Don’t be fooled by my writing on yoga, mantras, meditation and life lessons. I also love pop culture and rabbit holes. From what I’ve been reading, everyone is having a rough go of it right now so we all could use some pop culture diversions. I’m sharing some things I have been enjoying to take my mind off of the hard stuff.

Toxic: The Britney Spears Story is a limited run podcast that is a deep dive into the history of Britney Spears, conservatorships and where things stand now. I am too old to be in the Britney fan club, but I was interested in learning more. This is a thoughtful, researched and well done podcast that covers many aspects of her career, her fandom, the Free Brittney movement and how conservatorships can be misused against not just Brittney, but also the elderly and those with special needs. By the end I was pulling for Brittney.

Cocaine and Rhinestones: now in his second season, Tyler Mahan Coe’s podcast tells the history of country music. Don’t get hung up on the “country” part as this is the history of American music and the recording industry. Honestly, most of what is called country is really pop music. I can’t recommend this podcast enough. I enjoy the extreme research Tyler does and how he weaves stories together. Perfect for longer drives. I have learned so much over both season.

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar on Hulu is just delightfully silly. The movie opens with this definition, “cu-lottes / ‘kü-lӓts / noun. 1. Women’s trousers, usually calf length, cut full to resemble a skirt. Typically worn by women in their middle age years.” The next scene is one of the most memorable lip syncs I have ever seen. This is not highbrow comedy. It is stupid. It is fun. It is not for the youngsters or the men folk. Culottes are a main character.

I am enjoying Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu. I have seen some reviews panning it, but I am caught up in it. The “wellness” industry is full of spiritual bypassing, abuse and untrained people that think love, light and alternative medicine can cure all woes. There is some incredible acting by the cast. The show walks an edge of sinister and creepy. Something bad is coming, but I’m not sure what or where.

I love a good reading rabbit hole. Earlier this year I read and LOVED The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. In reading more about the author and interviews with her, I discovered Harlem Renaissance author Nella Larsen and her book Passing. I am already a big fan of Zora Neale Hurston, so I thought it would interesting to read a work by one of her contemporaries. The book has been sitting on my “to read” list and has come up a few times, but I had yet to seek out a copy.

Fast forward to this morning when I work up at 3 a.m. I decided to listen to a podcast to help me go back to sleep. Spotify now has audio books! I started Passing at 3 a.m.