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PODCAST

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends.Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

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All Episodes

27:06

Deep Dive: The Empire of Keeping Up with the Kardashians

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

On this episode of pplpod, we break down the history and cultural impact of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the reality juggernaut that aired on E! for 20 seasons between 2007 and 2021. Join us as we explore how executive producer Ryan Seacrest developed the concept after witnessing the success of The Osbournes, aiming to capture the dynamics of a chaotic but loving blended family,.We discuss the rise of the Kardashian–Jenner clan—including Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, Kris, Caitlyn, Kendall, and

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31:54

The Evolution of Influence: From Eleanor Roosevelt to...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

What does it actually mean to be an "influencer"? In this episode of pplpod, we go beyond the selfies to explore the history and business of social media fame. We trace the origins of the term from its 17th-century religious roots to the unexpected "original media influencer": First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who built a personal brand through radio, columns, and endorsements long before the internet existed.Join us as we break down:• The Definition: How influencers distinguish themselves from

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37:41

Cancel Culture: Mob Justice, Accountability, or...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

What exactly is "cancel culture"? Is it a dangerous form of modern ostracism that stifles free speech, or is it simply "consequence culture"—a necessary tool for marginalized voices to demand accountability from the powerful?. In this episode of pplpod, we trace the evolution of cancellation from a lyric in a 1981 Chic song and a joke on Black Twitter to its explosive usage in the #MeToo era and modern politics.We unpack the fierce academic and cultural debate surrounding the phenomenon, contrasting

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28:03

The Dark Triad: Narcissists, Psychopaths, and the...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the Dark Triad, a psychological framework for three distinct but overlapping personality types found in the general population: Machiavellianism, sub-clinical Narcissism, and sub-clinical Psychopathy. We break down the unique characteristics of each trait, from the grandiosity and lack of empathy found in narcissism to the calculated self-interest of Machiavellianism and the impulsivity of psychopathy.Join us as we discuss:• The Malevolent Mix: How these traits

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32:47

Unmasking Narcissistic Personality Disorder:...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we move past the pop-culture buzzwords to explore the clinical reality of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). We discuss how this complex condition goes beyond simple arrogance, manifesting as patterns of entitlement, low empathy, and interpersonal difficulties. You’ll learn to distinguish between the "thick-skinned" grandiose subtype and the "thin-skinned" vulnerable subtype, the latter of which is driven by shame, inferiority, and hypersensitivity to criticism.We

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38:23

The Gossip Instinct: From "Godsibbs" to the Workplace...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

Why is it so hard to keep a secret? In this episode of pplpod, we dig into the history, psychology, and ethics of gossip—that "idle talk" about the private affairs of others. We trace the word's surprising etymology back to the Old English godsibb, which originally referred to a close friend or godparent, particularly the women who supported mothers during childbirth.We explore:• The Evolutionary "Why": Is gossiping actually good for us? We look at theories suggesting gossip evolved as a way to bond

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38:43

The Front Page of the Internet: Reddit’s Rise,...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the chaotic and influential history of Reddit, the self-proclaimed "front page of the internet" founded in 2005 by University of Virginia roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian,. We trace the platform's evolution from a Y Combinator startup to a publicly traded company that debuted on the NYSE in 2024 with a market cap reaching $10 billion,.We explore the unique structure of the site, which relies on volunteer moderators and a system of "upvotes" and

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29:38

The Digital Threat: Unpacking Cyberbullying,...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the pervasive issue of cyberbullying—aggressive, intentional behavior designed to harm victims through electronic devices,. We explore how this phenomenon extends beyond traditional bullying, utilizing tactics such as doxxing, impersonation, and "hate raids" on streaming platforms,,.Join us as we discuss:• The Methods: From "swatting" in the gaming community to "sextortion" and unwanted harassment on dating apps,,.• The Victims: How cyberbullying affects

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35:12

The "Meme Factory" and the "Hate Machine": A Deep...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

This week on pplpod, we explore the chaotic history and influence of 4chan, the anonymous imageboard launched in 2003 by 15-year-old Christopher "moot" Poole,. Originally created as an English-language counterpart to the Japanese site Futaba Channel for anime discussion, 4chan evolved into a massive hub of internet subculture responsible for iconic memes like Rickrolling, lolcats, and Pepe the Frog,.We examine the site’s unique architecture—ephemeral posting, lack of registration, and lax

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29:49

TikTok: The Algorithm, The Bans, and The 2026 US...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we scroll through the turbulent history of TikTok, the platform that redefined social media and sparked a geopolitical crisis. From its addictive "For You" feed to the historic 2026 sale of its US operations, we break down how the app went from a place for lip-syncing to a national security target.Topics covered:• The Rise: How ByteDance merged Musical.ly with TikTok to create a cultural juggernaut that surpassed Google as the most popular website by 2021,.• The Algorithm:

