It's Been a Minute
Episodes
Pressing pause on 'Killers Of The Flower Moon' and rethinking Scorsese's latest
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon is everything an Oscar contender might be - long, epic, morally complicated and expensive. Yet, while man...
Barbra Streisand says she's not a diva - she's a director
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The season of the celebrity memoir is upon us. In just the past few months Britney Spears, Jada Pinkett Smith, Kerry Washington, and more have showere...
What restaurant trends tell us about the economy and culture
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The restaurant industry has been making headlines lately. Fine dining heavyweights are shuttering: Noma announced it would be closing in 2024 and NYC ...
"The Gilded Age" and the trouble with American period pieces
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Gilded Age delighted audiences with its lavish sets, decadent costumes and social sniping when it debuted. Lucky for us, the period drama just ret...
What makes 'The Real Housewives' so addictive? (Classic)
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's a big week for fans of reality TV - it's Bravocon 2023. This year it's in Las Vegas – and while we couldn't make it to Vegas, we're revisiting ...
It's Britney, bestseller!
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Britney Spears just released one of the most hotly anticipated celebrity memoirs of the year, The Woman In Me. The book details her meteoric rise to f...
The new "final girl" in horror; plus, who's afraid of a horny hag?
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween is upon us — and it's the season for horror movies. Host Brittany Luse is a HUGE horror girlie, but loving horror also means critiquing i...
Misinformation & uninformed comments are clogging war coverage; plus, Tupac's legacy
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A warning: This episode contains explicit language and mentions of rape.For the past two weeks, social media has been flooded with coverage and commen...
Code Switch: Baltimore teens are fighting for environmental justice — and winning
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From our friends at Code Switch, we present a story about one group of student activists in Baltimore and how their efforts to make their neighborhood...
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are 100% in a PR relationship. Here's how we know.
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor Swift and her maybe boyfriend, Kansas Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, have been inescapable the past few weeks. The pop superstar has been showi...
In defense of bad movie accents
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We can all think of a bad movie accent. There's Lady Gaga in House of Gucci, Brad Pitt in Meet Joe Black, or Emma Watson in The Bling Ring. A bad acce...
It's Fat Bear Week - but our fascination with bears is timeless
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, the Katmai National Park in Alaska puts on a March Madness-style bracket of all the fattest bears in their park. It's a celebration of fat...
Jordan Peele presents a 'new' Black horror
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, host Brittany Luse kicks off spooky season by sitting down with the current champion of Black horror, Jordan Peele. In his most recent proj...
Hasan Minhaj and the limits of representation
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A recent New Yorker piece on Hasan Minhaj found that some crucial bits of his stand-up act didn't stand up to fact-checking. Stretching the truth in c...
How Bethann Hardison changed the face of fashion - and why that matters
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bethann Hardison is the fashion icon behind so many fashion icons: she worked as a modeling agent in the era of the supermodel – brokering the caree...
The WNBA's coming out story; plus, the dangers of sports betting
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This year, the WNBA had its most-watched regular season in 21 years, but what went into creating this new moment of visibility for the league? Host Br...
The year concert etiquette went to trash and why
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every couple of weeks there's a new story of a fan at a concert misbehaving. One fan threw ashes at Pink, another hit Drake with a cellphone, Miranda ...
Is capitalism in its flop era?
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In 2017, Today, Explained co-host Noel King says she started getting a vibe: young people were discussing and dissecting capitalism. She began noticin...
Rock and roll's pioneer is a queer, Southern Black man
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of rockstar royalty, a queer, Southern Black man normally doesn't come to mind. But director Lisa Cortés wants us all to reconsider th...
The Photo of the Year; plus, whose RICO is it anyway?
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When former President Donald Trump's mugshot was released, pundits immediately searched for meaning. Was it defiant? Was it embarrassing? Turns out wh...
20 years of pumpkin spice power
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been 20 years since Starbucks debuted the first pumpkin spice latte in 2003. Since then, it's become a cultural phenomenon greater than itself: i...
Luther Vandross and Samara Joy sing across generations
02 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Music is all about pushing the envelope, and no one knew that more than Luther Vandross. His rendition of "A House is Not a Home" is so beloved, many ...
'All The Things She Said': queer anthem or problematic queerbait?
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In September 2002, the Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. released their smash single "All The Things She Said." The song is a grungy euro-dance track, and the ...
Skincare is dewy diet culture; plus, how to have the "Fat Talk"
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from November 2022, host Brittany Luse chats with beauty reporter Jessica Defino about the increase in celebrity skincare lines a...
Why we don't trust the 'vanilla girl'
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week is all about beauty and diet trends. In this first interview from March, host Brittany Luse chats with Forbes staff writer Steffi Cao to dis...
