The Trawl is the podcast that dives headfirst into the political chaos, media spin, and social media absurdity of the week - so you don’t have to.
Hosted by broadcasters and political commentators, Jemma Forte and Marina Purkiss, it’s part therapy, part takedown, and always unfiltered.
Each episode, Jemma and Marina trawl through the week’s most viral tweets, jaw-dropping headlines, and rage-inducing soundbites - offering sharp analysis, dark humour, and the occasional expletive. From Westminster to world affairs, they call out hypocrisy, amplify truth, and remind you that you’re not losing your mind - just living through it.
If you’ve ever shouted at the news or laughed through the tears, The Trawl is your people.
Jemma and Marina sit down with comedian, author and political outlier Geoff Norcott.
Geoff brings his sharp wit and no-nonsense takes to the table. From the state of the modern Conservative Party, to culture wars, comedy in a divided Britain and why he’s never quite fitted into one political box – this is a lively, funny and sometimes surprising conversation. The conversation also meanders into British people’s pre occupation with class and Geoff describes what life is like as a Conservative comedian.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when The Trawl meets someone who doesn’t always sing from the same hymn sheet – this one’s for you. Just dont mention the ‘B’ word ;)
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
Putin's Poodle on the Red Carpet and Arresting Pensioners
Episode 275
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 • Duration 51:00
The Trawl ladies are back after a week off, and what a week it was to miss. From over 500 arrests in London (including pensioners with placards) to Trump rolling out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska, this episode has it all: kompromat vibes, cancelled luncheons, and Trump’s aides looking like they’ve seen a ghost.
Jemma and Marina also dive into Trump’s bizarre rambles and discuss why Zelensky's face isn't made for poker. There's some time spent discussing Gavin Newsom’s 'sassy' way of trolling Trump by using Trump's own tactics. Plus: Alistair Green unveils a brand new migrant hotel, Jennifer Welch goes full throttle at MAGA, and Cody Dahler steals the show by scoring a Trawl hat trick.
Enjoy!
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
Coldplay, Crackdowns, Arrests & Cold Truths
Episode 269
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 • Duration 47:29
Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte have done the doom scrolling so you don’t have to, bringing you the viral chaos, the political drama, and the bits the mainstream misses.
First up, the scandal that broke the internet—yes, that Coldplay affair. It had everything: shock, schadenfreude, and memes so relentless they almost made you forget how painful it must have been for those involved. The ladies have rounded up the funniest, sharpest, and most unhinged takes from across social media.
Then they dive into Labour’s latest rollercoaster, including the good things you're not hearing about. One thing that has hit the headlines is the news that sixteen-year-olds will soon get the vote—cue the inevitable outrage about teenagers who “can’t even boil an egg.” Meanwhile, Starmer’s whip-wielding spree has left MPs floating awkwardly between “Labour-ish” and politically homeless, and Diane Abbott’s expulsion has sparked fury about hypocrisy at the heart of the party. Add Corbyn’s growing “Independent Alliance,” and you’ve got a movement that’s starting to look more like a rebellion.
Oh, and did we mention pensioners are being arrested for peaceful protest? Yeah. That too.
And the latest update from Palestine is heart wrenching but has to be discussed.
From Westminster to TikTok, from viral reels to the quiet crises no one’s talking about—Jemma and Marina have trawled it all so you don’t have to.
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Ep 188: Hurricane Milton, Sue Gray and Chagos Fury
Episode 188
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 • Duration 39:48
The episode begins with some heart wrenching clips. Firstly we hear a weather report from a presenter who is audibly horrified by what he's having to tell people and then from a lady who is beyond angry that Ron DeSantis is choosing to politicise the disaster and appeals to her fellow Floridians.
Then, the reviews are in! Unleashed by Boris Johnson is being flogged on every platform he can get on (which is all of them sadly) but, despite him repeating the book title ad infinitum, all Marina and Jemma are interested in is his disgusting confession that he had no idea about Brexit. I mean, we all knew it, but good to hear it out loud, even if he doesn't care and isn't sorry.
