It's Been a Minute

'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 ...

For Colored Nerds: Why Brittany wants to be a bad Black mom

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, host Brittany Luse has found herself curious about motherhood. As she's thought about the kind of mom she might be, she looked for models in...

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'The Godfather' and the limits of on-screen representation

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour, a deep dive on The Godfather – and why the classic film was not universally loved by the Italian-America...

Sibling rivalry takes the stage on Broadway; plus Randall Park's latest 'Blockbuster'

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There's nothing like the holidays for family drama. And in today's episode, Brittany Luse sits down with two actors who portray a classic brother-agai...

'The Long COVID Survival Guide' to finding care and community

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

According to the CDC, out of all the American adults who have had COVID — and that's a lot of us — one in five went on to develop long COVID sympt...

Lionel Messi's last World Cup? Plus, a 'Diasporican' Thanksgiving

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They call him a 21st-century god of soccer. One of the all time greats. A king. But Lionel Messi's crown is still missing one big jewel: a World Cup t...

'Abbott Elementary' gets teachers

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brittany Luse watches a lot of TV, but there's one show she's always caught up on — Abbott Elementary. This workplace comedy follows a group of teac...

Black films that changed the game

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's a big week in Black cinema as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hit theaters Friday. But on the same day, another film dropped that may be just as p...

A vote for 'Black Disability Politics'

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's Election Day, and Brittany's focusing on those long lines at the polls. For years there's been a lot of talk about voter disenfranchisement - esp...

Are the Kardashians America's family? Plus, our skincare desires and delusions

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Kardashians. Whether you're into them or not, one thing is true: You can't avoid them. When they're not releasing new episodes of their long-runni...

Sophistication and sexuality at 70 with Christine Baranski

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you ask people to describe Christine Baranski, one word rises to the top: sophisticated. That's no accident; the actress has spent a lifetime refin...

Vampires are hot, y'all

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Spooky season is upon us, so we decided to sink our teeth into the world of vampires. Host Brittany Luse kicks off the conversation with Kendra R. Par...

The Grim Reaper of retail: Spirit Halloween

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Every fall, with the same regularity as birds flying south, Spirit Halloween materializes in locations across the country. The superstore sells all ma...

Taylor Swift loves main character energy; Julio Torres hates it

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The It's Been a Minute team gives you a sneak peek at the event of the season: BravoCon, where our producer met his favorite housewife, and the Salt L...

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan tells those racist trolls to chill; Princess Peach can be Brown

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan has big dreams. The 20-year-old gained full celebrity status with her breakout role as Devi Vishwakumar in the Netflix teen hit ...

Crafting the narrative of Elon Musk

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The saga around Elon Musk's deal to buy Twitter has been just that: a months-long soap opera involving lawsuits and subpoenas, the U.S. Securities and...

'The Woman King' and when movies aren't history lessons

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When our host Brittany Luse first heard of The Woman King – a film about an all-women warrior unit defending the West African kingdom of Dahomey dur...

Stacey Abrams is running against history

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stacey Abrams wants to make history again. After losing the Georgia governor's race to Brian Kemp back in 2018, Abrams — the first Black woman to be...

May we present our new host...Brittany Luse

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

NPR is proud to present Brittany Luse as the new host for It's Been A Minute. Whether you're a long time listener or you're just finding the show, you...

Presenting Alt.Latino: Rosalía on what makes a 'Motomami'

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have a special drop from our friends at NPR's Alt.Latino! The show just welcomed Anamaria Sayre as a new co-host alongside Felix Contreras. I...

How Tiny Desk became a go-to spot for hip-hop

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When folks think about where to get the latest in hip-hop, NPR doesn't usually come to mind. But that's changing, thanks to the team at the Tiny Desk ...

For author Julissa Arce, 'sounding white' isn't a compliment

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Julissa Arce used to think that the secret to fitting in was to "sound white" — to speak English perfectly, with no accent. And for years after her...

Judy Greer on 'Reboot' — And Why Are There So Many Reboots, Anyway?

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We talk TV REBOOTS. Guest host Elise Hu chats with Judy Greer about her role in the new Hulu series Reboot; her work as a comedic actress, and the sta...