After our GREAT discussion of A Court of Roses and Thorns we realized we wanted to talk a lot more about romance: about the so-called “boom” and what’s fueling it, of course, but also about various tropes (sick bed, forbidden romance, grumpy protagonist), race and cultural specificity, the level of “spice” and how it shows up on the page, and how to manage your own romance reading behavior. Melody heard Nisha Sharma speak at Romance GenreCon last year and knew she was the person to address so many of your questions. Whether you’re new to romance like me, don’t read it but are interested in why other people do, or have immersed yourself in the genre for years, I promise there’s something in this conversation that’s going to stick in your head for days.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? Let us know here. To hear more, visit culturestudypod.substack.com

Spoiler: No, millennials are not the most nostalgic generation — we’re just in a deeply nostalgic moment in our lives, reckoning (sometimes gracefully, other times less so) with no longer being the Main Character in the generational story. But this moment does give us opportunity to talk about the shape and purpose of nostalgia, how YouTube both amplifies and short-circuits it, and so much more — featuring one of my favorite nostalgia thinkers, Gabe Bullard. We talk about gum commercials, inflated Limewire persecution threats, Bagel Bites, and interrogate the idea of “core memories,” and I cannot wait for your thoughts.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? Let us know here. 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

Exploring the pitfalls of online shopping, from misleading ads to low-quality products. Discussing the importance of community recommendations and the joy of mall shopping. Diving into the complexities of online reviews and the impact of marketing tactics on consumer decisions.

Celebrity feelings expert Margaret H. Willison discusses the reasons behind our anger towards celebrities, exploring dashed expectations and specific examples like Taylor Swift with Matty Healy. Delve into the complexities of public outrage, celebrity controversies, and fan relationships, gaining a more nuanced understanding of our own celebrity feelings.

Dive into the rise and fall of Christian rock from the '90s and early 2000s, examining its impact on the culture wars. Learn about the nostalgic bands like Newsboys and Third Day, and how they influenced evangelical ideologies. Discover the evolution of rock music in Christian circles and its role in shaping beliefs and societal values.

Join Maris Kreizman, book critic, as she discusses the pitfalls of Goodreads, from negligent owners to blurred lines between readers and authors. Explore the pressure to read a certain number of books per year. Delve into the challenges of book marketing on Goodreads and the evolution of online book communities. Unravel the impact of declining criticism on book reviews and the struggles of managing diverse opinions through star ratings.

Taylor Swift's fashion journalist, Sarah Chapelle, discusses work, scarcity, aesthetics, whiteness, authenticity, and romance narratives in the ongoing Taylor Swift conversation. They explore Taylor's deliberate fashion choices, creativity in artistry, personal experiences, emotional expressions, and excitement for a new style book and podcast subscription offer.

Exploring Beyoncé's impact on the country music genre, challenging traditional boundaries and sparking debates. Delving into Canadian vs American country radio content, and the significance of diverse collaborations in music. Join the discussion on this indie pod diving deep into Cowboy Carter.

Journalist Laura Pappano talks about Moms For Liberty, revealing their censorship tactics in schools. Discussion includes their funding, organizing against them, historical context, and the battle for public education. Learn about the far-right influence, targeting school boards, and the impact on diversity in reading materials.

Discussion on the negative impacts of sitting and ways to counteract it with movement breaks, exploring analogies between sitting and smoking, relaxation strategies, and embracing movement in a sedentary world. The hosts also reflect on social media platforms and podcast promotion.