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Before Brunch

English, Social, 1 season, 60 episodes, 1 day, 15 hours, 15 minutes
About
Before Brunch is a podcast where we chat about all the things your friends will be chatting about at brunch. We react to the big pop culture story of the week, with a focus on the media landscape and the spaces where culture meets tech. We go live sporadically, usually on a Sunday morning.
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Burnout Pt 2 - Signs, stages and unhelpful thoughts

It's a burnout bumper episode! Cassie and Megan do a deep dive into the signs and stages of burnout, and challenge some of the unhelpful thoughts that can trigger feelings of failure and exacerbate burnout.  Before Brunch podcast is elevated gossip. Each week Cassie and Megan chat about everything you're talking about at brunch, from celebrity stories to social issues and productivity tips, and we dig deep. Follow us @cassielorraine @meganmariecass
8/14/202236 minutes, 59 seconds
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Millennial burnout and breaking bad habits

Coming to you after brunch this week, Cassie and Megan talk millennial burnout, the factors that contribute and breaking the bad habits that exasperate the exhaustion. Follow us @Meganmariecass and @cassielorraine
7/17/202242 minutes, 40 seconds
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Macy Gray's transphobic comments and celebrity accountability

Megan Cassidy and Cassie Delaney dissect recent transphobic comments from Macy Gray and Bette Midler, in a discussion about platforms, elevating certain voices and how influence and power are intrinsically linked. You can watch on Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts ✌️🏳️‍🌈❤️ Follow us on Instagram @cassielorraine @meganmariecass 
7/10/202239 minutes, 39 seconds
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The Olsen Twins' formula for creative success

Inspired by a short documentary presented by WePresent this week, we delve into the enduring appeal of The Olsen Twins. Their way of working is the antidote to our modern work-obsessed culture but is it actually attainable for the average mortal? This week we chat about the twins, our own relationships to privacy and social oversharing and ask what can we learn from the truly elusive pair. Follow us @Meganmariecass @CassieLorraine
7/3/202242 minutes, 54 seconds
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Love Island and its perfect cultural tensions

In a rare feat of mono culture, Love Island persists as the show that unites us all and sparks water cooler conversations across the world. But with its blatant lack of diversity, stagnated format, predictable twists and gender stereotypes it should be a total flop of a show. This week Megan and Cassie wonder what makes Love Island so popular, why it is such compulsive viewing and question the shows relationship with new sponsors.  Follow us:  @meganmariecass @CassieLorraine
6/12/202242 minutes, 2 seconds
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The power of the teenage girl, Harry Styles, Kravis and the music of our youth

This week on Before Brunch we’re chatting about the ever-evolving music industry and how it’s current iteration gives space to the acts of yesteryear. We naturally segue into a conversation about Kravis, Blink 182 and the resurgence of the rock bands we simply pretended to adore. Before Brunch is produced by Tall Tales Podcasts. Visit TallTales.ie for all your video podcasting needs.  Follow us @Meganmariecass & @CassieLorraine
5/29/202239 minutes, 3 seconds
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Streamer stress and the future of content consumption

In April, Netflix announced a loss of subscribers for the first time in more than a decade, with a net loss of 200,000 global members in the first quarter of 2022. The announcement prompted a stock freefall, with stock tumbling 43% and more than $50 billion in value wiped out. This week the streamer laid off 150 employees as they prepare to lose another 2 million subscribers before the end of Q2. On Before Brunch we question why Netflix is struggling, talk the pressure of being the Hollywood disruptor and what the future of streaming looks like. Watch on Spotify and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by Tall Tales Podcasts. Visit TallTales.ie for video podcasting packages.  Follow us @meganmariecass @CassieLorraine
5/22/202240 minutes, 42 seconds
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Wagatha Christie and tabloid culture

Tabloid culture, celebrity friendship, defamation... when it's really not about the money. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan Cassidy and Cassie Delaney chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us.
5/15/202240 minutes, 25 seconds
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Chrissy Teigen and cancel culture

On the agenda - Chrissy Teigen - Cancel Culture - Moral Certainty - Female CEOs - A day in the life of a tech founder DM us on insta @cassielorraine @meganmcassidy
7/3/202147 minutes, 16 seconds
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Britney has her say

This week we chat about Britney's conservatorship hearing, how we consume celebrity and why it's worth noting Britney's hearing as a seminal moment for female voices.
6/26/202137 minutes, 45 seconds
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Friendship and loneliness

