CULTURAL CACHET

Today, Amanda and Julia dive into Babylon Berlin. They discuss the Weimar Republic and what brought it to an end, and get deep about just how relevant this era of German politics is to the modern day United States. What makes a country susceptible to fascism? Why leaders who seem to have their heads on straight allow extremists into office thinking they can keep them under control, when history has shown us again and again that this isn't the case? In the face of economic recession and social progress, conservative e groups tend to react strongly by electing radical right wing leaders. It's no coincidence that we got Donald Trump right after electing our first black president, but the question arises: what do we do now?

Today, Amanda and Julia reflect on the work of Jane Campion following the release of her latest film, The Power of the Dog. From In the Cut to Sweetie to The Piano, Campion makes films intended to incite discomfort in her viewers. As one of the most decorated female filmmakers in Hollywood, Campion was the first woman to receive the Palme d'Or and the second woman ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. Her work pushes the envelope with characters that toe the lie between odd and relatable, asking important questions about boundaries, desire, violence, and the human condition.

Today, Amanda and Julia discuss the the Facetuned elephant in the room: social media. In particular, they dive into issues with Instagram. From unrealistic beauty standards, photoshop, and the rise in cosmetic surgery to the real danger Instagram poses for kids they analyze just how bleak things look in the social media landscape. On Instagram, teens are more likely to have more feelings of anxiety and depression, with teen girls hit the hardest. On Facebook and Twitter, misinformation spreads like wildfire. And then the big question: what, if anything, can we do about it?

Today, Amanda and Julia sit down to discuss a very specific film genre: westerns.  After seeing The Harder They Fall (dir. Jeymes Samuel "The Bullitts"), they dive into the origins of the western genre. Revisionist westerns aren't trying to change history, they're challenging the tropes and traditions of the genre itself. And what does western film have to say about industrialization, masculinity, isolation, and the myth of manifest destiny? In other words, why do we like cowboys so much? The frontier is no more, and outlaws don't get to make the rules. American fixation with a lawless land where men with guns take things into their own hands has wildly interesting connotations in hindsight.

Weddings? Not cheap! This week, Amanda and Julia dive into the world of nuptials. They analyze the sometimes odd and surprising cultural origins of many of the west's wedding traditions. (Hint: EVERYTHING used to be about protection from evil spirits!) From medieval times to the first white dress to the televised weddings of the 1980s that made throwing a big, expensive bash commonplace, they talk talk best practices, pricing, and more. Have capitalism and individuality replaced religion, with Pinterest and Instagram taking the reins for superstition and folklore? Does the perfect ceremony guarantee the perfect marriage?

This week, Amanda and Julia went to the movies. Listen as they reflect on what made the movies they saw theatre-worthy, and the return of the cinematic experience.  In a semi-post COVID world, what have we been missing out on the last two years? What will the future of cinema look like?They saw:Dune (2021)The French DispatchThe Last Duel...and dubbed each as potentially Oscar-worthy.

Today, Amanda and Julia discuss a niche movie genre that tends to get a lot of attention in this spooky time of year: vampire movies. From the sexy, dignified blood suckers to the sparkly weirdos to the Nosferatus, vampires have set up shop in our cultural mind. We want to be them (immortal, invincible, eternally young, and hopefully really hot) but we're afraid of becoming them (evil, undead, murderous, and forced to subsist on the energy of others). Vampires have been part of mythos and lore all over the world for hundreds of years--even thousands. Through some of the best vampires movies ever made, they try to answer the question: why do these vamps still have such a hold on us? 

Today, Amanda and Julia discuss reproductive rights. Having recently moved to Texas, Julia remarks on feelings of impending doom (like a frog being slowly boiled alive) and together, they dissect how reproductive rights became the political issue it is today. From concerns on the longevity Roe v. Wade in our current Supreme Court to the origins of "pro-life" moral rhetoric in the anti-integration south, big questions come to light. Why do cisgender men have such large say in what happens to pregnant bodies?

Welcome back! Today, Amanda and Julia analyze one of Amanda's favorite parts of the fall season: football. They get into the nitty gritty of the NFL with important questions: if the NFL is such a hotbed of toxic masculinity and covert (sometimes overt) racism, why do we love it so much? Why has the NFL survived despite rampant traumatic brain injuries and a continuous inability to hold its own players accountable for abusive behavior? They discuss the patriotism associated with football, the ongoing CTE scandal, the short attention spans of our modern world, and more.

