Pop, the Question

Footwear plays an important role in defining a video-game character’s persona and capability. Such is the case with games like "Bomb Rush Cyperfunk," "Sonic Riders," "Mario Wonder," "Spider-Man," and 2K basketball installments. For gamer/designer Derrick Banks, Jr.—a Drexel University undergraduate, former STAR Scholar, and Sneaker Lab researcher—sneaker design is critical to how players perceive a character and enjoy the game. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins Banks to step into the complexity of footwear, 3-D modeling, and the overarching power of video games and the "Spider-Verse." "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 26, 2023 in 155 Bentley Hall, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Derrick Banks, Jr. (Undergraduate Student, Game Design & Production, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Director of Strategy) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine and Sadie Subedi Social Media Outreach: Ka’Neisha Davis Graphic Design: Estelle Guillot Logo Design: Michal Anderson Original Artwork and Music: Derrick Banks, Jr. Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. To learn more about the work of Derrick Banks, Jr., visit youtube.com/@S4MUR0TTS_FL0W. Copyright © 2024 Drexel University

With so many options for news consumption these days, it’s hard to know exactly where to focus our attention (and what to believe). There’s world news, national news, and local news; print sources; social media; and then the fact-checking sites, where we can put the accuracy of reports to the test. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis gets a lesson in news literacy with Drexel University media expert and local Emmy Award-winner Michelle McHugh to sift through what’s reliable and what’s questionable, while also shining a spotlight on the HBO series "The Newsroom" and Philadelphia regional broadcast agencies demonstrating integrity in their reporting practices. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 25, 2023 in 155 Bentley Hall, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Michelle McHugh (Program Director and Assistant Teaching Professor, Paul F. Herron Graduate Program, Department of Television & Media Management, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Director of Strategy) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Ka’Neisha Davis and Olivier Jacques Graphic Design: Estelle Guillot Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2023 Drexel University

The written work of Yiddish humorist, novelist, and Nobel Prize laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer resonates today, as it did during his lifetime in the 20th century. His 1945 classic "Simple Gimpl," now translated by Dr. David Stromberg, offers a sage tale of morality and Jewish tradition. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins Stromberg to discuss Bashevis Singer’s emigration from Poland to New York City in the pre-World War II era; both writers’ connection with the work of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Albert Camus, and Saul Bellow; and Bashevis Singer’s prolific work alongside translators to keep the Yiddish language alive in newspapers and publishing houses for audiences in the United States and abroad. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 9, 2023 in 157 Bentley Hall, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: David Stromberg, PhD (Writer and Essayist; Translator, "Simple Gimpl: The Definitive Bilingual Edition") Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Director of Strategy) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Ka’Neisha Davis and Olivier Jacques Graphic Design: Estelle Guillot Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. To learn more about David Stromberg and Isaac Bashevis Singer, visit http://davidstromberg.com. Copyright © 2023 Drexel University

Throughout the pandemic, nostalgia brought audiences back to classic television shows—from "Andy Griffith" to "The Sopranos." Two particular TV series from decades past—"Perry Mason" and "Columbo"—wrapped us in a warm narrative blanket and proved to be uncontested classics. It’s no mystery why they’re so beloved by viewers across generations, given their charismatic lead characters and riveting writing. For a very special 50th "Pop, the Question" episode, Host Dr. Melinda Lewis teams up with Pennoni Honors College Dean and Distinguished Professor of English Paula Marantz Cohen to investigate the longevity and brilliance of "Perry Mason" and "Columbo," exploring what makes these two cultural icons so impactful and ever-relevant to contemporary audiences in an age of streaming and binge-watching. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 16, 2023 in 157 Bentley Hall, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University; Drexel Distinguished Professor of English, Department of English & Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Director of Strategy) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Ka’Neisha Davis and Olivier Jacques Graphic Design: Felicia Wolfer Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2023 Drexel University

In 2007, the world of fine cuisine forever changed its menu when Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures brought to life the animated feature "Ratatouille." The film follows the journey of rat protagonist Remy, who leaves the conventions of his family and hometown to satiate a “faim” for fine French cuisine. As Host Dr. Melinda Lewis discovers in conversation with Drexel alumnus and "Ratatouille" superfan Clayton Fosterweber, the animated classic speaks to all ages and has spawned a variety of fan theories, including Fosterweber’s own interpretations around collectivism, queer identity, and a search to find meaning and companionship in the melting pot that is Paris. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded February 10, 2023 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Clayton Fosterweber (Alumnus, Drexel University; Former STAR Scholar, Office of Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Director of Strategy, Pennoni Honors College) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Olivier Jacques Graphic Design: Felicia Wolfer Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2023 Drexel University

