Culture Study Podcast

I first read about Cara Meredith’s book on evangelical church camp over at Kristin Kobes Du Mez’s newsletter, and as soon as I saw “cry night” in the subtitle, I knew any conversation with her was gonna be a real one. Put differently, I knew she was ready to talk about what drew people to these camps — but also how they worked to deftly manipulate the young people who attended them. I went to church camp for a decade. I was a counselor for several years. I cried on cry night; I watched bad skits; I highlighted the crap out of my Youth Bible — and I adored it. But I also internalized a lot of contradictory and harmful messages, and felt weird about some of the ways we were counseling young kids.Cara and I process all of that in this episode — and also answer a bunch of your complicated questions. And as always with these episodes, we’re working hard to make the episode accessible to people outside of the culture (or who find it weird, which, real talk, it is) while also going deep into the weeds. I’m so eager for your thoughts.Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!Blissy is offering 60-nights risk-free PLUS an additional 30% off when you shop at Blissy.com/CULTUREPODSave 20% Off Honeylove at honeylove.com/CULTUREStop putting off those doctors appointments and go to ZocDoc.com/CULTURE to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor todayShow Notes:Follow Cara Meredith on Instagram here and buy Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Nights, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation hereWhat could be more millennial church camp than Michael W. Smith singing “Our God is an Awesome God”The type of stuff we always played on the boom box at breakfast at camp:And if you liked this episode I strongly recommend our previous episode on Contemporary Christian RockWe’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Questions about genre & publishing for Leigh Bardugo, author of Ninth House and so many other Culture Study favsBirding Culture!Running a Small Business — and How to Make It Sustainable & Survivable (with Jen Hewett!)Hoarding Culture / How to Navigate Hoarders in Your LifeDifferent Modalities of Hanging Out (aka, best ways to hang out with different people) with Mary HK ChoiStarting over in mid-life with Jen HatmakerFood Trends (like, what are you seeing on the menu in all the restaurants? Why are people pushing this particular ingredient or prep in their recipes???)Baseball Culture (with Ali Liebegott and Melody as additional co-host!!!)Anything 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: If you didn’t go to church camp….what felt wild about this discussion? If you did, what was hard or validating?

When your family is from a place with a distinctive, often-mockable accent, and you don’t have that accent but can (and do) readily fall into it as soon as you get around anyone who does their vowels like a Minnesotan, you learn to love accents. And then, as soon as you take any class (or read any text) in the anthropology/sociology/cultural analysis realm, you start thinking about accents as signifiers: of place, of race, of social status, of education, of insider/outsider status… the meanings feel endless.I’m SO thrilled to have Dr. Nicole Holliday on this week’s episode to go deep and nerdy on all of your very complicated (or, sometimes, deceptively simple) questions about accents — most of them American, but we’ve got a few Canadian questions in there, too. And I can pretty much guarantee: you’re going to absolutely devour this episode. It’s the platonic ideal of a Culture Study ep, and I can’t wait to discuss it.Thanks to the sponsors of today’s episode!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.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.Head to moshlife.com/CULTURE to save 20% off plus free shipping on the best sellers trial pack or the new plant-based trial packHead to Ollie.com/CULTURE, tell them all about your dog, and use code CULTURE to get 60% off your Welcome Kit when you subscribe todayShow Notes:Find out more about Dr. Nicole Holliday’s work hereFollow Dr. Holliday on TikTok (where I first started watching her!)If you haven’t heard GloRilla’s Memphis accent, here you go:Taste of the Yinzer Accent:Okay one more:We’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Birding Culture!Running a Small Business — and How to Make It Sustainable & Survivable (with Jen Hewett!)Hoarding Culture / How to Navigate Hoarders in Your LifeDifferent Modalities of Hanging Out (aka, best ways to hang out with different people) with Mary HK ChoiFood Trends (like, what are you seeing on the menu in all the restaurants? Why are people pushing this particular ingredient or prep in their recipes???)Baseball Culture (with Ali Liebegott and Melody as additional co-host!!!)Anything 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: How did this conversation make you rethink an accent (or many accents) in your life?

Hannah Zeavin, an associate professor at UC Berkeley and author of 'Mother Media: Hot and Cool Parenting in the Twentieth Century,' dives into the complex relationship between motherhood and technology. She explores how surveillance impacts parenting norms, revealing the ethical dilemmas surrounding childcare camera use. Zeavin critiques societal pressures on parents, especially regarding breastfeeding and technology, while discussing historical narratives that drive modern parenting anxieties. Her insights illuminate the intersection of media, psychology, and the evolving dynamics of family life.

Join literary agent Alyssa Morris, an expert on book culture and author of the Romancing the Phone substack, as she dives deep into the hottest trends in the publishing world. Discover how platforms like TikTok are reshaping reading culture and influencing genres. Alyssa discusses the rise of collector culture in books and how celebrity endorsements affect trends. She also explores modern marketing strategies, the visual appeal of romance covers, and the exciting intersection of fan fiction and mainstream publishing, all while sharing tips to boost your book club.

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.