Best Left Cant Meme Podcasts (2025)

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The Rapture was a bust, but it still feels like doomsday. 18:10

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19h ago18:10

18:10

The Christian rapture didn't happen as predicted, but a lot of you still feel like we're living in end times. Why is that? Right now - from religion to climate change to doomsday prepping - there's a lot of talk about the end of the world. And, yeah, there was a lot of joking (and some believing) this week that the rapture would happen, but this al…

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The cancer quietly killing young people 19:39

2d ago19:39

19:39

If more and more young people are dying of colorectal cancer, why aren't we talking about it? Is it because we're too ashamed of our bodies? Rates of colorectal cancer are rising, especially for people under 50. But it's hard to raise awareness for a cancer that a lot of us find hard to talk about. In a recent essay for The Cut, writer Laurie Abrah…

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Can you trust AI search results? 19:16

5d ago19:16

19:16

After Grok's MechaHitler gaffe this summer, and President Trump's executive order to, "strip AI models of ‘ideological agendas," Brittany wondered, "how much influence does AI already have on our minds?" This is AI + U. Each Monday this month, Brittany explores how we’re already seeing the impacts of AI. Artificial Intelligence has become a constan…

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Trump lost the battle. Will he win the "war?" 19:54

6d ago19:54

19:54

Why is Trump sending the National Guard to cities when crime is already falling? Earlier this month, President Trump posted this: “I love the smell of deportations in the morning. Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR.” He seemed poised to send the National Guard to the city in an attempt to curb crime, after having deploy…

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The key to thriving later in life: menopause 21:13

7d ago21:13

21:13

There comes a time in every woman's life that we don't talk about enough: menopause. And reframing it may be the key to unlocking a more fulfilling life for women of all ages. In this episode, Brittany teams up with WNYC's Radiolab to answer your questions about the ubiquitous and unknown. Brittany, Radiolab senior correspondent Molly Webster, and …

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AI can keep you alive forever. Should it? 19:26

12d ago19:26

19:26

The AI digital afterlife industry is here. But can legal and ethical frameworks keep us safe from it? Companies are already popping up to create artificial life-like renderings of your loved ones. So-called "deadbots" can mimic speech patterns and unique facialo gestures, and they can purportedly help people cope with grief. But they are also ripe …

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How do we talk about Charlie Kirk? 23:51

12d ago23:51

23:51

How did you respond to the assassination of Charlie Kirk? Many mourned or called for revenge. Others pointed to Kirk's extreme, bigoted statements as justification. But how do those reactions impact how the American public will metabolize another instance of gun violence? Brittany is joined by Abené Clayton, a gun violence reporter for The Guardian…

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Is he a good guy? Or is he manipulating you? 16:15

14d ago16:15

16:15

There's a new man in town: the "performative male." Is he trying to trick you into thinking he's open-minded, or does he really like reading books and drinking matcha? We're breaking down what's gender performance and what's gender manipulation. In this episode, Brittany is joined by Manny Fidel, host of No Such Thing, and James Factora, staff writ…

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How AI slop is clogging your brain 18:55

16d ago18:55

18:55

Bizarre videos, uncanny photos, and Luigi Mangoine's likeness on Shein...? AI slop is taking over the web. It's putting money in people's pockets, and driving them offline, too. This is AI + U. Each Monday this month, Brittany is exploring how you are already seeing the impacts of AI. Artificial Intelligence has become a constant in ways we can and…

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Is “Kidz Bop: It’s the Devil” the song of the summer? 20:36

22d ago20:36

20:36

KPop Demon Hunters, or as Brittany's mom keeps mistakenly calling it "Kidz Bop: It's the Devil," is dominating the music charts. And, thank god! These bombastic bangers are a welcome reprieve after a summer full of sad songs. We need to talk about those bangers, but we also need to talk about the void KPop Demon Hunters is filling. This summer was …

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The lessons I learned from 'Alligator Alcatraz' 19:26

21d ago19:26

19:26

The Florida detention center, "Alligator Alcatraz," may close, but what can you learn from its short but impactful run? First, the name echoes old Southern American racist tropes and adapts them for a modern audience. Second, its casually playful name is a blueprint for other detention centers popping up across the United States. But what does this…

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Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce need your attention 15:56

23d ago15:56

15:56

It's official: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce posted one of the most liked Instagram photos of all time. Also, they're officially engaged. Swift and Kelce are no strangers to the spotlight, but we still know very little about their relationship aside from what they are willing to share. And Molly McPherson, a public relations expert, says that's no …

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Did Trump bet wrong? Americans are flip-flopping. 17:26

