What the Hype?! Pop Culture Podcasting

Kick back and relax during these crazy times with cozy video games! Eric, Andrew, Micah, and guest co-host Meg discuss their favorite video games that they can play and relax with for hours and hours. The panel introduce each other to Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, Mini Motorways, A Link to the Past, The Sims, and more! We discuss the elements in them that help us lower our blood pressure, and w...

The third book in the Fourth Wing series, 'Onyx Storm,' is also the fastest-selling adult novel in 20 years! Andrew, Laura, and Pam discuss the threequel's biggest twists and turns, including what we learn about Andarna, Xaden's family, the Isles, and what those cliffhangers at the end might really mean! Later in the episode we talk about the highly-anticipated Fourth Wing TV show, and when we can...

With ‘Outlander’ season 7 officially in the can, Laura and Pam reconvene to talk about the season as a whole. Where does this newest crop of episodes stand up in comparison to past seasons, and did the show suffer from the long wait between parts one and two? Which story arcs were hits (and misses), which characters are we gravitating toward, and much more is discussed on this week’s episode of Wh...

In this new episode fresh off the heels of the latest live-action Star Wars show, Micah and Eric are feeling all of the feels for the characters and their journey home. ‘Skeleton Crew’ made these two 80’s kids remember what it felt like to be a kid again. And with a pirate captain and a pirate droid by their side, the main characters of the show all shine brightly throughout the whole season. What...

In our first episode of 2025, we're looking at one of the most anticipated books of the year: Book 3 in the Fourth Wing Empyrean series, Onyx Storm! Laura and Pam are joined by Karly from the Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast to make predictions about Onyx Storm, due out on January 21. We discuss what the real story with Violet's dad might be, Violet's second signet, who the dark wielder is with the lon...

In our final episode of the year, the What the Hype?! team looks at other fandoms we adored in 2024 with the goal being to share the ones we haven't spoken about yet. We were addicted to games like Balatro and WWE 2k24, and were grooving to music from Maggie Rogers. We also loved the Sonic film franchise and TV shows like Arcane and English Teacher. Then, we look ahead to 2025! Topics include the...

In our penultimate episode of the year, Andrew, Laura, Eric, and Micah look at their favorite reality TV shows over the years, which ones they miss, and what keeps them coming back for more mess. From RuPaul's Drag Race to Murder in Small Town X (Haven't heard of it? Most of us haven't), Reality TV has provided us with an escape from our own realities. Let us know what reality TV shows we need to...

In What the Hype?!'s first listener feedback episode, our amazing audience shares what THEY have been most hyped about in 2024! We then get to feedback about the episodes we have released thus far, and wrap up with a discussion on spoiler warnings: Is there a certain amount of time you have to wait before spoiling online? And what are the best ways to avoid spoilers? Learn more about your ad choic...

Get ready to make your lists and check ’em twice! This week on What The Hype, the gang’s all here (a true Christmas miracle!) and we’re kicking off the season a bit early by talking about our favorite holiday movie classics. Together, we chat about our must watch, can’t miss classics, and confess which Christmas movies have fallen out of favor with us personally over the years. Have we bought into...

Turn up Peter Cetera on your 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible and tighten your black belt, because this week we’re talking all about the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai! Micah and Pam dive into the storylines and characters over the first six seasons, reminisce on growing up karate kids, and discuss the producers' ability to transcend generations of fans. Are we team Johnny Lawrence or Team Daniel...

This episode contains major spoilers for ‘Fourth Wing’ and ‘Iron Flame’ by Rebecca Yarros. In our last ‘Empyrean’ episode, we got a ‘Fourth Wing’ primer, but now we are fully up to speed on all our reading! We talk s*x scenes, character development, romantic tension, political suppression, and more in this debrief of ‘Iron Flame.’ Soon, we’ll release a theories and predictions episode for the upco...

Join us for a stroll down the witch’s road to unpack the latest Marvel Television series ‘Agatha All Along.’ In a refreshing move for Marvel, ‘Agatha All Along’ is simultaneously part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe without beating viewers over the head with unnecessary cameos. We address where ‘Agatha’ fits into the larger MCU story, but honestly, this is a story all its own with new characters...

