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The Poshcast

The Poshcast

By: The Telegraph
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Welcome to The Poshcast, a riotously funny and irreverent examination of modern social norms, what ‘the done thing is’ these days and the dirtiest c-word of all: class.

Forget war! Forget energy prices! Forget civilisation burning to a crisp or being taken over by robots! Instead, turn to The Poshcast to debate the real questions that divide Britain. Is yours a shoes-on or shoes-off household? Have the Cotswolds become the naffest place in the country? And is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as basic as a premiership footballer now he has a double-barrelled name?

It’s hosted by Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson, two good pals who met a few years ago at a party and bonded over dogs and writing bonkbusters while knocking back margaritas.


After a childhood spent riding ponies, then a spell at Tatler before writing several novels featuring eccentric toffs, Sophia brings her lifelong understanding of the aristocracy to the table; Cleo worked in Conservative politics before writing a couple of very saucy novels not at all based on her experiences of Lords calling women ‘fillies’ or bundling MPs out of strip clubs. Together, with the tally-ho enthusiasm of two Jilly Cooper characters, they will navigate you through the choppy waters of how to behave nowadays.

Every week, Sophia and Cleo will discuss a big talking point, ranging from Waitrose to Range Rovers, Dubai to dog breeds, straightforward shooting weekends to Secret Santa. No subject is off-limits in our valiant quest to decode what ‘posh’ really means. And there’ll be listener input, too, because we want to help tackle the country’s thorniest etiquette questions. How do you tell your host in advance that you’re on Mounjaro? Should you dump a man because of his shoes? And how best to navigate the tricky ‘bathroom’ issue on the first weekend away with a new lover? Towards the end of each episode, they will pick their favourite bit of manners mail and offer their helpful thoughts on the subject.

Because like it or loathe it, Britain’s favourite hobby remains pretending not to care about class while quietly caring about it very much, judging everything from your kitchen taps to your holiday destination, and whether you say ‘toilet’ or ‘loo’. The spirit of Hyacinth Bucket lives on! Do, please, keep on your shoes, take off your gloves and hold on to your hats for The Poshcast.

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

© Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. Relationships Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Poshcast Heatwave Guide: Is it ever OK for a man to wear an open-toed shoe?

    The Poshcast Heatwave Guide: Is it ever OK for a man to wear an open-toed shoe?
    Jun 25 2026

    Welcome to The Poshcast with Cleo Watson and Sophia Money-Coutts, two Jilly Cooper characters transposed into 2026.


    This week Sophia and Cleo discuss how to survive this heatwave sartorially, from office shorts to avoiding sweat patches. Plus they tackle the great question of our time: is it ever ok for a man to wear an open-toed shoe?


    And the question from the audience this week is about the minefield of modern greetings, prompted by Prince Edward kissing the King on both cheeks at Ascot last week. Sophia delves into her copy of Debrett’s for guidance on handshakes, hugs, air kisses, and whether you can get away with more flamboyance as an Italian Duke.


    You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iVP6Gc7pl1Y


    Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk.


    Video Producer: Carla Mercer

    Social Editor: Ruby Borg

    Executive Producer: Louisa Wells


    Highlights:

    • Is it ever OK for a man to wear an open-toed shoe?
    • How to greet someone: one kiss or two?


    Chapters:

    00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast

    03:11 Hippo and Dennis update

    05:58 Listener Feedback Roast

    08:49 Heatwave Dressing

    17:20 Men’s Sandal Debate

    25:42 Modern Greetings Etiquette

    31:40 Debrett’s Social Kissing Rules

    34:36 Mouse Naming Finale

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    36 mins
  • Picnic etiquette, bad Father’s Day cards, and is Ascot now a little bit naff?

    Picnic etiquette, bad Father’s Day cards, and is Ascot now a little bit naff?
    Jun 18 2026

    Ascot: posh pastime or plain naff?


    Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Poshcast with Cleo Watson and Sophia Money-Coutts, your favourite group-chat in podcast form.


    Join Sophia and Cleo as they delve into the murky world of modern social norms, class anxiety and all matters that generate furious online opinions.


    This week we are donning our hats (never fascinators) to talk Ascot - how to say it, the dress-code minefield from jumpsuits to compulsory socks, and why the whole thing can feel like a pricey, performative logistical nightmare unless you’ve arrived by helicopter.


    Plus we’ll wade into picnic politics (Scotch eggs, leaking deli tubs and Fortnum hampers), discuss the apparently atrocious standard of Father's Day cards these days, and ask listeners to christen The Poshcast mouse-mascot with a suitably befitting title.


    You can watch The Poshcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CyEqqzeY6BM


    Send your questions to theposhcast@telegraph.co.uk.


    Ban ‘picky bits’ and pre-mixed cans: My rules for the ultimate picnic, Sophia Money-Coutts: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/13/my-rules-for-the-ultimate-picnic/


    BBC Archive 1983: What’s your perfect picnic?: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZEwjeKgAgI/?igsh=aDB1OWtkaG9tMHQ3



    Video Producer: James England

    Executive Producer: Louisa Wells


    Highlights:

    • Is Ascot now a little bit naff?
    • Who is buying these crude Father's Day cards?


    Chapters:

    00:00 Welcome to The Poshcast

    05:42 Bath Weekend Confessions

    08:47 Picnics and Picky Bits

    11:03 Picnic Practicalities

    15:03 Prince George School Scoop

    16:27 Ascot Hats and Pronunciation

    18:48 Should You Even Go

    20:32 Car Park Picnic Culture

    23:48 Flat vs Jump Racing

    25:05 Dress Codes Explained

    30:29 Listener Fathers Day Dilemma

    38:08 Taxidermy Mouse Mascot

    39:22 See you Next Week

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 mins
  • Coming soon: The Poshcast

    Coming soon: The Poshcast
    Jun 10 2026

    Join Sophia Money-Coutts and Cleo Watson on The Poshcast a new podcast from The Telegraph.

    Available every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 min
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