Why it Resonates

White Fox was never just a hoodie brand. It was the first time a bus stop ad made a teenage girl feel personally noticed by a piece of clothing. But why did a couple's eBay side hustle turn into a billion dollar empire, get one in every eight tween girls wearing the same crop top, and become the outfit daughters and mums were fighting over in the same wardrobe? And why, more than a decade late...

Tamagotchi was never just a toy. It was the first time a machine made you feel morally responsible for keeping something alive. But why did a plastic egg with three buttons and a black and white screen turn kids into grieving parents, get banned from schools across the world, and become a genuine social status symbol? And why, almost thirty years later, are adults buying them back for themselves?...

Princess Diana was not the first royal to be famous. She was the first royal that people felt like they actually knew . But why did a woman born into aristocracy, who married into the most closed off institution in the world, end up feeling more accessible than almost any public figure before or since? And how did she manage to capture the hearts of people all over the world at the same time? In t...

Toy Story didn't just become a beloved kids movie, it became one of the most enduring and emotionally powerful cultural phenomena in the history of cinema. But why does a cartoon about plastic toys still make fully grown adults cry, and how did a franchise born in 1995 manage to capture the hearts of an entirely new generation 30 years later? In this episode of Why It Resonates, Lem Zakharia b...

Tradwives didn’t just become an internet trend, they became one of the most talked-about and polarising cultural movements of the digital age. But why did tradwife content resonate so deeply with millions of people online, and how did something rooted in traditional gender roles become such a mainstream social media phenomenon? In this episode of Why It Resonates, Lem Zakharia breaks down the psyc...

Kylie Minogue didn’t just become a pop star, she became one of the most enduring and beloved cultural icons of the last four decades. But why did Kylie resonate so deeply across generations, countries, and especially within the queer community? In this episode of Why It Resonates , Lem Zakharia breaks down the psychology, storytelling, and cultural timing behind Kylie Minogue’s extraordinary stayi...

Anime didn’t just stay a niche Japanese art form, it became one of the biggest global cultural forces of the last three decades. But why did anime resonate so deeply across countries, generations, and especially with young men? In this episode of Why It Resonates, Lem Zakharia breaks down the psychology, storytelling, and cultural timing behind the global rise of anime. From Dragon Ball Z, Naruto,...

Content note: This episode discusses body image, mental health, addiction, chronic illness, and sexual assault allegations. Lena Dunham didn’t just create a TV show, she became one of the most polarising cultural figures of an entire generation. But why did Girls resonate so deeply with millennials… and why is Gen Z suddenly rediscovering it now? In this episode of Why It Resonates, Lem Zakharia b...

Content note: This episode discusses body image, eating disorders, and mental health. Looksmaxxing didn’t just stay in niche internet forums, it became a global cultural phenomenon shaping how a generation of young men see themselves. But how? In this episode of Why It Resonates , Lem Zakharia breaks down the psychology, storytelling, and cultural timing behind one of the fastest growing and most...

How did a college student’s “get ready with me” videos turn into one of the most powerful personal and skincare brands on the internet? In this episode of Why It Resonates, Lem Zakharia explores the rise of Alix Earle and how a seemingly casual TikTok presence evolved into a skincare brand making $1 million in five minutes. From relatable oversharing and “hot mess” authenticity to GRWM culture, be...

How did one of the most mocked shoes in the world become a global status symbol? In this episode of Why It Resonates, Lem Zakharia explores the rise of Crocs and how a practical boating shoe evolved into a cultural phenomenon. From early utility driven design and mass adoption to public backlash, “ugly” fashion, and a resurgence powered by Gen Z, customization, and high-profile collaborations, thi...

How did a teenage country singer build one of the most powerful fan communities in the world? In this episode of Why It Resonates , Lem Zakharia explores the rise of Taylor Swift and how her fanbase, the Swifties, evolved into a global cultural force. From early MySpace interactions and direct fan engagement to hidden easter eggs, shared rituals, and moments of public controversy that strengthened...

How did a 100-year-old worksite thermos suddenly become a global status symbol? In this episode of Why It Resonates , Lem Zakharia explores the unexpected rise of the Stanley Cup and how a simple water bottle transformed into a lifestyle accessory for Gen Z and millennials almost overnight. From early creator-led momentum and TikTok’s “WaterTok” culture to limited-edition colour drops, identity si...

Falafel fans rise up! In this episode of Why It Resonates, we're talking about the best food in the world, aka falafel, and why it is, and has been, such a hit in Australia. When did it get here? Why are people obsessed with it? What is it's purpose? Shout out to, the now closed, Abdul's in Surry Hills 💔 and Hammoud 1 in Liverpool. Thank you for your falafel service. 🫡 Subscribe for weekly episo...

Why is misogynistic content spreading so quickly online? In this episode of Why It Resonates , I explore the rise of the manosphere — from GamerGate and incel forums to Andrew Tate and TikTok — and why these ideas are resonating with so many young men today. Drawing on psychology, media analysis and cultural shifts, I look at where the manosphere came from, how it spread, and what its impact is no...

Why is misogynistic content spreading so quickly online? In this episode of Why It Resonates , I explore the rise of the manosphere — a loose network of influencers, forums and online communities shaping how many young men think about masculinity, relationships and feminism. From GamerGate and incel forums to Andrew Tate and TikTok algorithms, the manosphere didn’t appear overnight. It evolved ove...