POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Brooke Hammerling

A weekly round-up of all the Pop Culture News you’re too embarrassed to admit you don’t know. Or too embarrassed to admit you DO!

  1. 6D AGO

    Sandstorms, Boy Kibble, and the Golden Arches

    Welcome back to Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, you pop culture junkies. This week, we are diving into the bizarre intersection of geopolitical crisis and "aesthetic" content. From the luxury high-rises of Dubai to the depths of the looksmaxxing subculture, we’re unpacking a week that felt more like a fever dream than a news cycle. What’s In This Episode: • The Dubai "Frontline": We look at how influencers in the UAE are reacting to the escalating war in Iran. While the world watches in tension, the "Dubai Crew" is providing a very different perspective. • The Tate Factor: Speaking of questionable content, we analyze the latest social media outbursts from Andrew Tate. Gross.  • Move Over, Girl Dinner: Remember when a plate of cheese and crackers was the peak of internet relatability? Enter Boy Kibble. We explore the newest trend in the looksmaxxing community where men are optimizing their "fuel" in the most unappetizing ways possible. • The McUnboxing: In a move that absolutely no one asked for, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has entered the influencer ring. We break down the "astonishing" footage of a corporate titan doing a taste unboxing. Is it authentic, or just a really expensive "How do you do, fellow kids?" moment? This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/03/02/war-through-the-eyes-of-creators/

    37 min

  2. FEB 26

    Monkeys, Medals, and Model Mayhem

    Grab your tissues and your skates—this week, we’re oscillating between "crying in the club" and "main character energy." From a tiny monkey seeking maternal warmth in a plush toy to an Olympic icon reclaiming her narrative, we are dissecting the high highs and the messy lows of the zeitgeist. In This Episode: • The Gospel of Pan-kun (Punch): We’re breaking down the story of the Japanese baby monkey rejected by his mother who found solace in an IKEA stuffed orangutan. Why did this hit us all so hard? We discuss the social commentary on loneliness, our collective "inner child" triggers, and why we’re all just looking for our own version of a plushie to hold onto. • Alysa Liu’s Rebirth: At 20, Alysa Liu is doing the unthinkable: actually enjoying her life. We dive into her journey from early burnout and retirement to her defiant comeback. She’s eating the food, picking the music, and wearing the fits she wants. We crown her the world’s first IDGAF Olympic Champion and talk about why her "agency" is the most radical thing in sports right now. • The Tyra Effect: The new docuseries on America’s Next Top Model is here, and the internet is in a tailspin. We break down the most unhinged Tyra Banks memes, the questionable "smize" ethics of the mid-2000s, and whether the show was a fashion boot camp or just beautiful chaos. This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/23/we-ride-at-dawn-for-punch/   Alyssa Liu's full performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCrFaRsezGo

    49 min

  3. FEB 19

    From Pam Bondi Memes to Brontë Dreams

    Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.    In this episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, we’re breaking our usual "no-politics" rule because the internet simply wouldn’t let us look away. From viral memes to heavy hearts, here is everything moving the needle this week.   • The Pam Bondi Meme-fication: Normally, we skip the Sunday shows, but the "50,000 memes" spawned by Pam Bondi’s latest media appearances were too creative to ignore. We dive into how digital creators turned a political moment into a masterclass in internet humor. • Clavicular Goes Mainstream: Following up on last week’s deep dive into the "looksmaxxing" trend, the movement’s poster child, Clavicular, has officially hit the big leagues with a feature in The New York Times. We discuss whether this profile helps or hurts the community’s controversial reputation. • Remembering James Van Der Beek: A somber look at the passing of a TV icon. We discuss the heartbreakingly intimate photos shared by his inner circle and address the growing online controversy surrounding the GoFundMe organized for his family. • Wisdom from Kuwait: On a lighter note, we’re obsessed with the two young boys from Kuwait currently dropping life lessons and accidental philosophy across social media. It’s the wholesome content we all needed. • Wuthering Heights Discourse: The internet has thoughts on the latest adaptation of the Brontë classic. Is it a cinematic triumph or a gothic miss? We round up the best (and snarkiest) takes. • The Watch List: Stick around for a quick-fire round of the new trailers, drops, and hidden gems you need to have on your radar for the weekend.     NYT article on Clavicular: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/style/clavicular-looksmaxxing-braden-peters.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/16/but-50000/

    44 min

  4. FEB 12

    The Benito Bowl, Olympics Hauls, The Clavicular Cult and Baby Jane Doe

    Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.    This week, Brooke is dissecting the cultural reset that was the "Benito Bowl"—a halftime show that managed to be a celebration, a protest, and a meme-factory all in one 13-minute set. And from high-fashion Olympic hauls to the increasingly bizarre world of looksmaxxing, we’re covering it all. AND…Baby Jane Doe!   This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/09/bravo-benito%f0%9f%87%b5%f0%9f%87%b7/

    46 min

  5. FEB 5

    Fake Hits & Real Tears: The Melania Discourse, Dr. Attia, & Remembering Catherine O’Hara

    Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.  This week, Brooke navigates the strange disconnect between media narratives and reality, starting with the Melania documentary. We look at the "social discourse" (read: the jokes) surrounding the film, the defaced billboards, and the media trying to convince us it was a massive hit. (Spoiler Alert: Brooke did the math. It was not.) Also in this episode: • The Grammys & The Moment: It wasn't just about the music this year. Brooke breaks down the night’s heavy political undertones, specifically what artists like Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish had to say about ICE, immigration, and the current state of the country.   • Best New Artist Breakdown: We look at the crowded field of nominees—from the internet-famous (Addison Rae, Alex Warren) to the critically acclaimed—and discuss Olivia Dean’s emotional win.   • Who is Dr. Peter Attia? You’ve seen his name in the headlines, but why is the famous longevity expert suddenly the center of a major controversy? Brooke explains the "Epstein emails" scandal that SHOULD cost him his CBS contributor role and why everyone is talking about "low carb" in the worst possible context. • A Tribute to Moira Rose: Finally, we end with a tearful homage to the legendary Catherine O’Hara. We celebrate the life of our favorite TV mom, from Beetlejuice to Home Alone to the icon that was Moira Rose. This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/02/no-i-did-not-see-melania-did-you/

    46 min

  6. JAN 29

    The Great Escape (feat. Posh Spice & Harry Styles)

    Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.  This week, the world feels heavy. Brooke opens the show by acknowledging the heartache coming out of Minneapolis and sets the stage for why, right now, we all need a brief, necessary escape. We’re taking a deep breath and diving into the distractions that are keeping us afloat.   In this episode: • The Beckham Saga Continues: We are back on the Beckham beat. Brooke breaks down the incredible memes surrounding Victoria Beckham dancing at her son’s wedding. Is Posh Spice the relatable icon we didn’t know we needed? • The Dr Pepper Miracle: We discuss the power of TikTok and the creator who created a viral jingle that became a national ad campaign. Proof that posting your drafts actually pays off. • The Drama & The Random: A quick touch on the Blake Lively / Taylor Swift chatter, followed by a chaotic roundup of things living in Brooke’s brain: exploding trees, Mamdani, Heated Rivalry, and yes... Lego Crocs. • Harry’s House in NYC: Harry Styles is doing 30 nights in New York City. We process the logistics, the stamina, and the absolute hysteria. • A Final Word: Shame on you, Tim Cook. Just... shame.   This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/01/26/%F0%9F%92%94-in-minneapolis/ The Daily episode on Pretti shooting: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Y7GCHmt2SkaLptlDav51N?si=0TRwj94zSJee8kjencOZag

    34 min

  7. JAN 22

    The 2016 Meme, The Beckham Fallout, and The Hair Client From Hell

    Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies! There was no newsletter this week because of the holiday, so we are pouring everything into the podcast today. You know Brooke tries to keep this a politics-free zone, but sometimes the real world is just unavoidable. She touches on the current state of the pop culture "geist"—for better or for worse—and vent-sessions about that 2016 meme that she absolutely cannot stand (you know the one). Then, we get into the heavy hitters of the week: John Mayer & Bob Weir: Brooke showcases John Mayer’s emotional tribute to the late Bob Weir. It’s a tearjerker, but a beautiful look at their bond. The Beckham Family Drama: We are getting deep in the weeds with the Brooklyn Beckham fallout. We break down the latest updates on the break-up with his family—it’s messy, it’s public, and Brooke has thoughts. TikTok Viral Moment: We discuss the girl who is currently going viral for being broken up with... by her hairdresser? It’s the kind of chaos we live for. As always, thank you to Live Nation for sponsoring the pod!

    43 min

  8. JAN 15

    The Globes, The Snubs, and The Audacity

    Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies! This week, we are recovering from a chaotic Golden Globes ceremony. We break down the absolute snub of Ryan Coogler’s massive hit Sinners—seriously, how do you ignore the biggest movie of the year in the major categories? We also discuss the elephant in the room: the ceremony’s complete failure to recognize the heavier realities of what is going on in the world today. On a somber note, we pay tribute to a legend. We mourn the loss of the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, who passed away this past weekend at 78. Then, we pivot to the drama that has the internet spiraling: The "Toxic Mommy Group" wars. We dissect Ashley Tisdale’s explosive article for The Cut, the speculation involving Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore, and why everyone is taking sides. Plus, are you "Chopped"? We look at the new Gen Alpha slang taking over TikTok—"Choppelganger"—and the weird rise of those uncanny Baby AI videos flooding our feeds. Finally, Brooke discusses  her exciting new partnership with AMC to give us a sneak peek at The Audacity, the fun, satirical look at Silicon Valley coming this spring.   The Audacity: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/billy-magnussen-silicon-valley-the-audacity-first-look?srsltid=AfmBOooc0ATLJ95oJSqtcdZhMnU-4rwq_3l2cDCEO19OBko2srUZ6UTX Mommy Group Drama: https://www.thecut.com/article/ashley-tisdale-french-mom-group-mean-girls-parenting.html This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/01/12/sunshine-daydreams/

    41 min
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4.7
out of 5
35 Ratings

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A weekly round-up of all the Pop Culture News you’re too embarrassed to admit you don’t know. Or too embarrassed to admit you DO!

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