The world is set up for extroverts to thrive. Today we explore the many types of friendships and how we navigate our social lives as shy gals.
6/12/202139 minutes, 44 seconds
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Missed milestones

Buying a house, getting married, biological clocks, goal-setting. Are you sweating? So are we. As we emerge from lockdown and are thrust back into real life, we discuss milestone pressures in your 30s and the anxiety that can come with them. Dm us on Insta @cassielorraine @meganmcassidy
5/29/202145 minutes, 9 seconds
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Friends reunion and female ensembles

This week we chat about the nostalgia TV phenomenon and the place comfort TV has in an era of 'gourmet' (?) programming. We also discuss how narratives about female ensembles in the entertainment industry could be holding women back in the workplace.
5/22/202146 minutes, 35 seconds
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Can we say goodbye to 'Big Irish Weddings' for good?

It's that time of year when we'd usually be bracing ourselves for wedding season. This week we wonder whether the pandemic is an opportunity to question Ireland's intense relationship with 'The Big Day'. Dm us @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine
4/3/202133 minutes, 17 seconds
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The end of the Kardashian era

The final season of Keeping up with The Kardashians airs this week. We take a look at the Kardashian phenomenon; how much has changed since they launched and where they may fit in a post-pandemic celeb ecosystem. Dm us your thoughts @cassielorraine @megmariecass
3/20/202139 minutes, 20 seconds
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Sarah Everard and gender-based violence

Sarah Everard's disappearance has brought forth a storm of female rage. Obviously, women have gone missing before, but this time the reaction is different. We unpack the story in the context of terrifying sexual assault statistics released this week. DM us on Instagram @cassielorraine @meganmariecass
3/13/202135 minutes, 19 seconds
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Meghan Markle vs The Firm

Is Meghan Markle a 'nice' person? Maybe/maybe not. A more interesting conversation is what she has exposed about the Royal Family AKA The Firm. We chat about the idea of the 'difficult woman' ahead of Meghan and Oprah's CBS documentary release. 8.46 - Preamble ends Mentions: This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol by Annie Grace. DM us on Insta - @meganmariecass @cassielorraine
3/7/202137 minutes, 31 seconds
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Anna Delvey and Perception vs Reality

Anna Delvey, AKA the fake heiress, landed herself in prison in 2018 after conning New York Society out of hundreds of thousands of $$$. This month she emerged from prison with a Netflix deal and a defiant attitude. She's not sorry and why would she be? In this episode we talk about profiting from a crime, perception vs reality and the era of 'manifestion'. Before Brunch podcast is your weekly pop culture digest in which Megan Cassidy and Cassie Delaney break down the biggest stories of the moment. Follow us on Instagram @meganmariecass and @cassielorraine PS. we apologise for the strange studio noise in this week's ep - won't happen again!
2/21/202131 minutes, 14 seconds
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Before Brunch is back! Framing Britney Spears

Do you know what this pandemic needs? Another podcast. Or, in our case, the resurgence of one we haven’t found the time to record in over two years. We’ve been itching to get in front of the mic again and a new documentary about Britney Spears finally pushed us to sit down and talk. Join us today as we talk Britney, media, accountability and next steps.
2/14/202139 minutes, 20 seconds
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LIVE with Diet Coke | The Power of Gossip and The Importance Of Celebrity Gossip

It’s our last episode of the season and no better way to do it than with a live show brought to you by Diet Coke! In our live show, we chat about how the Because I Can message resonates with each of us when it comes to career confidence and committing to passions. We’re joined by the incredible Caitlin McBride (Style Editor at Independent.ie) and Courtney Smith (stylist and creative director) to chew on the biggest stories of the year. We discuss the power of the fashion industry and the importance of celebrity gossip as a platform to chat about what we value as a culture. What does our obsession with Meghan Markle's pregnancy say about our society's views on the family unit? Why is asking a woman what she's wearing in a red carpet context sometimes deemed inappropriate? Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
11/4/201836 minutes, 7 seconds
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Ep. 36 Why Do We Love a Good Scare?

