POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Episode 39: Working toilet or working WiFi?

This week, Brooke puts her assistant, Bree Ellis, in the hot seat. She tries to get into the brain of someone who sits squarely between the Millennial and Gen Z generations, and Bree gives us a lot of intriguing insights. Such as… what matters more to someone who straddles the digitally native and lives-on-their-phone eras: plumbing or WiFi? They of course talk pop culture too! Like how the grifters are winning right now. Which front news fraudster is more of-the-moment: George Santos or Hilary aka Hilaria Baldwin? And what content are the kids loving these days? Grab some gummies 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/ 
Apple TV Commercial with Timothée Chalamet  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-p89peAjbLA

Episode 38: Oh, Harry...

Straight off the plane from London, Brooke is solo this week and dives into what everyone across the pond was (of course) talking about…Prince Harry’s book, “Spare.” But rather than rehash the hot takes that are dominating the interwebs, Brooke brings a personal touch to the story and discusses her own experience of grief and connection to Botswana, which, coincidently for both Brooke and Harry, was a place they found peace in.And hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… Brooke covers this week’s revenge song queens, Miley and Shakira. Finally, have you heard about the strawberry jam theory? It’s another fun week at PCMOT!
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/ 
Miley Cyrus - Flowers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7KNmW9a75Y
Shakira -BZRP Music Sessions #53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CocEMWdc7Ck&t=4s
 

Episode 37: Let’s catch up…it’s been a while

After a break for the holidays, Brooke is back with return guest Britt Morgan-Saks, founder of The June and Jacksonville, Florida’s biggest advocate. In an unusual twist for PCMOT, we kick off the year with American football: first, Britt enlightens Brooke on the Jacksonville Jaguars (the NFL team) and they then discuss the heartwarming responses from across the country to Damar Hamlin’s horrific injury and his incredible recovery. Britt and Brooke also break down the greatest reality show on TV last week, Congress' never-ending clusterf*@&k. From the despicable (Santos) to the incredible (Jeffries), there was something for everyone. Including the universal love and appreciation for Stephanie Ruhle’s glasses. (And Stephanie.) They end with some of their favorite and least favorite TikTok trends from the past few weeks.Grab some gummi bears and headphones 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 36: TRIGGERED

This week, Brooke speaks to the one and only Grace Campbell, the London-based comedian and writer, and podcaster and activist. The topic this week is squarely, Harry and Meghan and the terrible reaction so may  people have had. Why are people taking it so personally? Why are people behaving so irrationally around Meghan Markle?  Brooke wanted insight from a brilliant young mind who grew up with an understanding of the political world, the class system, and the royal family that dominates the UK. It’s a fascinating conversation.
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/ 
Follow Grace Campbell on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disgracecampbell?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
The Pink Protest: https://www.pinkprotest.org/

Episode 35: HOLIDAZE

Today, Brooke is solo as she breaks down everything that’s happened this week with SBF and talks about her suspicion that Adderall has played a part in his demise (and the demise of many others). And what would a conversation about drugs and founders be without bringing in Space Karen’s latest hits? And what would a pop culture conversation be without a deep-dive into the finale of “The White Lotus”? 
 
And RIP tWitch. If you’re struggling or know someone who is struggling, please contact the SUICIDE HOTLINE by calling or texting 988. 
 
Life Line Link: https://988lifeline.org/ 
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 34: AI: A Star is Born

Brooke’s guest this week is the legendary strategic communications veteran and social impact warrior, Brandee Barker. Brandee and Brooke grew up in the tech world so they have a lot of fun diving into this week’s trend: all things AI. From the AI portraits you’re seeing all over socials created on the Lensa app, to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is the most disruptive technology we've seen in years, AI takes center stage. Brandee, who was one of the first people to call out Lensa’s disparity in results for women and men (sexy nymph vs hunky astronaut), gives us her her insights. And of course, there’s also "The White Lotus.”
 