This week, Amanda and Julia tackle the wild and wacky range of reality dating shows. From the Bachelor to FBoy Island, they discuss the looks and behavior of the contestants and the never ending heteronormativity of TV dating. Why are we so intrigued by watching a gaggle of hot guys and girls be mean to each other? Does cattiness make a show better, or ruin it? We all know not everything on reality TV is real, but it would certainly be easy to make earnest connections when you're isolated and stuck on and island with no phone, friends, or family.  Dipping into a different kind of reality TV relationship, 90-Day Fiancee  seems to cast "normal" people over walking hot messes. Juli and Amanda ask what's so intriguing about watching our immigrations system at work. Is it easier to form parasocial connections with reality stars who feel more real, or those who feel polished and airbrushed?This is the season one finale. Tune back in in six to eight weeks for season two!

Today, Amanda and Julia jump into a topic making headlines: billionaires going to space. Are these men really competing with each other, or is the media just assigning and old narrative to a new decade? (It's probably both).  Every billionaire we discuss has a different motivation for space exploration, but what's their responsibility in wealth inequality? Does it make sense to pour so much capital into private space exploration when people on the ground can't afford healthcare? Through the lens of global wealth disparity, Bezos's cowboy rocket ship adventure feels like an affront to those who need help now, unable to wait until we've established Mars colonies and satellite communities.

This week, Amanda and Julia craft a love letter to the city of New York as Julia prepares to move away. They discuss Betty and How To with John Wilson, dissecting the way New York itself functions as an entire character in both series. From the invincible feeling of being a 20-something skateboard chick in NYC to the dry humor of John Wilson's documentation of everything (EVERY. THING.) New York is, they reflect on the gritty, the gruff, and the good-natured people who call New York home. Where else can you get yelled at by the bodega lady two seconds before watching a stranger help someone carry a stroller up the subway stairs?

In this episode, Amanda and Julia use the 2021 Tokyo Olympics to engage in content they both enjoy: Amanda's love for international sports (and the Olympics themselves) and Julia's love for ancient Greek history. Together, they examine the Olympics from the sports included to the gender disparities between events through the historical lens of what the Olympics were like when they began.

Today, Amanda and Julia discuss the way Americans consume alcohol. Do we drink too much, or is our cyclical binge-abstain relationship with alcohol just dysfunctional? After a quick history lesson, they discuss the most common treatment for alcohol use disorder: Alcoholics Anonymous. Addiction is a mental illness, not a choice or a moral failing, but are we treating addiction the right way? What combination of medication, therapy, and group processing leads American people to a healthier relationship with alcohol? Amanda and Julia break down misinformation, stigma, and misconceptions.

Today, Amanda and Julia interview tarot reader and astrology student Aaron Harris. Aaron covers how he got interested in tarot and magical wellness, as well as how he thinks it overlaps with (and differs from) organized religion. Afterwards, Amanda and Julia share their personal experiences with tarot, psychics, and mysticism. They deep dive into the intersection between nontraditional values and the far right, from Q Anon to Woo-Anon, vaccine hesitancy, and more. Tune in to hear about the ways class, mental health, and power structures affect and inform new age spirituality.

Today, Amanda and Julia unpack the femme fatale.  From the early 40s silver screen to modern media, the cat-like archetype represents male fear of female freedom and power. An independent woman who cares about success, money, and sex (and will do anything she needs to do to get them) with little regard for family, children, or traditional women's roles creeps into an unsuspecting man's life bringing death, destruction, and dark romance. The cultural implication warns:  when women break traditional gender roles and step into power, death and chaos ensue. Why are we so tolerant of men's bad behavior, only to vilify women?

In this episode, Amanda and Julia take a deep look into the way we treat our world-class athletes. What's the next step when mental health concerns are met with fines, angry fans, and league-wide blowback? And how do we mitigate the use of substances for self care that are also flagged by anti-doping agencies? Sports is a profession usually reserved for young people, and the standards we hold them to might be unfair--or impossible--given that their brains are still developing. When mental health is a global issue, it's more important than ever to fight our cultural paradigms and humanize the athletes we know and admire, even if it's at the expense of the sports media industry.

The restaurant industry is back - mostly. In this episode Amanda and Julia discuss their top 5 favorite restaurants and dining experiences. From Oakland to Brooklyn, the restaurants on this list span the country. Amanda and Julia share their opinions on what makes a restaurant special and what makes a particular dining experience stand out. They also take a look at restaurants through the lens of having worked in the industry. And after a year and a half of take-out, what's it going to take for restaurants to fully bounce back?

Twin films are two movies released in the same year covering very similar, if not the same, topics. While Shiva Baby and Sugar Daddy approach the question of why so many young women opt to use sites like Seeking Arrangements to become sugar babies very differently, the release of both films reveals a cultural preoccupation with youth, money, and sex. Is being a sugar baby considered sex work, or does it merely serve to emphasize the transactional nature of traditional, heteronormative relationships?  Despite age of consent laws in every state, men still seek women who are notably younger than they are, sometimes outside of the realm of legal consent. We expect this from men, but we're surprised when it goes the other way. While we're concerned with protecting young women, our culture also fixates on why women and girls don't report abuse immediately and what they stand to gain from a false accusation.