There’s more than meets the eye, when it comes to the representation of robots in popular culture. In TV and movies like "The Terminator," robots have a way of appearing much more advanced and seamless than engineers actually experience behind the scenes. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins U.S. Naval Research Laboratory mechanical engineer and Drexel University alumnus Matt Wiese to define what we mean by robots, cyborgs, and androids and to rethink how the media portrays technological advances of this type. Wiese also discusses how his work on Drexel’s comedy improv team applies to collaborative work in the robotics field. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded February 9, 2023 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Matt Wiese (Alumnus, Drexel University; Mechanical Engineer, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Director of Strategy, Pennoni Honors College) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Olivier Jacques Graphic Design: Zale Heller Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2023 Drexel University

"The Real Housewives" is a television franchise of voluminous proportions. With over 10 American-produced series since 2006 (each with multiple seasons and based in varied locations), a conglomerate of spin-offs, and numerous international series to boot, the Bravo network continues to attract the attention of audiences the world over. With characters, locations, and on- and off-screen drama aplenty, the franchise is both soap-opera-reality-show and cultural institution. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins longtime "Housewives" fan and Drexel University Director of International Admissions Christie Ruggieri to take a deep dive into "The Real Housewives" universe, where the show’s stars exhibit transgressive behavior and demonstrate how anything is possible on modern television. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded January 18, 2023 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Christie Ruggieri (Director, International Admissions; Alumna, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Director of Strategy, Pennoni Honors College) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey Graphic Design: Zale Heller Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2023 Drexel University

For over two centuries, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has been at the forefront of scientific research in the Philadelphia metropolitan region and across the globe. Now, more than ever, the institution’s vast collections, research initiatives, and community-based projects are forging pathways to scientific understanding about the world’s natural environment and its inhabitants. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins two esteemed science experts from the Academy: Dr. Rick McCourt (Curator of Botany and Director of the Center for Systematic Biology and Evolution; Drexel University Professor of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science) and Roland Wall (Senior Director of Environmental Initiatives for the Patrick Center for Environmental Research). This in-depth conversation addresses the impact of climate change, the accessibility of science writing in popular culture, and the greater movement for environmental justice and access to nature for all. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 28, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Rick McCourt (Professor, Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University; Curator of Botany and Director of the Center for Systematic Biology and Evolution, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University) and Roland Wall (Senior Director for Environmental Initiatives, Patrick Center for Environmental Research, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey Graphic Design: Kat Heller Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. For more info on the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, visit https://ansp.org. Copyright © 2023 Drexel University

Esports, as a growing cultural institution, finds itself in the middle of a debate over how it qualifies in the world of professional athletics and competitive sport. With growing popularity among gamers and fans alike, esports thrives among online streamers and college-level competitors. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis faces off with Drexel University undergraduate, gamer, and Drexel Esports President Claire Toomey to understand the rapid evolution of esports and how colleges are fostering a sense of sport and community for gamers. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 21, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Claire Toomey (President, Drexel Esports and Undergraduate Student, Software Engineering, College of Computing & Informatics, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey Graphic Design: Kat Heller Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. For more info on Drexel University esports, visit https://linktr.ee/drexelesports. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University

Magic has a way of (abracadabra!) appearing ubiquitously throughout popular culture. Integrated with mysticism and illusion is the core element of performance, transcending the carnival atmosphere and stage into other arenas of human life and interaction. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis talks with magician, improv comedian, Drexel University English writing professor, and overall “Man of Mystery” Dr. Fred Siegel to uncover the allure of the magic genre, its evolution, and its performative relevance to life on stage and in the classroom. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded September 29, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Fred Siegel, PhD (Teaching Professor of English and Director, First-Year Writing Program, Department of English & Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey Graphic Design: Kat Heller Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Visit "The Smart Set" at https://www.thesmartset.com/magic-class for a related essay by Fred Siegel. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University

This special episode highlights a previously recorded discussion in partnership with the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Presented as an installment of the Pennoni Panels series–and later produced as a pair of episodes for the PBS-broadcast TV series "The Civil Discourse," hosted by Drexel University Pennoni Honors College Dean Paula Marantz Cohen–“When Great Artists Behave Badly” features Tony Award-winning dancer/choreographer Bill T. Jones and a panel of esteemed experts. The panelists take on the topic of controversial artists and how society can separate the art from the artist in cases of toxic, immoral personal behavior. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded January 21, 2021 through virtual conferencing with supplemental recording on October 13, 2022 (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean and Host of The Civil Discourse); Aruna D’Souza (Author and Art Critic); Bill T. Jones (Tony Award-Winning Dancer/Choreographer); Martha Lucy, PhD (Barnes Foundation Renoir Scholar); and Erich Hatala Matthes, PhD (Author and Philosopher) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD with Melinda Lewis, PhD and Brian Kantorek Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey Graphic Design: Kat Heller Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. To watch these episodes and others from "The Civil Discourse," check your local PBS listings or visit www.youtube.com/c/thecivildiscourse. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University

