Episodes

  • IVF, Pregnancy, and Home Birth at 45 with Jesse Golden

    IVF, Pregnancy, and Home Birth at 45 with Jesse Golden
    Jul 1 2026
    More women are having children after 40, but what does that actually look like when you are in it? In this episode, Christiana sits down with Jesse Golden, CEO and founder of The Golden Secrets, to talk about her journey of trying for motherhood at 45, including IVF, miscarriage, and starting over later in life. She also opens up about home birth, treatment costs, community, and what it really means to redefine motherhood on your own terms. Follow Jesse on Instagram Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 1:09 Meet Jesse Golden 2:53 Trying for motherhood again at 45 4:09 What it’s really like trying to get pregnant in your 40s 6:15 Navigating miscarriage and loss 10:04 Inside Jesse’s IVF journey 14:43 The real cost of IVF (financial and emotional) 19:44 Finding community as a woman giving birth after 40 22:14 What actually helps improve your chances of pregnancy 27:22 Is IVF the right path for you? 32:53 Egg freezing and what the future of IVF looks like 36:21 Exploring home birth later in life 40:13 Jesse’s home birth story 43:36 Staying grounded in your choices and your body Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • The Pop Culture Debrief: Deconstructing Magazines

    The Pop Culture Debrief: Deconstructing Magazines
    Jun 24 2026
    This week’s pop culture syllabus comes straight from the magazine rack! In this solo episode, Christiana sits down to talk us through the latest from Women's Health, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, and the juiciest tabloids, breaking down celebrity glow-ups, style statements, and luxury obsessions from names like Jay-Z, Anne Hathaway, Rita Ora, and more while unpacking what this month’s magazines are really saying about pop culture. Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 0:39 Rita Ora’s wellness era 3:12Inside Rita’s new look 7:00 The millennial facelift boom 13:55 Meghan & Harry tabloid drama 17:30 Ryan Seacrest’s face fears 19:17 Paris Hilton, theme queen 21:40 Crosswords: hot or not? 23:04 Jay-Z’s GQ takeover 23:39 Is Jay-Z channeling Basquiat? 28:12 Luxury ads everywhere 29:02 Pop culture’s iconic watches 32:22 Sketchers sketchy ads 34:06 GQ’s wedding rulebook 36:22 The life of Jay-Z 38:44 The Horology of HOV 45:38 Anne Hathaway’s Harper’s Bazaar moment 49:35 Chanel’s star-studded campaign 54:10 Bobbi Brown & beauty businesses 57:18 Ariana’s Swarovski sparkle 59:03 Inside Lulu Guinness’ whimsical home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Manthropology with Holly Solem

    Manthropology with Holly Solem
    Jun 17 2026
    Women spend a lot of time wondering what men really think about love and relationships. In this episode, Christiana sits down with Holly Solem, advice columnist and creator of the social media series Manthropology, to discuss what she’s learned from interviewing men about dating, masculinity, and loneliness. They also play a game revisiting iconic fictional men in pop culture and how they shaped millennial women’s understanding of love and relationships. Holly’s Vogue essay Follow Holly on Instagram Follow Mathropology on Instagram Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 01:19 Meet Holly Solem 06:20 Holly’s move back to LA 07:14 Creating “Manthropology” 11:28 What Holly has learned about men while making “Manthropology” 13:34 How men in LA compare to men in NY 14:45 How women absorb the shame of men 16:09 Misogyny in 2026 18:02 Platonic relationships between straight men and women 22:20 How Holly reacts during Manthropology interviews 23:20 White girlhood vs. Black girlhood 25:51 Fictional pop-culture men game 27:14 Chandler Bing from “Friends” 28:58 Ross Geller from “Friends” 29:39 Batman 30:50 Superman 32:24 Homer Simpson 34:10 Lawrence from “Insecure” 35:13 Big from “Sex and the City” 37:13 Don Draper from “Mad Men” 38:18 Walter White from “Breaking Bad” 40:13 Nick Young from “Crazy Rich Asians” 41:35 Prince Akeem from “Coming to America” 42:46 Austin Powers 43:37 James Bond 46:40 Wolverine 48:13 Adam Sackler from “Girls” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Ranking Pop Culture Divas with Gerrick Kennedy

