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The Cooler

A monthly podcast from KQED Pop that tackles popular culture in a smart, fun and personal way.

Ranked #1

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Queer Eye’s Tan France On How Gays Will Save The World

Queer Eye’s Tan France On How Gays Will Save The World

In this extra special bonus episode, y’all get to eavesdrop on a conversation between one of us and Queer Eye’s fashion ... Read more

11 Jul 2019

58mins

Ranked #2

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Taylor Swift vs. Mansplainers, Taking Back Snobbery, and the Downfall of American Apparel

Taylor Swift vs. Mansplainers, Taking Back Snobbery, and the Downfall of American Apparel

Why do critics only care about Taylor Swift’s album when a man sings it? Can the word “snob” be rebranded as a good thin... Read more

15 Oct 2015

30mins

Similar Podcasts

Ranked #3

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Karina Longworth on Everything from Taylor vs. Kanye to What’s Next for ‘You Must Remember This’

Karina Longworth on Everything from Taylor vs. Kanye to What’s Next for ‘You Must Remember This’

The mastermind behind the wildly popular You Must Remember This podcast shares her love of Old Hollywood, her distaste f... Read more

20 Oct 2016

27mins

Ranked #4

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A Guide to the Most Anticipated Releases of Summer 2017

A Guide to the Most Anticipated Releases of Summer 2017

We share the movies, music, and shows we can’t wait for, revisit some of our favorite moments from the podcast, and prai... Read more

29 Jun 2017

45mins

Most Popular Podcasts

Ranked #5

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To Be or Not to Be a Kim Kardashian Defender and a Kanye West Fan

To Be or Not to Be a Kim Kardashian Defender and a Kanye West Fan

People have gross reactions to the Kim Kardashian robbery. Also, how much do you miss meeting strangers from AOL Instant... Read more

13 Oct 2016

36mins

Ranked #6

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Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness on Turning Red States Pink

Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness on Turning Red States Pink

This week, we are joined by someone whose hair flips could launch a thousand ships; it’s Queer Eye’s charming AF expert ... Read more

21 Mar 2018

44mins

Ranked #7

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S-Town: A Show about Murder, Nipple Rings… and Double Standards in Podcasting?

S-Town: A Show about Murder, Nipple Rings… and Double Standards in Podcasting?

No one is talking about a specific facet of S-Town… until now. Also, a peek into the world of professional whistling, ga... Read more

13 Apr 2017

34mins

Ranked #8

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Gen Z Takeover: Teens Talk Vaping, Kanye, Parkland, and Everything Else

Gen Z Takeover: Teens Talk Vaping, Kanye, Parkland, and Everything Else

This week, the youths are taking over! We’re going to kick it with two teens, Elke Janssen and Gabriel Alves de Lima, an... Read more

26 Apr 2018

38mins

Ranked #9

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Mandy Moore Reinvented Herself, and So Can You!

Mandy Moore Reinvented Herself, and So Can You!

We look at celebrities who’ve leved-up for inspiration, imagine alternate universes (what if Iman was President? what if... Read more

26 Jan 2017

41mins

Ranked #10

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The People vs. Janet Jackson

The People vs. Janet Jackson

We revisit Nipplegate and a 1998 profile of bratty prince Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by a game of Who Said It? Stacey D... Read more

5 Feb 2016

32mins

Ranked #11

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This Is Halloween

This Is Halloween

A guide on avoiding problematic costumes, a map of most popular candy by state, and a Goosebumps / Fear Street quiz! htt... Read more

29 Oct 2015

36mins

Ranked #12

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Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford, The Shadiest Hollywood Feud of All Time

Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford, The Shadiest Hollywood Feud of All Time

The Old Hollywood rivalry that makes Mariah vs. Jennifer Lopez look like child’s play. Plus, why we’re not coming to you... Read more

19 May 2016

34mins

Ranked #13

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How Did 420 Become a Phenomenon? We Tracked Down the Guys Who Invented It

How Did 420 Become a Phenomenon? We Tracked Down the Guys Who Invented It

This week, we’re partnering up with Bay Curious to take you on a road trip and chase down the true origin of the term 42... Read more

18 Apr 2018

56mins

Ranked #14

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Chilling Pop Culture Curses, from ‘Poltergeist’ to Drake

Chilling Pop Culture Curses, from ‘Poltergeist’ to Drake

A look at hexes floating around Hollywood, a twisted tale from the 1700s, a warning about catacombs, and — to lighten th... Read more

22 Jun 2017

36mins

Ranked #15

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Crazy in Love with This Summer Preview

Crazy in Love with This Summer Preview

This week, we’re sharing the music, movies, and TV shows we’re looking forward to in the coming months. We’re also look... Read more

27 Jun 2018

34mins

Ranked #16

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Is It Too Late to Say Sorry for Eating So Much Avocado?

Is It Too Late to Say Sorry for Eating So Much Avocado?

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.kqed.org/.stream/mp3splice/radio/thecooler/2017/09/Idol.mp3 American Idol rec... Read more

14 Sep 2017

37mins

Ranked #17

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Bob the Drag Queen on Winning Drag Race, Rising Above Haters and Putting Purse First

Bob the Drag Queen on Winning Drag Race, Rising Above Haters and Putting Purse First

From political activism and self-care to why he’s cool with Paula Deen and why Barbara Walters is a gangsta. https://dts... Read more

23 May 2016

40mins

Ranked #18

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Why Britney Spears and Ariel Are Basically the Same Person

Why Britney Spears and Ariel Are Basically the Same Person

Did The Little Mermaid predict Ms. Spears’ entire life? Does cursing make you more trustworthy? Find out! https://dts.po... Read more

19 Jan 2017

38mins

Ranked #19

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We Couldn’t Help But Wonder How ‘Sex and the City’ Is Already 20

We Couldn’t Help But Wonder How ‘Sex and the City’ Is Already 20

This week, in honor of the 20th anniversary of Sex and the City, we’re revisiting the show’s pilot episode and seeing if... Read more

20 Jun 2018

40mins

Ranked #20

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R.I.P. Brangelina: Why Do We Care So Much about Celebrity Breakups?

R.I.P. Brangelina: Why Do We Care So Much about Celebrity Breakups?

Also, why was Evelyn Waugh such a jerk? And how petty can the office get? All will be revealed. https://dts.podtrac.com/... Read more

6 Oct 2016

35mins

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