Calling all Sassenachs! This week on What The Hype, we’re diving into the world of ‘Outlander’! Join Pam, Laura, and Micah as they break down the basics of this beloved television series adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s best selling book series, which follows Claire— a World War II combat nurse who suddenly finds herself time traveling back to 18th century Scotland. Our ‘Outlander’ newbies talk abou...

It's Spooky Szn! We're celebrating by diving into the world of Halloween movies! We're exploring the thrill of fear, our earliest memories of scary films, and the evolution of horror as a genre. We celebrate iconic films and their impact on audiences, look at the psychological aspects of fear and the cultural significance of horror narratives, and share personal favorites. Plus, we ask if scary mo...

This week, What the Hype?! looks at the vibrant world of pop culture conventions! Tapping into our personal experiences attending cons like SDCC, NYCC, Harry Potter fan events, Star Wars Celebration, WonderCon, we share the highs and lows of con-going, and why so many people see it as an escape from reality. We also talk about the sense of community and escape that conventions provide, as well as...

In our second What the Hype?! on Heartstopper, the hosts react to season 3 of the Netflix graphic novel-to-TV series! We look at Heartstopper's character development, how the show has matured, and its balance between happiness and realism in LGBTQ storytelling. Plus, we look at when to expect Heartstopper Season 4 / Graphic Novel 6, the series' evolving soundtrack (Has it gotten too mainstream?) a...

Grab your pitch forks because in this episode of What the Hype?!, we're looking at why Banned Books deserve ALL the attention! We discuss the significance of Banned Books Week, explore the reasons behind book censorship and its impact on youth, identity, and society. We share our own personal experiences with censorship, and review the top challenged books of 2023, and how things are trending for...

In this week's episode of What the Hype?!, we're looking at music biopics! From Elton John to Whitney Houston to Queen to a forthcoming biopic about Britney Spears, these films give us inside-looks at lives of artists who we adore. But how much truth bending can we tolerate, and how do artists and viewers benefit from these stories? Plus, Eric, Andrew, and Pam look at forthcoming biopics and our f...

Grab your torches and dip them into the fire because on this week’s episode of What They Hype?! we’re talking all about Survivor! Join Micah, Andrew and friend of the show Christine Riccio as we dive into what's made Survivor arguably the most successful reality television show of all-time. What drew us in, what's kept us watching and why should you throw on a buff and join us? How do we feel abou...

It's showtime! Spooky szn is here and we're excited to kick it off with 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,' but first we need to explain the hype behind the 1988 original. We surprise even ourselves when we realize what a cultural touchstone from our childhoods this movie is. Is that the secret ingredient that made audiences still turn out for Beetlejuice 36 years later? Join us as we embark to the Netherw...

Baby, let the games begin! This week on What The Hype, Pam (our resident Swiftie) is joined by Andrew, Eric, and special guest, Meg, to talk about Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation!’ In an effort to better understand Swift’s sixth studio album, Pam takes us through a brief history of the events that lead to the birth of ‘Reputation.’ Armed with a crash course in Swiftie history, our panel wraps things up...

The supernatural comedy from 1984 starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis has stood the test of time. While some things (the proton pack) aged more well than others (Dr. Pete Venkman), this episode is devoted to exploring the movie as a whole. Have we learned everything we need to know about New York from the movie? What does each ghostbuster bring to the group? Is Dana Barrett such a c...

Dragons, Magic, Romance, oh Gods! Andrew and Pam introduce the Fourth Wing series to fandom newbies Laura and Eric, and the panel discuss why the first two books in the Empyrean series have gone viral online. We catch those who haven't read up to speed, look at what makes the books unique, and take on readers who've claimed that the story is unoriginal. If you haven't checked out Fourth Wing yet,...

Pam and Andrew welcome special guest and fellow podcaster Kaylan (host of Long Live Taylor Podcast) to talk about the annual pop cultural event that is the Song of the Summer. Together, they run through the history of the concept, break down the key components a contending single must have to qualify for the coveted title, and reminisce over past hits that ruled the airwaves between the months of...

On this week’s episode, Micah, Eric and Laura return to Westeros to discuss the hype around Season 2 of House of the Dragon. We connect the threads between the first two seasons of Game of Thrones and the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, share our favorite Season 2 storylines and characters and discuss whether or not the finale lived up to expectations. From rolls in the mud to dragonride...