Pop Periscope - The Podcast

This week on Pop Periscope, Christina and Tara dive into the wonderful world of happy distractions, all the little things that rescue your mood, calm your brain, and keep you from doom‑scrolling into oblivion. From TV/movie comfort watches and feel‑good game nights to creative cooking sessions, pet snuggles, puzzles, spa days, and getting outside, we're celebrating the everyday joys that reset your vibe and make life brighter. We're also sharing the specific happy distractions that work for us, the go‑tos we reach for when we need a reset. Think of this episode as your permission slip to laugh, play, recharge, and treat yourself without guilt.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025 has arrived, streaming now on Disney+. This year's lineup is stacked with icons: Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Salt‑N‑Pepa & Warren Zevon. Tune in as we celebrate the artists who shaped generations — serving charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent on stage.

In this delightfully WEIRD installment of Pop Periscope, Christina and Michael recount his unforgettable experience meeting the one and only Weird Al Yankovic on his "Bigger and Weirder Tour". From backstage nerves to accordion-induced awe, Michael shares his personal highlights and surreal moments from their fan encounter with the parody legend. But the episode doesn't stop at selfies and setlists—we dive into the big questions: Could Weird Al ever headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show? Why isn't he in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? This episode celebrates the genius, humor, and legacy of a true musical icon. PS, the Word of the Day: WEIRD — and we mean that in the best possible way.

Christina and Michael dive deep into the Star Wars universe. Today's spotlight: Andor. Is it the crown jewel of Star Wars storytelling? They're asking the big questions: dissecting Andor's gritty brilliance, its place in the canon, and how it stacks up against fan favorites like The Mandalorian and Skeleton Crew. Plus, they explore the show's striking parallels to real-world history. Spoiler Alert: This episode includes detailed discussion of Andor, including key plot points and the finale. If you haven't seen it yet, you might want to catch up before listening

Join Crystal as she takes us on a magical run through Epcot at Disney World, conquering a 10K! With her family by her side, she shares the challenges of navigating the park, from tackling food allergies to handling motion sickness on rides. Plus, she talks about staying at a Disney resort and how it enhanced their trip. And for those looking to maximize ride time, Crystal dives into purchasing the Lightning Lane Premium Pass, sharing how it helped them skip the long lines and make the most of their visit. We also touch on the excitement surrounding Universal's brand-new theme park, Epic Universe, opening May 22, 2025. Whether you're planning your own Disney adventure or just love hearing about race day victories, this episode is packed with tips and a touch of theme park magic!

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2025 nominees! This year's contenders include: Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden & The White Stripes. Tara and Christina dive into the nominations, sharing personal anecdotes about these iconic artists. They also weigh in on their personal picks versus who they believe will ultimately secure a spot in this year's Hall of Fame class.

Join Christina & Tara as they celebrate 50 years of comedy history on Saturday Night Live! In this episode, they explore the captivating documentaries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night and Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music, as well as iconic specials like SNL50: The Homecoming Concert and the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special. Plus, they share their personal favorite cast members and sketches from the show's legendary run. Tune in for a fun and nostalgic trip down memory lane!

For this holiday season, we found the worst/most WTF Christmas songs out there.

It's time for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2024 that aired on Disney+. Inductees include: Cher, Kool & The Gang, Dionne Warwick, Peter Frampton, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Blige, Ozzy Osbourne & Dave Matthews Band. We review the very long ceremony and also talk about Jack White touring, going to Sizzler & Tara's cat Tizzy makes an appearance.

There's been a lot of drama going down in the music world lately. We're talking about Jane's Addictions onstage brawl, Dave Grohl's infidelity & surprise baby, Diddy in jail, Beyonce shut out of the CMA's, Chappell Roan's mental health and Oasis reuniting. Christina also talks about seeing Pulp & Green Day in concert.

We can all agree that going to concerts has definetly changed in the last few years. This time we're disecting what's going on with concerts and why this year hits differently. We're looking into what's behind the price surging, slow ticket sales and why big named artists are suddently cancelling their shows. We also talk about Jack White's suprise new album drop and why the pop girlies are having a brat girl summer.

It's that time of year...time for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 nominations! Nominees this year include: Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Eric B. & Rakim, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Jane's Addiction, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O'Connor, Ozzy Osbourne, Sade & A Tribe Called Quest. Tara & Christina share some personal stories about the nominees and also try to predict who they want vs who they think will get in.

The gang goes to Disneyland for Tara's big day. We discuss what its like going between holidays along with everything we did, what we rode, what we ate and which characters we saw. We also give helpful tips for going to Disney as well as what we'd do differently next time we go.

It's time to celebrate the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2023 that aired on Disney+. Inductees include: Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, & Chaka Kahn. Congrats to all the inductees!

