About this episode

Matt Buechele discusses influencer culture and internet dynamics with Akilah Hughes, focusing on her podcast and the challenges of changing outdated mascots.

Matt Buechele talks about influencer culture, a corgi who became internet-famous from inside a backpack, and the strange ways the internet shapes how we see ourselves and each other. Then Matt sits down with comedian, writer, and podcast host Akilah Hughes to talk about her podcast, Rebel Spirit, which follows her return to her Kentucky high school to push for replacing its Confederate mascot with a biscuit. They discuss why people hold onto Confederate symbols, and the challenge of changing traditions. They also reminisce about their Saturday Night Live auditions and talk about internet outrage, parasocial relationships, and when to stop taking the internet’s bait. Chapters: 00:00:00 Akilah Hughes, What a Day podcast, career pivots 00:04:14 Discussing Rebel Spirit and historical mascot debates 00:08:03 Examining public reactions to monument removal and social change 00:13:19 Navigating life in New York versus California 00:17:06 Reflecting on hosting news podcasts during turbulent times 00:22:50 Auditioning for Saturday Night Live during the pandemic 00:31:58 Facing the challenges of acting auditions and industry dynamics 00:36:24 Unpacking internet outrage and online commentary…

People in this episode

Host: Matt Buechele

Guest: Akilah Hughes

Topics covered

• influencer culture
• internet outrage
• Confederate symbols
• podcasting
• auditions
• social change

Keywords

• influencer culture
• internet outrage
• Confederate mascot
• podcasting
• Saturday Night Live
• social change
• auditions

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Rebel Spirit

Places: Kentucky, New York, California

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