The Pop Culture Contrarian Podcast

Join Thomas, Sterling, Andrew, and special guest Reed Uberman, host of the "Indie Thinker Podcast," as they tackle how to navigate some of the most challenging topics on both the Right and the Left today. We cover: How to handle political and theological blow-ups at the Thanksgiving table The emerging ideological fracture inside the Right since Charlie Kirk’s death Why some “America First” voices...

In this episode of "The Pop Culture Contrarian," we dive into the world of historical reenacting from Civil War battlefields to the 1880s American West. Andrew shares how he got started as a teenager, why he recently joined an 1880s frontier group, and what it's like to step into the boots of a real historical figure. If you've ever seen people in period clothes at Gettysburg, Chickamauga, or Colo...

To some, the term "prepper" may evoke a caricature of lunatic conspiracy theorists building bunkers and storing years of food and toilet paper. In his book *Resilient Citizens*, Dr. Chris Ellis dispels this stereotype in exchange for the term "resilient citizen" — a rational, faith-driven builder of strong homes and communities. Dr. Ellis explains the psychology behind preparedness, the decline of...

Muslims are killing Christians in Nigeria, and the West has been mostly silent about it — until now. What makes Islam entirely different from Christianity? What is the role of powerful Western nations like the U.S. in taking action to defend persecuted Christians abroad? Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew share an engaging conversation with Alex Kocman that weaves history, theology, and current events i...

Sports gambling, once totally illegal, has become rampant. The NBA especially has leaned into legal sports betting to prop up viewership and activate fan interest. But is gambling actually ruining sports? In this episode of "The Pop Culture Contrarian," Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew break down the recent FBI bust of an alleged NBA-linked gambling ring tied to organized crime, tech-rigged high-stake...

Since 1982, "Tron" has pioneered ideas about personal computing and speculated about the future of technology. The recently released third movie, "Tron: Ares," takes viewers inside a digital world inhabited by computer programs, digital cities, Light Cycles, and a totally epic Nine Inch Nails soundtrack. But unlike previous movies, technology in this film is not limited to the confines of the digi...

The rise of "restorative justice" in the courts has impacted criminal activity for decades now. It negatively affects victims, enhances recidivism, and erodes trust in the Rule of Law. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they compare punitive vs. restorative models, dig into pop-culture narratives (TV shows like "Community" and "The Good Place"), and unpack how relativism and "your truth" ethics...

We review K-Pop Demon Hunters on Netflix— the wildly popular animated, song-driven hit mashing K-pop, demon lore, and coming-of-age themes. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew dig into: is it anime or not, how the music works inside the story, Korean cultural notes (shame/honor, shamanism touchpoints), the Demon King trope, and whether the ending really lands. Get your shirt: https://t.ly/CTZTD ---------...

J.K. Rowling has long been an advocate for protecting women's spaces. She's been publicly outspoken on this issue, leading to death threats and backlash from the "words are violence" Left, from fans, and even from the child stars who brought her books to life on the silver screen. Dubbed "The Witch Trials" by Rowling, a series of online posts years ago between her and Emma Watson (who played Hermi...

Politics is downstream from culture — so what influences culture is key. Video games and the online world no doubt play a role in this. In the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, Thomas, Sterling, Andrew, and special guest Jordan Leithart (video game developer, Lux Core Studios) explore the deep connections between gaming, online communities, and the cultural forces spilling into our society t...

Last week, conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a campus event at Utah Valley University (Sept 10, 2025). In this episode, we process the shock and talk about what Charlie stood for - faith, free speech, and personal responsibility. Prosecutors have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and say they will seek the death pena...

Washington, DC's crime crackdown is changing daily life on the ground — so why are some people furious about it? Our first-ever guest, Outspoken Samantha, joins Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew to break down who's cheering, who's protesting, and what the results say about policy, culture, and media narratives. We also tackle the "you can't incarcerate your way out of crime" talking point, the welfare-...

