New Women-Led Podcast Dives into Online Comment Culture, Offering Insights on Mental Health and Society

A new British podcast titled Straight to the Comments has just been launched, with a mission to explore the fascinating and sometimes disturbing world of online comments and their impact on us and our wider society. Hosted by social media and communications consultant Lisa Williams and psychology graduate and writer Sarah Illingworth, the podcast aims to provide a better understanding of why we become so invested in online conversations.

Produced by Emily Crosby Media, the show covers a range of topics, from nepo babies to ageism, and seeks to examine the psychology behind online conversations. Williams and Illingworth pick out some of the most interesting comments from various news articles and social media platforms and examine what they say about our collective mindset.

Episodes:

Released:

• The Outcry over Nepo Babies - from Lily-Rose Depp to Jamie Lee Curtis
• The Right Kind of Wronged Women: The Case of Alice Evans and Jennifer Aniston

Upcoming:

• Fat shaming: The Case of Lizzo, Adele and Rebel Wilson
• I’m Not Sorry: The Case of Madonna Ageing Publicly

The podcast aims to provide judgement-free conversations that dissect online comment culture. “Through our podcast, we aim to start a constructive conversation around online gossip, breaking down the stigma associated with it and highlighting its potential as a powerful tool for social commentary,” said Lisa Williams.

"We firmly believe that the comments left on online platforms offer a glimpse into our collective psyche and we can gain valuable insights into the complexities of the human experience. Our platform provides a safe and non-judgemental space for open and honest reflection on these comments, exploring what they truly mean and how they impact both our society and our mental health” says Sarah Illingworth.

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Emily Crosby noted the recent comment on BBC Radio 4`s Bottom Line, that podcasting has skewed mostly male in the last years and that there is a lack of women-led podcasts for women in the UK. “We hope our show can help fill that gap and provide a platform for women’s voices in the podcasting world,” she said.