The Pop Culture Contrarian
Trying to make sense of popular media, internet, and entertainment culture in a world gone insane.
Trying to make sense of popular media, internet, and entertainment culture in a world gone insane. Sterling Henry, Thomas Gallatin, and Andrew Culper watch the movies, read the books, and scroll the internet searching for a shred of decency. Can they find a gem contrary to the swill that permeates modern pop culture today? Tune in to find out.
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Episodes
PopCon #125: Villains, Victims, and Oz: A Review of ‘Wicked: For Good’
Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew compare “Wicked” (2024) and “Wicked: For Good” (2025) to the original “Wizard of Oz” movie.
PopCon #124: How to Navigate Tough Conversations This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for family, thankfulness, and coming together in love and fellowship. But tensions are high this year, and tough political topics may be inevitable.
PopCon #123: Living History — Why Historical Reenacting Matters
Is historical reenacting just cosplay for history nerds, or is it something much deeper? Andrew and Thomas explain why it’s the latter.
PopCon #122: “Resilient Citizens” w/ Dr. Chris Ellis: Preppers, Community & Christian Foundations
Dr. Chris Ellis discusses with us the importance of being a resilient citizen — in other words, being prepared — through a biblical framework.
Popcon #121: The Forgotten Christian Genocide: Nigeria and the West’s Silence — with Alex Kocman
In this special guest episode, we invite podcaster and missionary/church leader Alex Kocman to discuss the Christian genocide unfolding in Nigeria.
PopCon #120: The NBA Just Lost a Bet - Sports Gambling Gone Wrong
Sports betting is now widespread, but a recent bust involving the NBA demonstrates the rather pernicious consequences.
PopCon #119: ‘Tron: Ares’ Brings the Tron Universe Into Reality
In the newest “Tron” edition, viewers are taken inside a digital world inhabited by computer programs, digital cities, Light Cycles, and a totally epic Nine Inch Nails soundtrack.
PopCon #118: Why Leftist ‘Justice’ Fails the Victim
A look at why “restorative justice” belies the Rule of Law and has counterproductive cultural results.
PopCon #117: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Isn’t Anime
Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” — the animated, song-driven film mashing together K-pop, demon lore, and coming-of-age themes — is taking pop culture by storm.
PopCon #116: J.K. Rowling Has Had It!
Grab the popcorn as we untangle “The Witch Trials” featuring author J.K. Rowling and actress Emma Watson.
PopCon #115: When Gaming Culture Crosses Into Reality with Guest Jordan Leithart
Today, we decipher the deep connections between gaming, online communities, and the cultural forces spilling into our society today.
PopCon #114: Charlie Kirk - What His Death Means
Charlie Kirk is gone. In this special episode, we wrestle with what he built, what was lost, and why “when we stop talking, violence begins” must be our rallying cry.
PopCon #113 - “Who Really Benefits?” DC Crime Crackdown, Protest Optics & the Culture War w/ Outspoken Samantha
Some Americans are strangely angry about President Trump’s crime crackdown in the nation’s capital. We invited Outspoken Samantha to talk about it.
PopCon #112: Un-Woke the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian has gone woke! Fortunately, President Donald Trump is initiating a course correction so visitors can experience gratitude instead of grudges.
PopCon #111: They’re Euthanizing Canadians
Our neighbors in Canada may be about to expand assisted suicide — a predictable development that won’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention.
PopCon #110: Trump Stomps on DC Crime
A look at why President Trump’s much-needed crime crackdown in DC is working, plus the implications elsewhere in America.
PopCon #109: South Park Takes Aim at Conservatives
The “South Park” rabble-rousers are now lampooning high-profile conservatives. We aren’t surprised, but it’s worth rebutting nevertheless.
Pop Con #108 – Executive News Summary: FBI Burn Bags EXPOSED | Russiagate Fallout, Media Bias & Trump’s Big Moves
Welcome to a brand-new format: the Executive News Summary. Thomas and Sterling bring you a high-speed breakdown of the headlines the mainstream media won’t touch — all in one episode.
