afterparty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 21 min
Dec 5, 2024Episode 2
Hairspray (2007) with Ryan Farrell

In which we become extremely emotional about the private life of Edna TurnbladSentimental Garbage x War Child: https://everpress.com/warchild-x-sentimentalgarbageSentimental Garbage live: https://unionchapel.org.uk/whats-on/sentimental-garbage-live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 49 min
Nov 28, 2024Episode 1
Wicked with Natasha Hodgson

If you're sick of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande crying and pawing at each other during the Wicked press tour, then skip on past this episode. Please expect pawing, clawing, crying, and holding space. ALSO – we are launching Sentimental Garbage's FIRST EVER merch drop in support of War Child. Head over to https://everpress.com/warchild-x-sentimentalgarbage to start feeling the most. War Child are driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war. They work in the hardest to reach places to support those who are hardest hit, to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children living in areas of conflict.We're also doing a live show this February! Come see us at the Union Chapel on Feb 6: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 28 min
Nov 7, 2024Episode 20
Taffy Brodesser-Akner is a Swiftocrat

Author of Long Island Compromise and Fleishman Is in Trouble Taffy Brodesser-Akner joins Caroline for a special edition episode to discuss their favourite Taylor Swift songs.SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE LIVEThursday 6th February 2025 @Union Chapel, London UKTickets out now: www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56 min
Sep 12, 2024Episode 19
Continental Garbage: The Last Postcard

It's the final postcard of Continental Garbage - today we recap on the series and our summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 34 min
Sep 5, 2024Episode 18
Continental Garbage: Gone Girl

We're outta here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 26 min
Aug 29, 2024Episode 17
Continental Garbage: Emily in Paris

in which a woman with no back story and no trauma simply enjoys herself in Paris. Groundbreaking, no? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 46 min
Aug 22, 2024Episode 16
Continental Garbage: The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

This week Blake Lively is having a shocker so we watch The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants TW: sexual assault, suicide, grief! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.