'Abbott Elementary' and 'Succession' take on love and grief
19 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're looking at some of the best TV of the year. Brittany Luse revisits her November 2022 conversation with Abbott Elementary writers Brit...
Why aren't there more union stories onscreen?
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from March, Brittany Luse is joined by Chicago Tribune TV and film critic Nina Metz to chat about why there are so many shows and...
Getting lit for hip-hop's 50th birthday
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On August 11, 1973, hip-hop was born at a house party in the Bronx. 50 years later the genre has been reshaped in the image of cities and regions arou...
How pop culture framed the crack epidemic
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The crack epidemic has had seismic impact on American culture, from music to TV and film. This week, Brittany Luse talks to Donovan X. Ramsey, author ...
The tension behind tipping; plus, the anger over box braids
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past few years, tipping expectations have changed: we're asked to tip in restaurants and coffee shops, yes, but also at bodegas, farm stands,...
How racism became a marketing tool for country music
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The top three songs in America right now are country tracks, and the top two hits are by artists facing allegations of racism. At the top of the chart...
Viral dating screenshots and the absurdity of 'And Just Like That'
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Screenshots of dating apps are making the rounds online and what feels like mundane exchanges are generating lots of ire and discourse. As these scree...
Lil' Kim's fashion legacy is undeniable
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Think of the top women rappers of our time: Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj. They all showcase signature styles that include multicolored wi...
The spectacular femininity of bimbos and 'Barbie'
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Barbie movie has arrived and we seem to be reaching peak Barbie-mania. But, Barbie's brand of hyperfeminine fun has been on the rise for years —...
Twitter vs. Threads, and why influencers could be the ultimate winners
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of user dissatisfaction with Twitter, a crop of hungry new apps have sprung up to replace it. This week on It's Been A Minute, host Britta...
Where's the song of the summer? Plus, the making of Beyoncé's 'Crazy in Love'
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been 20 years since Beyoncé's single Crazy in Love poured out of every radio, car speaker and club for a whole summer — setting her up to be t...
Ashley Park on Joy Ride, getting raunchy, and a letter to Cardi B
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Joy Ride, the ensemble R-rated comedy of the summer, has burst onto the scene with raunchiness, heart, and an unapologetic attitude. The film follows ...
A rare battle at the Supreme Court; plus, Asian Americans and affirmative action
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Years before their appointments to the highest court in the land, Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas both walked the hallowed ...
Pop Culture Happy Hour: why is 'Scandoval' such a big deal for 'Vanderpump Rules'?
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bravo's hit reality show Vanderpump Rules has become infamous due to a much-discussed affair between two members of its cast. The whole thing has been...
You can't even hate watch 'The Idol'; Plus, LIVE with Aubrey Gordon
01 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
HBO's 'The Idol' has been riddled with controversy, and with the show coming to an end, host Brittany Luse and NPR's Hazel Cills had a lot to say abou...
'Never Have I Ever' is over, but Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is just getting started
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has big dreams. The 21-year-old gained full celebrity status with her breakout role as Devi Vishwakumar in the Mindy Kaling-prod...
Why we all need a himbo with 'The Other Two's Josh Segarra
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we consider the himbo — sweet hotties who are maybe a little naive about the world, but are always having a good time. One of the greatest h...
Dominique Fishback is the actress with a thousand faces
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dominique Fishback is starring in one of the biggest summer movies, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, but her star has long been on the rise through r...
Are children a marginalized group?
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's been a common theme swirling throughout the culture wars: from gun policy, to drag bans, to talking about race - the innocence of children is ...
It's time to have the 'Fat Talk' with our kids — and ourselves
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Virginia Sole-Smith is an author, writer and host of the podcast Burnt Toast — and her work focuses on our relationship to food and fat. Her latest ...
Emily King's heartbreak on 'Special Occasion'
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grammy-nominated singer Emily King is a master architect of love songs: her dreamy pop-infused music has provided the soundtrack to many romances. Thi...
Eric André on pulling a prank in late stage capitalism
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The prince of pranks, Eric André, changed the comedy landscape with his long running series on Adult Swim, The Eric Andre Show. After a 3-year hiatus...
Authors Emily Henry and Bolu Babalola give their hottest summer reading recs
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's finally summer! And what better way to celebrate than to pick up a juicy book on a nice day? Romance authors Bolu Babalola and Emily Henry join h...
Brandon Taylor on art, loving across class and why he writes sex scenes
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, host Brittany Luse chats with author and culture critic Brandon Taylor about his latest novel, The Late Americans. The book is set in Iowa ...
Tina Turner's happy ending
27 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the world went into mourning after losing the Goddess of Rock n' Roll: Tina Turner. Veteran music journalist and Shine Bright author, Danye...
