Pop Syllabus

Colorism isn’t new. It’s the curse embedded in Hollywood’s DNA.

Today, Christiana sits down with scholar-activist Dr. Yaba Blay to unpack how colorism operates behind the scenes of pop culture, why lighter skin is still centered, and how these hierarchies shape everything from stardom to self-worth.

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00:37 Defining “colorism”

03:30 The relativity of colorism 

06:04 How colorism functions in Hollywood 

08:15 A history of colorism and skin bleaching 

12:50 Gender bias and colorism in entertainment 

17:02 Beyonce and colorism in the music industry 

28:40 Moments that feel like societal shifts

33:00 How skin bleaching has transformed 

37:00 Understanding the context around why people bleach their skin 

42:55 Hair trends among Black women 

51:00 Questioning society and capitalism (not just the individual) 

54:20 What choices can we make in light of colorism?
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Looksmaxxing is the internet’s latest male self-improvement trend — where your jawline is a strategy and your face is a project.

Today, Christiana sits down with Associate Professor of Sociology at Dalhousie University, Dr. Michael Halpin, to explain what looksmaxxing really is, why cosmetic surgeries are on the rise, and how this corner of the Manosphere is reshaping masculinity and the way men see women.

Dr. Michael’s research on looksmaxxing: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hn3HDozK8_GMWOVtv3do3joZ4Guyxlpp/view 

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03:35 Defining “looksmaxxing”

09:45 Who is looksmaxxing? 

11:00 Lookism and why boys and men are looksmaxxing 

14:50 How looksmaxxing and its harmful impacts are spreading beyond the manosphere

20:42 The PSL scale 

24:40 How looksmaxxers and incels are subcultures within the manosphere

40:38 What can be done to stop harmful looksmaxxing 

44:00 Looksmaxxing as an emerging health crisis
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Almost a year later, Sinners is still unforgettable, and Wunmi Mosaku’s Annie stole our hearts. But behind the performance was a woman navigating first-time motherhood, career crossroads, and big life choices. 

On today’s episode, Christiana talks to Oscar-nominated Wunmi about her maternity brand Iyadé, self care, and lessons from a career-defining role.

Wunmi’s maternity brand’s website:.iyadebywunmi.com

Follow Wunmi on Instagram: @wunmimosaku

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00:36 Wunmi’s Oscar nomination

03:40 “Sinners” and how playing Annie changed Wunmi’s life 

08:40 Why Annie resonates with audiences 

14:57 Loving yourself 

18:45 Wunmi’s Golden Globe pregnancy announcement 

24:04 Creating Iyadé, a maternity clothing brand 

29:55 Being careful about who and what you invite in 

38:43 Admiring Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan’s acting

42:35 Self care 
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Astrology is everywhere, blending spirituality, social media, and even AI apps that promise to read your future. 

Today, Christiana speaks with astrology historian, Margaret Gaida, to understand how astrology shapes love, culture, and the hidden inequalities of the cosmic world.

Margaret’s website: mghsci.wordpress.com/dissertation

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02:20 Astrology in the East vs. West 

03:30 Astrological predictions throughout history 

07:45 The mothers of astrology 

12:45 Why women and LGBTQ+ communities are attracted to astrology 

18:32 Astrology and science 

23:48 Big Zodiac, tech and AI

29:31 White influencers and astrology  

41:04 “Space racism” and dating 

44:50 Individualism vs. communities 

47:40 The future of astrology in America 
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When Rachel Lindsay said yes to being on The Bachelor, she had no clue what she was getting herself into. Since then, she has gone from practicing lawyer, to The First Black Bachelorette, to media personality and author. 

Today, Christiana and Rachel talk about Black women on reality TV and how she helped change the genre. 

Follow Rachel: Instagram  

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