It's been a while since I've checked in, but I hope you'll forgive me. I was busy turning my world upside down in the best way... I became a mom! In June, I welcomed a baby girl named Thea π she's the sweetest part of life so far.
I've tried to give myself grace and let time sit still for a moment, but I admit Iβve felt guilty for not writing or creating. That's when my friend Kate reminded me that Iβve been working on my greatest creation yet: my daughter.
Now I'm almost three months post-partum, trying to balance this new normal: parenting, but also revisiting my passion projects, like this newsletter. I've thought about writing every day, but couldn't muster up the energy until now thanks to a nudge from my Peloton instructor.
During my ride the other day, the instructor, Tunde, said something that struck a chord: Why do we fight ourselves to get to the very thing we know will make us feel good?
I realized Iβd been doing just that β resisting the pull to return to this newsletter, even though I knew it would bring me joy. So here we are! Iβm thrilled to relaunch under a new name: By Popular Demand β a place where weβll dive into culture, social trends, and nostalgia together.
As we kick off this new chapter, I want to leave you with something to reflect on:
πͺ reflect & reply π¬β ββ What is something you're fighting yourself to do?
Maybe itβs starting a creative project, making time for exercise, or simply reaching out to a friend youβve been meaning to call.
Whatever it is, remember how rewarding it feels to accomplish something youβve been delaying. Here's your motivation to take the first step!
It's back-to-school season, and pop culture class is in session! The University of Florida announced a new course focused on Jimmy Buffett's impact, from his music, to entrepreneurship, and activism.
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Jimmy built an empire around his laid-back, island lifestyle. With a devoted fanbase of βParrotheadsβ and ventures like Margaritaville resorts, restaurants, and countless products, his brand is still going strong.
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Clearly big corporations aren't the only examples of great marketing β we can learn just as much from pop culture icons. And many other universities back this idea. Check out these other courses offered across the U.S.!
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Harry Styles and the Cult of Celebrity β Texas State University
Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame β University of Southern California
The Taylor Swift Songbook β New York University
The Kardashians and Society β University of Nebraska
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What pop culture topic interests you to the point where you could see yourself teaching a class about it? Reply and let me know!
We love when pop culture and advertising collide! Did you know Alfonso Ribeiro βyes, Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airβ starred in a Pepsi commercial with Michael Jackson in 1984? My dad shared this mind-blowing fact with me!
Watch the full Pepsi commercial featuring 12-year-old Alfonso Ribeiro
Pepsi signed Michael for a record-breaking $5 million, paving the way for brands to collaborate with musicians on a large scale. Despite the fact that Michael's hair caught on fire during the shoot (π«£) it was still a major success. Coca-Cola soon followed with ads featuring Whitney Houston and Paula Abdul.
These powerful celebrity collaborations do more than just sell soda. They create iconic moments that stay with us for generations. My dad β a baby boomer β still vividly recalls the MJ ad, and the Britney-era commercials are forever etched in the minds of millennials over two decades later.
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Meanwhile, Alfonso Ribeiro is hosting Dancing with the Stars these days! They just announced the lineup of celebrities yesterday! I'm rooting for Reginald VelJohnson aka Carl Winslow from Family Matters. We love a '90s sitcom dad! The new season airs September 17th!
How do you organize all the recipes you find online? I'm trying to up my game in the kitchen (yes, chef!) but between Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and good old-fashioned Google searches, my bookmarks are a disorganized mess!
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Enter the life-changing magic of the Paprika app!
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With Paprika, you can easily save recipes from all over the internet in one place, but it also:
Breaks down recipes into simple ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions
Transfers ingredients to your grocery list where you can check off what you already have and what you still need to purchase
Includes a calendar so you can schedule meals for certain days
Easily modifies serving sizes depending on the group you're cooking for β
Shoutout to creator Lauren Ash @laurenashastro for this laugh and sad reality lol
#PopChat & more π
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As I mentioned earlier, I've been enjoying a hiatus from creating since becoming a mom! I'm so happy to jump back into things. Stay tuned for updates regarding the return of my Twitter chat (#PopChat) and the future of my podcast, Making the Brand. Until then, there are 100+ episodes waiting for you!