It’s almost Halloween and so we’re rolling out the scary movies, bingeing on dark series and ultimately viewing our screens from behind blankets with cushions pulled over our eyes. In this week’s episode we talk about the success of The Haunting of Hill House and what it is that keeps us coming back for more and more. Mike Flanagan's re-imagining of Shirley Jackson's 1959 gothic novel pulls the focus away from the house and onto the family. Every family has its own monsters - the real demons lie in unresolved trauma and we discuss the mechanisms Flanagan uses to deliver this message. We also share all the details of our LIVE brunch with Diet Coke taking place next week in Cleaver East. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
10/28/201842 minutes, 21 seconds
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Ep 35. Meghan Markle's Pregnancy Tour

On this week's Before Brunch podcast with Diet Coke, Lovin Group Deputy Editor Kiara Keane joins us to chat all things royal baby related. Having been a reporter for Harper's Bazaar, we put Kiara's encyclopedic knowledge of the royals to the test - talking timings, body language and name predictions. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
10/21/201834 minutes, 7 seconds
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Ep 34. Dublin Actress Aisling Breen on 'Cushioning', Quick Changes, and Committing To Your Passion

Dublin actress Aisling Breen began performing at age 7 and never surrendered to the pressure to 'get a real job'. That's the kind of sass and confidence we love at Before Brunch, and it's exactly what Diet Coke's #BecauseICan campaign is all about. She currently stars in Tinder The Comedy at The Tivoli theatre, playing Shaz - a Tinderella on a mission to get her mate a plus one to a wedding. We caught up with Aisling to chat Tinder in your 30s, what it's really like to be a Billie Barry kid, and the reality of committing to your passion - it's not all fun and games but for Aisling there was no other way. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
10/14/201833 minutes, 26 seconds
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Ep 33. Best of Before Brunch: Some of Our Favourite Stories So Far

In this week’s episode we look at our favourite stories from the year and the topics that resonated most with you guys. First up we look at our discussion around shared experience. This chat was prompted by a study from Harvard Decision Science Laboratory first published in 2014. The study relays the impact of shared experience on our feelings of inclusion or exclusion and highlights the effect of groupthink. Next we revisit the Bloggers Unveiled controversy. When Lovin’ became the target of the account, we questioned why we collectively enjoyed BU and our part in the whole saga. Finally, we hear snippets of our consent conversation. This was a tough one to discuss but it was an episode so many people seemed to appreciate. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
10/7/20181 hour, 3 minutes, 30 seconds
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Ep 32. Our Ultimate 2018 Pop Culture Recommendations

As Sarah Jessica Parker put it in an Instagram post dedicated to the most recent installment of 'Serial' - what are you willing to "turn over your leisure time to"? In this week's episode, Megan and Cassie chat about what they've been reading, watching and listening to this year, and how the pop culture you consume influences your choices and habits. What are you watching/reading/listening to? Let us know. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
9/30/201852 minutes, 3 seconds
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Ep 31. The Last Series of Big Brother and Private vs Public Selves

It's the 'last' series of Big Brother - and whether or not ITV saves the OG reality show it got us thinking about the phenomenon of non-celebrities being catapulted to instant fame - a movement that Big Brother is in many ways responsible for kicking off. Do Big Brother cast members have a right to a private self? Was it fair that Ellis was evicted because of something she tweeted when she was 15 years old? Also - we chat about giving and receiving criticism in the workplace, and how re-framing negative feedback can be key to our professional development. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
9/23/201845 minutes, 48 seconds
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Ep 30. Rihanna, Tess Holliday, and Representations of Female Beauty

In 2006, Dove released an advertising campaign that exposed the gratuitous use of Photoshop and kicked off an anti-airbrushing movement . People no longer wanted to accept false representations of beauty, and actresses and models moved to distance themselves from the 'sexist act' of altering a woman's appearance on the cover of a magazine. At the same time, technology that allows 'normal' people, non-celebrities like you and me, to alter their appearances digitally has become widespread and massively popular. For just a couple euros you can download an app and create a digital version of yourself. You 2.0. Actresses and models can't distance themselves from what they share on their own social media accounts, images that we know have been altered thanks to Instagram accounts like Celebface. We share what we think we "should" look like - simulacrums of ourselves that are almost more relevant than our real selves. Digital avatars that not only represent our lives, but determine our lives - our relationships, lifestyle choices, and in many cases - income levels. As the two movements continue to grow simultaneously, it's no wonder that women are pretty fucking confused about how they should feel and talk about their bodies. We try to dissect some of those feelings in this week's podcast, touching on Rihanna's Savage X Fenty show at NYFW, Tess Holliday's Cosmo cover, and Lena Dunham's conflicting messages.
9/16/201839 minutes, 5 seconds
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Ep 29. Dolores O' Riordan and Conversations About Death

