

Culture Study Podcast
Anne Helen Petersen
A podcast about the culture that surrounds you — with Anne Helen Petersen and a bunch of very smart co-hosts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2025 • 0sec
Love is Blind as a Cultural Skeleton Key
If you're a paid subscriber and haven't yet set up your subscriber RSS feed in your podcast player, here's the EXTREMELY easy how-to .And if you're having any other issues with your Patreon subscription — please get in touch! Email me at annehelenpetersen @ gmail OR submit a request to Patreon Support. Thank you for making the switch with us — the podcast in particular is much more at home here! I've never resisted Love is Blind so much as run out of time for it... but then Audie Cornish said she wanted to come on the show to talk about it, and I said: I will watch any reality show, in its entirety, to talk to you about it. (Cornish was previously best known as the co-host of NPR's All Things Considered; now she is best known as the host of CNN's early morning newscast and The Assignment with Audie Cornish). I did my homework and thought I had smart things to say about Love is Blind and then Audie had way, way smarter things to say, specifically about the ways in which this current season functions as a skeleton key for the ideologies battling for dominance in our cultural moment. Even if you've never watched an episode of Love is Blind, there's a LOT here about how people perform their identities and politics and relationship needs that will snag you — and if you have watched this season (or any season), you're gonna love it even more. What a privilege to have Audie Cornish on-air cackling over reality television, and what a delight! Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/culture to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/culture and use code CULTURE to get 60% off your first box!Go to https://zbiotics.com/CULTURESTUDY and use CULTURESTUDY at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Get better sleep, hair, and skin with Blissy. Use code CULTUREPOD to get an additional 30% off at blissy.com/CULTUREPODShow Notes: Go listen to Audie's fantastic podcast The Assignment Follow Audie on InstagramYou can also catch Audie as the anchor of CNN This Morning, airing weekdays from 6-7AM ET and streaming in the CNN appI really appreciate the Love is Blind Reddit and I know Audie and Melody do too No I am not uploading my Laguna Beach grad school paper what is wrong with you the writing is horrific We're currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Contemporary Dating Culture!!! Why does it suck, how can it suck less! (with Jonquilyn Hill)Eldest daughter discourseThe sociology of NAMES (naming trends, naming assumptions)WEIRD ENGLISH WORDS (where do they come from!) with Colin Gorrie, who writes explainers like this one on the word DOGAnything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment. You can ask about anything, it’s literally the name of the segmentAs always, you can submit them (and ideas for future eps) hereFor this week’s discussion: We can obviously talk about Love is Blind, but I'd also love to hear how you think other reality shows are reflecting the conflicting ideologies of this moment.

Nov 5, 2025 • 0sec
[PREVIEW] Love is Blind as a Cultural Skeleton Key
If you're a paid subscriber and haven't yet set up your subscriber RSS feed in your podcast player, here's the EXTREMELY easy how-to .And if you're having any other issues with your Patreon subscription — please get in touch! Email me at annehelenpetersen @ gmail OR submit a request to Patreon Support. Thank you for making the switch with us — the podcast in particular is much more at home here! I've never resisted Love is Blind so much as run out of time for it... but then Audie Cornish said she wanted to come on the show to talk about it, and I said: I will watch any reality show, in its entirety, to talk to you about it. (Cornish was previously best known as the co-host of NPR's All Things Considered; now she is best known as the host of CNN's early morning newscast and The Assignment with Audie Cornish). I did my homework and thought I had smart things to say about Love is Blind and then Audie had way, way smarter things to say, specifically about the ways in which this current season functions as a skeleton key for the ideologies battling for dominance in our cultural moment. Even if you've never watched an episode of Love is Blind, there's a LOT here about how people perform their identities and politics and relationship needs that will snag you — and if you have watched this season (or any season), you're gonna love it even more. What a privilege to have Audie Cornish on-air cackling over reality television, and what a delight! Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to Zocdoc.com/culture to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/culture and use code CULTURE to get 60% off your first box!Go to https://zbiotics.com/CULTURESTUDY and use CULTURESTUDY at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.Get better sleep, hair, and skin with Blissy. Use code CULTUREPOD to get an additional 30% off at blissy.com/CULTUREPODShow Notes: Go listen to Audie's fantastic podcast The Assignment Follow Audie on InstagramYou can also catch Audie as the anchor of CNN This Morning, airing weekdays from 6-7AM ET and streaming in the CNN appI really appreciate the Love is Blind Reddit and I know Audie and Melody do too No I am not uploading my Laguna Beach grad school paper what is wrong with you the writing is horrific We're currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Contemporary Dating Culture!!! Why does it suck, how can it suck less! (with Jonquilyn Hill)Eldest daughter discourseThe sociology of NAMES (naming trends, naming assumptions)WEIRD ENGLISH WORDS (where do they come from!) with Colin Gorrie, who writes explainers like this one on the word DOGAnything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment. You can ask about anything, it’s literally the name of the segmentAs always, you can submit them (and ideas for future eps) hereFor this week’s discussion: We can obviously talk about Love is Blind, but I'd also love to hear how you think other reality shows are reflecting the conflicting ideologies of this moment.

Oct 29, 2025 • 0sec
What It's Like to Grow Up With Hoarders
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.

6 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 0sec
The Outdoor Gearification of the American Wardrobe
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!

Oct 15, 2025 • 0sec
How the Manosphere Fuels Climate Change Denial
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.

Oct 8, 2025 • 0sec
Let's Talk About Baseball Culture!!!
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!

7 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 0sec
Why Other People's Screen Time Annoys You
Ash Brandon, a middle school librarian and creator known as The Gamer Educator, explores the complexities of screen time in relationships. He argues for a shift from viewing screens as morally bad towards practical management strategies. Ash emphasizes empowering kids with digital skills rather than fear and restriction. They discuss personal phone management tips, the unique emotional responses to phone vs. book usage, and how screens can accommodate disabilities. Overall, it's a candid conversation about cultivating healthier screen habits within families.

9 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 0sec
Who Gets a Mid-Life Reinvention?
Jen Hatmaker, an influential author and former evangelical figure, dives deep into her transformative journey in midlife. She candidly discusses her divorce and how it became a platform for critiquing patriarchal structures and purity culture. Jen also reflects on the cultural shifts alongside her personal upheaval, from her changing stance on LGBTQ inclusion to the consequences of speaking out. The conversation touches on motherhood's identity challenge, financial constraints in career reinventions, and the importance of rest, making for a thought-provoking exploration of reinvention.

Sep 17, 2025 • 0sec
Figuring Out What's Behind Seven Recent Food Trends
Join chef and cookbook author Evan Kleiman as he dives into the fascinating world of food trends. He unpacks the rise of Nashville hot chicken and why every restaurant must have a Brussels sprouts dish. Discover how food reflects cultural values and societal shifts, from the evolution of comfort foods to the burgeoning popularity of tinned fish. With insights on marketing strategies and nostalgic flavors, Evan makes food culture compelling and relatable, ensuring you'll feel inspired to explore new culinary delights!

Sep 10, 2025 • 0sec
How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak
In this engaging discussion, Adam Aleksic, a linguist and creator behind the popular Etymology Nerd platforms, explores how algorithms are reshaping our language. He delves into the rise of internet slang and the influence of social media on communication, including how phrases like 'Let's Go Brandon' evolve through digital culture. Aleksic highlights the tension between authenticity and marketing in modern advertising, while reflecting on how these linguistic changes affect cultural identity and personal expression in today's digital age.


