in the age of internet justice, why can't we figure out how to actually hold people to account? Kate Saap and Sam Lane investigate alongside special guest Otis (the dog). Follow us on IG: @popularitycontestpod

9. Internet Justice

Why is Bryan Johnson lying on top of his girlfriend? What do Androgenic and the Covid Conscious Lesbian Bar In Eastern Massachusetts have in common? How high is Sam's cholesterol? Your hosts Kate Saap and Sam Lane investigate the rise of biohacking, purity culture, and #wellness

Our links here: https://shopgr.id/popularitycontestpod

8. Biohacking

Why is everyone obsessed with slow living? What's the Wario of productivity content? Your hosts Kate Saap and Sam Lane investigate the rise of the 'realistic' influencer and its ramifications.

7. 'Realistic' Influencers

Between Stella Lefty, Gracie Abrams, sombr, and whatever Will Ferrell's son is called there are a LOT of nepo babies in music + pop culture at the moment. Kate Saap and Sam Lane investigate. Follow us on ig: @popularitycontestpod

6. Nepo Babies

Why do we, as a #society, love sadness in art? Kate Saap and Sam Lane investigate by reading a pretty bad romance novel and discussing the normal-people-ification of popular media. Family Guy is also mentioned. Full bibliography below. Follow us on IG @popularitycontestpod

Referenced (in order)
Lovesick by Lillian Telford (2026)
The Concept of being 'Boysober' by Hope Woodard (2024)
Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018)
Lost Weekend by Phoebe Bridgers (2026)
Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers (2020)
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (1956)
Monkey Grip by Helen Garner (1977)
Joy As An Act Of Resistance by IDLES (2018)
Daughter From Hell by Gracie Abrams (2026)
Bigmouth by Nick Kroll (2017)
What We Owe To Each Other by T.M. Scanlon (1998)
Chromatica by Lady Gaga (2020)
Lovesick by Tom Edge (2014)
Wildflower by the Avalanches (2016)
Family Guy by Seth McFarlane (1999)
Cooking my famous Indulkana soup by Kaylene Whiskey (2023)

5. Misery Slop

this week your h*sts lock in to discuss the rise and fall of dating apps. with the onslaught of run clubs, social clubs, whatever clubs, it begs the question: are the apps on their way out? do they work? what does it mean to whine pon the UCLA grad? all these and more. our links here: shopgr.id/popularitycontestpod

4. Leaving Dating Apps

this week we tackle ren faires. what does their surge in popularity say about the state of nerd culture? what is a nerd in 2026? is it socially acceptable to wear ur peasant hat to work? all this and more. this isn't larping, we're in costume for real. 

all our links here: shopgr.id/popularitycontestpod [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshopgr.id%2Fpopularitycontestpod%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAadwVKc7j8h6Q3lK-AEZcaPteBVR5jPIf2klf1RYCm3dd8zpxwGO1g02mGpHAg_aem_0thHXqkv4Sb38VZwheDiZg&e=AUB-skttLh1adlkQ3MKMBnXwHt_wPEl8aPvWCPJ3_uNAzj9PZVNIFLPBNWBqeKVIIix0LCXNzsl2E079Bi3jRan_6X0sz4o4j7EI4AvrPii5O3JeEM_WpnIFp4nNaQeX-Eaqyn4md2Oa]

3. Ren Faires

we're back to tackle the modern resurgence of cigarettes. why the hell are they back? what's going on? also this episode has dogs.  all our links here: shopgr.id/popularitycontestpod

2. Cigarettes

welcome to popularity contest, a podcast about trends. today your hosts tackle the large and unenviable task of distilling the year's trends into one big IN and one big OUT. what will they be?

1. 2026 Mid Year Check In

a podcast about trends. with Kate Saap and Sam Lane

Popularity Contest