Explore the untold story of self-care—from its roots in Black Panther clinics and feminist health collectives to its current form as a trillion-dollar industry marketed through bath bombs and wellness apps. This episode unpacks how self-care evolved from a political survival tool into a consumer mandate, spotlighting the roles of neoliberalism, Instagram influencers, and corporate branding. We break down who benefits, who’s left out, and what reclaiming self-care really means in the 21st century.    

Disclaimer:

  In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is generated by Google's AI based on the sources below  

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

Works Cited

 Badr, Samar. Selling Self-Care: Wellness and the Marketization of Well-Being in Neoliberal America. University of California Press, 2022. Delaney, Brigid. “Self-care has become an Industrial Complex – It’s Time to ‘Take the Self out of Self-care.’” The Guardian, 2 Nov. 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/03/self-care-has-become-an-industrial-complex-its-time-to-take-the-self-out-of-self-care. Harris, Aisha. “The Radical History of Self-Care.” Slate, 2017, https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/07/a-history-of-self-care-from-its-radical-roots-to-its-yuppie-driven-middle-age.html. Lorde, Audre. A Burst of Light: Essays. Firebrand Books, 1988. Petrzela, Natalia Mehlman. Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession. University of Chicago Press, 2023. Reagan, Gillian. “Inside Ulta Beauty’s Strategy to Sell Self-Care to the Masses.” Insider, 6 Mar. 2024, https://www.businessinsider.com/ulta-beauty-wellness-self-care-strategy-2024-3. Semuels, Alana. “How Self-Care Became the New Skin Care.” Time Magazine, 5 May 2022, https://time.com/6173295/self-care-beauty-wellness/. Volpe, Allie. “The Self-Care Industry Is Thriving. But Is It Helping Us?” Vox, 16 Dec. 2022, https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2022/12/16/self-care-industry-growth-wellness-mental-health. Yoon, Eunice. “Mental Health App Boom: Headspace, Calm, and the Rise of Mindfulness Tech.” CNBC, 18 Dec. 2020, https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/18/headspace-calm-apps-mental-health-growth.html. U.S. Census Bureau. Service Annual Survey: Health Care and Social Assistance Services. 2023, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sas.html.

Gerber’s century-long “Babies Need It” campaign revolutionized how America feeds its infants—shaping parenting culture, solidifying corporate trust, and embedding baby food into public health messaging. From its iconic baby logo to medical endorsements and emotional marketing, Gerber masterfully merged science, maternal identity, and convenience into a near-universal brand loyalty. This episode dissects the brand’s evolution, psychological tactics, and cultural influence—revealing how Gerber turned parenting into a lifelong consumer journey.

      **Disclaimer:**  

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is generated by Google's AI based on the sources below  

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

Works Cited

 "Advertising: It's Two Years Since This Baby Had Her First Vegetables." The Saturday Evening Post, 18 Jan. 1930, p. 117. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Breastfeeding among U.S. Children Born 2009–2016, CDC National Immunization Survey." CDC Breastfeeding Report Card, 2019, www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm. Clarke, Adele E. Disciplining Reproduction: Modernity, American Life Sciences, and the Problems of Sex. University of California Press, 1998. Gerber Products Company. “Gerber: 100 Years of History.” Gerber.com, 2020, www.gerber.com/about-us/our-history. Gerber Products Company. Gerber Print Advertising Collection, 1928–1975. Gerber Archive, Fremont, MI. Nestlé S.A. “Nestlé Completes Acquisition of Gerber.” Nestlé Press Release, 1 Sept. 2007, www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/gerber. Nestlé USA. Nestlé in the U.S. – Fact Sheet. 2015. Internal Corporate Publication. Newman, Elizabeth M. Our Babies, Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent. Anchor Books, 1998. Ogle, Maureen. In Meat We Trust: An Unexpected History of Carnivore America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Pomeranz, Jennifer L., and Jennifer L. Harris. “Children’s Food and Beverage Marketing: Oversight and Opportunities.” Current Obesity Reports, vol. 9, no. 3, 2020, pp. 365–374. SpringerLink, doi:10.1007/s13679-020-00400-7. Schneider, William H. Quality and Quantity: The Quest for Biological Regeneration in Twentieth-Century France. Cambridge University Press, 1990. Stearns, Peter N. Battleground of Desire: The Struggle for Self-Control in Modern America. NYU Press, 1999. Story, Mary, and Simone French. “Food Advertising and Marketing Directed at Children and Adolescents in the US.” International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, vol. 1, no. 1, 2004, p. 3, doi:10.1186/1479-5868-1-3. Thompson, Charis. Making Parents: The Ontological Choreography of Reproductive Technologies. MIT Press, 2007. U.S. Federal Trade Commission. A Review of Food Marketing to Children and Adolescents: Follow-Up Report. 2012, www.ftc.gov/reports/review-food-marketing-children-adolescents-follow-report. Wiley, Andrea S. Re-Imagining Milk: Cultural and Biological Perspectives. Routledge, 2010.

