Culture Study Podcast

Chris La Tray, a writer and Montana State Poet Laureate, shares his insights on what makes Montana captivating yet complex. He discusses the state's love for its cultural icons, such as huckleberries and bison, while reflecting on the nostalgia of rural youth and driving experiences. La Tray explores gentrification's impact on local identity and the evolution of Montana cities like Missoula and Bozeman. He also highlights the strong bond Montanans have with their public lands against a backdrop of shifting political landscapes, underscoring the unique charm and challenges of life in Montana.

Zach Stafford, co-host of Vibe Check and a keen observer of pop culture, joins to dissect Katy Perry's recent cultural moments. Together, they tackle the cringe-worthy aspects of her space trip and promotional strategies. The conversation delves into Perry's fluctuating image, her connection to the LGBTQ+ community, and the expectations placed on female performers. They also ponder her attempts at meaningful commentary against a backdrop of consumerism, reflecting on the complexities of maintaining authenticity in the ever-evolving pop landscape.

Jason Diamond, a Brooklyn-based writer focusing on men's fashion and culture, joins the discussion. He tackles the quirks of men's clothing choices, like why we see so many earth tones and the strange habit of wearing shirts under shirts. The conversation covers how nostalgia influences style and the challenges men face adapting to modern fashion norms. Highlights include the rise of aspirational dad fashion and the importance of tailoring. It's a humorous exploration of personal style evolution and the intersection of masculinity and clothing.

Megan Greenwell, a freelance journalist and former editor of Deadspin, sheds light on the complications of private equity in today's economy. She discusses how private equity acquisitions have hollowed out vital services, particularly in media and healthcare, leaving consumers facing deteriorating experiences. With insights from her book, 'Bad Company,' Megan reveals how companies like Toys R Us have been driven to ruin by debt-laden strategies and explores the chilling impact on industries like dental and veterinary care — fueling a necessary call for community-focused solutions.

Melinda Wenner Moyer, a science journalist and author of 'Hello, Cruel World!', dives into the intricate world of contemporary parenting trends. She discusses the mental health toll of conflicting parenting advice and the rise of over-parenting. Melinda highlights the impact of cultural pressures on parental guilt and the necessity of evidence-based guidance. She critiques the trend of overscheduled activities, advocates for the importance of unstructured play, and reflects on how parenting styles evolve across generations while balancing empathy and accountability.

Sophie Gilbert, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'Girl on Girl,' dives into the cultural chaos of the 2000s. She unpacks how media iconography, from slick pop stars to raunchy films, shaped toxic narratives about femininity. The conversation explores the complexities of women's sexuality, the impact of the Me Too movement, and the enduring competition sparked by societal ideals. Gilbert critiques how these stereotypes enforce internalized misogyny and emphasizes the importance of unlearning these damaging cultural templates.

For each of these culture-of-place episodes, we look for someone who both adores a place, are very much a product of that place… and are also very much at home talking s**t about that place. They see its difficulties, drawbacks, and hostilities clearly — and can hold all of that alongside their deep and abiding love for the place. And that’s Gustavo Arellano, who’s been writing about SoCal culture with verve and humor and great skill for decades. (Such great skill that just a week after we taped this episode, he was named as a finalist for this year’s Pulitzer Prize in commentary). I can’t wait for you to join us as we talk about making dioramas of missions out of sugar cubes, car culture, conspiracy-curious crunchy-fascists in Orange County, and so much more. Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to https://www.wildalaskan.com/CULTUREHead to moshlife.com/CULTURE to save 20% off and get FREE shipping on the Best Sellers Trial PackGet $75 off a Mill food recycler at mill.com/CULTUREStop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/CULTURE to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Join the ranks of paid subscribers and get bonus content, access to the discussion threads, ad-free episodes, and the knowledge that you're supporting an indie pod trying to make its way in the world. If you're already a subscriber-- thank you! Join us in the discussion thread for this episode! Got a question or idea for a future episode? Visit culturestudypod.substack.com To hear more, visit culturestudypod.substack.com

This isn’t a bleak episode about period pain. Yes, we talk a LOT about death cramps — and all sorts of other symptoms that accompany menstruation. But we also talk a lot about how ridiculous it is that we don’t talk about these things — at least not publicly, and often not even with our close friends and family members. Kate Helen Downey, host of the incredible new podcast Cramped, joins me to talk very openly about all the things we usually don’t talk about and why. I learned so much in this episode. But I also laughed a lot, too. Pain isn’t funny, but hanging out with others who get it — it’s like a giant, glorious sigh of relief.Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!Get $75 off the Mill food recycler at Mill.com/CULTURE.Ancient Nutrition is offering 25% off your first order when you go to AncientNutrition.com/CULTURE.Head to Graza.co and use promo code CULTURE to get 10% off of TRIO which includes Sizzle, Frizzle, and Drizzle, and get to cookin’ your next chef-quality meal!Join the ranks of paid subscribers and get bonus content, access to the discussion threads, ad-free episodes, and the knowledge that you're supporting an indie pod trying to make its way in the world. If you're already a subscriber-- thank you! Join us in the discussion thread for this episode! Got a question or idea for a future episode? Visit culturestudypod.substack.com To hear more, visit culturestudypod.substack.com

Tove Danovich, a freelance journalist and author of 'Under the Henfluence', dives into the fascinating world of backyard chickens. She discusses the cultural and emotional layers of chicken ownership, highlighting community resilience in urban farming. Tove probes into the economics of small-scale poultry versus industrial production and the ethical concerns tied to animal welfare. With humor, she also reflects on the nostalgia versus the harsh realities of homesteading while emphasizing the joy and challenges of being a steward to these beloved birds.

Tate McRae is one of the most popular artists in the world — but millions of my peers have only the faintest idea of who she is. Alternately, they’re baffled by her. Is she Britney rebooted? Is she talented? What does she mean? Does it matter? After listening to Reanna Cruz guide listeners through McRae’s sound on Switched on Pop, I knew I wanted them to come on the show and work through more of McRae’s image. We talk about her sound, of course, but also consider her through the lens of her Canadianness, her Gen-Z-ness, her ‘organic’ songwriting success on YouTube, and her popular girl vibes.Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!Article: Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit ARTICLE.COM/culture and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.Zbiotics Sugar-to-Fiber: Go to zbiotics.com/CULTURESTUDY and use CULTURESTUDY at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. ZBiotics has a 100% money-back guarantee, so if you’re unsatisfied for any reason they will refund your money, no questions asked.Join the ranks of paid subscribers and get bonus content, access to the discussion threads, ad-free episodes, and the knowledge that you're supporting an indie pod trying to make its way in the world. If you're already a subscriber-- thank you! Join us in the discussion thread for this episode! Got a question or idea for a future episode? Visit culturestudypod.substack.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit culturestudypod.substack.com/subscribe