The image and stories of working-class people have been central to an understanding of "America" and the "American Dream.” Their stories are omnipresent in popular literature, film, television, music, and everyday life. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis takes a tour with Drexel University sociologist Dr. Amanda McMillan Lequieu to explore a deindustrialized United States of America and its hardest hit communities, where some choose to leave while others remain. Along the way, the two also explore narratives that have helped shape policy and public perception of what it means to come from a place of importance. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded May 27, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Amanda McMillan Lequieu, PhD (Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Center for Science, Technology and Society, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey Graphic Design: Bhavna Ganesan Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. To learn more about Amanda McMillan Lequieu, visit www.amandamcmillanlequieu.com. Additional historical information on Herminie, PA by Jim Miller. To learn more about this and other Pennsylvania towns, visit www.youtube.com/channel/UCbtpYJoRYw7PdJ3M7IyWvYg. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University

Fandom often gets a bad rap, with communities surrounding popular texts like "Star Trek," "Lord of the Rings," and professional wrestling framed as toxic, desperate, or some combination of both. But fan communities are also the source of vibrancy and community-building with fans who make and share art, fan fiction, fanzines, clubs/message boards, cosplay, and conventions. Participatory culture helps expand the boundaries of the text, expanding its reach and meanings. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis explores these communities with Drexel University student, artist, writer, and consummate fan Kat Heller, who discusses their own research and relationship with fandom. The conversation also dives into the depths of the HBO Max series "Our Flag Means Death," offering overt queer representation with its characters and, in turn, plenty for fans to enjoy. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded May 20, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Kat Heller (Undergraduate, Animation & Visual Effects, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Social Media Outreach: Jaelynn Vesey Graphic Design: Bhavna Ganesan Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University

"Euphoria" is a highly bingeable HBO series that has made an indelible impact on pop culture of the early 2020s. It has drugs, sex, cutting-edge fashion, constant conflict, and plenty of references to past TV teen dramas like "My So-Called Life" and "Beverly Hills, 90210." It also places lead star Zendaya and writer/director Sam Levinson in the spotlight, but not without criticism. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis welcomes Drexel University student and "Euphoria" critic Kiara Santos for a debrief of the show’s first two seasons, exploring the ups and downs of the cast of characters and the writing behind all the drama. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 11, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Kiara Santos (Undergraduate, Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Bhavna Ganesan Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University

Professional wrestling encapsulates so much of what’s popular in the greater culture: dynamic characters; athleticism; narrative conflict; and riveting performance. For decades in the media spotlight, wrestling has maintained a stronghold on audiences with the likes of Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, Rick Flair, Dusty Rhodes, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Undertaker. However, as the profession changes, so do the players with the passing of time and their own aging in the face of mortality. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis gets in the ring with Drexel University student services pro and lifelong wrestling fan Dr. Subir Sahu for a match for the ages. The tag team takes on wrestling’s powerful place in pop culture with a special focus on The Undertaker’s trajectory from Mean Mark Callous to a masterful icon of the sport. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded January 21, 2022 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Subir Sahu, PhD (Senior Vice President for Student Success, Enrollment Management & Student Success, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Camille Velasquez Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University

Beauty pageants have a prominent history in American culture, where they evolved from baby contests at state fairs to full-blown Miss America extravaganzas for millions of viewers to enjoy. With its evolution, pageantry in all its splendor has found a home in popular culture and inspired TV shows like "The Bachelor" and "Toddlers & Tiaras," movies like "Miss Congeniality" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous," and also the way social media influencers comport themselves. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis examines the history, trends, and cultural impact of beauty pageants with Dr. Hilary Levey Friedman, a Brown University sociology professor, the author of "Here She Is: The Complicated Reign of the Beauty Pageant in America," and the daughter of a former Miss America winner. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 22, 2021 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Hilary Levey Friedman, PhD (Sociologist, Brown University Professor, and Author of "Here She Is: The Complicated Reign of the Beauty Pageant in America") Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Camille Velasquez Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Drexel University or Pennoni Honors College. Copyright © 2022 Drexel University To learn more about Hilary Levey Friedman, visit www.hilaryleveyfriedman.com.

The popularity of true crime indicates a fascination with crime. Whether that interest is rooted in the perpetrators, the horror of the crimes themselves, or the pleasure in detective work, audiences continually gravitate toward narratives like "The Staircase" and "Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer" or podcasts like "My Favorite Murder" and "Criminal." True crime has become a lifestyle, where enthusiasts even attend conventions like CrimeCon. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis examines the truth behind true crime in conversation with criminologist and serial killer expert Anthony Meoli, who has spent years corresponding with those behind bars. From Michael Alig to Gary Whiteside (and Charles Manson and Ted Kaczynski in between), Meoli has built relationships with some of the more notorious people of true crime lore and provides insight to the complexities and nuance of crime and criminality. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 1, 2021 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Anthony Meoli (Criminologist and Serial Killer Expert) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Camille Velasquez Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University To learn more about Anthony Meoli, visit www.anthonymeoli.net.

