POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Brooke Hammerling
  • 4.7 (35)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

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. 4d ago

    From Backrooms Creepypastas to Micro- Drama Millions

    Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies. This week, we are bouncing from chaotic kitchen substitutions to locker room politics, viral NBA energy, and the future of cinema. Grab your favorite dairy-free beverage (just don't let Gwyneth pick it), and let's dive in! 📋 Episode Breakdown  ** – The Ultimate Kitchen Crime: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Arugula **       We break down the absolute hilarity from the Today Show where Gwyneth Paltrow confidently suggested you can substitute dairy with... arugula. We look at the internet's collective meltdown and the best memes born from this leafy-green madness.  ** – Giants, Politics, and Locker Room Divides**      Things get a little tense in the New York Giants locker room. We dissect the viral fallout after the Giants' QB introduced Donald Trump at a rally, and the contrasting response from his teammate, a practicing Muslim linebacker. How do opposing views play out on the same gridiron?  ** – The Unmatched Aura of Wemby**      We have to talk about Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs star isn't just dominating the court; he’s dominating the vibe shift. We look at the viral moments that prove "Wemby Aura" is a very real, very cool phenomenon.  ** – From YouTube to Box Office #1: The Backrooms**      How did a 20-year-old YouTuber score the number one movie in America? We're diving deep into The Backrooms, explaining the viral phenomenon of "creepypastas," and how internet lore is officially conquering Hollywood.  ** – The Billion-Dollar Micro-Drama Boom**      Ever found yourself trapped scrolling through 60-second, hyper-dramatic soap opera clips on your phone? You’re not alone. We school you on the massive trend of "micro-dramas"—where they originated (China), why they are wildly addictive, and how they became a multi-billion dollar business. This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/06/01/arugula-is-the-new-dairy/ Connect With Us! Follow us on Instagram/: @PopCultureMondays & @brooke Subscribe & Leave a Review: If you loved today's episode, hit that 5-star button on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and like and subscribe on YouTube!

    45 min

  2. May 28

    The Boroughs, White House Memes, & Saxophone Dreams

    Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies! This week, we are kicking things off with a little walk down memory lane in honor of Memorial Day—reminiscing about the good old days spent getting ready for poker at the iconic All Things D conference (which later became the Code Conference). Then, we dive straight into the meme of the moment: NBC reporter Julie Tsirkin, who went massively viral after being caught on camera asking, "What was that?" during a security incident near the White House. We break down the internet's hilarious reactions and how she flawlessly leaned into the viral fame. Plus, we look at the latest TikTok obsession—the "saxophone getting louder" trend—and trace its unexpected origins all the way back to the 1991 classic film Boyz n the Hood. Finally, we chat briefly about the current state of AI photos before obsessing over the best thing on TV right now: Netflix's The Boroughs. Think Golden Girls meets Stranger Things—trust us, you don't want to miss this!   This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/05/26/what-was-that/

    41 min

  3. May 21

    The Swatch x AP Chaos, Grass Touching Beagles, & What to Watch Next

    Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.  Grab your iced coffee and settle in. This week, we are covering everything from absolute retail chaos to internet tears of joy, TikTok trends, and your next television obsessions. First up, we are diving deep into the massive, worldwide collaboration between Swatch and luxury Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet (AP). We look at a quick history of both brands and unpack the absolute mayhem and chaos that ensued globally when this drop hit the streets. (Honestly, it’s giving the ultimate "male version of Labubu" energy). Then, we pivot to a major win for animal lovers. We break down the incredible drama surrounding Ridglan Farms—a facility that breeds beagles specifically for lab testing. After an activist rescue sparked a massive public outcry, an organization successfully, legally purchased over 1,000 of these dogs. With Ricky Gervais championing the cause, the internet is officially flooded with videos of freed beagles touching grass for the very first time, and yes, you will need tissues. Finally, we round out the week with social media trends and TV recaps: The TikTok High Heel Trend: Everyone is showcasing their finest footwear, strutting to Beyoncé, and we are entirely here for it. The Ed Harris Truman Show Meme: Why this specific moment is spreading like wildfire across our timelines. Netflix’s The Crash: The wild true story behind the series and the internet's collective reaction to the convicted felon's parents. Amazon Prime’s Off-Campus: A look at Prime's new, highly anticipated take on the ultimate heated college sports rivalry   The Crash Trailer: https://youtu.be/fODfHjrBz6Y Off Campus Trailer: https://youtu.be/wAozjf2frxw Sign up and subscribe to PCM: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/05/18/the-watch-that-is-labubu-for-boys-and-some-memes-trends-and-content/ Ridglan Farms Beagles Support: https://www.bdrr.org/beagle-fund

