STAN
You think you could be besties with Hailey Bieber? Cute.
We explore obsessive celebrity worship, parasocial relationships and digital intimacy. Each episode centres on a cultural icon or phenomenon—ranging from The Hunger Games, erotic fiction, 2010s YouTubers and (of course) Taylor Swift—to unpack how the media we consumed, particularly during our formative years, shaped our desires, ideals, and sense of self.
Tangents Include:
- Why we expect celebrities to be moral compasses, activists and entrepreneurs
- The deification and subsequent ‘dethroning’ of women in media (e.g. Blake Lively)
- The constant access to celebrities through social media, and our sense of ‘ownership’ over them (i.e. we made you what you are, therefore you owe us)
- How our early media diets reflected and influenced what we value, what we want, and who we are
- The evolution of fandom in an age where access is constant and attention is monetised
Listen on:
Episodes
7 days ago
Wednesday Jan 07, 2026
Wednesday Jan 07, 2026
Our marvellous guest Marilyn leads the conversation on twihard mania. We talk about the accidental success of the Twilight saga , the seductive wealth of the Cullens and the redeeming(?) qualities of Bella Swan as a female lead (jury's still out) Tangents include....
- the inevitability of crushing on authority figures
- the inaccuracy of representations of depression in pop culture
- the role of religion in young adult fiction
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Our luminescent guest Lydia leads the conversation on the height of the YouTuber era in 2010s. We touch on vicarious living through lifestyle content, the ethics of childhood media exposure and the co-opting of content by thirsty corporations. Tangents include...
- the disappearance of our collective attention spans
- the enduring myth of the American dream
- the healing capacity of James Bond
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Our amazing guest Kasey leads the conversation on American Girl, the dolls that defined a generation of playtime. We talk about the stages of educational and empathetic development, representation in toys and the darkness of American history. Tangents include...
- the unacknowledged difficulty of learning to read
- the consequences of the concerning rise of iPad kids
- the events of 9/11, i guess?
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
tw: sexual references (...obviously)
Our fabulous guest Jaylene leads the conversation on the growth of erotica produced by and for women. We talk about fan fiction, healthy sexual dynamics and women driven fantasies. Less serious tangents include...
- The romantic appeal of Brazil
- Harry Styles's hero's journey as "the world's boyfriend"
- The definitive hierarchy of Danish supermarket chains (iykyk)
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Our glorious guest Kat returns to continue the conversation on One Direction's impact on young women during the height of their fame.
Less serious tangents include...
- Growing popularity and variety of erotic literature
- Having 'problematic faves' (e.g. Matty Healy)
- Reminiscing over Topshop's high street hegemony
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Our glorious guest Kat leads the conversation on One Direction's impact on young women and the dis/advantages of having access to endless content during their developmental years.
Less serious tangents include...
- the flood of Americans moving to London
- the hell of teenage social dynamics
- explaining 'internet friends' to your parents
This episode was so juicy we made it into a two parter - enjoy!
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Our brilliant guest Zara leads the conversation on the Kardashian's impact on culture, beauty and the nature of celebrity.
Less serious tangents include...
how dating evolves with age
misogyny in the workplace
yacht propaganda
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
tw: mental health, body dysmorphia & sexual abuse
Our incredible guest Hannah leads the conversation on Katniss Everdeen's impact on confidence & resilience in the face of hardship.
Less serious tangents include....
- Hypochondriac crashouts
- Making friends as an adult
- Misogynist double standards in sports
and the all important question...is it possible to be hot whilst wearing a balaclava?