I am officially the last remaining human on Earth who has never seen Rüfüs Du Sol live, and watching everyone's tour footage is testing my spirit. Speaking of wild video, we pivot to the stunning, surreal camera footage captured during the recent earthquake in Colombia that had everyone on social media doing a double-take.

We take time to celebrate the incredible life, vibrant legacy, and immense global impact of Syd Towle following her tragic loss, reflecting on the lasting impression she left across the internet and beyond.

On a lighter note, we dive into the fun, chaotic trends currently taking over TikTok this week—including the viral, bittersweet moment between a dad and his toddler that has the entire internet in tears because the little guy announced he's officially ready for a "big boy bike."

Finally, we hit the screen with Robert Pattinson’s work as Chris Hansen in Primetime, followed by our full breakdown of two major new streaming releases hitting Hulu: the long-awaited adaptation of The Shards and the relentless new drama Furious.

NYT inflammation article (gifted):

NYT story on Syd (gifted):

Syd’s obituary:

This week Brooke breaks down the guys who gave us all the ick: Morgan Wallen, Jonah Hill, Sam Altman, and TikTok’s Viktor.

Plus:

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We are back with another packed episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, covering influencer travel, internet surveillance, viral animals, blockbuster movies, and one unforgettable arrest outfit.

First, Brooke breaks down how TikTok and Instagram have turned Europe into an overcrowded, overshared backdrop—and why a recent trip to Paris made her rethink how much we share online.

Then, we get into Meta AI glasses, the creepy reality of being filmed without knowing it, the Netflix documentary trend, tan-maxxing, and the darker consequences of going viral.

We also meet Jimothy, the short-spined raccoon uniting the internet, before diving into The Odyssey, Sheep Detectives, Tom Hiddleston’s Pompeii obsession, and the Andrew Tate memes taking over the timeline.

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We are back with another packed episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, and this week we are diving headfirst into everything from sports obsession to internet chaos.

Then, we transition to a different kind of athletic endeavor: Hyrox. It is the fitness obsession taking over the globe, and we are breaking down why absolutely everyone is suddenly obsessed with running and burpees.

Next, we shift gears to politics and the internet rumor mill. The shocking, sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham has unleashed a wave of conspiracy theories that feel almost too on the nose to ignore, while sparking some very specific celebrations across the internet and the gay community.

Finally, we wrap things up with a little candy: the viral mystery of the Zara death trousers and Gen Z’s never-ending obsession with the latest season of Love Island.

This week, we are unpacking an another massive week in pop culture—from stadium seats to small-town grocery store aisles.

Trump and FIFA: The massive political spectacle that took over the tournament.

US Team vs. Belgium: Breaking down the vibes and the heartbreak after the US squad's devastating exit.

The Striking Viking: Norway’s 6-foot-5 hulking superstar, Erling Haaland, single-handedly winning the internet 

Cape Verde’s Moment: The absolute cinematic underdog energy they brought to all of us. 

The Swift-Kelce Royal Wedding

We have officially entered the married era. We are breaking down everything from the star-studded Madison Square Garden nuptials. 

TikTok Drama: The Grocery Store Simulation

Influencer Catherine Ebs went to a normal regional grocery store on a holiday weekend, called it "so small town," and claimed the entire thing felt like a simulation. We dissect the peak lack of self-awareness, the phantom hunt for 100 percent beef hot dogs, and why the internet is completely roasting her.

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Grab your ranch dressing and your tinfoil hats, because this week we are covering it all! 

We also check out the nation's capital where a mysterious green algae is staging a hostile takeover of DC. 

Finally, we deconstruct the internet's latest "top-secret conspiracy": the Dialog tech conference. Spoiler alert: It wasn't a secret society gathering... just a bunch of tech peeps in a room.

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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.

 ** 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.

Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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). 

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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.

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.

Grab your favorite dairy-free beverage (just don't let Gwyneth pick it), and let's dive in!

      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.

     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?

     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.

     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.

     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.

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!

Happy Thursday you pop culture junkies!

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!

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