The rest of the episode focuses on two issues the likes of The Mail and The Telegraph have been telling people to be livid about for days - Sue Gray and the Chagos Islands.
Jemma and Marina discuss how it points to a deeper problem - the power of the Right Wing media and why arguably Leveson 2 is so desperately needed.
The history behind the Chagos Islands certainly isn't being written about. Neither is the fact that the same outcome would have been required no matter who was in power.
But don't worry, The Trawl ladies have plenty of tweets which put you in the picture.
They finish with Under Rated Tweets of the week and pudding by Larry and Paul and Broken News.
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Ep 187: Laura K's Mare, P Diddy's Arrest and Trump Ramblings
Episode 187
Saturday, October 5, 2024 • Duration 37:34
Twitter (X) was on fire when Laura Kuenssberg announced that her exclusive interview with Johnson had had to be cancelled due to the fact she'd sent him her notes. Oops. How could this have happened? Jemma and Marina have their theories and some of the tweets are glorious.
Less glorious is ex Tory MP Jonathan Gullis' realisation that the teaching profession might not be willing to welcome him back with open arms after calling them Bolsheviks and commies and so on. Can't think why...
Then, The Trawl goes Stateside where P Diddy has been arrested and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. The allegations are truly shocking but not as shocking as it is for an Irish person to have to discuss what P Diddy might have done or be doing, as you'll hear in one of the clips.
As for Trump, his latest ramblings barely make sense. How long can such incoherent gibberish be ignored for by even the most ardent of Republicans?
Michael Spicer serves up pudding with The Room Next Door - A Donald Trump Factcheck Special
Enjoy!
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
Ep 186: Tory Conference Clangers, Fishy Jenrick and Duffield Departs
Episode 186
Friday, October 4, 2024 • Duration 51:17
This Trawl begins with a tribute to the late, great Dame Maggie Smith.
Then, Marina and Jemma discuss two prominent political figures who have decided their parties aren't for them after all. Labour's Rosie Duffield has become an independent (which raises questions in itself) and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has left the conservative party, which means she can be more forthright than before which she certainly is about Jenrick.
Then it's off to Tory Party Conference where the mood is surprisingly buoyant given their recent thumping. The party members are all falling over themselves to proclaim which of the MPs running to be leader has got their vote. Despite saying maternity pay is 'excessive' Kemi Badenoch is getting the thumbs up from a lot of them and from many ministers too. Though does it count if it's from David Davis? Jemma and Marina are startled by quite a few of the things Kemi has said but not quite as startled as they were to hear about where Robert Jenrick got £75,000 from as a donation.
Truss has made an appearance to tell everyone (again) that she's simply misunderstood, that her ideas were all marvellous and that she should have been left in power to further wreck the economy. While Jacob Rees Mogg is on hand to tell us all why we shouldn't be saying 'Chair' instead of Chairman......plus, something about wolves, I think. Hard to tell.
There are underrated tweets of course, some of which involve Russell Brand baptising people in his under grundies.
Pudding is Will Sebag Montefiore
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Only in Blighty would a one-word slip-up manage to dominate the news cycle... Yes, sausages. Marina and Jemma discuss the ongoing fallout and the concern that, of all things that went on at Labour conference, this appears to be one of the few stories that is landing.
Then it's onto a party conference of a very different kind, less political conference, more Phoenix Nights rehash - because the Reform Party Conference was all going off as well, in much the same way milk does. Then ladies hear from some breathtaking vox pops from those in attendance and mull over Lee Anderson's BBC license fee stunt.
Then it's on to some great underrated tweets from a Trump who STILL can't get over that debate, a James OB clip of him putting caller Roger firmly in his place and some discussion over the Starmer's son's GSCE study brouhaha.
