How dare you cancel on us.
A chat about the etiquette of cancelling, not three but SIX reccos, a little treat on the horizon (but first, we need your opinions), and some behind-the-scenes content that should have stayed BTS. 👀
Hiii Outlouders, Em Vernem here 🙋🏾♀️
This week, I had to cancel A LOT of plans (because I had the flu). As someone who jokes a lot about quiet quitting and the right to disconnect in front of her boss (*ahem* Mia), I run into the issue of people thinking I’m faking when I’m actually sick. And you know what? Fair. I see the hole I’ve dug myself into and I’m happy to be laid to rest there along with my stuffy nose and demon cough.
So then. Friday’s show. Mia, Jessie and friend of the show Amelia Lester, discussed the fine art of cancelling plans. Namely, when you should and should not pull the plug on plans. Or is it pull the pin? Plug, pin. You get the picture.
It will surprise precisely no one that I have a lot of thoughts about this little conundrum. And yes, I will be sharing them. But like always, let’s first jump into the weekly reccos (Amelia really brought it this week).
Weekly Reccos 📺 📖 🎧
Here’s what our Out Loud hosts suggest we buy, read and listen to.
Mia wants you to buy
Hanger extenders from Amazon. If you’re running out of space in your wardrobe, these little guys allow you to layer your clothes on top of each other so you can hang them vertically.
“Leigh Campbell says she uses them to plan outfits. I plan outfits all the time but I do it on my floor. The problem with that is that my dog will come and lie on them, or sometimes sh*it on them… quite literally.”
Jessie wants you to read
French Braid by Anne Tyler. Jessie was cheating a bit with this one because Holly has recommended it before. But since Holly is on her hols this week, she couldn’t get mad. The book tells the story of a family’s dynamic from the 1950s right up to the modern day. It’s described as ‘joyous, tender and perfect’ so… quite good then.
“I loved it, not a single thing happens.”
Amelia wants you to read
Ina Garten’s memoir. It’s called Be Ready When the Luck Happens, and although Ina is a renowned cook, author and TV presenter, here she writes a lot about her marriage and what makes a good partnership.
“It’s very much about the pull and push involved when two ambitious people get married or get together.”
Amelia also wants you to watch
Australian Story: Making Lachlan Murdoch on ABC iview. It’s a three-part series that dives into the family and business drama of the Murdoch empire including the big question: which of Rupert’s children will come out on top? Think: Succession but real and Australian.
“A highlight for me was that while Lachlan doesn’t speak, he and James Packer are close and you have to assume that he gave the green light to it. James comes across as very vulnerable, very honest about their failed business ventures together.”
Amelia also wants you to try
Eyebrow tinting. She says that as we get older, we lose ‘contrast’. Essentially we start running out of ink so Ameila gave eyebrow tinting a go. Mia and Jessie do theirs at home and by the sounds of it, you have to really experiment with colours before you get your perfect shade. Exhibit A ⬇️
Amelia also wants you to watch
Only Murders in the Building on Disney+. The fourth season is out now, and it’s such a feel-good watch even though it involves… murder.
Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez play an unlikely trio who decide to make a true crime podcast based on a murder in the building they all live in.
“There’s an on screen romance between Martin Short and Meryl Streep and I don’t know if you’ve seen the pics… but something is going on in real life between those two.”
Yup, I *think* Amelia might just have finished with her reccos now. So, what do you think of them? Do we get extra points for the bonus content? Let us know by clicking the button below.
🎧 Now that you’ve recovered from the recco marathon, you can also listen to Mia, Jessie & Amelia talk about *checks notes* sex boundaries on Wednesday’s show. Follow below.
Check these out. 👩💻
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Outlouders, we have news 🎂🎉🥳
Outlouders, you’re a lovely lot. Truly. We’re coming up to 10 years of Out Loud now (yay! Happy anniversary everyone!). We can’t tell you how much we appreciate you having us in your ears for so long. And yes, we absolutely know that without you, Mamamia Out Loud could not have lasted 10 years so THANK YOU.
Now, the question you often ask us is, ‘Where’s the merch?’ And our answer has always been… *tumbleweeds*
Up until now, that is.
Because we’re going to do it. Yes, Outlouders. Merch is on its way. Holly is poised at her sewing machine right now. Jessie’s sketching out her very many ideas and Mia? Well, Mia’s wrapping herself in sequins while singing John Farnham. Helpful.com.
But first, we’d love your input, please. This is a little treat for all of us to celebrate this funny, smart and kind community you’ve built over the last decade. And because of that, it only seems right that you get to say what sort of merch you’d like.
As loyal newsletter subscribers (take a bow, friends), you’re the first to be able to vote on this little venture. So please, have a look at the poll below and tell us which merch tickles your fancy. We can’t wait to hear from you!
And if there’s something else entirely, that we haven’t thought of but YOU have, please let us know by clicking the button below!
From Holly ❣️
Once you have kids, they say, a holiday is really just a relocation.
Same stresses and problems, different space. A cramped hotel room, perhaps. A holiday house miles from the nearest playground or park. And expensive. Paying through the nose for a breakfast buffet at which the kid will eat three hash browns and a mini-sausage drowned in sauce.
That's until, friends, you discover the joy of holiday parks. Do not scoff. You know not of what you speak. This is the place you actually get a break.
I've been talking about Discovery Parks and Resorts on the podcasts MID and Mamamia Out Loud lately, because they've been partnering with us. But also, because, there's no argument for me: a family holiday has to be a holiday for everyone, and these are the places where that will actually happen… Continue reading.
Exactly when to cancel 🫣
On Friday’s show, Mia, Holly and guest host Amelia Lester, talked about the cancel economy and how with instant messaging, people have the ease to scrap plans anytime they want.
Not going to lie, depending on my mood (or what stage I’m in on my menstrual cycle), I either love a cancellation or… I really, really hate it.
The entire segment was extremely insightful. I have strong opinions (loosely held) on exactly when you can and can’t cancel plans. Allow me to present: Em’s Guide To Cancelling.
A first date: Latest is 8am the day of.
Your mum’s birthday lunch: You can never cancel.
Drinks with the girls: Two hours before if you all live close (the morning of if someone has to travel over 40 minutes to get there).
School pickup: The day before (unless your kids can stay the night there). JK!
Someone’s big birthday (lots of people): The morning of if you have a really good excuse.
Someone’s small birthday (sit down dinner vibes): You can’t cancel.
A casual stroll: If it’s a common activity then you can cancel whenever. If your friend has asked for a walk out of the blue, you can’t cancel at all— She’s going through something.
A concert/show: You can’t cancel. If you do, it’s your responsibility to find someone to take your ticket. That person has to be known and liked by the person you’re cancelling on.
An event where you only know one person: If that one person also only knows you, you can’t cancel. If that one person knows other people, you can cancel any time.
Sexy time with your situationship: Dependant on how much time they put into their hair removal/exfoliation/moisturising routine + 2 hours.
Watching the footy with your partner’s friends: Just don’t show up if you really don’t want to go. They won’t remember either way.
Your child’s award ceremony: If they’re receiving an award, you can’t cancel. If they’re not, lie and say you were there the whole time.
🎧 Follow below and listen to the whole cancellation chat on Friday’s show.
What do you think of this list? Am I cancelled for my cancellations? Don’t worry, I can take it.
Much professional, always demure
Slipping this in at the end to demonstrate the level of respect with which the pod’s Exec Producer Ruth treats her boss. Consider this a masterclass in workplace etiquette.
A trucker cap. I wear one every morning when I walk and that's when I listen to MMOL. Listening whilst also advertising would be tops.
A tea towel 😍