Pop Culture Vultures: Recent Episodes
Toni Elton, Julia Mertes, DU MFJS
Join Toni Elton and Julia Mertes as they explore various media within pop culture, from books to music to any silly, little niche they find interesting! Take a load off your work or studies and kick back to the soothing sounds of Gen Z analysis and humor. You can find us on Instagram @popculturevulturespod Cover art by Emma Holman
After our eventful night at the Shrek Rave, we FINALLY had to talk about the cultural and internet icon himself: SHREK. In this episode, we dive into Shrek's lore, analyze the themes of the first two movies, and talk about the lifelong impact an animated ogre has made on our personalities!
Email us your favorite Shrek movie/song/meme: thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
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The meme Julia referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3SVmuffxqg&pp=ygUqZm9yIGZpdmUgbWludXRlcyBjb3VsZCB5b3Ugbm90IGJlIHlvdXJzZWxm
This week the gals return to a laid back (and slightly stoned...) format to chat about recent pop culture they've been consuming. And we'd be remiss to not add a little Q&A to the docket!
Email us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
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Today we're diving into the ocean to talk about all things sharks. From Shark Week to the viral Chili's shark drink, why are we as a culture obsessed with sharks? How did Jaws and other shark movies affect our perceptions of them? And are these perceptions even accurate?? We'll answer all these questions and more so listen up!!
Email us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
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Boo! We're back from our little break to discuss the history and modern day iteration of the slasher film, exploring movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scream and most recently, the X trilogy. >:)
Email us your fav slasher @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
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Ahoy maties! Today be the day we talk about pirates! From history to modern day piracy to pop culture, we're diving deep into the pirate lore. ARGHH!!
Email us! @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
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Joined by our guests Dara and Emily over at The SWAMP pod, the film girlies build their own movie brackets for the inaugural Pop Culture Vulture's movie draft. The theme? 2000s. The vibes? Unhinged.
Listen to our homies over at The Swamp here and follow them on Instagram and TikTok @theswamppod
Email us! thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
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Today, we're talking about two iterations of America's most iconic music festival: Woodstock!! Julia talks about the original hippie-dippie Woodstock of 1969, while Toni dives into its fucked up cousin: Woodstock '99.
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Sources:
Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation
Woodstock 1969: How a Music Festival That Should've Been a Disaster Became Iconic Instead
Riots, death, sexual assault: Maybe Woodstock was always a nightmare
Trainwreck: Woodstock '99
Break stuff! How Limp Bizkit, rioting fans and a huge candle handout led to a music festival fiasco
19 Worst Things About Woodstock '99
I was at Woodstock '99 and it destroyed my innocence
In this episode, we explore one of the oldest forms of entertainment: the board game! Join us as we dive into the history of board games and two board game related movies that scarred us as kids: Jumanji and Zathura :'D
Let us know your favorite board game by emailing us @popculturevultures@gmail.com
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This week, we continue our internet deep dive and take it to a place of late 2010's Youtube by talking about some of the most notorious Youtuber scandals. Julia discusses the beef between James Charles, Tati Westbrook, Jeffree Star and Shane Dawson known as Dramageddon, while Toni regales us with the horrors of David Dobrik and the Vlog Squad.
Email us @ thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
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This week, we're diving into Gen Z internet culture to dissect all the aesthetics, cores and ways we categorize people online. Toni talks about the male manipulator indie boy archetype, while Julia explores all things femcel/female manipulator/fleabag core.
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The girlies are back with another laid-back chit chat episode, where we discuss what we've been watching, reading, eating, and listening to recently. So grab a snack and kick back with us :-D
Let us know what pop culture things you've been loving/hating recently!
Email us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @popculturevulturespod
Welcome back to another wild card episode, where we each pick separate, obscure ass topics and surprise each other on the pod. Listen to find out just what the hell we yapped about this week :)
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In typical Pop Culture Vulture's fashion, this week we once again dive into a super niche topic that's occupied our brains all week...the American diner! From Twin Peaks to the history of Waffle House, we're investigating every facet of the greasy spoon that is THE diner.
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Email us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
In this episode, the girls discuss some of our hottest takes regarding pop culture. Please don't hate us....<3
Our Taylor Swift songs that bang playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2tlcWH3kQcJJ6x6YB5DcvK?si=c6d7714be049415c
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Age regress with us once again as we dive into two internet games that took the 2000s by storm: Webkinz and Club Penguin!
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Email us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
Were you a theater kid in the 2010's and/or gay? Then this episode is for you! Today we dive into the choke hold that musicals in high school settings had on pop culture in the 2010's. Toni talks about the one that started it all, High School Musical, while Julia discuses the cursed legacy of Glee.
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Email us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
This town IS actually big enough for the two of us...so join us as we dive into the complex American icon, the cowboy, and its many forms and iterations within pop culture.
And while you're at it...listen to our Western-themed playlists below :
Julia's howdy playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5jrzbLQI6oZWZSW9oDBaIP?si=19d885081ff1485f
Toni's cowboy playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7cMnt06v3ObptvDYHzSHRr?si=4f7266263ae14aff
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Email us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
This week, we're discussing the indie sleaze aesthetic and music scene of the 2010's. Toni covers The Yeah Yeah Yeahs while Julia talks about MGMT. So put on your glitter makeup and thigh high socks and let's party like it's 2010!!
New year, new pop culture round up! We're back to yap about all the movies, TV shows, books, music, and podcasts that we've been consuming lately.
Let us know what you've been watching/reading/listening to lately by emailing us @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @popculturevulturespod
On the first day of Christmas your true loves (us) send you a special holiday themed episode! This week, the vultures talk about the origins of Christmas and the pieces of pop culture that bring us joy during the holiday season.