This week an inquest found that Cranberries lead singer Dolores O' Riordan died by drowning as a result of alcohol intoxication. The coroner, Dr Shirley Radcliffe, said: “There’s no evidence that this was anything other than an accident. There was no intention, this seems to be solely a tragic accident.” The findings prompted us to discuss the media coverage of Dolores' death at the time, and celebrity deaths in general. Although death is an inevitable part of life, we still don't have the language to discuss it meaningfully - and struggle to both report on it and talk about it in daily life. At this point we'd love to encourage you to listen to "About Death" - a recent episode of Racheal Bland's "You, Me and the Big C" podcast. Racheal died this week after a cancer battle, and the episode will truly change how you think and talk about death. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
9/9/201840 minutes, 38 seconds
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Ep 28. Sustainability, Gen Z And Effecting Change Through Consumerism

Sustainability is big business right now. This week, it was announced that the traditional pear-shaped lightbulb was giving way to LED bulbs that are more environmentally friendly. Sustainable fashion has been 'cool' for months, and everyone now has a keep cup... unless they're a 'D*ck'. On this week's episode we chat about Gen Z and their propensity to make change through what they buy rather than politics. It means industries are forced to listen up, because at the end of the day - sustainability is good for the bottom line. We talk about how social media influences and charges these social movements and laugh at how the best way to influence an Irish person is to make them feel guilty. Hey, it works! Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
9/2/201837 minutes, 6 seconds
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Ep 27. The Return Of 'The Hills' And The Reality TV Curse

This month, Lauren Conrad experienced the moment she's been waiting for for ten years. The chance to turn down a reunion of The Hills. The chance to prove to everyone who wronged her that SHE MADE IT. She can say no. But what about everyone who is going back? Whitney Port, Audrina Patridge, JEN BUNNY?! What does this mean for them? If The Hills was aspirational reality TV ten years ago, what is it now? On this week's podcast we chat about the seminal reality show, what's happened in between, and why it's best to be as dumb as Heidi Montag in this scenario. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
8/26/201840 minutes, 45 seconds
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Ep 26. It's Time To Move On From The Rose Of Tralee

On the eve of another Rose of Tralee, we chat about the competition's place in modern Irish society. Is it harmless to celebrate 'niceness'? Or is it time to move on from the lovely ladies format and try something more relevant? Also - we're not paranoid, our phones are listening to us. But what does that actually mean? Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
8/19/201833 minutes, 50 seconds
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Ep 25. Sharp Objects And The Female Body In Pop Culture

We've talked about pain as entertainment countless times before. From gruesome True Crime podcasts to watching poor Laura get continuously dumped on Love Island, the public's appetite for pain with their popcorn is endless. Sometimes it can feel exploitative, and the line between 'raising awareness' and pure voyeurism gets blurry. Thirteen Reasons Why is a great example of this. To The Bone with Lily Collins is another. HBO's Sharp Objects feels different. The 8-episode mini-series is based on the book by the same name, authored by Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl. It is relentless and slow-paced. It's consistently dark. But its treatment of female trauma doesn't feel icky. For once, female trauma isn't used as a plot tool to aid a male storyline. It's an exploration of violence among women - both physical and emotional - and the female body. How our inner lives reflect what we present to the world. How trauma doesn't always mean victim. If you haven't watched it yet - do! And let us know what you thought.
8/12/201841 minutes, 18 seconds
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Ep 24. Celebrity Cheating And The Profitability Of Being Gwyneth Paltrow

We’ve made a millionaire out of Gwyneth Paltrow and her vagina crystals. Last week, The New York Times Magazine published a piece in which writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner spent time with the proclaimed woman of wellness. The result? Paltrow is perfect. He ex-husband and current fiancé eat clams together. Her kids practice their musical instruments without being told to. She can tipple with tobacco and not become addicted. She is flawless and you can be too thanks to Goop. Therein lies the problem - Paltrow’s life is her brand and she is selling it to all of us. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
8/5/201840 minutes, 14 seconds
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Ep 23. Demi Lovato and Battling Addiction In The Public Eye