Christina & Crystal go to Las Vegas to check out U2 playing the Sphere. They talk about the disaster that was Vibee's VIP experience along with staying at the Venetian/Palazzo & all the U2 related events giving their advice for future concert goers. They also check out Meow Wolf's Omega Mart & eat at Gordon Ramsay's restaurants.

After waiting 10 long months, Tara takes Christina & her brother to the 2 night Metallica "No Repeat Weekend" concert in Phoenix.

Crystal went to Amsterdam! She was one of the 650,000 visitors that got to attend the Vermeer exhibition at The Rijksmuseum. She talks about the cuisine, dealing with food allergies abroad, the Van Gogh Museum and tips for traveling and packing for overseas. We also touch on the Rock Hall inductees and the passing of Tina Turner.

It's time for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2023 nominations! Nominees this year include Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, The White Stripes and Warren Zevon. Tara & Christina also try to predict who they want vs who they think will get in.

It's a Shoot the Sh*t episode! We talk about this years Rock Hall Nominees, what happened at the Grammy's, Ticketmaster's pricing drama, Depeche Mode's new song, Rolling Stone's controversial Top 200 Singers list, the problem with this seasons Drag Race and what's up with Madonna.

It's all things Super Bowl LVII in our hometown state of Arizona! We review the half time show...I mean the Rihanna concert. Also breaking down our favorite commercials, movie previews & U2's Vegas residency. Plus we share the story behind going to Disney when winning the Super Bowl.

Tara went to Disney World with her family over the holiday season. She talks about lost luggage, cookie hoarding, rides, food, a tornado warning and how she made it into a YouTube video. She also sneaks in her favorite Christmas movies.

We're ending the year with Crystal and Christina ranking their favorite Christmas films.

Christina & Tara celebrate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2022: Duran Duran, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Judas Priest, Carly Simon, Lionel Ritchie, Eurythmics, Eminem & Dolly Parton. Congratulations to all the inductees!

We're ranking all things Thanksgiving! From the traditions to the dishes with a sprinkling of fun facts thrown in.

It's time for a concert roundup of some of the shows we've seen this year. Crystal talks about Chris Stapleton. Christina & Tara talk about Duran Duran. Then Tara delves into finally seeing The Stadium Tour w/Joan Jett, Poison, Motley Crue & Def Leppard.

Christina & Crystal touch briefly on Queen Elizabeth's passing and House of the Dragon before reviewing the streamed Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert that took place at Wembley Stadium.

Christina & Tara touch on the Stranger Things resurgence of Kate Bush, the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Paul McCartney turning 80 and Macca's Glastonbury performance. Last but not least, they talk about their experience seeing Jack White on his Supply Chain Issues Tour.

It's that time of year again, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2022 nominations! Nominees include Beck, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, DEVO, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls, Dolly Parton, Rage Against The Machine, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, A Tribe Called Quest and Dionne Warwick. Tara & Christina also make their predictions on who they want vs who they think will get in.

We have a lot to celebrate! Christina & Tara congratulate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2021: Carole King, LL Cool J, Randy Rhoads, Billy Preston, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren, Charley Patton, Kraftwerk, The Go-Go's, JAY-Z, & the Foo Fighters. We also close out the end of the year with a holiday gift exchange sprinkled with a little ASMR.

In this episode Christina & Tara discuss the Blacklist, a various artists tribute album featuring covers of every track from Metallica's 1991 self-titled album. They review all 53 songs breaking down what worked and what missed the mark.

This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Metallica's most successful album, "The Black Album". Join Christina & Tara as they talk about all things Black Album and why this essential album is one every music lover should have in their collection.

It's Christina's turn to share her list of favorite guitar players. This time it's the guitarists that inspired her to learn how to play guitar.

After a couple years of procrastinating it's finally here! Tara shares her favorite top 11 guitarists of all time. Join Christina & Tara as they discuss some of music's most legendary musicians, their love of music & how their musical journeys began.

With Tina Turner finally getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and with the huge success of the new HBO documentary "Tina", Tara and Christina devote an entire podcast to the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll.

Tara & Christina delve into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2021 nominees. They're talking about Mary J Blige, Kate Bush, Devo, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go's, Iron Maiden, Jay-Z, Chaka Kahn, Carole King, Fela Kuti, LL Cool J, New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, Todd Rundgren, Tina Turner and Dionne Warwick. They also make their predictions on who they want vs who they think will get in.

We're finally getting around to reviewing the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony of 2020 that aired on HBO Max. Big congrats to the class of 2020 - The Doobie Brothers, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Notorious BIG, T. Rex and Whitney Houston. We also discuss the passing of a legend, Mr. Eddie Van Halen.

