New Books in Popular Culture

Sabrina Mittermeier, a cultural historian and editor of "Fan Phenomena: Disney," dives deep into the intricate world of Disney fandom. She discusses the impact of fan engagement through cosplay and social media, and how fans influence corporate practices around inclusion. Mittermeier explores the complexities of queer representation and the significance of Disney theme parks as engagement hubs for fans. She also highlights issues of race, class, and the evolving dynamics of Disney fandom in the wake of the pandemic and streaming services like Disney+.

Josh Levine, an author and journalist specializing in TV comedy, dives deep into Larry David's life and legacy. They explore David's difficult path to success, starting from his comedic struggles to creating the groundbreaking shows Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Levine discusses the intense cringe humor of Curb and how it polarizes audiences. He also unveils the strong friendships that shaped casting decisions, highlights David's unique comedic persona, and touches on Larry's ongoing creative pursuits post-Curb. It's a fascinating look at a comedy icon!

Today I talked to Meg Bernhard about her new book Wine (Bloomsbury, 2023). Agricultural product and cultural commodity, drink of ritual and drink of addiction, purveyor of pleasure, pain, and memory - wine has never been contained in a single glass. Drawing from science, religion, literature, and memoir, Wine meditates on the power structures bound up with making and drinking this ancient, intoxicating beverage.While wine drunk millennia ago was the humble beverage of the people, today the drink is inextricable with power, sophistication, and often wealth. Bottles sell for half a million dollars. Point systems tell us which wines are considered the best. Wine professionals give us the language to describe what we taste.This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

A vibrant, meticulously researched celebration of the women and non-binary skateboarders who defied a hostile industry and redefined skateboarding around the world With enthusiasm and empathy, Girl Gangs, Zines, and Powerslides: A History of Badass Women Skateboarders (ECW Press, 2025) celebrates the relentless participation of women in skateboarding from the 1960s onward who defied a hostile industry to carve out their own space through underground networks. Skater librarian Natalie Porter presents interviews and meticulous research, including the DIY zines created by female and non-binary skaters as a means of communication, to expose this unacknowledged story while offering a personal narrative about the importance of community-building and validation, with or without your own video game. Girl Gangs, Zines, and Powerslides disrupts the image of skateboarding as an exclusive male domain, offering historical context for the seemingly rapid progress of female skaters today seen competing on the Olympic stage. Discover how the collective action of a grassroots movement in the 1980s established meaningful change, building a foundation that has led to greater inclusion and diversity, which has inspired women, girls, and non-binary youth worldwide to roll on a skateboard for the first time or rediscover their youthful obsession as an adult and feel inspired to drop once again. Craig Gill is a writer, researcher and historian based in Vancouver, BC. He is the author of Caddying on the Color Line, a history of African American golf caddies in the U.S. South. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers.Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Treena Orchard, an anthropologist and author, explores the chaotic world of dating apps in her memoir, Sticky, Sexy, Sad. She shares her personal journey from a lifelong luddite to a reluctant swipe culture participant, emphasizing the emotional toll of ghosting and the addictive nature of these platforms. Treena critiques the 'girl boss' persona on apps like Bumble and discusses the ethics of writing about personal experiences while fostering understanding. Her insights reveal the complex interplay of intimacy, identity, and technology in modern romance.

In a captivating conversation, DJ Sharon White shares her groundbreaking journey as a pioneering Black queer woman in 1970s New York's nightlife. She recounts her triumph as the first female resident DJ at The Saint and her unique sound that redefined disco. White highlights the importance of collaboration over competition and her experiences at iconic venues like Paradise Garage and Studio 54. With a deep passion for music and a trailblazing spirit, she reflects on her influence on younger DJs and the power of music in her life.

Adrienne Domasin, editor of "The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Last of Us," delves deep into the psychological dimensions of the beloved franchise. She discusses how themes of trauma and grief resonate with audiences in both the video games and HBO series. Domasin offers a Marxist interpretation of the post-apocalyptic setting as a potential utopia and analyzes Joel's morally complex decisions, especially his pivotal choice at the hospital. She even shares her journey of shifting empathy towards Abby, showcasing the emotional depth of character perspectives.

Cultural historian Jim Cullen discusses his book, which explores how 1980 was a crucial turning point in America. He delves into the political landscape, contrasting Jimmy Carter's struggles with Ronald Reagan's rise. Cullen also highlights how popular culture—films, music, and TV—reflected shifting ideologies, from Lennon and Springsteen to the escapism of shows like Dallas. He examines the mall bookstore revolution and how neoliberalism entered the mainstream, connecting these themes to today's cultural context while teasing his future work on Billy Joel and Springsteen.

Michael Brown, a music curator at the Alexander Turnbull Library, dives into the fascinating world of vaporwave and Eyeliner's album, BUY NOW. He explores Luke Rowell’s unique journey from Lower Hutt's tech-infused childhood to his DIY music distribution. The discussion illuminates the cultural influences shaping Rowell's work, including the rise of internet music scenes and the post-2008 disillusionment. Brown also highlights the catchy slap-bass motifs and the album's critique of consumerism, positioning it as a standout in the new age of digital artistry.