Sentimental Garbage

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Sick of feeling guilty about the books you should be reading, but aren’t? Annoyed that the books you read don’t seem to “count” as literature? Join author and journalist Caroline O’Donoghue as she discovers the chick-lit classics her guests were raised on, from schmaltzy romances to family comedies…

Justice for Dumb Women


    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 10m AVG DURATION
    • 203 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Sentimental Garbage podcast is an absolute gem. Hosted by Caroline O'Donoghue, this podcast delves deep into pop culture and explores the sentimental aspects that often get overlooked or dismissed. It is a delightful and insightful podcast that is sure to make you laugh and think.

    One of the best aspects of The Sentimental Garbage podcast is Caroline's ability to create beautiful connections with her guests. Whether it's discussing a beloved TV show, movie, or book, Caroline brings out the best in her guests and creates a warm and engaging atmosphere. The conversations are filled with incisive cultural commentary, eloquence, and humor. It truly feels like you're sitting down with a group of close friends who share their passions for various forms of media.

    Caroline's analysis is top-notch, offering unique perspectives on characters, plotlines, and why certain stories work or could be improved. As a creative person herself, she provides valuable insights into creative works. Her intelligence and spunky personality shine through in every episode, making it an absolute joy to listen to. Additionally, Caroline's Irish accent adds an endearing touch to her already lovely personality.

    The worst aspect of The Sentimental Garbage podcast is hard to pinpoint because it offers so much greatness. However, some listeners may find the occasional snarky remark off-putting when it comes to certain topics or opinions expressed by the hosts or guests. While it adds a bit of spice to the discussions, it may not resonate with everyone.

    In conclusion, The Sentimental Garbage podcast is brilliant, funny, and thought-provoking. It embraces the sentimental aspects of pop culture without any hint of pretentiousness. Caroline O'Donoghue and her guests do an exceptional job of exploring books, movies, TV shows, music, and more. This podcast reminds us why we love reading, why our friendships matter so much, and why conversations about cultural matters are important. If you're looking for a podcast that combines humor, insight, and genuine enthusiasm for all things sentimental, The Sentimental Garbage podcast is a must-listen.



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    Latest episodes from Sentimental Garbage

    Dragonheart (& dragons in general) with Samantha Shannon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 89:01


    Author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree Samantha Shannon comes to discuss her life-long love of Dragonheart! We talk dragons, knights, St George, dragons as elemental force, "wyrms", novels-as-video-games and the great cinematic traditions of the Dragonheart franchise.SKIPSHOCK - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Magical Garbage: Mermaids with Katherine Webber

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 69:02


    Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty... get out ya shell bras and silicone tails losers, we're going swimming with Katherine Webber to dive deep into the world of mermaids.SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE LIVE: THE MAGICAL EDITIONSat 14th June @Union Chapel, LondonTickets out now: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbageSKIPSHOCK - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Magical Garbage: The Hunger Games with Traci Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 77:30


    The Stacks host Traci Thomas joins us to talk about the original Hunger Games trilogy! Mostly the books! Five stars on Uber for Suzanne Collins! SKIPSHOCK - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshockSENTIMENTAL GARBAGE LIVE: THE MAGICAL EDITION Sat 14th June @Union Chapel, LondonTickets out now: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Magical Garbage: The Lord of The Rings, Ranked

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 94:51


    Welcome to Magical Garbage - a Sentimental Garbage mini series!To celebrate the upcoming release of my new YA novel SKIPSHOCK, Sentimental Garbage is diving into the world of fantasy and exploring the magical storytelling that made us who we are, with pals old and new.This week, we're starting off with a biggy - friend of the pod Jen Cownie joins us to rank the storylines of The Lord of the Rings.Shipshock - out June 5Pre-order now: https://www.walker.co.uk/9781529507966/skipshock/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Special with Sally Phillips & Alexandra Haddow

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 65:16


    Am late, with mad hair and can barely breathe in scary knickers - this can only mean one thing...Join Caroline, comedian Alexandra Haddow and the legendary Shazzer herself, Sally Phillips, for a live Bridget Jones Special.Recorded on 26th March at the Ham Yard Hotel, Soho.Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - available to buy or rent at home now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Theme Parks with Sarah Griffin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 95:30


    Sarah Griffin joins us in the queue to the haunted mansion for the final episode of the season. Bring your Mary Blair Mickey ears, sick bags, childhood nostalgia, and sneaky gin tinnies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    He's Just Not That Into You with Lauren Bravo

