Join us as we dive into the topics that keep us talking long after the group chat goes quiet.
Each episode, your hosts Lucy Bell and Phoebe Whittle (two friends - yes, groundbreaking!) start in the shallow end, before deep-diving into the topic of the week.
We hand-pick each subject, from our obsession with beauty and wellness trends to navigating ambition and careers, these are the conversations filling our WhatsApp inboxes and flooding our social media feeds.
We’re here to break down pop culture moments and movements, question the trends we can’t seem to escape, and explore our thoughts along the way. So, are we all underplaying it… or is it really that deep?
Let’s talk about it!
Follow us at:
Email us at:
shallow@boxedoff.studio
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join us as we dive into the topics that keep us talking long after the group chat goes quiet.
Each episode, your hosts Lucy Bell and Phoebe Whittle (two friends - yes, groundbreaking!) start in the shallow end, before deep-diving into the topic of the week.
We hand-pick each subject, from our obsession with beauty and wellness trends to navigating ambition and careers, these are the conversations filling our WhatsApp inboxes and flooding our social media feeds.
We’re here to break down pop culture moments and movements, question the trends we can’t seem to escape, and explore our thoughts along the way. So, are we all underplaying it… or is it really that deep?
Let’s talk about it!
Follow us at:
Email us at:
shallow@boxedoff.studio
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Taylor Swift: End of an Era... What the Doc Really Reveals
This week we’re diving into the Eras documentary, what it shows, what it leaves out, and why it matters. From Taylor’s powerful reflections on feeling “hunted,” to the way the film quietly reframes her leadership and loyalty, there’s a lot to unpack.
We talk pacing issues, our obsession with Amanda’s choreography segment, the lack of Ticketmaster context, and why some of the biggest themes never quite get the “why” they deserve.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? What’s the harm in a face mask?
Shay Mitchell has launched a children’s skincare line, and the internet has opinions.
From “it’s not too late to delete this” to think pieces calling it dystopian, this release sparked a full-blown cultural debate.
Is kids’ skincare just harmless self-care? A smart celebrity business move? Or are we quietly accelerating the beauty pipeline and shrinking childhood by normalising beauty rituals earlier than ever?
In this episode, we unpack why this story hit such a nerve. We dive into the marketing strategy, the moral panic, the feminist lens, and what dermatologists are actually saying about skincare for kids. We also ask the bigger question: where does curiosity end and conditioning begin?
Is it really that deep... or are we overthinking a face mask?
Let’s dive in.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Book clubs are boring… right?
Today’s shallow take says they’re stuffy, pretentious, and mostly an excuse to drink wine while pretending you got past chapter three.
But what if book clubs are actually having a moment?
This week, we’re joined by Caitlin Curry, founder of the London Girl’s Book Club—a community of over 16,000 women and readers who’ve turned “book chat” into a genuine lifeline for friendship, connection, and belonging.
We’re diving into:
📚 How Caitlin built LGBC from the ground up
💬 Why women-only spaces matter more than ever
🤝 How book clubs create real community in an increasingly isolated world
👀 And yes… some very hot takes from the LGBC community (including a Hinge date who definitely wasn’t ready)
Let’s dive in.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? Having a baby is just what adults do… right?
Except in 2025, starting a family feels less like a life milestone and more like a luxury purchase. With the rising cost of living, climate anxiety, housing insecurity, and childcare prices that rival a second rent, the decision to have kids isn’t just emotional anymore — it’s financial.
In this episode, we unpack why becoming a parent feels so out of reach for so many. Is choosing not to have children a true personal choice… or a choice shaped by the world we live in? Are we selfish, realistic, overwhelmed, or simply exhausted?
We explore falling birth rates, the pressure to “grow up", the myths about being childfree, and the real reasons so many millennials and Gen Z are hitting pause on parenthood.
Let’s dive in. 👶✨
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oh, we are so back.
Season 4 is officially here(!!!) and we’re kicking things off with someone very special.
The moment we met Trisha Avery, we knew she had to open the season. Her story is powerful, unfiltered, and completely captivating, so we threw our usual structure out the window and just talked.
