Ravey & Cameron break down the SAG Award winners, the trailer for Andor Season 2, PLUS their review of The Monkey! The episode is wrapped with listener feedback and a reflective discussion on what defines their 2025 based on films from their 10th Birthday!00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest02:04 SAG Awards Recap06:14 Oscar Predictions and Bets17:10 …

In this episode of PCQ, Ravey and Cameron do their Fan Casting for the new Harry Potter series on HBO - they share their top picks for roles like Dumbledore, Hagrid, Snape, and others. PLUS your weekend watchlist, The Last of Us Season 2, BIG James Bond news, and more!00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest01:08 Fan Casting Harry Potter on HBO02:58 Exci…

Ravey and Cameron react to the recent SNL 50th Anniversary Special and concert, and share their favorite SNL sketches, hosts, and cast members!00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest05:42 Rainn Wilson and Radio Rental10:06 Gym Listening Habits13:05 Christopher Nolan's Odyssey19:06 BAFTA Awards and Conclave22:11 Gaming Talk: Controllers and New Releases2…

Ravey and Cameron share their spoiler-free review of Captain America: Brave New World, Dumbledore casting news causes a hot debate, PLUS some more TV news including 'The Rings of Power', 'The Handmaid's Tale', and more! 00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest04:21 John Lithgow rumored as Dumbledore12:01 Lord of the Rings and The Handmaid's Tale17:39 Gam…

Ravey and Cameron talk video games, Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, SNL 50th anniversary of 'Saturday Night Live' and reminisce about their favorite SNL sketches. The episode also includes updates on popular TV shows and movies, listener emails, and upcoming pop culture events.00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest00:44 Listener Feedback 09:36 Thunderb…

On this episode of PCQ, Ravey and Cameron dive into the Fantastic Four teaser, Invincible Season 3, Love Hurts, and AMC raising their prices for the A-List -- PLUS Super Bowl LIX commercials are out, and we play a game that pits Cameron's knowledge of sports against Ravey's knowledge of reality TV! upcoming SNL special events and listener interacti…

Ravey, Cameron, and Courtney review 'Companion' PLUS the gang dives into a recap of the Grammy Awards, a potential Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival, and Ravey finally reads 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros, complete with a dramatic reading!00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest02:14 Grammy Awards Recap06:41 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Revival10:54 Fantasti…

Ravey & Cameron dive into memorable concert experiences, love for music, AND cover this year's Grammy Awards. To cap it off, they recommend Questlove's SNL music documentary on Peacock!00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest02:38 James Gunn's Superman Controversy05:20 Walking Out of Movies07:45 Super Bowl Commercials and Hellman's Debate11:56 Bagel Adve…

In this episode of Pop Culture Quest hosts Ravey and Cameron review the movie September 5. Ravey explains sports to Cameron, they cover headlines including Alec Baldwin's reality show, and Christopher Nolan's next project. PLUS an update on a fan favorite that you don't want to miss!00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest00:22 Squeaky Chairs at AMC Univ…

In this episode of Pop Culture Quest, Ravey and Cameron dive into their Top 5 sitcom characters from the 2000s and share YOUR submissions. First we discuss Ryan Gosling potentially joining the Star Wars universe, Natalie Portman's rumored return, this year's Oscar & Razzie nominations and snubs, AND we give our take on Netflix new, HIGHER, prices. …

In this episode of Pop Culture Quest, Ravey and Cameron discuss the potential resurgence of Hollywood comedies and share their thoughts on the new film 'One of Them Days.' They delve into the emotional reaction Ravey had to David Lynch's passing, the temporary TikTok outage, and their favorite TikTok content creators. They also highlight some new H…

In this episode of Pop Culture Quest, Ravey and Cameron reflect on David Lynch's influential career, his unique style, and how his work has personally impacted Ravey's life. Plus they the new Daredevil trailer, the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, Ravey discovers a new hero, and more! Email the show anytime: [email protected] Follow on social med…

Ravey and Cameron discuss the devastating California wildfires PLUS they share some love to local news. PLUS their thoughts on the 'It’s Always Sunny' and 'Abbott Elementary' crossover episode, 'Skeleton Crew,' 'Marvel’s What If Season 3' AND they finally figure out who Ms. Pat is! 00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest00:24 Southern California Wildfir…

In this episode of Pop Culture Quest, hosts Ravey and Cameron dive into the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards. They discuss Nikki Glaser's performance as the host, standout speeches, and major winners including Demi Moore and Colin Farrell. Excitement builds for an unexpected crossover between 'Abbott Elementary' and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphi…

Ravey and Cameron celebrate the new year with uplifting energy and resolutions. PLUS they cover the holiday box office, including their review of 'Nosferatu' AND an update on their streaming binges including: 'Animal Control,' , 'Shrinking' and 'Skeleton Crew'. They also delve into their excitement for the upcoming Golden Globes, Nikki Glaser's hos…