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/ 
Brandee Barker's Twitter: https://twitter.com/brandee
 
Lensa app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lensa-ai-photo-video-editor/id1436732536
 
Article on AI: https://theriveter.co/voice/whos-training-the-ai-apps-of-the-future/
 
Wired article on AI: https://www.wired.com/story/lensa-artificial-intelligence-csem/
 

Episode 33: BALENCIAGA? BALENCI-NONO

This week, Brooke is on her own as she dives into the drama surrounding Balenciaga and their ad campaigns featuring BDSM and… children (among many things) and gives you her real thoughts on why this is gaining more and more traction. Brooke also feels compelled, begrudgingly, to talk more about Space Karen, aka Elon Musk, because he’s done such a good job keeping himself in the zeitgeist with a lot of “WTF DID HE DO NOW?” (Hint: a lot).
Brooke then goes through content, content, and more content, including “The Swimmers,” “Wednesday,” and “The White Lotus,” and we should basically all just stay in bed all day and watch it all.
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 Balenciaga drama:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/28/style/balenciaga-campaign-controversy.html

Episode 32: The Return of Zaddy

This week we have a special Wednesday episode of "Pop Culture Mondays... On Thursdays" just in time for the holiday. Brooke is joined by Josie Naughton, the co-founder and CEO of humanitarian aid organization Choose Love, who is visiting Los Angeles from London. Brooke and Josie talk about the return of Zaddy Iger to Disney and their favorite meme maybe of all time, Space Karen, aka Elon Musk’s new name. They talk about TikTok’s sexy nerd, Kevin, who has made millions of hearts flutter with his enticing eyes. Brooke and Josie also discuss all of the amazing things Choose Love is doing this holiday season to support refugees and displaced people around the world, including the opening of its pop-up shop in New York’s South Street Seaport. Please go check it out if you’re in NYC! And last but not least, Choose Love is the charity partner of the new Netflix film “The Swimmers,” coming out on Thanksgiving day, which tells the most heartwarming, incredible story and which you all must watch! 
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/ 
Choose Love Website: https://choose.love/Choose Love Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chooselove/Choose Love Twitter: https://twitter.com/chooseloveJosie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josie_catface/
 
Kara Swisher interview with Bob Iger at Code 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L22u--9C6zE
 
Space Karen
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/11/17/space-karen-elon-musk/
 
TikTok Kevin
https://www.tiktok.com/@strangek3vin/video/7166682461911485738
https://www.tiktok.com/@strangek3vin/video/7164845053339290922 
 
NY Times Article:  
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/business/gifts-refugees-new-york.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Episode 31: Crypto Craziness

Brooke is guest-less this week as she ruminates on all things FTX & SBF and how the hell we got here. The crypto downfall has captivated the curiosity of many and may, ironically, be what helps explain the ins and outs of the crypto world to the mainstream. She explores the media’s role, yet again becoming enamored with a tech genius, and the pop culture fascination with the rise and fall of nerds. And of course there’s Elon, Elon, and more Elon.
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/ 
Sam Bankman-Fried Article
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/14/technology/ftx-sam-bankman-fried-crypto-bankruptcy.html

Episode 30: We Have A Lot To Discuss

On this week’s podcast, Brooke sits down with her first repeat guest, the remarkable tech columnist for the “Washington Post," Taylor Lorenz. While all weeks thus far have seemed crazy, this week, in particular, was a doozy. From everything happening on Twitter and at Twitter (looking at you, Elon), to the red wave that did not happen, Brooke and Taylor try to break it all down. They also talk about emerging social apps like Mastodon, BeReal, and Gas. There may even be a little chitchat about the latest in hallucinogenics… Grab your gummies! 
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/ 
Taylor's Twitter: https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz
Jennifer Anniston in Chanel Bra         https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11408083/amp/Jennifer-Aniston-bares-TINY-Chanel-bra-discussing-infertility-struggle.html