The Culture Study Podcast

Whether you’ve been deep in the fanfic world for years or have only heard others talk about it — we’ve worked really hard to make this episode for all of you. Yes, you might have to hear someone define what slash is (very useful for newbies!) but then we go deep on how fanfic is influencing genres, general fanfic mainstreamification, how and why AU (alt… Read more

This is such a delight of an episode! We’ve been wanting to do a big cookbook conversation since the start of the podcast, and when America’s Test Kitchen emailed to see if we’d be interested in talking to Sarah Ahn about Umma— the cookbook she put together with her mom (!!!) documenting the Korean recipes that have defined her past and present life— we were thrilled. We just wanted one more layer: what if we had a cookbook editor as well? Enter: Adam Kowit, editoral director of all books at America’s Test Kitchen. You’re going to learn so much about the making of this cookbook (which, as you’ll see in the episode, I cannot shut up about) but also how cookbooks just generally go from a handful of recipes to an actual text. Again: what a delight, and I can’t wait for your thoughts. Note: You may have received this email more than once, and for that we apologize! We’re still working out kinks in the publishing process as we start to include ads in the free version of the show. Thanks for understanding!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.Listeners, we are firmly on the path to sustainability — and your subscriptions made this possible! (We no longer have to ask for subscriptions to pay Melody for the next month). This show is only possible because of people like you, and we are so grateful.If you’re not already a subscriber and want access to each week’s FULL EPISODE including the Ask Anne Anything, come join us! (And remember that if you’re already a Culture Study newsletter subscriber, you get a screaming deal, but you have to click there to use it; it is *not* applied automatically).Subscribe now***And if you’d like to add the subscriber-only podcast to your podcast app, here’s how.***Show Notes: Buy Umma today!!!! (Chances are very high we’ll do this as a future Culture Study Cooking Club Pick, fwiw!) Follow Sarah Ahn’s incredibly popular Instagram account (and look at those tour dates near you) A few posts we reference: ahnestkitchenA post shared by @ahnestkitchenahnestkitchenA post shared by @ahnestkitchenOne we don’t reference but I found so fascinating: ahnestkitchenA post shared by @ahnestkitchenFollow America’s Test Kitchen on InstagramIn the AAA, Anne references this newsletter from January:Culture StudyThe Social Media Sea Change If you missed it from earlier this week: I’ve put together a bunch of ways you can help those in LA *right now…Read more3 months ago · 1137 likes · 212 comments · Anne Helen PetersenWe’re currently looking for your questions for future episodes about:TATE MCRAE (who is she, how did she get so popular, why is calling her the New Britney imprecise, take this wherever you want) SoCal Culture (broad, I know, but whew there’s so much)WTF is going on with contemporary/everyday men’s fashion (will Dockers make a comeback? How should we think about the business casual fleece/puffer vest? What’s going on with swimwear? HATS? I’m so excited for this one, with the great Jason Diamond) Dark Academia (as in, the literary genre) Van/Skoolie/RV Life PERIODS (and specifically, period pain) with Kate Helen Downey, host of CrampedAnything 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: What part of the process was the most illuminating? What do you still want to know even *more* about?

It feels weird to call yourself a “None,” but according to demographers, that’s what I am: one of millions of Americans who understand themselves as “religiously unaffiliated.” That means atheists, agnostics, and people who answer “nothing in particular” when asked if they practice a religion. Today, Nones make up 28% of the U.S. population — up from 16… Read more

Why does every person who runs marathon want to convince you that you too could run one? What makes running clubs so intimidating? When people get into running, why can’t they shut the hell up about it? I’ve asked avowed non-marathoner Raziq Rauf, author of the newsletter Running Sucks, to help address all of your running culture related questions. Yes,… Read more

When With Love, Meghan — the Netflix lifestyle show starring Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex — first came out, I knew the only way I wanted to even touch that discourse was by talking about the show, as a show. How does it conform to or reject our understanding of what a lifestyle program should look like? What’s Meghan’s twist? And what’s going on wit… Read more