Last week, Demi Lovato was hospitalised after a heroin overdose. Demi's mental health issues and battles with addiction have always been a part of her story - she has always spoken candidly about her struggles and brought her audience on the journey with her. In March, she celebrated six years sober - but maintaining sobriety is hard work and a continuous battle. In this episode we chat about battling addiction in the public eye and the importance of candid conversation about substance abuse and mental health issues. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
7/29/201840 minutes, 23 seconds
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Ep 22. Praise for Peculiar Protagonists and the Importance of Shared Experience

Eleanor Oliphant and Keiko Furukura are misfits. By all means, the two protagonists live mundane lives on the outskirts of society. Eleanor is more than peculiar. She skirts social norms and convention, she seemingly lacks empathy and connection and she appears rude and judgemental. But we all fell in love with her when Gaily Honeymoon introduced her into her lives. Eleanor is the all-too-relatable character we needed. Gail Honeymoon gave us the antithesis of a hero. Eleanor is boring and safe and we want her to stay that way. In this week’s podcast we examine why we feel so strongly for peculiar protagonists and why it’s more important than ever to celebrate them. That leads us to a discussion on shared experience and a study from Harvard Decision Science Laboratory first published in 2014. The study relays the impact of shared experience on our feelings of inclusion or exclusion and highlights the effect of groupthink. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
7/22/201836 minutes
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Ep 21. Meghan Markle and Repeal The 8th - When Political Issues Are Also Human Rights

This week Meghan Markle made headlines for getting political during her brief Irish visit with Prince Harry. Both Una Mulally and Senator Catherine Noone reported that Meghan was pleased about the Eighth Referendum result - a move that is in direct opposition to the Royal Family rules which say that expressing a political opinion is forbidden. Thus far, the criticism leveled at Markle has largely been about the aesthetics of protocol - the colour of her tights, the way she crosses her legs, which side of the car she gets into. This is the first time we've seen an attempt to suppress Meghan's voice since she joined the RF - a voice that has been prominent in areas of philanthropy, feminism and human rights thus far. This is where it gets really interesting. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
7/15/201832 minutes, 5 seconds
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Ep 20. When Cheryl Left Liam - A Breakup Analysis

Where were you when you found out Cheryl and Liam were a couple? What first seemed implausible fast became the fascination of many. After eight years of friendship and mentorship, Cheryl and Liam were outed as a couple by The Sun. For more than two years we watched as they navigated the twist and trysts of an 11-year age gap, a secret pregnancy and an overactive rumor mill. Now we weigh in with our, er, expertise analysis of the situation. From Cheryl’s love of privacy, to Liam’s dirty socks - we’re pretty sure we’ve left no stone unturned on our endeavour to figure it all out. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
7/8/201841 minutes, 47 seconds
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Ep 19. Bloggers Unveiled And Our Innate Desire To Watch Bad Things Happen To People

We've all been there. Your friend gets a massive promotion. You feel happy for her - but there's also a *sinking feeling*. A feeling of 'where am I at? Why not me?'. Then what about this. You follow Love Island religiously. You have a favourite character and want them to win. But then producers deliberately stir things up, make life difficult, instigate breakups. Are you upset? Or are you more likely than ever to press record on the telly because... 'it just got good'. Why do we innately like watching bad things happen to people? Does it mean that WE'RE bad people? This week, Lovin was the target of Bloggers Unveiled, even though there was no substance to the claims. What we witnessed was an overwhelming eagerness to hop on board the bandwagon and bring us down. It happens every week on the Instagram channel. The mob wants to bring down the target. There's an addictive, obsessive, need to see someone destroyed before we can move on. It's mirrored in our obsession with Love Island. Why aren't we happy until there's tears and heartbreak? How can we so easily forget that there are individuals involved, crying real tears? Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
7/1/201837 minutes, 9 seconds
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Ep 18. Casual Racism and The Subtleties of Abuse In Love Island

We refer to Love Island as our 'guilty pleasure' - a throwaway phrase, but one that insinuates we are disregarding some aspect of our perceived 'values and morals' in order to enjoy it. We've already scoffed at how hetero-normative the show is, how there is only one body-type celebrated and a very specific beauty ideal pursued. We've set all that aside to watch the show, but this week there were conversations that transgressed the 'shrug and eye-roll' territory. Issues around casual racism and signs of domestic abuse have made headlines, so we get into the nitty gritty of why these conversations are important in how we consume reality TV. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure, brought to you by Diet Coke and the #BecauseICan campaign. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
6/24/201836 minutes
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Laura Whitmore On Goal-Setting, The 'Influencer' Crisis, And The Love Island Effect

