It's Been a Minute
NPR
Want in on a secret? Your likes and dislikes didn't develop by accident. There are subtle and not-so-subtle forces around you, shaping what you think, how you act, and even who you think you are. Brittany Luse is here to break the spell and help you feel wiser in a society that makes things blurry.THE BEST POP CULTURE PODCAST AWARD WINNER AT THE 2025 SIGNAL AWARDSIt’s Been A Minute with Brittany Luse is the best podcast for understanding what’s going on in culture right now, and helps you consume it smarter. From how politics influences pop culture to how identity influences tech or health, Brittany makes the picture clearer for you every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.It’s Been A Minute reaches millions of people every week. Join the community and conversation today.If you can't get enough, try It's Been a Minute Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/itsbeenaminute
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 6, 2026 • 20min
Melania Trump just made a lot of money (and a documentary)
Bob Mondello, NPR senior arts critic, offers informed cultural critique. Alison Willmore, film critic and podcast co-host, brings sharp contemporary movie analysis. They dissect a glossy, tightly staged film about Melania Trump. They discuss posed scenes, authorship and who benefits from Amazon’s big payout. The conversation centers on image control, audience intent, and the film’s polished artifice.
8 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 19min
The Swoletariat: a history of leftist fitness
Angel Gonzalez, activist and creator who coined 'swoletariat,' and Margaret Cirino, Life Kit producer and CrossFit coach, explore fitness as a political practice. They trace 19th century Turner halls to Black Power training and modern leftist influencers. Short takes on how workout culture, community training, and prepping for protest intersect with ideology and social solidarity.
Feb 2, 2026 • 20min
Americans are tired. The grindset is to blame.
Erik Baker, Harvard lecturer and author of Make Your Own Job, critiques how the entrepreneurial work ethic reshaped American labor. He traces how corporations turned employees into perpetual opportunity-seekers, reframed creativity as labor, and pushed marginalized people to "make their own jobs." The conversation explores why hustle culture persists and how it sidelines collective fixes.
9 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 16min
The biggest threat to Trump? Ordinary people.
Adam Serwer, staff writer at The Atlantic who reported from Minneapolis, offers on-the-ground political and civil rights reporting. He describes how neighbors documented and resisted ICE using cellphone footage and coordinated nonviolent tactics. He highlights diverse coalitions, community alert systems, and the challenges of verification amid misinformation.
Jan 28, 2026 • 21min
Yes, romance is political too.
Princess Weekes, pop culture critic and video essayist who analyzes fandom and representation. Netta Baker, Advanced Instructor of English who studies literature and genre politics. They unpack romantasy’s rise, why it appeals to femme readers, how romantic tropes intersect with tradwife and fascist ideas, and how fantasy both challenges and reinstates real-world hierarchies.
8 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 20min
You're not broken. The job market is.
Nitish Pahwa, Slate writer on AI and hiring tech, and Wailin Wong, NPR Indicator co-host and labor analyst, explore why jobseekers feel stuck despite low unemployment. They discuss ghost jobs, AI filters that reduce applicants to keywords, biased black-box algorithms, and how hiring platforms resemble noisy dating apps. Short, sharp takes on tech-driven hiring dynamics.
18 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 16min
Everyone & no one can be a Finance Bro
This conversation features Peter Kafka, Chief Correspondent at Business Insider, and Roxanna Hadadi, TV critic for Vulture. They delve into the enigmatic allure of the 'finance bro' archetype in modern culture. Kafka and Hadadi examine how shows like HBO's Industry reflect and reshape perceptions of young bankers. They discuss the impact of class and representation, highlighting diverse characters while critiquing the glamorization of finance. The duo also speculates on future iterations of this archetype, including crypto and AI bros.
8 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 24min
Sex is pleasurable. It should feel safe too.
Dr. Leisha McKinley-Beach, founder of the Black Public Health Academy, and Dr. Jasmine Abrams, a Yale research scientist, engage in a crucial dialogue about sexual health. They explore what it means to feel safe during sex today, emphasizing trust, communication, and the importance of public health tools like PrEP. With insights on cultural barriers to healthcare, they highlight the need for equitable access, especially for Black women. Their refreshingly pleasure-focused definition of safer sex aims to empower individuals to confidently prioritize their sexual health.
Jan 19, 2026 • 29min
Black women in their 30s: Then vs. Now
Brittany Luse, host of NPR's culture podcast and essayist, dives deep into the lasting impact of Terry McMillan's "Waiting to Exhale". She shares how the book mirrors conversations from her childhood and discusses its role as a cultural blueprint for shows like "Sex and the City". The group examines the complexities of Black women's lives in the 90s, critiques of McMillan's work, and the ongoing pressures surrounding dating and financial status. Ultimately, Brittany emphasizes how the novel remains a vital reflection of middle-class Black women's experiences today.
9 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 17min
The difference between losing weight & being "healthy"
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kellie Carter-Jackson, Chair of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, and Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician and NPR columnist, tackle the complexities of obesity and diet culture. They explore how Oprah Winfrey's weight narrative shapes societal attitudes towards thinness as a status symbol. The conversation dives into the benefits of GLP-1 medications but highlights persistent fatphobia. They argue for a more nuanced understanding of health that prioritizes individual experiences over societal pressures.
