Kathleen Newman-Bremang

Ested Herndon, host of The Run-Up podcast at The New York Times, dives into the political implications of the term 'woke' in the 2024 Republican primary. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Deputy Director at Refinery29, shares insights into the word's evolution from its roots with leaders like Marcus Garvey to its current polarizing use. They discuss how anti-woke rhetoric is shaping campaigns and explore the cultural significance of 'woke' in music and media, emphasizing its dual role in advocating social consciousness and provoking humor.

This week, cultural critic Kathleen Newman Bremang joins to dissect the mesmerizing Cult of Beyoncé. She explores how the Beyhive operates like a faith, with rituals and blind devotion reminiscent of religion. Kathleen shares her personal journey from fan to critical admirer, examining Beyoncé's impactful feminism and the cultural symbols in 'Lemonade.' They discuss the complexities of celebrity worship versus organized religion and critique the contradictions in Beyoncé's capitalist ventures. Overall, it’s a fascinating look at devotion in pop culture.

Tory Lanez, sentenced for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, is discussed by guests in relation to Drake's betrayal and the sexism and racism faced by black women. They analyze Megan Thee Stallion's court case and the disbelief faced by black women, while also delving into the misogyny in hip hop. The hosts then introduce a Slate Plus segment and discuss the newest 'Sex and the City' series, including Stanford's storyline and the lack of closure in the show.