Culture Study Podcast

Amy Choi, writer and co-founder of The Mashup Americans, dives into the vibrant world of Korean pop culture. She explains the cultural phenomenon of 'Big Korean Energy' and its recent explosion in the West. The conversation touches on Korean literature’s rise in American book clubs, the nuances of K-beauty, and the careful political undertones of the Hallyu wave. They also navigate the complexities of cultural appropriation in fandom, arguing that dressing as K-pop characters isn’t equivalent to yellowface, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives.

Join journalist Ryan Goldberg, an expert on urban nature and author of Bird City, as he dives into the enchanting world of birding. He shares the story of his 'spark bird' that ignited his passion and discusses the surprising diversity of birds in cities like New York. Delve into how birding surged during the pandemic and the rise of inclusive, youth-driven birding clubs. Ryan also explores how technology, like the Merlin app, is reshaping the birding experience while emphasizing its role in enhancing mindfulness and community connections.

Jen Hewett, a printmaker and textile artist, shares her journey navigating the creative business world. She dives into the realities of running a small business, discussing the importance of sustainability and avoiding burnout. Jen comments on the challenges of balancing creativity with business strategies, like hiring help to reclaim artistic time. She also touches on the significance of valuing her expertise and the economic hurdles small owners face. With insights on promoting without social media, Jen emphasizes authenticity over trends in art.

In this enlightening discussion, Sarah Marshall, a talented podcaster and author known for her work on You're Wrong About and The Devil You Know, dives into the roots of moral and cultural panics. She explores the origins of the satanic panic and how media influences perceptions of fear. Sarah expertly distinguishes moral panics from conspiracy theories, linking them to societal changes and backlash against movements like feminism. The conversation also touches on contemporary issues, including fears around trans identities and the impact of screens on parenting.

Leigh Bardugo, bestselling author known for her hit series like Shadow and Bone, joins the chat to explore the intricacies of fantasy and YA literature. She shares insights on how genre shapes identities for teen readers and the importance of immersive worlds. Bardugo discusses her new picture book, touching on themes of grief and cultural heritage. The conversation dives into the role of complex emotions in YA, the marketing of romances, and why female-targeted fantasy often includes difficult subjects. It's a thought-provoking look at storytelling's power.

Audie Cornish, a journalist and broadcaster known for her work on CNN This Morning and The Assignment, joins to dissect the cultural layers of *Love Is Blind*. She explores how the show's format compresses modern dating, making it uniquely binge-worthy. Audie highlights the ethical concerns of casting contestants with serious life issues and analyzes the evolving dynamics of gender roles across seasons. She also reflects on how the show mirrors post-pandemic cultural shifts and the impact of performative identities on reality TV.

Amanda Uhle, memoirist and author of "Destroy This House," shares her experiences growing up in a hoarding household. She discusses the emotional complexities behind hoarding, from personal identity to familial chaos. Amanda contrasts collectors with hoarders, highlighting how the former find joy while the latter can feel disrupted by possessions. They also explore the societal perceptions of hoarding beyond poverty narratives, the impacts of shame, and practical strategies for setting boundaries with loved ones. Amanda's insights shed light on the thin line between collecting and hoarding.

Avery Trufelman, creator and host of the podcast Articles of Interest, dives into the fascinating evolution of outdoor gear in American wardrobes. She explores how military design influences performance clothing and everyday fashion. Avery discusses the cultural significance of GORPcore and why certain brands like Carhartt become symbols of status. The conversation also touches on sizing inequalities in outdoor gear and the unexpected rise of the Patagonia vest in Silicon Valley. It's a captivating journey through style, function, and identity!

Daniel Penny, a journalist and host of Non-Toxic, delves into the explosive connection between the manosphere and climate change denial. He explains how ideals of virility and control fuel anti-environmental sentiments. Penny examines the gendering of nature and how male socialization transforms climate anxiety into anger and conspiracy. He discusses petromasculinity's impact on identity, the fear surrounding electric vehicles, and the politicization of climate action, which many misinterpret as a threat to their liberties.

FIRST OFF — PLEASE TAKE OUR MEMBERSHIP SURVEY!!The podcast only works because of your questions (and episode ideas!) and we want more of them (and your ideas about bonus episodes, pricing, etc.) It’ll take five minutes tops, and really helps us figure out the future of the entire Culture Study extended universe. Thank you ahead of time, and just click here to take it.Baseball is so romantic!! There is SO MUCH RITUAL! It’s beautiful, it’s meditative, it’s the very best thing to listen to on the radio. And I’m so glad that we convinced Ali Liebegott [Mets Fan] to come join Melody [Royals Fan] and me [Mariners / Twins fan] to answer all of your questions about baseball culture (and there were SO MANY OF THEM). We talk about how to respond to people who say it’s boring; we talk about the changes in the game over the last two years (and how casual and opposite-of-casual fans feel about it); we talk about MR MET and Homer Hankies and Dadness and being a queer fan of baseball and how long a game should be (Ali says: forever). It’s just a really delightful conversation, and I’m so excited for you to join it.Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!It’s Graza’s annual sitewide sale! Time to stock up on olive oil for the year. Discounts are automatically applied at checkout; no code needed.Head to Ollie.com/CULTURE, tell them all about your dog, and use code CULTURE to get 60% off your Welcome Kit when you subscribe todayHead to moshlife.com/CULTURE to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the NEW plant-based trial packStop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/CULTURE to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Show Notes:Subscribe to Ali’s newsletter, it’s the fucking best!Ali’s piece about Opening Day that moves me endlesslyAli’s piece on her tattoos (including Mr. Met)Ali’s glorious paintings available for sale (you can’t buy Mr. Met but you can buy this portrait of the ‘86 MetsFollow Ali on InstagramWe’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Running a Small Business — and How to Make It Sustainable & Survivable (with Jen Hewett!)All things Love is Blind with Audie CornishDifferent Modalities of Hanging Out (aka, best ways to hang out with different people) with Mary HK ChoiWhat an actually family-friendly society would look like (with Elliot Haspel)An ADULT HOBBIES crossover episode with Forever35!The sociology of NAMESAnything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment. You can ask about anything, it’s literally the name of the segment!As always, you can submit them (and ideas for future eps) hereFor this week’s discussion: There’s so much we didn’t even have time to cover, so consider this a free for all!