Pop Mystery Pod Podcast By Tess Barker cover art

Pop Mystery Pod

Pop Mystery Pod

By: Tess Barker
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Investigative journalist and pop culture junkie Tess Barker, dives into the pop culture moments that have puzzled her for years. This addictive, informative and revelatory show dives features the deep research and first person reporting that helped her launch the #FreeBritney movement while co-hosting Britney's Gram. Each episode unpacks a moment in celebrity news that was misunderstood or intentionally covered up at the time. Part true crime, part comedy, part deconstructing pop culture trivia, the show shines light on the dark corners in the entertainment capital of the world.© Tess Barker Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Bluntly, Afroman Prevails (with Paul Danke)
    Apr 9 2026

    Finally, some good news. After being sued for making music videos based on a break in of his own home, Afroman scores a big win for free speech, and, honestly, millennial stoners at large. Joining Tess to parse through the legal specifics of this case is comic and actor Paul Danke (@pauldanke).

    Buy some Afroman merch here!

    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod

    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.

    Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.

    Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod

    Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.

    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    1 hr
  • Is Spencer Pratt a Villain in Reality? (with Rachel Brodsky)
    Apr 2 2026

    Spencer Pratt is one of reality television’s iconic bad guys…but is he really a bad guy? What is it about this former “Hills,” cast member that has led to his surprising endurance as a public figure? The truth about who Spencer Pratt really is is more complex than may seem at first glance. Joining Tess to talk about her recent LA Times profile of Spencer Pratt is journalist Rachel Brodsky (@rebrods), writer for LA Times, Rolling Stone, and Time magazine.

    Read Rachel’s piece “Spencer Pratt knows you love to hate him. Now he wants to lead Los Angeles.”

    Read “The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain.”

    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod

    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.

    Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.

    Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod

    Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.

    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Shen Yun (with Jenny Yang)
    Mar 26 2026

    What actually is the mysterious dance show Shen Yun, whose advertisements are seemingly everywhere, always? The answer is weirder and more profound than you may imagine. Joining Tess to talk through this fascinating performing arts phenomenon is comic, writer, and actor Jenny Yang (@JennyYangTV) of “The Brothers Sun,” “The Great North,” “Gordita Chronicles,” and host of “What Should We Talk About? with Jenny Yang”

    Read Jia Tolentino: Stepping Into the Uncanny Wold of Shen Yun

    Read Falun Gong: Spiritual Warfare and Martyrdom by James R. Lewis

    Watch Elijah Lemard: “I Infiltrated Shen Yun”

    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod

    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.

    Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.

    Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod

    Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.

    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 13 mins
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