In this episode of Pop and Circumstance, Elizabeth gets you in the loop with the rise of viral collectibles like Labubu (00:45) and what drives today's pop culture trends. We unpack Elio’s box office performance (07:45) , shifting animation styles, and the return of Alix Earle’s podcast (13:15). We also talk about Diddy's viral baby oil moment (14:45) and the disgusting Messy Room TikTok trend (17:13).

Then, Hart gets you on the lift in a discussion about being cringe (19:30) and moving toward authentic confidence. We explore the psychology behind social discomfort, how it may be biologically wired, and the possible keys to overcoming the fear of being cringe (27:10).

Tune in to stay in the loop with the latest in pop culture, and on the lift with small, digestible conversations to help deal with all of life's circumstances - every Monday and Thursday on Pop and Circumstance.

Links for the Team POP OFF Labubus: https://www.today.com/shop/what-are-labubus-rcna208265

Elio Box Office: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/business/elio-pixar-box-office.html

Alix Earle Hot Mess Podcast: https://people.com/alix-earle-says-hot-mess-is-no-longer-going-to-be-traditional-podcast-new-trailer-11760805

Diddy Trial: https://nypost.com/2025/06/20/us-news/diddy-trial-live-updates-06-18-2025/

Messy Bedroom TikTok Trend: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/messy-bedroom-trend?lang=en

SHIFT HAPPENS The Neuroscience behind embarrassment: https://greymattersjournal.org/thats-cringe-the-neuroscience-behind-embarassment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Bronnie Ware's Book: Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing

Five Regret's of the Dying: https://bronnieware.com/blog/regrets-of-the-dying/

Hart and Elizabeth chit chat about what they've been streaming on our Friday bonus segment Stream Team. In this bonus episode, we talk about America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders documentary season 2 on Netflix (00:23), Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu, (04:41), Waterfront and Sirens on Netflix first impression (06:27)

• A Man falls in love with his ChatGPT 00:26
• Benson Boone dropped a new album 7:50
• Taylor popped up for surprise performance 13:14
• Woody Breast Syndrome is making chicken so terrible these days 15:17
• Locus of Control - focus your mind, change your life 19:33

ChatGPT Fiancé: https://nypost.com/2025/06/19/us-news/father-chris-smith-proposes-to-ai-program-sol-after-falling-in-love-with-voice-program/

Benson Boone New Album: https://www.bensonboone.com

Benson Boone Crumbl Cookie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-M9fYxCFKs

Taylor Surprise Performance at Tight End University: https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/taylor-swift-nashville-performance-tight-end-university-rcna214950

Woody Breast Syndrome: https://www.today.com/food/woody-chicken-breast-t258881

Pasturebird: https://www.pasturebird.com

Locus of Control quiz: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/personality/locus-of-control-test

Parents beware: we're letting down our hair in our weekly Tuesday bonus content - One F*** to Give - Hart and Elizabeth sound off on something they are chosing the give their one f bomb of the week on.

Get in the loop with a quick rundown from Elizabeth on Cannes Lions and Karen Read verdict, then get a lift from Hart with a refresher on solid sleep hygiene.

00:52 Cannes Lions Rundown 08:49 Karen Read Verdict 13:25 Pop Off Takeaways 14:03 Sleep Hygiene Refresher 29:54 Shift Happens Takeaways

Links from Episode Topics:

Cannes Lions: https://www.canneslions.com

Celebrities at Cannes: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/20/cannes-lions-attention-economy

Global Ad Revenue: https://www.emarketer.com/content/worldwide-ad-spending-forecast-2025

Karen Read: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/karen-read-trial-verdict-jury-murder-charges-manslaughter-what-know-rcna212763

Juror #2 (movie with Nicholas Hoult): https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/juror_2

Sleep Hygiene: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene

Sleep and Glucose: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2084401/

Sleep and Muscle Mass: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20921542/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37770876/#:~:text=On%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20as,inhibit%20the%20accumulation%20of%20fat.

Sleep and Cell Phone Scrolling in Bed: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/put-the-phone-away-3-reasons-why-looking-at-it-before-bed-is-a-bad-habit

Your new Monday/Thursday thing. Part catch-up, part check-in. Pop and Circumstance gives you a quick hit of what's happening in the culture — and a quick lift for your life. Two hosts. Two segments. One very good decision.