Popstuff

By HowStuffWorks

What's Popstuff about?

Want to know more about the early days of the video game industry? Wondering how Hello Kitty became so popular? Join Tracy and Holly as they explore the science behind pop culture in PopStuff, a podcast by HowStuffWorks.com.

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Popstuff episodes:

05.13.2013
Greatest Hits: PopStuff's Cuppa Joe
PopStuff is addicted to coffee. This stimulant seems to have a stranglehold on humanity, and an entire culture has sprung up around it. Where does coffee actually come from, and why is our love affair with it so solid?
04.29.2013
Greatest Hits: PopStuff Isn't Cool Enough to Be a Hipster
Hipster. The very word makes people sneer. Why are hipsters viewed with such disdain? And what makes a person a hipster, anyway? Tracy and Holly examine the history of the word “hipster,” as well as the various definitions of what...
04.24.2013
Greatest Hits: Cooking With PopStuff
Bon appétit! There are more cooking shows on television than ever before, but it seems fewer and fewer people are actually prepping their own food. Has cooking become a spectator sport? Listen in to learn more.
04.22.2013
Greatest Hits: Internet, You So Crazy
We all know the Internet is awash with garbage, but there are also some hilarious and creative gems floating around the ether. When Tracy and Holly separate the wheat from the chaff, what Web memes and other delights do they...
04.17.2013
Greatest Hits: Weddings
Love them or hate them, weddings are a part of our lives. But why are they so expensive, and why does everyone feel entitled to judge everyone else’s nuptials?
04.15.2013
Greatest Hits: My Little Brony
Tracy and Holly are a little late to the “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” party, but now that they’ve started watching the show, they totally see the appeal. Tracy may even be a pegasister. But what makes the ponies...
04.10.2013
Greatest Hits: The Culture of Running
Running continues to grow in popularity, but are all runners happy about that? Holly and Tracy talk about their experiences at races, their training, their gear and yes, their injuries, all while debating the merits of this hobby/sport/fitness regimen.
04.08.2013
Greatest Hits: Bugs vs. Mickey
One’s a wisecracking rabbit and the other’s a giggling mouse. Both have devoted fans. How did these famous animated rodents get their starts and nestle into their niches, and why has only one reached juggernaut status?
04.03.2013
Greatest Hits: Manic Pixie Dreamgirls
She’s quirky, nutty and totally unfettered. She shows brooding screen heroes that life is full of fun and wonder. She’s Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and her roots as a cinema archetype go back further than you probably suspect.
04.01.2013
Greatest Hits: Wanna go to prom?
It’s exciting, it’s a rite of passage, it’s expensive and often a letdown. Few people look back on their proms and think “That was one of the greatest nights of my life!” Tracy and Holly relay memories of their proms...
03.27.2013
Greatest Hits: Drag Queens
Glittery, glamorous drag queens – Holly and Tracy love them. But what is drag, exactly? What social trends cause the popularity of queens to wax and wane? And why do straight girls love RuPaul and his tribe so much?
03.25.2013
Greatest Hits: Did movies ruin love?
Do you believe in love at first sight? How about soul mates? Movies and TV shows certainly seem to. Holly and Tracy talk about whether movies are setting us up for failed romance, and about Tracy's complicated relationship with the...
03.20.2013
Hello Kitty and the Culture of Cute
You can get Hello Kitty everything. Everything. Tracy and Holly talk about the famous cat’s beginnings, staying power and her many Sanrio friends. Just how did a feline with no film or television origin get so popular in the first...
03.18.2013
Why are we friends?
Most of your friends probably like the same things you do and have similar views on religion and politics. In this episode, Tracy and Holly discuss the benefits and challenges of diversifying your pal portfolio, and why sloganism is bad.
03.13.2013
An Embarrassment of Riches
Whether it's a queue of podcasts, a pile of unread books or hours of content languishing on your DVR, odds are that you may find yourself inundated with loads of content. So how can we handle this constant stream of...
03.11.2013
The Entitled World of Fandom
How do you know when you have crossed into the world of uberfandom? Join Tracy and Holly as they discuss the good and the bad of super fans.
03.06.2013
Last Episodes
When a show wraps up, the finale episode can either be the cherry on top of the ice cream, or salt in a wound. Tracy and Holly run down some of the best and the worst episodes that ended...
03.04.2013
Mailbag!
PopStuff has some fantastic listeners who write us some fabulous missives. Tracy and Holly share some of their faves as evidence, from comments on previous episodes to really cool show suggestions.
02.27.2013
Barbie
She’s a hero to some, a villain to others. But how did Barbie get so much power in the first place? And has she been treated unfairly? Join Tracy and Holly as they break down the cultural impact of the...
02.25.2013
Is there even such a thing as ethnic food?
If everyone has an ethnicity, doesn’t that make all food ethnic? After wading through the semantics, Tracy and Holly dig in to the topic of food imported to the U.S. from other cultures. Listen in to learn more.
02.20.2013
PopStuff’s Oscar Costumes 2013
It’s that time of year! Tracy and Holly run down the 2013 Oscar nominees for Best Costume and wax rhapsodic about hand stitching. With everything from giant epic musicals to odd versions of the Snow White story, the field is...
02.18.2013
The Cheese Stands Alone
Have critics and audiences panned your favorite film? There are some things so universally disliked that only crazy people would be into them, right? Well, Tracy and Holly are outing themselves on the embarrassing things they love.
02.13.2013
Taking the Pressure Off Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is one of those polarizing holidays. People tend to either think it's magical and wondrous, or that it's the most torturous 24 hours on the calendar. But what if we all just relaxed about it?
02.11.2013
Mardi Gras: More Than Baring for Beads
Fat Tuesday may conjure images of debauchery and wild behavior, but that's not an accurate picture of what the celebration is about. From religious roots to king cake, Tracy and Holly break down the origins, pageantry and misconceptions of this...
02.06.2013
Are Internet comments the worst ever?
