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The Culture Check

The Culture Check

Written by: ATYANTAM
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About this listen

 The Society & Culture Channel: The Culture Check
What we'll do: the culture check is an immersive audio journey into the complex tapestry of modern society and culture. Each episode, we select a single theme—be it a social phenomenon, a historical event, or a cultural trend—and explore it through a series of captivating stories, interviews, and expert analysis. From the rituals of a niche community to the widespread impact of a new social movement, we uncover the hidden narratives that shape our world.What we'll teach: We don’t just report on the world; we help you understand it. We’ll teach you to look beyond the headlines and appreciate the subtle forces at play. You'll gain a deeper understanding of human behavior, historical context, and the diverse perspectives that make up our global community. Our goal is to foster a more empathetic and well-informed listener.Pros:
  • Narrative Excellence: We prioritize compelling storytelling, similar to the award-winning format of This American Life.
  • Deep Dives: We go beyond surface-level discussions, providing thorough, well-researched insights on every topic, much like Stuff You Should Know.
  • Diverse Storytelling: From personal anecdotes to expert interviews and historical deep dives, we present a multifaceted view of each theme.
About this podcast: In the spirit of This American Life and Stuff You Should Know, the culture check is dedicated to exploring the fascinating, often overlooked aspects of human existence. It’s a show for the endlessly curious, for those who want to understand not just what is happening, but why.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-culture-check--6743489/support.Copyright ATYANTAM Social Sciences
Episodes
  • City Rituals: Parades, Festivals, and the Calendar

    City Rituals: Parades, Festivals, and the Calendar
    Nov 5 2025
    Why do we, as modern people, still feel the ancient pull to stand in a crowd and watch a parade? What is the invisible force that draws thousands to a city square for an annual festival, year after year? It's not just about tradition; it's about social survival. These rituals are the calendar that a city lives by, and the glue that holds its identity together.


    Welcome to "City Rituals." In this episode, we explore the deep anthropology of public celebration. We’ll uncover the concept of "collective effervescence"—that electric buzz you feel in a crowd—and how it builds community. We’ll look at how parades and festivals transform cold public spaces into vibrant centers of shared memory. This is the story of how our cities use annual spectacle to remind us that we belong. What happens to a community when the parade stops?


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-culture-check--6743489/support.
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    32 mins
  • Redesigning Dissent: How Cities are "Protest-Proofing" Our Public Squares

    Redesigning Dissent: How Cities are "Protest-Proofing" Our Public Squares
    Nov 2 2025
    Why do some city plazas feel open and alive, while others feel sterile and watched? Why are park benches designed so you can't lie down on them? It's not bad design; it's intentional. These are the front lines in a silent battle for our public spaces.

    Welcome to "Public Space Under Pressure." In this episode, we explore how our most fundamental right—the right to assemble—is being challenged by architecture and surveillance. We'll investigate "hostile design" meant to control our behavior, map the invisible net of CCTV and phone tracking that monitors protests, and discuss how the very design of a square can "protest-proof" a city. Drawing from human rights reports and investigative journalism, we ask a critical question: In our increasingly controlled cities, where do 'the people' truly have a place to gather?

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-culture-check--6743489/support.
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    28 mins
  • The Silent Language of Power: What Government Architecture Reveals About Us

    The Silent Language of Power: What Government Architecture Reveals About Us
    Oct 29 2025
    Why do capitol buildings have domes? Why are courthouses often built with imposing stone facades? The buildings that house our governments and the monuments that fill our public squares aren't just functional structures; they are powerful statements, designed to shape how we feel about authority, history, and our place within the collective. They are architecture as power.

    Join us for "Architecture of Power," an exploration into the silent language of civic buildings and monuments. We'll decode the design choices – from the scale and materials to the historical styles – that governments use to project strength, legitimacy, and permanence. Discover how these structures influence our behavior, embed specific narratives into our collective memory, and sometimes become sites of intense debate. What story are the buildings around you telling, and who decided on the script?

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-culture-check--6743489/support.
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    27 mins
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