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It's Been a Minute

It's Been a Minute

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Want in on a secret? Your likes and dislikes didn't develop by accident. There are subtle and not-so-subtle forces around you, shaping what you think, how you act, and even who you think you are. Brittany Luse is here to break the spell and help you feel wiser in a society that makes things blurry.

THE BEST POP CULTURE PODCAST AWARD WINNER AT THE 2025 SIGNAL AWARDS

It’s Been A Minute with Brittany Luse is the best podcast for understanding what’s going on in culture right now, and helps you consume it smarter. From how politics influences pop culture to how identity influences tech or health, Brittany makes the picture clearer for you every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.It’s Been A Minute reaches millions of people every week. Join the community and conversation today.

If you can't get enough, try It's Been a Minute Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/itsbeenaminuteCopyright 2015-2025 NPR - For Personal Use Only Politics & Government Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Breaking down the Jennifer Lopez Wedding Industrial Complex Canon

    Breaking down the Jennifer Lopez Wedding Industrial Complex Canon
    Mar 24 2023
    It's basically spring - which means wedding season is starting to rev up. And no one does weddings quite like Jennifer Lopez - both on-screen and off. Host Brittany Luse is joined by New York Magazine features writer Rachel Handler to break down J.Lo's wedding planning movies (the Jennifer Lopez Wedding Industrial Complex Canon), how they add to J.Lo's brand, and what they say about our investment in the real-life wedding industrial complex.
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    29 mins
  • Surviving long COVID three years into the pandemic

    Surviving long COVID three years into the pandemic
    Mar 21 2023
    It's been three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. And according to the CDC, out of all the American adults who have had COVID — and that's a lot of us — one in five went on to develop long COVID symptoms. While so many are struggling with this new disease, it can be hard for people to know what to do to take care of themselves. The Long COVID Survival Guide aims to give people struggling with long COVID practical solutions and emotional support to manage their illness.

    In this conversation from November 2022, host Brittany Luse talks to Fiona Lowenstein, editor of the guide, and Karla Monterroso, one of the contributors, about the difficulty of getting diagnosed, navigating long COVID and creating long-term collective care.
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    21 mins
  • The Grim Reaper of retail: Spirit Halloween

    The Grim Reaper of retail: Spirit Halloween
    Oct 25 2022
    Every fall, with the same regularity as birds flying south, Spirit Halloween materializes in locations across the country. The superstore sells all manner of trappings for spooky season, including costumes, props and décor. It boasts about 1,400 pop-ups nationwide, and often takes over temporary leases in malls where a big-box retailer struggled to stay open. This penchant for swooping in on failing businesses has led many consumers to see the company as a kind of Grim Reaper of retail – and turned the store into an internet meme.

    This week, host Brittany Luse sits down with Planet Money's Kenny Malone to dive into the origin story of Spirit Halloween, and what the store's success says about the economy and the future of retail.

    You can follow us on Twitter @NPRItsBeenAMin or email us at ibam@npr.org.
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    21 mins

Featured Article: Buckle Up and Listen In to the Best Podcasts for Road Trips


When it comes to setting out on a lengthy road trip, there's nothing better than queuing up an excellent new listen to help the time pass while enjoying the scenery rushing by outside your car window. With that said, there's something particularly special about a good podcast capable of both entertaining and igniting discussions between passengers throughout the drive. So, buckle in and get ready to crank these podcasts up in your car!

Featured Article Buckle Up and Listen In to the Best Podcasts for Road Trips
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Excellent in every way. Sam Sanders is one of the great podcast/radio hosts and interviewers of our time. He goes in depth while also incredibly funny with timely topics on pop culture and society at large.

one of best podcasts out there

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Sam is a perfect balance of news and pop culture. He asks the interesting questions, both to help him better understand and us better understand. He is knowledgeable, but never leaves the listener behind. I love this podcast. Must listen for anyone. You'll soon find you're right at home.

The knowledgeable friend you needed

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