178 episodes

The Cooler is a weekly podcast from KQED Pop that tackles popular culture in a smart, fun and personal way.

The Cooler KQED

    • TV & Film
    • 4.8 • 245 Ratings

The Cooler is a weekly podcast from KQED Pop that tackles popular culture in a smart, fun and personal way.

    Stay Cool

    Stay Cool

    After a five-year stint, The Cooler says goodbye with a finale jam-packed with the voices of its beloved listeners.

    • 56 min
    We Need A Resolution

    We Need A Resolution

    This month, we resolve to upgrade ourselves in 2020, go down a retcon K hole, discover what taint tanning is all about and make a pilgrimage to visit one of Jennifer Aniston's exes.

    • 56 min
    The Great Unliking

    The Great Unliking

    This month, we're analyzing why Instagram is taking away likes, telling the stories of three runaway princesses, unpacking what emotional labor means in 2019 and sharing our peaks and pits of the decade.

    • 1 hr
    Coldplay Will Tear Us Apart

    Coldplay Will Tear Us Apart

    This month, we fight over Coldplay, listen to the best and worst tracks from the past decade, learn all about WAGs and summarize the entire Star Wars mythology in just a few disrespectful minutes.

    • 58 min
    Since We’ve Been Gone

    Since We’ve Been Gone

    The Cooler is back (!!!) and weighing in on the chicken sandwich wars of 2019, the return of Jennifer Aniston's ex, impeachment drama from the 1860s and Lindsay Lohan's new prescription drug anthem (yep, you read that right).

    • 48 min
    Queer Eye’s Tan France On How Gays Will Save The World

    Queer Eye’s Tan France On How Gays Will Save The World

    A special bonus episode featuring Tan France chatting about what it was like growing up gay in a traditional Muslim family, how 9/11 still affects his life to this day, how he ended up partying with Victoria Beckham, why he hates Olive Garden and whether he loves *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys more.

    • 58 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
245 Ratings

245 Ratings

Yiukeithy ,

Quirky, insightful, and a pure delight to listen to

As someone who lived in the Bay Area for seven years, their voices and insight brought me so much nostalgia. Yes they are basically friends in my head. I appreciate their commentary on pop culture that blends humor with societal insight. Every time their episodes come out, my day gets a little brighter.

BowBugs74 ,

It’s over... no!!!

This was one of my all-time favorite podcasts. It’s one of the firsts podcasts I got really into and continued to listen through the years. So sad it’s over☹️. I’ll miss the conversations, observations and laughs. Thanks so much for making me laugh and think.

schmitt142 ,

The Cooler Survives!!!

Omg so glad y’all are returning in the Fall!!! I finally donated to NPR this year to support this show 💗

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