    47 min

  4. May 14

    London Highs, Tech Lows, and the Met Gala’s New Queen

    This week, Brooke is back from across the pond with a suitcase full of tea—and we aren’t just talking about Breakfast Blend.  From a power romance to the high-tech clinic that looks like a spaceship, we’re covering the best of London before diving into the absolute chaos of the Silicon Valley "breakup" texts and the Met Gala moment that is already winning Halloween. The London Rundown • The Power Couple We Didn’t Know We Needed: Brooke recounts her London sightings and pitches the ultimate cross-over romance: Kara Swisher and Idris Elba. • Healthcare from the Year 3000: A deep dive into Neko Health, the futuristic, preventative health clinic cofounded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek. Brooke describes the experience of being scanned by "The Pod" and why this is the shift from reactive to proactive care we’ve been waiting for. • Must-Read: Why everyone is currently obsessed with "London Falling" by Patrick Radden Keefe. It’s a gripping, true-crime-meets-high-society investigation into the dark underbelly of the city’s billionaire culture.   Tech & Viral Trends • The OpenAI "Breakup" Texts: We dissect the viral memes born from the leaked text messages between Sam Altman and Mira Murati. From Sam’s "still don't want me?" energy to the internet's comparison of the exchange to a toxic Hinge match, we look at the most fun reactions to the OpenAI trial documents.   • Mayor Spencer? Spencer Pratt is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s political. We look at his mayoral campaign and the viral videos that have everyone wondering if the King of Crystals is actually coming for City Hall.   The Met Gala Call-Out • Move Over, Gowns: Forget the 10-foot trains; the actual star of the Met Gala was the "Red Flats Queen." We discuss why she is the moment.  Links & Resources Mentioned: • Read: London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City by Patrick Radden Keefe.  • Visit: Neko Health – The future of preventative diagnostics.    This week’s PCM: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/05/11/ai-text-drama-panny-vibes-la-mayoral-race-puerto-rico-trend-and-memes/

    41 min

  5. Apr 30

    WHCD in Memes (sorry), Michael’s Millions & Music That Hits Different

    Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies! 🎉 This week we’re unpacking a lot — buckle up. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner Chaos 🥗🍷** No one was hurt, but the internet had a field day. We’re talking guests clutching their salads and drinks for dear life, people sneaking out bottles of wine, and a meme cycle that absolutely did not disappoint. Sometimes the real entertainment isn’t the speeches. Michael the Movie: Critics vs. The People 🎬👑 The reviews were rough. The box office? Absolutely not. Michael is pulling massive numbers despite critics panning it, and we dig into the age-old question — why do fans and critics so often live on completely different planets? Spoiler: it’s complicated, and kind of fascinating. Music Moments Worth Your Time 🎵** First up, the new Gener8ion x Yung Lean collaboration “STORM” — and yes, it absolutely lives up to the hype. It’s a seven-and-a-half-minute boarding school fever dream directed by Romain Gavras. Do not skip this one. Then, the Suno trend where people are turning text messages from loved ones into songs — we’re not crying, you’re crying. It’s sweet, it’s weird, and it’s very 2026. PCM this week: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/04/27/whcd-memes-sorry-bible-verses-fruit-love-island-and-more/ Storm/Yung Lean: https://youtu.be/x6_mbnsh6VU