26d ago17:26

17:26

Have Americans changed their minds? Polling on immigration suggests a seismic shift in public opinion. According to Gallup, 79% of Americans now say immigration is a good thing for the country, which is a record high. Plus, the share of Americans who want lower rates of immigration has dropped from 55% in 2024 to 30% this year. And it's not just th…

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"George Bush doesn't care about Black people" 20 years later 18:03

1M ago18:03

18:03

On September 2, 2005, on a telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina, Kanye West went off script and said, "George Bush doesn't care about Black people." 20 years later, would those words have the same impact today? In this episode, Brittany, NPR music correspondent Rodney Carmichael, and Code Switch's Leah Donella revisit that momen…

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'Poverty porn' in the digital age 17:30

1M ago17:30

17:30

Social media is full of images of unhoused people that's either meant to make you angry or laugh. For Leah Goodridge, this content is a new form of 'poverty porn.' 'Poverty porn' used to refer to charity commercials showing malnourished children to evoke empathy from sympathetic viewers. But according to New York City attorney and tenant advocate L…

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Inside the White House meme factory 20:24

1M ago20:24

20:24

We need to talk about the memes your tax dollars paid for. What is the federal government trying to communicate with them? The social media accounts of the White House and the Department of Homeland Security have been chock-full of memes: memes that mock people being deported, memes that are aimed at recruiting new ICE agents, even a meme that seem…

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Cringe culture says stop. We say lean in. 21:20

1M ago21:20

21:20

Has online hate ever been this cruel? Brendan Abernathy is a singer-songwriter who went viral earlier this year for an earnest performance of his song "married in a year." The backlash was immediate, and one word popped up over and over again in the comments: "cringe." Brittany and Ramtin Arablouei, co-host of NPR's Throughline, get into the rise o…

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The newest influencers? Porn stars. 12:04

1M ago12:04

12:04

Sex sells. So does outrage. That's why these sex workers are making rage bait. In the past few months, UK and Australian-based OnlyFans creators like Bonnie Blue and Annie Knight made headlines for their extreme sex stunts, most notably for sleeping with over 100 men in one day. But in addition to these stunts, they also appear on controversial pod…

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What really counts as "cheating?" 17:12

1M ago17:12

17:12

Are you scared of being cheated on? You're not alone. There are apps and social media groups dedicated to outing a cheater. But is our paranoia about cheating actually hurting our relationships? And on top of that, definitions of "cheating" vary widely. How do you decide for yourself what really counts as cheating? And what's really fueling our fea…

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The rise (and fall?) of Tyler Perry 21:34

1M ago21:34

21:34

Tyler Perry is many things, but is he someone we should aspire to be? Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry has built a media empire that has spanned theater, film, and television. And he’s recently been accused by an employee of sexual harassment. Brittany is joined by entertainment journalist and author Tre'vell Anderson and SUNY Purchase theater and p…

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Jubilee & the ethics of "platforming" 20:14

2M ago20:14

20:14

Jubilee has become one of the go-to open forums for debate in the digital age. Videos like: "Flat Earthers vs Scientists," "1 Conservative vs. 20 Feminists," and, "What Makes a Real Man?" are just some of the few topics they cover. It's what caused The Atlantic staff writer Spencer Kornhaber to write his article, "Jubilee is Like Gen-Z's 'Jerry Spr…

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Are the phones melting our brains? Or is it just me? 18:42

2M ago18:42

18:42

Finding it hard to concentrate? Are you glued to social media for longer than you’d like? Well, maybe it’s not you… maybe it’s the phones.Brittany is joined by Magdalene Taylor, writer, cultural critic and senior editor at Playboy, and Fio Geiran, producer at TED Radio Hour and a writer of their Body Electric newsletter, to discuss this phrase: “it…

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It's never too late to find a good relationship. Here's proof. 18:46

2M ago18:46

18:46

Have you ever stayed in a relationship, because you felt like it would be too hard to find another partner? This episode is for you. Let this be a lesson for us all. Divorce is on the decline except for one key demographic: people over 50. So, in a world where many of us say it's harder to find friends or new relationships later in life, why are pe…

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The best American food of 2025 24:31

2M ago24:31

24:31

Are you hungry? Brittany has some irresistable recommendations. In this episode, Brittany steps out to find the best American recipes: peanut butter egg rolls and the juiciest fried green tomatoes. Along the way she uncovers the stories of these dishes - ones that could have only come from the Midwest and the South. This is... Food for Thought. And…

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Hasan Piker: a "himbo gateway drug" to the left? 27:10

