POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Season 2, Episode 38: JD Vance killed the Pope

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! So much to discuss. This week, Brooke looks back at the life of the late Pope, what his death means for the future of the papacy, and, of course, all of the memes. The internet says JD Vance killed the Pope and, honestly, we're all thinking it. She also talks about the Trader Joe's pastel mini totes that people are obsessing over. Also, have you seen the Australian identical twins who witnessed a carjacking? Much to discuss. Brooke also explores how fast AI is evolving and how it's affecting people emotionally, especially when it comes to personal memories and connections. There's a trend right now of using AI to bring dead celebrities back to life. Oh, and SINNERS. The MOVIE everyone is talking about. Shhh, no spoilers!! Additionally, she addresses the rise of anti-Semitism, and the responsibility cultural figures and events have in combating hate following what took place at Coachella. 
 
This week's PCM: https://popculturemondays.com/2025/04/21/the-conclave-edition/
 
Australian Twins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maF9HNRcWxo
 

Season 2, Episode 37: Privilege is not an accomplishment

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies. While this week's newsletter focuses heavily on Coachella, Brooke decides to take a more serious tone and talk about the Blue Origin all-female "space" flight that is getting more negative attention than U2's album on your iPhone. This one is a doozy, and while there's lots of humor and all the memes going around, Brooke takes a moment to talk about why this false feminism moment is such a miss. She also talks about Chinese manufacturing TikTok as a reaction to the tariffs, where China is taking matters into its own hands brilliantly. And lastly, let's all make sure we support our favorite "The White Lotus" cast member, Amiee Lou Wood, and protect her from all the teeth bullies. Looking at you, SNL. 
 
 
This week’s PCM: 
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/04/14/the-coachella-edition/ 
 
The Daily Article - Her Business Was Thriving, Then the Tariffs
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/podcasts/the-daily/trump-tariff-small-business-busy-baby.html

Season 2, Episode 36: THERE SHE BLOWS

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies…
 
This week, Brooke tries to find humor while the economy and democracy come crashing down. What’s one to do when the world is on fire? Check out ALL the memes obviously. But truly, in this moment in time, we need all the humor we can get, so Brooke looks at how some creators are navigating the world of crashing stock markets and economies. And of course…the penguins. 
 
You cannot talk culture this week and not talk about the season finale of “The White Lotus,” so if you don’t want spoilers, make sure to fast forward through that part. But also, how come you have NOT watched it? Come for the White Lotus memes, stay for the definition of Edging. You’re welcome.
 
And did you hear that Madonna and Elton John have MENDED FENCES and made up after a multi-decade feud? At least something in the world is healing.
 
And of course…we all must tune into “Love on the Spectrum”
 
Mike White interview where he discusses Edging:
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/mike-white-defends-white-lotus-season-3-slow-boring-1236362151/
 
Madonna's Instagram with Elton John:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIJ5fWExX68/
 
“Love on the Spectrum” season 3 trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXSiyvI8cFU
 
This week’s PCM:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/04/07/the-well-this-is-fun-edition/

Season 2, Episode 35: Fired Up

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke is on a tear. This was recorded right as Cory Booker was finishing his record-breaking filibuster, and she was full of emotion. Her opinion is Cory Booker is now the de facto head of the Democratic Party. The Democrats are having a much better week than the Republicans, partially due to Signalgate, which she has to address because there are just so many memes! Once she gets politics out of her system, she moves on to talking about "The Beatles" movies that were just announced, where the cast was disclosed and the fact that there will be four movies, each from the perspective of a band member. You have to listen to find out more! This week Brooke also talks about the phenomenon of "RichTok" as well as why the internet is turning on creator Remi Bader. Not to mention the trend of “Brocasting” that seems to be only growing. Grab your headphones and some candy and enjoy! 
 
This week's PCM: https://popculturemondays.com/2025/03/31/the-put-the-phone-down-edition/

Season 2, Episode 34: What’s your Signal chat called?

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! What a week it’s been and it’s not even Friday! This week, Brooke can’t help but get into the weeds of the Signal chat debacle rocking the U.S. at the moment. 18 of the country’s “finest” intelligence and defense leaders created a war plan group chat while inadvertently including the editor-in-chief of “The Atlantic”. If this were a movie, no one would believe the premise. Let’s play a drinking game of who’s gonna get fired first. While America’s democracy crumbles, we have a viral moment that did briefly tie us all together, Saratoga Water guy! Otherwise known as Morning Routine guy, and Brooke breaks down the viral video and impact. Brooke also talks about the must-read “Teen Vogue” interview of Vivian Wilson, the trans daughter of Elon Musk who wants nothing to do with Elon Musk, and who blames her? We’re right there with you baby! Grab some tea and some headphones and enjoy.
 
