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/
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 ha...
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 he...
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 ...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies. While this week's newsletter focuses heavily on Coachella, Brooke decides to take a more serious tone and talk about the Blue Origin all-female "space" flight that is getting more negative attention than U2's album on your iPhone. This one is a doozy, and while there's lots of humor and all the memes going around, Brooke takes a moment to talk about why this false feminism moment is such a miss. She also talks about Chinese manufacturing TikTok as a react...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies… This week, Brooke tries to find humor while the economy and democracy come crashing down. What’s one to do when the world is on fire? Check out ALL the memes obviously. But truly, in this moment in time, we need all the humor we can get, so Brooke looks at how some creators are navigating the world of crashing stock markets and economies. And of course…the penguins. You cannot talk culture this week and not talk about the season finale of “The White Lotus...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke is on a tear. This was recorded right as Cory Booker was finishing his record-breaking filibuster, and she was full of emotion. Her opinion is Cory Booker is now the de facto head of the Democratic Party. The Democrats are having a much better week than the Republicans, partially due to Signalgate, which she has to address because there are just so many memes! Once she gets politics out of her system, she moves on to talking about "The B...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! What a week it’s been and it’s not even Friday! This week, Brooke can’t help but get into the weeds of the Signal chat debacle rocking the U.S. at the moment. 18 of the country’s “finest” intelligence and defense leaders created a war plan group chat while inadvertently including the editor-in-chief of “The Atlantic”. If this were a movie, no one would believe the premise. Let’s play a drinking game of who’s gonna get fired first. While America’s democrac...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke dedicates the pod to her friend and work colleague Rebecca who has moved to London from LA this week. So Brooke’s therapy is talking about it on the pod! But she is able to rebound emotionally thanks to her undying love for all things Walton Goggins. from “The Righteous Gemstones” to “The White Lotus”, it is ALL about Goggins. And while we are talking White Lotus, Brooke talks about THAT scene with Walton and Sam Rockwell. She didn’t tal...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke gives a little rundown of her experience in Austin for SXSW — a must-listen. Monday’s newsletter was titled “Re-heated Nachos," and Brooke explains where that term comes from and why it's relevant today with regards to Lady Gaga and T-Swift. Have you heard the new Gaga album “Mayhem"? It’s fabulous. And back to her pop roots, which is where Brooke’s happy place is. And you can’t have pop culture without Elon (lol, UGH!!) who’s having a v...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke dips her toes into the world of politics to discuss the ever-growing JD Vance Baby Face memes circulating the internet. While Brooke strives to be Trump-free, sometimes Trump-adjacent is necessary. From Vermont kicking JD Vance out to Trump becoming a storyline in the latest “White Lotus” episode, politics is having a pop culture moment. Of course, Brooke talks about the Oscars and some of the hits and misses. And speaking of misses, we ...
This week, Brooke is out of the country, so we’re bringing back one of her favorites from the archives: a conversation with her dear friend, screenwriter, and novelist, Gary Whitta. Brooke and Gary have been friends since the ‘90s when they were gamer kids, and Gary was the head editor of PC Gamer Magazine. Since then, Gary has become a hit screenwriter, with movies like “Book of Eli” and “Rogue One” part of the “Star Wars” franchise. Gary is also a successful novelist. Gary and Brooke talk abou...
This week, Brooke kicks off the pod with a wholly warranted rant because a children’s book by Julianne Moore about a little girl with freckles who feels different has been banned. BANNED. The Orwellian fever dream (except it’s real!) we find ourselves in continues… At least we have TikTok angels with spoof Republican Makeup tutorials to bring us joy! Brooke also gets into some of the best (and worst) moments from this past weekend’s SNL celeb-packed 50th-anniversary celebration extravaganza. And...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke talks about Kendrick Lamar’s earth-shattering performance at the Super Bowl. If you’ve seen any negative press — and Brooke explains why it might be in your feeds — ignore it. There are too many Easter Eggs to uncover, but she does a deep dive into some of the symbolism and meaning behind the performance. But also…. The Jeans! Thanks to Kendrick and Celine, the brand behind the $1,200 viral jeans, bootcut jeans (or flares, however you se...
Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke dives into some of her favorite moments from the Grammys… And the one that grossed everyone out! But focusing on the positive, it was definitely a Girls' Grammys! From Beyoncé to Chappell Roan to Doechii and Charlie XCX and Sabrina Carpenter…it was a SHOW. And can we talk about Shakira and Diana Ross and their beauty regiments!? Brooke also talks about the basketball trade that shocked the world and what it means from the perspective of ...
Happy Thursday pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke starts off on an RFK Jr rant due to his confirmation hearing and the jaw-dropping letter from Caroline Kennedy to Senators about her cousin, the “predator. Brooke also gets into some of the Gen Alpha terms of the moment which everyone needs to know since it’s a new language. And why do the kids a.k.a. TikTok… Hate Emilia Perez? Skibidi Toilet https://youtu.be/WePNs-G7puA?si=yr3DA0MFRQZiraI_ New York Times article: Blake Lively lawsuit https:/...
This week, Brooke, who has escaped to Jamaica for a break, does a play-by-play of the TIKTOK-pocalypse — the lead-up to the shutdown, the actual shutdown, and the revival of the platform after a very long, terrifying 14 whole hours! And then, of course, we have the inauguration and all the memes. The hat! The bra! The Nazi salute! The Handmaid’s Tale outfits! It’s a spectacle spectacular. Grab some headphones and candy… Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com Brooke’s Insta...
