How do you talk about the culture wars without igniting them further? I've got a new (old) podcast recommendation for you that might just occupy you all weekend.

Things Fell Apart digs into the origin stories of the culture wars, or as Jon Ronson puts it, the things people yell about on social media. It leads him to fascinating places, with twists and turns that somehow bring us to the toxic world we live in today. The second season has just come out which zooms in on the culture wars that ignited during lockdown, but I recommend starting at the beginning. Ronson's insights into exactly where and how things fell apart are illuminating and frustrating in equal measure, but its hard to stop listening.

- Cressida, Head of Content

QUICK FIRE NEWS 🧨

🥺 Supermarket chain offers "sad leave" to employees

🩲 Skimpy Olympic track outfits from Nike criticised

🇩🇪 Germany passes self determination law for trans people

🎭 Racists lose their minds at a Black person playing Juliet

💊 Scotland follow England by pausing puberty blockers

LET'S GET INTO IT 🤓

Girls as young as 10 targeted with anti-ageing content🧴

A new campaign by Dove highlights how young girls are being influenced by anti-ageing skincare products online.

What's happening? The kids growing up today face a very different world to past generations. Skincare, believe it or not, is a big part of that. Kids on TikTok and Instagram are being exposed to influencers that pedal expensive skincare and beauty products. These products are designed for adults aiming to reduce wrinkles and puffiness, and dermatologists have cautioned that it could harm children's sensitive skin.

But mum, I want retinol! Whereas previously, a fascination with make up might be expected from young girls, the move to skincare indicates something more insidious. Make up can be experimented with in a fun, creative and kid-friendly way, whereas obsessive skincare is more about "beauty enhancement" and "fixing" parts of yourself. Despite it being more rampant in girls, boys face similar pressures to engage in skincare regimes and more generally invest time in self-improvement.

The Cass review provokes controversy 🧐

The Cass Review of gender identity services for young people - commissioned 4 years ago - was released last week.

The context The reviewwas commissioned in response to an increase in referrals to gender identity services and criticism of how they run. Some groups claimed children were being rushed through the process and suggested medical negligence.

The results The review said that there was a lack of evidence supporting medical care for children questioning their gender. Among her recommendations, Cass said a “follow-through service” should be put in place, along with more research into the services, and called for "holistic and personal” care.

The response Anti-trans campaigners seized the outcome of the review to further their agenda. That trans children have been let down by gender-related healthcare is all too true - shockingly long wait times, with little budget or resources - but most commentators have no interest in reforming healthcare.

There is no shortage of criticism of the report, with some suggesting bias was involved and that insight from actual trans people was missing. There is concern over which evidence was used or discounted, and the number of anti-trans groups cited throughout. Cat Burton, chair of a research organisation consulted for the review said "it was obvious that the review had been written before we started."

The corporate ladder is broken New blog post by Eddie ✍🏿

"So, what do you do?"... say most people who you’ve just met and are attempting to make polite conversation. This question, which I’ve begun to dread, obviously refers to your career – or how you make your money – but should it? Recently, I’ve begun to wonder about this, and feel increasingly uncomfortable when the question is asked by relative strangers.

Changing priorities There is a growing disinterest in being married to your job. Most, if not all, of us have jobs as a reason to sustain, rather than fulfil our livelihoods. Afterall, unlike the generation before us, most of us will have a good many different jobs in our lifetime. There are a few reasons for this growing change of outlook...

Read the full blog post

THIS WEEK WE'RE LOVING ✨

📺 Ultra tense new Netflix drama

💗 Hannah Waddingham

🥳 Our awesome panel event last night at Parliament with Future Leaders