Investigative journalist and pop culture junkie Tess Barker, dives into the pop culture moments that have puzzled her for years. This addictive, informative and revelatory show dives features the deep research and first person reporting that helped her launch the #FreeBritney movement while co-hosting Britney's Gram. Each episode unpacks a moment in celebrity news that was misunderstood or intentionally covered up at the time. Part true crime, part comedy, part deconstructing pop culture trivia, the show shines light on the dark corners in the entertainment capital of the world.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Tupac Shakur: If I Die Tonight (Chapter One)
Prosecutors alleged in their case against Duane Davis aka Keefe D that Tupac’s 1996 murder was essentially an act of gang violence. The witness testimony in Davis’ case,
Sep 24 1 h 05 min
Bedside Man: The Diddy Files Chapter Five
A fixer. A security guard. A real estate investor. Fahim Muhammed played key roles in both Sean Diddy Comb’s and Michael Jackson’s lives. Is it just a coincidence that si
Sep 19 45 min
Mo Money Less Problems: The Diddy Files Chapter Four
To unravel the business of Sean Combs is to see the ways in which his vast empire is connected to the music industry at large.
In the past few years, two big enterta
Sep 18 41 min
Girl Meets Bad Boy For Life: The Diddy Files Chapter Three
It’s hard to think about Sean DIddy Combs without thinking about the mysterious death of Kim Porter.
Sean Diddy Combs’ long-time partner and co-parent died at the yo
Sep 17 37 min
What the Security Cameras Caught: The Diddy Files Chapter Two
Though Sean Diddy Combs ultimately was found guilty of some of the lesser charges brought against him by the federal government, it can’t be argued that Diddy’s reputatio
Sep 16 42 min
A Gruesome Celebrity Encounter: The Diddy Files Chapter One
Though this case has since been dismissed, the allegations made by plaintiff ashley Parham are chilling. One line in her complaint says it all: “Plaintiff would pay for
Sep 10 44 min
The Tupac Verdict: What It Was Like in the Court Room
A jury has found Duane Davis guilty of killing Tupac Shakur. It has officially taken longer to convict a killer in this case than Tupac himself actually lived. Can we con
Sep 3 30 min
The Prosecution Rests: Updates from the Tupac Murder Trial
The prosecution has rested their case against Duane Davis…but is it really time to call it? Tess gives an update from the Vegas court room and some thoughts on the prosec
Aug 27 26 min
The Tupac Murder Trial: Revelations from Inside the Courtroom
It’s almost exactly thirty years since Tupac Shakur was gunned down in Las Vegas. Finally, someone is being charged with the rap legend’s murder. Is convicting defendant
Aug 20 9 min
Grimes, Mother of X Æ A-12 (with Steven Ray Morris)
Since hard launching with Elon Musk at the Met Gala in 2018, recording artist Grimes has been a mysterious and divisive figure. Who is Grimes as an artist, and what could
Aug 13 1 h 28 min
The Cult That Jared Leto Runs (with Shannon McNamara)
Jared Leto started his career as a 23 year old teen heartthrob on “My So Called Life.” He then went on to achieve the nearly impossible: dual careers as both a rock star
Aug 6 1 h 22 min
Tyra Banks Cuts Models (with Jackie Johnson)
“America’s Next Top Model” is a stunning piece of television. For over a decade, svelte contestants ostensibly vied for a chance at modeling success. What they were also
Jul 30 1 h 23 min
The Ice Cream Blonde Cold Case (with Babs Gray)
Thelma Todd seemed to be living the life of classic Hollywood dreams. She had a busy career, an active social life, and she owned a restaurant at arguably the most beauti
Jul 23 1 h 20 min
Jerry Springer Fakes It (Throwback)
This week, we revisit a classic American story. For better or worse, “The Jerry Springer Show” changed television as we know it. Were the guests on this trainwreck real?
Jul 16 44 min
The Secret Life of Canned Laughter (with Holly Brown)
One of the most divisive figures in television history is not a person, but a box. One that was kept under lock and key for most of its owner’s life: The Laff Box. This t
Jul 9 1 h 16 min
The Top Pop Independence Days
Pop history is full of notable independence days. If the red, white, and blue isn’t doing it for you, this year, here are some iconic moments of libration to celebrate in
Jul 2 9 min
James Cameron’s Quest to Pester Ghosts (with Caitlin Durante)
The Titanic is one of the most famous and chilling disasters of all time. The movie “Titanic.” could have also been a lesson in hubris. It was helmed by James Cameron, w
Jun 25 1 h 33 min
The NFL is Bravo (with Megan Gailey)
You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate the wild and jaw dropping tale of a sports reporter and a head coach whose affair may have changed the direction of the en
Jun 18 1 h 08 min
An Alleged Tupac Assassin Stands Trial. Who Hired Him?
Nearly thirty years after the killing of Tupac Shakur, Duane Davis is set to face murder charges in a Nevada court. Additionally, Davis has been named in a civil complain
Jun 11 11 min
The TMZ Secret Sauce (with Lauren Vino)
When TMZ reports on a tragedy in Los Angeles, chances are, it’s true. How does this tabloid source its seedy confidential information, and why do TMZ and its founder Harv
Jun 4 1 h 32 min
Chart trend
Position in the Documentary chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#100#198JunJulAugSep
#67
all-time peak
5
days in the top 100 since Feb 2026
Chart positions
Where Pop Mystery Pod ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 25, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I’ve listened to Pop Mystery Pod for a while and really enjoyed its concise, fascinating deep dives. Then I got to the Elevatorgate episode, where I was genuinely interested to hear Tess’s insight on such a unique pop-culture moment.
What a mess. The guests spend far too much time laughing at their own comments and never really get to the topic. It felt unfocused, off-putting, and surprisingly unprofessional—and, worst of all, not entertaining. Was trying to share this show with someone close to me and ended by shutting off the piercing laughter and saying ‘wow, I’m sorry’.
I don’t know if this is an older episode or just an outlier, because the show is usually so much better.
chadtheknife · Sep 2026
Tess is an amazing podcast host, journalist, and millennial survivor. Not only does she cover all the hits like Britney and the trials of Diddy, she also digs deep into topics I’ve never even heard of like the Buffalo Jills and La Venono. She is so funny and charming, this is one of the only podcasts I can listen to that has only one host. However, don’t count out her episodes with guests! No one is annoying and no one tries to take over from Tess which I find to be rare in the podcast world. After listening to her collab with my girls Desi and Rachel from Hollywood Crime Screen, I knew I had to check out the rest of her episodes and I’m so happy I did. Def one of my new favorite shows and I can’t recommend it enough.
go fawk yourself · Apr 2026
I am a crossover from lady to lady and I love this podcast! Tess works hard to get the real story when she can. She writes enough in each story that I am hooked and actually Tess, I want a little more! Not that is needs more, I just want it!
BeccaB! · Apr 2026
I just love this podcast. Tess brings a smart, funny perspective and deep, practical insight to pop culture that I never thought about before. And it’s super fun!
suzieisrael · Jan 2026
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
More podcasts like Pop Mystery Pod
Popular shows in Documentary, for your next listen.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Pop Mystery Pod, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
