Culture Study Podcast

Journalist Amanda Mull discusses the fascination with Stanley Tumblers, evolution of water bottle trends, and societal perceptions of consumption habits. The podcast explores the cultural shift towards trendy bottles, gender dynamics in design, and societal judgments on consumer behavior. Additionally, it delves into parental control fantasies over school activities, challenges of keeping water bottles clean, and the importance of hydration for children.

Delving into the captivating appeal of Kevin Bacon's Instagram, the podcast explores his relaxed charm, long-term marriage to Kyra Sedgwick, and the portrayal of rustic whiteness in social media. Analyzing celebrity imagery, discussions touch upon societal expectations, masculinity, and Gen X values. The episode offers a nuanced examination of popular culture and the allure of celebrity personas.

What does it mean to think of student loans as culture? First off, it means that we can think of them as something that’s changeable. Because as much as we’ve come to think of massive piles of debt as “just the way it is” for a broad swath of people (and more and more every year), there’s nothing inevitable about student loans. Our status quo doesn’t have to be saddling young adults (and/or their parents, and/or their grandparents) with albatrosses of debt, simply to obtain the credentials that (at least theoretically) put someone on track to financial security. But if significant student debt isn’t our status quo… what could be?Dominique Baker is one of my favorite thinkers on higher ed in general and the topic of student loans in particular — and we’re answering all your student-loan-culture questions, from “why can’t endowments just pay for all of this” to “how do I convince my beloved partner that it’s okay for us to share their student loan obligations?”Show Notes:My Culture Study interview with Dominique Baker all about her most recent research re: the educational background of journalists writing about student loansDominique Baker on Work Appropriate, giving advice on navigating the broken space of higher ed (one of our most beloved episodes, fwiw)I briefly mention the work I did writing about student loans at BuzzFeed News — here’s the big feature I did on the broken state of Public Service Loan Forgiveness, better known as PSLFMy piece on what’s missing from most conversations about student loan forgiveness: any acknowledgment of wealthThe podcast interview I’ve sent to anyone who doesn’t have student loans and wants to grasp the bigger picture (this also made me understand my own place in the system so much better): Tressie McMillan Cottom and Louis Seamster on The Ezra Klein Show. I’ll never shut up about this interview.Cottom’s seminal work on deeply exploitative for-profit colleges and the generation of student debtA direct link to Dominique’s workWe’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:What’s the deal with JEANS right now (alternate title = Jeans: Help)Sephora Teens and teen skincare/makeup cultureHow we talk about the royals todayBeyond Ballerina Farm [and is there such a thing as too much tradwife discourse? How do we critique but also not celebritize?]WHAT CELEBRITY IMAGE SHOULD WE UNPACK NEXT?Online shopping culture, including but not limited to people’s reliance on reviews and/or compulsion to leave reviewsThe romance novel boomAnything you need advice on!You can submit them (and ideas for future eps) here (and here’s the subscriber-only priority form)For today’s discussion: How did this conversation shift or texture your thinking about higher ed and student loans?

Join the conversation about the popular ACOTAR series with discussions on writing quality, Feyre's painting skills, and book four mysteries. Delve into emotions towards romantic fantasy, explore 'smut' on TikTok, and analyze feminist perspectives. Discover the importance of sex scenes in romance novels and get ready for upcoming episodes on online shopping culture and the British royal family.

Butts take the spotlight in this episode as hosts delve into terminology, body shame, and evolutionary psychology myths. They explore societal perceptions, workplace struggles, and the fascination with bodies, all while providing no-nonsense advice and encouraging subscriptions for bonus content.

Delving into Bradley Cooper's desire for an Oscar, Hollywood masculinity, and his star image. Comparing his celebrity persona to Michaela Cole's authenticity. Analyzing his complex characters, celebrity relationships, and societal perceptions. Exploring power dynamics in news reporting and embracing personal interests with joy. Discussing gossip sources and podcast recommendations for entertainment enthusiasts.