Climate change is a real and pressing issue that's already affecting us and the world as a whole. In this episode Amanda and Julia ponder the question of whether or not it is ethical to have children despite knowing the dangers of climate change. The carbon footprint of people in developed nations far outweighs the footprint of individuals in developing nations. And developing nations often take the brunt of the negative effects of a changing climate. How should we feel about bringing children into an unstable world and a climate migration crisis that has already begun? At the same time, populations are decreasing globally, with potential dramatic effects on economies and work forces. Then Amanda and Julia break down some of the reasons people are choosing to have less children.

It's our first Top 5! In this episode Amanda and Julia share their top 5 favorite non-native English speaking actors. That means that the actors on these lists cannot be from America, Canada, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand. Amanda and Julia share a bit about who each performer is, their body of work, and what makes them so special.

Movie theaters are back! A full year after the release of Tenet - Christopher Nolan's eleventh feature film. The film that was supposed to mark the grand re-opening of theaters nation wide. Alas, Christopher Nolan was not able to single-handedly save movie theaters in 2020. So why did Tenet flop? In this episode, Amanda and Julia break down some of the factors that caused Tenet to under-perform. And they discuss their ideas on how to process art that is challenging. What is the line between artistic ambiguity and nonsense? What purpose does Tenet serve, and who is it for?

In America, 40% of people describe their first sexual experience as bad; as opposed to only 10-15% of people in the Netherlands sharing that sentiment. What accounts for such a difference? In this episode Amanda and Julia talk sex, love, and education by unpacking some of the theories put forth by Belgian psychotherapist Esther Perel. They point out that sex education in America is devoted entirely to anatomy and abstinence, without any discussion of communication or feelings. They highlight some of the historical gender myths around sex. And they try to understand why we want more and more from our partners, and what happens when we don't get everything we need. Then, using the Showtime series Couples Therapy as a backdrop, Amanda and Julia look at ways couples navigate modern relationships - identifying repetitive narratives and giving space for each individual's personal history.

In this episode Amanda and Julia discuss the emerging data on psychedelic medicine. Prior to becoming illegal in the early 1970's, psychedelics were studied as a means to treat various different mental health issues. Recently, scientists have begun studying these drugs again, with fascinating and successful results. Amanda and Julia break down some of the ways psychedelics are being tested - highlighting the works of neuroscientist Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris and author Michael Pollan. And finally, they share some of their own experiences with psychedelics, both recreational and therapeutic.

In this episode Amanda and Julia share their thoughts on the complexity of American food. Discussing shows like Netflix's Ugly Delicious and Hulu's Taste the Nation, they track how certain immigrant communities have influenced American cuisine and culture. They also investigate the role of cooking shows in shaping modern palettes and popularizing cooking - a historically low-paying and labor intensive profession. Then they touch on some of the dubious ways the food industry has influence narratives around health and diet culture.

This episode of Cultural Cachet deals with the issue of equal pay, highlighting the discrepancy in pay rates between men's and women's professional sports. Using the on-going lawsuit between the USWNT and the US Soccer Federation as an example, Amanda and Julia unpack the impossible metrics to which women athletes are held. And when these metrics are met or exceeded, women athletes are still not justly compensated. How do women's professional sports suffer due to vast differences in allocation of resources? Why are all of the top 10 highest paid female athletes tennis players? Touching on professions outside of sports, Amanda and Julia try to understand why women's work is consistently devalued.

Wellness and self-help are ubiquitous in today's culture. But the wellness industry has become ripe for exploitation. What happens when commodification of wellness becomes problematic? In this episode Amanda and Julia discuss lifestyle guru Rachel Hollis's fall from grace. As an author and public speaker, does Rachel have an obligation to practice what she preaches? Then, Amanda and Julia explore the controversy and complexity of Chronic Lyme Disease and its treatments. Sharing personal health history, they try to delicately but honestly probe this seemingly unknowable disease.

The Oscars have come and gone, but the nominated films definitely made an impact. Amanda and Julia breakdown each movie and share what stayed with them, and the power of seeing movies in a theater.

This episode contains brief descriptions of sexual assault and misconduct.Have you ever wondered what an intimacy coordinator actually does? In this episode, Amanda and Julia break down the history of intimacy coordinators and why they have become so necessary to a production. What happens when we disregard a perfomer's physical and mental safety during sex scenes? Why are intimacy coordinators only just becoming prevalent after 100 years of cinema history? Touching on past films Last Tango in Paris and Basic Instinct, and current television productions The Deuce, I May Destroy You, and Normal People, Amanda and Julia unpack what happens when professionalism becomes sexy.

Welcome to Cultural Cachet.