Most Popular

Welcome to my office hours! I have often thought that the times  my students come and talk with me during office hours are some of the most real moments in higher education. The Office Hours episodes of Most Popular will try and give you that feeling of tucking in to a sort-of comfortable office chair and taking a deep dive into a topic, event, or question that needed some extra TLC. (We can also...

Rasheda Williams is the founder and Chief Empowering Officer of Empowered Flower Girl, a social enterprise based in Detroit, Michigan. Listen in as we talk about Rasheda's background in journalism and her shift towards social entrepreneurship and advocacy for youth, including her creation of Empowered Flower Girl, which focuses on helping young people cope with challenges such as bullying and...

Ever feel like the most important relationship in your life is with your phone? Have you found yourself wondering if the kids these days will know how to read (and fold) a paper map or be able to write a check? How young is too young to get a phone for your child? In this episode of Most Popular I am talking with Emily Cherkin, The ScreenTime Consultant. Emily is a Seattle-based parent and former...

Comic books are becoming increasingly great examples of how social justice messages can be mixed with great storytelling and artistry. Rebecca Bratspies is an attorney and author of the comic books "Environmental Justice Chronicles", along with the artist Charlie LaGreca. In this episode Rebecca talks about the intersection of environmental justice, law, and pop culture. Rebecca shares h...

The portrayal of men in media has been fairly consistent. Take one part muscle (see Thor), one part pain tolerance (see, well, any Fast and Furious film), add a dash of handsomeness (again, Thor, but also anything with The Rock), and stir using a stick made out of the strongest metal in all the land. This recipe will bring you the manly-man, a person who is not just tough physically, but emotional...

Ever heard the phrase "Train like a beast, look like a beauty"? Or, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Or, "Eat it now, pay for it later." There are so many similar messages aimed at using shame or misinformation in order to convince people that they are one gym routine or diet away from the body that they are told is achievable, especially as we find ourselves...

In this episode of Most Popular we are talking about the conversations that are hard to have! Joining Dr. Adrienne is the fantastic  Bruce Anthony of the "Unsolicited Perspectives." podcast. Bruce discusses his journey into podcasting, his experiences, and his approach towards discussing difficult but important topics, including learning from his past conversations about issues he though...

This week we are talking about all things non-monogamy with Deanna Fierman,  a mental health therapist at All the Colors Counseling. The conversations ranges from the ways Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith revealed their relationship status (hint-they didn't do so in a super chill Facebook update), to Deanna's experience specializing in  polyamorous relationships. Dr. Adrienne learns a l...

In this episode of Most Popular we talk about the history of queer representation in radio and what this looks like as podcasting has taken off. Dr. Bruce Drushel highlights , the impact of pop culture including how it influences  societal norms, and serves as a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. We dive into the historical context of LGBTQ representation in media, the evolution of radi...

 Here's a quick dad joke: Why did the scarecrow go into home renovation? Because he was outstanding in his field! This episode of most popular is a home reno crossover between a realtor/podcaster and a professor/podcaster. My guest is Kristina Browning, a licensed realtor and home functionality coach. We talk about the impact of home improvement shows, how their existence affects the realisti...

In this episode of Most Popular, Dr. Adrienne Trier-Bieniek talks with researcher Steph Herold from Abortion Onscreen about the television series Little Fires Everywhere which premiered on Hulu in 2020. Steph's research in public health led to focus groups with multiple women where she asked them specifically about the teenage character of Lexie who, through a series of events, ends a pregnan...

Welcome to the summer of ’23 trifeceta! We are talking about the economic impact of Barbie, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift with Dr. Cecilia Rio, an economist with a focus on gender and race. The episode delves into the impact of pop culture on the economy, particularly Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, Beyonce's Renaissance Tour, and the film Barbie. Dr. Rio discusses the connection between women&apo...

And I'm back! Most Popular has been on a bit of a hiatus while life took over. I've missed talking with people about the ways society is impacted by pop culture! New episodes will begin again on February 7th, because on Wednesday's we wear pink and learn some stuff! Take a few minutes to listen to my plans for this new season and, as always, if you rate, review and subscribe I would...

Listen in as I talk with Dr. Dara Nix-Stevenson (@sincecombahee) as we talk about the roots of the Combahee River Collective, the connection between the history of the Black feminist movement, and what the future of social movements surrounding equality will look like. Dr. Dara Nix-Stevenson is an educator and founder of the the Instagram account Since Combahee (@sincecombahee). For more informati...

In this episode I speak with two women in education. The first is a school board member for Orange County Public Schools. We talk about what kids need in order to be successful students. The second works as a counselor for a rural school district in Virginia. We talk about the challenges mental health workers face in the K-5 system. For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adri...

Listen to a fascinating conversation on the ways technology has become engulfed in society. Featuring experts in the tech field, sociology of digital culture, and cyber crimes. Guest include:Dr. Lee Paulsen, Project KuiperDr. Deborah Lupton, University of South Wales, Sydney Dr. Trisha Charles, Valencia CollegeDr. Doug Charles, Hillburough CollegeFor more information and teaching resources please...

In this episode Dr. Erin Harrop talks about their research in the area of atypical anorexia. We discuss weight-related stigma, being a researcher that studies what they know, and how to care for people when they are working through an eating disorder. If eating disorders are triggering for you, please take care while you listen. Valencia College students have counseling resources available through...

For this podcast I speak licensed psychologist Dr. Aileen Fullchange, an expert in several fields. We talk about trauma, how trauma manifests in bodies and how various intersectionalities make trauma even more complex. As you listen, please take care of yourself. Valencia College students have access to counseling services via Baycare. More information can be found at www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com

The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer is the first openly transgender pastor ordained in the Lutheran church. The pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and the Community Chaplain Coordinator for the San Francisco Police Department, Megan served for over a decade as a chaplain for the homeless and hungry in San Francisco. Megan's spiritual talents have been featured on Queer Eye and in Cosmo. Listen in as Megan...

Nick Bazo is the Education Director for the Garden Theater in Winter Garden Florida. Listen in as we talk about what an arts-based education means, how theatre and activism are connected, and how doing theater during a pandemic can help kids express their emotions. For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

What impact does art have on the community? Listen in as Dr. Wendy Givoglu talks about what community art means, the use of social media to share arts-based news and the importance of a thriving art scene for millennials. For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

Listen in as Dr. Samita Nandy breaks down how celebrity culture is studied, why it affects our daily lives, and shares her behind-the-scenes knowledge of fame and the impact it can have a society. For more information and teaching resources please visit www.adriennetrier-bieniek.com.

For this episode, I speak with the very talented comedienne, Juliette Burton. Juliette's award-winning one-woman shows have taken a cutting edge approach to smashing the shame and stigma associated with mental illness. Through comedy, Juliette tells the stories of her life, while also presenting an unfiltered look at what it is like to live with mental illness. You can find out more about Jul...

Over the last few years there has been a growing discussion and debate about what journalism is. The term “fake news” has become extraordinarily prevalent in our public discussions. And, we’ve seen social media provide loose examples of news, with companies like Facebook and Twitter coming under fire for incorrect and often detrimental posts. There is a lot to unpack and in this discussion Elizabe...

In this podcast I talk with Dr. Tia C.M. Tyree. We talk about her work before becoming an academic, her scholarship surrounding social media, and the undeniable intersection of race, gender, and pop culture. About Dr. Tyree: Dr. Tia C. M. Tyree is a Professor at Howard University. She teaches graduate and undergraduate communications courses with a focus on strategic communications, social media a...