In this episode, we dive into feminism, endometriosis, identity, womanhood, and what it really means to live loud in a world that still tells women to shrink.
It’s real, raw, and the perfect way to start the season - we hope you love it!
Shallow Socials!
Find Trisha on TikTok here
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nobody asked, but we had to. Welcome to The Life of a Showgirl album review... a dive into one of the most talked-about pop releases of the year.
We break down how The Life of a Showgirl was marketed, the online backlash and praise, and the cultural conversation it sparked. Was it overhyped? Underrated? And most importantly... is it actually that deep?
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? Internalised misogyny isn’t that deep… right?
You’ve heard the jokes...
“I’m not like other girls,”
“She’s too emotional,”
“Girls are just so dramatic.”
But what if the punchline is actually the problem?
This week on Shallow, we’re diving into the subtle, everyday ways internalised misogyny shows up in our thoughts, our words, and how we treat other women — often without even realising it.
We’re talking about the messages we’ve absorbed since day one: that femininity is weakness, that women are competition, that we should shrink ourselves (and our bodies) to be accepted.
So… is internalised misogyny just another internet buzzword, or is it shaping how we see ourselves and each other?
Let’s find out if it’s really that deep 🎧
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? Overconsumption is out, and underconsumption might finally be in.
After years of shopping hauls, fast fashion, and feeling like every outfit needs to be worthy of the gram', are we finally done with buying stuff we don’t need?
This week on Shallow, we’re joined by fashion writer and industry expert Ashleigh Cameron to talk about why less might really be more. From falling back in love with your wardrobe to challenging the constant pressure to consume, we’re asking:
– Is 2025 the year we stop shopping?
– Can you still love fashion without buying anything new?
– Is underconsumption just another trend… or something deeper?
Let’s dive into the rise of rewearing, rethinking, and reclaiming our style... without maxing out our credit cards.
Shallow Socials!
🎧 New episode out now.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? Looking good is a fast track to success.
But is pretty privilege actually real, or just another way we justify chasing impossible beauty standards?
In this episode of Shallow, we’re diving into the link between appearance and opportunity. Does looking your best really make you more productive? Can being attractive open doors in work, dating, and life? Or… are we just stuck in a loop of performative self-improvement?
We’re asking whether beauty really equals power... or if it’s all just surface-level.
Let’s dive in.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? Reality TV is the ultimate guilty pleasure.
Fake fights, mystery “sources,” chaotic edits, we know it’s not real, but we still can’t stop watching. From Made in Chelsea to Real Housewives to Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the past decade has been a binge-worthy mess… and we’ve loved every second.
But is it all harmless drama? Or has reality TV helped fuel a culture obsessed with beauty, fame, and clout?
This week, we’re joined by the oracle of reality TV herself, Lottie Somers, to unpack the highs, lows, and so many confessionals.
We’re asking: Is it empowering… or exploitative? How has reality TV reshaped pop culture? And is the drama ever actually real?
Scripted or not, the gossip’s good.
Is it really that deep? Let’s dive in.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? OnlyFans is rebranding exploitation as liberation.
But is it really that simple?
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of OnlyFans... The platform often painted as either empowering or exploitative, depending on who you ask.
Critics say it profits off women’s bodies, feeds the male gaze, and reinforces toxic beauty standards. But for some creators, it’s a space for autonomy, agency, and serious income. So... is OnlyFans giving women power, or just another system built by men, for men?
We’re talking sex, money, control, and whether liberation inside a broken system is even possible.
Is it really that deep?
Let’s dive in.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? OnlyFans is where people take their clothes off for cash.
But what if it’s actually rewriting the rules around sex, money, and women’s control? For some creators, it’s not just about content - it’s about power. A platform where women set their own terms, own their audience, and keep the profits.
In this episode, we’re unpacking how OnlyFans works, why it’s become a cultural lightning rod, and whether it’s actually a feminist revolution… or just capitalism in a cuter outfit.
This is part one of a two-part conversation on sex work, autonomy, and the business of desire.
🎧 Hit play & Dive in - it’s way deeper than you think.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take? Going sober is the obvious healthy choice… but is it actually that deep?
