Neena Pathak
New York
Writer/Producer/Editor | Formerly: Invisibilia, The Daily, Still Processing, Another Round | Even more formerly: A baby
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Articles by Neena Pathak
The Palestinians telling their own stories
The Palestinians telling their own stories : It's Been a Minute Palestinians are challenging the narrative one story at a time. Editor-in-Chief of The Key, Sara Yasin, wants us to rethink what she calls ‘it’s complicated' journalism. As more young people are exposed to the destruction in Gaza -- outside of traditional media outlets -- Sara wanted to provide a space where Palestinians can speak freely about what’s going on around them.
Bacteria is taking over the food pyramid
How do you know what's safe to eat? You don't. And after a summer full of food recalls from lettuce to blueberries and even jalapeños, a regular trip to the grocery store can start to feel like a dangerous game. But how are the flaws in our food safety system creating issues beyond what we choose to grab in the produce aisle? To find out, Brittany is joined by Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Want more episodes on food, access, and power?
The secret pain of your high school bully
The secret pain of your high school bully : It's Been a Minute Some of life's hardest lessons are learned in high school. In Jocelyn Bioh's Broadway play, School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play, the ladies of Aburi Girls' Boarding School live these hard lessons through their friendships, feuds, and the upcoming Miss Ghana 1986 beauty pageant.
When did it become OK to blast TikToks in public?
Cookie Settings When you visit our website or app, we store cookies on your browser, use similar tracking and storage technologies such as software development kits, and use information about the device you use to access our site or app (together "cookies"). The information these cookies collect might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site or app work as you expect them to and to provide a more personalized web or app experience.
So you wanna be a critic...
So you wanna be a critic... : It's Been a Minute Social media has made it easy for everyone to give their opinion...so why do people hate critics? To answer that question Brittany is joined by Lovia Gyarkye, culture editor at Hammer and Hope, a magazine dedicated to Black culture and politics. Lovia’s spent the bulk of her career researching, reflecting, and writing about the films, artists, and celebrities we’ve come to love.
The power of giving & receiving advice
The power of giving & receiving advice : It's Been a Minute Got first date jitters? Maybe your siblings are already starting drama ahead of the holidays? Or perhaps you need tips on supporting a friend through a hard time? You’re in good hands, because starting on Monday, September 28th to Wednesday September 30th, from 1pm-2pm ET, Brittany will be hosting a pop-up show called Please Advise, where she'll be giving advice LIVE on WNYC. But first, Brittany’s getting advice on how to give advice.
Carla Hall on cooking, courage, and curiosity
Carla Hall on cooking, courage, and curiosity : It's Been a Minute For nearly twenty years, chef, author, and actor Carla Hall has taught us to cook from the heart across both screen and stage. Beyond culinary arts, her career path has spanned diverse fields such as accounting and modeling. Today, Carla joins the show to discuss how to navigate your next move with confidence, whether in your career or in the kitchen.
Are we in a 'color recession'? Original
Are we in a 'color recession'? : It's Been a Minute Are neutrals dominating your color palette? Our world is looking kind of gray. Not the trees, the grass or the sky – but the cars, the buildings, the houses, and the decor and appliances in them. Neutrals dominate – like the famous “Millennial gray.” There are a lot of reasons, both structural and cultural, why color is leaching out of some of our most important and most expensive possessions – but what do we think our colors say about us?
The Baddies Revolution will be televised
The Baddies Revolution will be televised : It's Been a Minute Are we living in a Baddies Revolution? We just might be. Over the past few years, the Zeus Network franchise Baddies has steadily grown in virality, capturing dozens of young people on camera as they party, promote clubs, and most of all, fight each other. But where do shows like Joseline's Cabaret and Baddies USA sit in the long history of Reality TV, and what can they tell us about what young people feel is possible for themselves?
The rising power of American Muslims
The rising power of American Muslims : It's Been a Minute Is this a new era for American Muslims? American Muslims are building their own cultural institutions – New York Magazine and The Guardian have reported on flourishing ecosystems of cafes, magazines, dance nights, meetups and readings for Muslims and/or people with heritage from the SWANA region.
