Most Popular

Comic books are becoming increasingly great examples of how social justice messages can be mixed with great storytelling and artistry. Rebecca Bratspies is an attorney and author of the comic books "Environmental Justice Chronicles", along with the artist Charlie LaGreca. In this episode Rebecca talks about the intersection of environmental justice, law, and pop culture. Rebecca shares how the "Environmental Justice Chronicles," aims to educate young people about environmental justice issues ...

The portrayal of men in media has been fairly consistent. Take one part muscle (see Thor), one part pain tolerance (see, well, any Fast and Furious film), add a dash of handsomeness (again, Thor, but also anything with The Rock), and stir using a stick made out of the strongest metal in all the land. This recipe will bring you the manly-man, a person who is not just tough physically, but emotionally so strong that nothing will ever break him. Because he can't be broken! Or can he?In this epis...

Ever heard the phrase "Train like a beast, look like a beauty"? Or, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Or, "Eat it now, pay for it later." There are so many similar messages aimed at using shame or misinformation in order to convince people that they are one gym routine or diet away from the body that they are told is achievable, especially as we find ourselves scrolling through social media. Thankfully, people like Michael Ulloa exist. Michael Ulloa is a personal trainer and nut...

In this episode of Most Popular we are talking about the conversations that are hard to have! Joining Dr. Adrienne is the fantastic Bruce Anthony of the "Unsolicited Perspectives." podcast. Bruce discusses his journey into podcasting, his experiences, and his approach towards discussing difficult but important topics, including learning from his past conversations about issues he thought he knew a lot about. Bruce highlights how being in diverse settings such as the restaurant industry ...

This week we are talking about all things non-monogamy with Deanna Fierman, a mental health therapist at All the Colors Counseling. The conversations ranges from the ways Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith revealed their relationship status (hint-they didn't do so in a super chill Facebook update), to Deanna's experience specializing in polyamorous relationships. Dr. Adrienne learns a lot about the ways people are counseled when they express an interest in having a non-monogamous r...

Here's a quick dad joke: Why did the scarecrow go into home renovation? Because he was outstanding in his field! This episode of most popular is a home reno crossover between a realtor/podcaster and a professor/podcaster. My guest is Kristina Browning, a licensed realtor and home functionality coach. We talk about the impact of home improvement shows, how their existence affects the realistic nature of home buying and renovation costs, and the pressure to create the perfect home. We tou...

In this episode of Most Popular we talk about the history of queer representation in radio and what this looks like as podcasting has taken off. Dr. Bruce Drushel highlights , the impact of pop culture including how it influences societal norms, and serves as a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. We dive into the historical context of LGBTQ representation in media, the evolution of radio and podcasting as mediums, and the power of pop culture to shape our understanding of the ...

Welcome to the summer of ’23 trifeceta! We are talking about the economic impact of Barbie, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift with Dr. Cecilia Rio, an economist with a focus on gender and race. The episode delves into the impact of pop culture on the economy, particularly Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Beyonce's Renaissance Tour, and the film Barbie. Dr. Rio discusses the connection between women's empowerment and economic influence, emphasizing the changing roles of women in society and their increased p...

In this episode of Most Popular, Dr. Adrienne Trier-Bieniek talks with researcher Steph Herold from Abortion Onscreen about the television series Little Fires Everywhere which premiered on Hulu in 2020. Steph's research in public health led to focus groups with multiple women where she asked them specifically about the teenage character of Lexie who, through a series of events, ends a pregnancy. While this alone is a significant twist for a character, Lexie also represents many of the troupes...

And I'm back! Most Popular has been on a bit of a hiatus while life took over. I've missed talking with people about the ways society is impacted by pop culture! New episodes will begin again on February 7th, because on Wednesday's we wear pink and learn some stuff! Take a few minutes to listen to my plans for this new season and, as always, if you rate, review and subscribe I would be most grateful! About the host:Dr. Adrienne Trier-Bieniek is a gender and media scholar who has published boo...

Listen in as I talk with Dr. Dara Nix-Stevenson (@sincecombahee) as we talk about the roots of the Combahee River Collective, the connection between the history of the Black feminist movement, and what the future of social movements surrounding equality will look like. Dr. Dara Nix-Stevenson is an educator and founder of the the Instagram account Since Combahee (@sincecombahee). For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

In this episode I speak with two women in education. The first is a school board member for Orange County Public Schools. We talk about what kids need in order to be successful students. The second works as a counselor for a rural school district in Virginia. We talk about the challenges mental health workers face in the K-5 system.For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

Listen to a fascinating conversation on the ways technology has become engulfed in society. Featuring experts in the tech field, sociology of digital culture, and cyber crimes.Guest include:Dr. Lee Paulsen, Project KuiperDr. Deborah Lupton, University of South Wales, Sydney Dr. Trisha Charles, Valencia CollegeDr. Doug Charles, Hillburough CollegeFor more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

In this episode Dr. Erin Harrop talks about their research in the area of atypical anorexia. We discuss weight-related stigma, being a researcher that studies what they know, and how to care for people when they are working through an eating disorder.If eating disorders are triggering for you, please take care while you listen. Valencia College students have counseling resources available through Baycare.