Traveling to our nation's capital and walking the halls of the Smithsonian museums should be an activity Americans can be proud of. In recent years, though, narratives such as "Aspects and Assumptions of Whiteness" have infiltrated the exhibits with racist language. Other exhibits and language hyper-focus on the negatives of America rather than the positives. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew review ho...

Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program is now one of the leading causes of death in Quebec. Once sold as "compassion," there is talk of expanding it to include the mentally ill and possibly minors. Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew break down the slippery slope, the Christian worldview, the secular dangers, and what it means for the future of medicine and human dignity. Get your shirt: htt...

Washington, DC, has been dealing with a decades-long crime problem. However, now that Donald Trump has federalized DC's police force for 30 days, crime is dropping fast. In this episode of "The Pop Culture Contrarian," Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew break down what happened, why it's working, and what it could mean for the future of American cities. Get your shirt: https://t.ly/CTZTD ---------------...

The producers of "South Park" have been ruffling feathers for 27 years. It's what they do. Therefore, it's no surprise that they have taken aim at conservative figures such as Charlie Kirk, Kristi Noem, Donald Trump, and JD Vance. From commentary on conservative podcasting and open mic events to ICE operations in the U.S. to killing puppies, could their latest episode be any more predictable? Get...

The topics covered today include the FBI's hidden Russiagate files, the Senate's blue-slip ritual, fired NSA lawyer April Doss, the anti-Semitic BBC, and Trump's global trade deals. Get your merch: https://bit.ly/4mzwWNF ----------------  🌐 The Patriot Post: https://t.ly/nPTsv  📧 News Letter: https://bit.ly/4mdVCfl  🕶️ Merch: https://t.ly/EoTTA  📱 Social: https://linktr.ee/ThePatriotPost ------...

Marvel has been on a roll lately, cranking out more films for the MCU. Predicated on the idea that there are multiple universes, "Fantastic Four: First Steps" immerses viewers in an advanced 1960s space race-style world. Does Marvel honor the ideals of such a time and place, or do writers try to inject their own agenda into the universe? Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew are on the movie beat. Get your...

The Obamas love the spotlight, so it's no surprise that Michelle has a new podcast called "IMO" — a show dedicated to answering questions about life's dilemmas. The show recently got big viewership numbers when Barack made a rare appearance to talk about the loaded question of how parents ought to be raising boys. Many might make assumptions about what the Obamas' opinion would be, but their thoug...

Everyone is talking about the new Superman movie. Critics are raving and the box office is booming. Indeed, Superman is the quintessential American superhero. But lurking in the back of our minds is this: Has the woke agenda ruined another character and film? Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew take flight to answer this nagging question. Get your mug: https://bit.ly/44LhHd9 ----------------  🌐 The Patr...

Whether you're a racing fan or just a fan of exciting movies, "F1" checks all the boxes. Brad Pitt stars in this "Top Gun"-inspired race car flick as a veteran driver with one last chance at a big win. It seems to be everything you want and nothing you don't — but could it be too good to be true? Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew strap in for the fastest movie this summer.   Get your mug: https://bit.l...

It isn't often that the PopCon team delves into the zombie movie genre, but "28 Years Later" — which had good reviews from critics — surprised us as well. This unlikely movie is giving our highest-scored films a run for their money! Listen to what Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew have to say about the themes of humanity, religion, morality, and nature found in this film.   Get your mug: https://bit.ly...

A new film has vibes reminiscent of "Indiana Jones," but you won't be seeing it in theaters. Our team surmises why. Get your t-shirt: https://bit.ly/3FL5H2Z ----------------  🌐 The Patriot Post: https://bit.ly/44iII97 📧 News Letter: https://bit.ly/44MzP7V 🕶️ Merch: https://bit.ly/3EytiDp 📱 Social: https://linkstre.am/ThePatriotPost  ----------------  🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2V...

June 2025 isn't just about Pride Month anymore. Of course, the month for

The Patriot Post was founded in 1996 to be a voice for conservative values in a media landscape dominated by the Left. Like email in 1996, podcasts are the new medium for conservatives to conquer today. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew for their analysis on things like popular films and shows, politically exploitative organizations like GARM, and where the Artificial Intelligence revolution is go...