This week on Shallow, we’re picking up where our sober-curious deep dive left off, with a real-life test.
We’re joined by our friend Jordan Fores-Higgens, who gave up alcohol for an entire year leading up to her 30th birthday.
No cocktails, no “just one" - A full year, booze-free.
So… did it change her life? Was it a glow-up, a wake-up, or just another wellness trend dressed in clean-girl aesthetics?
We’re talking sober milestones, unexpected identity shifts, social pressure, and whether giving up drinking is really that deep.
Let’s dive in.
TW: discussions of alcoholism & suicidal thoughts
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take: Fashion is frivolous.
This week on Shallow, we’re joined by designer and entrepreneur Christine Lindebak (founder of Sewing in the City) to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes of the fashion industry.
From self-expression to identity, politics to power, fashion shapes how we see ourselves and how we’re seen. But behind the glamour is a different story: global supply chains, labour conditions, sustainability, and the high cost of “cheap” clothes.
Christine shares her journey, from working in New York City for renowned fashion houses to building her own brand and reimagining the industry from the inside out, with a focus on ethics, inclusivity, and creativity.
Is the fashion industry actually much deeper than it looks? Let’s dive in.
Find Christine here...
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Shallow Book Club kicks off with a romantasy giant - Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses.
We’re diving headfirst into the fae-filled world of ACOTAR: from plot twists and politics to wingspans and spice levels. Whether you’re deep in the Night Court or just curious about the hype, this is your all-access guide to the series that defined a genre.
Perfect for fans of romantasy, faerie smut, and strong female leads.
🎧 Hit play and join the club.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take: Celebs are lying about plastic surgery.
In a world where beauty is currency, what happens when the people setting the standard won’t admit they’ve had a little work done? Are celebrities protecting their right to privacy, or selling an impossible ideal the rest of us can’t afford to chase?
This week on Shallow, we’re asking:
Do celebs owe us honesty about plastic surgery, and when beauty becomes business, does silence become strategy?
We unpack the grey area between personal choice and public influence, why beauty is now big business, and whether transparency is a fair ask, or just not that deep.
If you’ve ever wondered why everyone looks the same... or felt a little gaslit by a “just water and sleep” skincare routine - this one’s for you
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take: We're catching flights, not feelings ✈️
To close out Season 2, we’re talking about the big one: moving abroad. Whether it’s chasing the sun, starting over, or escaping the grind, the idea of packing up your life and heading somewhere new is more popular than ever (thanks, TikTok!).
It’s easy to believe the grass is always greener somewhere sunnier. But what’s it really like? To zoom in on the UK to Aus move (it's what we know) we’ll be diving into the dream versus the reality of travelling and making that big move.
We hope you enjoy this episode. See you in season 3!
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take: We’re all dressing the same.
From that Uniqlo bag to white socks and loafers… is the algorithm dressing us?
With TikTok trends and Pinterest-core aesthetics leading the charge, has personal style become harder to curate?
We’re diving into the death of individuality, revisiting fashion eras from owl pendants to indie sleaze and bandage dresses.
Was everyone dressing the same before Instagram? Or is it just not that deep?
Let’s dive in 💦
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take: The pill is just a contraceptive…
In our very first guest episode (!!), we’re joined by menstrual health advocate @bethanwalters to unpack the real story behind the pill.
We’ve been prescribed it young, for cramps, acne, “regulating” our cycles - often without questioning what it’s really doing in our bodies. So is it even about preventing pregnancy anymore? Have we normalised taking hormonal birth control without understanding the impact?
We talk period pain, medical gaslighting, and ask the big one: should we be taking it at all?
Let’s dive in.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Shallow Take: What's the harm in self-improvement?
This week, we’re talking about the glow-up trend.
Those before-and-after videos flooding our feeds with beauty tips, routines and transformations. Some of it’s inspiring, sure. But a lot of it? Kind of exhausting.
We’re asking: when does self-improvement go too far? Are we really becoming the best version of ourselves - or just chasing a re-packaged version of the same beauty standards?
Let’s dive in.
Shallow Socials!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.