PopCon #107: ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ — Fantastic, or a Failure?
An exposition on whether Marvel’s film honors the space race à la the 1906s or steps out of bounds with a biased agenda.
PopCon #106: The Obamas Know How to Raise Boys Now
Barack and Michelle Obama, the parents of two girls, recently provided some surprising insights into how we should be raising boys.
PopCon #105: ‘Superman’ — Is It Woke, or Worth Watching?
Is this another character and movie ruined by the woke agenda? Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew answer this nagging question.
PopCon #104: ‘F1’
Strap in with Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they review a hot new summer racing film with a “Top Gun” flavor.
PopCon #103: 28 Years Later
Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew explore some unusual themes found in a new zombie film that unexpectedly now ranks near the top of their list.
PopCon #102: ‘Fountain of Youth’
A new film has vibes reminiscent of “Indiana Jones,” but you won’t be seeing it in theaters. Our team surmises why.
PopCon #101: Pride, Protests, and Persia
From less Pride Month pandering to “No Kings” rabble-rousing to Israel’s strike on Iran, June 2025 has been quite eventful.
PopCon #100: Celebrating One Hundred Episodes!
After nearly two years, The Patriot Post celebrates a podcast milestone. Take a look at the analysis you can expect from Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew.
PopCon #99: Is ‘Andor’ Even Star Wars?
Disney may have redeemed itself with Season 2 of the new Star Wars spin-off “Andor.”
PopCon #98: AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Everything from jobs to art is being upended by AI. Here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly ramifications.
PopCon #97: Chopped Liver King
A new documentary looks into how showmanship and the World Wide Web worked in tandem to produce a food and fitness charlatan.
PopCon #96: America’s Political Status Quo Is Coming to an End
The Democrat Party is in the process of collapse, and Donald Trump has fundamentally changed the conservative movement. But can it last beyond Trump’s tenure?
PopCon #95: The Latest Movie From Marvel: ‘Thunderbolts*’
Is the Marvel universe finally ostracizing wokeness? Our team delves into whether its newest release can redeem the franchise.
PopCon #94: British Scientists Want to Dim the Sun
On today’s episode, our team discusses a peculiar initiative in the UK to deflect the sun’s rays using aerosols.
PopCon #93: Movie Theaters Are in Danger
The American movie theater may be in jeopardy. What can Hollywood and theaters do?
PopCon #92: ‘King of Kings’
Angel Studios shares the Gospel with your children in the same way Charles Dickens shared it with his.
PopCon #91: Don’t Be a ‘Panican’ About Tariffs
Few can agree on whether Trump’s tariff tactics will result in a big win or a devastating loss, but we all agree that this is a high-risk moment.
PopCon #90: ‘Adolescence’ and the Agenda Against Young Men
Our team unpacks the danger of Netflix trying to fix a problem — in this case, “toxic masculinity” — that doesn’t exist.
PopCon #89: ‘Snow White’
If there were ever a cautionary tale of what woke ideology can do to a brand, the 2025 remake of the Disney classic “Snow White” is it.
PopCon #88: ‘House of David’
What’s right and what’s woke about Amazon’s telling of Israel’s greatest king.
PopCon #87: Tolkien
The 2019 film “Tolkien” captures the youth and young adulthood of the author famous for “The Lord of the Rings.” Capturing many influential moments in his life, there is a clear influence drawn between these experiences and his later literary works.
PopCon #86: Virtue Signaling’s Last Gasp
Someone should tell Hollywood that woke DEI requirements for movies are over. If the Oscars are any indication, Hollywood didn’t get the memo.
PopCon #85: The Robots Are Coming! The Robots Are Coming!
The robots are coming, and we’re on the cusp of a robot revolution! From the next generation of a quantum computing chip to AI powered robot servants, the reality of C3PO is now actualized.
PopCon #84: USAID is NOT About Aid
Elon Musk has released his DOGE analysis program into the ledgers of federal agencies, and his findings are every bit as shocking as one might expect.
