The Pop Culture Contrarian Podcast

Mike Rowe's famous TV show "Dirty Jobs" aired its final season in 2012, but his advocacy for returning to the trades seems to be reaping an abundant harvest. Generation Z is now being called "The Tool Belt Generation" as it flocks to the blue-collar trades. Whether it is because of guys like Mike Rowe or because Gen Zers have seen the college debt-laden misery of their forebears, the shift seems hopeful for the future of America.

"The Tortured Poets Department" is Taylor Swift's newest album, and it is breaking records left and right. This is unsurprising coming from "America's Sweetheart." There's something different about this album, though, and it has some wondering about the dark turn Taylor has made. Join Thomas and Andrew as they dive into the unsettling trends that Swift's new album and the music industry at large seem to be embracing.

Since the trailer release late last year, A24's newest film "Civil War" has had many wondering just what to expect. Directed by Alex Garland and starring Kirsten Dunst, the film takes place in a fictional future America while a vicious modern civil war ravages the land. A small group of photojournalists makes its way to Washington, DC, with plans to interview the president before rebel forces reach the Capitol to depose him. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew pick apart the film elements, the political messaging, and the parallels to reality in this spoiler-filled film review.

OnlyFans content creator Nala Ray was a top-earning performer, raking in millions of dollars in only a few years. Despite her success on the adult video platform, she has chosen to leave it all behind and follow Jesus Christ. However, doing so has unleashed backlash from some pundits in the right-wing Red Pill community, who claim that she is a clout chaser and can never be redeemed. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they unpack this charged subject.

Throughout recorded history, signs and wonders from the heavens have been documented. Mankind has marveled at their meaning, drawing myriad conclusions. On Monday, a total solar eclipse passed over North America, the last one we will see until 2044. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they examine this natural marvel and speculate about the implications.

Per usual, there has been an X (Twitter) spat in the conservative pundit world, this time between Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro. Their quarrel has sparked a conversation about Jews and Christians. "Christ is King" is not an anti-Semitic statement on its own, but given context, could it be? Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they tiptoe through this sensitive topic.

Have you ever questioned the message in a movie or TV show? Have you then been told: "What do you care? It's just pretend! And by the way, why are you so obsessed with this stuff anyway?" If so, chances are you have experienced entertainment gaslighting. This is a tactic used to disarm parents who question content seeded with progressive ideas. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they uncover some examples and unpack this maneuver.

TikTok, the popular social media app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has come under fire for privacy concerns, questionable algorithms, and links to the Chinese Communist Party. The House has passed a bill that would force the app to either be banned in America or be sold to an American company for a total severance from China. Does this set an unnerving precedent for free speech and government control, or is it a welcomed protection against foreign adversaries who mean us harm? Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as we discuss every angle.

Denis Villeneuve has done it again in part two of his Dune movie series. Paying tribute to Frank Herbert's famous books, Villeneuve brings the story of Paul Atreides to life as he navigates power and destiny in humanity's distant, multi-planetary future. If you've only seen the 1984 version, let's just say both of these films (and especially part two) have done the books justice at last. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they explore the complexities and themes of the film in an episode FULL of spoilers!

Google's new Gemini AI software has come under fire for systemically racist programming. When asked to produce images of historical figures and people groups, it has routinely returned images like a black George Washington or a brown female pope. Google has apologized for these disturbing results and vowed to correct them. But can we trust an entity that removed the "Don't Be Evil" slogan from its lexicon? Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as we ask Gemini our own questions and test just how racist the AI has been taught to be.

Oppressor vs. oppressed groups are a hallmark of Marxist ideology. Pitting people against each other serves the purpose of destabilizing society and ushering in revolution. This idea has been permeating Western culture at an alarming rate, and there is evidence throughout all levels of society. Worth noting is how this idea has infiltrated entertainment; namely, TV commercials and shows. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew dig into how this is evident in the "He Gets Us" commercial aired at the Super Bowl, a new X-Men TV show, and more.

When the term "villain" comes to mind, one might envision an evil grin, a dark suit, a contemptible code of conduct... The traditional villain is easy to hate. He indulges his wicked desires. His behavior is totally unrelatable to regular people and easily contrasted to a noble hero. But 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. What are the implications for this trend? Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as we dive in.

