Rephonic
Artwork for Material Girls
Taylor Swift
Twilight
Harry Potter
Gilmore Girls
Girl Culture
Making Worlds
Sweet Potato Fries
Evermore
Eras Tour
Folklore
Les Misérables
Israel-Palestine
Material Pursuit
Young Adult Literature
Vampires
Dungeons & Dragons
Norm Porn
Karen Tongson
The Night Circus
Biofortified Orange Flesh Sweet Potato

A scholarly podcast about pop culture hosted by Hannah McGregor and Marcelle Kosman, produced by Witch, Please Productions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes255Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Material Girls

Latest Episodes

Welcome back to Pitty Party!

Editor’s note: Gaby misspeaks at one point in the episode and refers to the “slash trach” that Dr. Al-Hashimi does as a “slash crike.” Another reminder that none of us are medical doctors :)

It’s another jam packed epis... more

Welcome back to Material Concerns — our out of format episode featuring guest co-host, Coach! In this week's episode, we do a very long check-in (as we are wont to do!) and follow it up with a Fixation Station! 

In Part II, we continue our impromptu... more

Welcome back to Pitty Party!

This episode has everything, so Gaby, Zoe, and Marcelle get right into it. Furries! Firework accidents! A sense of overwhelming dread for Dr. Robby’s wellbeing! They also dig into Mel’s (and Javadi’s!) no good very bad s... more

This week we are joined by the incomparable Zena Sharman (she/her). Zena is an essayist and non-fiction writer who is a fan and student of the film 9 to 5 (1980). If you don't know the movie, you almost certainly know the song of the same name writte... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Culture Study Podcast
Culture Study PodcastAnne Helen Petersen
Maintenance Phase
Maintenance PhaseAubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
If Books Could Kill
If Books Could KillMichael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
You're Wrong About
You're Wrong AboutSarah Marshall

Recent Guests

Zena Sharman
Essayist and nonfiction writer; author and expert on the film's production and labor history
Episode: 9 to 5 x Labour Feminism with Zena Sharman
Zoe Mix
Guest expert on Wuthering Heights
Episode: Wuthering Heights x The Promise of Happiness with Zoe Mix
Helen Zaltzman
Expert in linguistic etymology.
The Allusionist
Episode: Daddy: A Live Show with Helen Zaltzman and Martin Austwick
Martin Austwick
Musician and guest contributor.
Neutrino Watch
Episode: Daddy: A Live Show with Helen Zaltzman and Martin Austwick
Lindy West
Best-selling author and executive producer of the show, Shrill
Episode: The Lord of the Rings x Arcadia with Text Me Back! With Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays
Meagan Hatcher-Mays
Works in democracy, the courts, and politics
Episode: The Lord of the Rings x Arcadia with Text Me Back! With Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays
Dr. Leigh Dyrda
Cultural critic and scholar with a focus on eco-gothic media analysis
Episode: The X Files x Conspiracy with Leigh Dyrda
Ruth Ormiston
Book designer and cultural worker
Episode: The Sims x The Queer Art of Failure with Ruth Ormiston
Shira Lurie
Political historian of the early United States focusing on popular politics and historical memory.
UVA Press
Episode: Hamilton x Hagiography with Shira Lurie

Hosts

Hannah McGregor
Co-host known for insightful commentary and humor, connecting personal anecdotes with critical cultural discussions.
Marcelle Kosman
Co-host who brings a blend of academic critique and humor, enhancing the dialogues on pop culture phenomena.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.2k ratings
  • Heated Rivalry Episode

    I’ve loved this show since its beginning but have never left a review. This episode was SO GOOD! I literally was saying “YES!” over and over like I was in a revival meeting. I’ve loved smutty fanfic for years and have always felt like it was radical. It gave me such a completely new, healthy understanding of my own body and sexuality outside of my millennial upbringing of purity rings and Cosmopolitan magazine. I love talking about fanfic to anyone who will listen and love that I now having some... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beautifulblue89
    United Statesa month ago
  • Silliest Serious Product

    This is far and away my favorite podcast! Highly recommend if you’re someone who enjoys thinking deeply. Marcelle and Hannah’s insights shape how I see the world around me while making it feel like a good parasocial hang. The Barbie X Petrocapitalism episode in particular blew my mind, but they’re all great.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bean Machine 2000
    United States2 months ago
  • Material relevant to your interests!

