Listen Now

The On the Rag team meet one more time to talk about how the Covid-19 crisis affects women and what you can do to cope. It's our last podcast for a little while so crack open a bottle of something fizzy and join us as we undergo what is basically a group therapy session. We are one week into national lockdown and starting to settle into our new normal, and there is much to discuss. How does Covid-19 affect woman specifically? Is this going to be the end of the beauty industry? And why is everyone so horny?Beyond that, we'd just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of the On the Rag community over the past five years. We've laughed together, we've cried together, we've raged together. It's not goodbye forever, just goodbye for now x  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The On the Rag team assemble to dissect the previous month in news, media and feminism. It's somehow the end of February so we're here to look back at the month in Women's Stuff. Uniform shorts are sending young women into counselling sessions at a a local high school, but why? How the hell did anyone think Hannah Tamaki was going to make it onto Dancing With the Stars NZ without a fuss? And how crucial is the Weinstein verdict to the #MeToo movement?Beyond that, we have some news about the future of the podcast (it's not soooo bad), share our cool tips of the month and work through the horror of getting the ECP at the chemist. It's also Mercury Retrograde, so don't blame us for the chaotic energy, swear words and fumbled sentences that go nowhere. You have been warned.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The On the Rag team assemble to dissect what feels like the longest month in human history. We're back for another year to yarn about all things to do with women in the news and media, along with some other things that have nothing to do with anything. The first month of 2020 has come to a close and we already feel like we have lived a million lives. How can you focus on your 2020 resolutions when the sky is orange? Why do people not want to talk about Kobe's past? And why is Gwyneth selling vagina candles?Beyond that, we recommend our favourite holiday reads and TV shows, go down the sad rabbit-hole of Stefan Molyneux's Twitter, check in with the horror of the Weinstein trial and share our favourite tips of the month. Oh, and Michéle interviewed Margaret Atwood for The Project, so she's basically one of us now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join various hosts of The Spinoff podcasts Gone by Lunchtime, On The Rag, The Real Pod, Paper Cuts, The Offspin, and Dietary Requirements as we look back at the car crash that was 2019.In this special end of year podcast hosted by Leonie Hayden, we dissect the country's response to national disasters, the highs and lows of MAFS, international literary scandals, the madness and tragedy of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Mad Chapman's Pulitzer Prize-winning chip ranking and more, plus we add our entries to the official The Spinoff 2019 Honours and Dishonours board.Pour yourself a Baileys and settle in.Check out more of our podcasts here including the pop up pod The Spinoff Book Out Loud (The Spinoff Book is available in stores now). If you want to continue to support the work we do, behind the mic or on the site, check out The Spinoff Members, where you can support independent media for as a little as a dollar a week!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. As Christmas breathes down our necks and summer threatens us with bikini waxing, it's time to have a bit of a rage. November was a rough month for women in New Zealand. The Grace Millane trial was dragged through the media in excruciating detail, and the public examination of her sex life reminded us that women just can't win either way. We reflect on how it all played out, and look at some ways to help out of all the sadness.We also talk about how to get ready for summer (you don't actually need to do anything) and how self-care might all be a crock of shit. Also: TI is a terrible man, male birth control is here if he can stomach a shot to the nuts, and you simply have to read this bonkers story about an influencer and her ghost writer.Make sure you head to our Facebook page for a chance to win The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls and enjoy their bestseller list for November:1. Olive, Again – Elizabeth Strout2. WomanKind: New Zealand Women Making a Difference – Margie Thomson3. Girl, Woman, Other – Bernadine Evaristo4. The Testaments – Margaret Atwood5. The Dutch House – Ann Patchett6. The Political Years – Marilyn Waring7. Purakau: Maori Myths Retold by Maori Writers – Whiti Hereaka & Witi Ihemaera8. Where the Crawdad's Sing - Delia Owens9. Someone's Wife – Linda Burgess10. Scented – Laurence Fearnley  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special episode of On the Rag, we are joined by author, activist and feminist hero Gloria Steinem ahead of the launch of her new book "The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off". For 20 minutes we get to pick her glorious brain about everything we can think of – climate change, the role of humour in feminism, indigenous rights and what books are on her nightstand right now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. Boo! We witches are back for a scary Halloween