Episodes

March 25, 2025

454: Coming Soon! Trailer Talk for the Most Anticipated Movies (With Ryan McQuade)

In this episode, Christina is joined by Ryan McQuade of AwardsWatch to break down the latest trailers for some of the year’s most anticipated upcoming movies. Some look awesome, some look... questionable — and a few totally s...
March 19, 2025

453: We Talk TV – Adolescence, Severance, The White Lotus, The Studio & More (with Tyler Doster, AwardsWatch)

On this episode of Pop Culture Confidential , we’re diving deep into the latest TV must-watches! Join us as we break down some of the biggest shows of the moment— Severance, The White Lotus, and The Pitt —all heading into the...
March 13, 2025

452: ‘‘The Pitt’ Star Taylor Dearden on the Hit Show, Medical Boot Camp & More

This week on Pop Culture Confidential, Christina chats with actor Taylor Dearden, who delivers an incredible performance as Dr. Mel King in the gripping new medical drama The Pitt—now streaming on Max. From producer John Well...
March 4, 2025

451: 2025 Oscars Recap & Reactions (With Ryan McQuade, AwardsWatch)

Sean Baker makes history. Conan triumphs. Christina & Ryan McQuade (Executive Editor, AwardsWatch) react and recap the 97th Academy Awards— the winners, the losers, the surprises, the speeches, and more! Learn more about your...
Feb. 25, 2025

450: Final Oscar Predictions (with Ryan McQuade, AwardsWatch)

Christina and Ryan McQuade (Executive Editor of AwardsWatch) go through their final Oscar predictions for the 97th Academy Awards! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb. 19, 2025

449: Pop Culture Grab Bag: SNL 50, BAFTAs, SAG Predictions & More! (w/ Ryan McQuade)

It’s been a wild few weeks in pop culture! Ryan McQuade (Executive Editor, AwardsWatch) joins Christina for a massive recap—Kendrick, SNL 50, Cher & Costner, Meryl, the BAFTAs, Matt Damon & Nolan, SAG predictions, awards seas...
Feb. 15, 2025

448: The Oscar Race Heats Up! DGAs, PGAs, Surprises & Frontrunners (with Erik Anderson of AwardsWatch)

Things are heating up! Founder and Editor-in-Chief of AwardsWatch, Erik Anderson, joins us with a comprehensive update on the state of the Oscar race! From all the surprises to Anora's sweep last weekend, actor frontrunners, ...
Feb. 7, 2025

447: Talking The 2025 TV Season: Trends, 'Severance', 'The Pitt', And More With The Ringer's Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan, co-host of The Watch , joins Christina for a wide-ranging conversation about the 2025 TV season. They discuss the new seasons of Severance and The Pitt , the 50th season of SNL , trends, and much more. Don’t miss ...
Jan. 23, 2025

446: Oscar Nominations 2025 (with Ryan McQuade) . The Surprises, Snubs & More!

Christina & Ryan McQuade (AwardsWatch) recap the Oscar nominations 2025. The surprises, the snubs and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan. 21, 2025

445: Our Most Anticipated Movies of 2025! + Oscar Nomination Predictions (with Ryan McQuade)

Ryan McQaude (Executive Editor, AwardsWatch) joins Christina for a MASSIVE 'Most Anticipated Movies of 2025' episode! Paul Thomas Anderson, Luca Guadagnino, Spike Lee. Cruise, Blanchett, Chalamet. 2025 is shaping up to be a g...
Jan. 20, 2025

444: A Conversation With Mona Fastvold, Co-Writer of 'The Brutalist'

Mona Fastvold talks to Christina about the award-winning epic 'The Brutalist' which she co-wrote with partner and director Brady Corbet! On her writing process & collaboration with Corbet, the filmmakers personal connections ...
Jan. 17, 2025

443: A Conversation With Actor Alessandro Nivola ('The Brutalist')

Christina is honored to be joined by actor Alessandro Nivola for a wide-ranging conversation about his incredible performances, his role in the critically acclaimed epic 'The Brutalist', how he drew from his own family’s expe...
Jan. 9, 2025

442: A Conversation With Pop Superstar Robbie Williams ('Better Man')

