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Pop Mystery Pod: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Tess Barker
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 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.
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- Oct 8, 20261h 9m
Grab Yo Glocks When You See Tupac (Chapter Two)
Suge Knight has said in interviews that the killing of Tupac Shakur was done “for money.” Suge, like many insiders, has also insinuated that the murder of Tupac Shakur was made possible by way of a group of people conspiring to work together. So what actually happened the night of September 7, 1996 in Las Vegas, and why? Tess has analyzed the entirety of Keefe D’s trial. She pored extensively through multiple accounts. She now has a theory. Tess interviews former Death Row artist Helecia “SKG” Choyce about her first hand experiences with Suge Knight and Reggie Wright Jr. Read “This Thug’s Life” by Mopreme Shakur Read “LAbyrinth” by Randall Cunningham Watch “Murder Wrap” by Mike DorseyWatch “Sean Diddy Combs: The Reckoning” Read “Got Your Back” by Frank Alexander Read “The Killing of Tupac Shakur” by Cathy Scott Read “The Monster Within” by SKG Watch the documentary “Tupac: Before I Wake” Watch the documentary: “Tupac: The Final 24” Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 24, 20261h 5m
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, however. points to a much bigger conspiracy at play. Was the killing of Tupac Shakur actually the work of a powerful syndicate? In this first of three chapters, Tess takes a close look at dark foundations that seem to have led to Tupac’s untimely death. Tess interviews one of Tupac’s producers, Darryl Harper, about his own time making music with Tupac, and his own theories about what really led to that fateful night in Las Vegas. Read “This Thug’s Life” by Mopreme Shakur Read “LAbyrinth” by Randall Cunningham Watch “Only God Can Judge Me: The Tupac Shakur Story” by Jeff PearlmanRead “Compton Street Legend” by Keefe DWatch “Tupac: Resurrection” Watch “Murder Wrap” by Mike DorseyWatch “Sean Diddy Combs: The Reckoning” Listen to the Slow Burn Podcast: Biggie and Tupac Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="
- Sep 19, 202645 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 similar players appear in the grisly behind the scenes of both of these music tales? Tess dives into the strange connection between the end of life and death of Michael Jackson, and the alleged litany of crimes committed by Sean Diddy Combs. Watch the documentary Murder Rap here. Watch footage from the Dr. Conrad Murray Manslaughter trial here. For an extreme deep dive into Britney Spears conservatorship, listen to Tess’ podcast “Toxic: The Britney Spears Story.” Watch the New York Times documentary “Controlling Britney Spears” here. For an extreme deep dive into Britney’s conservatorship, listen to Tess’ podcast “Toxic: The Britney Spears Story.” Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 18, 202641 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 entertainment stories stand out as exceptionally shocking and horrifying: the wrongful conservatorship of Britney Spears, and the alleged large-scale sex trafficking syndicate of Sean Diddy Combs. It’s chilling then, to consider that both the business affairs of Sean Combs and Britney Spears were handled by the same business management company: TriStar Sports and Entertainment. Who is at the helm of this mega-powerful company, and what is behind their unconventional business practices? To learn more about the backstory behind Lou Taylor and early early employers, find Melanie Carlson’s substack here. Watch the New York Times documentary “Controlling Britney Spears” here. For an extreme deep dive into Britney’s conservatorship, listen to Tess’ podcast “Toxic: The Britney Spears Story.” Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 17, 202637 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 young age of 47. At the time, her death was ruled the result of pneumonia, but insiders have expressed suspicions around why Porter really died. Given what’s been alleged about Combs in recent years, Tess unpacks the facts and rumors around Porter’s life and death. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 16, 202642 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 reputation has been irrevocably changed. The landslide of allegations against Sean Diddy Combs was started by a singular person - R&B singer Cassie Ventura. Cassie’s allegations formed the framework for the federal case against Sean Combs, which is set to kick off May 5, 2025. Tess takes a deep look into Cassie’s harrowing escape and the surprising stories Cassie’s intersects with. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 10, 202644 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 her statement regarding Tupac.” In this unnerving text from an assault case filed against Sean Diddy Combs, legal representatives for Ashley Parham, an alleged victim’s of Sean Combs synopsize what is a shocking and brutal claim of sexual assault by Combs. Parham’s story is deeply disturbing. It also provides telling insight into Comb’s alleged network of trafficking and coercion…and seems to point to figures still hiding in the darkness. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPodFollow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods. Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Sep 3, 202630 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 consider this justice served? Tess has insights from inside the court room, and some analysis into how the DA was able to land a guilty verdict despite having any corroborating evidence in their case. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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About Pop Mystery Pod
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 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.
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