podcast, after a month where Freddy Krueger (Harvey Weinstein) showed his face in public and was courageously confronted by two women in Los Angeles. There's also been a terrifyingly bad cartoon drawn about nasty mothers and their beloved phones, and Ernst and Young have issued a 55 page briefing for their female staff that is so shocking it could wake the dead.There's also the problem with Lonely lingerie, a mansplain to end all mansplains and an absurd interaction during a facial. All of that, plus also the things we’ve been watching and reading this month – including Big Mouth on Netflix, Jenny Slate's comedy special, and this phenomenal piece about beauty influencers. Make sure you head to our Facebook page for a chance to win Scented by Laurence Fearnley (and perfume!) and enjoy their bestseller list for October:The Dutch House by Ann PatchettThe Testaments by Margaret AtwoodWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia OwensOn Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean VuongYear of the Monkey by Patti SmithThe Strength of Eggshells by Kirsty PowellLost in the Spanish Quarter by Heddi GoodrichBruny by Heather RoseNo One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta ThunbergGirl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. It's been a big month for young women using their voice. Greta Thunberg admonished leaders at the UN for not doing enough for the dying planet, which annoyed brave old media boys who think teens should just stick to doing the dishes. Closer to home, a young woman within the Labour Party detailed allegations of sexual assault from a party staffer, and shone on a light on what appeared to be a broken system for dealing with survivors. Both made an immeasurable impact.We walk about all of that, plus also the things we've been watching and reading this month – including Unbelievable on Netflix, Late Night, this phenomenal piece written about sex work. Make sure you head to our Facebook page for a chance to win Gloria's Voice by Aura Lewis and enjoy their bestseller list for September:1) The Testaments by Margaret Atwood2) Moth Hour by Anne Kennedy3) No One is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg4) The Dutch House by Ann Patchett5) On Earth We're Briefly Georgeous by Ocean Vuong6) Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner7) Happiness by Aminatta Forna8) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson9) Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck10) Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

ex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. Mother Earth? What about Father Earth?! In cool news, the world is on fire and some men aren't using reusable bags because they think it makes them look less masculine. There's also the scarily familiar story JJ Feeney taxi assault case, a bold step forward in abortion reform and Marco Pierre White deciding that women don't belong in the kitchen at all because they are too emotional.Plus, our recommended books and movies of the month including Glow, Late Night and Booksmart. Get into it!Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win My First Words in Māori by Stacey Daniels and enjoy their bestsellers for August:1) Wild Honey: Reading New Zealand Women's Poetry by Paula Green2) The Track by Paula Green3) The Bomb by Sacha Cotter & Josh Morgan4) Lost & Wanted by Nell Freudenberger5) Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane6) Go Went Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck7) Three Women by Lisa Taddeo8) Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie9) Circe by Madeline Miller10) Big Sky by Kate Atkinson  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. This month on On the Rag, we have a lot of making up to do after skipping out on our July episode. You haven't missed much though, because Brian Tamaki is still screaming about abortion being premeditated murder! As if demonic pagan rituals weren't enough, we also celebrate the mana wahine protecting Ihumātao, the positive changes being made around the sexual assault court process and laugh at the men who still think they can win a point against Serena Williams.Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, and enjoy their bestsellers for July:A Teaching Life by Carol WhiteGo, Went, Gone by Jenny ErpenbeckStardust: We always share the same sky by Ivana MlinacBig Sky by Kate AtkinsonHappiness by Aminatta FornaCelestial Bodies by Jokha AlharthiMachines Like Me by Ian McEwanThree Women by Lisa TaddeoAn American Marriage by Tayari JonesWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. Rough winds do shake the darling pod of May, but that won't stop the On the Rag team huddling together in the midst of a thunderstorm. Not to get all Gone by Lunchtime on you, but it's been a wild month for people in politics making truly bizarre statements, from Brian Tamaki to Alfred Ngaro, to the New Conservatives and their proposed Minister for Men.There's also the joys of Fleabag season two, some hearty chat about how best to tackle a digital detox and a peek at the scary corners of the internet. Incels are now getting plastic surgery to look like Chads, pick-up artists are flooding forums with the best places to "target" women and Golriz Ghahraman has shared her experience with online abuse.Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win two tickets to The Women’s Bookshop's 30th birthday party, and enjoy their bestsellers for May:1) The Political Years by Marilyn Waring2) Finding Frances Hodgkins by Mary Kisler3) This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman4) Dead People I Have Known by Shayne Carter5) Ordinary People by Diana Evans6) Tin Man by Sarah Winman7) Happiness by Aminatta Forna8) Encyclopedia of Grannies by Eric Veille9) Attraction by Ruby Porter10) Purakau: Maori Myths Retold by Maori Writers edited by Whiti Hereaka and Witi Ihimaera  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. This month on On the Rag, we look back at the month of April and yes we are very late and we’re very sorry. Mother’s Day is around the corner, and brands are doing the absolute most to make the worst gift suggestions of all time. Farmers is encouraging you to buy 11 different hair removal machines, and Michael Hill wants you to buy your Work Mum a lovely pair of studs, too.There’s also story about a woman asked to cover up at her local pool, the viral breasts that reminded us all we have no idea what our bodies look like and a hurtful character lurking inAvengers: Endgame. We also nominate our Kia Ora Kuini of the month and remind you all that our webseries also exists and you should really watch it.Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win Biased by Jennifer Eberhardt from The Women’s Bookshop, and enjoy their bestsellers for April:1. Living & Caring: A Guide for Carers & People with Parkinson’s by Ann Andrews & Jennifer Dann2. Loving Sylvie by Elizabeth Smither3. Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer4. Happiness by Aminatta Forna5. Tin Man by Sarah Winman6. Machines Like Me  by Ian McEwen7. Milkman by Anna Burns8. Womankind: New Zealand Women Making a Difference by Margie Thomson9. Lost and Wanted by Nell Freudenberger10. The Recipe by Josh EmettPour yourself a glass of strong something and get involved with the official hashtag #otrpod, or click here to like us on Facebook.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, Michèle A’Court and Mahvash Ali tackle the past month in women, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. For our March episode we have brought in an extra special guest to reflect on the month in New Zealand that was. Mahvash Ali is a producer for The Project NZ, and describes herself a sassy Muslim woman, a motor mouth, and claims that coffee is addicted to HER. She also brings with her a wealth of knowledge about Muslim feminism and institutional racism in New Zealand. What are some misconceptions that people have about Muslim women and oppression? How can we continue to support our Muslim communities following the Christchurch terror attacks? And why did nobody heed the warnings from Muslim women for years? All that, and more hilarious uses for the hijab than you ever thought possible.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, news and popular culture, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. A very late February episode of On the Rag appears, complete with Michele's pitch perfect Jordan B. Peterson impersonation, outrage over gender fluid clothing and some scary truths about a world built for men. Why is the office air con always too cold for women? Why would an architect make a glass-floored balcony? And why are iPhones just too damn big for our lady hands? Beyond that, we look at how to decorate your home to appeal for men. Get rid of that cactus! Prints! And definitely no women in your art! We also look at a few stories which allegedly sparked outrage, backlash and hellfire this month and ask: are feminists actually as angry as the media is making us out to be? Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win Womankind: New Zealand Women Making a Difference by Margie Thomson from The Women’s Bookshop, and enjoy their bestsellers for February: The Book of Knowing: Know How You Think, Change How You Feel  by Gwendoline Smith Normal People by Sally Rooney Ottolenghi Simple by Yotam Ottolenghi Becoming: Michelle Obama Milkman by Anna Burns Hello Darkness by Peter Wells Less by Andrew Sean Greer The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris Tin Man by Sarah Winman Ruth Bader Ginsburg: In Her Own Words edited by Helena Hunt Pour yourself a glass of strong something and get involved with the official hashtag #otrpod, or click here to like us on Facebook. Download this episode (right click and save) or stream using the player below. You can subscribe using iTunes, Stitcher or your favourite podcast client (RSS feed). And now we’re available on Spotify!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listen to Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Michèle A’Court tackle the past month in women, news and popular culture, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. It began with a Gillette razor and it ended with a whole week of New Zealand rape culture under a microscope. January was a rough one for sure, so join us in our extremely hot studio as we try to figure out what in the hell is going on around us. Why give The Roast Busters a voice? Why should a woman be ordered to pay her abuser in court? And what in the hell does Piers Morgan have to be angry about NOW? We also look at the rise of body dysmorphia thanks to social media and selfie filters, ask The Pope himself to apologise for ruining the pill for decades, and atone for our feminist sins of the month. Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win What You Wish For by Catherine Robertson from The Women’s Bookshop, and enjoy their bestsellers for January: 1. Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver 2. The Flame by Leonard Cohen 3. Happiness by Aminatta Forna 4. Less: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer 5. Normal People by Sally Rooney 6. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman 7. Ottolenghi Simple by Yotam Ottolenghi 8. The Fast 800: How to Combine Rapid Weight Loss & Intermittent Fasting for Long-term Health by Michael Mosley 9. Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie 10. Becoming by Michele Obama Pour yourself a glass of strong something and get involved with the official hashtag #otrpod, or click here to like us on Facebook.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listen to Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Madeleine Chapman tackle the past YEAR in women, news and popular culture, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. We made it everyone! It's last episode of On the Rag for the year, and we are more than ready to say goodbye to 2018. But first, we must look back. December was a time of hurt for women across New Zealand, as the murder of Grace Millane brought violence against women into the spotlight once more. So what do you say to the #notallmen? And how did the relentless media circus make us women feel? We also look at our often unspoken personal safety measures, and the tyranny of taxis. But where there is shade, there is also light. We nominate our Yas Queens of the year, and cast an eye back to the highlights of 2018 including abortion reform, Jacinda, and the cool women who have infiltrated mainstream media. Also, if you need hot tips for Christmas stress and present-buying, we've got it in spades. Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win an amazing books package from The Women’s Bookshop, and enjoy their bestsellers for December. Pour yourself a glass of strong something and get involved with the official hashtag #otrpod, or click here to like us on Facebook.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the now-annual event of the year, five of our podcasts' hosts join forces like a mighty end of year podcast rat-king.Join Gone by Lunchtime, On The Rag, The Real Pod, Pod on the Couch and Dietary Requirements in regurgitating the highlights and lowlights of the year that was, and pondering the year that will be. In this special Christmas episode hosted by Leonie Hayden, we talk about the The Beths, amassing a Cornie army, and we also add our entries to the 2018 Honours and Dishonurs list.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A very special episode with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. They said it couldn't be done. They said we couldn't get Clementine Ford back to do another pod. But we did, and here it is. Promoting her new book Boys Will Be Boys, Clementine spends an hour in The Spinoff studio to answer everything you've ever wanted to know about feminism, the patriarchy, and dealing with goblins and/or trolls. What is toxic masculinity? How does she feel about ACT kicking up a stink about her? And what does "boys will be boys" really mean in 2018? Pour yourself a glass of strong something and get involved with the official hashtag #otrpod, or click here to like us on Facebook.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listen to Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Madeleine Chapman tackle the past month in women, news and popular culture, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. This month Madeleine Chapman steps in for Michele A'Court as we dissect the October in womanhood. The fancy royal couple were here for a bit, the government is finally pushing abortion reform along and one Otago girls' school is finally wearing the pants. In sporting news, Black Ferns merch is still incredibly hard to come by – unless you are Trevor Mallard. Beyond that, we share our favourite things to watch and read this month, confess to our feminist sins and talk about the perils of shaving our legs for the summer months. Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win Boys Will Be Boys by Clementine Ford and enjoy The Women’s Bookshop bestsellers for October below. For even more literary goodness, snap yourself up a ticket for Ladies Litera-tea in November. We might see you there!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listen to Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Michele A’Court tackle the past month in women, news and popular culture, with thanks to our friends at The Women’s Bookshop. September was a huge month for women both in New Zealand and elsewhere, as we celebrated 125 years of suffrage and watched our Prime Minister hold her baby in the UN's general assembly. There were also things that weren't so great – Leighton Smith whinged a lot and the Brett Kavanaugh saga ripped open some painful wounds once more. Beyond that, we share our favourite things to watch and read this month, confess to our feminist sins and look at the best Twitter clap backs by our favourite women. Head to our Facebook page for a chance to win The Sound of Breaking Glass by Kirsten Warner, and enjoy The Women’s Bookshop bestsellers for September below.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.