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PODCAST

The Spin Cycle

The Spin Cycle is your smart, slightly savage guide to the landscape of pop culture. Hosted by award-winning PR pro Kiara McKinney — whose work has landed everywhere from red carpets to Cannes. Each episode unpacks the celebrity headlines, viral moments and brand stunts everyone’s talking about (and a few they’re not… yet).With insider insights and a healthy dose of media literacy, Kiara breaks down how fame works, who’s pulling the strings, and why it all matters more than you’d think.Perfect for

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All Episodes

17:19

When the Moodboard Eclipses the Music: Taylor &...

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/10/08

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara McKinney takes a critical look at Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” and Doja Cat’s “Vie,” describing both albums as aesthetically pleasing but emotionally shallow. She questions Taylor’s trad wife propaganda, addresses concerns about possible microaggressions, and discusses ongoing artist drama.

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20:10

Chart-Topping Albums, Star-Studded Nuptials, and...

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/10/01

In this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara McKinney recaps the week’s pop culture circus: Selena Gomez’s ultra-exclusive wedding (where even the flower girls had NDAs), Cardi B’s triumphant album drop after a 7-year hiatus, and Doja Cat’s latest record—which, spoiler, is fun but about as fresh as last week’s memes. Kiara also dishes on Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s split. She wraps up by bracing herself (and us) for the incoming Taylor Swift album tsunami. Pop culture never sleeps, and

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17:50

'The Studio' Sweeps, 'The Pitt' Prevails, & Cardi...

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/09/17

This week on The Spin Cycle, Kiara dives into the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards: why the nominations felt formulaic, how The Pit upset Severance, and the historical firsts that shook up the night. She also covers Nate Bargatze’s flat hosting performance and why award shows still managed to draw record viewership.Then, it’s on to music: Cardi B’s long-awaited sophomore album Am I The Drama? (with a wild feature list including Janet Jackson) and Doja Cat’s Vie, produced by Jack Antonoff and Y2K. Kiara

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27:43

Ranting & Raving About the VMAs

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/09/10

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara dishes on the 2025 VMAs, where pop legends showed up (Mariah Carey finally got a VMA—justice!) but A-listers like Taylor and Beyoncé ghosted. She raves about Sabrina Carpenter’s fashion and album, roasts the bland “youth pastor” energy of male pop stars, and side-eyes influencer overload on the red carpet. She breaks down Gaga’s acrobatics, Ariana’s wins (and short jokes), and why Mariah still reigns supreme. If you want sharp opinions, pop culture

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28:36

From Dolly to Donna: Sabrina Carpenter Expertly Mixes...

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/09/03

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, host Kiara McKinney dives into pop’s new favorite trick: nostalgia stacking—the art of layering multiple eras at once. Her case study? Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album, Man’s Best Friend.Kiara unpacks how Sabrina fuses disco, country, and maximalist pop into something cohesive, explains why artists stuck in one lane (looking at you, Dua and Miley) risk getting left behind, and breaks down the album’s standout tracks with her signature wit.Beyond the album,

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21:38

Black Pop Stars: The Trailblazers, the Disruptors &...

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/08/27

Welcome, pop culture obsessives and casual listeners alike, to a deep-dive that’s juicier than a Beyoncé visual album and more layered than Janet Jackson’s choreography. Today, we’re breaking down the latest episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast with Kiara McKinney, where she unpacks the legacy, impact, and future of Black pop stars. If you think you know pop history, buckle up -- because we’re not just talking about catchy hooks and killer dance moves. We’re talking about cultural blueprints, industry

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20:39

The Enduring Influence of Y2K Icons on Today’s Music...

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/08/20

On this episode of The Spin Cycle, Kiara McKinney takes us on a snarky nostalgia trip, dissecting why the 90s and early 2000s are back (again) in music and pop culture. She dishes on how pop queens and rappers—past and present—have been flipping the script on sexuality, identity and politics, while dragging society’s tired double standards. She unpacks both the empowering and cringe-worthy sides of this revival, reminding us that while the world feels like a mess, at least our playlists (and sparkly

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19:24

Sequels Are Like Bad Exes: Why Can’t We Just Move On?

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/08/13

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, host Kiara McKinney goes full “enough already” on Hollywood’s obsession with sequels, remakes,and franchise cash grabs dominating the 2025 film slate. She laments the creative bankruptcy of the industry, contrasting it with the innovation still thriving in music and Broadway. Kiara skewers streaming algorithms, relentless brand integrations, and soulless press tours, urging listeners to stop feeding the IP recycling machine. Her advice? Skip the nostalgia

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20:52

Pop Ancestry: Who’s Who in the Family Trees of Female...

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/08/06

On this episode of The Spin Cycle Podcast, Kiara plays pop music genealogist, hilariously mapping out the “family trees” of female pop stars. She sorts icons like Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, and Mariah Carey into matriarchal lineages, assigning “daughters” based on vocal chops, style, and drama. Expect snappy takes on everything from “Power Belters” to “Diary Core Girls,” a Beyoncé-is-incomparable disclaimer, and a fantasy pop family reunion seating chart. If you’ve ever wondered whether Taylor Swift

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28:21

Breakups, Biebers & Bridal Bells: Celebrity Couple Chaos

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/07/30

Season 5 kicks off with a deep dive into the biggest celebrity relationship chaos making headlines in 2025. We’re spilling the tea on Zac Brown’s explosive divorce, untangling the Biebers’ financial drama, and breaking down Zach Bryan and Bri’s messy breakup. Plus, get the inside scoop on Charli XCX’s stunning wedding and what’s really happening with your favorite celebrity couples. Tune in for unfiltered hot takes, juicy details, and a no-holds-barred look at love, fame, and fallout in Hollywood’s

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17:07

Gladiators & Golden Globes

The Spin Cycle ·

2025/01/13

Ushering in 2025 with a recap of the Golden Globes and a quick rant on Gladiator II

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29:13

2024 POP CULTURE: WRAPPED

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/12/30

The best and worst of 2024! Tune in to hear YOUR 2024 pop culture opinions + Kiara's 2024 Superlatives.

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30:54

Arrests & Allegations

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/12/16

This holiday season is off to a hot start between allegations against Jay Z, James Kennedy's arrest and more.

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17:04

No Turkey for Diddy

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/11/28

Diddy is denied bail, Drake Sues Kendrick and Vanderpump Rules gets a new cast

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27:21

Messy on Main

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/11/18

While Mike Tyson and Jake Paul trade punches in the ring, Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright duke it out in the press. Plus, is Kim Zolciak dating Chet Hanks? Will Brianna Chickenfry ever stop posting TikToks about Zach Bryan? Tune in to find out.

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23:52

Zach Bryan Must Be Stopped

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/10/28

In this gossip-filled episode, Kiara gabs about the Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry breakup, Taylor's new reputation outfit, and more!

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26:10

Rachel Goes Dark

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/10/21

This week, Kiara discusses the tragic death of Liam Payne, touches on the VS Fashion Show and details Rachel Leviss' decision to end her podcast and her impending jury trial against Sandoval and Ariana.

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39:11

TikTok Rabbit Holes

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/10/14

This week, Kiara debriefs on all the TikTok drama unfolding on her FYP.

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26:49

The Downfall of Diddy (AUDIO CORRECTED)

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/10/07

This week, we dive deep into the details of the downfall of Sean "Diddy" Combs and all the allegations made against him.

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33:34

Pop Divas & Flop Stars

The Spin Cycle ·

2024/09/30

In the debut of season 4, Kiara recaps the VMAs and the Emmys before delving into the summer's hottest albums and biggest flops.

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