Pop Culture Persephone

While our feet are now firmly planted in 2022, this week we look back on 2021 and discuss the very best (and very worst) in what pop culture had to offer in the last year. Whether it was delighting in watching the top 3% suffer under the weight of their own misery in shows like The White Lotus and Succession or the warmth that only Jason Sudekis provides in Ted Lasso, we watched it all and are sharing our thoughts!  Return guest host Anna Rose joins Persephone to compare lists and pontificate about the year in review.  Tune in to hear about things you should have already watched (or ignored) if you rarely left your house this last year in 2021.

On December 26, 1996, six-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in her affluent family's mansion in Boulder, Colorado. An incompetent police force, a bungled crime scene, uncooperative family members and an overwhelming amount of peculiar inconsistencies have all led to this tragedy remaining cold for the last 25 years.  Her murder — which is still unsolved — became one of the decade's most famous police investigations. On this week's PCP, Persephone and special first time guest Troy Escamilla discuss this harrowing case, including controversial theories, the evidence, the rumors and how the media couldn't get enough of the child beauty pageant angle. In a bizarre pop culture connection, this case would ultimately inspire the popularity of programs like Toddlers and Tiaras and Dance Moms. Tune in for this “can’t-miss” true crime/pop culture crossover!

Did we really need to dust off Sex and the City in 2021 and reboot it?  Were fans clamoring to return to a fancy and privileged AF NYC in a post-COVID, post-Trump world?  Regardless of how you feel about the SATC machine, HBO Max just dropped the first two episodes of And Just Like That…, picking up about 10 years after the disastrous SATC 2 movie with Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda but without Samantha - due to a falling out between SJP and Kim Cattrall that the general public might never understand.  What are Persephone’s first reactions to this reboot?  Does the dynamic work without Cattrall? Does is have legs or should they have left well enough alone?  Tune in now for a SPOILER-FILLED podcast!

As we move into the new year, it seems abundantly clear that the media is obsessed with looking back to the early ‘aughts and reflecting on how we treated our pop stars  - especially the female ones - when they sauntered into controversial territory.  On this episode of the PCP, Persephone reflects on the infamous Superbowl 2004 “Nipplegate” scandal, how the media vilified Janet Jackson while protecting Justin Timberlake, and the other power players at the epicenter of this culture war.  Make sure to check out FX’s The New York Times Presents: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson before unpacking this podcast with Persephone!

The November Purge is upon us, so it’s time to sit back, relax and listen to Persephone and guests dish about some hot gossip and pressing pop culture topics impacting them on all fronts. Topics during this wild ride include our true feelings about the long awaited House of Gucci, JoJo Siwa as a queer teen ballroom queen, our competitive dating show set in Cleveland, the troubling Maddie Ziegler, Tanorexia vs Blackfishing, the enduring legacy and impact of Tyra Banks, Kristen Stewart’s Oscar buzz as Lady Diana and much more!  Persephone is joined by fellow podcaster and collaborator Roger Conners alongside his boyfriend and first time guest, Gustavo Folhadella! You don’t want to miss this slightly unhinged, NSFW episode!

It only seems fitting to binge watch all of season 3 of Netflix’s surprise “good guy or stalker” series You featuring skinny, pensive heartthrob stalker Joe Goldberg (played brilliantly by Penn Badgley) during Scorpio season.  And that’s just what Persephone did!  This week, Persephone is joined by special guest McKenzie Merriman as we unpack this addictive, troubling TV show and discuss victimization, obsession, love and shared trauma.

It's a mixed bag this week as Persephone goes personal on why she's been vacant for so long and ways she is learning to cope during this transition from summer to fall.  After this emotional purge, Persephone dives into the perplexing world of Madonna's Madame X just in time for the Paramount Network release of the concert film.  I am not sure anyone was asking for this, but Madonna has never been one to care about pleasing anyone.  

Madame X Documentary Trailer 

On this very special episode of the PCP (and a follow up to the previous Fboy Island episode), Persephone sits down with Fboy Island cast member Israel Dimri to spill some tea and separate fact from fiction!  We discuss Israel’s philosophy on the Fboy concept, his thoughts on sexuality, religion, honesty in relationships and why he should be defined as a lover, not an Fboy.  Not just a pretty face, Israel is bringing his truths and wisdom to the PCP this week for you!

To discover even more about Israel, visit his website HERE where you can connect with him via OnlyFans, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or Snapchat!