Do you make your bed every morning? Laura Whitmore is adamant that the simple act has a massive impact on the rest of your day... and therefore life. It's all about small changes having massive effects in our conversation about goal-setting and early morning rituals. We also chat about the recent crisis of confidence around influencer marketing, and the power of a meaningful partnership. Lastly, of course - we delve into this year's Love Island. Predictions, favourites, and the strange obsession with the reality show. Oh, and Cassie Delaney joined us at some stage, too. This week, Forbes released a list of the world’s 100 highest paid sports people. The problem? Not one woman was included. This week, we unpack the issue of the gender pay gap in sport and other industries and try make sense of the glaring omission. We also welcome the return of Love Island, our collective favourite trash reality TV addiction. Prepare for unsolicited weekly opinions. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure, brought to you by Diet Coke and the #BecauseICan campaign. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
6/17/201844 minutes, 32 seconds
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Ep 17. Women In Sport, Careers And Love Island

This week, Forbes released a list of the world’s 100 highest paid sports people. The problem? Not one woman was included. This week, we unpack the issue of the gender pay gap in sport and other industries and try make sense of the glaring omission. We also welcome the return of Love Island, our collective favourite trash reality TV addiction. Prepare for unsolicited weekly opinions. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure, brought to you by Diet Coke and the #BecauseICan campaign. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
6/10/201847 minutes, 42 seconds
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Ep 16. Millennials Might Actually Be As Special As They Think They Are

Last week's result was only the beginning of a host of conversations about Irish values and where we're at as a society. One of the conversations we've been having this week is the fact that 'millennial' is no longer a dirty word. The "snowflakes", the "avocado toast generation", championed and pioneered this movement. They don't just use social media for selfies - they use it to further causes. They believe in social change, they are critical thinkers and don't accept what they're told. Yes, sometimes they're snowflakes. But they're also activists. We dig into the nuances of this generation, how they're motivated, why they do what they do, and why they/we actually might just be as special as we thought. So there. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure, brought to you by Diet Coke and the #BecauseICan campaign. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
6/3/201830 minutes, 34 seconds
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Ep 15. Language, Literature, And The Eighth Amendment Referendum

We are speaking to you from the past today, in a literal sense - and also in a very profound way. We recorded this podcast on Friday May 25, when it was a different Ireland, when we didn't know. We felt hopeful, anxious, excited, and terrified. We talked through the use of language and it's incredible power in all referenda, but in this one particularly. The vote was swung because of the incredibly powerful stories that we told each other. Stories we would never have told before, stories that were deeply painful and were dealt with alone. Now we're all together. It's an amazing weekend, We chat about the female authors who have tackled this topic - Marian Keyes and her incredible work, Maeve Binchy, the authors who shaped our adulthood and ushered us to this moment. Happy, happy Sunday everyone. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure, brought to you by Diet Coke and the #​BecauseICan campaign. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
5/27/201844 minutes, 31 seconds
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Ep. 14. Bias, Digital Media And The Eighth Referendum

With less than a week until we head for the polling stations to make a decision on one of the most important issues of our time, how has media coverage around the Eighth Referendum been so far? With publications wearing their bias like a badge of honour, how has new media contributed to the conversation? Has it aided it, or hampered it? Should all coverage be regulated in order to facilitate healthy debate? In a referendum that is all about stories, and personal experience, how are the Yes and No sides speaking to each other on the ground, away from the scaremongering posters and extreme tactics? Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
5/20/201840 minutes, 28 seconds
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Ep. 13 Religion As a Fashion Statement and How to Live with Your S.O.

There was no doubt that Rihanna’s papal parody stole the show at the Met this week but as criticism rolls in, we question whether the theme was problematic. Does Catholicism still command respect or have its countless let downs deemed it farcical? And as we both prepare to move, we talk about the eh, concerns we have about living with our respective significant others. Where will Megan watch her Tony Robins videos? Tune in to find out. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
5/13/201841 minutes, 7 seconds
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Ep 12. Money and Worth - What Does It Mean To Want To Be 'Rich'?

