Culture Study Podcast

In this lively discussion, Jennifer Romolini, a scholar of ambition and expert on Ben Affleck, dives into the complexities of Affleck's public persona. They explore his struggles with fame, class consciousness, and authenticity, comparing him to his contemporaries. Jenn reflects on Affleck's evolving image, especially post-'Argo,' and even delves into the symbolism of his tattoos as marks of growth and introspection. The talk is rich with humor and insight, tackling the delicate balance between ambition and personal struggles.

Katie Notopoulos, a quirky internet expert, dives into the wild world of TikTok trends. She discusses the bizarre allure of fake parasite videos and the engaging culture of TikTok comments that drive creativity. Discover the entertaining strangeness of TikTok Live, where performances mimic traditional busking. Plus, explore how ASMR has seeped into mainstream culture and children's awareness, alongside the platform's evolution from youth-centric to an all-ages phenomenon. It's a fascinating journey through the weirdness that defines the TikTok experience!

Tia Levings, a former trad wife, shares her deeply personal insights on escaping the constraints of traditional domestic life. She critiques the allure of the trad wife lifestyle, revealing the exhaustion and systemic barriers women face. Tia dives into her journey within a strict evangelical upbringing, shedding light on the trauma and challenges of fundamentalism. The discussion tackles the disparity between curated social media depictions and the harsh realities of traditional living, emphasizing the importance of agency and self-expression.

In this engaging discussion, host Jonathan Menjivar welcomes HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier, along with Chip and Joanna Gaines. They dive into the captivating world of home renovation, exploring the concept of 'quiet luxury' and contrasting design philosophies. The guests reflect on authenticity versus commercialization, sharing personal stories that highlight the emotional ties to home. They also examine the impact of renovation shows on community identity and gentrification, revealing how HGTV shapes our tastes and influences our understanding of aesthetics.

A seven-part Netflix docuseries on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders called America’s Sweethearts? Oh my god, WHAT a rich text. The uniform, the dances, the body norms, the coded language, the particular feminine ideals, the intersections with Texas culture and evangelical culture — there’s just so much there. And I was thrilled when Sam Sanders and Zach Stafford, two of the co-hosts of the indispensable Vibe Check, agreed to help answer all of your (excellent) questions. (We couldn’t get the rights to Thunderstruck, but you can just imagine it playing over the intro and on repeat forever.)Show Notes:LISTEN TO VIBE CHECK, IT’S SO GOOD!!! Plus: Sam’s IG and Zach’s IGCaitlin Dickerson’s fantastic piece in The Atlantic that includes the “Who Am I….?” page from the DCC handbook that Sam reads in the episodeThe jump split that tears up the hips!How much money to NFL cheerleaders get paid? It’s complicated.Alex Sujong Laughlin makes the case for cheerleader unions in DefectorWe’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Why is Paul Mescal so hotSydney Sweeney (and Gen-Z Stardom)Learning to craft / make things / hobby-around-the-houseFor our continuing series on romance novels: QUEER ROMANCEArtificial Intelligence (we’re gonna see if we can figure out an actually interesting theme here, so send us your weirdest or most mind-boggling questions)The economy, a.k.a. why is everything so damn expensive right now (my dream here is like an Odd Lots guest who doesn’t have private equity brain, please let us know if you have suggestions!)Contemporary ideas of self-careBuy Nothing groups and/or the current state of the secondhand marketAnything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segmentYou can submit them (and ideas for future eps) here (this is the subscriber-only form!)For today’s discussion: What feels most cult-like about DCC? Or truly anything else you’d like to discuss re: DCC, performance of Southern evangelical femininity, the thin ideal, etc. etc. Also, can someone convince Melody to actually watch the show?

Romance novelist Nisha Sharma discusses how romance writers challenge Big Publishing norms and self-publishing's impact. They explore Amazon's role, labor dynamics, and diverse representation in the industry. The conversation delves into the collaborative community among romance writers, resistance in reading, and the destigmatization of romance genres. Additionally, they touch on Kindle Unlimited's influence, challenges against Amazon's power, and the dynamics of self-publishing for romance writers.

Join Chelsea Devantez, a celebrity memoir aficionado, humor writer, and J.Lo scholar, as she delves into the complexities of J.Lo's life. They discuss body image standards, public perceptions, age expectations in the entertainment industry, J.Lo's relationships, and upcoming podcast updates. Unpacking the layers of J.Lo's persona and the dynamics of celebrity life, this episode offers insights into the world of fame and personal growth.

Virginia Sole-Smith discusses the emotional connection to jeans, linking production norms to anti-fatness. From comfort jeans to body image, the episode explores evolving trends and challenges of fitting jeans for diverse bodies, encouraging self-expression beyond beauty standards.

Explore royal fascination and colonial implications with scholars discussing Meghan vs. Kate, media framing, and potential end of monarchy. Reflect on personal memories, global fascination, and impact of British royals on former colonies. Dive into complexities of media portrayal, cultural perceptions, and potential for change in late capitalism. Delve into Prince Charles as a symbol for climate change action.

Exploring the cultural anxiety surrounding 'Sephora Teens' who have a passion for makeup and skincare products. Discussing the societal pressures on young people to care about beauty products. Special guest Elise Hu, author and mother, joins the conversation. Delving into the rise of tween skincare and makeup trends, evolving beauty standards, critical conversations about norms and values, and the evolution of skincare marketing targeting younger demographics.