Hey (literal) baby! In this episode, Dean and Tom toddle over from a prior discussion of elders to the other end of the age spectrum: kids, and how we adults view, rear, and set expectations of children similarly and differently across cultures! Pay special attention for mentions of defenestration, Victor Borge, and dunce caps, children, because there will be a quiz afterwards. Plus: Grammar Time boldly returns to ask the question on every child’s mind; where has the semicolon gone? Please be seated criss-cross on the carpet; we need to see your eyes on your phone and your ears listening; now you’re ready to enjoy!

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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Listen up, you whippersnappers! Dean, Tom, and baby/producer Torin impart some wisdom about how cultures value their elders and the “elderly,” especially by comparing perceptions and customs in US culture with those in cultures in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Plus, you’d be wise not to miss the long-anticipated launch of Grandma Time (or perhaps it’s the long-awaited return of Grammar Time, who can say?). Pull down those earlobes, open up those ear holes, and enjoy!

(Referenced in this episode: Stephen Colbert receives broadcasting wisdom from Tom in this Daily Show segment from fall 2001, at around the 2 minute 55 second mark.)

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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Dean and Tom are back to talk about the use and importance of symbols across cultures, otherwise known as “going the full Robert Langdon” (you know, the main protagonist in Dan Brown’s novels). Being the super symbologists they are, Dean and Tom decipher what iconic symbols have to tell us about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while also decoding symbols that have arisen from other conflicts, such as in Hong Kong, the United States, and more. We hope you’ll crash some cymbals to commemorate this discussion of symbols, symbolizing a celebration of all our new 2022 episodes coming up!

(For more on protest symbols in Russia, here is the April 15, 2022 episode of the Rough Translation podcast from NPR.)

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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In the finale of their two-part gleeful gabfest, Dean and Tom continue to delight in the complexities of humor, language, and culture. Then, they elatedly explore similarities and differences in how joy is expressed communally across cultures, in Bhutan, Denmark, Brazil, and the U.S., and in birthday celebrations in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Happy holidays everyone, and we’ll see you in (a hopefully far more joyous) 2022!

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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What’s so funny? In this jolly episode, Dean and Tom gleefully gab about what is, and is not, considered funny across cultures – and how laughter can also be interpreted differently depending on where you are. Plus, Grammar Time makes a brief cameo! You don’t have to wait anymore for the punchline; it’s here for you. En-joy!

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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With All Hallows’ Eve & Día de los Muertos rapidly approaching, it’s a frighteningly perfect time to reissue our episode on death celebrations and festivals across cultures, “Who Died?”, from July 2019. The episode description is below, and we’ll be back soon with new episodes about joy of a very different kind! Enjoooooooooy! 👻

Don’t fear the reaper, dear listeners! In this journey along the River Styx, Dean and Tom explore how death is celebrated across cultures: from the joyous customs of Mexico’s Day of the Dead and Irish wakes, to the burning of papier-mâché effigies during East Asia’s Ghost Festival and of wooden pyres in India’s Varanasi, and so much more. We know you’re dying to hear this episode, so listen and enjoy now before moving on to the next realm!

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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In this episode, Dean and Tom dig into the cultural origins of US norms & practices that can come off as a bit odd to our global neighbors – from the beach, to the restaurant, to the bathroom (not necessarily in that order!). They reference an article from Insider named “23 things that are considered ‘normal’ in the US but that the rest of the world finds weird” – click here if you’d like to follow along in the article. Or, embrace US rejectionism and don’t follow along there; we leave it to you!

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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Bonjour mes amis! In this episode, Dean and Tom promenade along the riverbanks of French culture, from Descartes and Cartesian Logic to French cheese, wine, champagne, fashion, and art, to bringing dogs inside of restaurants. We invite you to revel in the hosts’ joie de vivre without delay, s’il vous plaît; à bientôt!

Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com

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