Top TV Shows of 2024 and Honorable MentionsIn this episode of Pop Culture Quest, Ravey, Cameron, and Courtney, dive into their favorite TV shows of 2024. They discuss a variety of shows, from highly anticipated hits like 'Arcane: League of Legends' and 'House of the Dragon' to underrated gems like 'My Lady Jane' and 'Extraordinary.' They also share…

In this episode of Pop Culture Quest, Ravey, Cameron, and Courtney discuss their favorite movies of 2024. They count down their top five picks, with movies like 'The Substance', 'Wicked', 'Inside Out 2', 'Deadpool and Wolverine', and 'Dune Part 2' . What was YOUR favorite movie of 2024?00:00 Welcome to Pop Culture Quest01:42 Top 5 Movies of 202405:…

In Episode 3 of Pop Culture Quest, Ravey and Cameron express their overwhelming gratitude for the positive audience response to the show. In this episode we share our review of Kraven: The Hunter, cover recent pop culture news, including the box office successes of Sonic 3 and Mufasa, PLUS the upcoming Christmas Day Box Office, and more!00:00 Welco…

In this episode of Pop Culture Quest, Ravey , Cameron, and friend of the show Courtney discuss upcoming movie releases, including 'Mufasa: The Lion King' and 'Sonic 3.' They delve into the appeal of movie-going, Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, and MOST IMPORTANTLY debate whether Disney's animated classics are considered musicals.00:00 Welcome to Pop …

Ravey and Cameron are psyched to be back with an ALL NEW PODCAST! In our first episode: we laugh, we cry, and we give our hot takes as only we can. In this debut episode of 'Pop Culture Quest,' Ravey shares her gratitude for the overwhelming support she received during her break and the importance of self-care. Courtney joins to share thoughts on '…

Learning should be fun, so "Pop, the Question" turns the mic on an evolving pedagogy where college professors find ways to bring plenty of “razzle dazzle” to the classroom. This includes innovative projects, collaboration, and discourse. And, as is the case for this episode’s guest, it means the incorporation of plenty of pop cultural references: t…

William Shakespeare is a household name for good reason. His celebrated classics and literary themes have influenced generations of writers, performers, philosophers, and audiences, omnipresently evident in contemporary film, television, literature, and stage production. For a special live "Pop, the Question" podcast event, Host Dr. Melinda Lewis g…

Education goes beyond the classroom and takes a field trip with #TeacherTok on social media. Popular TikTok account @when_nerds_teach—hosted by middle-school life science and geography teacher and influencer Dr. Not Gonna Say—offers expertise, resources, tips, and a healthy dose of humor for educators, all while respecting the students they collect…

Footwear plays an important role in defining a video-game character’s persona and capability. Such is the case with games like "Bomb Rush Cyperfunk," "Sonic Riders," "Mario Wonder," "Spider-Man," and 2K basketball installments. For gamer/designer Derrick Banks, Jr.—a Drexel University undergraduate, former STAR Scholar, and Sneaker Lab researcher—s…

With so many options for news consumption these days, it’s hard to know exactly where to focus our attention (and what to believe). There’s world news, national news, and local news; print sources; social media; and then the fact-checking sites, where we can put the accuracy of reports to the test. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis gets a lesson in news liter…

The written work of Yiddish humorist, novelist, and Nobel Prize laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer resonates today, as it did during his lifetime in the 20th century. His 1945 classic "Simple Gimpl," now translated by Dr. David Stromberg, offers a sage tale of morality and Jewish tradition. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins Stromberg to discuss Bashevis Sin…

Throughout the pandemic, nostalgia brought audiences back to classic television shows—from "Andy Griffith" to "The Sopranos." Two particular TV series from decades past—"Perry Mason" and "Columbo"—wrapped us in a warm narrative blanket and proved to be uncontested classics. It’s no mystery why they’re so beloved by viewers across generations, given…

In 2007, the world of fine cuisine forever changed its menu when Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures brought to life the animated feature "Ratatouille." The film follows the journey of rat protagonist Remy, who leaves the conventions of his family and hometown to satiate a “faim” for fine French cuisine. As Host Dr. Melinda Lewis disco…

There’s more than meets the eye, when it comes to the representation of robots in popular culture. In TV and movies like "The Terminator," robots have a way of appearing much more advanced and seamless than engineers actually experience behind the scenes. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins U.S. Naval Research Laboratory mechanical engineer and Drexel Uni…

"The Real Housewives" is a television franchise of voluminous proportions. With over 10 American-produced series since 2006 (each with multiple seasons and based in varied locations), a conglomerate of spin-offs, and numerous international series to boot, the Bravo network continues to attract the attention of audiences the world over. With charact…

For over two centuries, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has been at the forefront of scientific research in the Philadelphia metropolitan region and across the globe. Now, more than ever, the institution’s vast collections, research initiatives, and community-based projects are forging pathways to scientific understanding about…

Esports, as a growing cultural institution, finds itself in the middle of a debate over how it qualifies in the world of professional athletics and competitive sport. With growing popularity among gamers and fans alike, esports thrives among online streamers and college-level competitors. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis faces off with Drexel University unde…