In this episode, we dive into how Amazon Prime transformed not only e-commerce, but the very expectations of the modern American consumer. What began as a shipping perk became a cultural revolution—training millions to expect, even demand, instant gratification. We explore the history behind convenience culture, how Amazon engineered this entitlement through aggressive marketing and logistics innovation, and the hidden costs borne by workers, the environment, and small businesses. This is the story of how convenience stopped being a luxury—and became a right.  

    **Disclaimer:**  

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is  generated by Google's AI based on the content from the sources listed below.  

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

  Citations
  Amazon Prime Timeline: 2005–Present | Pattern https://pattern.com/blog/amazon-prime-timeline Amazon Prime Timeline: 2005–Present | Pattern https://pattern.com/blog/amazon-prime-timeline Amazon Prime Timeline: 2005–Present | Pattern https://pattern.com/blog/amazon-prime-timeline The new entitlement of the American consumer | Vox https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23013102/american-consumers-expectations-anger-entitled The new entitlement of the American consumer | Vox https://www.vox.com/the-goods/23013102/american-consumers-expectations-anger-entitled The new entitlement of the American consumer | Vox

“July Showdown: The Most Explosive Bills Congress Debated This Week”

In this episode, we break down the most talked-about Congressional bills from the week of July 17th. From controversial military spending and healthcare reforms to surprising bipartisan moves on housing and technology, we dive deep into what lawmakers are really fighting about. Discover how these bills could impact your wallet, personal freedoms, and future elections. Stay informed on critical developments in American politics with this easy-to-follow breakdown of Congressional actions you might have missed.

Disclaimer:

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is generated by Google's AI based on the content of the documents from the Congress.gov website.

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

Inside Congress: The Fight Over Spending, Debt, and Foreign Aid—July 2025 Showdown

Dive into the latest Congressional battles from July 16, 2025, where lawmakers clashed over emergency supplemental funding, national debt concerns, and U.S. foreign policy. This episode unpacks fiery House debates on border security, Ukraine and Israel aid, the spiraling national debt crisis, and Republican infighting on spending bills. We’ll break down key speeches, political strategy, and power struggles shaping America’s fiscal future. Whether you’re following U.S. politics, global affairs, or economic policy—this episode delivers sharp insights and essential updates.

Disclaimer:

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is generated by Google's AI based on the content of the documents from the Congress.gov website.

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

Inside Congress: Bold Immigration Moves, Farm Bill Fights, and A New Culture War Clash

In this episode of Study Hall, we dive deep into the July 15, 2025 Congressional debates. Lawmakers clashed over border security measures, aggressive immigration policy proposals, and controversial amendments to the Farm Bill. The session also spotlighted rising cultural tensions over education reforms and the latest moves on climate policy. From fiery floor speeches to subtle bipartisan agreements, we break down the key moments, political strategies, and what it all means for the future of America. If you want to understand the latest power plays on Capitol Hill, this episode is your essential briefing.

Disclaimer:

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is generated by Google's AI based on the content of the documents from the Congress.gov website.

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

"Inside July 2025: Defense Funding, Anti-CBDC Act, and Agriculture Overhauls Explained"

In this episode, we break down the latest Congressional activity from July 14, 2025. Key legislative actions include the Defense Appropriations Act of 2026, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act targeting digital currency privacy, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, and the GENIUS Act for technological innovation. We also dive into proposed reforms in agricultural foreign investments, vehicle procurement bans from certain countries, hydropower licensing, and key environmental air quality regulations. Plus, we highlight notable hearings and debates on solar energy, border security, and veterans' services. Get informed on how these bills could reshape national security, technology, energy policy, and more.

Disclaimer:

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is generated by Google's AI based on the content of the documents from the Congress.gov website.

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

From hippie co-ops to Whole Foods' national ad campaigns, the "organic" label in U.S. food advertising has evolved from a niche ideal into a billion-dollar narrative equating health, morality, and status. This episode unpacks how clever branding, federal certification, and emotional storytelling built a powerful myth: that organic food is not only better for your body—but for your soul. We'll explore the counterculture roots, USDA's role, influencer impact, corporate greenwashing, and what the science actually says about the health benefits of going organic. A critical look behind the shelves of America’s healthiest grocery stores.  