Philadelphia’s punk rock legacy, much like Rocky Balboa, is one embodying a fight to the finish and unsung achievements. Such is the story of author, educator, and lifelong rabble-rouser Nancy Barile, whose autobiography, "I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-and-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion," revisits her beloved Philly and a revolutionary period in music culture. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis stage-dives into conversation with Barile for a return to the author’s old stomping grounds and the punk rock lifestyle that made her who she is today as a high school English teacher and hardcore punk historian. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 5, 2021 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Nancy Barile (Author, "I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-and-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion") Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Camille Velasquez Original Photography: Bruce Rhodes and Allison Schnackenberg (courtesy of Bazillion Points) Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University To learn more about Nancy Barile, visit Bazillion Points at www.bazillionpoints.com.

What is the meaning of life? It’s a question that many (including Monty Python) have asked themselves through the annals of history and, most recently, during a global pandemic. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis evokes a discussion on the topic with Drexel University adjunct professor of philosophy Dr. Josh Peskin, exploring representations in popular film, the power of mindfulness, and the allure of woodworking that has helped Peskin design his life and make sense of the world around us. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded June 29, 2021 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Josh Peskin, PhD (Adjunct Professor, Pennoni Honors College) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Camille Velasquez Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University

Remember when you were 14 and there was that one album that changed the way you see and hear the world? Taking its lead from The Adolescentia Project, a digital archive that honors the music of our past, this special episode delves deep into the 14 year-old selves of three Drexel University faculty members to understand how The Police, Carpenters, and Dead Milkmen impacted these listeners’ lives and outlooks. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis leads the listening party with Drs. Denise Agosto, Jonson Miller, and Sheila Sandapen to reminisce about formative records (along with a few bonus tracks).   "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded January 31, 2021 through virtual conferencing in collaboration with The Adolescentia Project and Enrollment Management & Student Success (EMSS) (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Denise Agosto, PhD (Professor and Director of the MS in Information Program, Information Science, College of Computing & Informatics, Drexel University); Jonson Miller, PhD (Teaching Professor of History, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences); and Sheila Sandapen, PhD (Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Programs in English, Department of English and Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Alex Hotchkiss Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis To learn more about The Adolescentia Project, visit https://adolescentiaproject.com. Copyright © 2021 Drexel University

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the fashion world on its head, prompting independent designers to step up as larger, more established brands had to either pivot their business model or fold. Prudent designers followed the call to design comfy clothes like sweats, supportive footwear like Crocs, masks for both function and fashion, and creative collaborations with independent designers and craftspeople representing diverse clientele and wide-ranging needs. Drexel fashion design major Lindsay Alshouse and fashion design graduate Gabrielle Bak join Host Dr. Melinda Lewis for a big reveal of fashion trends from the pandemic, as well as industry shifts and their impact on popular culture. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded April 10, 2021 through virtual conferencing in collaboration with Enrollment Management & Student Success (EMSS) (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Lindsay Alshouse (Undergraduate Student, Fashion Design, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) and Gabrielle Bak (Alumna, Fashion Design) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Alex Hotchkiss Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University

Part of the allure of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian fiction, whether in print or on screen, is the ability to conjure up possible worlds and concepts that don't yet exist in reality. Novelists have done this for centuries, inspiring television and film adaptations to give rise to scientifically-based visions of what lies ahead. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis explores this genre of popular media with Drexel University product design professor, lifelong sci-fi and fantasy fiction enthusiast, and self-proclaimed "Doomsday optimist" Raja Schaar, unearthing the power of imagined stories to help make sense of (and potentially heal) a fractured society. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded November 9, 2020 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Raja Schaar (Assistant Professor and Program Director, Product Design, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Alex Hotchkiss Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University

As unpopular as it may seem, poop is omnipresent. We all do it, we all think about it, and we all have established practices and product preferences. Companies make big bucks from human bowel movements, while social infrastructure determines how we “go” about our daily lives. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis lets loose alongside self-proclaimed poop advocates and Drexel University undergraduate students Alaina and Jake to tackle this typically taboo topic with humor and pragmatism. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded September 17, 2020 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Alaina and Jake (Undergraduate Students, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Nina Pagano Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University

Everybody loves a good musical! They’re full of life, movement, poetry, social commentary, and, of course, plenty of song. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis joins the chorus line with Drexel University Associate Teaching Professor Gail D. Rosen, a life-long devotee of musicals, to discuss the best (and worst) in stage production and screen adaptation, as well as the power, memory, and future of the great musical. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded September 30, 2020 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Gail D. Rosen, JD (Associate Teaching Professor, Department of English & Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Nina Pagano Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University

