Pop Culture Persephone

On this week’s PCP, Persephone was forced to look straight into the incoming hurricane that is Bennifer 3.0.  Is this a hoax?  Is Jennifer Lopez just trying to piss off ex-fiancee Alex Rodriguez in the midst of a broken engagement and a cheating rumor?  Is Ben Affleck better the second time around?  The media appears to be as salacious as ever, tripping over themselves trying to catch a glimpse of these old lovers in action, causing us to fondly reminisce about days gone by when the first iteration of this power couple emerged on the scene in the mid-2000’s.  This week, Persephone is joined by first time guest Kisha Nicole to discuss the history of Bennifer, the mating habits of Jen and Ben, cringe-worthy declarations of love and much more on this very timely PCP episode. The “love-fest” continues on Ask Persephone! this week as Persephone answers a question about superfans and celebrities falling in love!

Once upon a time in a land called New York City, a gay kid from Indiana landed in Manhattan and set nightlife ablaze as one of the most creative, influential and wild party promoters the city has ever encountered. As the self-proclaimed “King of the Club Kids,” Michael Alig made it exciting to explore New York City nightlife again while creating a unique world elevating misfits, eccentrics and LGBTQ youth as his band of superstar children. With all the promise of a “new world” Warhol, how did it culminate into a grisly, drug-fueled murder? Listen to this week’s PCP as Persephone delves into the nightclub underworld and the drug-addled brain of Michael Alig.

On this week’s PCP, Persephone is joined by some amazing Star Wars superfans - return guests Hannah Storch, Kate Atherton and Susan Sandberg - to honor the women of the Star Wars franchise on Star Wars Day!  Not only do we look back at the impact of Carrie Fisher’s General Leia Organa, but we discuss how this paved the way for female characters who had even more agency and strength throughout the franchise. Yes, we go on a few tangents about droids and Yoda’s wife Yaddle, but overall it’s a not-miss for any Star Wars superfans!

On part three of this multi-episode, special guest Tim Collingwood joins Persephone to discuss the upcoming 93rd Annual Academy Awards and specifically the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress category!  Will Glenn Close FINALLY win an Academy Award or will the Academy just award Olivia Coleman for being their Brit d'jour? Or, will Yuh-Jung Youn make Oscar history as the first Korean actress to win a Best Supporting Award for Minari?  Who wins the Best Supporting Actor role when two of the best performers are pitted up against each other (Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya in Judas and the Black Messiah)? We have many thought and predictions and we prep for Sunday night - tune in to all three episodes beforehand! 

On part two (of three) of this episode, special guest Tim Collingwood joins Persephone to discuss the upcoming 93rd Annual Academy Awards and specifically the beloved Best Actress category!  Is it Viola's year to finally win the coveted award as the titular Ma Rainey, will Andra Day provide the upset with her moving portrayal of Billie Holiday, or will Academy favorite Frances McDormand upset the Oscar cart for her performance in Nomadland?!  Tune in to hear our predictions!

On this week's PCP, special first-time guest Tim Collingwood joins Persephone to discuss the upcoming 93rd Annual Academy Awards!  It’s a PCP first!  We discuss the difference between who we think should win compared to who we think will win.  This Oscar episode will be released in three parts because we have ALOT to say!  In addition, this week's Ask Persephone! segment focuses on a concept album (or a few) that you should explore if going on a road trip or just checking out from this world.

On this week's PCP, special first-time guest Christina Turner joins Persephone to discuss the Netflix documentary Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator and the dangerous dynamic between student/teacher relationships in the cult-like world of Bikram yoga. Who is the enigmatic Bikram Choudhurey and how did he yield so much power with his students and create an abusive environment.  We discuss! In addition, this week's Ask Persephone! segment focusing a scream queen who is true Hollywood royalty.

As the old saying goes, “what comes us, must go down” and in the case of celebrities, 2021 has already provided us with more falls from grace than can be contained in a simple podcast, but we are going to try!  Persephone is joined again by PCP favorite Roger Conners as we discuss actors and other celebrities experiencing a downturn in their career whether it be based on scandal, poor public perception or maybe the victim of overexposure resulting in a general malaise.  This is a dishy, juicy, bitchy - but accurate - episode this week so come prepared!  Lastly, our Ask Persephone! segment features some Oscar-related questions you will want to tune in for at the end!

Persephone is joined by PCP favorite Roger Conners this week as we discuss actors and other celebrities experiencing a “glow up” in their careers - an impressive feat given a challenging entertainment landscape.  We also do a quick preview of next week’s episode (the “glow-down”) go on a few tangents, and feature another “where are they now” question during this week’s Ask Persephone! segment!

On this week’s PCP, Persephone "goes solo" giving you a hodgepodge of of “must-see” programs viewing suggestions including the captivating Oprah Winfrey and Duchess Meghan/Prince Harry interview, the Snowpierecer series and why it might be better than the movie, a return to the original NYC Real World cast and that Apple TV Billie Eilish documentary I didn’t expect to enjoy.  But I loved.