Mag Hags cover art

Mag Hags

Mag Hags

Written by: Franki Cookney & Lucy Douglas
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About this listen

The culture and history podcast that every modern woman should know.


Join Franki and Lucy as they dive into the glossy archives of women’s magazines to find out what's still hot, and what's definitely not.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Franki Cookney & Lucy Douglas
Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Mag Hags Unwrapped
    Feb 11 2026

    It’s the final episode of Mag Hags and what better way to bid you farewell than with a behind-the-scenes tour of the show! Find out how we make it, how much it all costs, and what (if any) money we make from it. We also dig into what’s hot and what’s not about making a show like Mag Hags, and hash out our Season 3 vision board.


    Thank you all so much for listening and coming with us on this brilliant journey into British magazine history. If anything you’ve heard today has sparked an idea, please do get in touch. You can email us at maghagspodcast@gmail.com


    We’d love to hear from you! It doesn’t have to be a business solution! Just let us know which has been your favourite episode. <3


    If we can find a way to bring Mag Hags back, we definitely will. And if you haven’t already, we really recommend signing up to the newsletter. That is the number one place we will be announcing any developments and it’s the best way to keep in touch. Find us on Substack: maghags.substack.com


    If you have enjoyed the show, why not buy us a coffee?

    Ko-fi is a super easy way to support the podcast with a one off donation - you can think of it like buying us a drink, or leaving a tip. Go to ko-fi.com/maghags.


    Mag Hags is created and hosted by Franki Cookney and Lucy Douglas.

    This episode was mixed by Siân Williams.

    Our theme music is Look Where That Got You, Mattie Maguire. Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    38 mins
  • Marie Claire, October 1990
    Feb 4 2026

    Got a crush on your married colleague? Has masturbation become mundane? Looking for ways to make your beauty routine more efficient?


    It’s October 1990. Mr Bean is in, Margaret Thatcher is out, and Germaine Greer is shaking it all about in a long and highly convoluted essay on masturbation. Is it self-love or self-abuse? We’re not sure we’ve emerged any the wiser.


    Elsewhere this week (the final episode of the season!) the Mag Hags get the tea from both sides of an affair, discuss the power and value of real life stories, and ponder the best way to wear a hooded shawl.


    Want more of these mags?

    Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to see all the pictures, features, and adverts in full! Find us at maghags.substack.com


    If you are enjoying the show, why not buy us a coffee?

    Ko-fi is a super easy way to support the podcast with a one off donation - you can think of it like buying us a drink, or leaving a tip. Go to ko-fi.com/maghags.


    Mag Hags is created entirely by us – Lucy and Franki. So your support means the world to us and it’s what will allow us to keep doing it. Thank you so much!


    CHAPTERS


    02:23 - Introduction to Marie Claire, October 1990


    07:48 - Diary of an affair: In a Mag Hags first, we hear about infidelity from both sides


    26:46 - *An ad break from 1990*


    29:31 - What actually happened on board the Marchioness? A first person account of the tragic disaster on the Thames


    45:17 - Fashion and beauty tips from 1990


    48:58 - Self love or self-abuse: Germaine Greer on female masturbation


    1:01:45 - What's Hot and What's Not in October 1990


    --


    Mag Hags is created and hosted by Franki Cookney and Lucy Douglas.

    Editing and audio production by Franki Cookney.

    Our theme music is Look Where That Got You, Mattie Maguire. Additional music: Leotard Haul, Dez Moran. Both courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Sidebar: French women do it better
    Jan 28 2026

    Ooh la la! This week we’re donning our berets and nibbling disinterestedly on our croissants as we attempt to unpick the British cultural obsession with French women. From their revolutionary spirit, to their ability to combine women’s liberation with flawless lipstick, we ponder whether French women have it all. However, 15 page “Francophile special” from Cosmopolitan 1989 suggests that coveted je ne sais quoi might be something of a double edged sword.


    Welcome to Mag Hags “Sidebar” where we talk about the stuff we couldn’t fit into the main episode. Or else go off on a mad tangent about something that’s sparked our interest.


    Join the conversation!

    Got a suggestion for a topic you think we should cover? Have an insight into one of the features we discussed? Or maybe you just want to share your magazine memories with us. We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line via our newsletter maghags.substack.com


    If you are enjoying the show, why not buy us a coffee?

    Ko-fi is a super easy way to support the podcast with a one off donation - you can think of it like buying us a drink, or leaving a tip. Go to ko-fi.com/maghags.


    Mag Hags is created and hosted by Franki Cookney and Lucy Douglas.

    Our assistant producer is Ella Glover.

    This episode was mixed by Siân Fox.

    Our theme music is Look Where That Got You, Mattie Maguire. Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 mins
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