Binging TV, movies, and social media during a pandemic is one way to cope with the daily uncertainty and inordinate amount of time spent at home. Fresh content abounds, giving viewers plenty of excuses to procrastinate from ongoing duties and the reality of the world outside. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis invites a cast of colleagues to chat about current TV series, horror flicks, and even some throwbacks that have been occupying their minds and capturing their hearts. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded September 16, 2020 through virtual conferencing as part of two sessions for Pennoni Honors College Honors Student Orientation (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University); Jaya Mohan (Director, Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs; Martha Meiers (Program Manager, Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs); and Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Nina Pagano Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2021 Drexel University

Zombies emerge as one of popular culture’s great symbols of anxiety, unrest, and crisis in the face of public health. More than ever, in a pandemic, zombie films conjure up the power of human instinct, strength, logic, and empathy. For this special episode, Host Dr. Melinda Lewis welcomes returning guest Dr. Kevin Egan to lead a team of outstanding Drexel University faculty through a discussion on what it takes to survive a zombie apocalypse and whose expertise will best equip them to lead the cause. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 20, 2020 through virtual conferencing in collaboration with Enrollment Management & Student Success (EMSS) (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Kevin Egan, PhD (Director, Academic Programs, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University); Dimitrios Papadopoulos, EdD (Assistant Teaching Professor, Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University); Josh Peskin, PhD (Adjunct Professor, Pennoni Honors College); Raja Schaar (Program Director and Assistant Professor, Product Design, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design); and Steven Weber, PhD (Department Head and Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Kevin Egan, PhD and Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Nina Pagano Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University

Punk rock roots run decades deep in underground and mainstream culture. The music and aesthetics exist in opposition to convention and in reaction to the sociopolitical climate of the times. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis riffs with Drexel University political scientist Dr. Kevin Egan and historian Dr. Scott Gabriel Knowles about punk in popular culture, the indelible music it has created, and the future of the genre. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 9, 2020 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guests: Kevin Egan, PhD (Director, Academic Programs, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University) and Scott Gabriel Knowles, PhD (Department Head and Professor, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Nina Pagano Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University

At the intersection of material culture and critical theory is an ever-changing music industry. Just as popular media formats have evolved over the last century, so have marketing strategies and power dynamics to get those media into the hands of audiences around the world. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis spins tales and unpacks theory with Dr. Joe Steinhardt, Drexel University Music Industry Program Assistant Teaching Professor, avid collector of both obscure and popular music and movies, and co-founder/owner of Don Giovanni Records. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded July 29, 2020 through virtual conferencing (Philadelphia, PA, USA). Featured Guest: Joe Steinhardt, PhD (Assistant Teaching Professor, Music Industry Program, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Nina Pagano Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University To learn more about Joe Steinhardt’s material collections, visit www.instagram.com/joesteinhardt.

Celebrating a 25th episode special, "Pop, the Question" turns the tables on Host Dr. Melinda Lewis to play a little game of celebrity Love and Hate Island. Pop culture expert, Drexel University colleague, and longtime friend Dr. Katie Barak quizzes Dr. Lewis about the worthiness of various celebrities and cultural icons. Some earn an appointment to Love Island and others get dumped on Hate Island, but the game reveals a treasure chest full of pop culture nuggets. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded May 1, 2020 through virtual conferencing, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Katie Barak, PhD (Associate Director, Academic Programs, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Eric Lauterbach Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University

Fashion always remains ahead of the curve and the vintage economy is no exception. Thrift stores and vintage specialty retailers offer an opportunity for consumers to find affordable glamour, to buy back their memories, and to even contribute to a global economy of product upcycling. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis sifts through the racks with fashion and thrifting scholar Jen Ayres to unearth the allure of a subculture. A former vintage retailer and longtime thrift store ethnographer, Ayres digs deep to uncover the power of memory and narrative hanging around at the local thrift store. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded January 14, 2020 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Jen Ayres (Visiting Fellow, The Symposium, Custom Designed Major, Academic Programs, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Eric Lauterbach Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University

Young adult (YA) and children’s literature has defined contemporary pop culture. While Robert Cormier and Judy Blume set the stage in the 1970s for exploring adolescence, recent decades have ushered in a growing depth and diversity in the youth stories we read and write. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis curls up with a good conversation alongside Drexel University English professor and YA literature expert Dr. Deirdre McMahon to outline the evolution and cultural impact of YA and children’s literature on other media, including film and graphic novel adaptations. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 22, 2019 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Deirdre McMahon, PhD (Teaching Professor of English, Department of English and Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Kathy Vy Chung Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University