The first rule of maintaining sanity online might be this: Never read the comments. Why do people express their opinions in negative ways on the Web? How do comments sections on news sites color a reader’s assessment of the information?
02.04.2013
PopStuff’s Commentary Bonus Feature
Commentary tracks can offer great insight to filmmaking, but bad ones can be an irritating snooze fest. Holly and Tracy talk about how DVD bonus content is now a part of the process of how a film is made, and...
01.30.2013
The Parenthood Wars
Parents often feel attacked by proponents of the childfree movement, and childless people become frustrated by insinuations that their lives can’t be fulfilling. What makes this topic as potentially divisive as politics or religion? Tune in to learn more.
01.28.2013
Is Pinterest suffocating creativity?
People freely admit to losing hours on Pinterest, but does all that pinning lead to any actual creating? And how often are pinners just parroting other people’s ideas? Tracy and Holly delve into the good, the bad and the...
01.23.2013
Snow Day!
It’s no secret that Atlanta shuts down in even light snowfall. Tracy and Holly share the Southerner’s point of view on winter storms and wonder why people with little exposure to snow and ice are criticized for their ability to...
01.21.2013
The Snobby Soapiness of ‘Downton Abbey’
It’s a ratings powerhouse, and even people who don’t watch it know enough about it to make jokes based on its plot lines. Is the story of the Crawley family so appealing to so many because it’s really just a...
01.16.2013
Culture of Beauty
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the beholder’s eye is informed by the culture that surrounds it. Tracy and Holly peek into some of the odd aspects of beauty, and the lengths people are willing to go...
01.14.2013
PopStuff’s Mad Hattery
Chapeaux and sombreros! Caps and bowlers! Tracy and Holly have hats on the brain. How have head coverings gone from utility accessories to haute couture? Listen in to learn more about the evolution of hats.
01.09.2013
Grammar Sticklers: Why so mean?
As members of an editorial team, both Tracy and Holly love grammar and punctuation, but neither of them understands why people sometimes shame others for the occasional typo or mistake. What is it about minor errors that makes people so...
01.07.2013
TV Pregnancy: Why so stupid?
Anyone who has had a child will tell you that in reality, the happy event is NOT the way you see it on TV. When so many people have first-hand knowledge of birth, why does television always gets it so...
01.02.2013
Secret World of Massage
There is always a swirl of confusion and misconceptions around massage. Tracy has insider knowledge; Holly has a standing appointment. They’ll talk about the different types of massage and the ways it’s been misrepresented in modern culture.
12.31.2012
Ringing in the New Year With Cocktails
Mixed drinks have been a part of social culture for a long time, but where did cocktails actually come from? Tracy and Holly look at the prohibition roots of today’s cocktails, and ask you to please enjoy adult beverages responsibly.
12.26.2012
Why is red a sexy color?
Most people associate red with passion, but why is that exactly? While some theories involve a subconscious physiological response, others focus more on cultural conditioning. Tracy and Holly sort out the (sometimes slightly graphic) details.
12.21.2012
Anti-Christmas Movie
Beyond the classic Christmas films, there's a whole world of movies that include Christmas, but aren't your standard fare. Tracy and Holly go way past "Die Hard" into a list of films that may surprise you (and even become your...
12.19.2012
All the (Dr.) Whos in Whoville
You've seen the Tardis and Dalek dresses at cons, and if you run in circles with geeks, odds are that you know a full-on "Dr. Who" fan. Tracy schools Holly on all things Whovian, and talks about the tradition of...
12.19.2012
All the (Dr.) Whos in Whoville
If you run in circles with geeks, odds are that you know someone who is a full-on "Dr. Who" fan. You might be one, too! Tracy schools Holly on all things Whovian, and talks about the tradition of the "Dr....
12.17.2012
The End is Nigh!
The end of the world has been predicted so many times, we're fairly blasé about it. But so many people are fretful about the Mayan calendar and December 21. Why are we so obsessed with Armageddon scenarios, and is the...
12.12.2012
Hobbitses
It's time for a trip to Middle Earth! Peter Jackson's latest film based on Tolkien's work is here, and Tracy and Holly are eager to talk about it. And they both want to fly Air New Zealand, just for the...
12.10.2012
PopStuff's Family Game Night
While many of us grew up with Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit, there's a whole new world of tabletop games out there -- and their popularity is on the rise. How has this entertainment arena endured, and why are so many...
12.05.2012
Trading Places: Gender Roles at Work
There’s been lots of talk about women making great strides towards workplace equality, but what about men who take on occupations traditionally held by women? Join Tracy and Holly as they ask why the fight for gender equality only seems...
12.03.2012
These Mockumentaries Go to 11
From “This is Spinal Tap” to “Borat” and beyond, Tracy and Holly talk about faux documentary style, the difference between a spoof and a hoax, and the ethics of mockumentary filmmaking.
11.28.2012
NaNoWriMo and the Culture of Creativity
National Novel Writing Month is exactly what it sounds like: a month-long challenge to turn out a 50,000-word novel. Tracy’s done it; Holly hasn’t. Is it really the best way to spend your creative time? Listen in to learn more.
11.26.2012
Why do TV shows get cancelled?
We’ve all experienced the heartbreak of losing a show too soon. It’s common knowledge that bad ratings are the usual cause of cancellation, but there are many reasons ratings suffer. Tracy and Holly take a look at the factors that...
11.21.2012
Turkey Day Dinner and the Culture of Consumption
Gobble gobble! As the U.S. Thanksgiving celebration approaches, Tracy and Holly are ready to talk turkey. And stuffing, and gravy, and all the other delicious things that land on the table on this very food-o-riffic holiday.
11.19.2012
How to Build a Gay Character for TV
The television landscape is becoming more diverse, and that includes more storylines about LGBT characters. But how many of these characters are based on stereotypes, and how well do they represent the community?
11.14.2012
If the Shoe Fits
It’s the shoe show! Despite their best efforts to buck gender stereotypes, both Tracy and Holly love shoes. Running shoes, Louboutins, bound feet, the role of the shoe in storytelling – Holly and Tracy cut a wide swath through the...