Links
 
Tuesday’s The Daily podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736?i=1000700734181
 
Bonus link: Wednesday’s The Daily podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736?i=1000700895051
 
Vivian Wilson’s Vogue Interview: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/vivian-jenna-wilson-elon-musk-trans-youth
 
Pop Culture Mondays newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2025/03/24/the-morning-routine-edition/
 
Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ 
 
Brooke’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooke  
 
Brooke’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookehammerling  
 
Potato’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potato/ 
 

Season 2, Episode 33: GOGGINS MANIA

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke dedicates the pod to her friend and work colleague Rebecca who has moved to London from LA this week. So Brooke’s therapy is talking about it on the pod! But she is able to rebound emotionally thanks to her undying love for all things Walton Goggins. from “The Righteous Gemstones” to “The White Lotus”, it is ALL about Goggins. And while we are talking White Lotus, Brooke talks about THAT scene with Walton and Sam Rockwell. She didn’t talk about it in the newsletter because she was STILL processing. But there is loads to say! Brooke also talks about another show dominating the pop culture world right now, and that is the incredible “Adolescence” on Netflix. If you haven’t watched it? RUN do not walk. Of course, there is some Elon talk because how do we not at this point? Grab your headphones and enjoy!
 
Walton Goggins/MIsbehavin’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-znj7Uf9Oo
 
“When it Happens” trend examples:
https://www.tiktok.com/@dailyhaley/video/7480334911325556014?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
 
https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbi_360/video/7481677263478459690?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
 
This week’s PCM:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/03/17/the-thank-god-for-the-irish-edition/
 
Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ 
Brooke’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooke  
Brooke’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookehammerling  
Potato’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potato/ 
 

Season 2, Episode 32: It’s All Mayhem

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke gives a little rundown of her experience in Austin for SXSW — a must-listen. Monday’s newsletter was titled “Re-heated Nachos," and Brooke explains where that term comes from and why it's relevant today with regards to Lady Gaga and T-Swift. Have you heard the new Gaga album “Mayhem"? It’s fabulous. And back to her pop roots, which is where Brooke’s happy place is. And you can’t have pop culture without Elon (lol, UGH!!) who’s having a very terrible, horrible, most definitely bad week. But don’t worry, Donald Trump is selling his cars now! Brooke also covers a few other moments in pop culture that simply must be discussed. Enjoy! 
 
 
Cuomosexual NY Post Article:
https://nypost.com/2025/03/08/us-news/cuomosexuals-not-coming-back-for-cuomo-mayor-race/
 
 
SNL’s No More Slay ft. Gaga 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xzXSPAGNwY
 
 
Pop Culture Mondays newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/03/10/the-reheated-nachos-edition/ 
 
Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ 
 
Brooke’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooke  
 
Brooke’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookehammerling  
 
Potato’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potato/ 
 

Season 2, Episode 31: Vice President Baby Face

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke dips her toes into the world of politics to discuss the ever-growing JD Vance Baby Face memes circulating the internet. While Brooke strives to be Trump-free, sometimes Trump-adjacent is necessary. From Vermont kicking JD Vance out to Trump becoming a storyline in the latest “White Lotus” episode, politics is having a pop culture moment. Of course, Brooke talks about the Oscars and some of the hits and misses. And speaking of misses, we also have Mark Zuckerberg cosplaying Benson Boone and Meghan Sussex (aka Markle)’s new Netflix show, which is getting a lot of blowback. Enjoy!
 
 
Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/03/03/the-its-been-a-week-edition/
 
L to the OG: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ote9AdFKKaA 
 
TikTok response to Adrien Brody’s Oscar acceptance speech:
https://www.tiktok.com/@fredasquith/video/7477553228993891606 
 
Mannings in a Waymo
https://www.tiktok.com/@uber/video/7477955203140947242?_r=1&_t=ZT-8uRuGjcD3aF
 
Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ 
Brooke’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooke  
Brooke’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookehammerling  
Potato’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potato/ 

Season 2, Episode 30: From the archives: Gary Whitta

This week, Brooke is out of the country, so we’re bringing back one of her favorites from the archives: a conversation with her dear friend, screenwriter, and novelist, Gary Whitta. Brooke and Gary have been friends since the ‘90s when they were gamer kids, and Gary was the head editor of PC Gamer Magazine. Since then, Gary has become a hit screenwriter, with movies like “Book of Eli” and “Rogue One” part of the “Star Wars” franchise. Gary is also a successful novelist. Gary and Brooke talk about their experience in gaming, and Gary gives us a detailed look into what the writing process is like for the screen and books. And, of course, how all this ties into pop culture. IT DOES.
 
Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter: https://medium.com/popculturemondays 
Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ 
Brooke’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooke  
Brooke’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookehammerling
 Potato’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potato/ 
Buy Gun Dog here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gundog-gary-whitta/1142657728 Listen to the Gun Dog podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/gundog/id1631586716

Season 2, Episode 29: Weekend Entertainment Bonanza

This week, Brooke kicks off the pod with a wholly warranted rant because a children’s book by Julianne Moore about a little girl with freckles who feels different has been banned. BANNED. The Orwellian fever dream (except it’s real!) we find ourselves in continues… At least we have TikTok angels with spoof Republican Makeup tutorials to bring us joy! Brooke also gets into some of the best (and worst) moments from this past weekend’s SNL celeb-packed 50th-anniversary celebration extravaganza. And of course, we have the long-awaited premiere of White Lotus Season 3, and its less than boppin’ theme song. Enjoy! 
 
Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/02/17/the-winter-break-edition/