Ultrarunning is an introspective sport and way of life for those who commit to the long haul. It conjures up the unrelenting pace of running-themed movies and inspirational music, but also encourages contemplation of human joy and suffering. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis runs through the topic with ultrarunner and Drexel University information science professor Dr. Tim Gorichanaz to discuss the myriad ways in which extreme running defines a person’s character, literary choices, and even playlists. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 2, 2019 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Tim Gorichanaz, PhD (Assistant Teaching Professor, Information Science, College of Computing & Informatics, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Barbara Chernyavsky Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University

Tedium isn’t such a bad thing, when you work for the stars. Such is the case for artist Grace Kim, whose fastidious craftwork has taken her all over the world to perfect what she was born to do as a precision tailor. Kim has worked with the likes of Rihanna, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Lucy Liu, Mahershala Ali, and sew on and sew forth. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis talks with Grace Kim to knit together stories of the artist's formative years with the fast-paced, demanding nature of a professional career behind the scenes of popular culture. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded July 25, 2019 and January 15, 2020 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Grace Kim (Artist and Professional Tailor) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Barbara Chernyavsky Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2020 Drexel University

Comfort television is nostalgia, kinship, family, convenience, escapism, and so much more. It includes favorites from the past, the syndicated usual suspects of "Law & Order" and "Star Trek" franchises, classic sitcoms, reality television, and other contemporary streaming hits. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis tunes in with former Drexel University colleague and TV enthusiast Ana Castillo-Nye to binge all their favorites, and to make sense of this universal creature comfort. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded June 13, 2019 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Ana Castillo-Nye (Former Associate Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Kathy Vy Chung Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2019 Drexel University

The field of computer science was once a playground for aspiring basement developers and classified government initiatives. Now, with the omnipresence of computer technology, video games, and a big push from Hollywood in recent decades, computer science permeates the greater economy, cultural landscape, and mostly everything humans do. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis connects with Dr. Bill Mongan, assistant professor of computer science at Drexel University, to discuss representations of the field in popular media, as well as efforts to make it all more accessible and inclusive. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded June 6, 2019 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Bill Mongan, PhD (Assistant Professor and Associate Department Head of Undergraduate Affairs, Computer Science, College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Kathy Vy Chung Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2019 Drexel University

Game shows are a decades-long American television tradition, and "Wheel of Fortune" has one of the strongest legacies. Take a spin with Zaarah Abdul-Aziz, a Drexel University undergraduate who was a contestant and prize winner on "Wheel of Fortune" (engaging in plenty of wordplay with Pat Sajak and Vanna White). Host Dr. Melinda Lewis quizzes Abdul-Aziz about her TV game show experiences, as well as the obsession that took the pre-med student from her living room to the set of "Wheel of Fortune." "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded July 23, 2019 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Zaarah Abdul-Aziz (Undergraduate, Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Barbara Chernyavsky Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Malia Lewis Copyright © 2019 Drexel University

The Beatles made an unprecedented impact on music and pop culture when they first arrived on the scene over a half-century ago. To this day, their influence continues to reverberate for new generations of listeners worldwide, including a curious and critical group of Drexel University staff members who dove head first into The Beatles' back catalog. In a special live episode of "Pop, the Question" (recorded for the 7th Annual Philadelphia Podcast Festival), Dr. Melinda Lewis breaks down the band’s canon of work with fans Dr. Kevin Egan, Broc Holmquest, and Julia Wisniewski. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded July 21, 2019 at Tattooed Mom, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guests: Kevin Egan, PhD (Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University); Broc Holmquest (Instructional Technologist, Office of Information Technology); and Julia Wisniewski (Assistant Director, Honors Program, Pennoni Honors College) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Production Assistance: Noah Levine Graphic Design: Barbara Chernyavsky and Jaya Mohan Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Julia Wisniewski Live Event Production and Audio Engineering: Kevin Gallagher, Jr. for Crude Humor Studios (in collaboration with the Philadelphia Podcast Society) Copyright © 2019 Drexel University

Once relegated to undergarment necessity, the T-shirt has evolved over the last half century to fashion trend, art form, political statement, and now collectable item. For artist and musician Perry Shall—a self-identified T-shirt archivist of over 1,400 shirts (among other artifacts)—his unique hobby is an unprecedented labor of love mixed with a lifelong thrill of the thrift store hunt. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis and Shall dive deep into the stories and cultural trends sewn into the very fabric of the ubiquitous T-shirt. Recorded August 21, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Perry Shall (Artist, Musician, and T-Shirt Archivist; Guest DJ, WKDU, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Kathy Vy Chung Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Johnpaul Golaski and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2019 Drexel University To learn more about Perry Shall, visit www.perryshall.com.