2M ago27:10

27:10

Not to be dramatic, but would you die for Hasan Piker? For some of you, Hasan Piker needs no introduction. He is one of the leading voices in progressive political content online, boasting a massive 2.9 million followers on Twitch alone. He's polarizing, charismatic, and (kind of) a bro. And his fans love him. Just take this Instagram comment for e…

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Would you marry someone for their health insurance? 16:18

2M ago16:18

16:18

Many people feel that finding a lifelong partner can require a good bit of luck...but can the same be said for lifelong healthcare? Brittany is joined by Maris Kreizman, author of I Want to Burn This Place Down: Essays, to understand the precarious relationship between finding love and finding consistent health insurance. Learn more about sponsor m…

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How do you find a good restaurant these days? 16:44

2M ago16:44

16:44

What are you looking for when you're picking a place to eat? And how do you find it? Michelin stars or TikTok? You've heard them referenced on The Bear and maybe even looked out for them when deciding your next meal: Michelin stars. The prestigious one to three star rating system awarded to the best of the best in dining. But Americans are expected…

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Coldplaygate & our fear of being watched 22:04

2M ago22:04

22:04

Whether it's the Coldplay kiss cam or screenshots of dating profiles, it feels like any one of our private lives could inadvertently go public any minute now. A Coldplay concert kiss cam video went viral when one couple featured jumped away from each other and hid their faces. The internet quickly identified the concertgoers, and it turned the coup…

1
Is Christianity cool again? 25:12

2M ago25:12

25:12

For the first time, multiple Christian musicians are charting on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time — and staying there for weeks. Has the mainstream found God? Brittany talks with University of Michigan-Dearborn Professor Emerita Dr. Deborah Smith Pollard and Christianity Today reporter Kelsey Kramer McGinnis to understand the multi-billion do…

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In search of a safe place to cry... 18:50

2M ago18:50

18:50

What comes to mind when you think of third spaces? A place to be in community that's not a bar or a club? Try a diner... For New York Times writer and author, Erik Piepenburg, diners were and still are institutions for the LGBTQ+ community. In his book, Dining Out: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America's Gay Restaurants,…

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Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media 2:01

2M ago2:01

2:01

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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The thin line of good vs. bad plastic surgery 16:52

2M ago16:52

16:52

What's the difference between "good" work and "bad" work? And how do we talk about the rise in plastic surgery without dehumanizing people for their choices? Rates of plastic surgery are increasing, and minimally invasive procedures like filler and Botox are even more popular. It's also evident on social media that people (including plastic surgeon…

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It's hard to read. Here's why. 19:37

2M ago19:37

19:37

Data from Gallup and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Americans are reading fewer books and spending less time reading than ever. There's been reporting on college kids struggling to finish longer texts. And earlier this year, in a viral post, one user lamented their loss of concentration for reading, which led to a larger online discourse …

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The price you pay for being smart. 14:45

2M ago14:45

14:45

Anti-intellectualism is on the rise. And by "anti-intellectualism" we mean the backlash to scholars in fields like the humanities. According to two intellectuals, Dr. Ally Louks and Jason Stanley, the humanities help us better connect to other humans. According to a lot of online haters, they're worthless. In November 2024, Dr. Louks recently poste…

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Gen Z is afraid of sex. And for good reason. 21:49

3M ago21:49

21:49

Gen Z is having less sex than previous generations. But why? Well, let's be real. There are a lot of very legitimate reasons why young people are afraid of sex right now, many having to do with recent massive political and cultural changes. Brittany gets into why Gen Z-ers are having less sex with Tobias Hess, contributing writer at Paper magazine …

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Zohran Mamdani & the politics of "good" vs. "bad" Muslims 19:42

3M ago19:42

19:42

Before, during, and after Zohran Mamdani became the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Republicans and Democrats were both leaning into decades old Islamophobic tropes to delegitimize his candidacy. Meanwhile, young progressives are reclaiming those tropes. Why is Islamophobia politically salient today, and why are both sides of the ais…

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Sex, drugs, and...gender panic! 22:19

3M ago22:19

22:19

What do Trump, JK Rowling, and some feminists have in common? Based on history, more than you might think. In this episode, Brittany and KQED's Nastia Voynovskaya explore the roots of modern-day transphobia through the story of one music producer, Sandy Stone. Then Brittany is joined by journalist Imara Jones to get into how Trump and JK Rowling's …

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Think the Medicaid cuts don't affect you? Think again. 15:21

3M ago15:21

15:21

Republicans have passed President Trump's One Big, Beautiful bill, but is it built on bad faith stereotypes? The legislation guts funding for Medicaid, and for a long time Republicans have been attacking the program as sort of welfare for moochers. Who exactly are these moochers? And could it be you? Brittany is joined by Joan Alker, Executive Dire…

