Cross Culture

Adolescence, Mormon-core and a cheeky engagement

Well well well, here we are at the half-way mark for Season 2 - can you blooming believe it?! 
 
Today we talk about Belle’s big news, we ponder whether Finland truly exists, and we learn nothing about Mormonism. Plus, we couldn’t not talk about Adolescence, could we? And this is where we want to offer you a little warning - Adolescence deals with some heavy topics (violence, sexual assault, murder,) and so, we naturally talk those things through, too. If that means that this isn’t the right episode for you, we totally understand. Take care of yourselves, friends. 
 
Until next week, 
Windle and Tindall x
 
The Happiness Index, BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr72xep44kdo 
Adolescence, Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81756069 
Laura Bates, Men Who Hate Women: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Men-Who-Hate-Women-misogyny/dp/1471194337
The Secret World of Incels, C4: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-secret-world-of-incels-untold 
We Need to Talk... About Race, Ben Lindsay: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Need-Talk-About-Race-Christian-ebook/dp/B0D8BJ7J8H 
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Disney+: https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-58cd73be-408d-4eed-8e3d-82339f3f93e2 
Devil In The Family, Disney+: https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-302e037b-92b9-4c45-8acd-a0db60d5a159 
 
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

MAFS (again), Love in Exile and Harry Potter reboot cast rumours

Tomorrow is international day of happiness friends and we couldn’t be happier with all the ground we covered on this week’s show. 
 
You want to know what on Earth’s been going on on Married At First Sight Australia? We’ve got you covered. Keen for some of the best books, both Christian and not Christian but with a surprise Christian ending? We’ve got that too. Want to chat the Harry Potter reboot, the return of Ted Lasso, Black Mirror and Freaky Friday? Such a coincidence… we do too.
 
Enjoy folks.
 
Love In Exile:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Exile-Shon-Faye/dp/0241605989/ref=asc_df_0241605989
 
Normal, Imperfect Heroes:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Normal-Imperfect-Heroes-failures-leadership/dp/028109098X
 
Wild Bright Hope:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0281091005/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0 
 
Harry Potter cast rumours: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/harry-potter-tv-series-cast#intcid=_gq-uk-verso-hp-trending_40ee6d73-fb64-499c-8c76-b3cb6b3d054b_popular4-2 
 
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Meghan Markle, the King's biggest tunes and Glasto's 2025 line-up

What do Elizabeth Oldfield’s book, Meghan Markle’s basil seeds, and Billie Piper’s decoy have  in common?! They’re all mentioned in this episode of Cross Culture. No, I’m not kidding. This may just be our most varied episode yet. 
 
And, you know what?! You’re welcome, good people. 
 
Until next time, 
Your pals - Windle and Tindall x 
 
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Bad politics, Timothée's ambition and Kanye and Bianca

The wait is over.
 
Winter has passed, the spring has come and Cross Culture is BACK. IN. ACTION. 
 
And my gosh do we have some things to catch up on. This episode is all about rounding up the biggest moments of the past few weeks - Timothee Chalamet being very ambitious, Bianca Censori being very naked, and Trump being… well, very Trump.  
 
Oh, it’s good to be back. 
 
This season, you - our dearest listeners - can get in touch. We’d love to hear your questions, your recommendations and just some good old fashioned feedback. Get in touch via:  podcrossculture@gmail.com
 
Until next week, friends. 
Windle and Tindall x  

Christmas Special and 2024 round up

It’s the final episode of season one of Cross Culture. Can you believe it?! Well, you can weep about it into your tub of celebrations because it’s also the Christmas Special, baby. 
 
We, Lauren and Belle, give you our review of 2024 - offering our biggest ‘moments’, ‘heroes’, ‘plot-twists’ and ‘trends’. And then, we get christmassy with it. We talk sit-com specials, cheesy Netflix Christmas films, advent content, and Gavin and Stacey predictions. All for your listening pleasure (and for ours too, if we’re honest).
 
We have truly loved spending these past couple of months with you and cannot wait to join you again in 2025. But until then, it’s a merry cheerio from us. 
Much love, 
The Twindles x 
 
For the advent books: Honest Advent by Scott Erickson, Morgan Harper Nichols | Waterstones 
Advent by Fleming Rutledge | Waterstones
 
For the Motherland Christmas special (it’s better than Belle made it sound, we promise): Motherland - Christmas Special - BBC iPlayer
 
For the Hallmark Christmas film connoisseurs among you: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81766198
https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81764579
https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81045305
 
For Seen and Unseen’s Christmas countdown: seenandunseen.com / Instagram 
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Jordan Peterson, brat summers and homelessness

I know what you’re thinking: where oh where can I find a conversation that stretches from Rowan Williams’ theology to Charlie XCX’s ‘brat summer’?
 
Well, thank the Heavens - you’re in the right place. Welcome, dear friend, to episode 9 of Cross Culture. 
 
It’s another wonderfully-wide reaching episode where we chat about our friends, Rowan and Charlie, and also about manifesting, how it feels when God breaks your heart for something/someone, sober-curious-ness, and what we’re willing to watch with our parents. 
 