Lyz Lenz, a divorce aficionado, discusses the pathologization of divorce and its effects on individuals and communities. They explore the concept of contagious divorce and its liberation potential. They also delve into the impact of social media on navigating divorce, challenge stereotypes, and emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself. The podcast promotes shifting perspectives on divorce, acceptance, and support within the community. The hosts make a plea for support and subscription to keep the podcast running.

Exploring the world of personal coaching, the podcast discusses the different types of coaches, the manipulative nature of personal coaching, the impact on personal growth, vulnerability in MLMs, benefits of life coaching, challenges of finding therapy, and the importance of holding people accountable.

Philanthropy is so weird. Celebrities: also weird. When the two collide, you get something even more bizarre. Why should we believe what Ashton Kutcher has to say about human trafficking? How did Bill Gates change the very core of his image? What does The Gilded Age teach us about philanthropy and social position? And why does giving feel more and more like shopping? Amy Schiller joins the pod to work through the tangled knot of modern philanthropy.Show Notes:The RED celebrity-filled video Amy and I watch at the very beginning of the episodeMy interview with Amy Schiller over on Culture StudyAmy’s book, The Price of Humanity: How Philanthropy Went Wrong — And How to Fix ItAshton Kutcher testifying before congress re: human traffickingKutcher’s anti-trafficking software company THORN, which “defends children from sexual abuse”The Eagles Autism Challenge and the jacket bidding warThe Gilded Age Season Two (and using philanthropy as a means to achieve social status)The Heritage Brick Locator at Gateway Plaza, home of the Cleveland GuardiansThe “GrantLove” Project from Alexandra GrantIn case you needed a refresher on KONY 2012The exquisite (and free to all!) Cleveland Museum of ArtFollow Amy on InstagramAnd don’t forget to follow the show on Instagram!We’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:The romance novel boomStudent loans— how we talk about them, think about them, take this wherever you wantVery Contemporary Architecture Trends (like ‘modern farmhouse’) and/or wtf is going on with Chip & Joanna Gaines these days, why is their new show so banalWhatever Bradley Cooper’s deal isAnything you need advice on!You can submit them (and ideas for future eps) here (and here’s the subscriber-only priority form)For today’s discussion: What celebrity philanthropy still gives you pause? What other types of philanthropic appeals still give you the creeps? What celebrity did you email from your mom’s email account when you were 11?

At some point in the last year I looked around and realized… 2000s music was EVERYWHERE. Nelly Furtado. Timbaland. Eminem. 50 Cent. MGMT. In Bama Rush videos. At sports games. In the background of TikToks of teens plaintively yearning to be 2000s teens. In weird animation videos meant for seven-year-old boys. Why THIS music, and why RIGHT NOW? Musicologist Nate Sloan— co-host of one of my favorite podcasts, Switched on Pop— has all the answers, or at least most of them.Show Notes:THE ONE, THE ONLY, SKIBIDI TOILET:A frankly hilarious Guardian article on the moral panic over Skibidi ToiletSwitched on Pop’s “Listening 2 Britney” series is a must (I am also a huge fan of this ep on Seal’s Kissed By a Rose, FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST SEAL!!!)The original music video for Hey Ya!, and Obadiah Parker’s coverMentally, I’m at the Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell (and Slate’s oral history on how and why it was made)One of my absolute favorite music podcasts: 60 Songs That Explain the 90s (I have so many favorite episodes but “Return of the Mack” is a great place to start)Nate recommends Laufey as an upcoming artist— check out her Tiny Desk ConcertJust a very popular TikTok compilation of Timbaland’s 2000s hits“2000s music just hits different”“2000s hip hop > >”If you want a whole bunch more in this vein — I’ll be posting them in my IG Stories starting Wednesday morning (check in Saved Stories for ‘2000s Toks’ if they’re not showing up in my normal stories)Follow the show on Instagram!We’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:Very Contemporary Architecture Trends (like ‘modern farmhouse’) and/or wtf is going on with Chip & Joanna Gaines these days, why is their new show so banalWhatever Bradley Cooper’s deal isAnything you need advice on!You can submit them (and ideas for future eps) here (and here’s the subscriber-only priority form)For today’s discussion: What 2000s song are you hearing everywhere….and how did it get there? IS IT A BOP? What 2000s song do you wish was everywhere?