Christina speaks to pop superstar Robbie Williams about his new movie 'Better Man', based om the true story of Robbie's stratospheric rise to fame, his dramatic falls and remarkable comeback as a record-breaking solo artist!...
Jan. 6, 2025

441: Golden Globes 2025 Recap & Reactions! The Highlights, Surprises, Fashion And Much More. (With Sophia Ciminello & Ryan McQuade, AwardsWatch)

Sophia Ciminello & Ryan McQuade (AwardsWatch.com) join Christina to talk about their immediate reactions to the Golden Globes 2025. The winners, losers, best speeches, surprises, fashion and much more. Learn more about your a...
Jan. 1, 2025

440: A Conversation with Director RaMell Ross & Cinematographer Jomo Fray ('Nickel Boys') About Their Visionary Adaptation.

Christina talks to director RaMell Ross & cinematographer Jomo Fray about their brilliant new move 'Nickel Boys'. A conversation about their powerful visual and emotional approach to the Colson Whitehead novel. Learn more abo...
Dec. 21, 2024

439: Two Conversations with Jesse Eisenberg ('A Real Pain')

Writer, director, actor Jesse Eisenberg joins Christina to talk about his brilliant film 'A Real Pain', a funny & moving story about two cousins who embark on a trip to Polen to honor their dead grandmother. This episode also...
Dec. 17, 2024

438: Creating The Body Horror In 'The Substance'. Guest: Special Makeup Effects Designer Pierre Olivier Persin

Christina is joined by prosthetics and makeup effects designer Pierre Olivier Persin to talk about his work on Coralie Fargeat’s body horror hit The Substance , a dark satire about beauty standards, aging, and the entertainme...
Dec. 14, 2024

437: A Conversation With Bill Skarsgård ('Nosferatu')

Bill Skarsgård joins Christina for a conversation about his role as Count Orlok in 'Nosferatu', one of 2024's most anticipated movies! Bill talks about first being introduced to the classic 'Nosferatu' (1922) by his father ac...
Dec. 9, 2024

436: Our Reactions To The Golden Globe Noms And More Awards Season News! (Guest: Ryan McQuade, AwardsWatch)

Ryan McQuade, Executive Editor of AwardsWatch.com, joins Christina to discuss the Golden Globe nominations, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association & NY Film Critic Circle winners, the AFI list and more. What these jam packe...
Nov. 26, 2024

435: Sean 'Dino' Johnson ('Sing Sing') On The Inspirational True Story 'Sing Sing' & Rehabilitation Through Theater.

Christina is joined by actor and advocate Sean 'Dino' Johnson. Mr. Johnson stars in 'Sing Sing' (also starring Colman Domingo and Paul Raci) which follows a theater production at the maximum security prison Sing Sing. A movin...
Nov. 17, 2024

434: A Conversation With Writer/Director Sean Baker ('Anora')

Christina is thrilled to have writer/director Sean Baker ('Tangerine', 'The Florida Project') on Pop Culture Confidential! His wonderful new movie 'Anora' won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and is receiving major ...
Nov. 12, 2024

433: The Most Emotional Movie Scenes Of 2024! Plus Gladiator II Reactions. (With Ryan McQuade)

We are thrilled to have Ryan McQuade (executive editor, AwardsWatch.com) back for a jam packed episode! After an emotional week we thought it would be fitting to discuss what has made us emotional at the movies. We pick our ...
Oct. 30, 2024

432: A Conversation With Karla Sofía Gascón, 'Emilia Pérez'. Audio Interview In Spanish, Subtitled On YouTube (Episode first aired in May)

Karla Sofía Gascón, groundbreaking star of ‘Emilia Pérez’! Catch my subtitled interview on YouTube or listen on Pop Culture Confidential. The trans actress is making history this awards season! She talks to me about the incre...
Oct. 24, 2024

431: Harris & Trump's Media Strategies In The Final Weeks & The Political Power Of Pop Culture (with journalist Chris Smith, Vanity Fair)

With less than 2 weeks until the US election Christina is joined by journalist Chris Smith, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and best-selling author of The Daily Show (the Book), to discuss Harris and Trump's media strategi...