Corners of Culture

entry no. 07: the feminine icons signaling our return to the sacred

In this entry of Corners of Culture, I’m thinking out loud about something that’s been hard to ignore lately: the quiet return of religion, tradition, and ritual in pop culture as led by female icons. This episode was sparked by Rosalía’s new album LUX, which leans heavily into sacred imagery, classical sound, and transcendent language. It feels like a real aesthetic and emotional shift, not just for her as an artist, but as a reflection of the cultural moment we’re in. From there, I zoom out and connect a few dots: - The cultural vertigo we all feel - Why ritual suddenly feels meaningful again - Why “trad” aesthetics are having a moment, even among people who would still call themselves feminist And why songs about marriage and domestic life aren’t getting the backlash you might expect !!! I touch on figures like Nara Smith, Ballerina Farm, and Raye- not to praise or critique them, but to notice what they represent: a generation craving stability, familiarity, and something bigger than themselves. These are not hot takes or conclusions. Just observations.Half-baked, but honest thoughts :) Mostly, this episode is about watching the pendulum swing and wondering what this return to the sacred might turn into next. Referenced in this episode Rosalía — LUX Nara Smith Ballerina Farm Raye — “Where Is My Husband?” About Corners of Culture Corners of Culture is a series of cultural noticing — following small moments, aesthetics, and media trends to see what they reveal about the larger story we’re living in. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cornersofculture.substack.com [https://cornersofculture.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

06. the things you use every day have stories. you're just not listening.

Is the Starbucks siren secretly Yemeni? That’s a lore drop. Out of all the objects in your home, the foods you eat every day, and the clothes you rotate through your closet…how many do you actually know the backstory of? This morning I looked at my espresso cup from Paris and it said “MADE IN THAILAND.” What’s that about? Don’t worry, this isn’t a political message about the importance of domestic production. It’s deeper than that. It’s about how increased access to global markets demands our increased responsibility to consume with cultural literacy. Most days, I’m not waking up thinking, “Hmm, which ancient civilization gifted me corn?” or “Who really created yogurt?” I’m just going about my life, using and buying things without a second thought. But today hit me with a humbling realization: I’m often culturally illiterate, or at least ignorant, in my consumption…. It doesn’t hurt to slow down. To pay attention. To notice how the stuff woven into our everyday routines is shaped by histories way bigger than us. The more I look into where things come from, the more grateful and connected I feel. When you know where something comes from and why it is the way it is, you can appreciate its value. Its story. Its people. You’re transformed from a mindless consumer to someone connected to a larger body. It turns the ordinary into something with meaning and context. This mini episode is me following that thread. The trail of breadcrumbs across oceans. Tracing the origins of coffee, yogurt, and a few other things I thought I understood! Join me on this cultural adventure :) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cornersofculture.substack.com [https://cornersofculture.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

04. Markets & Museums. We once stole culture to display in glass cases, now we steal it to sell in paper cups.

🎙️ Entry No. 04: Markets & Museums – Is the Marketplace the Modern Museum? Corners of Culture – with Shyne We once stole culture to display in glass cases. Now, we steal it to sell in paper cups. From Korean cream tops to Japanese matcha to Vietnamese coffee, Western brands often repackage global traditions as “innovation.” In this episode, I explore how the marketplace acts like a modern museum—collecting, repurposing, and profiting from cultural artifacts. We’ll look at: - Coffee culture as a case study in cultural appropriation - How food, fashion, and flavor trends borrow without credit - Whether “innovation” today is really just colonialism rebranded I’m not here to give answers—only questions worth sitting with. Are we celebrating culture, or commodifying it? And is the marketplace doomed to repeat the same extractive patterns as history’s museums? –––Keywords: cultural appropriation in coffee, marketplace as museum, matcha trend, Korean cafés U.S., globalization and innovation, fusion food and fashion. 🎧 Listen now and share with a friend who loves spotting cultural trends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cornersofculture.substack.com [https://cornersofculture.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Entry No. 03: Are coffee shops becoming the new church? ⛪️☕️

☕ Episode 3: Are Coffee Shops the New Churches?Hosted by: Shyne, Your Local Cultural Investigator In today’s episode, we explore a spicy question: Are coffee shops assuming the role of modern-day churches? Shyne takes to the streets to hear from locals and examine how coffee shops might be filling a role once held by traditional faith communities—places of belonging, loyalty, identity, and shared rituals. From the barista who knows your order to the sacred conversations over lattes, coffee shops have become a “third place” where life happens: first dates, breakups, grief, joy, and everyday connection. But is that sense of community supplemental… or central? 🔎 In this episode: The surprising parallels between church and coffee shop culture Why coffee shops feel like sacred spaces for many How community, identity, and belonging show up in third places Street interviews that reveal diverse perspectives The role of consumer culture in shaping modern “tribes” Whether you’re a coffee shop regular or a casual visitor, this episode invites you to consider: What role does your favorite café play in your life—and in society? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cornersofculture.substack.com [https://cornersofculture.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Entry No. 02: the food-ification of beverages

🎙️ Episode No. 02: The Food-ification of Coffee Corners of Culture – A Cultural Inquiry with Shyne Is your latte starting to taste more like lunch? From mango sticky rice matcha to ramen lattes (yes, actual ramen), this week’s cultural investigation dives into the curious case of meals becoming drinks. What began as a playful sip of something new has spiraled into a full-on trend: food-inspired lattes popping up in coffee shops everywhere. But we’re not here to rate their taste—we're here to ask: why is this happening? 🔎 In this episode, we explore: Is this a symptom of coffee culture’s obsession with novelty? Could it be a recession-era survival tactic for cafes trying to offer two-in-one value? Has home brewing tech pushed shops to become more performative and viral-ready to stay relevant? Or are we just really, really bored? 🍜 From banana pudding matcha to savory espresso broths, we’re tracing a trend that may say more about our economy, our attention spans, and our appetite for reinvention than we think. 👀 Keep your eyes open at your local coffee spot—and your tastebuds on alert. 🗣️ Join the convo: Subscribers can now dive deeper into these cultural puzzles in our new chat thread. Share your thoughts, your city’s wildest coffee concoction, or your strong opinion on the ramen latte. I’m all ears. –––🎧 Listen, think, and talk about it at dinner this week.💌 Subscribe for more multimedia field notes at Corners of Culture📤 Share this with the friend who orders the weirdest drink on the menu. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cornersofculture.substack.com [https://cornersofculture.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]