This week Jessica Knoll wrote a piece in the New York Times titled 'I Want To Be Rich And I'm Not Sorry'. How does that headline make you feel? For us, we wondered why anyone would ever be sorry for wanting to be rich, and how the implication here is that women somehow maybe should be sorry for pursuing financial achievement. Is it greedy? Even aggressive? Or an important status symbol in a time where female finances are more topical and loaded than ever. Should we aim to emulate mens' braggadocious means of getting paid, or is there a better way to do this? Do we have enough 'rich' female icons to look to and aspire to? Also - we went to see A Quiet Place starring Emily Blunt and John Krasinksi, a movie about silence - our favourite topic. What do we pour into silence that makes it such a fertile place for creativity and imagination? We are obsessed with this movie. We won't spoil it, but we'll tell you why you need to go see it. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
5/6/201844 minutes, 58 seconds
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Before Brunch Repeal Special - What You Can Do To Help In The Run Up To The Referendum

With less than a month until one of the most crucial political moments for women of our time, we interview Yes activists about how we can all get involved in the lead up to the referendum. We chat to Together For Yes advocates Annie Hoey and Gary Gannon to discuss all things repeal and arm you with the information you need during the next four weeks. We look at the facts and the stats you need to shape history. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
4/29/201818 minutes, 10 seconds
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Ep 11. Kate Middleton's Royal Baby Birth And The Celebration Of "Virtuous Mother"

On this week's episode of Before Brunch, Megan and Cassie chat about hairdresser etiquette. Do you let them put your coat on for you? Do you buy the recommended shampoo? And most importantly - what the HELL have we all decided we're all doing when it comes to tips? In an era of "oversharing" where our every mundane thought is amplified on social media, what happens when a person's mental health issues are broadcasted publicly on Twitter or Facebook? We chat about the intricacies of Kanye West's latest Twitter spree and how it affects conversations about mental health. Finally - Kate Middleton's perfect pregnancies and how they reinforce the idea of "virtuous mother" - innocent tradition? Or a symbol that is more sinister than it seems? Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
4/29/201845 minutes, 25 seconds
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Ep 10. Is There Ever Such Thing As a Kardashian Koincidence?!

This week TMZ released footage of Khloe Kardashian's boyfriend Tristan Thompson cheating with two women, just as Khloe was going into labour with his child. We talk about timing in a Kardashian storyline, and how much of what we see is curated to keep us talking. Is there ever such thing as a Kardashian Koincidence? We look back at the Gawker/Hulk Hogan case in a chat about media ethics and the "leak" culture that the Kardashians were born from and thrive in. It's week two of our book club. We're reading The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride - an intense, challenging read. We offer our best tips if you're struggling to stay engaged with the book and we want to know - should the deadline to finish be two or three weeks? Let us know. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie or megan@lovin.com
4/15/201850 minutes, 31 seconds
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Ep 9. Bring Back Vengeful Celebrity Breakups... And Wild Wild Country

After another "joyous" and "loving" celebrity "uncoupling" this week, we reminisce on the joys and machinations of a truly vengeful breakup. We dissect Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum's breakup statement and ponder on the real meaning of a "loving" split. Does it exist? Does uncoupling eliminate blame? Is it important when there are children in the relationship? Or is it just unrealistic? Next on the agenda is the insanely popular Netflix documentary 'Wild Wild Country'. Themes of immigration, a fear of the other and religion are presented perfectly in this true story of a sex cult and the woman at the centre of it. Before Brunch Book Club launches this week. First on the list is Eimear McBride's 'The Lesser Bohemians'. It's one of two Irish books shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Prize. We will review it in episode 11, so get reading! Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie
4/8/201841 minutes, 1 second
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Ep 8. A Conversation About Consent Following The Belfast Trial

If there's anything positive to come from the Belfast Trial, it's that conversations about consent are back at the forefront of our minds. We don't have the answers. It's an incredibly loaded and complex issue, particularly in a country that has a strained relationship with women and sex. We unpack the issues we're personally struggling with following this week's verdict. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie
4/1/201835 minutes, 49 seconds
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Ep 7. The Recent Facebook Scandal And What You Should Really Know About It