Formula 1's new fandom; plus, Christian Horner is always on the offense
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're in a motorsports moment: Fast X just dropped, Rosalía is popularizing the motomami aesthetic and now it's time for the Monaco Grand Prix. This ...
Beauty culture in South Korea reveals a grim future in 'Flawless'
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Author and one of NPR's beloved hosts, Elise Hu, joins Brittany Luse to talk about her new book: Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Bea...
Psychedelic freedom with Tonya Mosley; plus, 'Monica' and ambiguous apologies
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could approve certain psychedelic drugs for treatment of PTSD within the next few years, but what does this mean...
It's been one year since the Buffalo shooting. How has it changed the community?
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It has been one year since a white supremacist drove to a predominantly Black neighborhood with an AR-15 style rifle and murdered 10 people and injure...
A Black, trans journey through TV and film; plus, inside Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' tour
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Since releasing one of the most critically acclaimed albums in 2022, pop titan Beyoncé has withheld the visuals for almost a year. NPR Senior Culture...
Beyoncé's Renaissance tour begins; revisiting house music history with DJ Honey Dijon
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Host Brittany Luse revisits her 2022 conversation with the legendary DJ Honey Dijon. As one of the only Black trans DJs playing the biggest venues in ...
Padma Lakshmi's Trojan Horse; Plus, is Michael Jackson un-cancellable?
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brittany Luse talks to Padma Lakshmi about the second season of her series Taste The Nation. They get into what is "American food" from apple pies (sp...
The best Met Gala looks and the messy legacy of Karl Lagerfeld
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday was the first Monday in May, which meant we were inundated with pics of the Met Gala. The theme this year: Karl Lagerfeld, the late controve...
Brittany goes to 'Couples Therapy;' Plus, why Hollywood might strike
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A big strike might be coming to Hollywood. That's because the Writer's Guild of America - the union that protects screenwriters - is pushing back agai...
George Santos and the great American tradition of "self-making"
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New York Congressman George Santos has been embroiled in controversy since the day he stepped into office in November. The New York Times and other pu...
The new conservative bent of rap media; plus, the sweetness of 'Somebody Somewhere'
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While hip hop has a history of anti-establishment and progressive politics, hip hop media is taking an increasingly conservative turn. Host Brittany L...
Trina and her larger-than-life persona in hip-hop
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From our friends at Louder Than a Riot, a look back at the origins of Miami's wildest rap icon, Trina Rockstar. Her vivacious vibes and ruthless bars ...
Death and grief in 'Succession'; plus, privacy and the abortion pill
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by UC Berkeley Law professor Khiara Bridges to connect the dots between the recent legal battles over the abor...
Tracee Ellis Ross is an icon – and our favorite rich auntie
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tracee Ellis Ross is an icon. From playing the premiere Black bachelorette, Joan Carol Clayton, on Girlfriends to becoming America's mom as Bow Johnso...
Serving up villains and vengeance in 'Love Is Blind' and Steven Yeun's 'Beef'
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In reality TV, bringing the drama used to mean making it big. But these days, it doesn't seem to pay to be the mean girl. B.A. Parker, co-host of NPR'...
The surprising case for AI boyfriends
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The AI revolution has come for our love lives. Millions around the world are now in relationships with chatbots who can text, sext and – for a fee –...
Fighting back against spams, scams and schemes
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's not just you – the constant texts, calls, emails and DMs from scammers are invading so many of our lives. And when the scams are successful, th...
The 'vanilla girl' trend shows that beauty is power
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're more than a casual observer on the interwebs, you've probably heard the term, "chronically online" – someone who knows the ins and outs of...
Breaking down the Jennifer Lopez Wedding Industrial Complex Canon
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's basically spring - which means wedding season is starting to rev up. And no one does weddings quite like Jennifer Lopez - both on-screen and off....
Surviving long COVID three years into the pandemic
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. And according to the CDC, out of all the American adult...
Silicon Valley Bank and the sordid history of 'Palo Alto'
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even after Silicon Valley Bank crumbled and tech workers have been laid off in the thousands, Silicon Valley is still surrounded by a mythos of progre...
The key to EGOT-ing with John Legend
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John Legend has permeated the culture for over two decades. His music has racked up billions of plays and he and his wife regularly make headlines whe...
How Hollywood squeezed out women directors; plus, what's with the rich jerks on TV?
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In nearly 100 years, the Oscar award for Best Director has only gone to three women. The film industry as a whole has been heavily dominated by men, b...
Marilyn Monroe was more than just 'Blonde'
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the six decades since Marilyn Monroe passed away, Hollywood has not let her go. Actresses have portrayed her in countless films and there have been...
What's real about The Real Housewives?
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What makes The Real Housewives peak culture – as in the #1 topic in the group chat – for so many people? Host Brittany Luse and producer Liam McBa...
