It's Been a Minute

Our Pandemic Year

We take stock of a year that challenged us emotionally, culturally and politically. Sam talks to <a href="https://twitter.com/HiraDeol10">Hira Deol</a>, a former contestant on Big Brother Canada, about what it was like to learn about the pandemic while sequestered away from the outside world. Plus, Sam chats with culture writer <a href="https://twitter.com/annehelen?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Anne Helen Petersen</a> about the gradual return to our "normal" lives — and just how messy it's going to be. — Read the poem from this episode: <a href="http://nyti.ms/30FpDfs">"Small Kindnesses" by Danusha Laméris</a> You can follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/NPRItsBeenAMin">@NPRItsBeenAMin</a> and email us at <a href="mailto:samsanders@npr.org">samsa</a><a href="mailto:samsanders@npr.org">nders@npr.org.</a> Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Has it been a minute since you heard a thought-provoking conversation about culture? Brittany Luse wants to help. Each week, she takes the things everyone's talking about and, in conversation with her favorite creators, tastemakers, and experts, gives you new ways to think about them. Beyond the obvious takes. Because culture doesn't happen by accident. If you can't get enough, try It's Been a Minute Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/itsbeenaminute