From Taylor Swift's "Lavendergate" scandal to One Direction conspiracy theories colonizing adolescents' personalities, celebrity fandom appears more hallucinatory and brutal now than ever before... or are we overthinking it? A few stats about celebrity worship have been confirmed: In 2019, a Japanese study found that ~30 percent of adolescents aspired to emu ... Show More
Mar 4
Overthinking About Feeling Doomed
This week, host Amanda Montell takes the mic solo to overthink the creeping sense of doom that seems to hum beneath modern life. Drawing from her Esquire essay on “doomslang,” she unpacks the language we use to joke about collapse, catastrophe, and existential dread... and what t ... Show More
25m 6s
Feb 18
Overthinking About Workaholism
This week, Amanda is joined by psychologist and bestselling author Guy Winch (@guywinch) to overthink workaholism. Why being “busy” feels virtuous, why burnout can masquerade as success, and how overworking often hides deeper emotional needs. Together, they unpack the psychology ... Show More
48m 29s
May 2024
the difference between celebrities and influencers
Ben dives deep into the nuanced distinction between celebrities and influencers, especially in the wake of the 2024 Met Gala. Reflecting on Hollywood's evolving landscape, Ben explores how the industry is increasingly divided between these two realms, with very few influencers su ... Show More
33m 38s
Jul 2024
How Are Eating Disorders Embedded In Our Culture?
If you’ve ever seen a “What I Eat In A Day” video, glanced at a tabloid in the checkout lane, or even turned on the TV, you’re likely familiar with the problematic and often toxic messaging about food and our relationship with it. JVN and Emmeline Clein delve into the complexitie ... Show More
57m 2s
Oct 2025
Madonna's Revealing Tell-All: Sepsis, Spirituality, and Resilience with Jay Shetty
Jay Shetty BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Jay Shetty has stormed the news cycle over the past few days, largely thanks to his headline-making interview with Madonna, her first-ever podcast appearance and an installment that instantly sent shockwaves through pop culture channe ... Show More
3m 34s
Sep 2024
Taylor Swift Decoded with Pop Music Journalist Brittany Spanos
Brittany Spanos is a senior writer for Rolling Stone Magazine who has taught a course at NYU called Topics in Recorded Music: Taylor Swift, which analyzes "the culture and politics of teen girlhood in pop music, fandom, media studies, whiteness and power as it relates to her imag ... Show More
1 h
Sep 2024
Social Media: Is It Rotting Your Brain?
Social media. Many of us don’t feel very good when we’re on it, and yet we sometimes spend hours a day scrolling, eyeballs glued to our screens. Some experts say that social media is causing a mental health crisis, and governments are even talking about banning social media for k ... Show More
46m 36s
Aug 2025
Sydney Sweeney and the Outrage Machine
Sydney Sweeney is Hollywood’s most-discussed starlet, often for confusing reasons. Her existence as a visible woman with a human body made her the target of widespread male adoration, ridicule, and political projection. How she navigates being the new Miss American Dream is yield ... Show More
1h 10m