Keyla Monterroso Mejia embraces cringe as comedy's newest star
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Keyla Monterroso Mejia is a dramedy star on the rise. She made audiences cringe with laughter in Curb Your Enthusiasm playing Maria Sofia Estrada and ...
Fear, Florida, and The 1619 Project
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How should U.S history be told, and who gets to tell it? Debate over these questions has raged for years – but nowhere is it more pronounced right n...
Ross Gay on inciting joy while dining with sorrow
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Looking for joy? Then it might be worth exploring your sorrow, complications and mess. In his latest collection of essays, Inciting Joy, poet Ross Gay...
Kelela's guide for breaking up with men
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you haven't stepped into an underground club in the last decade, you might be forgiven if you don't know Kelela. But the Washington, D.C. native ha...
Unlocking desire through smut; plus, the gospel of bell hooks
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we're asking: do the fantasies we read in romance novels say anything about what we want in our real-life relationships? Devoted readers s...
Hot and kinda bothered by 'Magic Mike'; plus Penn Badgley on bad boys
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The scintillating strip sensation is back! 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' hits theaters this weekend – and to celebrate, we're talking about male dancers...
Everything leading up to Rihanna's Halftime Show
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend Rihanna will perform on the world's biggest stage as the halftime headliner at the Super Bowl. Yet, in 2019 she turned down the gig becau...
The loneliness and longing of Luther Vandross; plus Grammy winner Samara Joy
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From "A House Is Not A Home" to "The Glow of Love," Luther Vandross' music has become a staple for weddings, family reunions and graduations. While Lu...
George Santos and the great American tradition of "self-making"
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
New York Congressman George Santos has been embroiled in controversy since the day he stepped into office in November. The New York Times and other pu...
Saying goodbye to Pikachu and Ash, plus how Pokémon changed media forever
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's the end of an era. After more than 25 years, The Pokémon Company is closing the book on the adventures of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. To celebrate ...
Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu is everywhere, all at once
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everything Everywhere All at Once is the critical darling of the 2023 awards season. The film is up for 11 Oscars, including a Supporting Actress nomi...
One of Grindr's favorite podcasts; plus, art versus AI
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's in our homes and in our pockets, and now artificial intelligence is in our art. The runaway rise of AI generator apps has sparked hot debate arou...
M3GAN, murder, and mass queer appeal
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At first blush, M3GAN seems like your standard murder doll horror film. Uncanny appearance, eerily close relationship with a young child, and of cours...
What's worse than heat damage? Hair discrimination
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For Black women, hair is about so much more than beauty. It can affect how they're treated and what opportunities are available to them. It's tied to ...
Do you really know what turns you on?
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For women who date men, bad sex might feel like a personal problem, but Nona Willis Aronowitz says it's political too. In Bad Sex: Truth, Pleasure, an...
What has Rep. Maxwell Frost gotten himself into?
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's a new year, and with it comes a new Congress. This week, Brittany Luse sits down with the first Gen Z member to be raised to its ranks, Democrati...
Millennials in Hollywood are making parents apologize on-screen
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode from June 2022, guest host B.A. Parker and Vox entertainment critic Emily St. James dive into a trend that was all over Hollywood: par...
Dancing into 2023 with legendary DJ Honey Dijon
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
2022 was a banner year for Honey Dijon. She co-produced two of the fiercest tracks on Beyoncé's latest record, 'Renaissance,' and she released her o...
A critic's love letter to Black women in pop
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from April 2022, former guest host Juana Summers sits down with author Danyel Smith to chat about her book, Shine Bright: A Very ...
Tory Lanez is guilty, so why was Megan Thee Stallion's strength on trial?
24 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For the last two weeks, rapper Tory Lanez has been on trial for allegedly shooting Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion. Since Megan went public with the...
(Almost) 20 years of 'Love Actually'
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's been almost two decades since the star-studded romantic comedy premiered, but Love Actually is still a holiday staple that plays in both movie th...
Dark academia's deadly allure and the timeless appeal of prep style
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Donna Tartt's The Secret History turned 30 this year. Since the book's release, the novel has sold millions of copies and become a classic - the bluep...
There is no Twitter without Black Twitter
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
#BlackLivesMatter. #OscarsSoWhite. #Zola. These huge cultural moments come from one of the most chaotic, beloved, and influential communities online: ...
'Framing Agnes' flips the script for trans stories
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When the world never stops questioning you, do you refuse to answer... or do you play along to get what you want? These questions are at the heart of ...
Lil Kim is a style icon. It's time she got her due.
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Think of the top women rappers of our time: Cardi B. Megan Thee Stallion. Nicki Minaj. They all showcase a signature style that involves multicolored ...