This all started with my desire to do a Paul Mescal episode. A listener suggested we ask Caroline O’Donoghue — author of The Rachel Incident, host of Sentimental Garbage, noted Irish person — to be co-host. We reached out, and (gasp!) she responded that she didn’t actually know that much about Paul… but would be more than happy to do an episode about the “Irishification of pop culture.” Since my interest in Irish men (and movies, books, music, television, poetry) by no means starts with Paul Mescal, I was thrilled. And let me tell you: this episode is fascinating. Hilarious, expansive, weird — and I promise you it will make you see Irish Pop Culturification in a different way (and perhaps appreciate Paul Mescal even more). It will certainly make you appreciate Caroline O’Donoghue, who made me laugh on mic more than any previous co-host. She’s brilliant, and this episode is so weird and good (one of those ones where we finished recording and Melody and I immediately texted each other: AMAZING). As always, I can’t wait for your thoughts — come join the conversation in the comments! Listeners, we are firmly on the path to sustainability — and your subscriptions made this possible (we no longer have to ask for subscriptions to pay Melody for the next month, THIS IS GREAT!) This show is only possible because of people like you, and we are so grateful. If you’re not already a subscriber and want access to the weekly Ask Anne Anything, come join us! (And remember that if you’re already a Culture Study newsletter subscriber, you get a screaming deal, but you have to click there to use it; it is *not* applied automatically). Subscribe nowAnd if you’d like to add the subscriber-only podcast to your podcast app, here’s how. Show Notes:Buy The Rachel Incident! I cannot stop shouting about this book; I foist it on every millennial I know. Follow Caroline on InstagramListen to Caroline’s fantastic podcast, Sentimental GarbageWe reference this Vulture piece: How the Irish Came to Rule Pop CultureMy 2015 profile on Enya for BuzzfeedRIP HOUSE FROM BAD SISTERSPaul’s Meaty Clackers: PEAK IRISH POP CULTURE, “Falling Slowly” from Once: Sorry one more Paul (this time with Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones) We’re currently looking for your questions for future With Love, Meghan — the new Netflix show with Meghan Markle — through the lens of cooking/lifestyle television MEN’S EVERYDAY FASHION. Not high fashion. The stuff that dudes wear everyday. Like will the fleece/puffy vest ever die? Where actually is a man’s waist? (with Jason Diamond) The governmental push for backyard chickens/homesteading (with Tove Danovitch) Contemporary Plastic Surgery Culture (with Arabella Sicardi) Whatever questions you have for Josh Gondelman Dark Academia ~Cleaning Culture~ especially “cleanliness as moral” Anything you need advice or want musings on for the AAA segment — WE REALLY NEED MORE!! You can ask about anything, it’s literally the name of the segment!You can submit them (and ideas for future eps) hereFor today’s discussion: What’s *your* favorite Irish Pop Culture artifact? And what’s behind your love/the societal love?

If you’re a historical romance person, all I need to say is: Sarah MacLean is here, and she is answering all the questions. If you’re not a historical romance person, I’ll spell it out a little more: Sarah MacLean is one of the most popular writers of historical romance today — and she’s also the cohost of the incredibly popular podcast Fated Mates. She… Read more

Last month, I published an interview in the newsletter with Dana Miranda about “budget culture” — and it became one of the most popular (and discussed) interviews I’ve done since I first launched the newsletter. At the time, I asked for questions for Dana about specific myths of budget culture for us to unpack. We got dozens of those — plus a bunch of c… Read more

I love old movies — but I didn’t always! In fact, I needed many years of directed classwork to fall in love with them. But if you’re not in the mood to pause your life and take on significant graduate debt, THERE ARE STILL OPTIONS, and Margaret H. Willison and I are here to offer them. In this episode, we offer specific suggestions to listeners based on… Read more

Phil Maciak, a TV critic and author focused on Dad Culture, dives into the intriguing world of fatherhood symbols—from dad hats to essential grilling gear. He discusses the evolution of Dad Culture, debunking stereotypes while highlighting how media shapes our perception of modern dads. Phil examines the blend of humor and nostalgia, the significance of non-traditional family dynamics, and even the quirky trend of 'shorts dads.' Join the conversation about what truly makes something 'dad' in today’s society!