POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Episode 49: DRAMATURGICALLY

This week, Brooke takes a look at everything across the board dominating the news and the socials this past week. From yet another mass shooting with an AR-15, to the Tennessee Three and the hypocrisy of Conservatives and the sanctity of their rights and freedoms (around guns but NOT women’s bodies or your sexuality…).
 
And of course, we have Kid Rock and his minions upset over Bud Light working with a Trans influencer to promote beer to a wider audience. And Kid Rock’s need to use HIS automatic rifle to blow up cases of Bud Light…THE WORLD we live in.
 
Brooke then dives into the latest content, from “Air,” the incredible movie about the genesis of Air Jordans, to that latest episode of “Succession.” Like, are we all ok? L to the G baby.
 
Sidenote: Both Pearson and Jones have been reinstated to their elected roles in Tennessee.
 
Rep. Jones' speech:
https://www.tiktok.com/@vicenews/video/7219032108025662766
 
Rep. Pearson's speech:
https://www.tiktok.com/@underthedesknews/video/7219413873667902762
 
Howie Mandell Podcast with Tom Sandoval
https://youtu.be/tkKDQQOm3gY

Episode 48: Drama in, on, and off the court

In this week's episode, Brooke talks about Women's College Basketball and the drama that erupted after Sunday’s championship game around two of its stars, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese. There is a lot to unpack. She also talks about Twitter Blue checks, what they mean NOW, and how we got here. And of course…Elon Musk. She touches on the Gwyneth Paltrow trial and the arraignment of Donald Trump and the recent crossover memes connecting the two. Our justice system is really having a moment!
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/ 
For more on the Trump arraignment: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736?i=1000607508331

Episode 47: We Need to Talk About This

On Monday, March 27th, a gunman opened fire at the Covenant School in Nashville, killing three children and three staff members. This is the latest in a long line of school shootings in the United States, and it's a tragedy that we're all too familiar with.
In today's episode, we look at the impact of school shootings on the world and ultimately, on pop culture.
I know that this is a heavy topic, but it's one that we need to talk about. So please join me in this important conversation.
Thank you for listening,
Brooke
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 46: It’s Taylor’s World…

This week, Brooke is joined by one of her regular guests, Britt Morgan-Saks, founder and CEO of The June, and proud Jacksonville, Florida resident. Brooke and Britt talk about their SXSW experience this year and the crazy growth of Austin, Texas (a sleepy college town no more!!). The main topic this week (which also headlined the PCM newsletter) is ALL THINGS Taylor Swift, with the kickoff of her ERAS TOUR featuring 44 SONGS totaling 3 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES. The woman is a marvel! Moving on to TikTok, as we usually do, Brooke and Britt discuss the upcoming Congressional Hearing that the head of TikTok will be appearing at and how perhaps the government should also be looking into social platforms that actually share porn, racism, hate, bigotry, and everything in between – we are looking at you, Insta and Twitter. It's a fun one so grab your headphones and some popcorn and enjoy! 
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 45: Who needs a drink?

Brooke goes at it alone this week because she has A LOT to say, and there’s really no room for anyone else! She dives deep into what happened — from her perspective — around the crash of Silicon Valley Bank. Brooke is no financial expert, so instead, she breaks down all the optics and the emotions we’ve seen play out over the past week. She also summarizes what’s been happening across the pond in the UK with megastar BBC sports commentator Gary Lineker, and explains why it’s such a big deal. And for the latest pop culture moments of the week… Celebrity stylist Law Roach dramatically retires over what seems to have been a slight, and Ryan Reynolds sells ANOTHER company, this time for over $1 billion! Pour yourself a cocktail and buckle up!
 
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 44: Reality Bites Back

This week, Brooke sits down with reality show EXPERT, Kate Casey, host of the “Reality Life With Kate Casey” podcast, to break down the SCANDOVAL unfolding on Bravo’s hit show, "Vanderpump Rules." Even if you’ve never seen the show, you've likely heard at least something about all the drama playing out this week. It even made it to the NEW YORK TIMES. Kate, an authority on all things unscripted TV, helps explain what the show is, who the players are, and why we are all so consumed with it.
 
 
Sign up for Kate’s podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reality-life-with-kate-casey/id1154758766
 
 
Follow Kate on the socials:
 
Twitter: @KateCasey
Insta: @katecaseyca
 
 
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/style/vanderpump-rules-cheating-explainer.html

Episode 43: Some high highs, some low lows & a Mea Culpa

This week Brooke has just come back from Jamaica — but is still on island time — with a solo episode of the pod. Join her as she walks us through the ANGELA BASSETT DID THE THING meme from its genesis to where we are as of NOW. It’s a hell of story arch. She also highlights the amazing joint speech given by Gabrielle Union and her husband Dwyane Wade at the NAACP Image Awards last week. As parents of a trans daughter, their remarks on protecting their trans brothers and sisters and sons and daughters were incredibly powerful. Then, switching gears, Brooke moves on to the brain-cell-killing drama playing out online with Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber – trust us, the kids are talking about it. Finally, Brooke re-thinks her previous judgements about Mounjaro/Ozempic after her realization that she has many friends who have had their lives changed for the better as a result of these drugs. She hopes to shine a light on the shame people are feeling. A must-read on this is https://www.thecut.com/2023/03/mounjaro-body-positivity-essay.html
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 42: Where’s the schnitzel?

Brooke’s guest this week is Lara Naaman, the Director of Creative Operations for Pivot at New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network (aka she produces the “Pivot" podcast). Brooke and Lara walk down memory lane and share stories of their adventures traveling through Germany and England alongside Kara Swisher. And oh, are there stories! Then, they of course get into all things Super Bowl — at least the things that matter like the player’s fashion, the Kelce brothers, and, of course, Rihanna (and Rihanna’s baby!). They also take a look back at The State of the Union (and the lack of fashion in that arena). Fashion finishes out the show with the latest viral style trends and some highlights from New York Fashion Week. 
 
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/ 
The Kelsey Father on what he fed his kids growing up https://www.tiktok.com/@newheightshow/video/7197045147132022058

Episode 41: The trouble with the Grammys? No one can agree.

This week, Brooke is solo and dives deep into the much-talked-about 2023 Grammys, which took place on Sunday. From performances to the misguided speeches to the award recipients themselves, and of course the miserable Ben Affleck and the meme-storm left in his wake… Brooke covers it all. This week also brought us SPY Balloon dram-orama, pop culture’s daddy, Pedro Pascal, who hosted SNL, a slew of new TikTok trends, and Architectural Digest’s tour of perhaps the most wonderful and all-round amazing home in the world, Lily Allen’s Brooklyn town house. 
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/ 
 
Pedro Pascal Gen Z SNL Skit
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMYjKYCuH/

Episode 40: The Beauty Industry is JUST Like Hollywood

This week, Brooke sits down with the Founder & CEO of Lashify, Sahara Lotti, to break down the latest viral uproar: #LashGate. Sahara, whose company is one of the biggest players in the eyelash space, explains the ins and outs of makeup influencers and how much impact they have. Sahara and Brooke also discuss te other mascara news making the rounds on socials this week, which has nothing to do with one’s eyes! So… grab some gummy bears and make sure your lashes are in tip top shape for this episode.
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/ 
Lashify Website - https://lashify.com