    Material Girls is a hilarious, topical, and expert deep dive on pop culture today. Hosts Marcelle and Hannah have a chemistry and arch sense of humour that builds on the formula of their previous podcast, Witch, Please (an awesome feminist read through of the Harry Potter universe, also recommended!). It is such a gift that they are now using their powers to make sense of whatever has surfaced from the late capitalist sea of content to capture our attention and stir up controversy. I recommend M... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaz_8419
    Canada3 months ago
  • Fave podcast :)

    Absolutely love this show from the Harry Potter seasons to now. Slightly redeemed Harry Potter from the TERF dustbin for me. My favorite podcaster that writes about feminist dinosaurs :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Edenheffha
    United States4 months ago
  • Material Girls is AMAZING!!!

    Hannah and Marcelle are super smart, funny, entertaining hosts who dive into so many zeitgeist-y pop culture phenomena while connecting them to historical perspectives, literary and political theory, and keeping me laughing the whole time. My favorite podcast!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    banjoclove
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the blend of humor and critical insight, often noting the podcast provides a refreshing perspective on pop culture.
Many find the content intellectually stimulating, often citing the relevance of topics to contemporary society and media.
Several listeners express gratitude for the show's ability to make complex theories accessible and enjoyable.
The hosts are praised for their chemistry and ability to engage in thoughtful discussions that feel personal yet academically rigorous.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
Focus: Adults in the Room
Focus: Adults in the RoomKUOW News and Information
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
The Why Files: Operation Podcast
The Why Files: Operation PodcastThe Why Files: Operation Podcast

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

9 to 5 x Labour Feminism with Zena Sharman
Q: What is the central thesis about how labor feminism is depicted in 9to5?
Labor feminism is shown as a movement that centers wage equality, workplace control, and concrete accommodations, expanding the vocabulary of workplace rights and linking gendered labor to broader organizing, rather than merely focusing on cultural commentary about femininity.
Daddy: A Live Show with Helen Zaltzman and Martin Austwick
Q: What's the relationship between mommy and daddy?
There will be a separate episode to discuss 'mommy' as a counterpart to 'daddy'.
Daddy: A Live Show with Helen Zaltzman and Martin Austwick
Q: Can you comment on the moment in the Canadian election campaign when a woman at a Mark Carney rally yelled, 'lead us Big Daddy'?
The hosts reflect that daddies are not good in politics and highlight the significance of wanting a responsible dad.
The X Files x Conspiracy with Leigh Dyrda
Q: Were you guys also interested in the myth arc?
Marcelle prefers the Monster of the Week episodes, as they are less stressful compared to ongoing stories.
Royals Gossip and Colonial Hangovers | Culture Study
Q: How can we balance the obsession with sourcing every little thing with the need to give celebrities, and I guess royals too, some privacy?
It is difficult to discern when public figures are performing their identities intentionally and when they are seeking privacy, as the roles of celebrity and royal figures are deeply intertwined with public expectation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Material Girls

What is Material Girls about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging with the nuances of pop culture, this podcast hosts lively discussions featuring thoughtfully woven insights on contemporary topics through a critical lens. The conversations span a diverse range of subjects, including media representation, language evolution, queer culture, and the social implications embedded within popular narratives. The hosts maintain a carousel of humor and intellect, drawing from their academic backgrounds to explore significant cultural moments while also reflecting on personal experiences and community involvement. Their unique ability to blend entertainment with profound commentary makes this podcast distinctive, appealing to those who appreciate a blend of scholarly critique and humor.

Where can I find podcast stats for Material Girls?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Material Girls. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Material Girls and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Material Girls get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Material Girls, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Material Girls?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Material Girls, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Material Girls have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Material Girls has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Material Girls?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Material Girls:

1. Culture Study Podcast
2. Maintenance Phase
3. If Books Could Kill
4. You're Wrong About
5. A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein

How many episodes of Material Girls are there?

Material Girls launched 11 years ago and published 255 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Material Girls?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Material Girls?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Material Girls from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Material Girls?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Material Girls. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Material Girls?

Recent guests on Material Girls include:

1. Zena Sharman
2. Zoe Mix
3. Helen Zaltzman
4. Martin Austwick
5. Lindy West
6. Meagan Hatcher-Mays
7. Dr. Leigh Dyrda
8. Ruth Ormiston

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days