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Our love lives have gone full Love Island. 20:05

3M ago20:05

20:05

This season of Love Island USA has the timeline on fire...but maybe not for the reasons y'all hoped. Is it mirroring our dating lives a little too close? To get into the season, Brittany chats with co-owner of Defector Media, Kelsey McKinney and co-host of Scamfluencers, Sarah Hagi, about the glimpses of romance amidst Love Island's largely unroman…

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How Brazilians have safe abortions (regardless of the law) 23:07

3M ago23:07

23:07

In our 'Your Body, Whose Choice' series, we've focused a lot on the present and the future of reproductive health in this country. And now we'd like to share a look at the past from our sister show, NPR's Embedded. Their new 3–part series, The Network, follows a Brazilian women who discovered a method to have safe abortions, regardless of the law. …

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Is Zohran Mamdani's primary win the Democrats' Tea Party moment? 19:00

3M ago19:00

19:00

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani pulled off an astonishing upset this week. In the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, he beat out the long-favored winner, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded the race only hours after the polls closed. The two candidates were of the same party, but held very different positions within it: C…

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Why are people freaking out about the birth rate? 24:48

3M ago24:48

24:48

There's one little statistic that seems to have gained a lot of attention recently: the birth rate. With pro-natalist ideas showing up in our culture and politics, Brittany wanted to know: why are people freaking out? Who's trying to solve the population equation, and how? Brittany is joined by Kelsey Piper, senior writer at Vox, and Gideon Lewis-K…

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Is this a medical marvel or horror movie? You tell me. 15:01

3M ago15:01

15:01

Adriana Smith's pregnancy became an ethical and legal quandary. After being declared brain dead, a Georgia hospital kept her on life support without her family's consent because of the state's abortion laws. Now that the baby has been delivered and Smith taken off life support, Brittany wonders: how has the conservative effort to see fetuses as peo…

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Welcome to midlife, Millennials. Are you in crisis? 17:08

3M ago17:08

17:08

Many Millennials are either already in their 40's, or they're staring them down. Are they having a midlife crisis? As this generation enters midlife, their lives look really different from their parents' lives: Millennials are more educated and have a higher median net worth, but the generation is also more unequal than previous generations, has hi…

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Sexy & Spiteful: the best books to read this summer 18:27

3M ago18:27

18:27

It's summer! Which means Brittany is going to be... 1) outside, 2) chilling, and 3) reading. So it's once again time for It's Been a Minute's annual summer books episode! Celebrated romance authors Bolu Babalola and Emily Henry return to the show to discuss their summer reading recommendations, ranging from spiteful and salacious to sweet and spicy…

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Don't let them politicize your menstrual cycle. Period. 20:41

3M ago20:41

20:41

In a country where birth control access is in jeopardy and women's medical needs have been historically overlooked, how do social media trends like #lutealphase and "cycle syncing" complicate the narrative? This is... Your Body, Whose Choice? And for the next few weeks, we're looking at the cultural, legal, and ideological frameworks shaping reprod…

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L.A. was first. Now it's your move, America. 16:31

4M ago16:31

16:31

Protests have spread across the country after dozens of workers were swept up in an ICE raid in Los Angeles last week, but the support for the protesters is far from universal. In this bonus episode, Brittany is joined by NPR Immigration Correspondent Sergio Martínez-Beltrán and author of A Protest History of the United States, Gloria J. Browne-Mar…

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Want to date a rich man? It's harder than you think. 17:52

4M ago17:52

17:52

You may have heard that super viral song on TikTok called "Looking for a man in finance," and yeah, it's fun. But does it speak to people's broader desires to find someone who's more than comfortable financially? Host Brittany Luse is joined by Wailin Wong, co-host of NPR's The Indicator, and Reema Khrais, host of Marketplace's This Is Uncomfortabl…

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Oh no...I got "The Ick." What do I do now? 16:20

4M ago16:20

16:20

So you got 'The Ick?' That feeling of disgust when your date does something that you just can't look past. You think it's about them, but is 'The Ick' actually about you? Brittany is joined by B.A. Parker, co-host of NPR's Code Switch, Corey Antonio Rose, a producer for It's Been A Minute, and Josh Rottman, associate professor of psychology and a d…

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How to win (or lose) a break up on social media 17:54

4M ago17:54

17:54

A lot of us have seen how explosive breakup stories have been on social media. From Reesa Teesa's "Who TF did I marry..." to Spritely's breakup song, these posts have been drawing gasps and gaining traction. But is it harmless fun, or an invasion of privacy? When do your personal stories belong on social media and when do they not? To find out, Bri…