For this podcast I speak licensed psychologist Dr. Aileen Fullchange, an expert in several fields. We talk about trauma, how trauma manifests in bodies and how various intersectionalities make trauma even more complex.As you listen, please take care of yourself. Valencia College students have access to counseling services via Baycare.More information can be found at www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com

The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer is the first openly transgender pastor ordained in the Lutheran church. The pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and the Community Chaplain Coordinator for the San Francisco Police Department, Megan served for over a decade as a chaplain for the homeless and hungry in San Francisco. Megan's spiritual talents have been featured on Queer Eye and in Cosmo. Listen in as Megan talks about what gives them hope in 2020, how one becomes a reverend doctor, and what advances hav...

Nick Bazo is the Education Director for the Garden Theater in Winter Garden Florida. Listen in as we talk about what an arts-based education means, how theatre and activism are connected, and how doing theater during a pandemic can help kids express their emotions.For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

What impact does art have on the community? Listen in as Dr. Wendy Givoglu talks about what community art means, the use of social media to share arts-based news and the importance of a thriving art scene for millennials.For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

Listen in as Dr. Samita Nandy breaks down how celebrity culture is studied, why it affects our daily lives, and shares her behind-the-scenes knowledge of fame and the impact it can have a society. For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

For this episode, I speak with the very talented comedienne, Juliette Burton. Juliette's award-winning one-woman shows have taken a cutting edge approach to smashing the shame and stigma associated with mental illness. Through comedy, Juliette tells the stories of her life, while also presenting an unfiltered look at what it is like to live with mental illness. You can find out more about Juliette, including links to her shows and social media, at www.julietteburton.co.ukFor more information ...

Over the last few years there has been a growing discussion and debate about what journalism is. The term “fake news” has become extraordinarily prevalent in our public discussions. And, we’ve seen social media provide loose examples of news, with companies like Facebook and Twitter coming under fire for incorrect and often detrimental posts. There is a lot to unpack and in this discussion Elizabeth Chuck helps me break down what reporting is, the work journalists go through, and why it is s...

In this podcast I talk with Dr. Tia C.M. Tyree. We talk about her work before becoming an academic, her scholarship surrounding social media, and the undeniable intersection of race, gender, and pop culture. About Dr. Tyree: Dr. Tia C. M. Tyree is a Professor at Howard University. She teaches graduate and undergraduate communications courses with a focus on strategic communications, social media and African Americans. Her research interests include hip hop, rap, reality television, film, soci...

On this podcast I talk with my friend and Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2016 Jamie Spore. Jamie was born over forty years ago with the spinal cord defect Spina Bifida, as well as the incurable brain condition, Hydrocephalus. Jamie’s mother taught her at a young age about the importance of advocacy making Jamie very passionate about advocating and educating on the topics of visible and invisible disabilities, Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Depression, and Anxiety. In 2016, Jamie was crowned Ms. Wheelc...

This week I am talking about women in politics and leadership with my guest Tracy Hall. Listen for all the suggestions about running for office but also because Tracy is as close to Leslie Knope as most of us will ever get! (Make today "Treat Yo' Self" day!) Tracy Hall is a proud progressive democrat. She’s been a college educator for over 15 years teaching political science, sociology, and gender and women’s studies courses. She is currently serving a second term on the Kalamazoo County Bo...

If you've watched Orange is the New Black, or if you've had any finger on the pop culture pulse over the last seven years, you'd know that the show has received acclaim and critique for its representation of lgbtq people. In this episode I talk with Dr. Carrie Buist, an expert in gender, criminology, and lgbt representation about what it means to be queer and incarcerated. We talk about what terms like "queer" mean, and discuss how criminology relates to pop culture. We add some levity by dis...

Join my guest, Dr. Kwame Harrison, and I as we talk about the roots of hip-hop, the dynamics of underground hip-hop, and the connection between race and rap music. Our conversation moves from the relationship between race and hip hop to the life of the writing and Green Book founder James "Billboard" Jackson. The premise of Hamilton rings true, "Who tells your story?" We talk about untold stories like Jackson and why some lives get highlighted and other do not.For more information and teachi...

On this episode we are talking about activism with my guest Dr. Amanda Pullum. With the rise of social movements like #metoo, March for Our Lives, and the Women's March, we have see lots more talk of activism brewing. What is a social movement? How do they affect folks in everyday life? Most importantly, how can both Chocolate and musicals be traced back to activism in less than three degrees? It can be done. Take a listen and find out more!For more information and teaching resources pleas...

This episode is all about the funny women we love! Let's talk about how gender plays a role in comedy with my guest, Dr. Sarah Fryett. We discuss our mutual love of Nanette, the root of women's comedy, and our favorite funny women of all time. Join us for a discussion of the ways gender inequality is addressed via our most humorous women!For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

Every community has people who are their superheros. In this episode, I talk with Kate Powers, COO of Ele's Place in Lansing, Michigan. Ele's Place is a center which aids children and teenagers who are grieving. We talk about what a nonprofit is, the role they play in communities, and the role Ele's Place plays in helping children develop. For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

On my very first episode I talk about food insecurity and food inequality with my favorite foodie friend and poverty expert Michael Gillespie. We discuss food fads, baking shows, bread, and how all of this translates to people not getting enough to eat. In particular, how the lack of nutrition and affordable food affects college students. For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

Welcome to Most Popular! Here is a preview of what to expect! New episodes launch September 4, 2019.