Years before their appointments to the highest court in the land, Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas both walked the hallowed halls of Yale Law School as beneficiaries of affirmative action policies. After handing down the ruling on affirmative action, both justices stood to deliver their different opinions about affirmative action: Sotomayor in support, Thomas against. To discuss this moment and how two people can have the same experience and land at drastically differen...
Jul 07, 2023•33 min
Bravo's hit reality show Vanderpump Rules has become infamous due to a much-discussed affair between two members of its cast. The whole thing has been nicknamed "Scandoval" and has led to record-breaking ratings, countless memes, and even a joke at the White House Correspondents Dinner. In a world were reality television is synonymous with secret affairs and drama, why is "Scandoval" such a big deal? Pop Culture Happy Hour's co-host Stephen Thompson is joined by culture writer Shamira Ibrahim an...
Jul 04, 2023•28 min
HBO's 'The Idol' has been riddled with controversy, and with the show coming to an end, host Brittany Luse and NPR's Hazel Cills had a lot to say about the series portrayal of female pop stars, along with the more interesting stories they'd like to see Hollywood show us. Then, Brittany takes on fat discrimination with author, columnist and Maintenance Phase co-host Aubrey Gordon LIVE from the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Gordon just had the world premier of "Your Fat Friend" a documentary follows...
Jul 01, 2023•43 min
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has big dreams. The 21-year-old gained full celebrity status with her breakout role as Devi Vishwakumar in the Mindy Kaling-produced hit Never Have I Ever . The final season just dropped on Netflix so we're revisiting our 2022 conversation with the star where host Brittany Luse gets Ramakrishnan dishing on everything from cosplay to car chases. They also talk about Ramakrishnan's wildest dream role, how to deal with haters and why she hopes this is just the beginning – for ...
Jun 27, 2023•14 min
Today, we consider the himbo — sweet hotties who are maybe a little naive about the world, but are always having a good time. One of the greatest himbos of our age is Lance Arroyo on Max's comedy The Other Two . Host Brittany Luse sits down with actor Josh Segarra, who plays Lance, to talk about what makes an ideal himbo and why they're speaking to the greater culture and our hearts. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information a...
Jun 23, 2023•20 min
Dominique Fishback is starring in one of the biggest summer movies, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts , but her star has long been on the rise through roles in Judas and the Black Messiah , Swarm , and The Deuce . This week, Dominique opens up to Brittany Luse about finding the vulnerability in her characters, portraying the rarified Black female serial killer, and what makes her the actress "with a thousand faces." You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org . See p...
Jun 20, 2023•14 min
There's been a common theme swirling throughout the culture wars: from gun policy, to drag bans, to talking about race - the innocence of children is always at the center of discussion. This week, we're exploring the ideas and systems around childhood. We learn why we first drew the line between child and adult, why the line is so jagged and what implications this has on our lives today. We hear from a few kids themselves, then host Brittany Luse is joined by historian Jules Gill-Peterson and au...
Jun 16, 2023•29 min
Virginia Sole-Smith is an author, writer and host of the podcast Burnt Toast — and her work focuses on our relationship to food and fat. Her latest book, Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture is based on one simple idea: it's okay and normal for kids to be fat. "What fat kids need is to know that we see them, we accept them, and we know they are worthy of respect, safety, and dignity," she writes. "Making their body smaller isn't the solution." Virginia sits down with host Brittany Luse...
Jun 13, 2023•23 min
Grammy-nominated singer Emily King is a master architect of love songs: her dreamy pop-infused music has provided the soundtrack to many romances. This week, she's opening up about how she baked a fresh heartbreak into the sound of her latest album, Special Occasion . She's writing through her pain, shaking the shame around being honest and dealing with vulnerability hangovers. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about o...
Jun 09, 2023•21 min
The prince of pranks, Eric André, changed the comedy landscape with his long running series on Adult Swim, The Eric Andre Show . After a 3-year hiatus, the show is back. Brittany Luse sits down with André to talk about the new season, his pranks on Amber Rose and Jaleel White, and why his humor seems to always flip the script of figures of authority and create heroes out of average joes. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for informati...