The manosphere is coming for R&B
The manosphere is coming for R&B : It's Been a Minute The genre made for lovers doesn't seem to respect the very fanbase it’s engineered to woo. When Mankaprr Conteh interviewed R&B artist Isaia Huron, she imagined a thoughtful if not a bit complicated conversation about the difficult woman at the center of his latest album, Mr. Lovebomb. What she got was something else entirely.
Would you let your kids play football?
Would you let your kids play football? : It's Been a Minute Is the fantasy of football worth the potential price? That's what football athletes, fans and doctors are asking after a new study published in late August revealed that from a sample of athletes who played at least one NFL game in their careers and who died between 2016 and 2021, a minimum of around 25% -- that's one in every four of those players -- had a brain condition called CTE upon their death.
The hidden money financing your favorite songs Original
The hidden money financing your favorite songs : Pop Culture Happy Hour We all need a trusted source for music discovery – a music-savvy friend or family member, a music site – or someone on social media. But are influencers taking money to promote music and not telling you? Today we’re bringing you an episode of NPR’s It's Been a Minute, where host Brittany Luse talks to NPR music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento about the details and broader implications of this practice.
Where did all the 'masculine men' go?
Where did all the 'masculine men' go? : It's Been a Minute Has there been a decline in "masculine" men? Some women on Tiktok seem to believe so. The phrase, "Who's gonna be the boys?" has been used online to refer to all the mundane things men are doing that could be described as feminine: wearing earrings, having a skin care routine, and even eating a banana, to name a few. But what does this online question about the alleged absence of masculine men say about our society’s expectations of men?
In 'Dreams in Nightmares', we learn what drives us
In 'Dreams in Nightmares', we learn what drives us : It's Been a Minute What would it look like to have all of your needs met? That’s the question filmmaker Shatara Michelle Ford’s asks in their film, Dreams in Nightmares. As three Black queer friends take to the road to search for the fourth member of their group, they navigate the ups and downs of love, identity, and what it means to truly feel seen.
Bite-sized shows are taking over the internet
Microdramas are taking over the internet : It's Been a Minute Microdramas are taking over the internet. But are they art – or products? The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband. Break Me, Princess. Married the Mafioso I Saved. These are all titles of microdramas that are taking the internet by storm. In case you haven’t heard, microdramas are often campy shows with short, minute-long episodes.
'The Pitt' star Sepideh Moafi on being limitless
'The Pitt' star Sepideh Moafi on being limitless : It's Been a Minute Sepideh Moafi wants you to get raw with your emotions. Season 2 of HBO Max’s original series, The Pitt, brings a new doctor into the fold: Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi. An Iranian-Iraqi attending physician, she brings empathy and discipline into the chaotic ER that viewers have come to love. While she ruffled some feathers at first, her commitment to her fellow doctors and patients has made her a fan favorite.
Has Broadway lost its way?
Has Broadway lost its way? : It's Been a Minute It seems like no one on Broadway is happy. Actors are buckling under the weight of the eight-show week, producers aren't making their money back, and audiences are getting tired of paying astronomical ticket prices to see celebrities on stage. Is Broadway in danger of taking its final bow? To find out, Brittany is joined by Broadway sensitivity specialist Ann James, and entertainment lawyer and business journalist Marc Hershberg.
People are struggling financially. Even on TV.
People are struggling financially. Even on TV. : It's Been a Minute Welcome to the age of ‘Broke TV.’ It seems like the days of prestige TV shows about the wealthy elite have been replaced by the vocal majority: the downwardly mobile. New Yorker TV critic, Inkoo Kang, noticed that her favorite shows so far this year all focused - in some respect - on the people whose lives have been financially squeezed beyond recognition by the very elite we used to enjoy watching.
Testosterone doesn't equal masculinity.
