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Pop Culture Confidential

Pop Culture Confidential

Conversations at the intersection of movies, television, and pop culture.
Hosted by Christina Jeurling Birro, this podcast delivers candid interviews with filmmakers, actors, creators, and cultural tastemakers, plus festival and awards-season coverage, reviews, and in-depth explorations of the stories shaping what we watch and why it matters.


Recent

529: Emmys 2026! Nomination Predictions ft. Guest Eoin Daly
529
June 24, 2026

529: Emmys 2026! Nomination Predictions ft. Guest Eoin Daly

TV time! Emmy nominations drop on July 8th. Christina and guest Eoin Daly make their boldest nom predictions. From The Pitt to Hacks, Widows Bay, Pluribus, and a lot of surprises. Who's getting in? Who's getting snubbed? The Emmys ceremony is on September 14th. Eoin Daly on Instagram. @eoin_daily
Episode 528: Unpacking and Reviewing Spielberg's Disclosure Day. Guest: Ryan McQuade
528
June 13, 2026

Episode 528: Unpacking and Reviewing Spielberg's Disclosure Day. Guest: Ryan McQuade

It's Disclosure Day! Christina is joined by Ryan McQuade of AwardsWatch to discuss and review Steven Spielberg's latest film. They dig into how it fits into the director's filmography as well as his biography, exploring where his mastery shines through, where the film falls short, and how it all comes together. Includes spoilers!
527: Entering the 'Backrooms' with Guests Production Designer Danny Vermette and VFX Supervisor Edward J. Douglas
June 12, 2026

527: Entering the 'Backrooms' with Guests Production Designer Danny Vermette and VFX Supervisor Edward J. Douglas

Backrooms is the record-breaking horror phenomenon of the summer. Christina sat down with brilliant production designer Danny Vermette and VFX supervisor Edward J. Douglas to talk about their work on the film and their collaboration with 20-year-old YouTube creator Kane Parsons , A24's youngest-ever director. We dig into the 30,000-square-foot build that brought Parsons's Backrooms YouTube series to life on the big screen, the themes and anxieties of isolation, (and the horror of fluorescent lig
526: Brittany Allen on Her Powerful Performance as Roxie on 'The Pitt'
June 7, 2026

526: Brittany Allen on Her Powerful Performance as Roxie on 'The Pitt'

Actor Brittany Allen ( The Boys , Dexter: Original Sin, Jigsaw ) joins the show to discuss her Emmy-buzzed performance as Roxie Hamler, a terminal cancer patient on HBO’s The Pitt . We dive into the research behind her role, her collaboration with Noah Wyle and the cast and crew of the medical drama, the emotional weight of the storylines, how the team unwinds after intense days on set, and so much more.
525: Backrooms, Obsession & The YouTube Creators Filling Cinemas! (Guest: Ryan McQuade)
June 4, 2026

525: Backrooms, Obsession & The YouTube Creators Filling Cinemas! (Guest: Ryan McQuade)

Ryan McQuade of AwardsWatch.com joins Christina to discuss the mega-hits Obsession (directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker) and Backrooms (by 20-year-old Kane Parsons), the rise of YouTube content creators in cinema and more! Plus they talk basketball! :) Don’t miss it
524:  Dispatch 10: Final Cannes Report & The Award Winners! Guest, Ryan McQuade
May 25, 2026

524: Dispatch 10: Final Cannes Report & The Award Winners! Guest, Ryan McQuade

524: Dispatch 10: Final Cannes Report! Guest Ryan McQuade, AwardsWatch.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent Blog Posts

Christina’s 2026 Oscar Nomination Predictions!
Jan. 20, 2026

Christina’s 2026 Oscar Nomination Predictions!

Christina’s 2026 Oscar Nomination PredictionsWith Oscar nominations landing Thursday, here are my final predictions!
 
 
Best Picture:
 
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Hamnet
Marty Supreme
Sentimental Value
The …