Hollywood has a long-standing history of remaking and adapting films. Movie-making technology improves each year, offering the chance to recapture time-honored stories in better ways. But as the movie industry seems to lean more heavily on remakes, we have to question Hollywood's motives. Join us as we explore several examples of "done right" or "done left" movie remakes and adaptations.

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. It's all fun and games till somebody loses an eye... Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they dive in to the pop culture games everybody is playing.

On January 19, famous YouTuber Brendan Kavanagh (known as Dr. K) uploaded a video to his 2.1 million-subscriber channel. While his typical videos depict him entertaining the public by playing pianos in train stations and shopping centers, this was a very different kind of upload. His run-in with a group of Chinese nationals waving communist flags has gone viral, leading to a discussion about China vs. UK law, police capitulation in the face of political correctness, and ChiCom influence across the Western world. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they dissect the interaction and speculate about the ramifications.

Netflix has released the 6th (and ostensibly final) season of its popular series "The Crown" for streaming. The show has been wildly popular with Americans, and that poses some questions. 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.

We're returning from a brief hiatus and diving right into what 2024 has to offer! Join our hosts Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they cover upcoming movies for the year. From tent-pole offerings to movies each host is personally excited for, you'll get the scoop on what's to come.

Our final episode for PopCon: Season 1! Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew cover our top viral moments, woke defeats, prophesies, and pitfalls. This episode covers everything from highlights of the culture wars to the best and worst movies. 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.

Ridley Scott's newest film "Napoleon" is the eagerly anticipated portrayal of one of history's most dynamic characters. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew delve into various aspects of the film, including the depiction of Napoleon's character, the accuracy of historical events in the film, the portrayal of his relationships, and the film's cinematography. Does Scott appropriately capture the depth of Napoleon's character and strategic brilliance? Is the film historically accurate? Could a director's cut make up for any areas that may be lacking? Join us and find out.

Meta has released their new Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses. They have classic looks that easily blend in with any wardrobe, but the frames aren't the main attraction. These new glasses are equipped with a pair of cameras that can capture your life in first person, and live stream directly to Meta. They are a physical embodiment of Big Tech's increasingly overt intrusion into our lives. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they explore the implications of this latest gadget along with topics surrounding Big Tech, personal data, and the right to privacy.

Disney has delayed the release of its "Snow White" reboot, South Park blames Kathleen Kennedy for why new Disney movies are terrible, and companies like The Daily Wire, Angel Studios, and The Blind, LLC are entering the mainstream as viable challengers to legacy entertainment. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew explore the "Panderverse" and identify the reasons why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has created an opportunity. Which new companies will fill the gap that woke ideology has left in the entertainment industry? Join us and find out.

Jordan Peterson has signaled the coming release of his new online academy, Peterson Academy. The current state of both public education and higher education is troubling, and alternatives seem to be gaining popularity. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew tackle the state of education, why alternatives like Peterson Academy are emerging, and what alternative education might signal to employers in the future.

Regular people have felt drowned in the woke tide, and the water seems to have risen even faster in recent years. The mainstream seems flush with values and ideas that are totally antithetical to the fabric of traditional society. What's worse, seemingly no one has been willing to stand up to it. Are there any signs of the woke tide losing strength in spite of all this? Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew think there may be. Join us as we explore a few encouraging trends in the first episode of our PopCon culture war series.

On October 7, evil terrorists invaded the homes and towns of peaceful Israeli citizens, killing scores of women, children, and men without mercy. The event has been likened to America's 9/11, though, per capita, the scale of those killed in Israel soars in comparison. This is a cultural moment that cannot be ignored. Sterling and Andrew discuss why this horrific event is related to pop culture, the disturbing reactions on display from the Left, and how we as Americans should respond.

Many know the Robertson family Patriarch Phil from the wildly successful reality TV show Duck Dynasty. Good family values, a successful business, a hunting culture, a sense of humor, and a strong Christian faith are all tenets that have made the show so loveable. But Phil was not always the strong and morally upright character we know and love. Join us we as review his new movie The Blind, as it tells a very different story that we can all learn critical lessons from.

In "A Haunting in Venice," Kenneth Branagh stars and directs his third film rendition of an Agatha Christie book. Based on Christie's less popular "Hallowe'en Party," Branagh continues his Hercule Poirot trilogy, with many liberties taken from the original manuscript. Will this be a disturbing supernatural horror spectacle as the trailer suggests? Or will moviegoers be surprised and delighted instead? Even more important to ask: Is it woke? Find out if this is a Halloween film worth seeing, and more!