Links: 
 
For Rowan’s review of ‘We Who Wrestle With God’: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/20/we-who-wrestle-with-god-by-jordan-b-peterson-review-a-culture-warrior-out-of-his-depth
 
Esquire’s ‘The Invisible Man’: https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a62875397/homelessness-in-america/?src=longreads
Cambridge and Collins’ words of the year: Cambridge Dictionary reveals Word of the Year 2024 - BBC News
Collins - The Collins Word of the Year 2024 is…
Millis Gooch’s ‘Booze-Less’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Booze-Less-Rethinking-Drinking-Curious_A/dp/1797231227/ref=asc_df_1797231227 
 
Netflix’s ‘Man on the Inside’: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81677257
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Conspiracy theory special: Avril, Elvis and CCTV birds

Is Elvis really dead? Is Avril Lavigne actually Avril Lavigne? Did aliens build the pyramids? Did the Roman Empire truly exist? And if it didn’t, what the heck are men thinking about every day? Is Lauren actually Belle, and is Belle actually Lauren?
 
WHO’S TO SAY?!
 
Join us as we dive into the wild and wacky world of conspiracy theories. Honestly, it’s rabbit holes galore over here. 
 
Is Elvis Pastor Joyce?: https://youtu.be/Mi3CTPwIpSQ?si=vsFBpW2WK-prM4pg
 
Is Avril Lavigne really Avril Lavigne?: Avril Lavigne Death And Lookalike Conspiracy Theory Explained
 
Did Micheal Jackson secretly direct his own televised tribute concert?:  https://www.reddit.com/r/MichaelJackson/comments/bca9ft/is_michael_jackson_dead_think_twice_some_things/?rdt=43381
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Trump, Baby Reindeer and the best mince pies

OK, we had to go there - unless you’ve been living under a blissful rock, you’ll know that this week has been a pretty historic one. We share our thoughts on the outcome of the American election - what it tells us about who we choose to believe in, and why.  
 
And then we promptly make ourselves feel better by talking about Christmas Adjacent content. It’s a thing, trust us. There’s also talk of sobbing on stages as we ask ourselves: how vulnerable is too vulnerable? 
 
If this episode had a catchphrase, it would almost certainly be: ‘laugh, cry and be merry (adjacent)’ 
 
Links: 
 
For Richard Gadd’s GQ piece: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/richard-gadd-interview-2024
 
For Good Housekeeping’s rundown of the best mince pies (you’re welcome): Best mince pies for Christmas 2024 UK, tried and tested
 
For Francis Collins’ book: The Road to Wisdom by Francis S. Collins | Waterstones
 
For information on Jubilee+: Jubilee+
 
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Saoirse Ronan, The Australian Office and Sally Rooney

SHOW NOTES
 
To watch the Australian Office or not to watch the Australian Office? To read Sally Rooney or not to read Sally Rooney? These are just a couple of the questions we tackle on this week’s Cross Culture. Belle and Lauren also talk about the art and wonder of ‘Mothering’ plus actress, Saoirse Ronan’s, viral moment. Oh, and there’s a spot of chat about AI partners and sex parties at the end. 
 
We really pulled in a LOT of different directions this week. It’s a good’un. 
 
And listen, we’re not ignoring the news to beat all other news - we’ll be talking all about the brand-spanking-not-so-new President of the USA next week.
Links:
 
For the Australian Office: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.14c93ef2-0501-4cca-af55-9226a5c3648e?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb
 
For the Mothers: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/13/style/mother-internet-slang-lgbtq.html
https://www.thecut.com/article/martha-stewart-secret-to-staying-young-documentary.html
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a62661477/dolly-parton-december-cover/
https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/christmas-with-elizabeth-hurley/
https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/philippine-leroy-beaulieu-sylvie-emily-in-paris/
 
For Sally Rooney’s new novel: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney | Waterstones
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Chicken Shop Dates, Modern Love and more from the mystics

Normal service is resumed this week as Lauren and Belle dive into the New York Times’ column and podcast Modern Love. They discuss a selection of top tier books from Jade and John Reynolds, Frank C Laubach and Ferne Cotton. There’s a quick stop off with Belle at Chicken Shop dates before Lauren dips her toe into Netflix’s current true crime offering. Oh, and there’s a lot of Andrew Garfield. You’re welcome.
 
Links:
 
NYTs’ Modern Love The column: https://www.nytimes.com/column/modern-love
Amazon show: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Love/dp/B0875X93SN/ref=sr_1_1
The podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/03Er7mSPq9IEewOgbPD3vO
Letters by a Modern Mystic by Frank C. Laubach: https://www.waterstones.com/book/letters-by-a-modern-mystic/frank-c-laubach/9780281066124
Bigger Than Us by Fearne Cotton: https://www.waterstones.com/book/bigger-than-us/fearne-cotton/9781529108675
Jade and John’s Able To Laugh: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Able-Laugh-struggle-much-loved-interabled/dp/0281089817
Andrew Garfield’s Chicken Shop Date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFS5vxYlfY8
Woman of the hour:Show: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81728818
Podcast: https://wondery.com/shows/the-dating-game-killer/
Sweet Bobby:Show: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81591286
Podcast: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/listen/sweet-bobby/
Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.