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Amy Kean

Amy Kean

Culture Editor

25th Sep 2023 Insight
I’m a post-Barbie girl in a post-Barbie world… so what happens now?

I’m a post-Barbie girl in a post-Barbie world… so what happens now?

This summer the world turned pink as Barbie cut a swathe through the cultural landscape and women everywhere rejoiced as a plastic toy celebrated feminism and overturned the patriarchy. But, reflecting in the more sober autumnal light, did that really happen, or were we all just victims of a fuchsia-coloured cult?

29th Aug 2023 Insight
When parents are smashing eggs on their kids’ faces, is it time for a digital reckoning?

When parents are smashing eggs on their kids’ faces, is it time for a digital reckoning?

Social media has hit 'Peak Wicked', and when parents are inflicting low level violence on their kids for laughs, it's time to reset. In fact, it's time to get Old Testament, says Amy Kean. But if we can't rely on God to sweep away humanity's detritus, we'll have to take it upon ourselves.

16th Feb 2023 Insight
Why Britney Spears is ‘manic’ again, and the rise of weaponised pop psychology

Why Britney Spears is ‘manic’ again, and the rise of weaponised pop psychology

From Princess Diana to Britney Spears, a woman in pain or dubbed 'tortured' by others, is one of societies favourite kinks. But, despite more supposed understanding of mental health issues, our love of pop psychology and self-diagnosis has become an addiction, one that's dangerously out of control, says Amy Kean.

5th Dec 2022 Insight
The subtle damage of not giving a f*ck: how workplace bystanders are enabling bad behaviour

The subtle damage of not giving a f*ck: how workplace bystanders are enabling bad behaviour

Speaking up can be hard, but is that why people are reluctant to do it, or do they just not care? Amy Kean examines whether a Richter scale for social issues would encourage us to make a stand.

15th Nov 2022 Insight
shots Fired with... Vicky Quinn Fraser

shots Fired with... Vicky Quinn Fraser

shots' Culture Editor chats with book coach Vicky Quinn Fraser, who gets fired up about the state of the publishing industry.

5th Oct 2022 Insight
“Positive vibes only!” Why tone policing can get in the f*cking bin

“Positive vibes only!” Why tone policing can get in the f*cking bin

"Watch your tone, young lady!" It's what you might say to a cheeky toddler but, too often, the tentacles of the tone police are spreading into grown up conversation and debate. Amy Kean explores, via the British monarchy, business interactions and 1986 movie classic Labyrinth, how the over-policing of conversation is becoming an emergency situation.

8th Sep 2022 Talent
Weird Seance summons… Lynne Parker

Weird Seance summons… Lynne Parker

Despite the wealth of brilliant female comedians - think Katherine Ryan, Sara Pascoe, Jo Brand - many still think 'women aren't funny'. Lynne Parker [fourth from right], is the founder of Funny Women and a champion of female comedians. She talks to Amy Kean about why so many men (and too many women) think females aren't funny, the creativity of comedy, and her ongoing mission.

30th Jun 2022 Insight
The war on girls: why can’t society take young women seriously?

The war on girls: why can’t society take young women seriously?

In the battle of the sexes young girls are becoming the cannon fodder. Amy Kean examines why such an important part of our future is maligned and mistreated, their voices too often missing from the conversation and their fates decided by old men.

18th May 2022 Talent
Weird Seance summons… stevexoh

Weird Seance summons… stevexoh

As Amy Kean continues her search for some of creativity's weirdest inhabitants, she talks to artist and writer stevexoh about unusual names, unexpected journeys and uncovering the secret of living.

26th Apr 2022 Insight
Are you an effective human? How tourists and monsters are making everything worse

Are you an effective human? How tourists and monsters are making everything worse

Social media has a lot to answer for, not least the men (and it is mainly men) who champion social causes for their own benefit, and the users who pillage other people's beliefs to push their online profile. Amy Kean's had enough, and her only recourse is violence... but not that type of violence.

4th Apr 2022 Insight
shots Fired... with Charu Malhotra

shots Fired... with Charu Malhotra

As Amy Kean continues to ask people what makes them mad, Charu Malhotra, Global Brand Manager for PA Consulting, gets riled up by the ongoing inability of some conferences to embrace diversity.

11th Mar 2022 Insight
Weird Seance summons… Rob Mayhew

Weird Seance summons… Rob Mayhew

Continuing her celebration of all things weird and wonderful Culture Editor Amy Kean speaks to Rob Mayhew, Head of Influence at Fleishman Hillard London and a rising TikTok star, who brilliantly lampoons ad agency life and culture in his videos. They discuss seeing things differently, social media and salad cream.

Amy Kean

Amy Kean
Culture Editor