    52 min

  6. Apr 16

    Desert Tents to Galactic Sentiments

    Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies. This week we focus on the vibes. We’re scrubbing the glitter off our faces and diving straight into the desert heat to recap SOME of the first weekend of Coachella, before pivoting to the weird, wild world of TikTok and actual outer space. In This Episode:   Coachella 2026: The Highs, the Lows, and the Lounges We’re breaking down the festival beyond the stage. From the shift in desert fashion to the "where" of it all—comparing the car camping to the gated luxury estates where the "cool kids" are hiding out.   Biebercella & The Carpenter Effect Did Sabrina Carpenter just become the new Princess of Pop? We recap her standout set and the controversy which came out of it! And get into the highs of Biebercella and the low (it has to do with Katy Perry).  TikTok’s Viral Pulse • The JENNIE Impact: Breaking down the latest trend sparked by the K-pop icon that has everyone’s FYP in a chokehold. • The AI Banger: We discuss that one song you can’t stop humming—and the existential crisis that comes with finding out it’s 100% AI-generated. Intergalactic Heartstrings Why is everyone crying over NASA? We look at Commander Reid Wiseman’s emotional family moments hitting us all right in the feels. Courtside Love The Indiana Pacers game gave us more than just basketball. We’re dissecting that viral couple moment—what they really said and why we love them.    This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/04/13/coachella-411-artemis-ii-another-viral-couple-the-latest-dance-trend/   The pod with Ben Sasse: https://youtu.be/7CFo6-6BN9k

    57 min

  7. Apr 9

    Dumpling Dreams and Summer House Heartbreak

    Happy Thursday you darling pop culture junkies! This week, Brooke dives into the delightful chaos of the "viral toy" cycle. She breaks down the absolute frenzy surrounding The Dumplings—specifically those elusive glitter dumplings that have everyone losing their minds. To put this obsession into perspective, Brooke takes a trip down memory lane to revisit the vintage madness of Cabbage Patch Kids and why we as a society never seem to change. Then we go to the Hamps. Brooke breaks down the Summer House drama, explaining the alliances, the blowups, and exactly why this season has managed to take over every single corner of the internet and the country really. Finally, we look to the stars and back to the heart. Brooke discusses the astronauts currently trending, with a deep dive into Victor the pilot’s viral moment—from his powerful statement to that incredible physique. Brooke wraps things up with a much-needed dose of joy: Love on the Spectrum is back. Brooke shares why this show remains the perfect, heartwarming antidote to the rest of the world right now.   In This Episode: • The Glitter Dumpling Fever: Why these toys are the new "it" item and a look back at the Cabbage Patch Kids craze. • Summer House Breakdown: Brooke dissects the drama that has everyone talking. • Space & Style: Victor the pilot’s viral statement (and his viral workout results). • Pure Joy: Why the return of Love on the Spectrum is exactly what Brooke thinks we need right now. Face Bowl: https://a.co/d/0elyC8mn This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/04/06/dumplings-are-the-new-labubu/

    59 min

  8. Apr 2

    Kit Kats, K-9s, and Cosmic Cardigans

    Happy Thursday, my darling pop culture junkies! We are back with another episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, and honestly? The vibes are shifting. From a major mascot overhaul to some of the wildest viral news we’ve seen all year, we are diving deep into the zeitgeist today.   Inside This Episode: • The Passing of the Torch: Out with the old, in with the... wrinkly. We discuss why Potato the French Bulldog is officially replacing Baby Yoda as the Pop Culture Mondays mascot. • The Project Hail Mary Phenomenon: It’s more than just a hit movie; it’s a fashion movement. We’re breaking down the film's success and why everyone is obsessed with Ryan Gosling’s sweater (and how to get the look). • The Great Kit Kat Heist: Someone has a serious sweet tooth. We look into the baffling disappearance of 435,000 Kit Kat bars. Where did they go? Why? And how do you even hide that much chocolate? • Debunking the Great Escape: You’ve seen the video of the dogs "escaping" in China. We set the record straight—the footage is real, but the narrative you’re reading in the captions is pure fiction. • The No Kings March: Breaking down the cultural impact and the noise surrounding the latest movement hitting the streets. • Druski’s Latest Controversy: We’re talking about Druski’s whiteface impression of Erika Kirk. Was it satire or did it cross the line? The internet is divided, we want your thoughts.    This week’s PCM: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/03/30/holy-hail-mary/

    40 min
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4.7
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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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