"The Office," an American mockumentary sitcom, ran on NBC for nine seasons through 2013 and continues to resonate with fans for its satirical humor and sometimes brutally absurd depiction of everyday work life. Central to business operations at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc. are the personal relationships among the characters, as well as the transformation many undergo over the course of their employment together. Most notable is lead character Dwight Schrute, who embodies the hero’s journey as theorized by mythologist Joseph Campbell. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis gets to the bottom of the paper piles with longtime fan of "The Office" and Drexel University Mathematics professor Dr. Dimitrios Papadopoulos. Recorded November 29, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Dimitrios Papadopoulos, EdD (Assistant Teaching Professor, Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Emily Kashka and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2019 Drexel University For more on "The Office" from Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University, visit https://thesmartset.com/the-banal-and-beautiful/.

Following growing discussion around identity politics, Hollywood rolled out the red carpet in 2018 for diverse film offerings like "Black Panther," "Sorry to Bother You," "Blindspotting," "BlacKkKlansman," "Crazy Rich Asians," and "Eighth Grade." While the industry hasn’t turned over its equitable leaf quite yet, these titles represent an exciting moment and promise for historically underrepresented filmmakers and narratives. They represent greater specificity and character development to reach and resonate with their diverse global audiences. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis shines the spotlight on film and diversity in conversation with cultural critic and Drexel University English undergraduate Byshera Williams. Recorded August 27, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Byshera Williams (Undergraduate, English, College of Arts and Sciences; Honors Program, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Nick Barber and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2019 Drexel University

Apples are nature’s candy, as well as a popular motif and metaphor. At their core, they represent original sin, despite the adage that one a day keeps the doctor away; still there’s relatively little consumer information available in the cybersphere about this handy fruit. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis gets to the root of the matter—and even holds a taste test—with apple aficionado and Drexel University Computer Engineering undergraduate Doug Gerichten. Recorded January 29, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Doug Gerichten (Undergraduate, Computer Engineering, College of Engineering; Honors Program, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Logo and Graphic Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

Once upon a time in America, Westerns ruled the film landscape. While the Western genre no longer commands the front line of popular culture, the legacy endures through space epics, heist films, and anthology TV. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis discusses the complex and inspirational nature of the great Westerns with late filmmaker, writer, and Drexel University cinema studies professor Dave “D.B.” Jones. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded April 27, 2018 and November 13, 2018 (introductory eulogy) in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Dave “D.B.” Jones, PhD (Dean Emeritus, Pennoni Honors College and Distinguished Professor of Film, Cinema & Television, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

Horror punk godfather and musician Glenn Danzig birthed the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig with iconography and inspiration from the likes of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and B-list horror and sci-fi flicks from his formative years. His love/hate relationship with the pop culture of his youth helped Danzig establish preeminence within the music subculture, which later lent itself back to more mainstream audiences through branding, merchandising, and appearances on cable comedy series like "Portlandia" and "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." Host Dr. Melinda Lewis and veteran Drexel University WKDU DJ Johnpaul Golaski explore Glenn Danzig’s legacy and peculiar rise to fame. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded September 11, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Johnpaul Golaski (WKDU 91.7 FM DJ and Former Undergraduate Student, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Perry Shall and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

"Working Girl" and its protagonist Tess McGill set sail on the Staten Island Ferry for a piece of the capitalist pie, challenging gender and class stereotypes. For three decades now, the 1988 film’s influence has docked in the hearts of moviegoers and feminists alike. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis and Drexel University alumnus Maren Larsen reflect on the greater cultural appeal and impact of "Working Girl." "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 13, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Maren Larsen (Custom-Designed Major '18, Honors Program, Drexel University) Special Guest: Annie Larsen (Parent to Maren Larsen) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Kevin Egan and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

Music is instrumental to self-exploration, identity, and socialization. This includes songs filed under the category of "guilty pleasure," where earnest tastes somehow prove misaligned with what's considered cool. In a special live episode of "Pop, the Question" (recorded for the 6th Annual Philadelphia Podcast Festival), Dr. Melinda Lewis digs deep in the crates with pop music fans Ann Alexander, Dr. Katie Barak, and Jenny Carolina-Bell to unearth some of their greatest hits of all time. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded July 1, 2018 at Tattooed Mom, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guests: Ann Alexander (Director of Administration & Finance, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University); Katie Barak, PhD (Associate Director, Honors Program); and Jenny Carolina Bell (Director, Campus Partnerships, Office of Alumni Relations) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Eric Kennedy and Julia Wisniewski Live Event Audio Engineering: Dave Steele for Steele Empire (in collaboration with the Philadelphia Podcast Society) Live Event Production: Kevin Gallagher, Jr. for Crude Humor Studios (in collaboration with the Philadelphia Podcast Society) Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" has pivoted reality television and social media to reinvent how audiences gain access to celebrity lives. With Kim at the center of it all, the Kardashians and Jenners work relentlessly to enhance their image, the public's consumption practices, and even the indelible impact on culture and society. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis and superfan Jenny Carolina-Bell explore this influence and the evolution of pop culture’s first family. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 15, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Jenny Carolina-Bell (Director, Campus Partnerships, Office of Alumni Relations, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Nick Barber and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

