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. 1d ago

    Championship Energy, German Tourists, & Coastal Blindspots

    This week, we are diving deep into the massive cultural moments dominating your feeds - from historic sports triumphs to viral travel obsessions, coastal blindspots, to the Gen Z reading revolution.  ** New York State of Mind:** We break down the historic New York Knicks championship win, the viral city-wide meltdown, and how the players spent their first 48 hours celebrating.  ** The World Cup & "Freddy from Germany":** America co-hosts a World Cup, and half the country didn't even know we had a soccer team. Plus, our collective obsession with European tourists—specifically Freddy from Germany—documenting their trek across the States.  ** Coastal Blindspots (Buc-ee's & Country Stars):** The things coastal elites completely miss that are absolutely massive in the rest of the country. Yes, we are talking about the cult of Buc-ee's and the country music superstars filling stadiums unnoticed by Hollywood.  ** To the Moon: The SpaceX IPO:** A look at the wildest memes & internet reactions the SpaceX IPO.  ** BookTok Takes Prime Video:** Gen Z is still ruling the publishing world. We look at the unstoppable rise of BookTok and the massive buzz surrounding Amazon Prime’s latest adaptation hit, Every Year After. Listener Note: What’s your ultimate Buc-ee's snack road trip order? Are you team Beaver Nuggets or team jerky? Let us know in the comments! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! This week’s PCM.

    41 min

  2. Jun 11

    Hunter Biden Breaks Twitter, Gen Z Finds God, and the Viral Dot Cake Craze

    This week: The Hunter Biden Shitposting Era: We spend the bulk of this episode unpacking the utter madness on Twitter. Hunter Biden has officially taken over the platform with a legendary, unfiltered shitposting era that has everyone completely obsessed. We break down how it started with his sobriety anniversary and escalated into epic, self-deprecating clapbacks about his past, roasting political commentators, and teasing a hilarious 2028 presidential campaign slogan. Both sides of the aisle are secretly loving the comedy. Gen Z is Getting Holy: In an unexpected cultural shift, religion is trending online, particularly among young men and boys. We discuss the rise of faith aesthetics and whether this spiritual revival is a lasting community trend or just a passing digital vibe. And this includes Period Prayer Husband: A viral video of a husband praying over his wife during her menstrual cycle has the internet fiercely divided. Is it ultimate husband goals and pure empathy, or is it just majorly cringe?  The Viral Dot Cake Craze: Everyone is suddenly obsessed with the dot cake trend taking over social media. These aesthetic cake cups, inspired by New York City's famous Dotcakes, are covered in frosting and packed with nonpareil sprinkles. Some critics say it is just basic cake, but we are completely here for the nostalgia and satisfying texture. THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY. Literally. We discuss.  And of course, Keke Palmer Appreciation Hour: We gush over our collective love for Keke Palmer and why she remains the internet's undisputed favorite icon. And a HOT ONE (pun intended).  Vogue article on WEDDING OF THE CENTURY: https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/ming-xi-and-mario-ho-wedding This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/06/08/is-hunter-biden-our-savior/ Connect With Us: Find us on Instagram at PopCultureMondays Leave a comment below, rate the video, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. See you next Thursday.

    53 min

  3. Jun 4

    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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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