Testosterone doesn't equal masculinity. : It's Been a Minute Do you have what it takes to be "High-T?" Service members are about to find out, as Defense secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the military will be screening men for low testosterone, a hormone found in both women and men that supports bone mass development, red blood cell production, energy levels, and more.
Can reading set you free? This poet thinks so.
Can reading set you free? This poet thinks so. : It's Been a Minute How has literature changed your life? For poet and lawyer, Reginald Dwaye Betts, books meant freedom. After getting sentenced to 9 years in adult prison at 16, Dwayne felt a sense of hope and possibility whenever he was reading. Upon his release he founded Freedom Reads, an organization that builds libraries within prisons across the country to provide a physical space where those incarcerated can read and dream together.
The questionable new ways to surveil your friends
The questionable new ways to surveil your friends : It's Been a Minute Would you pay for an app that might encourage your worst impulses? Some users are asking themselves the same question as Meta rolls out Instagram Plus, a new suite of features that promises users the opportunity to 'deepen your relationships.' But what do these features say about the way we interact with each other online, and how might they reflect our deepest anxieties back at us?
Are you "just a girl" ... or are you a baby woman?
Cookie Settings When you visit our website or app, we store cookies on your browser, use similar tracking and storage technologies such as software development kits, and use information about the device you use to access our site or app (together "cookies"). The information these cookies collect might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site or app work as you expect them to and to provide a more personalized web or app experience.
Fashion isn't art. It's something more.
Fashion isn't art. It's something more. : It's Been a Minute What we wear and how we wear it is more important than its artistic value. When some people think of fashion, the Met Gala or maybe even luxury designers may come to mind. But what about the old college sweatshirt that gets you through the cold or even the brightly colored gym set that pushes you to go that extra mile? Is that not fashion?
Homelessness is more common than you think.
Brittany Luse Brittany Luse is an award-winning journalist, on-air host, and cultural critic. She is the host of It's Been a Minute and For Colored Nerds. Previously Luse hosted The Nod and Sampler podcasts, and co-hosted and executive produced The Nod with Brittany and Eric, a daily streaming show.
Homelessness is more common than you think.
Homelessness is more common than you think. : It's Been a Minute Who counts as homeless in America? If you ask the Department of Housing and Urban Development, around 750,000 people are homeless in America. If you ask the Department of Education, that number shoots up into the millions. What does this discrepancy tell us? And how do our cultural ideas about homelessness shape who we see as homeless, and who gets help?
The fame and (mis)fortune of family influencing
The fame and (mis)fortune of family influencing : It's Been a Minute Do influencer parents trade in their kids’ privacy for the hope of financial security? Kids are everywhere on the Internet – and not just playing on Roblox. They're the stars of many family influencing pages that document kids’ lives: from the intimate details of their births, to starting school, to going through puberty. That can come with a host of problems – but also a ton of money.
How to enter your Sporty Spice era
How to enter your Sporty Spice era : It's Been a Minute Reality dating and professional sports are not as different as you’d think. Brittany is in her Sporty Spice era – she watched the NBA playoffs, she’s following World Cup games, and she’s watching the New York Liberty play their WNBA season. These games are daily – and so is the reality dating show Love Island. And she noticed that the two formats are not very different at all.
How World Cup fans reflect America back at us Original
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How World Cup fans reflect America back at us : It's Been a Minute What does America look like to visitors? We're finding out in real time as fans and athletes from all over the world visit the United States for World Cup matches across the country. From Ranch dressing, to the wonders of all-you-can-eat buffets, tourists are getting a taste of all the USA has to offer, but how do we square the warm welcome for the World Cup with the United States' recent stances on immigration?
By Brittany Luse Verified, Jasmine Garsd Verified, Juliana Kim Verified, Liam McBain Verified, Corey Rose Verified, Neena Pathak
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NPR
Verified
The safety and power of knowing your neighbors
The safety and power of knowing your neighbors : It's Been a Minute Do you know how to connect with your neighbors? According to Pew, the share of Americans who know and trust their neighbors is on the decline. There are a lot of structural reasons why you might not trust the people around you and it can be hard to put yourself out there with people you don’t know – and don’t want to bother.