Pop Periscope is back! Tara and Christina give an update on how they've been holding up this year. Diving into pandemic topics such as cancelled plans, binge watching Netflix, working from home and what got them through this crazy ass year that was 2020.

Tara & Christina delve into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2020 nominees. They're talking about Pat Benatar, Dave Matthews Band, Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, Judas Priest, Kraftwerk, MC5, Motörhead, Nine Inch Nails, Notorious B.I.G., Rufus ft. Chaka Khan, Soundgarden, T. Rex, Thin Lizzy, Todd Rundgren, & Whitney Houston. They also make their predictions on who they want vs who they think will get in.

We're saying goodbye to 2019 by counting down our top 11 reasons to be cheerful! For Tara, her most exciting moment...seeing Garth Brooks in concert & upgrading her seats. For Christina, attending the Third Man 10 Year Anniversary Celebration, chatting with Olivia Jean & seeing The Raconteurs reunite. We close it out with our list of what we're looking forward to in 2020.

Tara & Christina chat about their trip to Nashville. They're talking Arnold's, Peg Leg Porker, Grimey's Music, McKay's Books, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Third Man Records. Capping it off with their review of finally seeing The Raconteurs perform at the famed Ryman Auditorium.

The Pop Team is back...and so are The Raconteurs! Tara and Christina review their latest album Help Us Stranger and it does not disappoint. Along the way they ponder such things as if the Raconteur's had a cocktail what would it taste like? What would happen if you mashup up a couple tracks off the album with classic rock songs? We'd love for listeners to send us their suggestions.

After 8 years, 8 seasons, 73 episodes, the last 6 episodes, 2 water bottles and 1 Starbucks cup later The Pop Team bids adieu to Game of Thrones. Christina Lautazi & Tara Carson share their top moments of the show from the WTF/OMG to the Yas Queen Slay. They also touch upon those unanswered questions that made us go hmmm?

The Pop Team says goodbye to an end of a Marvel era. Christina Lautazi & Tara Carson give their review of Marvel's Avengers: Endgame. This episode is full of emotions, tearful salutes and spoilers so don't say we didn't warn you.

Once again The Pop Team tackles the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This time Christina Lautazi & Tara Carson review the induction ceremony that aired on HBO. So congrats to the class of 2019 - Stevie Nicks, The Cure, Roxy Music, Radiohead, Jackson Jackson, The Zombies and Def Leppard.

Christina Lautazi and Tara Carson talk about what went down at Super Bowl LIII, mainly Maroon 5's halftime show. Breaking down the good, the bad and the ugliness of it...a shirtless Adam Levine, Travis Scott, SpongeBob and Big Boi! As well as the Foo Fighters rocking the Super Saturday Night Concert. Finally, the Pop Team go into some of their fav halftime performances of all time and close the podcast with their top 11 suggestions for who should play the next Super Bowl halftime show. | @PopPeriscope | IG: popperiscope | [email protected] |

The Pop Team catches up on 2018. For Tara it was a car accident, road trips, and finally seeing Fleetwood Mac & The Eagles. Christina flew to Nashville, stopped by Third Man Records, saw Conan O'Brien live, & saw/met Thom Yorke from Radiohead. Before saying hello to 2019, they look back on what was big in 2018 in TV, movies, concerts & music. Finally, the girls recap what they're looking forward to in 2019; Game of Thrones, Star Wars in Disneyland, and the return of The Raconteurs. | @PopPeriscope | IG: popperiscope | [email protected] |

The Pop Team is once again tackling the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This time Tara and Christina break down all 15 2019 nominees. We're talking about Def Leppard, Devo, John Prine, Roxy Music, Stevie Nicks, Todd Rundgren, LL Cool J, Kraftwerk, Janet Jackson, MC5, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, The Cure and The Zombies. They also make their predictions on who they want vs who they think will get in.

We're finally getting around to posting our reviews of seeing Jack White in concert in San Francisco and Phoenix. We talk about the crowds and how well we handled having our phones locked in the Yondr pouches. Of course The Pop Team talks about the man himself. What it felt like when Jack melted our faces off and each show's setlist. Also how exhilarating it was to be close enough to make eye contact and trade smiles. | @PopPeriscope | IG: popperiscope | [email protected] |

The Pop Team reviews Jack White's latest album Boarding House Reach. This isn't your typical Jack White album, he went 180 folks! We're talking experimenting with sounds, spoken word, & using Pro Tools (gasp)! Meanwhile, Tara expanded her "boarding house reach" listening to the album. Christina finally admits she has an eBay addiction. Derrick explains how his vinyl collection will pay for his Folgers can funeral. He also explains how ski masks & dumpster diving work perfectly with the song "Corporation". | @PopPeriscope | IG: popperiscope | [email protected] |