Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchYour Best Friend You've Never Met: The Science of Parasocial Relationships
Episode 2289
Have you ever felt a genuine sense of friendship with a podcaster, YouTuber, or celebrity you have never actually met?,. In this episode of pplpod, w…
3 weeks ago
The Fame Machine: From Society Columns to Influencer Culture
Episode 2288
What drives our global obsession with the personal lives of the famous? In this episode of pplpod, we dissect "celebrity culture"—a phenomenon fueled…
3 weeks ago
Scandal Sheets, Supermarkets, and Catch & Kill: The Evolution of Tabloid Journalism
Episode 2287
In this episode of pplpod, we peel back the headlines to explore the history of tabloid journalism, a sensationalist style that evolved from the "yel…
3 weeks ago
Puppet Masters: The Psychology of Manipulation
Episode 2286
Have you ever felt like someone was pulling your strings? In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the complex world of psychological manipulatio…
3 weeks ago
Did That Really Happen? The History, Psychology, and Misuse of Gaslighting
Episode 2285
Is it a calculated form of psychological abuse or just a buzzword for a bad argument? In this episode of pplpod, we explore the complex world of "gas…
3 weeks ago
Decoding Q: From 4chan Breadcrumbs to the Capitol Insurrection
Episode 2284
In this episode of pplpod, we trace the chaotic evolution of QAnon, the far-right political conspiracy theory and movement that reshaped American pol…
3 weeks ago
Folk Devils & Fear Factories: From Comic Books to QAnon, What Fuels a Moral Panic?
Episode 2283
Why do societies suddenly become terrified that "evil" forces are threatening their way of life? In this episode, we dive deep into the sociology of …
3 weeks ago
Going Viral: The Psychology of Sharing, From Hotmail to the Grimace Shake
Episode 2282
What makes content spread like a virus? In this episode of pplpod, we deconstruct the phenomenon of viral marketing, a business strategy that leverag…
3 weeks ago
The Co-ed Killer: How Ed Kemper Manipulated the System and Inspired Mindhunter
Episode 2281
In this episode of pplpod, we dissect the chilling case of Edmund Kemper, a 6-foot-9 serial killer known as the "Co-ed Killer" who used his genius-le…
3 weeks ago
From Burbn to Reels: The Rise, Risks, and Reinvention of Instagram
Episode 2280
In this episode of pplpod, we double-tap into the history and complex legacy of Instagram, the social networking giant owned by Meta Platforms. We tr…
3 weeks ago