Boundaries, bodies, and better sex Original
Boundaries, bodies, and better sex : It's Been a Minute What does it mean to feel safe during sex these days? From feeling comfortable with your partner to having access to public health interventions and medication, "safety" comes up a lot in sex. And having the tools you need to feel confident in your own sexual health is an essential part of the pursuit of pleasure.
Do you have the power to change yourself?
Do you have the power to change yourself? : It's Been a Minute What makes us change – or not change? Change happens to all of us – but what actually happens to us when we change, and how does that change stick? Sometimes there isn't a clear answer, but Benoit Denizet-Lewis, associate professor at Emerson College and author of the book You've Changed: the Promise and Price of Self Transformation, tried to find out what makes change happen.
Why Queer Third Spaces Matter
Why Queer Third Spaces Matter : It's Been a Minute Where do queer people gather? In honor of Pride Month, we're looking at those sanctuary spaces where LGBTQ+ people can celebrate, strategize, and simply exist…especially amidst a hostile political climate and lackluster feelings about corporate Pride.
Why Queer Third Spaces Matter
Why Queer Third Spaces Matter Play25:01 Where do queer people gather? In honor of Pride Month, we're looking at those sanctuary spaces where LGBTQ+ people can celebrate, strategize, and simply exist…especially amidst a hostile political climate and lackluster feelings about corporate Pride.
Who needs to know where you are?
Who needs to know where you are? : It's Been a Minute Is location tracking building relationships? Or ruining them? Four in 10 U.S. adults share their locations with at least one person. But while it's convenient, is it also a violation of privacy? And who really needs to know where you are? We're getting into how location sharing became a norm, the pros and cons, and how to turn it off without making things weird.
We're having a main character summer. Are you?
We're having a main character summer. Are you? : It's Been a Minute Are you ready for a whirlwind summer romance? Making plans to capitalize on summer can get overwhelming - from finding the right spot to hang or feeling comfortable in your clothes in the sweltering summer heat. So what does it mean to approach summer with a romantic joie de vivre?
Is your neighborhood riddled with dog poop?
Why don't your neighbors pick up their dog’s poop? : It's Been a Minute Left-behind dog poop is annoying. But it’s also a sign of anti-sociality. Spotting unidentified poop outside is an unfortunate and unavoidable part of being alive, but in some cities, there’s a scourge being left behind by some people’s four-legged friends. Manuela López-Restrepo, writer and producer at All Things Considered, couldn’t stop noticing it – and she wondered if it might be a sign of something deeper going on.
Beware the Wellness Industrial Complex!
Does "wellness" actually help? : It's Been a Minute From CBD leggings to Soulcycle, wellness is reshaping our relationships to our bodies and souls. But what even is "wellness?" Well, for one, it's a global industry worth 6 trillion dollars. And it encompasses all kinds of things – including spirituality: from the spirituality of wellness practices like yoga and reiki, to treating wellness itself like a religion.
Are men in your life getting more political? This guy may be why.
Is Stephen A. Smith turning ESPN into Fox News? : It's Been a Minute Have you turned on ESPN recently? You might be surprised to find that the sports bros are abandoning GOAT debates and getting political. No one is more an example of this than ESPN personality and perhaps Presidential candidate, Stephen A. Smith. So what's going on here? And what does the Fox Newsification of sports media tell us about our current political culture and future?
Should teens have political opinions?
What podcasts do teens listen to? : It's Been a Minute At what age did you have a fully formed political perspective? Did tens of thousands of people listen to you? Well, teens today are more influential than ever. From Charlie Kirk to Greta Thunberg, teenagers and children have long had political influence. But what’s new is that teenagers are creating their own media ecosystem for teenagers, by teenagers. And they’re doing it through highly popular podcasts, like: MD Foodie Boyz or The LOL Podcast.