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 81:58


    This week, Lauren Bravo joins us to discuss the self-help book turned star-studded romcom 'He's Just Not That Into You'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 Things I Hate About You with Coco Mellors

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 87:58


    Bestselling author Coco Mellors joins us to talk about one of our most-demanded episodes, 10 Things I Hate About YouCoco Mellors is the author of Blue Sisters and Cleopatra & Frankenstein, both in paperback now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Live at the Union Chapel with Alexandra Haddow

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 92:51


    Recorded on Feb 6th at the Union Chapel, Caroline and Alexandra Haddow talked about 90s pop, 'relaunched' boyfriends, Working Girl, van life and what's real to them Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tick, Tick... Boom!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 87:33


    Kate Young returns to the pod for a conversation about art, creativity, Flesh Kermit and RENT. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    West Side Story with Jensen McRae

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 77:46


    This week, musician Jensen McRae join us to discuss the iconic 1961 West Side Story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Phantom of the Opera with Rebecca Kuang

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 71:59


    Angel of music Rebecca Kuang emerges from her organ to talk Phantom of the Opera, gothic love, pre-teen horniness and the mystery of Gerard Butler's casting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Waitress (2007) with Janina Matthewson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 73:09


    Writer Janina Matthewson joins us this week to discuss Adrienne Shelly's delicious 2007 film Waitress. Bring pie please. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Hook (1991)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 109:59


    FILM DISCUSSION BEGINS AT 36.04We're back on the continent with Jen Cownie and this time, we're talking Norway, New Years and nude saunas. We also cry about Hook (1991) and consider whether Caroline might be ready for therapy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mean Girls (2024) with Okechukwu Nzelu

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 68:46


    Welcome back to Sentimental Garbage, where the sequel is better than the original and the movie is better than the book. This week, Caroline admits she was wrong about Mean Girls the musical and guest Okechukwu Nzelu reminds her what was so good about the franchise to begin with. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Richard Curtis Christmas Special!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 83:44


    He's England's answer to Nora Ephron and knows that love is the most important thing in the world - this Christmas special, Caroline and friend of the pod Ella Risbridger dive deep into the world of Richard Curtis and his iconic romcom universe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Sound of Music with Katherine Rundell

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 81:49


    This week we've been thirst von trapped by the Captain - it's the 1965 film adaptation of 'The Sound of Music'.Sentimental Garbage is live for one night only at the Union Chapel this February 6th: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbageJoin us at the afterparty! https://www.designmynight.com/london/pubs/angel/the-old-queens-head/sentimental-garbage-the-afterparty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hairspray (2007) with Ryan Farrell

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 81:25


    In which we become extremely emotional about the private life of Edna TurnbladSentimental Garbage x War Child: https://everpress.com/warchild-x-sentimentalgarbageSentimental Garbage live: https://unionchapel.org.uk/whats-on/sentimental-garbage-live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Wicked with Natasha Hodgson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 109:25


    If you're sick of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande crying and pawing at each other during the Wicked press tour, then skip on past this episode. Please expect pawing, clawing, crying, and holding space. ALSO – we are launching Sentimental Garbage's FIRST EVER merch drop in support of War Child. Head over to https://everpress.com/warchild-x-sentimentalgarbage to start feeling the most. War Child are driven by a single goal – ensuring a safe future for every child affected by war. They work in the hardest to reach places to support those who are hardest hit, to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children living in areas of conflict.We're also doing a live show this February! Come see us at the Union Chapel on Feb 6: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Taffy Brodesser-Akner is a Swiftocrat

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 88:58


    Author of Long Island Compromise and Fleishman Is in Trouble Taffy Brodesser-Akner joins Caroline for a special edition episode to discuss their favourite Taylor Swift songs.SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE LIVEThursday 6th February 2025 @Union Chapel, London UKTickets out now: www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: The Last Postcard

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 56:05


    It's the final postcard of Continental Garbage - today we recap on the series and our summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Gone Girl

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 94:34


    We're outta here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Emily in Paris

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 86:57


    in which a woman with no back story and no trauma simply enjoys herself in Paris. Groundbreaking, no? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 106:04


    This week Blake Lively is having a shocker so we watch The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants TW: sexual assault, suicide, grief! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Fyre Festival