What's Popstuff about?

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Popstuff episodes:

Greatest Hits: PopStuff's Cuppa Joe

Greatest Hits: PopStuff Isn't Cool Enough to Be a Hipster

Greatest Hits: Cooking With PopStuff

Greatest Hits: Internet, You So Crazy

Greatest Hits: Weddings

Greatest Hits: My Little Brony

Greatest Hits: The Culture of Running

Greatest Hits: Bugs vs. Mickey

Greatest Hits: Manic Pixie Dreamgirls

Greatest Hits: Wanna go to prom?

Greatest Hits: Drag Queens

Greatest Hits: Did movies ruin love?

Hello Kitty and the Culture of Cute

Why are we friends?

An Embarrassment of Riches

The Entitled World of Fandom

Last Episodes

Mailbag!

Barbie

Is there even such a thing as ethnic food?

PopStuff’s Oscar Costumes 2013

The Cheese Stands Alone

Taking the Pressure Off Valentine's Day

Mardi Gras: More Than Baring for Beads

Are Internet comments the worst ever?

PopStuff’s Commentary Bonus Feature

The Parenthood Wars

Is Pinterest suffocating creativity?

Snow Day!

The Snobby Soapiness of ‘Downton Abbey’

Culture of Beauty

PopStuff’s Mad Hattery

Grammar Sticklers: Why so mean?

TV Pregnancy: Why so stupid?

Secret World of Massage

Ringing in the New Year With Cocktails

Why is red a sexy color?

Anti-Christmas Movie

All the (Dr.) Whos in Whoville

All the (Dr.) Whos in Whoville

The End is Nigh!

Hobbitses

PopStuff's Family Game Night

Trading Places: Gender Roles at Work

These Mockumentaries Go to 11

NaNoWriMo and the Culture of Creativity

Why do TV shows get cancelled?

Turkey Day Dinner and the Culture of Consumption

How to Build a Gay Character for TV

If the Shoe Fits