    **Disclaimer:**  

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is  generated by Google's AI based on the content of the sources below.  

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

Works Cited

Godin, Seth. All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World. Portfolio, 2005. Guthman, Julie. Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California. University of California Press, 2004. Howard, Sir Albert. An Agricultural Testament. Oxford University Press, 1940. “Labeling Organic Products.” USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling. Accessed 27 June 2025. Lappé, Frances Moore. Diet for a Small Planet. Ballantine Books, 1971. “Marketing Organic Products.” USDA Organic Insider, U.S. Department of Agriculture, https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/marketing-organic-products. Accessed 27 June 2025. McWilliams, James. Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly. Little, Brown and Company, 2009. Organic Trade Association. “U.S. Organic Industry Survey.” OTA.com, 2021, https://ota.com. Pollan, Michael. The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Penguin Press, 2006. ---. In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. Penguin Press, 2008. Singer, Natasha. “Can You Trust Organic Food?” The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2021, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/04/19/can-you-trust-organic-food. Smith-Spangler, Crystal, et al. “Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives? A Systematic Review.” Annals of Internal Medicine, vol. 157, no. 5, 2012, pp. 348–366. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007. Sullivan, Daniel. “How Organic Became a Marketing Powerhouse.” Marketing Journal, vol. 34, no. 2, 2019, pp. 42–51. Williams, Alex. “The Clean-Eating Myth.” The New York Times, 27 May 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/style/clean-eating-is-a-myth.html.

From ceramic shards in ancient Greece to the plush triple-ply rolls of today, toilet paper has a surprisingly rich and global history. This episode unrolls humanity’s post-defecation practices through time—from Roman sponges to Chinese paper wipes, Indian water rituals, and Indigenous ingenuity with corncobs and seashells. Discover how modern plumbing, advertising, pandemics, and environmental ethics all shaped the toilet paper we know—and why 70% of the world still does it differently. This is not just the story of a product—it’s a story of culture, cleanliness, and innovation.

      **Disclaimer:**  

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is generated by Google's AI based on the sources below.  

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.  




Works Cited

“Ancient Latrines Reveal Parasite Infections.” ScienceDaily, 9 Feb. 2006, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060208090134.htm. “A Short History of the Toilet.” British Museum Blog, 27 Nov. 2018, blog.britishmuseum.org/a-short-history-of-the-toilet/. Cohen, Jennie. “Who Invented Toilet Paper?” History, A&E Television Networks, 17 Aug. 2017, www.history.com/news/who-invented-toilet-paper. Cumming, Ed. “From Stones to Softness: A Brief History of Toilet Paper.” The Guardian, 19 Apr. 2020, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/apr/19/a-brief-history-of-toilet-paper. Dalton, Rex. “China’s 2,000-Year-Old Toilet Paper.” Nature, vol. 415, 2002, p. 104. www.nature.com/articles/415104a. De Vries, Roland. Toilet Paper: The Curious History. Chronicle Books, 2001. “Fatberg in London Sewer Highlights Growing Problem of Wet Wipes.” NPR, 14 Sept. 2017, www.npr.org/2017/09/14/550917047/fatberg-in-london-sewer-highlights-growing-problem-of-wet-wipes. “Gayetty’s Medicated Paper.” Smithsonian Institution Archives, www.siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_11554. Horan, Dan. “The Spirituality of Cleanliness: Water in Islamic Ritual.” National Catholic Reporter, 9 Jan. 2019, www.ncronline.org/news/environment/spirituality-cleanliness-water-islamic-ritual. Johnson, David. “How the World Wipes: An Illustrated Guide to Post-Poop Hygiene.” Business Insider, 22 Apr. 2015, www.businessinsider.com/how-people-clean-up-after-pooping-around-the-world-2015-4. “Joseph Gayetty and the Invention of Toilet Paper.” The Toilet Paper Encyclopedia, www.toiletpaperhistory.net/toilet-paper-history/who-invented-toilet-paper/. Le Zotte, Jennifer. From Privy to Palace: Sanitation, Consumer Culture, and the Rise of the Bathroom. University of Chicago Press, 2015. Lucas, Gavin. Toilets, Archaeology and Anthropology. Cambridge University Press, 2019. McBride, Sarah. “Bamboo Toilet Paper: How Eco-Friendly Is It Really?” National Geographic, 17 July 2020, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/bamboo-toilet-paper-eco-friendly. Mikkelson, David. “The Great Toilet Paper Scare of 1973.” Snopes, 2 Apr. 2020, www.snopes.com/fact-check/toilet-paper-shortage-1973/. Miller, Adrian. Clean and Convenient: A History of Modern Sanitation. Thames & Hudson, 2010. “Modern Toilet Paper and Waste.” Treehugger, Dotdash Meredith, www.treehugger.com/toilet-paper-uses-and-environmental-impact-4864272. Moore, Lisa Jean. Squeezy Soft: A Cultural History of Toilet Paper in America. NYU Press, 2014. Nakamura, Masaru. “Toilets in Japan: From Simple Latrines to High-Tech Washlets.” Japan Times, 18 Nov. 2020, www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2020/11/18/lifestyle/toilets-in-japan/. “Paper and Its History in China.” Asia Society, www.asiasociety.org/education/paper-and-its-history-china. Rabelais, François. Gargantua and Pantagruel. Translated by Burton Raffel, Norton, 1990. Sears, Richard W. Catalog of Catalogs: Sears, Roebuck & Co. 1897 Reprint, Skyhorse Publishing, 2007. “Shoppers Panic Buy Toilet Paper amid Coronavirus Fears.” BBC News, 5 Mar. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-51762994. Smith, Andrew. Eating History: 30 Turning Points in the Making of American Cuisine. Columbia University Press, 2009. “The History of Toilet Paper.” Charmin.com, www.charmin.com/en-us/about-us/toilet-paper-history. “The Toilet: A History.” Science Museum, London, Group Publishing, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/toilet-history. “The Truth About Flushable Wipes.” Consumer Reports, 2020, www.consumerreports.org/toilets/the-truth-about-flushable-wipes/. “Who Invented the Flush Toilet?” Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine, BNP Media, www.pmmag.com/articles/86154-who-invented-the-flush-toilet.

