Podcasts Exploring the Intersection of Pop Culture, Identity, and Social Change

Podcasts Exploring the Intersection of Pop Culture, Identity, and Social Change

By: Andreea Coscai (she/her), Podcast Marketer at Tink Media and founder of Her Time Romania (connect with me on Twitter here).

I've handpicked this list of podcasts because they pack a punch with their strong messages. These shows aren't your typical podcasts; they really get into the nitty-gritty of pop culture, personal identity, and social change, offering an immersive experience. They uncover the complexities that shape our lives and relationships, underlining the importance of critical analysis. By sharing this list, I hope to highlight how thinking critically can be a game-changer and inspire positive changes in society. 


Podcasts Exploring the Intersection of Pop Culture, Identity, and Social Change

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In Retrospect with Susie Banikarim and Jessica Bennett

Is there a cultural moment from your past that looks different in retrospect? Maybe it’s a scandalous tabloid story seared into your teenage brain or a political punchline that just feels wrong now. It might be a very specific red swimsuit that inspired a decade of plastic surgery (see: Baywatch) or the inescapable smell of an entire generation of prepubescent boys (Axe body spray, anyone?). Each week on In Retrospect, Emmy-winning journalist Susie Banikarim and New York Times editor Jessica Bennett revisit a pop culture moment from the ‘80s and ‘90s that shaped them — to try to understand what it taught us about the world and a woman’s place in it.

Mina AF with Mina Starsiak Hawk

What’s one thing you've always wanted to ask but didn’t know how? What’s something you’ve always wanted to say out loud, but were scared to? We're gonna talk about it! You may know host Mina Starsiak Hawk from her HGTV show Good Bones, but that’s just the outer layer of who she is. On this show we’re going to pull the onion layers back and reveal the (sometimes tear-inducing) truth underneath. While it may seem like she’s had a blessed and easy life, there's always more to every story. Mina is ready to share her story and delve into others. Mina is asking the uncomfortable questions, talking about the things we're embarrassed to feel or think, challenging societal norms, and doing it all without judgment! Follow MinaAF and let’s broaden your horizons, answer your questions, and most importantly, have FUN!

Unladylike

Cristen Conger hosts Unladylike, a feminist lifestyle podcast on a mission to stay curious, build empathy, and raise hell. This podcast challenges stereotypes, explores the intricacies of modern feminism, and empowers women through unapologetic, boundary-pushing discussions.

History of the 90’s

On History of the 90’s, we’ll travel back in time through the stories that defined a decade. The last 10 years of the 20th century were a time like no other, from Columbine to Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Seinfeld, Air Jordan, and the Spice Girls… if it happened in the ‘90s you’ll hear about it on this podcast. Join Kathy Kenzora as we journey through the History of the 90's every other Wednesday.

Movement

Movement is a podcast, radio series, and live show that tells stories of global migration through music. Hosted by Ethiopian-American singer Meklit Hadero, the show is a meditation on the large-scale forces at play in individual lives. Issues of citizenship, identity, belonging, and borders are explored through the experiences of artists themselves: two brothers sharing one guitar, a daughter trying on her father’s shoes, the lineage of a drum, and the sounds of a grandmother’s backyard.


In a world of endless content, these podcasts are your journey through pop culture, personal identity, and societal change. With diverse voices and thought-provoking discussions, they challenge you to reflect, learn, and grow. They offer insights into the past and a fresh perspective on today. So, whether you're reminiscing about the '90s, questioning societal norms, or learning about migration through music, these podcasts are here to guide you. Plug in and join the conversation.

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