PopCon #83: Tucker Carlson vs. Piers Morgan
Tucker Carlson and Piers Morgan have gone head-to-head in a debate, covering issues like the war in Ukraine to government censorship to woke culture and everything in between.
PopCon #82: Brett Cooper Premieres New Show
Amid rumors about the nature of her departure, “The Brett Cooper Show” has launched, and the first episode seems to set the record straight in a tactful way. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew for a review of the new show.
PopCon #81: The Inauguration
On January 20, your Pop Culture Contrarian team traveled to Washington, DC, in hopes of viewing the inauguration of Donald Trump. Almost nothing went to plan. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they recount their experience at the Capitol.
PopCon #80: Christianity Is the West’s New Counterculture
Joe Rogan, once dismissive and even hostile toward Christianity, now seems drawn to questions of the faith. Could the public struggles of these famous men signal a Christian revival on the horizon? Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew discuss.
PopCon #79: Facebook Stops Censoring
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they tackle the implications for free speech and decide if this news is worth celebrating just yet.
PopCon #78: Our Outlook on 2025
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they project what may be on the horizon in culture, entertainment, and even politics.
PopCon #77: The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Is “The War of the Rohirrim” worthy of the love LOTR fans have shown to Jackson’s previous films? Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew to find out.
PopCon #76: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the hosts of “The Pop Culture Contrarian Podcast”!
PopCon #75: Mary
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they explore the new title ‘Mary’ from Netflix.
PopCon #74: ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.’
Join Thomas, Sterling & Andrew as they scrutinize “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.”, the latest film from Angel Studios making waves in the movie world.
PopCon #73: Robby Starbuck: DEI Slayer
Join Sterling and Andrew and discover how Robby Starbuck & others like him are gaining ground in the culture war.
PopCon #72: Thanksgiving
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they tackle this question in a Thanksgiving episode.
PopCon #71: Cultural Winds Deliver Wins
Join Thomas and Sterling as they explore the landscape just weeks after this historic election.
PopCon #70: Basking in Reflected Glory
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they reflect on what is expected to be a decisive victory for Liberty, peace, and prosperity.
PopCon #69: Podcasts Are Ruining America
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they tackle the seismic shift toward podcasts and the pushback from the legacy media boys club.
PopCon #68: Election 2024
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew for the most important topic capturing the nation and the world.
PopCon #67: ‘January 6: The Most Deadliest Day’ From The Babylon Bee
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they “do an insurrection” in remembrance of “the most deadliest day in history.”
PopCon #66: Will & Harper
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they wade into the mire that is the “gender-affirming” agenda.
PopCon #65: Floods, Strikes, and Girly Men
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew on a rundown of big stories across the Web.
PopCon #64: Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Pop Stars
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they explain why you shouldn’t let your kids be pop stars.
PopCon #63: Am I Racist?
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they dive into Matt Walsh’s latest documentary, “Am I Racist?”.
PopCon #62: The Rise of the Woke Right
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they unpack the term “woke Right”.
PopCon #61: ‘Reagan’
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they review the biopic film created as a tribute to the life of President Ronald Reagan.
PopCon #60: Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as we discuss the myth of Wyatt Earp and how his story has captured the imagination of the Wild West for generations.
PopCon #59: Disney’s Woke-to-Broke Backpedal
Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew to see if Disney and other studios are starting to learn that listening to fans might be the best way to go.
PopCon #58: Woke Religion Flails Against the First
There is a clash between free speech and modern censorship. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they explore the battle between woke ideology and the First Amendment.
PopCon #57: Assault on Free Speech and the West’s Islam Problem
From riots in the UK to the influence of global organizations like GARM and the World Economic Forum, there are troubling forces at play that are shaping media narratives and eroding free speech.
PopCon #56: Olympic Perversion and Mr. Beast
The French are known for pushing the envelope, but they exceeded their reputation at the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris.
PopCon #55: ‘Twisters’
It’s been 28 years since the original cult classic film “Twister” was released, and 2024 is the year of the reboot.
PopCon #54: Matt Walsh Is Judged
If you know political pundit Matt Walsh, you know he is the Internet’s most loved and most hated curmudgeon, making him the perfect host for a courtroom TV show.
