The Cost of Culture Podcast

  Episode 17 — “The Weight of Rebuilding” is available now. 🎙️ This is the conclusion to “The Cost of Trust” series. Part I was about the damage. Part II is about what comes after. The rebuilding. The patience. The emotional distance. The accountability. The reality that healing doesn’t move at the same speed for everybody involved. In this episode, we dive into: • emotional debt • second chances...

  Episode 16 — Part I: “The Cost of Trust” is available now. 🎙️ Everybody talks about loyalty, honesty, and communication… but nobody really talks about what happens AFTER trust gets damaged. In this episode, we dive into: • trust in modern culture • social media & surveillance • opinions online • accountability vs shame • emotional pressure • rebuilding after damage • and the real emotional c...

There was a time when getting dressed meant something. Tall tees. Throwback jerseys. Baggy jeans. Two pairs of basketball shorts under everything… for no reason 🤣 And fresh hoop shoes—even if you weren’t hooping. That was the fit. That was culture. But today? Style is cleaner. Simpler. More minimal. And somehow… everybody looks the same. So what changed? In this episode, we break down the evoluti...

 🎙️ EPISODE 14 DESCRIPTION   The Cost of Attention You ever pick up your phone for one thing… and lose 20 minutes doing everything else? That’s not an accident. That’s design. In this episode of The Cost of Culture , we break down how your attention has become one of the most valuable currencies in today’s world—and how it’s being bought, sold, and controlled every single day. From endless scrolli...

Dating today isn’t just about vibes… it’s about value. In this episode of The Cost of Culture Podcast , we break down the real cost of dating and relationships —from first dates and dating apps to emotional investment and expectations shaped by social media. How much are we really spending just to find connection? And more importantly… is it worth it? We talk about:  💸 The real price of a first d...

🎙️ Episode 12 — The Cost of Kids   Episode Description   Kids today aren’t just growing up…   They’re growing up expensive. From phones and gaming systems to sports, activities, and clothes — raising kids in today’s culture looks very different than it did before. In this episode of The Cost of Culture Podcast , Chris breaks down the real cost of raising kids in 2026, including: • The rising price...

 " The Cost of Healing: When Mental Health Becomes a Business"   Mental health conversations are more open today than ever before.  Athletes, creators, and everyday people are speaking openly about anxiety, depression, and the importance of healing.  At the same time, therapy platforms, meditation apps, and wellness subscriptions have become a massive industry.  So it raises an interesti...

What does money even mean anymore? In this episode of The Cost of Culture Podcast , we take a step back and examine how the meaning of money has evolved over time. From the disappearance of the penny to the rise of digital payments and flex culture, money has shifted from something that once represented stability and survival to something that often represents status and visibility. But what does...

  Episode 9 — The New Golden Era of Creativity  Are we actually living in the greatest creative era ever?  In this episode of The Cost of Culture Podcast , Chris Harrison explores what might be the most powerful shift in modern culture: the removal of gatekeepers and the rise of the everyday creator.  For the first time in history, you don’t need permission to build something real. You don’t need...

 Episode 8 — "Subscription Fatigue: Owning Nothing Is the New Normal"  Last episode, we talked about how “basic” quietly became an insult — and how stability now lives behind premium tiers.  This episode continues that conversation.  Subscription Fatigue explores how culture shifted from ownership to access — and how monthly payments became normal in every part of our lives. From streami...

Episode 7 — The Price of Premium The Cost of Culture Podcast Somewhere along the way, “basic” stopped being normal — and premium started feeling like survival. In Episode 7 of The Cost of Culture Podcast , we take a deep look at how modern culture quietly shifted from ownership to access, from one-time purchases to lifetime subscriptions, and from comfort being standard… to comfort becoming someth...

🎧 Episode 6 — The Algorithm Is the Culture Now At some point, culture stopped being something we discovered… and became something that discovered us. In this episode of The Cost of Culture , Christopher breaks down how algorithms have quietly reshaped identity, trends, creativity, and attention itself. From viral moments replacing meaning…  to performance identity replacing authenticity…  to the...

Press Start to Pay More: Gaming’s Price Hike, Roleplay, & the New Gamer Era Gaming used to be simple. You bought the game.  You owned it.  You pressed start. Now?  It’s $70 releases, battle passes, subscriptions, microtransactions, and digital items you don’t even own. In Episode 5 of The Cost of Culture , Christopher Harrison breaks down how gaming quietly transformed from a hobby into an eco...

Sold Out in Seconds: Sneakers, Resale, and the SNKRS Economy Sneaker culture didn’t start as a market — it started as a movement. In this episode of The Cost of Culture , host Christopher Harrison explores how sneakers went from personal expression to financial assets, and how the Nike SNKRS app transformed buying shoes into a system built on gamification, scarcity, and psychological engagement. F...

 Sports betting is no longer on the sidelines — it’s part of the game.  From live odds during broadcasts to betting apps in the stands, gambling has reshaped how sports are played, watched, and experienced. In this episode of The Cost of Culture , we break down how sports betting affects the integrity of the game, the mental health of players, and the relationship fans have with sports.  We explor...

AI influencers are everywhere — landing major brand deals, dominating timelines, and reshaping what “influence” even means. But behind the perfectly curated images and flawless personalities lies a much bigger question: what is this really costing the culture? In Episode 2 of The Cost of Culture , Christopher breaks down the rapid rise of AI influencers and how they’re changing the creator economy...

Culture is everywhere—but nothing about it is free. In this pilot episode of The Cost of Culture , we break down what it really costs to stay plugged in, relevant, and “in the know.” From trends that move faster than we can process, to the pressure of always keeping up, this episode sets the foundation for the conversations to come. We’re not here to cancel culture or glorify it—we’re here to ques...