The Poshcast

https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/6580109d54315600176e6e3d

2.9K Followers 5 Episodes

Welcome to The Poshcast, a riotously funny and irreverent examination of modern social norms, what ‘the done thing is’ these days and the dirtiest c-word of all: class. Forget war! Forget energy prices! Forget civilisation burning to a crisp or being taken over by robots! Instead, turn to The Poshcast to debate the real questions that divide Britain. Is yours a shoes-on or shoes-off household? Have the Cotswolds become the naffest place in the country? And is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as basic as a premiership footballer now he has a double-barrelled name? It’s hosted by Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson, two good pals who met a few years ago at a party and bonded over dogs and writing bonkbusters while knocking back margaritas. After a childhood spent riding ponies, then a spell at Tatler before writing several novels featuring eccentric toffs, Sophia brings her lifelong understanding of the aristocracy to the table; Cleo worked in Conservative politics before writing a couple of very saucy novels not at all based on her experiences of Lords calling women ‘fillies’ or bundling MPs out of strip clubs. Together, with the tally-ho enthusiasm of two Jilly Cooper characters, they will navigate you through the choppy waters of how to behave nowadays. Every week, Sophia and Cleo will discuss a big talking point, ranging from Waitrose to Range Rovers, Dubai to dog breeds, straightforward shooting weekends to Secret Santa. No subject is off-limits in our valiant quest to decode what ‘posh’ really means. And there’ll be listener input, too, because we want to help tackle the country’s thorniest etiquette questions. How do you tell your host in advance that you’re on Mounjaro? Should you dump a man because of his shoes? And how best to navigate the tricky ‘bathroom’ issue on the first weekend away with a new lover? Towards the end of each episode, they will pick their favourite bit of manners mail and offer their helpful thoughts on the subject. Because like it or loathe it, Britain’s favourite hobby remains pretending not to care about class while quietly caring about it very much, judging everything from your kitchen taps to your holiday destination, and whether you say ‘toilet’ or ‘loo’. The spirit of Hyacinth Bucket lives on! Do, please, keep on your shoes, take off your gloves and hold on to your hats for The Poshcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode List

Why the Americanisation of weddings has to stop

Jul 9th, 2026 5:00 AM

On this week’s Poshcast, Sophia and Cleo tackle the minefield of matrimony. They celebrate why Brits do weddings best, while questioning the creeping influence of American imports - from the over-the-top spectacle of Taylor Swift’s recent wedding at Madison Square Garden to irritating trends like rehearsal dinners, endless speeches, and the horror of "plus ones" who are total strangers. Plus, they debate a listener’s scorching dilemma: is it acceptable to pack a portable air conditioning unit for a weekend away at a friend's place? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone for tennis? Wimbledon, wearing whites and wild cards

Jul 2nd, 2026 4:45 AM

On this week’s Poshcast, Sophia and Cleo don their whites to discuss Wimbledon – the soothing “thwack” soundtrack, the strawberries and cream and, of course, the slightly squiffy spectators. However, can tennis still claim to be the poshest summer ballsport? Sophia serves up the defence, despite her own lack of racquet skills, and Cleo lobs in a particularly posh tennis memory involving the Princess of Wales. Plus they debate a listener's question about asking for honeymoon donations as a wedding gift, and they finally crown the Poshcast’s taxidermied mouse mascot. You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk.Video Producer: Carla MercerSocial Editor: Ruby BorgExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsHighlights:Is tennis still the poshest summer sport? Do I have to contribute to my friends' honeymoon fund as a wedding gift?Chapters:00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast00:44 Sophia’s Sex Cruise03:33 Wimbledon Obsession05:09 Tennis Shame and Injuries07:40 Caribbean Tennis with Royals11:34 How Tennis Got Posh15:02 Getting Into Wimbledon18:09 Wimbledon Etiquette and Whites20:40 Padel Takes Over22:52 Cricket Jumpers24:00 Golf Club Snobbery25:03 Croquet, Boules And Holiday Games27:36 Football: Posh or Not?29:55 Wimbledon Crushes31:03 Honeymoon Fund Etiquette37:23 Naming The Taxidermy Mouse38:57 Final Thanks Sign Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Poshcast Heatwave Guide: Is it ever OK for a man to wear an open-toed shoe?

Jun 25th, 2026 5:00 AM

Welcome to The Poshcast with Cleo Watson and Sophia Money-Coutts, two Jilly Cooper characters transposed into 2026.This week Sophia and Cleo discuss how to survive this heatwave sartorially, from office shorts to avoiding sweat patches. Plus they tackle the great question of our time: is it ever ok for a man to wear an open-toed shoe?And the question from the audience this week is about the minefield of modern greetings, prompted by Prince Edward kissing the King on both cheeks at Ascot last week. Sophia delves into her copy of Debrett’s for guidance on handshakes, hugs, air kisses, and whether you can get away with more flamboyance as an Italian Duke.You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iVP6Gc7pl1YSend your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk.Video Producer: Carla MercerSocial Editor: Ruby BorgExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsHighlights:Is it ever OK for a man to wear an open-toed shoe?How to greet someone: one kiss or two?Chapters:00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast03:11 Hippo and Dennis update05:58 Listener Feedback Roast08:49 Heatwave Dressing17:20 Men’s Sandal Debate25:42 Modern Greetings Etiquette31:40 Debrett’s Social Kissing Rules34:36 Mouse Naming Finale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Picnic etiquette, bad Father’s Day cards, and is Ascot now a little bit naff?

Jun 18th, 2026 5:00 AM

Ascot: posh pastime or plain naff?Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Poshcast with Cleo Watson and Sophia Money-Coutts, your favourite group-chat in podcast form.Join Sophia and Cleo as they delve into the murky world of modern social norms, class anxiety and all matters that generate furious online opinions. This week we are donning our hats (never fascinators) to talk Ascot - how to say it, the dress-code minefield from jumpsuits to compulsory socks, and why the whole thing can feel like a pricey, performative logistical nightmare unless you’ve arrived by helicopter.Plus we’ll wade into picnic politics (Scotch eggs, leaking deli tubs and Fortnum hampers), discuss the apparently atrocious standard of Father's Day cards these days, and ask listeners to christen The Poshcast mouse-mascot with a suitably befitting title.You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CyEqqzeY6BMSend your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk.Ban ‘picky bits’ and pre-mixed cans: My rules for the ultimate picnic, Sophia Money-Coutts: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/13/my-rules-for-the-ultimate-picnic/BBC Archive 1983: What’s your perfect picnic?: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZEwjeKgAgI/?igsh=aDB1OWtkaG9tMHQ3Video Producer: James EnglandExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsHighlights:Is Ascot now a little bit naff?Who is buying these crude Father's Day cards?Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast05:42 Bath Weekend Confessions08:47 Picnics and Picky Bits11:03 Picnic Practicalities15:03 Prince George School Scoop16:27 Ascot Hats and Pronunciation18:48 Should You Even Go20:32 Car Park Picnic Culture23:48 Flat vs Jump Racing25:05 Dress Codes Explained30:29 Listener Fathers Day Dilemma38:08 Taxidermy Mouse Mascot39:22 See you Next Week Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming soon: The Poshcast

Jun 10th, 2026 8:49 PM

Join Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson on The Poshcast a new podcast from The Telegraph.Available every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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