PopCon #53: The Invisible Hand of GARM
Since 2019, an invisible hand has been working to strong-arm advertisers away from conservative outfits. Join us as we reveal the man behind the curtain.
PopCon #52: ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ — Chapter 1
Kevin Costner has released Part 1 of his four-part movie epic “Horizon: An American Saga” to mixed Hollywood reviews and a box-office flop.
PopCon #51: Internet Roundup, Environmental Protest Edition
From Stonehenge to golf, from EVs to the Olympics, there’s no shortage of protests and virtue signaling displayed on the Internet.
PopCon #50: Women’s Sports in America
Caitlin Clark is the pro women’s basketball rising star that everyone is talking about.
PopCon #49: Daily Wire’s New Show ‘Mr. Birchum’
After nearly 30 years, The Daily Wire has finally brought Adam Carolla’s 1997 character Mr. Birchum to life in a new animated show.
PopCon #48: The Blue Angels
Now streaming on Amazon Prime, “The Blue Angels” is a documentary you don’t want to skip.
PopCon #47: The Worst Memorial Day Since 1995
Not since 1995 has there been such a terrible turnout from moviegoers. Is the American movie theater dying?
PopCon #46: Scarlett Johansson vs. AI
Scarlett Johansson has a voice nerds cannot resist.
PopCon #45: Cancel Culture Butt-Kicks Butker
How is Harrison Butker able to aspire to his chief role as a man? Because his wife and the mother of his children lives up to her chief role as a woman.
PopCon #44: The BSA Is Dead
The Boy Scouts of America, time-honored and cherished for generations, is dead.
PopCon #43: Gen Z: The Tool Belt Generation and the Evolving World
Mike Rowe’s famous TV show “Dirty Jobs” aired its final season in 2012, but his advocacy for returning to the trades seems to be reaping an abundant harvest.
PopCon #42: Taylor Swift and ‘The Tortured Poets Department’
“The Tortured Poets Department” is Taylor Swift’s newest album, and it has some wondering about the dark turn Taylor has made.
PopCon #41: Civil War
Since the trailer release late last year, A24’s newest film “Civil War” has had many wondering just what to expect.
PopCon #40: Red Pill Community Rejects Redemption
In spite of her success on OnlyFans, Nala Ray has chosen to leave it all behind and follow Jesus Christ.
PopCon #39: The Solar Eclipse of 2024
On Monday, a total solar eclipse passed over North America, the last one we will see until 2044.
PopCon #38: Flavors of Anti-Semitism
“Christ is King” is not an anti-Semitic statement on its own, but given context, could it be?
PopCon #37: Gaslighting Grown-Ups to Groom Kids
Chances are you have experienced entertainment gaslighting.
PopCon #36: TikTok Ban
The House has passed a bill that would force TikTok to either be banned in America or be sold to an American company.
PopCon #35: Dune: Part Two
Explore the complexities and themes of Dune: Part Two in an episode FULL of spoilers!
PopCon #34: Google’s Systemically Racist AI
Google’s Gemini has come under fire for systemically racist programing. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as we ask the AI our own questions and test just how racist it is taught to be.
PopCon #33: Not All Oppressed Groups Are Created Equal
Oppressor vs. oppressed groups are a hallmark of Marxist ideology. Join Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they dig into how this idea has been permeating Western culture at an alarming rate.
PopCon #32: Where Have All the Villains Gone?
An unnerving trend has arisen in modern films: the lines between good and evil have blurred, and the villain has become more relatable and often even lovable.
PopCon #31: Adaptations. Blasphemy, or Praise?
Join us as we explore several examples of “done right” or “done left” movie remakes and adaptations.
PopCon #30: Spy Games, Football Games, Video Games
An update on Dr. K and his run-in with Chinese spies, Taylor Swift with her anti-MAGA NFL season, and Ubisoft’s “you will own nothing and be happy” proclamation.
PopCon #29: Dr. K’s Piano vs. CCP in London
Dr. K’s run-in with a group of Chinese nationals waving communist flags has gone viral.
