Coffee is for Closers

Live from New York!

(Not) live from New York—it’s Intelligentsia's season finale! This week, we break down the legacy, chaos, and cultural chokehold of Saturday Night Live—from its scrappy 1975 debut with Lorne Michaels and the “Not Ready for Prime-Time Players” to the comedy powerhouse that launched icons like Eddie Murphy and Tina Fey. We debate whether SNL still hits, make the case for our all-time casts, revisit legendary hosts and less than legendary musical guests, and pitch our own unhinged sketch ideas. Plus: the show’s massive impact on politics, pop culture, and what the future looks like post-Lorne.

People Who Kill Serially

You asked for it: this week, Intelligentsia dives into the dark, weird, and wildly fascinating world of serial killers for our “listener’s pick” episode. We trace the history—from Jack the Ripper to America’s “golden age” of murderers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy—and unpack how they became cultural obsessions. Where the true crime girlies at? We also get into Hollywood’s fixation on killers (Dexter, Monster, American Psycho), the psychology behind psychopathy and trauma, and the bigger question: why can’t we look away? Dark history, pop culture, and true-crime brain rot—welcome in.

Social Media is All Fun and Games

From AIM away messages to the algorithm, the Intelligentsia squad is unpacking the evolution of social media—and how it went from harmless fun to full-blown industry. We revisit Myspace and THE Facebook, then dive into how platforms reshaped connection, identity, and influence for those of us who came of age in the social media era Plus: social media’s impact on TV, politics, and fame (The Social Network, reality TV rivalries), and a candid conversation with content creator AJ Hernandez on what it actually takes to be an influencer today and where it’s all headed next.

He HATES Bad Service

Bonus content! A little quip about the Intelligentsia's true feelings about bad service in a restaurant.

Coffee is for Closers

From first sips to daily rituals, we’re diving into all things coffee—how we take it, why we love it, and how it became a global obsession. We trace coffee’s journey from Ethiopian goat herders to European Enlightenment fuel, break down how it’s produced and consumed around the world, and debate the essentials: hot vs. iced, and Dunkin vs. Starbucks. As always, we’ll chat iconic coffee moments in pop culture, our favorite small chain coffee spots, and why coffee might be the ultimate social glue—from work catch-ups to “let’s grab a coffee” culture.