This powerful narrative traces the evolution of beauty in Western culture—from the sacred rituals of ancient queens to the modern grind of self-care routines and cosmetic labor. Once a luxury of the elite, beauty has transformed into an expected, unpaid form of maintenance predominantly imposed on women. This essay explores historical turning points—from Cleopatra to Botox, corsets to Instagram filters—and blends feminist and labor theory to reveal how beauty standards have become deeply embedded systems of control, consumption, and gender inequality. Drawing on philosophy, economics, pop culture, and protest movements, the essay critically examines how beauty shifted from privilege to pressure, and what it costs in time, money, autonomy, and identity.    

  **Disclaimer:**  

In this video, we use Google's NotebookLM to assist in the analysis and understanding of complex documents. NotebookLM is a research and writing tool that allows us to generate summaries directly from uploaded documents. The podcast like audio overview you will hear is  generated by Google's AI based on the content from the sources listed below.  

Please note that the interpretations and summaries generated by NotebookLM are automated and may not capture every detail or nuance. They are intended to aid in understanding but should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or a legal interpretation of the documents.

Sources:

• World History of Cosmetics and Beauty Practicescosmeticsinfo.orgcosmeticsinfo.orgen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
• Roman Attitudes Toward Women’s Makeup (WorldHistory Encyclopedia)en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org
• Cosmetics Use in Ancient Rome (Haaretz, via Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
• History of Cosmetics Timeline (Personal Care Products Council)cosmeticsinfo.orgcosmeticsinfo.orgcosmeticsinfo.orgcosmeticsinfo.org
• The Flapper Era and Mass Cosmetics (CosmeticsInfo.org)cosmeticsinfo.orgcosmeticsinfo.org
• WWII and Beauty Adaptations (CosmeticsInfo.org)cosmeticsinfo.org
• “The Grooming Gap: What ‘Looking the Part’ Costs Women” – In These Times, 2020inthesetimes.cominthesetimes.cominthesetimes.com
• Kathir, Anjali. “Labour and Alienation: Body Estrangement through Beauty Work” (2021)ojs.lib.uwo.caojs.lib.uwo.ca
• Bartky, Sandra. "Foucault, Femininity, and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power" (1990)goodreads.com
• Berger, John. Ways of Seeing (1972)goodreads.com
• Naomi Wolf, The Beauty Myth (1991)alaalsayid.com
• Wellisch, Yael. “The cosmetic industry has benefited from women’s insecurities for too long” – Brown Daily Herald, 2022browndailyherald.combrowndailyherald.com
• 1968 Miss America Protest coverage – Smithsonian Magazine, 2018smithsonianmag.comsmithsonianmag.com
• Livescience summary of Wong & Penner study on grooming and incomeinthesetimes.com
• Business Insider/HuffPost statistics on lifetime beauty spendinginthesetimes.com.