The Cooler

The Cooler is a weekly podcast from KQED Pop that tackles popular culture in a smart, fun and personal way.

Stay Cool

After a five-year run, The Cooler says goodbye with a finale jam-packed with the voices of its beloved listeners.

02-01
57:00

We Need A Resolution

This month, we resolve to upgrade ourselves in 2020, go down a retcon K hole, and make a pilgrimage to visit one of Jennifer Aniston's exes.

01-01
56:11

The Great Unliking

This month, we analyze why Instagram is taking away likes, unpack what "emotional labor" means, discuss three runaway princesses and share our peaks and pits of the decade.

12-01
59:57

Coldplay Will Tear Us Apart

This month, we fight over the decade's best songs, learn all about WAGs and summarize 'Star Wars' in just a few minutes.

11-01
58:28

Since We’ve Been Gone

The Cooler is back (!!!) and weighing in on the chicken sandwich wars of 2019, the return of Jennifer Aniston's ex, impeachment drama and more.

10-01
48:07

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

A special bonus episode featuring Tan France chatting about what it was like growing up gay in a traditional Muslim family, how 9/11 still affects his life to this day, how he ended up partying with Victoria Beckham, why he hates Olive Garden and whether he loves *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys more.

07-11
58:40

Hotline Bling

This week, we’re handing over control of our finale to you, the listeners! We’re handing out advice about dating coworkers, sharing our Real Housewives taglines, shagging marrying and killing our way through Disney princesses, and so much more!

06-27
44:28

Bay Bye: Breaking Up With San Francisco

Is San Francisco rotten or still full of soul? We discuss the ways the city has won our hearts and broken them. We're also shaking our heads over John Cusack's anti-Semitism and sharing some ~*personal news*~ about the future of the podcast.

06-20
28:26

The Bops Of Summer

This week, we’ll be listening to a few Song of the Summer contenders (that aren't "Old Town Road") and deciding which summer anthem gets The Cooler’s official seal of approval. Also, inspired by Justin Bieber challenging Tom Cruise to a fight, we're handing out tips on how to host a duel of your own.

06-13
40:59

Natalie Portman Is Out Of Your League

We're wondering why Moby lied about dating Natalie Portman, handing out tips on how to survive burnout and sharing more than a few words for the dudes who want to make a Straight Pride Parade happen (*Regina George voice* "It's not going to happen!").

06-06
38:17

Black To The Future

We're going black to the future with a crash course in Afrofuturism, handing out financial tips and explaining the strange connection between dinosaur eggs and ball sacks (yes, you read that correctly).

05-30
29:06

Give Grace Jones The Iron Throne

Did 'Game of Thrones' stick the landing or break both of its legs, fall on its ass and require medical attention? We’ve got opinions! Also, we hand out some tips based on the life of Grace Jones, first of her name, breaker of the gender binary.

05-23
37:38

To Be Or Not To Be Humble

What can Constance Wu's Twitter tantrum teach us about humility? What can Ayesha Curry teach us about breaking archaic relationship rules? And what can Joe Biden learn from Bill Nye about talking to Millennials? Also, we take sides in the Aperol Spritz Wars and decide to stan Kacey Musgraves.

05-16
35:15

Eurovision Is The Campy Fun We Need Right Now

We're giving a crash course in Eurovision, the wildly popular international music competition, and ranking the 2019 entries, including Icelandic BDSM anti-capitalist scream rock and an Italian song that’ll make your booty bounce. Also, we share our feelings on spoiler culture and Meghan Markle's new baby.

05-09
36:38

But Her Hieroglyphs: Meet The Cersei Of Ancient Egypt

We tell the story of a bearded female Egyptian Pharaoh some salty dudes didn't want us to know about. We'll also be unpacking the recent wave of stars hating on critics (et tu, Lizzo?) and celebrating a burkini-wearing model in Sports Illustrated and the career of John Singleton.

05-02
38:24

Hamilton: A Field Trip with Two Thousand Teens

The Cooler RSVPs “Hell yes!” to seeing 'Hamilton' with thousands of Bay Area teens.

04-11
19:45

#BeyonceToo: Not Even The Queen Is Safe

If Beyonce is not safe from unwanted physical attention, then who among us is? We also dig into the 'Game of Thrones' pilot that was so bad the show almost didn't get made at all. And we share our thoughts on Elon Musk's rap single about Harambe, Florida men up to no good and Gen Z darling Billie Eilish.

04-04
37:46

It’s Not Right But It’s Okurrrrrr

We trace okurrr's complicated history, scratch our heads over the weirdest things celebs have tried to trademark, reveal why hot tea might kill us all, and share our feelings on the new Bill and Ted movie and Lizzo.

03-28
37:01

That’s Ms. Maya Angelou To You!

What are the most banned wedding songs? What can a 30-year-old Maya Angelou clip teach us about intergenerational respect? And how in love are we with #EggBoy? All will be revealed!

03-21
36:46

Les Miserables, Now Less Miserably White

Newsflash: brunettes don't count as diversity and period pieces need to do better. Also, we chat with 'Orange Is The New Black' star Lauren Lapkus, dig into the college admission scam and try to make sense of the Britney Spears musical.

03-14
37:00

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