Olivia and Shauna are working on their long-distance relationship, but they're always together in spirit, especially when it comes to talking about pop culture. 2025 is going to be a monumental year, for better or worse, and in order to have something to look forward to, The Junkies discuss the pop culture they most want to put in their veins this year. Olivia tries to convince Shauna to keep watching White Lotus, and Shauna makes Olivia promise to go see the new Fantastic Four movie with her. Between new Lady Gaga (and maybe Taylor Swift) music and more Dexter and a Freakier Friday on the horizon, this could very well be a great year. And if not, Shauna has a great drinking game for you.

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

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Website: www.popculturejunkie.com
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Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

Olivia and Shauna find themselves on the Naughty List (again) this holiday season, so this episode is all about those holiday romance movies - the kind where big-city girls visit their hometowns and fall for a hunky carpenter/baker/farmer (or whatever) and learn the true meaning of Christmas. These movies are often associated with the Hallmark Channel, but can be seen everywhere, really. Netflix in particular, is doing their best to put their own stamp on the genre, peopling the films with male strippers and sexy sentient snowmen and such. Then the Junkies talk about the holiday season's biggest movie, and whether or not it 'defies gravity'.

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

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Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

This week, Olivia and Shauna give their book reports - how many books they've read this year above and beyond their goal, and not to brag, but we know two people who'll get coupons for a personal pan pizza this year. In other news, it's the holiday season, and for a lot of us, that means traveling, whether to get to or get away from family. And the perfect marriage of pop culture and traveling is the road trip movie. The Junkies talk about what makes a great road trip movie, and name some of the best road trip movies in every genre: comedy, drama, horror, comedy...well, they're mostly comedies because traveling is so much fun! Then, Olivia and Shauna plot out the perfect snack regimen for their upcoming trip to Frisco, and you won't believe what they plan to do with the Bugles. 

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare! 
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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728

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Website: www.popculturejunkie.com
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies
Email: [email protected]

Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

The Junkies gather together to mourn some hopes, but also to celebrate an important victory. And while the future looks uncertain, Shauna and Olivia vow that we'll all get through whatever comes next together, and pop culture is going to help us do just that. Speaking of girl power and pop culture (and we were!), this week the Junkies take a good look at the history of feminism and how it was represented by pop culture. The Junkies recount the history, starting over a hundred years ago with the suffrage movement, flappers and the first "It Girl", straight through to where we are today, when we had a female president for the first time (if only for 40 minutes). Then Shauna and Olivia talk about their favorite feminist media, and look at how far we have yet to go for everyone to be able to see themselves represented in their favorite media. 

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare! 
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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728

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Website: www.popculturejunkie.com
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies
Email: [email protected]

Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

Olivia recently spent some time in San Francisco, giving her time to think about her proximity to the Zodiac Killer's turf (and to binge watch both Princess Diaries movies.) Shauna continues to brush up against the cool and the famous in her quest to save Arizona from itself by getting out the vote. Speaking of propositions, the Junkies (and everyone) are nervous about the upcoming election, so what better way to cope than by...talking about politics? Specifically the intersection between pop culture and politics. They discuss the best television shows set in the West Wing, and look at politics on the big screen, and how two movies predicted the times we are currently living in. The Junkies also show two very different movies presented the Watergate scandal. Will there be Dick jokes in this episode? You don't have to be Deep Throat to know the answer to that question. And finally, Shauna and Olivia discuss the way the media as a whole is dividing us when we really need to be united. We encourage you to vote yes on this politically-charged episode!

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

 We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare!
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 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728

 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7k2pUxzNDBXNCHzFM7EL8W

Website: www.popculturejunkie.com
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies
Email: [email protected]

Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

Olivia is back from the Big Apple, where she took a tour through Jimmy Fallon's "Tonightmares" - a haunted house based on the late night host's own personal night terrors. Shauna is continuing to fight the good fight politically here in AZ, and as a reward got to meet a certain 'Electra-fying' star. The Junkies then discuss the perfect pairing of Halloween and pop culture, specifically in the multifaceted horror movie genre. From slashers to monster movies to psychological horror, this genre is so versatile that depending on the movie, you'll swoon, laugh, shudder or even throw up. (Looking at you, Terrifier 3.) Olivia and Shauna picked one specific movie to discuss for this episode, so be warned there are slight spoilers for The Descent, possibly the scariest movie ever made. (Or is it?) And finally, both Junkies have Halloween Pop or Drop recommendations for you.