Then, as journalists up and down the country suddenly appear to have learnt how to do journalism all at the same time and coincidentally at the same time as a Labour government, it's only right that the pod ends with a pudding from The Exploding Heads that is beautifully on point.
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
Ep 184: Kemi transitions to working class & Labour facing questions...
Episode 184
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 • Duration 43:14
Boris Johnson has been churning out his Daily Mail opinion pieces again, but this week the bloviating bell was even lazier than usual when we learnt he couldn't even be bothered to research the Bridget Jones plot line before putting out his casually sexist guff.
Then it's onto the ongoing Labour and Starmer drama which shows no signs of quelling. Jemma and Marina discuss the lazy comparison with the Tories, the disagreement with Owen Jones and the double standards of the media - but sadly arrive at the conclusion that there are some Labour stories emerging that are far more than serious than just bad optics.
Then it's onto BBC Laura K who it seems is looking forward to her romantic date/interview with Boris Johnson - and appears is the only one left who gives a toss what he has to say
Then it's onto the no-class-act, Kemi Badenoch, who this week displayed she knowns even less about anything than we thought she knew before, when she appeared to suggest her class status changed after a shift working at McDonalds. All finished off with the most cathartic of puddings, that may well have granted James O'Brien official national treasure status.
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
Ep 183: Starmer donor drama & moaning millionaires...
Episode 183
Saturday, September 21, 2024 • Duration 44:00
Uh oh... We thought we were done with dodgy donor activity, but there are question marks over Keir Starmer's wife, Victoria being in receipt of some dresses from a very well-to-do Labour donor. Jemma and Marina discuss the terrible optics and nuance around the matter, while agreeing wholeheartedly that Tories coming out to try and claim the moral high-ground can ABSOLUTELY DO ONE.
The ladies move onto why we need a new system whereby our democracy isn't for sale to the highest bidder and discuss cases where one might need a new work wardrobe to be funded - cue Jemma's hideous dress story! And there's a clip from one MP who certainly would not accept any gifts of new apparel - no prizes for guessing who.
Then it's onto moaning millionaires, more specifically: Charlie Mullins (or Poundland Rod Stewart as he's also known) who founded Pimlico Plumbers. Poor Charlie is so devastated by Labour tax rises that haven't yet been announced, that he's taken to every media platform to complain and tell us he's leaving the UK - which begs the question: why is he still here?
The ladies chat about the argument that higher taxes for the wealthy will lead to brain drain, and discuss the actual impact this will have when experts have crunched the numbers. Newsflash: we'll be ok.
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
Ep 182: I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT & other stateside craziness...
Episode 182
Friday, September 20, 2024 • Duration 44:05
Yes, the internet can be an absolute cesspit at times, but it can also be a source of pure (Trawl) gold, as indeed it was thanks to the hilarious takes from the craziness going on stateside. You've got musical renditions of "they're eating the cats", a dramatic monologe and even a clip of The Simpsons, Chief Wiggum himself.
Jemma and Marina discuss the move from cats and dogs...to geese, and the impact that has been had on the community in Springfield, Ohio since Trump's running mate, JD Vance admitted he will "create stories" if needs be. WOW.
Then it's onto Trump publicly declaring his hate for pop star, Taylor Swift (as you do) and the dumbing down of our now global gutter politics and Trump's second assassination attempt - or was it?
Musk makes an appearance too, given he appeared to incite violence on his own platform and the ladies discuss Kamala's favourite swear word, as well as their own.
Finally, onto some underrated tweets of the week, including a howler in response to Tommy Robinson's new book, before finishing with a Trump flavoured pudding by The Kiffness that took the internet by storm.
Thank you for sharing and do tweet us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss
Edited by Max Carrey
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
If you’ve even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you’ll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:
• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on
• Early access to The Trawl Meets…
• Glorious ad-free episodes
Plus, there’s a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.
And it’s your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you’re not alone.
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