Standard Issue Podcast

Samira Ahmed’s inside the box

Journalist, writer and broadcaster Samira Ahmed is a busy woman. Through the Square Window, her new(ish) podcast with Graham Kibble-White guides listeners through UK TV of decades gone by. It’s nostalgia with a keen critical eye, examining what TV reflected about and indeed brought to British culture. With telly very much still at the forefront, Samira’s also penned the forthcoming BFI Film Classics volume on 1964 Beatles’ movie A Hard Day’s Night. She chats to Mick about TV, its role in our daily life, how her mum taught men to cook, and what the telly can tell us about a social moment. And of course, the Fab Four’s first film and what makes it such a great ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elinor Cleghorn on the radical history of mothering

The work of mothering has been undervalued for centuries, relegated to the sidelines thanks to patriarchal control of history. In her new book, A Women’s Work: Reclaiming the Radical History of Mothering, acclaimed author Dr Elinor Cleghorn brings stories of mothering out of the shadows to show how the women in them shaped history. Jen chats to Elinor about the book, the denigration of mothering as “women’s work”, and the lessons we could learn (as well a few we could forget) from the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outside The Box March 2026

In this month's round-up of the best and worst TV, we're talking about A Woman of Substance, Gone, Rooster, The Lady, DTF St Louis and Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bush Telegraph: Because we got high

Hannah’s been looking for light at the end of the endlessly depressing news-tunnel and found it in the case of seven Adams County sheriff’s officers vs Joseph “Afroman” Foreman, as well as some delightful canine antics. There’s less happy news about top schools excluding SEND pupils, but a little Brucey bonus if you like not retraumatising victims of domestic abuse. Elsewhere, a gold rush ensues at the athletics, and Jenny Off The Blocks also ponders new FIFA rules on coaches in women’s football. Want to support us and enjoy additional content? Of course you do. And you can: patreon.com/standardissue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rated or Dated: Best In Show (2001)

Christopher Guest’s second time in the director’s chair involved him putting on a dog show. Co-written with Eugene Levy, this fake documentary about the people getting their pooches ready for the prestigious Mayflower Dog Show (and then the show itself) stars Michael McKean, Catherine O’Hara, Jane Lynch, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, John Michael Higgins, Michael Hitchcock and Jennifer Coolidge. And loads of dogs. Will Mick, Hannah and Jen give it a blue rosette or send it home with its tail between its legs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices