POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

The Globes, The Snubs, and The Audacity

Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies!
This week, we are recovering from a chaotic Golden Globes ceremony. We break down the absolute snub of Ryan Coogler’s massive hit Sinners—seriously, how do you ignore the biggest movie of the year in the major categories? We also discuss the elephant in the room: the ceremony’s complete failure to recognize the heavier realities of what is going on in the world today.
On a somber note, we pay tribute to a legend. We mourn the loss of the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, who passed away this past weekend at 78.
Then, we pivot to the drama that has the internet spiraling: The "Toxic Mommy Group" wars. We dissect Ashley Tisdale’s explosive article for The Cut, the speculation involving Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore, and why everyone is taking sides.
Plus, are you "Chopped"? We look at the new Gen Alpha slang taking over TikTok—"Choppelganger"—and the weird rise of those uncanny Baby AI videos flooding our feeds.
Finally, Brooke discusses  her exciting new partnership with AMC to give us a sneak peek at The Audacity, the fun, satirical look at Silicon Valley coming this spring.
 
The Audacity:https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/billy-magnussen-silicon-valley-the-audacity-first-look?srsltid=AfmBOooc0ATLJ95oJSqtcdZhMnU-4rwq_3l2cDCEO19OBko2srUZ6UTX
Mommy Group Drama:https://www.thecut.com/article/ashley-tisdale-french-mom-group-mean-girls-parenting.html
This week’s newsletter:https://popculturemondays.com/2026/01/12/sunshine-daydreams/
 

From Federal Custody to Fashion: The Nike Tech Takeover & Viral Rivals

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies!
 
We’re kicking off 2026 with a week that feels more like a fever dream than reality. Today, we’re dissecting the total collapse of the wall between politics and pop culture. From Nicolás Maduro’s arrest photos turning a grey Nike tracksuit into the first "must-have" fit of the year, to the internet’s obsession with the stars of Heated Rivalry, we’re covering the moments that are actually shifting the needle. Plus, we dive into the polarizing Erika Kirk memes and why the internet refuses to let them go.
 
Pivot podcast:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SYc8k8FEeJAUQTWR6xn4d?si=Z0u6eqNlQwyIEyFO4lErsA
 
Connor Storrie/Like a Prayer:https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThLaTEFy/
 
This week’s newsletter:https://popculturemondays.com/2026/01/05/we-are-back-baby/
 
 

Christmas Eve Surprises and 2025 In Review - Season 3, Episode 22

Happy Wednesday you pop culture junkies.
 
Yes, we know — Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays is out on Wednesday - and it hits a little different this week because this is a special Christmas Eve episode, and honestly? We’re delivering gifts.
 
This week’s pod dives headfirst into the full-blown phenomenon that is the hit show “Heated Rivalry,” a.k.a. the gay hockey show that has completely taken over the internet. People are losing their minds — and for very good reason. We break down why the show has struck such a nerve, spotlight some of the funniest, thirstiest, and most emotional posts lighting up TikTok and Instagram, and yes… there’s drama. Because of course there is.
 
We also turn our attention to the Vanity Fair profile and photo spread featuring the leaders of the Trump Administration. It’s glossy. It’s surreal. It’s honestly a shocker — and we unpack why it’s landing the way it is right now.
 
And finally, the best trend on the internet at the moment involves Jon Hamm and a 10-year-old song that has somehow clawed its way back into the Top 10 thanks to one perfectly timed cultural moment. Proof once again that nostalgia, timing, and hot men are an unbeatable combo.
 
Pop culture chaos, internet obsession, unexpected revivals — all wrapped up with a Christmas Eve bow.
 
You’re welcome. 🎁✨
 
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/12/22/o-canada-we-thank-you/

Terrible, horrible, horrific weekend. Oh, and Erika Kirk - Season 3, Episode 21

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.
This week’s conversation includes:
A devastating weekend in the news:We talk through the senseless shooting at Brown, the horrific terrorist attack at a Jewish event in Australia, and the tragic deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. We also unpack the deeply troubling, inhumane response from the current U.S. President—and why moments like these demand leadership, empathy, and moral clarity.
Erika Kirk everywhere:From her book tour to that CBS interview everyone’s dissecting, we break down what’s being said—not just by the public, but by creators themselves. Is Erika Kirk a demon or just divisive? We get into it.
Niche TikTok chaos:There’s some very specific, very online drama unfolding around SolidCore, and yes—we explain why it matters (and why you might suddenly care).
Closing on a lighter, steamier note:We end with joy, absurdity, and horniness: HBO’s new gay ice hockey series, Heated Rivalry. Skates, rivalry, feelings, and heat. Exactly what we all needed.
Heavy at the top, unhinged at the end—because that’s pop culture, baby.

Tarantino Drama & the Diddy Doc - Season 3, Episode 20

Happy Thursday you Pop Culture junkies.
 
This week, Brooke is not holding back. She dives headfirst into the Quentin Tarantino discourse that’s been dominating every corner of the Internet, from film Twitter to gossip feeds to group chats everywhere. And for the first time on the pod, Brooke opens up with deeply personal anecdotes about her own experience with Tarantino—stories she’s never shared publicly. It’s raw, revealing, and yes… a bit of a mic drop.
 
