It was so popular last year that we decided to do it again! Join us this holiday season as we introduce you to twelve of our favourite podcasts in the 12 Days of Podmas.
One of the breakout podcasts of the year, I’ve Had It is the passion project – and some might say ongoing therapy session – between two best friends Jennifer Welch and Angie ‘Pumps’ Sullivan (and occasional guests) as they acerbically dissect the increasing absurdities of the world and attempt something close to laughing through the chaos while providing a safe space for people to bemoan their personal bête noires.
Both hail from the reality TV world (in a sense; the two first appeared together on Bravo’s Sweet Home, a short-lived reality show following Welch and her interior design business in Oklahoma City), but I’ve Had It is the real jewel in the crown of this dynamic duo’s partnership. With Pumps having been the friend and work colleague to Jennifer’s husband Josh before they became friends, there’s an invitingly silly, effervescent chemistry to each episode, even when they’re vivisecting the most mundane of trivialities or decrying right-wing rhetoric.
READ MORE: The Wicker Man (1973) – Blu-ray Review
Whether that’s championing LGBTQIA rights, excoriating conservative legislators, or dressing up like sacrilegious nuns to subvert religious hypocrisy, there’s nothing beyond the scope of Jennifer and Pumps, whose friendship is a treasure and riddled with long-standing bits and legendary running jokes (the gentle, loving gaslighting of Pumps into lesbianism is a particular highlight).
Armed with a pair of exemplary producers – Richard Taplin and Kiley Josey – the I’ve Had It crew regularly brings on guests to get their perspective on the week’s matters (recent guests have included Drag Race alumni Delta Work, Trixie Mattel, and Katya, comedienne Margaret Cho, and popstar Meghan Trainor). It’s not a dissimilar format to other comedic advice shows (the best comparison might be the UK’s own Help! I Sexted My Boss from William Hanson and Jordan North), but I’ve Had It has resonated with audiences due to the sincere friendship on display and the safe space provided by the team. Imagine a confessional booth with two people you’d love to have a cocktail with and you’re there.
READ MORE: The Shuttlepod Show – 12 Days Of Podmas
This isn’t to say that I’ve Had It is all fluff and fun times – in recent episodes, Pumps and Jennifer have given space to issues closer to home. One 2023 episode gave Josh Welch space to discuss his ongoing sobriety and addiction issues with his wife and his close friend, managing to be a sensitive, compassionate exploration of addiction while not losing the podcast’s sense of sharp humour.
Such nuanced moments don’t detract from the largely buoyant nature of the show, but emphasise it. I’ve Had It is a potent blend of warm, sincere inclusivity, infectiously quick humour, and good-natured silliness, resulting in potentially the world’s best feel-good podcast all about the joys of negativity. Much like the show’s growing audience, this reviewer has certainly had it and doesn’t think he’ll ever get quite enough.
I’ve Had It is available from wherever you get your podcasts.