This week, Brooke takes more of a serious tone discussing the LA fires. She brings in a little bit of her own experience and also explains some of the things happening on the socials. Speidi! While she thinks TikTok has been a critical tool during this time, she also talks about the fact that TikTok may not exist by this time next week. Other things going on include the Elon-ization of Mark Zuckerberg (who is styling that guy??) and his involvement with the TikTok shutdown. Pop Culture Mondays N...
On this last week before everything shuts down, Brooke talks drones drones drones. Since every household has it on their minds. WHAT IS HAPPENING? And speaking of what is happening…will TikTok be banned come January 19th, or will TRUMP SAVE GEN Z? Who is to say? Brooke also gets into some of her favorite content and some last-minute gift ideas! Newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2024/12/16/the-drones-edition/ Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ Brooke’s Twitter: https://...
This week, Brooke unleashes (always fun!) on the online community celebrating an assassin. We’ve all been tracking the assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, and the subsequent capture of his killer. While many were rightfully shocked, there are too many who are celebrating him as a folk hero. Some could say, it’s mainly the people who are perpetually online. Brooke discusses the ins and outs of this moment from a pop culture perspective. And in other news, there’s the en...
This week, Brooke breaks down some of the fashion trends you’re sure to see, whether on your kids, at work, or walking down the street. From blue jeans and black t-shirts to bubble skirts to sweatpants tucked into socks, there’s something for everyone. Also, Drake has lost his mind. And has no one telling him otherwise. Find out why! Brooke’s fave new music this week is from Rosé, and her fave movie is Conclave! https://popculturemondays.com/2024/12/02/the-trend-edition/ https://www.youtube.com/...
This week, we’re diving into the archives. It’s an oldie but goodie! Happy Thanksgiving!! Brooke talks with the Mother of Dragons, Emma Freud. Emma wears a million hats, each of them bigger than the next, from producer to script editor to exec producer of Comic Relief to broadcaster to writer to painter to girlfriend to mother of Spike, Charlie, Jake and Scarlett. Emma and Brooke ANALYZE (as only a Freud can) how Americans have destroyed sausages. As well as look further into the psychology of T...
Happy Thursday, pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke dives into the viral video of the moment from New Zealand’s Parliament! Never thought these words would be written. But it’s all haka all the time. Also, of course, we have the fight — if that’s what we want to call it — between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul (not to be confused with his older brother Logan). And, of course, some political memes because we live in a simulation. https://popculturemondays.com/2024/11/18/the-haka-for-everything-editi...
This week, Brooke reflects on some of the things she’s found that are making her feel better post-election. First and foremost, deleting Twitter. At least from her phone. Game changer. Second, stop watching the news. Stop reading the news. Stop the news! Third… Watch ALL the content. Tune in to listen for all the tips. Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ Brooke’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/brooke Brooke’s TikTok: h...
This week, Brooke veers a little away from pop culture to discuss the election and the feelings many are having. Including here. And what we can do to move forward. Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7djQsPAGIxc Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter: https://popculturemondays.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.instagra...
Before Brooke heads out on a quick vacation, she gives us an explainer for all things Chicken Shop Date and its host, Amelia Dimoldenberg, and why she and Andrew Garfield have broken the Internet. Brooke also raves about her new favorite show straight from across the pond, “Rivals,” on Hulu. It’s a bonkbuster, as they say! And, of course, a few more pop culture moments are discussed. https://popculturemondays.com/2024/10/21/the-chicken-shop-edition/ Chicken Shop Date https://www.youtube.com/watc...
SNL isn’t always at the center of pop culture these days, but this past weekend was a doozie with Stevie Nicks as the musical act and Ariana Grande as the host. It was a show full of some great moments, which Brooke highlights. But it’s also a heavy time as the election creeps up, and Brooke acknowledges that the anxiety is impacting a lot of people. And why a pop culture escape is necessary! From “In da club” on TikTok to a totally AI generated restaurant in Austin, Brooke breaks down some of t...
This week, Brooke spends a lot of time talking about the horrifying hurricane that is impacting Florida and promising to be one of the most destructive. She looks at how people are taking to social media not just to show what they’re doing to prep or to evacuate but also to use the opportunity to tell stories about themselves that, let’s just say, are in poor taste. Brooke also talks about her thrill at being featured this week in Bob Lefsetz’s iconic newsletter, The Lefsetz Letter, and tells th...
This week, Brooke talks about the world needing some joy with all the bad news surrounding us and election anxiety. From our newest obsession, Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This,” to Pesto, the giant baby king penguin, to Moo Deng, our fave pygmy hippo, the world is trying to heal. Pop Culture Mondays Newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com Nobody Wants This Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn2PsXD8m4A Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke/ Brooke’s Twitter: https://twitter.com...
Brooke starts off this week by explaining her personal reasons for being more publicly vocal against Trump. Then, while the Diddy news has been much discussed, including in this week’s newsletter, Brooke talks specifically about the growing noise around an alleged Justin Bieber song that includes lyrics about a Diddy party, but which is actually an AI-generated track that’s been making the rounds since April. And we can’t talk pop culture this week and not talk about Moo Deng, the adorable, chon...
