POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Season 3, Episode 6: Before Tayvis Engagement

Happy Thursday, you darling pop culture junkies! The world has stopped as a result of the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce engagement, we know this. Brooke recorded the pod before the world-changing news broke so this covers all the pop culture moments this past week BEFORE the world came to a standstill. And Brooke will unpack all the engagement excitement NEXT week.
 
This week, we have US Open drama, and Burning Man drama (ever heard of a Haboob?), and of course CRACKER BARREL drama. In fact, Cracker Barrel has since reversed course and gone back to its old logo after ALL the drama. And then of course…then DENIM WARS. Gap wins!
 
 
This week’s newsletter:
 
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/08/25/the-world-has-gone-crackers/

Season 3, Episode 5: It’s Showgirl Time

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies. Brooke is back a whole week since the world stopped with the news that Taylor Swift is dropping a new album on October 3rd, “The Life of a Showgirl.” And she announced it on her boyfriend’s podcast, “New Heights” with a few teasers that literally made the world pause for a moment. From Swiftie Nation Easter egg hunting to every single social media manager of every single brand working overtime, there is a lot to uncover.
 
Brooke also gives a review of the movie, “Weapons,” spoiler – she LOVED it.
 
She also goes over the controversy around the Minnesota Vikings and gives a back-to-school lesson on all the new slang/lingo the kids are using.
 
New Heights pod:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lX9XESvDE
 
Pop Culture Mondays newsletter:

Season 3, Episode 4: IT’S A POP CULTURE SUMMER

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies!
 
This week, Brooke walks us through some viral trends that unfold into other viral trends. From women lip synching Hamilton songs and sneaking out of windows, to explaining what a FINAL BOSS is and breaking down The Culture Awards and the song of the summer, “Diet Pepsi”, by Ben Platt NOT Addison Rae. And of course we have the dark sides of pop culture. A woman going viral on TikTok for falling in love with her psychiatrist and turning to the community to talk about it while seemingly in an AI psychosis as she relies entirely on ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude for all her communications and counsel. WOO BOY. We also have a warning about an “energy drink” called Feel Free which seems to be highly addictive. BE WARNED. And Brooke has decided that MAHJONG is the new Pickleball.
 
PCM Newsletter This week:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/08/11/hamilton-ai-psychosis-diet-pepsi-its-pop-culture-summer/
 
The Culture Awards CLIP TO WATCH:
IN ABSENTIA -  https://www.tiktok.com/@bravotv/video/7535598076484914487?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Season 3, Episode 3: MAYHEM!!

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies!
 
This week, Brooke breaks down the evolution of the Labubu craze and why we are where we are. From people shocked at their own obsession to the latest trend in high fashion for your dolls. Everyone is doing it, including Gaga. (Go see her Mayhem Ball tour!)
 
Brooke also talks about the Levi’s and Beyoncé partnership and the seemingly purposeful timing. We have Jesus Christ Superstar. We have Cabaret. We have Hunting Wives. And of course there’s so much more.
 
This week’s newsletter:
 
LABUBU MADNESS CONTINUES!
popculturemondays.com

Season 3, Episode 2: GENES! JEANS!

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke takes a look at two companies that have made a stir with the public for very different reasons.
 
First, we have American Eagle’s GOOD GENES campaign with Sydney Sweeney that has been a lightning rod across social media. Lots of hand wringing over the campaign and choice of words and people calling for Sydney Sweeney’s head. CALM DOWN EVERYONE! In an uproar that mainly lived in TikTok and then bled out on Twitter, Brooke gives a look into some of the reactions and explains why. This was ALL so avoidable. But also, CALM DOWN EVERYONE.
 
Then, we look at the company at the center of KISS CAMGATE and that is Astronomer. They hired Chris Martin’s consciously uncoupled ex-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow as “temporary spokesperson” for a tongue in cheek video that definitely raised more awareness of the brand but PERHAPS wasn’t in the best of taste? The Internet is divided!
 
And lastly, the ‘90s are BACK. From Oasis to the Backstreet Boys to Justin Timberlake and some fashion moments…we are back, baby.
 
This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/07/28/the-brand-campaigns-edition/

Season 3, Episode 1: KISS CAM DRAMA

Hi guys! After a little break, Brooke is back with Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays and the timing couldn’t be more perfect with all of the Coldplay kiss Cam drama to unpack. From memes within memes within memes… This story has legs. But there are other stories and moments and trends to look at from Kolbert being canceled to “c*nty” being the favorite word of GenZ, to the Gen Z stare and the “I have one daughter” trend on TikTok… It’s an action packed Epi! 
 
This week’s newsletter:
The “KISS CAM” Edition
popculturemondays.com
 
And please reach out with comments, requests and obviously praise at:
 
Subscribe@popculturemondays.com

Emergency Pod: LA has NOT fallen

EMERGENCY POD: Brooke came out of hiatus to talk about LA since everyone has been asking her. But of course as serious as the situation is, we also have memes. And we love the memes! For this weeks newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/06/09/the-inevitable-edition/

Season 2, Episode 40: Friday Edition, with special guest Alyssa Mastromonaco

Happy Friday, you pop culture junkies! Well, better late than never as the saying goes? Thank you for your patience this week. We had some technical difficulties which prevented us from publishing on Thursday. And while the audio is still a little wonky in areas, it was saved! And I would like to personally thank the incredible Rachel Sklar and Ron Passaro the producer extraordinaire who made this entire thing possible and brought it back to life. I am SO grateful. This was the first guest we have had in a long time so it was so sad to think it would never see the light of day.
We have the LEGENDARY Alyssa Mastromonaco who was the youngest White House Deputy Chief of Staff who served under Obama. She is a best-selling author of TWO books, She is the podcaster behind the hit podcast, Hysteria. She is a jam maker. A cat mom. And just an incredible friend. And we get INTO it. We do a little DC dish because we HAVE to, of course. We talk Harry and Meghan. Gaga and Rio. And of course, the MET GALA. Keep in mind, this was recorded before the new Pope so you have to read next week’s newsletter for that.
And housekeeping news. We are going to take a little break from the pod while I build up the team and bring it back to life in a format that will be delightful. Stay tuned!
Order “Who Knew” by Barry Diller
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Knew-Barry-Diller/dp/1668096870
PCM Newsletter/The Royal Edition
https://popculturemondays.com/2025/05/05/the-royal-edition/

Season 2, Episode 39: GO WATCH SINNERS

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke can't stop thinking about "Sinners", the movie you have to RUN, do not walk, to see. Brooke dives into the movie's incredible cultural significance, the cool tech behind the scenes, details you might have missed, and her vision for a "Sinners," the musical. You can see it too, can't you? To avoid totally becoming a "Sinners" podcast, Brooke also has to discuss the hilarious "I'm so hungry..." trend shocking parents all over TikTok and her newest FoodTok-inspired craving, egg flights. 
 
This week's PCM: https://popculturemondays.com/2025/04/28/the-labubu-madness-edition/ 
The official Sinners Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX9cgnKcytSCK?si=cd0c0aca02ce4f28

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