POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Episode 91: The Rapture

This week, Brooke dives into the natural phenomena "double feature” we got in the U.S.: the solar eclipse and the New York earthquake. On Monday, it seemed like the entire nation was out with their glasses on, cocktails in hand, going nuts over coronas and totality. And last week, out of nowhere, New Yorkers experienced the ground shaking, things falling from bookshelves, lights swaying. People were perplexed. And out of these two earthly episodes came a deluge of incredible memes, and, for a moment, Twitter became fun again. Brooke also talks about some content she’s loving at the moment and some content she - and the whole internet - are not loving: namely, JoJo Siwa’s latest single, “Karma,” and her “re-brand” in general. It’s a fun one! 
 
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/ 

Episode 90: Starting April With a Bang

This week, Brooke decided to go deep on a topic she skipped in the newsletter. Baltimore. And specifically, the reaction online to Baltimore’s mayor. Specifically on X, let’s be honest. She also tells us about her experience walking across the border from Juarez to El Paso, which was not at all like it's been shown to us on the news. Then, of course, she gets to Beyoncé and the cultural chokehold Cowboy Carter had on the nation. Finally, Brooke looks at the wildly viral recent stories from New York Magazine. Happy Thursday! https://medium.com/popculturemondays/pop-culture-mondays-4-1-24-921aa4469387
Pop Culture Mondays/4.1.24
The COWBOY Edition
medium.com
 
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/ 

Episode 89: Shame on Us

This week, Brooke obviously still has Kate Middleton on her mind. She talks about how some celebs have apologized for joking about the Kate drama now that she has revealed her cancer diagnosis, while others have not. She also looks at how conspiracy theories are here to stay. The other big pop culture news of the week is everything that’s unfolding around Diddy/Puffy/Sean Combs. It’s been a wild past few days. 
 
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/arts/music/diddy-sean-combs-businesses-raid.html

Sean Combs Settled a Lawsuit, but His Troubles Were Just Beginning
The hip-hop mogul denied sexual assault accusations in a bombshell suit in November. As more allegations piled up, his business empire, and reputation, faltered.
www.nytimes.com
 

Episode 88: Naked on the West Front

Brooke is back this week and explains her absence with some “Pup” culture news about her beloved dog Potato.  She talks about her exposed dinner with a star.  Brooke then dives into the Kate (Catherine) drama which continues. We should be ashamed, to be honest. But she gives a hot take or two.  Also, despite the negative attention her sister-in-law is getting, Dutches Megan Markel decided to launch her new lifestyle brand, American Rivera Orchard.  Tidbits about JLo’s new documentary that have gone viral, and not in a good way.  And of course, she tells us who she would make out, Marry, and mute.  Enjoy!
Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter: https://medium.com/popculturemondays 
 
VEG Animal Hospital donation sites
https://veterinaryemergencygroup.com/veg-cares/
https://veterinarycarefoundation.org
 
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/ 

Episode 87: From the archives: Kara Swisher

This week, Brooke wasn't able to host the show, so we decided to bring back one of her favorite episodes from the archives: her conversation with iconic tech journalist and author of the just-released “Burn Book: A Tech Love Story,” Kara Swisher. 
Kara Swisher's book
up.https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Book-Tech-Love-Story/dp/1982163895?nodl=1&dplnkId=bd0462ce-de31-480f-b149-5feba27f9c73
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/ 

Episode 86: The PRE-Wedding Extravaganza

This week, Brooke does a deep dive into not the wedding, but the PRE-wedding bash everyone is talking about: the bajillion dollar extravaganza for the son of India’s richest man and his bride-to-be. From the astronomical price tag, to the guest list, which included the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Ivanka Trump, to Rihanna’s performance, to perhaps the most lavish goodie bags in existence, this was SOME party. At the very other end of the glam spectrum, Brooke talks about the utter FAIL that was the Willy Wonka Chocolate Experience in Glasgow aka the Scot’s very own Fyre Fest. And then there’s Dune Part Two and all the fun social commentary coming out of it, including hot takes on a highly questionable popcorn container. Enjoy! 
 
https://medium.com/popculturemondays/pop-culture-mondays-3-4-24-1f704402c60d
Pop Culture Mondays/3.4.24
The “Indian Pre-Wedding Edition”
medium.com
 
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/ 

Episode 85: FLY HIGH, FLACO

This week, Brooke talks about her trip to Jamaica, the "One Love” movie, and Bob Marley in general. Basically, part of this pod is an ad for why you must go to Jamaica. She is also celebrating two dear friends’ big week: Kara Swisher’s memoir, "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story" is on sale NOW (link below), and Monica Lewinsky is the new face of Reformation. Monica and Reformation have teamed up with Vote.org to inspire people to go and vote, and look great doing it. Check out the collab (link below). Brooke also touches on the tragic death of NYC’s favorite escapee, Flaco, the eagle owl who had escaped from Central Park a year ago only to meet his sad end last week. RIP Flaco. She ends with Tom Sandoval and the New York Times and the latest social media star, Miss Peaches Portnoy.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Book-Tech-Love-Story/dp/1982163895 
 
https://www.thereformation.com/
 
https://medium.com/popculturemondays/pop-culture-mondays-2-26-24-ae2243c6bb24
 
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/ 

Episode 84: Super Bowl Hangover

NOTE: Brooke recorded this before the details of the shooting in Kansas City came out. This week, Brooke dives into the avalanche of memes following the Super Bowl, from Taylor to Travis to Jason to Mama Kelce, and of course, to Beyoncé. And everything in between. The most watched Super Bowl of all time had our attention. And in other news, what a surprise from the Oscars with help from Jimmy Kimmel and some Barbie cast members. Enjoy!  
 
https://medium.com/popculturemondays/pop-culture-mondays-2-12-24-48539687baf1 
https://www.tiktok.com/@oscars/video/7335155888816229674?_t=8jtAuA4OJxl&_r=1 
 
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/ 
 

Episode 83: GRAMMY NIGHT

This week, Brooke summarizes her thoughts on the Grammy’s. From Miley to Tracy to Joni to Jay to Meryl to Celine to…Taylor. Oh, Tay Tay. The rare misstep. Or two. Catch up on all the important things that happened that night! And P.S.: Trevor Noah should host everything. 
Check out:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/02/06/opinion/thepoint/tracy-chapman-luke-combs?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39iyEq9SgVI
https://medium.com/popculturemondays/pop-culture-mondays-2-5-24-a736f4dba08d
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/ 

Episode 82: Haute Couture

This week Brooke breaks down why everyone was talking about a fashion show in Paris. From the walks to the make-up, and yes even the clothes, Maison Margiela and the redemption of its creative director, John Galliano, dominated the conversation. We also have Gen Z’s reaction to joining the military and, OF course, Pookie and Jett. Also, a note to Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion…please stop fighting! We love you both!
 
Link: https://medium.com/popculturemondays/pop-culture-mondays-1-29-24-4d31fd6983c8
 
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/