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare! 
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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728

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Website: www.popculturejunkie.com 
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast 
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies 
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies  
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Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

Shauna details her busy week getting interviewed by the national press (and the advocacy work that got their attention, and Olivia describes her slightly less fun adventures (though she did get a chance to consume a LOT of pop culture.) Then Shauna tells us about being a mathlete until Olivia challenges her to a bit of mental arithmetic and...BUSTED! Speaking of mental stuff, this week The Junkies look at the Uncanny Valley phenomenon, that eerie feeling we all get when we see something that is nearly but not quite human. Who discovered it? What's the science behind it? And what did our collective ancestors experience that led us to be so afraid of anything pretending to be human? (Hint: it's not NOT aliens.) Olivia and Shauna list their favorite (least favorite, actually) examples of the Uncanny Valley in pop culture, discuss how plastic surgery, filters and AI are turning humans into uncanny versions of themselves, and try to figure out why Olivia is so freaked out by...claymation?

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare! 
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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7k2pUxzNDBXNCHzFM7EL8W

Website: www.popculturejunkie.com 
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast 
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies 
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies 
Email: [email protected]

Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad 

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez 
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

Don't say it three times! Shauna details her recent encounter with a celebrity. Who was it? You'll have to listen to find out, but he's super cool, has gorgeous eyes, and is a great tipper. Olivia had an encounter with...Utah, thanks to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a Hulu series about one of the naughtiest Mormon momfluencers on television now. Then the Junkies segue into a look at Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel 36 years in the making. Fans of this podcast know we covered the first Beetlejuice in our Winona 101 series, but Olivia wasn't part of the show back then, so the Junkies take a look back again, but with some exciting new info. Then Shauna and Olivia give their slightly spoilery takes on the sequel, and if it lived up to or exceeded the original...and answer the question of whether there will be a sequel to the sequel, forcing everyone to say Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetle...no. We can't take that chance. 

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare! Click here: https://www.patreon.com/popculturejunkiepodcast/posts

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7k2pUxzNDBXNCHzFM7EL8W

Website: www.popculturejunkie.com
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies
Email: [email protected]

Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

Olivia and Shauna start talking about bangs – the kind that you choose deliberately, not trauma bangs, and then…plot twist! No, that’s this week’s show topic: twist endings – the epic and the awful. While they do happen on television (usually ruining several years of storytelling), the most memorable twist endings are in movies. But why do filmmakers (including the patron saint of twists, M. Night Shyamalan) use them? What makes a good twist as opposed to a maddening one? The Junkies list their own favorite twist endings and call out some of the worst ones, too. There will be spoilers in this episode, of course, especially when Shauna reveals the incredible secret parents keep from their kids about Santa Claus and the “Tooth Bunny.” Consider yourself warned! Then, the Junkies recommend what you should – or should not – pop this week.

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos 

We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare! Click here: https://www.patreon.com/popculturejunkiepodcast/posts

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7k2pUxzNDBXNCHzFM7EL8W

Website: www.popculturejunkie.com 
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast 
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies 
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies 
Email: [email protected] 

Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420

Olivia and Shauna face an inconvenient truth: no family gets more airtime on Pop Culture Junkie than the Kardashians. And that’s odd, especially since Shauna could at one time claim to never have seen an episode. But she can’t be an anti-Kardashian pick-me any more, because ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ is the subject of this episode. The Junkies look at the family’s entry into the zeitgeist and how the so-called reality show (and its many spinoffs) that made the whole family famous turned into Kris Jenner’s propaganda machine. Is ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ an annoyance or is it more problematic than that? And is anyone still watching this show? Also, the Junkies recommend what you should – or should not – pop this week.

The Pop Culture Junkie Podcast can now be seen on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/@popculturejunkiepod/videos

We have all new Patreon tiers! Be the first to hear new and uncensored content, if you dare! Click here: https://www.patreon.com/popculturejunkiepodcast/posts

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-culture-junkie/id1536737728

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7k2pUxzNDBXNCHzFM7EL8W

Website: www.popculturejunkie.com
Facebook: PopCultureJunkiePodcast
Twitter: @PopJunkies
Instagram: @pop.culturejunkies
Threads: @pop.culturejunkies
Email: [email protected]

Shauna on Instagram: @shaunatrinidad 
Shauna on TikTok: @shaunatrinidad
Shauna on Threads: @shaunatrinidad

Olivia on Instagram: @livimariez
Olivia on TikTok: @livyolife420