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 96:34


    This week we're back, discussing the Netflix documentary on the 2017 event car crash that was Fyre Festival. Join us to swim with pigs, eat cheese sandwiches and get scammed. Documentary discussion from 18.26 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    LIVE with Alexandra Haddow at The Lowry Quays Theatre

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 79:36


    Ahead of Sentimental Garbage Live at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Caroline and comedian Alexandra Haddow take to the stage for the June leg of the SG UK tour.EDINBURGH EVENTS:WED 14th AUG 13:45-14:45 - Phoebe McIntosh & Caroline O'Donoghue: Love and ChaosWED 14th AUG 21:00-22:30 - Book Fest vs The Fringe: A Book Quiz of Epic Proportions THU 15th AUG 21:00-22:30 - Sentimental Garbage Live with Marian KeyesAlexandra will be at the Fringe performing her show 'Third Party' throughout August at Monkey Barrel Comedy (Venue 515). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: The Eras Tour Movie

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 156:45


    The first tour to break a billion dollars, and Caroline's the last person on earth not to see it. This week we get deep into Taylor's many eras as we have an adult sleepover and watch the tour movie on Disney+. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: The Worst Person in the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 85:02


    FILM DISCUSSION STARTS AT 21.35.Does having an affair make you the worst person in the world? Does anyone really survive the roommate phase? And is it ever night time in Norway? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Shirley Valentine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 82:17


    This week we're going back to 1989 for a seminal Woman On Holidays classic - Shirley Valentine. We discuss the water cycle of the holiday wardrobe, the changing norms for women and housewives, and whether your friend is allowed to go Make F**k with Costas on his brother's boat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Just the postcard this week, sorry.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 29:22


    Sadly the podcasting gremlins took over, so you just get the postcard this week. Sorry!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: A Good Year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 88:37


    FILM DISCUSSION STARS AT 29.59In this week's postcard we discuss Disneyland vs Cannes, Feminism 201, and whether we really need to throw Princess babies out with the Princess bathwater. Then we discuss Ridley Scott's A Good Year, and whether men are allowed to go on life-changing holidays too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Before Midnight

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 87:24


    Get ready for some pickled herring and a handful of cod liver oil pills, we're talking about conflict and monogamy. MOVIE TALK STARTS AT 29.06 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Dangerous Beauty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 97:13


    FILM DISCUSSION STARTS 21:44This week Caroline and Jen discuss their favourite adult sleepover movie, Dangerous Beauty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Before Sunset

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 84:52


    In today's postcard, we discuss the ethics of bailing. In the main episode, we catch up with our best pals Jesse and Celine to see if these two kids can finally get it together.Film discussion from 19.54 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: The Tortured Poets Department

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 123:31


    You asked for it and we damn well delivered - here's our analysis of Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department'.ALBUM DISCUSSION FROM 24.04. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Before Sunrise

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 83:58


    This week we're in Croatia, being tomato girls and living our best Porco Rosso life. FILM DISCUSSION STARS AT 26.07 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: The Grand Budapest Hotel

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 88:15


    This week we're checking out of our hostel bunk beds and into the fanciful world of Wes's Grand Budapest Hotel, bathing in all its delicious violets and pinkish hues. Film discussion from 24 minutes.SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE UK LIVE TOURTickets out now - www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Under the Tuscan Sun

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 97:38


    This week we're under the Tuscan sun talking about Under the Tuscan Sun - come join us in our hostel bunkbed! (Bring olives and wine).Film discussion from 00:27:54SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE UK LIVE TOURTickets out now - www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Continental Garbage: Eat Pray Love

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 70:51


    Welcome to Continental Garbage! A mini-series with travel buddy and longtime Friend of the Pod Jen Cownie! This week we're kicking off our continental film club eating (melon and prosciutto), praying (for the eternal banishment of stripy v-necks) and loving our way through the 2010 film adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's bestselling memoir.Film discussion from 00:20:SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE UK TOURTICKETS HERE: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Kiss FM, Craig David and The Holy Trinity of Irish Manhood with Alexandra Haddow

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 75:13


    In this very special episode, comedian Alexandra Haddow joins us ahead of the live tour to talk about what she wants to dig out of the Sentimental Garbage can. Catch us on tour together with https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbageLIVE TOUR DATES:LONDON: 02 JUN 2024 - HACKNEY EMPIREBRIGHTON: 07 JUN 2024 - BRIGHTON DOME CORN EXCHANGESALFORD: 15 JUN 2024 - THE LOWRY, SALFORD QUAYSGLASGOW: 16 JUN 2024 - THE OLD FRUITMARKET, GLASGOWBRISTOL: 20 JUN 2024 - ST GEORGE'S BRISTOLTICKETS HERE: https://www.fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    LIVE with Dolly Alderton at the Bloomsbury Theatre