    Ranking Pop Culture Divas with Gerrick Kennedy
    Jun 10 2026
    We’ve been calling women divas for years, but we still can’t agree on what the word actually means or who qualifies. In this episode, Christiana sits down with music journalist Gerrick Kennedy, co-author of Brandy's new memoir, Phases, to do the impossible: rank the greatest divas across the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s and unpack what really earns someone the title. Together, they debate the diva status of icons like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga, while making the case for a few overlooked sleeper divas along the way. By the end, it becomes clear that defining a diva is a lot harder than it sounds. Gerrick’s book with Brandy: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/phases-brandy?variant=44324080779298 Gerrick’s book on Whitney Houston: https://gerrickkennedy.com/whitneyhouston Follow Gerrick on Instagram Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 01:18 Meet Gerrick Kennedy 03:20 How Gerrick Built a Career in Music Journalism 06:33 The Time Gerrick Met Joe Jackson 11:18 Diva Ranking Game 13:19 Defining a “diva” 16:46 Ranking 90s divas 18:50 Brandy 27:07 Janet Jackson 29:22 Mariah Carey 34:07 Gerrick on Working With Brandy on Phases 36:16 The Patriarchal Control Behind Pop Divas 40:59 Ranking 2000s divas 42:11 Why Divas Have to Go Solo 48:59 Jennifer Lopez 55:59 Britney Spears 1:00:37 Amy Winehouse 1:05:01 Ranking 2010s divas 1:06:03 Lady Gaga 1:12:54 Rihanna 1:16:29 Tinashe 1:17:52 Beyoncé 1:23:56 Taylor Swift 1:25:39 The Next Generation of Pop Stars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Deconstructing the Kardashians with MJ Corey

    Deconstructing the Kardashians with MJ Corey
    Jun 3 2026
    Whether you love them or hate them, it’s hard to argue the Kardashians didn’t completely change the way we think about fame. So how did this family go from reality TV to becoming the blueprint for modern celebrity and one of the most powerful forces in pop culture? In this episode, Christiana sits down with author MJ Corey to talk about her book Deconstructing the Kardashians: A New Media Manifesto and trace the evolution of the Kardashians and what their success really says about them. Together, they do what the internet has always done best and overanalyze the Kardashians, getting into fame, branding, controversy, and where this endlessly fascinating family goes next. Follow MJ on Instagram Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 00:52 MJ Corey’s first time watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians 03:08 Understanding postmodernism to understand the Kardashians 03:50 Kim Kardashian and ethnic ambiguity 04:55 Comparing the Kardashians to iconic American brands 08:50 Kris Jenner, the O.J. Simpson trial and revisionist history 13:00 The Kardashians, cultural appropriation and Black romantic partners 22:00 The Kardashians as early adopters of technology 25:25 The Paris robbery and trial 31:09 How the Kardashians will be remembered 32:15 Who will be Kris’ successor? 34:12 Predicting Kim’s future in politics 36:20 Which grandchild is most likely to be the next star? 37:40 Does Kim venture into podcasting? 38:10 Does SKIMS IPO? 38:28 How many more times will Kim Kardashian get married? 40:00 When will Kris Jenner retire? 42:04 What’s the future of Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet? 44:29 Which Kardashian is mostly likely to make a hard pivot? 48:30 MJ’s biggest prediction for the Kardashians/Jenners in the next five years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • The Celebrity Couples Game with Erin Lim Rhodes