"What does it mean to be complicit?" - The sentence Donald Trump's daughter was endlessly trolled over last year has never been more poignant. It's been a bad eighteen months for Facebook. Fake news, the Russians, and now Cambridge Analytica. Eighteen months ago, Zuckerburg said it was "crazy" to think Facebook could influence an election. Now we know this happened. What is happening NOW that is our responsibility to be aware of? How complicit are WE in sharing our data with these companies? How much control do we have over the decisions we make online and thus in the real world? We take a deep dive into all of these questions in this week's tech-y special. *We apologise for the lack of dirt this week - we had our nerd hats on. Lots of filthy gossip next week we promise* Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie
3/25/201841 minutes, 58 seconds
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Ep 6. The Nature Of Irish Lickearsery And Harry Styles' Sexuality

In an increasingly competitive society where intangible commodities like "influence" rule, what is the place of 'lickarsery'. We deep dive into the art of "sucking up" after Leo Varadkar's display in Washington. As Rihanna takes a swipe at Snapchat, we chat about social media giants like Instagram and Snap and their responsibility for content shared on their platforms. Finally we dissect our obsession with categorising celebrities' sexuality, and decide who did the breaking up, Zayn or Gigi?! *EMAIL US YOUR EARLY TWENTIES BREAK UP STORIES FOR DISSECTION ON NEXT WEEK'S PODCAST - megan@lovin.com* Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie
3/18/201847 minutes, 42 seconds
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Ep 5. The Rise Of 'McFeminism' And The Importance Of Bitchy Female Leads

How did you celebrate International Women's Day? From protests to free cocktails Megan and Cassie chat about the broad spectrum of International Women's Day celebrations and what the day really means. From the origins of the day and how far we've come, to the new phenomenon of judging the 'quality' of someone's feminism - this week's podcast takes a candid look at the strange pressures and merits of the day. The first teaser for Season 6 of House of Cards was released this week, with female anti-hero Claire Underwood at the helm. We chat about what's expected of a female lead and celebrate imperfect, complicated roles for women. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. If you like the podcast, please do subscribe, rate and review to help other brunchers find us! Get in touch on twitter @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie
3/10/201838 minutes, 15 seconds
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Ep 4. The TV Special: The Evolution of Queer TV and RTÉ’s Move into Digital

Are we finally in an era where gay characters can have boring lives? This week we discuss the evolution of queer tv and what excitement is to come with RTÉ’s move to digital. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. Talk to us! On Twitter: @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie On Insta: @meganmariecass @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie Don't forget to rate and review!
3/4/201847 minutes, 10 seconds
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Ep 3. The Secret Lives of Irish Influencers and What Jennifer Lawrence Needs to Learn About Fashion

Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. Talk to us! On Twitter: @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie On Insta: @meganmariecass @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie Don't forget to rate and review!
2/25/201845 minutes, 55 seconds
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Ep 2. Jamie Dornan Is Finally Fifty Shades FREED Of His Contract... And The Psychology of Skincare

Why Rita Ora is the only person happy to be in Fifty Shades... and the psychology of millennial skincare. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. Talk to us! On Twitter: @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie On Insta: @meganmariecass @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie Don't forget to rate and review!
2/18/201836 minutes, 24 seconds
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Ep 1. Murder As Entertainment And Why Jennifer Aniston Announced Her Split On a Thursday

Our latest true crime obsession and packaging murder as entertainment. The problem with the Sarah Jessica Parker/ Kim Cattrall beef, and Jennifer Aniston plays us all again. Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. Talk to us! On Twitter: @meganmcassidy @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie On Insta: @meganmariecass @cassielorraine @lovindublin @lovindotie Don't forget to rate and review!
2/17/201848 minutes, 27 seconds
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Episode One Taster - Why Did Jennifer and Justin Announce Their Breakup On a Thursday?

A taster of Before Brunch Episode One... released Sunday February 18th at 11am! Before Brunch Podcast is the perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over all the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful and everything in between. It's the same dirt you talk about at Brunch, we're just digging a little deeper. Subscribe on iTunes --- Stitcher --- Soundcloud
2/17/20182 minutes, 9 seconds
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Before Brunch - A Taster

Before Brunch is your perfect Sunday morning hangover cure. Megan and Cassie chew over the biggest stories of the week, from the frivolous to the meaningful. It's the same dirt you talk about at brunch - we're just digging a little deeper. Here's a taster of what's to come...
2/10/20182 minutes, 27 seconds