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 91:42


    Hello! This podcast was recorded courtesy of FANE in January 2024 with Dolly Alderton at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Want to come on tour with us? We're playing:LONDON: 02 Jun 2024 - 19:30 - HACKNEY EMPIREBRIGHTON: 07 Jun 2024 - 19:30 - BRIGHTON DOMESALFORD: 15 Jun 2024 - 20:00 - THE LOWRY, SALFORD QUAYSGLASGOW: 16 Jun 2024 - 19:30 - OLD FRUITMARKET, GLASGOWBRISTOL: 20 Jun 2024 - 19:30 - ST. GEORGE'S BRISTOLTICKETS HERE: https://fane.co.uk/sentimental-garbage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Real Housewives with Elizabeth Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 86:02


    The season finale and we've finally got the grand dame of podcasting on to talk about the Bravo hit that launched a million franchises. Elizabeth Day is an author whose latest book Friendaholic is out now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mistresses with Madeleine Gray

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 67:46


    Author of Green Dot Madeleine Gray is here to talk about society's fascination with The Other Woman. From Anne Boleyn to Monica Lewinsky, from Camilla Parker Bowles to Glenn Close, we investigate why these women are so endlessly interesting to us and whether they are our key to decoding society's most shadowy figures. We're also very glad that Tracy Chapman exists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    One Hit Wonders with Harry Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 88:03


    Musician and jingle-maker Harry Harris makes his SG debut by talking about One Hit Wonders! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Stepmom with Lou Taylor

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 99:12


    Bring the Kleenex lads, this is an emotional one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with Elizabeth Sankey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 76:04


    A true champion of the sweaty yet charming premise, How To Lose A Guy takes all the mid-noughties rom-com tropes and rolls them into one. A woman's magazine! An advertising campaign! A bet! An article! Friends! We discuss Kate Hudson's comedic gifts, the death of the bubblegum romcom and whether women's magazines even deserve a place in the culture. Check out Elizabeth Sankey's documentary Romantic Comedy for more, or her music at Summer Camp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Yuckiness with Nicola Dinan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 63:43


    Blackhead squeezing, earwax removing, blood, guts, fluids. We're talking about how an exponentially growing beauty industry has also created a Yucky industry, where we watch Dr Pimple Popper before bed and Naked Attraction before we go to sleep in hotel rooms. Nicola Dinan joins us to talk about "yuckycore" and where it came from. TW: everything gross Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Skinny Jeans with Lauren Bravo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 57:25


    Style Queen Lauren Bravo joins us yet again for a deep dive, and a eulogy for, the noble skinny jean Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Robbie Williams with Dolly Alderton

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 96:39


    Yes, we all watched the documentary, but WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC? Caroline and Dolly take a deep dive into the rich, thick, expensive fabric that is Robbie Williams' pop career. And yes, we do talk about Swing When You're Winning. Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gx0XURxXE8RtEJXlVPdId?si=1e54995d032d4526 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Anastasia Myth Christmas Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 98:21


    It's been the Roman Empire for all tween girls for over 100 years, so for this year we investigate: what is it about the Anastasia myth that we just can't let go of? Caroline and Ella attempt to examine the real story versus the many false ones that grew around it, touching on Anna Anderson, the Romanovs, the emergence of new media in 1918 vs now, the 1956 movie starring Ingrid Bergman and the 1997 Don Bluth cartoon. This is not a history podcast and we don't use a script so please bear in mind that we play fast and loose with dates and places. If you want a more thorough and historically accurate enquiry into this story, we recommend: The C Word on Anna Anderson https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anna-anderson-aka-anastasia-romanov/id1567724444?i=1000580210342You're Wrong About on Anastasia https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/anastasia/id1380008439?i=1000476500473 ...or if you just want a detailed love-in about the cartoon, Caroline has done one on the Juvenalia podcast! https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/104-anastasia-with-caroline-odonoghue/id1096401730?i=1000483680225 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Love Actually (ranked) with Monica Heisey

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 112:13


    Writer of Really Good Actually and creator of Sky's Smothered joins us for a definitive ranking of every relationship in Love Actually Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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