When the music industry emerged from the shadows of AM radio and found itself in the hardcore punk music mosh pit of the late 20th Century, fans followed suit and got involved on their own terms. Music industry professor and Jade Tree Records co-founder Darren Walters went from listener to active participant, supporting the work of artists on the ground level for the past three decades. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis spins tales with Walters about the evolution of the music industry, the place of an indie label in mainstream culture, and the influence of popular rock bands like Rush and Duran Duran on a thriving counterculture. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 14, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Darren Walters (Associate Teaching Professor, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Maren Larsen and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

While archeologists have Indiana Jones, geologists have Harry Dalton, Pierce Brosnan’s character in the 1997 volcano extravaganza "Dante’s Peak." The film laid the groundwork for scientific representation of volcanology in mainstream culture, and made an impact on how emergency agencies prepare the public for disaster. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis and aspiring volcanologist Nick Barber grapple with what "Dante’s Peak" gets right, what it gets wrong, and how popular culture shapes the way audiences interact with their natural environment. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded March 6, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Nick Barber (Undergraduate, Geoscience Major, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Graphic Design: Isabella Akhtarshenas Logo Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Martha Meiers and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

A cartoonist draws inspiration from a spectrum of influences. For graphic novelist and educator Jamar Nicholas, city life, popular comic strips, and reality TV all inform his creations. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis and the artist discuss his graphic novels, social themes at play, and his affinity for "The Real Housewives" and Stone Cold Steve Austin. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded February 20, 2018 in 0054 University Crossings, Cinema & Television, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Jamar Nicholas (Adjunct Professor, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Logo and Graphic Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

A celebrity crush is a rite of passage for people all over the world. The emotions are real, while the relationships typically are not. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis flirts with this cultural phenomenon alongside six guests, revealing myriad ways in which fans crush on those in the spotlight. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded December 19, 2017 through January 23, 2018 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guests: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University); Jaya Mohan (Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Research); Eric Kennedy (Assistant Director, Honors Program); Emily Kashka (Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Research); Julia Wisniewski (Program Coordinator, Honors Program); and Karen Sams (Executive Assistant, Office of the Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Logo and Graphic Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Brian Kantorek and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

In the 19th Century, the pursuit of truth and holistic understanding of science were hot new trends. Little known Russian scientist Sergei Vinogradskii was one of the hippest cats, with his microbe work paving the way for the emerging fields of microbiology and ecology. Dr. Lloyd Ackert joins Dr. Melinda Lewis to till fertile ground related to the role of serendipity in scientific discovery, theories of mutual aid and Darwinism, and how microbes have impacted life and culture. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded November 28, 2017 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Lloyd Ackert, PhD (Associate Teaching Professor of History, College of Arts & Sciences, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Logo and Graphic Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Jaya Mohan and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2018 Drexel University

The 1988 Oscar-nominated film "Die Hard" challenged preconceptions of the action film genre and what constitutes a Christmas film. It delivers a powerful (holiday) punch, while also unpacking the institutionalization of the Christmas spirit. Drs. Melinda Lewis and Kevin Egan embark on an analysis of this Christmas classic, and even discover a few stocking stuffers in the process. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded November 29, 2017 in 3034 MacAlister Hall, Marketing & Media, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Kevin Egan, PhD (Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Logo and Graphic Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Ana Castillo-Nye and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2017 Drexel University

Superhero fans, actors, and production companies are chasing down the next big hit, but at the risk of oversaturating the market for comic book screen adaptations. Host Dr. Melinda Lewis and guest Ann Alexander discuss the increasing popularity and financial ramifications of superheroes and their universes. "Pop, the Question" is a production of Marketing & Media in Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University. Recorded October 4, 2017 in 5016 MacAlister Hall, Office of the Dean, Pennoni Honors College, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Featured Guest: Ann Alexander (Director of Administration & Finance, Pennoni Honors College) Host and Producer: Melinda Lewis, PhD (Associate Director, Marketing & Media) Dean: Paula Marantz Cohen, PhD (Dean, Pennoni Honors College) Executive Producer: Erica Levi Zelinger (Director, Marketing & Media) Producer: Brian Kantorek (Assistant Director, Marketing & Media) Research and Script: Melinda Lewis, PhD Audio Engineering and Editing: Brian Kantorek Original Theme Music: Brian Kantorek Logo and Graphic Design: Michal Anderson Additional Voiceover: Kevin Egan, PhD and Julia Wisniewski Copyright © 2017 Drexel University