The newest influencers? Porn stars.
Porn, OnlyFans, and Online Outrage : It's Been a Minute Sex sells. So does outrage. That's why these sex workers are making rage bait. In the past few months, UK and Australian-based OnlyFans creators like Bonnie Blue and Annie Knight made headlines for their extreme sex stunts, most notably for sleeping with over 100 men in one day. But in addition to these stunts, they also appear on controversial podcasts to gain traction, or do day in the life vlogs - much like your average everyday influencer.
Zohran Mamdani & the politics of "good" vs. "bad" Muslims
Zohran Mamdani & the politics of "good" vs. "bad" Muslims : It's Been a Minute Before, during, and after Zohran Mamdani became the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Republicans and Democrats were both leaning into decades old Islamophobic tropes to delegitimize his candidacy. Meanwhile, young progressives are reclaiming those tropes. Why is Islamophobia politically salient today, and why are both sides of the aisle using it to achieve their own political goals?
Melania Trump’s multi-million dollar “infomercial”
Melania Trump’s multi-million dollar “infomercial” : It's Been a Minute Is Melania Trump's new film a documentary? Fan service? Or propaganda? The Amazon funded $40 million-$75 million film, follows the first lady as she prepares for her husband's second inauguration. But, it's finely manicured editing and it's fabricated storylines obscure reality - much like the Trump administration's broader media strategy. So what's the point?
'New Skin' and the botched quest for beauty
'New Skin' and the botched quest for beauty : It's Been a Minute What happens when you can't recognize your mom anymore? For Linli, the protagonist of the book New Skin, this is her reality: her mom Fanny has gone through so many back-alley plastic surgery procedures, Fanny’s face barely looks human anymore. When Fanny gets the opportunity to go on a reality TV show for the chance to fix her botched face, she jumps at it – and Linli tags along.
Are psychedelics getting a tech rebrand?
Are psychedelics getting a tech rebrand? : It's Been a Minute Are psychedelics the next big thing? Psychedelics include the drugs LSD, magic mushrooms, peyote, and often ketamine and MDMA too, among others. And some of these drugs have a history of spiritual practice spanning millennia. Then many of these drugs became synonymous with hippies and 60s and 70s counterculture. But now, psychedelics have new cheerleaders: tech bros and CEOs. So why the rebrand?
Free will and the cult of "high agency"
Are you a "high agency" person? : It's Been a Minute Are you a “high agency” person? The tech world has been buzzing about the benefits of being a “high agency” person: someone who doesn’t wait for permission to pursue their own agendas.
What if the ‘biological clock’ is a scam?
What if the ‘biological clock’ is a scam? : It's Been a Minute How does it feel to be called hostile? What about barren? Inhospitable? Geriatric? These are all words women over the age of 35 have heard in doctor's offices for decades to describe their reproductive health as they explore options for childbirth. The terminology has been changing, but for some, not quickly enough.
Analysis paralysis is stopping you from making good art
Analysis paralysis is stopping you from making good art : It's Been a Minute Is social media giving you analysis paralysis? You’re not alone. In his new book, ‘Minor Black Figures,’ novelist Brandon Taylor explores this vicious cycle and what it does to our self-worth. His characters are artists hyperaware of how social media can make or break their careers - and how it affects the art they make too.
The human labor that makes AI work
The human labor that makes AI work : It's Been a Minute Can AI really do everything by itself? AI has impressed a lot of people with its output. But even though it’s sold as an autonomous, inhuman tool, there’s a lot of human work that goes into it. While that work does happen in the US, many AI laborers also live overseas – and get paid less to do it.
How to survive a millennial midlife crisis
How to survive a millennial midlife crisis : It's Been a Minute Many millennials either are already in their 40s or are staring them down. Are they having a midlife crisis? As this generation enters midlife, their lives look really different from their parents' lives: Millennials are more educated and have a , but the generation is also more unequal than previous generations, has and has lower rates of homeownership and marriage.
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