Taylor Swift, America's Sweetheart, has a new love interest — Travis Kelce, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs. She's dating the football star for real, like a scene from her 2009 song "You Belong With Me." Is this a genuine match, or an arrangement to result in Taylor's next breakup album? Why is American culture so obsessed with these people anyway? We'll dive into these questions and more.

We all know the comforting feelings that artifacts from the past drum up. Nostalgia is often pleasant and warm, reminding us of a better time. But what happens when it is the predominant cultural feeling, taking the place of optimism and hope for the future? We'll be exploring why nostalgia is so strong during difficult times, the ways it is showing up in our society today, and how Hollywood is exploiting this moment to insert its own ideas via nostalgic stories and characters.

Music and movies are more accessible than ever. The internet, digital media, and streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify have made it so. But you've got to pay to play, and with recent password-sharing crack-downs from Netflix, the question of "where do we draw the line?" arises. In this episode, we'll dive into the history of digital media sharing online and the moral questions of entertainment media access.

Amid the ongoing writers' strike, the remaining feeble late-night show hosts have banded together in a podcast to try to salvage some of their relevance. Thomas and Sterling discuss why this does or doesn't work, examine how the time of late shows has passed, and discuss where to find relevant comedy today.

2023 is likely to be one of the only years with no G-rated movie releases. In this episode, the team breaks down the MPAA rating system, how it has changed over the decades, and why they think G-rated movies are no longer being made. Are we simply desensitized to inappropriate material, or is something else going on?

Hollywood writers and actors are on strike for fear of AI taking their jobs. With artificial intelligence technology rapidly advancing, do they stand a chance? In this episode, we'll explore how AI may change the entertainment industry, the concerns writers and actors have, and questions about human rights over machines. 

Oliver Anthony has captured the nation, with his original song "Rich Men North of Richmond" breaking music chart records and amassing tens of millions of views on social media in only days. Some say his song captures the frustration most Americans are feeling but don't fully know how to verbalize, while others say it's a slight against minorities and filled with right-wing conspiracies. Is "Rich Men North of Richmond" right wing?

The new "Barbie" movie is on track to be the biggest film for 2023. Feminists are touting it as "girl power" gold, while many conservatives refuse to even watch it. But is "Barbie" really so cut and dried, as it is easy to assume? You might be surprised.

Recent whistleblower accounts claim that UFOs are in fact real! Even better, it has been revealed that the US Government has known about them for decades, even possessing numerous wrecked craft and non-human biologics from them. Is this the real thing, or another distraction? What can history and pop culture inform us about the subject?

Christopher Nolan has compiled a star-studded cast in his newly released film "Oppenheimer," a story depicting the famous (or infamous) "Father of the Atomic Bomb." Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew examine the movie for its cultural significance, search for any "woke" themes in the movie, and ask the question - was Oppenheimer a hero?

In a recent bout of cancel culture, Jason Aldean's music video for his new song "Try That in a Small Town" was pulled from Country Music Television. Amid accusations of his work being "pro-gun, pro-violence and a 'modern lynching song,'" Aldean and his fans have stood up to the cancel culture mob. Join Andrew, Sterling, and Thomas as they examine the song and the video to see if it really is all the Leftmedia has claimed.

Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew discuss the current state of Streaming Services online such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ as well as how the PopCon team thinks these services will grow and change going forward.

Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they discuss Netflix's new Cleopatra "documentary", (despite some early technical difficulties) the truth of the historical figure, and why depicting the Greek Cleopatra as Black is far from historically accurate.

Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they discuss why are there so many movies still being made about the World Wars compared to other historical events. Sterling notices that Netflix has an entire category simply titled WW2 Movies, the Pop Con team dives in to explore why the World Wars still have such a strong hold on popular imagination.

*Editor's note: Sterling calls the possible invasion of the USSR after WW2 by the wrong name the actual invasion name was Operation Unthinkable.

Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they discuss their memories of Independence Day growing up and discuss the movie The Patriot!

Join Thomas Gallatin, Sterling Henry, and Andrew Culper as they introduce their new podcast the Pop Culture Contrarian! PopCon will be focused on reviewing Pop Culture through a Conservative lens to evaluate and comment on what is a worthwhile addition to culture and what is... not.