Podcast Hosts Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne Face Backlash Over New Subscription Tier
Fans express frustration over the addition of a paid option for 'Life Uncut,' citing the cost of living crisis, while the hosts' brother defends the move.
Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne, hosts of the podcast "Life Uncut," are facing criticism from some fans after introducing a new paid subscription option called "Life Unlocked." The tier, available through Patreon, costs $6.99 per month and offers additional content.
Fans voiced their concerns on social media, with many citing the current economic climate and rising cost of living as reasons for their dissatisfaction. Comments on the podcast's promotional Instagram post included remarks about existing financial pressures and the disappointment of seeing another podcast introduce a paywall. Some listeners expressed a feeling of being "fed up with being advertised and sold to at every turn and having to pay for literally everything."
The "Life Unlocked" tier promises two bonus episodes each month, early access to merchandise and live show tickets, behind-the-scenes footage, and an "Ask Uncut" segment featuring comedian Hamish Blake. While the podcast will continue to offer four episodes weekly for free, the paid tier is presented as an optional add-on for those seeking "a little extra Life Uncut in their lives."
The controversy escalated when Brittany Hockley's brother, Dane Hockley, intervened in the online discussion. He defended the subscription fee, comparing it to the cost of daily coffees, beauty treatments, and nights out. "I seriously can't get over the amount of people whinging in here," he wrote in a comment that was later deleted. "You will happily pay $7 for a coffee daily, get ya lashes done every fortnight, have nights on drinking for $400, but won't pay a $6.99 monthly subscription. It's 23 cents a day."
His comments drew further responses from fans who highlighted increased interest rates and fuel costs, with one user stating they worked multiple jobs and still struggled financially. Another commenter suggested that the justification for the paywall was being framed in a way that rubbed people the wrong way.
Conversely, some listeners expressed support for the subscription model, viewing it as a way to directly support the podcast creators. These fans noted that the monthly fee was comparable to the cost of a single coffee and that it was a reasonable way to value the hosts' time and effort. "After years of listening every single week for free, I will happily subscribe to support a podcast I love so much!" one supporter wrote.