From there, we pivot to another chaos magnet: Billy McFarland, who has somehow managed to out-Fyre himself. Brooke breaks down the unfolding meltdown of Fyre Festival 2 in Honduras, a fiasco that proves history does repeat itself—especially when the same guy is in charge.
 
We also get into the latest around Netflix’s explosive Diddy docuseries, with new public reactions. 
 
There was no newsletter this week! 

Mormon Housewives, Fruity Pebbles and Vengeful Exes - Season 3, Episode 19

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies. We kick things off by revisiting last week’s PCM newsletter, where we dove into menopause in pop culture — and how, finally, it’s having its moment. From celebrity conversations to brand campaigns, menopause has gone from whispered to widely amplified, and we love to see it.
We also touched again on two delightful cultural nuggets:
Ralph Lauren Christmas — what is it and why?
Parmigiano Reggiano… with a talent agent! Yes, the cheese. Yes, an actual agent. And yes, this story continues to bring us immeasurable joy.
Moving onto this week’s topics. You can’t scroll TikTok or turn on a streaming service without bumping into Mormon plots, Mormon aesthetics, Mormon family dynamics, Mormon drama and Mormon everything. We explore why Mormon culture is suddenly everywhere and what’s driving the current fascination.
And a fiancé was pranked by her future in laws and husband into thinking they run a 10K turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning. Right up until they were meant to race she thought she had to do it. The Internet is divided what do you think?
And did you know 50 Cent has a docuseries on Netflix on Diddy with never before seen footage. It’s. Wild.
And everyone has feelings about the Olivia Nuzzi situation — and Brooke has thoughts about those thoughts.
Another week, another swirl of pop culture delight, chaos, and cheese representation.
Enjoy the episode!
Last week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2025/11/24/ralph-lauren-christmas/
This week's newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2025/12/01/mormons/

What's REALLY in Meadow Lane's Cart? + Apple's $230 Wearable Fail & LA Flood - Season 3, Episode 18

Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies!
 
This week’s pod takes a look at the hilarious social media reactions to the rainstorm in Los Angeles. Angelenos really do lose it the moment a single raindrop hits the ground, and the memes did not disappoint. We also dive into the newest gourmet food sensation in New York, Meadow Lane, opened by a social media influencer and quickly becoming the Erewhon of the East Coast.
 
Plus, we get into the absolute travesty of Apple’s latest accessory, the iPhone Pocket, and why the internet is collectively cringing. There are also some wonderfully awkward TikTok trends making the rounds that we can’t ignore. And as always, we wrap with what to watch this week — from new releases to comfort binges you’ll be obsessed with.
 
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/11/17/its-raining/

CULTURE WARS MEET POP CULTURE - Season 3, Episode 17

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies!
This week, Brooke dives headfirst into the intersection of culture wars and pop culture, starting with the now-viral Gold’s Gym locker room incident and how TikTok, Twitter, and the rest of the internet decided to litigate every angle of it. From performative outrage to surprisingly thoughtful commentary, Brooke breaks down how the discourse unfolded across platforms—and what it says about where we are right now.
She then shifts into the ever-expanding universe of Sydney Sweeney drama, exploring why the reactions on TikTok and Twitter feel like they’re coming from two different planets. The memes, the critiques, the overblown narratives—Brooke untangles the noise and looks at what’s really going on.
Plus! Brooke taps into the latest TikTok trend built around military cadence which is wildly catchy.
And of course, she rounds things out with a look at what to watch next, including buzzy new releases like Pluribus, All Her Fault, and All’s Fair.
A packed week in pop culture—let’s get into it.
This weeks newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/11/10/golds-gym-starbucks-cup-genes-jeans-again-and-so-much-more/

Erika Kirk's Hug + Largest NYC Marathon Ever & Costume Fails - Season 3, Episode 16

Ethan to provide 
 
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! 
 
This week, Brooke talks about some of her favorite highlights from the NYC marathon and how she’s paying more attention to marathoners than ever before. And of course there is World Series and the bling the boys were wearing and our love of all things Ohtani. And the man formerly known as Prince Andrew makes an appearance. Because the memes!  
 
Rounding this week out were some poor choices as always this Halloween. And even if she wants to, Brooke can’t ignore the JD Vance/Erika Kirk saga that has the Internet in a chokehold. 
 
Enjoy!
 
Mentioned this week:
 
WellisAir Total Home Purification | Surface & Air Disinfectionwellisairpure.com
Best Air Purifiers with HEPA | FDA-Cleared | MOLEKULEmolekule.com
 
Check out my list on Amazonamazon.com
 
This weeks newsletter:BASEBALL MANIApopculturemondays.com

HURRICANE HELLSCAPE: Jamaica’s Real Voices + Lily Allen’s Album that Broke the Internet - Season 3, Episode 15

Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies!
 
This week, Brooke (who recorded the podcast before Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica) showcases what was unfolding online before it hit. The good, the bad. The ugly. Jamaica is deeply personal to Brooke and she is able to paint a picture of what the island is like.
 
And then we have Lily Allen who dropped a BANGER of an album. A SCOARCHED EARTH album if there ever was one. David Harbour might be in witness protection at this point.
 
Grab your headphones and some candy!
 
YouTube/Live Weather:
https://www.youtube.com/live/qitHKtkqN_w
 
This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/10/27/worrying-about-jamaica-%f0%9f%87%af%f0%9f%87%b2/