    The Celebrity Couples Game with Erin Lim Rhodes
    May 27 2026
    Celebrity couples today don’t just date, they trend, and every move instantly becomes part of the cultural conversation online. In this episode, Christiana sits down with E! Entertainment host Erin Lim Rhodes to play our signature Celebrity Couples Game and debate some of pop culture’s most talked-about pairs, from Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, and more. Expect hot takes, chaotic rankings, and a few moments that will definitely have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about these couples. Follow Erin on Instagram Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 01:03 Meet Erin Lim Rhodes 04:24 Erin’s move to Singapore 06:18 Getting hired by E! 11:46 “The Rundown” and using social media 18:29 The Celebrity Couples Game 19:30 Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner 20:43 Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade 24:36 Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra 28:40 Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck 33:14 Olandria and Nic Vansteenberghe 36:28 John Legend and Chrissy Teigen 41:57 Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco 48:49 Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • The Conversation We Need About Womb Health With Dr. Kemi Doll

    The Conversation We Need About Womb Health With Dr. Kemi Doll
    May 20 2026
    Womb health is still one of the most misunderstood areas of women’s care, especially for Black women. In today’s episode, Christiana sits down with gynecologic oncologist and author of A Terrible Strength: The Hidden Crisis of the Black Womb and Your Survival Guide to Healing to walk us through fibroids, endometriosis, and the symptoms that are often dismissed, plus what women should be asking about care and diagnosis. Dr. Kemi’s website Follow Dr. Kemi Doll: Instagram Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 01:00 Meet Dr. Kemi Doll 03:40 How Dr. Doll’s background has informed her work 07:30 Understanding womb suffering 08:55 Black women with womb suffering getting misdiagnosed 10:47 Womb condition #1: heavy menstrual bleeding 23:40 Options for people with the BRCA1 gene 25:36 Womb condition #2: endometriosis 35:29 Teenagers and young women with womb suffering 39:05 Womb condition #3: fibroids 51:18 Womb condition #4: endometrial cancer 01:01:28 Advice for dealing with doctors and medical institutions 01:08:45 Combining holistic wellness with medicine 01:11:55 Setting boundaries in order to heal 01:13:00 Where to find Dr. Kemi Doll’s work Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • The Pop Culture Debrief: Mess, Drama & Headlines (Christiana Solo Episode)

    The Pop Culture Debrief: Mess, Drama & Headlines (Christiana Solo Episode)
    May 13 2026
    Welcome to another week in pop culture, where nothing is calm and everything is a headline. In this episode, Christiana flips through the latest tabloids and magazines, breaking down celebrity chaos, unhinged headlines, and the editorials everyone can’t stop talking about. Sydney Sweeney, Doja Cat, Timothée Chalamet, Anne Hathaway, and more all show up in this week’s rundown as Christiana shares her hot takes on what’s worth the hype and what’s just noise. Follow Pop Syllabus: YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Substack Merch available now! Sponsor Pop Syllabus: advertise@companionarts.com If there’s a topic you’d like us to deconstruct, tell us in the comments. Email: hello@popsyllabus.com 01:50 Sydney Sweeney’s “Magazine Milkies” Moment 02:59 Sofía Vergara’s Sketchy Skechers Ad 03:54 Sydney Sweeney’s Viral Lingerie Editorial 08:15 Why Everyone Is Suddenly Obsessed With Tyriq Withers 10:04 Twilight Taylors 10:22 Is Robert Pattinson the New Leonardo DiCaprio? 12:40 Teyana Taylor as Lady Liberty 14:26 Inside the “MAGA Land” Editorial 21:54 Doja Cat on Vogue 24:48 India’s Growing Influence on Pop Culture 27:10 Bhavitha Mandava, Versace & Fashion’s Rising New Faces 29:08 Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss Transformation 34:20 Sarah Michelle Gellar’s People Magazine Cover 35:48 The Royal Roundup: Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle & More 37:22 Anne Hathaway’s Best Oscars Look 38:14 Sarah Michelle Gellar Is Making a Comeback 40:19 Harry & Meghan “Exiled” From Hollywood? 43:21 Christiana’s Top Magazine Recommendation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins