Most Popular

Join us as we talk about the Combahee River Collective! Dr. Dara Nix-Stevenson is an educator and found of the the Instagram account Since Combahee (@sincecombahee)

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.

Listen to a facinating conversation on the ways technology has become engulfed in society. Featuring experts in the tech field, sociology of digital culture, and cyber crimes.

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.

Listen in as Dr. Kinitra D. Brooks and Dr. Kameelah L. Martin talk about their book The Lemonade Reader, a book written as a dissection of Beyoncé's album Lemonade. In this podcast, Brooks and Martin tie together the ways Lemonade serves as an example of the way pop culture can be studied, critiqued, and celebrated. We talk about Beyoncé's use of imagery, spirituality, southern identity, Black feminism, in Lemonade and address some critiques of the album. More information on The Lemonade Reader and its editors, as well as episode notes, suggestions for classroom discussion, and extra links can be found at www.mostpopularpod.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 have made LGBTQ+ folks more visible. More information on Megan, additional classroom resources for instructors, and information on topics discussed in the podcast can be found at www.mostpopularpod.com

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. More information on the Garden Theatre as well as resources from this episode can be found at www.mostpopularpod.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. Episode notes, Dr. Givolgu's bio, links to Central Florida-based art groups discussed, and more information can be found on www.mostpopularpod.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 on Dr. Samita Nandy and her work with the Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies, as well as episode notes and links, head to www.mostpopularpod.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.uk Most Popular is at www.mostpopularpod.com Check out links from conversations with my guests, supplemental reading for classrooms, and suggestions for classroom discussions.

For this episode I deviate a little from my pop culture lane to talk with a healthcare hero about what it is like to work as a respiratory therapist during COVID-19. Tim Bieniek is a supervisory for respiratory care in Florida, working on the front lines of patient care for coronavirus. he's a huge Star Wars fan, and has been my favorite person since we met in 1997. He explains what the virus does to our lungs, why it is so important to pay attention to science, and his views on the protests popping up around the U.S. We also give some resources for folks wanting to learn more about coronavirus. For more information on Most Popular you can go to www.mostpopularpod.com

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 so important to understand where your news is coming from. Elizabeth Chuck is a senior writer at NBC News Digital who covers health and health policy, with a focus on issues affecting women and children. More information and topics for discussion can be found at www.mostpopularpod.com.

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, social media as well as African-American and female representations in media. For more information, please visit www.mostpopularpod.com

On this podcast I talk with my friend and Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2016 Jamie Spore. Jamie, a lifelong resident of Ludington, Michigan, was born almost 38 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, as well as, invisible disabilities, Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Depression, and Anxiety. In 2016, Jamie was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan. Throughout her reign, Jamie traveled around the Midwest sharing her platform, “Choose Hope,” and sharing her story to encourage people of all abilities and disabilities to have hope in the face of adversity. We talk about all of these things as well as Jamie's penchant for jumping out of airplanes. For more information and resources please look at the episode website at www.mostpopularpod.com.

For this episode I talk with photographer Amy Paulson. Amy's photography philosophy is for women to have an image of themselves that they love. We talk about what this means, how women have been taught to see themselves, and what this means for young women as they grow up in an increasingly image-conscious society. More information, including links to Amy's website and suggestions for classroom discussion can be found at www.mostpopularpod.com

This week I am talking about race, poverty, and the memoir Hillbilly Elegy with my guest Dr. Carson Byrd. When J.D. Vance's book Hillbilly Elegy was published in 2016, many thought it a good insight into the poverty in rural Appalachia. However, the book's portrayal of white, lower-class communities, raised some skepticism. In this episode we talk about the ways the book addressed (or didn't address) race, the stereotypes it dealt in, and discuss what terms like "color-blind" really mean. Additional content, episode extras, and topics/questions for discussion can be found at www.mostpopularpod.com

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 Board of Commissioners and serves on many Kalamazoo County Advisory Boards including the Kalamazoo Public Housing Commission, Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study, and Discover Kalamazoo as well as community boards including the 60th District Service Office, CARES, OutFront, and the YWCA Nominating Committee. More info, including links to Tracy's campaign and suggestions for discussion topics and classroom questions can be found on my website, www.mostpopularpod.com.

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 discussing an ex-"Real Housewife", and by both realizing we love Ruby Rose-even if we can't always remember her name. Visit the website www.mostpopularpod.com for episode notes and discussion topics.

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. This episode is one that I have been bursting with excitement to share! 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. Check out the website www.mostpopularpod.com for links to the music we reference, discussion questions, and additional information.

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! More information on this episode, including suggestions for classroom discussion, additional reading, and bonus material, can be found on the website www.mostpopularpod.com I've also placed a youtube clip of several of the songs we talk about on the website. Enjoy!

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! Episode extras and suggestions for classroom discussion can be found at www.mostpopularpod.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. Episode notes, and discussion topics, are posted on the podcast website, www.mostpopularpod.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. If you are a faculty member, or if you want ideas for discussing food inequality, please check out the website for Most Popular. I've got episode notes, bonus content, and discussion topics ready to go! www.mostpopularpod.com

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