PopCon #28: Netflix’s Series ‘The Crown’ and the British Monarchy
Explore why the show is so popular, why the Royals have such a grip on both Americans and Brits, and what the role of a monarchy is in the modern world.
PopCon #27: Movies to See in 2024
Join our hosts Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew as they cover upcoming movies for the year.
PopCon #26: 2023 Year-End Wrap-Up
A lot happened in 2023. Take a look back with our hosts and consider what we’ve got planned ahead for Season 2 in 2024.
PopCon #25: Daily Wire’s Movie ‘Lady Ballers’
The Daily Wire is calling their new movie Lady Ballers the most triggering movie of the decade.
PopCon #24: Napoleon
Ridley Scott’s newest film “Napoleon” is the eagerly anticipated portrayal of one of history’s most dynamic characters.
PopCon #23: Big Tech Pirates Your Life
Explore the implications of Meta’s latest gadget along with topics surrounding Big Tech, personal data, and the right to privacy.
PopCon #22: Hollywood and Disney’s Growing List of Challengers
Which new companies will fill the gap that woke ideology has left in the entertainment industry?
PopCon #21: Peterson Academy and the Rise of Alternative Education
The current state of both public education and higher education is troubling, and alternatives seem to be gaining popularity.
PopCon #20: Is the Woke Tide Ebbing?
Join us as we explore a few encouraging trends in the first episode of our PopCon culture war series.
PopCon #19: Just Say No to Genocide
What has happened to Israel is a cultural moment that cannot be ignored.
PopCon #18: Duck Dynasty’s Movie ‘The Blind’
Phil was not always the strong and morally upright character we know and love.
PopCon #17: A Haunting in Venice
Will this be a disturbing supernatural horror spectacle as the trailer suggests? Or will moviegoers be surprised and delighted instead?
PopCon #16: Taylor Dates the Football Star
Is this a genuine match, or an arrangement to result in Taylor’s next breakup album?
PopCon #15: Nostalgia — Don’t Get Fooled Again
What happens when nostalgia is the predominant cultural feeling, taking the place of optimism and hope for the future?
PopCon #14: Is Password Sharing Piracy?
You’ve got to pay to play, but with recent password-sharing crack-downs from Netflix, the question of “where do we draw the line?” arises.
PopCon #13: The Last Gasps of Late-Night Comedy
Amid the ongoing writers’ strike, feeble late-night show hosts have banded together in a podcast to try to salvage some of their relevance.
PopCon #12: Is Hollywood Eliminating the G Rating?
2023 is likely to be one of the few years with no G-rated movie releases.
PopCon #11: Will AI Scabs Replace Hollywood Talent?
With artificial intelligence technology rapidly advancing, do Hollywood writers and actors stand a chance?
PopCon #10: Is ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ Right Wing?
Oliver Anthony has captured the nation with his original song “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
PopCon #9: ‘Barbie’: Brilliant or Brainless?
Is “Barbie” really so cut and dried, as it is easy to assume? You might be surprised.
PopCon #8: The U.S. Government Has Confirmed Aliens Exist?
There’s a lot of talk about UFOs these days. Is this the real thing, or another distraction?
PopCon #7: Oppenheimer, a Hero?
Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew examine the new Christopher Nolan movie for its cultural significance, search for any “woke” themes, and ask the question — was Oppenheimer a hero?
PopCon #6: Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town”
Is Jason Aldean’s new song really a “pro-gun, pro-violence and a ‘modern lynching song,” according to the Leftmedia?
PopCon #5: The Future of Streaming Movies and Television
Explore the current state of Streaming Services online such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+
PopCon #4: Netflix’s Cleopatra
Netflix’s new Cleopatra documentary
PopCon #3: Why Is Our Culture Fixated on the World Wars?
The PopCon team dives in to explore why the World Wars still have such a stronghold on popular imagination.
PopCon #2: Memories of Independence Day
Thomas, Sterling, and Andrew discuss their memories of Independence Day growing up and discuss the movie The Patriot!