Jun 06, 2023•22 min
It's finally summer! And what better way to celebrate than to pick up a juicy book on a nice day? Romance authors Bolu Babalola and Emily Henry join host Brittany Luse to give their recommendations for great summer reads. Plus, they play a dating game featuring literary hotties. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship prefere...
Jun 02, 2023•28 min
This week, host Brittany Luse chats with author and culture critic Brandon Taylor about his latest novel, The Late Americans . The book is set in Iowa City and follows several characters pursuing love, art and the promise of prosperity. They discuss what's so American about The Late Americans , and how it's a departure from what's currently seen as fashionable in fiction. You can follow us on Twitter @ItsBeenAMin or email us at ibam@npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...
May 30, 2023•24 min
This week, the world went into mourning after losing the Goddess of Rock n' Roll: Tina Turner. Veteran music journalist and Shine Bright author, Danyel Smith, joins Brittany Luse to unpack Tina's powerful performances and her role as an architect of rock. They also dig into the obstacles the star overcame, her smart strategies and the lessons she has for us on resilience, peace and happiness. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for info...
May 27, 2023•19 min
We're in a motorsports moment: Fast X just dropped, Rosalía is popularizing the motomami aesthetic and now it's time for the Monaco Grand Prix. This is the biggest weekend in Formula 1 racing, a sport that's seen an explosion of popularity in the United States. This episode, Brittany welcomes Vox deputy editor and F1 superfan Izzie Ramirez to talk about how new fans are revving up geopolitical conversations and if other sports should be copying the F1 popularity playbook. Then, Brittany speaks w...
May 26, 2023•33 min
Author and one of NPR's beloved hosts, Elise Hu , joins Brittany Luse to talk about her new book: Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital. For Elise, what started as a professional move to Seoul turned into a long-term interest in beauty culture and the societal demand to look flawless. Elise and Brittany talk about the high price of South Korea's lookism, how the government props up beauty culture, the technological gaze, and how Korean beauty culture is spreading throu...
May 23, 2023•21 min
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could approve certain psychedelic drugs for treatment of PTSD within the next few years, but what does this mean for Black people who suffer from Racial Trauma? Host Brittany Luse talks with the host of Truth Be Told , Tonya Mosley , about the latest season of her podcast exploring the healing potential of psychedelics. They talk about the latest studies, the war on drugs and what it's like to tell your new boss about your psychedelic journey. Then, Brittany...
May 19, 2023•39 min
It has been one year since a white supremacist drove to a predominantly Black neighborhood with an AR-15 style rifle and murdered 10 people and injured 3 others. NPR's Embedded podcast has followed a cheerleading troop over the past year to understand how the mass shooting changed the community. This week, Brittany brings you the first episode in their multi-part series. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us at ibam@npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...
May 16, 2023•42 min
Since releasing one of the most critically acclaimed albums in 2022, pop titan Beyoncé has withheld the visuals for almost a year. NPR Senior Culture editor Bilal Qureshi went to the first stop on the Renaissance World Tour and joins producer Corey Antonio Rose to reveal one of the most highly anticipated musical secrets. Then, journalist Tre'vell Anderson takes host Brittany Luse through a groundbreaking look at the history of transgender representation onscreen, in their new book, "We See Each...
May 12, 2023•30 min
Host Brittany Luse revisits her 2022 conversation with the legendary DJ Honey Dijon . As one of the only Black trans DJs playing the biggest venues in the world, she's not only become an icon of the scene, but an arbiter of the culture. It's no surprise that Beyoncé tapped Honey for her biggest album yet, Renaissance . Brittany and Honey talk house music's Black roots, the evolution of the club scene, and working with Beyoncé on "Alien Superstar" and "Cozy." You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsB...
May 09, 2023•24 min
Brittany Luse talks to Padma Lakshmi about the second season of her series Taste The Nation . They get into what is "American food" from apple pies (spoiler: nothing in an apple pie is from here) to daal and pancakes. Then Brittany sits down with the hosts of the new investigative podcast Think Twice . Jay Smooth and Leon Neyfakh dive into the history of Michael Jackson to show how he controlled his narrative and to answer the question: is Michael Jackson too famous to cancel? You can follow us ...