Magic has a way of (abracadabra!) appearing ubiquitously throughout popular culture. Integrated with mysticism and illusion is the core element of performance, transcending the carnival atmosphere and stage into other arenas of human life and interaction. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis talks with magician, improv comedian, Drexel University English writing…

This special episode highlights a previously recorded discussion in partnership with the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Presented as an installment of the Pennoni Panels series–and later produced as a pair of episodes for the PBS-broadcast TV series "The Civil Discourse," hosted by Drexel University Pennoni Honors College Dean Paula Marantz Coh…

The image and stories of working-class people have been central to an understanding of "America" and the "American Dream.” Their stories are omnipresent in popular literature, film, television, music, and everyday life. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis takes a tour with Drexel University sociologist Dr. Amanda McMillan Lequieu to explore a deindustrialized U…

Fandom often gets a bad rap, with communities surrounding popular texts like "Star Trek," "Lord of the Rings," and professional wrestling framed as toxic, desperate, or some combination of both. But fan communities are also the source of vibrancy and community-building with fans who make and share art, fan fiction, fanzines, clubs/message boards, c…

"Euphoria" is a highly bingeable HBO series that has made an indelible impact on pop culture of the early 2020s. It has drugs, sex, cutting-edge fashion, constant conflict, and plenty of references to past TV teen dramas like "My So-Called Life" and "Beverly Hills, 90210." It also places lead star Zendaya and writer/director Sam Levinson in the spo…

Professional wrestling encapsulates so much of what’s popular in the greater culture: dynamic characters; athleticism; narrative conflict; and riveting performance. For decades in the media spotlight, wrestling has maintained a stronghold on audiences with the likes of Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, Rick Flair, Dusty Rhodes, The Rock, Stone Cold Stev…

Beauty pageants have a prominent history in American culture, where they evolved from baby contests at state fairs to full-blown Miss America extravaganzas for millions of viewers to enjoy. With its evolution, pageantry in all its splendor has found a home in popular culture and inspired TV shows like "The Bachelor" and "Toddlers & Tiaras," movies …

The popularity of true crime indicates a fascination with crime. Whether that interest is rooted in the perpetrators, the horror of the crimes themselves, or the pleasure in detective work, audiences continually gravitate toward narratives like "The Staircase" and "Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer" or podcasts like "My Favorite Murder" a…

Philadelphia’s punk rock legacy, much like Rocky Balboa, is one embodying a fight to the finish and unsung achievements. Such is the story of author, educator, and lifelong rabble-rouser Nancy Barile, whose autobiography, "I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-and-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion," revisits her beloved Philly and a revolutionary p…

What is the meaning of life? It’s a question that many (including Monty Python) have asked themselves through the annals of history and, most recently, during a global pandemic. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis evokes a discussion on the topic with Drexel University adjunct professor of philosophy Dr. Josh Peskin, exploring representations in popular film, t…

Remember when you were 14 and there was that one album that changed the way you see and hear the world? Taking its lead from The Adolescentia Project, a digital archive that honors the music of our past, this special episode delves deep into the 14 year-old selves of three Drexel University faculty members to understand how The Police, Carpenters, …

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the fashion world on its head, prompting independent designers to step up as larger, more established brands had to either pivot their business model or fold. Prudent designers followed the call to design comfy clothes like sweats, supportive footwear like Crocs, masks for both function and fashion, and creative collabo…

Part of the allure of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian fiction, whether in print or on screen, is the ability to conjure up possible worlds and concepts that don't yet exist in reality. Novelists have done this for centuries, inspiring television and film adaptations to give rise to scientifically-based visions of what lies ahead. Host Dr. M…

As unpopular as it may seem, poop is omnipresent. We all do it, we all think about it, and we all have established practices and product preferences. Companies make big bucks from human bowel movements, while social infrastructure determines how we “go” about our daily lives. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis lets loose alongside self-proclaimed poop advocate…

Everybody loves a good musical! They’re full of life, movement, poetry, social commentary, and, of course, plenty of song. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins the chorus line with Drexel University Associate Teaching Professor Gail D. Rosen, a life-long devotee of musicals, to discuss the best (and worst) in stage production and screen adaptation, as well…

Binging TV, movies, and social media during a pandemic is one way to cope with the daily uncertainty and inordinate amount of time spent at home. Fresh content abounds, giving viewers plenty of excuses to procrastinate from ongoing duties and the reality of the world outside. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis invites a cast of colleagues to chat about current…

Zombies emerge as one of popular culture’s great symbols of anxiety, unrest, and crisis in the face of public health. More than ever, in a pandemic, zombie films conjure up the power of human instinct, strength, logic, and empathy. For this special episode, Host Dr. Melinda Lewis welcomes returning guest Dr. Kevin Egan to lead a team of outstanding…

Punk rock roots run decades deep in underground and mainstream culture. The music and aesthetics exist in opposition to convention and in reaction to the sociopolitical climate of the times. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis riffs with Drexel University political scientist Dr. Kevin Egan and historian Dr. Scott Gabriel Knowles about punk in popular culture, t…