Culture Study Podcast

I love the Culture Study newsletter, and there are episodes of the podcast I enjoy, but more and more I’m left feeling like the guests talk about themselves more than foster thoughtful criticism and observation that is so prevalent in the newsletter. It doesn’t translate. Also, on a technical level, it’s too quiet. I have to turn the volume up almost to full to hear. No other podcast I listen to is this soft.

Really enjoy how I never know what I’ll see next, but it always feels like the soup we swim in.

I love Culture Study! At 59 I’m older than the target demographic, but I love the perspective on American culture I get from this pocdcast. It’s smart and funny and caring.

Wedding ep: Amanda Montell continued to be such a pick me NLOG even after the host called her out and she acknowledged — still, thanks for addressing this early on; it’s good to think critically about what guests are saying

I’ve really appreciated many episodes of this podcast. Some conversations, especially the ones on a more car-free society and conversion therapy / escaping those environments, felt thoughtful, grounded, and generous while still being critical. That said, some episodes don’t land as well for me. At times, the analysis can feel a little dismissive of regular people for participating in fairly normal cultural traditions or desires. I’m interested in critiques of consumer culture, social media pressure, and larger systems, but I think the podcast is strongest when it also leaves room for why certain traditions or choices genuinely matter to people emotionally, socially, and communally. Still a smart and worthwhile podcast, but the tone can feel uneven.