May 05, 2023•36 min
Yesterday was the first Monday in May, which meant we were inundated with pics of the Met Gala. The theme this year: Karl Lagerfeld, the late controversial fashion designer who led the house of Chanel for years. In this episode, host Brittany Luse sits down with fashion editor and journalist Marjon Carlos . They separate the winning looks from the losing ones, break down the Lagerfeld legacy and play a game of "Show Me The Receipts." See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and u...
May 03, 2023•24 min
A big strike might be coming to Hollywood. That's because the Writer's Guild of America - the union that protects screenwriters - is pushing back against what they see as unfair wages. NPR's Linda Holmes explains why we as viewers should care. Plus, Brittany talks with Dr. Orna Guralnik . Orna is the lead therapist on Showtime's docuseries Couples Therapy, and her and Brittany discuss how to bridge differences in relationships, how to maintain meaningful relationships, and why humans have the ca...
Apr 28, 2023•27 min
New York Congressman George Santos has been embroiled in controversy since the day he stepped into office in November. The New York Times and other publications have reported that much of the Republican lawmaker's alleged resume – from where he went to college to his supposed time at Goldman Sachs – cannot be backed up with evidence. In this episode, rather than dig into what is true or false, host Brittany Luse asks why someone would embellish their resume in the first place. Author Tara Isabel...
Apr 25, 2023•22 min
While hip hop has a history of anti-establishment and progressive politics, hip hop media is taking an increasingly conservative turn. Host Brittany Luse is joined by Rolling Stone staff writer Andre Gee to discuss one of the most influential current stars of hip hop media — DJ Akademiks — and what his conservative provocations and visibility say about changes in the rap landscape. Later, Brittany chats with actor, producer, and cabaret singer Bridget Everett about season two of her show, Somebo...
Apr 21, 2023•36 min
From our friends at Louder Than a Riot , a look back at the origins of Miami's wildest rap icon, Trina Rockstar. Her vivacious vibes and ruthless bars helped flip the script on the double standard that women in the industry often faced. This episode looks at the unwritten rules that continue to shape hip-hop – specifically rule number four: "It ain't trickin' if you got it." See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podca...
Apr 18, 2023•23 min
This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by UC Berkeley Law professor Khiara Bridges to connect the dots between the recent legal battles over the abortion pill mifepristone and our constitutional right to privacy. Then, Linda Holmes of NPR's 'Pop Culture Happy Hour' stops by to chat about the television episode that still has our group chats in a chokehold, and how it eloquently captured the way we experience death and grief in real life. You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin and email us...
Apr 14, 2023•33 min
Tracee Ellis Ross is an icon. From playing the premiere Black bachelorette, Joan Carol Clayton, on Girlfriends to becoming America's mom as Bow Johnson on Black-ish , she's spent the past two decades portraying a paragon of Black womanhood on screen. More recently, Tracee's turned her focus toward uplifting the stories of real people – on her Hulu documentary Hair Tales , and with her new podcast, I Am America . Host Brittany Luse talks with Tracee about her long and varied career, how she tackl...
Apr 11, 2023•21 min
In reality TV, bringing the drama used to mean making it big. But these days, it doesn't seem to pay to be the mean girl. B.A. Parker , co-host of NPR's 'Code Switch,' joins Brittany Luse to explore the end of reality TV's villain era and the state of the influencer economy. Then, we dive into the psyche behind Academy Award-nominee Steven Yeun 's latest character in Netflix's 'Beef.' He and Brittany discuss the diabolical antics of protagonist Danny and the surprising result of all that on-scre...
Apr 07, 2023•29 min
The AI revolution has come for our love lives. Millions around the world are now in relationships with chatbots who can text, sext and – for a fee – talk to you on the phone and have 'in-person' interactions via augmented reality. Host Brittany Luse tries the AI companion app Replika for herself – and discusses the experience with The Cut's Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz , who's spent the past year covering tech and dating. They talk about the surprising market that Replika has found and whether relations...
Apr 04, 2023•30 min
It's not just you – the constant texts, calls, emails and DMs from scammers are invading so many of our lives. And when the scams are successful, there's often no recourse at all. So how do we protect ourselves from these schemers? Host Brittany Luse talks first to Laci Mosley , host of a podcast called 'Scam Goddess,' about how even a scam queen can become a victim. Then, Brittany chats with Susan Tompor , money columnist at the Detroit Free Press, about how these scams work, what's being done ...
Mar 31, 2023•25 min