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Write to us! Send an email to @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
This week, the vultures revisit some of their favorite video games from their childhoods: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and The Sims.
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Write to us! Send an email to @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
To shake things up...this week, Toni an Julia surprise each other with two different topics that they researched (the difference in vibes is astounding). Join us for our first ever wild card episode!
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Write to us! Send an email to @thepopculturevulturespod@gmail.com
Spooky season isn't over yet! Join the pop culture vultures for one last spooky episode where we talk about the godfathers of horror writing: Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft.
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Don't be a weenie this Halloween...celebrate with the Pop Culture Vultures! On this episode (aside from a long winded discourse on candy) we also touch on the history behind Halloween traditions and our favorite pieces of pop culture for the season.
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This week we dive into the worlds of music and the occult and discuss the famous legends of where they intersect. Toni covers the story of Robert Johnson and Julia discusses the witchy women in music, you don't want to miss it!
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If you love spooky first person point of view - this episode is for you. Join Toni and Julia as they talk about two of the most influential found footage films: The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity.
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Cozy up with Toni and Julia on this week's episode as they discuss their favorite comfort shows to watch during the fall season: Gilmore Girls and Freaks and Geeks.
Follow us on Instagram to see what we've got cookin' this fall @popculturevulturespod
Are you ready kids?? Join Toni and Julia as they take a deep dive into their favorite cartoon of all time: SpongeBob SquarePants. Meh hoy minoy!
Follow us on Instagram for more nautical nonsense @popculturevulturespod
On this episode, we're talking about THE California it-girl writers, Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. Get ready for some hot goss and crazy oh bananas oh bananas oh bananas story telling as we dive deep into the lives and works of these special ladies.
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10 things we hate about rom coms? I bet you can guess... This week we're discussing two of our romantic comedy favorites, Singles and 10 Things I Hate About You.
Have no fear (or tears), because we're back with another music themed episode, talking about two iconic new wave bands: Tears for Fears and The Cure.
Join Toni and Julia on this mini-episode as they debrief after viewing Oppenheimer and Barbie back to back.
SPOILERS AHEAD
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We're going to flavor town! On this episode we're serving up some hearty entertainment as we talk about some of our favorite cooking shows. Toni talks about the beloved Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, while Julia goes over The Great British Bake Off. This episode pairs exquisitely with a homecooked meal or your favorite takeout mmm.
Making up a song about Coraline... IT'S TIME! On this episode Julia talks about one of her favorite movies of all time, Coraline, while Toni talks about one of her favorite stop motion films (second to Chicken Run), James and the Giant Peach. Deep dive into the world of stop motion movies and prepare for even more antics from the Pop Culture Vultures.
Special thanks to Carlos Jimenez and the University of Denver's Media, Film and Journalism Department.
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We're switching things up on this episode and talking about some of our recent favorites in pop culture. If you're looking for any new TV show, movie, book, podcast or music recommendations look no further!
Special thanks to Carlos Jimenez and the University of Denver's Media, Film and Journalism Department.
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We're taking it back to the 1950s on this episode, where we discuss two most famous crooners- Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. Get ready to learn about these iconic artists, and prepare your eardrums for our questionable impressions.
Special thanks to Carlos Jimenez and the University of Denver's Media, Film and Journalism Department.
Follow us on Instagram @popculturevulturespod
One of the American population's favorite vices...we're talking reality TV! It's cringey, dramatized, and at times hard to watch, but you just can't look away. On this episode Toni covers "RuPaul's Drag Race" while Julia talks "Survivor" to get at the heart of what makes reality TV so good.
Special thanks to Carlos Jimenez and the University of Denver's Media, Film and Journalism Department.
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We're bringing the spooky to spring time on this episode. Join us to talk about two cinematic masterpieces from one of the best decades in horror movie history- Creepshow and Poltergeist. They're heeere.
Special thanks to Carlos Jimenez and the University of Denver's Media, Film and Journalism Department. Music by the one and only, Sam Shapiro.
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On this episode, we're taking you back to your pre-teen days- without all the depression and calling on every ounce of YA dystopian fangirling. Get ready for some juicy goss and laughs while we reminisce about The Hunger Games and The Maze runner book series.
Special thanks to Carlos Jimenez and the University of Denver's Media, Film and Journalism Department. Music by the one and only, Sam Shapiro.
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Secret tunnels? Lizard people? Faked celebrity deaths? You heard that right. On this episode we're coming at you with some of the most notorious and other worldly conspiracy theories. Julia talks the DIA theories while Toni covers the mysterious unsolved cases of the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.
Special thanks to Carlos Jimenez and the University of Denver's Media, Film and Journalism Department. Music by the one and only, Sam Shapiro.
Follow us on Instagram @popculturevulturespod
From the bands that brought you profound lyrics like “if you ever feel alone - don’t” and “we’re like na, na, na. Then we’re like yeah, yeah, yeah” we’re talking about two of the most quintessential boy bands from recent times: *NSYNC and One Direction, and what made them so popular.
Today we’re talking about the lives and careers of two iconic female artists of the 1990s: Courtney Love and Lauryn Hill. Sit tight because it’s a doozy!
In this episode, our inner film bros discuss (and lowkey psychoanalyze) the Supreme Film Bros, Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino, to answer the question, how did these two out-of-pocket white guys achieve such cult status?
Jump back in time with us to examine the Beat Movement of the midcentury and two of its key players: Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg. You may just start taking better care of your liver!
For our first episode, we’re discussing two very different bands from the 1970’s: ABBA and The Clash. Get ready for some band drama and tone-deaf singing!