

It's Been a Minute
NPR
Has it been a minute since you heard a thought-provoking conversation about culture? Brittany Luse wants to help. Each week, she takes the things everyone's talking about and, in conversation with her favorite creators, tastemakers, and experts, gives you new ways to think about them. Beyond the obvious takes. Because culture doesn't happen by accident.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

Dec 26, 2023 • 17min
Why grief sometimes looks like a hyphy party
Pendarvis Harshaw, KQED reporter and expert on the Bay Area hip-hop scene, joins Brittany to discuss the hyphy music scene in the Bay Area and how it helped the community grieve. They explore the energy and impact of hyphy, the connection between grief and celebration, and the influence of local grief-inspired music worldwide.

Dec 22, 2023 • 28min
Why does flying suck so much?
Aviation and travel journalist Benét J. Wilson joins the podcast to discuss the frustrations of flying, including overbooking and lost baggage. They also explore the impact of the pandemic on air travel and the enduring popularity of A Christmas Carol.

Dec 19, 2023 • 23min
2023: The year of the celebrity memoir
Brittany Luse is joined by Celebrity Memoir Book Club hosts Ashley Hamilton and Claire Parker to discuss the rise of celebrity memoirs in 2023. They share their favorite memoirs, reflect on public personas, and discuss Prince Harry and Elliot Page's memoirs. The conversation explores the desire for truth, the impact of memoirs on celebrity protection, and the value of relatable celebrity memoirs.

Dec 15, 2023 • 35min
The IBAMmys: The It's Been A Minute 2023 Culture Awards Show
Host Brittany Luse, NPR's Ayesha Rascoe, and Vox's Alex Aband-Santos present the first ever IBAMmys, diving into the biggest cultural moments of the past year, covering topics like the word of the year, the best beef, Taylor Swift's impact on American football, a shoe-stealing Tinder story, and the villain of the year.

Dec 12, 2023 • 29min
Music trends that took us by surprise in 2023
Brittany Luse chats with Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding, co-hosts of Switched on Pop, to break down the rise of Mexican Regional music, the emergence of AI artists, the dominance of country music, and the challenges faced by independent artists in the evolving music industry of 2023.

Dec 8, 2023 • 48min
Nicki Minaj's bars, Barbz and beefs; plus, why 2023 was the year of the cowboy
Nicki Minaj just released her first album in half a decade, Pink Friday 2. The self-proclaimed 'Queen of Rap' has an unparalleled career, but the rap game - and women's position within it - has changed dramatically during her hiatus. While Nicki helped shape rap today, the artist has also faced a slew of controversies and an erratic album rollout that all have us asking: is Nicki still the verified 'Queen of Rap'? Host Brittany Luse sits down with NPR Music Editor and Louder Than A Riot host Sidney Madden to discuss. Then, we're breaking down one of the most powerful symbols in America: the cowboy. Brittany is joined by New York Times culture critic J Wortham, and Museum of Contemporary Art Denver director Nora Burnett Abrams to unpack the history of the symbol and explain why it continues to lasso Americans.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Dec 5, 2023 • 18min
The 'Renaissance' film and what we hear in Beyoncé's silence
In the credits for 'Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé' the Queen Bee makes it clear who is in charge. Written by? Beyoncé. Directed by? Beyoncé. Produced by? Beyoncé. And of course, starring...Beyoncé. For someone who is so in control of their own image, what is spoken and what is unspoken are equally loud.In this episode, Brittany and B.A. Parker, co-host of NPR's Code Switch, get into key takeaways from the film and why people are calling on her to speak directly to today's politics. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Dec 1, 2023 • 50min
McCarthyism and queerness in 'Fellow Travelers'; plus, IBAM unplugged with Olivia Dean
New Yorker television critic Inkoo Kang joins the podcast to discuss Showtime's historical romance 'Fellow Travelers' set during McCarthyism and the Lavender Scare. They explore how the politics of the time shape the characters and how survival isn't always pretty. Singer-songwriter Olivia Dean also joins the show to talk about her debut album, Messy, and gives an unforgettable live performance.

Nov 28, 2023 • 45min
All The Only Ones: I can't wait
This podcast explores the challenges faced by trans youth today in accessing gender affirming care and the difficult decisions they have to make. It also looks at the experiences of historical trans youth in the 1960s. Highlights include the story of Christine Jorgensen, the discrimination faced by Donna, and the advocacy of a transgender athlete. The podcast concludes by envisioning a future where trans youth can feel empowered.

Nov 24, 2023 • 39min
Defending the Disney Adult; plus, what it takes to stand up for Black trans people
Disney recently celebrated its 100th birthday, so we're exploring a fandom that's kept the magic alive while also generating lots of online hate: Disney Adults. To break the phenomenon down, Brittany Luse chats with Rolling Stone senior writer and self-proclaimed Disney Adult, E.J. Dickson. Their conversation looks at the rise of Disney Adults, why they're so maligned and what the public may misunderstand about these superfans.Then, in honor of Trans Day of Remembrance, Brittany talks with influential Black trans activist Raquel Willis. They get into her new memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom, which looks at pivotal moments in her organizing journey alongside the movement for Black Lives and the rise of trans visibility in modern culture.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy