The Pop Culture Contrarian
Trying to make sense of popular media, internet, and entertainment culture in a world gone insane.
Trying to make sense of popular media, internet, and entertainment culture in a world gone insane. Sterling Henry, Thomas Gallatin, and Andrew Culper watch the movies, read the books, and scroll the internet searching for a shred of decency. Can they find a gem contrary to the swill that permeates modern pop culture today? Tune in to find out.
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Episodes
PopCon #41: Civil War
Since the trailer release late last year, A24’s newest film “Civil War” has had many wondering just what to expect.
PopCon #40: Red Pill Community Rejects Redemption
In spite of her success on OnlyFans, Nala Ray has chosen to leave it all behind and follow Jesus Christ.
PopCon #39: The Solar Eclipse of 2024
On Monday, a total solar eclipse passed over North America, the last one we will see until 2044.
PopCon #38: Flavors of Anti-Semitism
“Christ is King” is not an anti-Semitic statement on its own, but given context, could it be?
PopCon #37: Gaslighting Grown-Ups to Groom Kids
Chances are you have experienced entertainment gaslighting.
PopCon #36: TikTok Ban
The House has passed a bill that would force TikTok to either be banned in America or be sold to an American company.
PopCon #35: Dune: Part Two
Explore the complexities and themes of Dune: Part Two in an episode FULL of spoilers!
PopCon #34: Google’s Systemically Racist AI
Google’s Gemini has come under fire for systemically racist programing. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as we ask the AI our own questions and test just how racist it is taught to be.
PopCon #33: Not All Oppressed Groups Are Created Equal
Oppressor vs. oppressed groups are a hallmark of Marxist ideology. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they dig into how this idea has been permeating Western culture at an alarming rate.
PopCon #32: Where Have All the Villains Gone?
An unnerving trend has arisen in modern films: the lines between good and evil have blurred, and the villain has become more relatable and often even lovable.
PopCon #31: Adaptations. Blasphemy, or Praise?
Join us as we explore several examples of “done right” or “done left” movie remakes and adaptations.
PopCon #30: Spy Games, Football Games, Video Games
An update on Dr. K and his run-in with Chinese spies, Taylor Swift with her anti-MAGA NFL season, and Ubisoft’s “you will own nothing and be happy” proclamation.
PopCon #29: Dr. K’s Piano vs. CCP in London
Dr. K’s run-in with a group of Chinese nationals waving communist flags has gone viral.
PopCon #28: Netflix’s Series ‘The Crown’ and the British Monarchy
Explore why the show is so popular, why the Royals have such a grip on both Americans and Brits, and what the role of a monarchy is in the modern world.
PopCon #27: Movies to See in 2024
Join our hosts Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they cover upcoming movies for the year.
PopCon #26: 2023 Year-End Wrap-Up
A lot happened in 2023. Take a look back with our hosts and consider what we’ve got planned ahead for Season 2 in 2024.
PopCon #25: Daily Wire’s Movie ‘Lady Ballers’
The Daily Wire is calling their new movie Lady Ballers the most triggering movie of the decade.
PopCon #24: Napoleon
Ridley Scott’s newest film “Napoleon” is the eagerly anticipated portrayal of one of history’s most dynamic characters.
PopCon #23: Big Tech Pirates Your Life
Explore the implications of Meta’s latest gadget along with topics surrounding Big Tech, personal data, and the right to privacy.
PopCon #22: Hollywood and Disney’s Growing List of Challengers
Which new companies will fill the gap that woke ideology has left in the entertainment industry?
PopCon #21: Peterson Academy and the Rise of Alternative Education
The current state of both public education and higher education is troubling, and alternatives seem to be gaining popularity.
PopCon #20: Is the Woke Tide Ebbing?
Join us as we explore a few encouraging trends in the first episode of our PopCon culture war series.
PopCon #19: Just Say No to Genocide
What has happened to Israel is a cultural moment that cannot be ignored.
PopCon #18: Duck Dynasty’s Movie ‘The Blind’
Phil was not always the strong and morally upright character we know and love.
PopCon #17: A Haunting in Venice
Will this be a disturbing supernatural horror spectacle as the trailer suggests? Or will moviegoers be surprised and delighted instead?
PopCon #16: Taylor Dates the Football Star
Is this a genuine match, or an arrangement to result in Taylor’s next breakup album?
PopCon #15: Nostalgia — Don’t Get Fooled Again
What happens when nostalgia is the predominant cultural feeling, taking the place of optimism and hope for the future?
PopCon #14: Is Password Sharing Piracy?
You’ve got to pay to play, but with recent password-sharing crack-downs from Netflix, the question of “where do we draw the line?” arises.
PopCon #13: The Last Gasps of Late-Night Comedy
Amid the ongoing writers’ strike, feeble late-night show hosts have banded together in a podcast to try to salvage some of their relevance.
PopCon #12: Is Hollywood Eliminating the G Rating?
2023 is likely to be one of the few years with no G-rated movie releases.
PopCon #11: Will AI Scabs Replace Hollywood Talent?
With artificial intelligence technology rapidly advancing, do Hollywood writers and actors stand a chance?
PopCon #10: Is ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ Right Wing?
Oliver Anthony has captured the nation with his original song “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
PopCon #9: ‘Barbie’: Brilliant or Brainless?
Is “Barbie” really so cut and dried, as it is easy to assume? You might be surprised.
PopCon #8: The U.S. Government Has Confirmed Aliens Exist?
There’s a lot of talk about UFOs these days. Is this the real thing, or another distraction?
PopCon #7: Oppenheimer, a Hero?
Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew examine the new Christopher Nolan movie for its cultural significance, search for any “woke” themes, and ask the question — was Oppenheimer a hero?
PopCon #6: Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town”
Is Jason Aldean’s new song really a “pro-gun, pro-violence and a ‘modern lynching song,” according to the Leftmedia?
PopCon #5: The Future of Streaming Movies and Television
Explore the current state of Streaming Services online such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+
PopCon #4: Netflix’s Cleopatra
Netflix’s new Cleopatra documentary
PopCon #3: Why Is Our Culture Fixated on the World Wars?
The PopCon team dives in to explore why the World Wars still have such a stronghold on popular imagination.
PopCon #2: Memories of Independence Day
Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew discuss their memories of Independence Day growing up and discuss the movie The Patriot!
