The Cooler

Feb 01 2020 178 ep. 34 mins 1.1k
The Cooler Podcast artwork

The Cooler is a weekly podcast from KQED Pop that tackles popular culture in a smart, fun and personal way.

  TV & Film  Music  Society & Culture
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Stay Cool

Feb 01 2020 56 mins  
After a five-year stint, The Cooler says goodbye with a finale jam-packed with the voices of its beloved listeners.

We Need A Resolution

Jan 01 2020 56 mins  
This month, we resolve to upgrade ourselves in 2020, go down a retcon K hole, discover what taint tanning is all about and make a pilgrimage to visit one of Jennifer Aniston's exes.

The Great Unliking

Dec 01 2019 60 mins  
This month, we're analyzing why Instagram is taking away likes, telling the stories of three runaway princesses, unpacking what emotional labor means in 2019 and sharing our peaks and pits of the decade.

Coldplay Will Tear Us Apart

Nov 01 2019 58 mins  
This month, we fight over Coldplay, listen to the best and worst tracks from the past decade, learn all about WAGs and summarize the entire Star Wars mythology in just a few disrespectful minutes.

Since We’ve Been Gone

Oct 01 2019 48 mins  
The Cooler is back (!!!) and weighing in on the chicken sandwich wars of 2019, the return of Jennifer Aniston's ex, impeachment drama from the 1860s and Lindsay Lohan's new prescription drug anthem (yep, you read that right).

Queer Eye’s Tan France On How Gays Will Save The World

Jul 11 2019 58 mins  
A special bonus episode featuring Tan France chatting about what it was like growing up gay in a traditional Muslim family, how 9/11 still affects his life to this day, how he ended up partying with Victoria Beckham, why he hates Olive Garden and whether he loves *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys more.

Hotline Bling

Jun 27 2019 44 mins  
This week, we’re handing over control of our finale to you, the listeners! We’re handing out advice about dating coworkers, sharing our Real Housewives taglines, shagging marrying and killing our way through Disney princesses, and so much more!

Bay Bye: Breaking Up With San Francisco

Jun 20 2019 28 mins  
Is San Francisco rotten or still full of soul? We discuss the ways the city has won our hearts and broken them. We're also shaking our heads over John Cusack's anti-Semitism and sharing some ~*personal news*~ about the future of the podcast.

The Bops Of Summer

Jun 13 2019 40 mins  
This week, we’ll be listening to a few Song of the Summer contenders (that aren't "Old Town Road") and deciding which summer anthem gets The Cooler’s official seal of approval. Also, inspired by Justin Bieber challenging Tom Cruise to a fight, we're handing out tips on how to host a duel of your own.

Natalie Portman Is Out Of Your League

Jun 06 2019 37 mins  
We're wondering why Moby lied about dating Natalie Portman, handing out tips on how to survive burnout and sharing more than a few words for the dudes who want to make a Straight Pride Parade happen (*Regina George voice* "It's not going to happen!").