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33:42

Don't Feed the Trolls: From Usenet Pranks to...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the dark and chaotic world of trolling, exploring how a slang term for "fishing" evolved into a global phenomenon of tactical aggression. We trace the history of the troll from its 1990s Usenet origins—where "trolling for newbies" was a gentle inside joke about glass flow—to its modern association with harassment and hate speech.Join us as we unpack the psychology behind the behavior, looking at the "Dark Tetrad" traits of sadism and psychopathy that drive

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26:30

The OnlyFans Story: Billions, Bans, and the Business...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the rise of OnlyFans, the London-based subscription platform that revolutionized the creator economy and the adult entertainment industry. We trace the company's history from its founding by Tim Stokely in 2016 to its acquisition by Leonid Radvinsky and its explosive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.Tune in as we break down the platform's massive financial impact, including the $6.6 billion paid to creators in 2023 and the massive earnings of celebrities like

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33:18

Broadcast Yourself: From "Me at the zoo" to a $30...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we trace the explosive history of YouTube, the platform that revolutionized how the world consumes video. We journey back to 2005 to explore its origins as a failed video-dating concept inspired by "Hot or Not" and the very first upload by co-founder Jawed Karim, "Me at the zoo". We discuss the platform’s rapid ascent, leading to its acquisition by Google for $1.65 billion just a year after launch, and its current status as the second-most-visited website in the world with

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28:25

Fame: From David Bowie and Reality TV to Fatty Acid...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

This week on pplpod, we are exploring the definition of Fame—a term that usually refers to "the state of notability or celebrity," but covers so much more.Join us as we dive into the massive entertainment franchise that started with the 1980 musical film and spawned a 1982 TV series, a reality talent competition, and a 2009 remake. We also break down the musical history of the word, ranking albums by Grace Jones, Chris Brown, and Lady Gaga, alongside iconic songs by David Bowie, Irene Cara, and

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29:36

The Influencer Economy: Trust, Fraud, and the Dark...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

From unboxing videos to CGI avatars, "influencer marketing" has evolved from early celebrity endorsements into a global machine reshaping how we shop, vote, and see ourselves. In this episode of pplpod, we explore the mechanics of social influence and why consumers often trust online personalities more than traditional advertisements.We dive into the psychology behind the screen, discussing how "authenticity" creates parasocial relationships that drive impulse purchases, even as concerns about

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33:20

The Attention Economy: Why Your Focus Is the World's...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In an age of endless notifications and infinite scrolling, why does it feel like we have less capacity to focus than ever before? In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the Attention Economy—an approach to information management that treats human attention as a scarce, tradable commodity.We explore the origins of this concept, dating back to Herbert A. Simon’s 1971 observation that a wealth of information inevitably creates a "poverty of attention". Join us as we unpack how tech giants and

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29:15

Your Best Friend You've Never Met: The Science of...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

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, we dive deep into the psychology of parasocial interaction (PSI), a term coined in 1956 to describe the "illusion of intimacy" audiences feel toward media figures.Join us as we explore how these one-sided bonds have evolved from television newscasters to the algorithm-driven world of social media,. We break down:• The Mechanics of Intimacy: How repeated

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33:09

The Fame Machine: From Society Columns to Influencer...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

What drives our global obsession with the personal lives of the famous? In this episode of pplpod, we dissect "celebrity culture"—a phenomenon fueled by consumer interests where individuals transform their fame into product brands. We trace the history of stardom, from the "nouveaux riches" seeking publicity in the 1890s to the "manufactured" celebrities of the reality TV era,.Join us as we explore how the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube has democratized fame, giving birth

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28:11

Scandal Sheets, Supermarkets, and Catch & Kill: The...

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of pplpod, we peel back the headlines to explore the history of tabloid journalism, a sensationalist style that evolved from the "yellow journalism" and "scandal sheets" of the past. We trace the genre’s roots from 18th-century London to 1920s mining towns, where early precursors like The Morning Post and Rip-saw specialized in malicious gossip, extortion, and political blackmail.We discuss the rise of the "supermarket tabloid"—dominated by the National Enquirer and American Media,

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35:57

Puppet Masters: The Psychology of Manipulation

pplpod ·

2026/02/05

Have you ever felt like someone was pulling your strings? In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the complex world of psychological manipulation. We discuss how manipulation differs from general persuasion by being an underhanded attempt to control others, often exploiting their vulnerabilities for personal gain.Join us as we break down the mechanics of influence and control:• The Tactics: We explore common strategies identified by researchers, including the use of superficial charm, the

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7,536 results

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