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Pop Shop Podcast

Billboard

Billboard's Keith Caulfield (Managing Director, Charts and Data Operations) and Katie Atkinson (Executive Digital Director, West Coast) offer weekly Billboard chart breakdowns, discuss the hottest music news and cover the year’s biggest musical events. Casual pop fans, chart junkies and everyone in between are invited to this weekly half-hour discussion.

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  • 23 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 40 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • Tuesday · 43 min

    Did Dolly Parton Make Pop Music? Yes, But She Preferred to Call It ‘Dolly Parton Music’

    While there’s no question Dolly Parton was popular, she had no intention of “going pop” throughout her 60-plus-year career. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are chatting about the relationship Parton — who died on Aug. 25 at age 80 — had with pop music, from her crossover hits to collaborating with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. In a 1977 interview with Country Music magazine — the same year she released one of her poppiest hits, “Here You Come Again” — Parton addressed the genre question head-on. “I never considered the fact that I was going pop,” she said at the time. “I will go pop, as far as crossing over, sooner or later. But I will go there as me. I will go there with my own music, not by trying to be something different than I am. “If my music has to have a label, I will call it country, mainly because I am country,” she added. “You cannot leave what you are. But I really prefer to call it Dolly Parton music.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • August 25 · 37 min

    Madonna Comes Full-Circle as the Leading Nominee at 2026 MTV VMAs

    From performing onstage at the very first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 to being the leading nominee at the 2026 show, Madonna's history with the VMAs runs deep. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about how the M in MTV should probably stand for Madonna at this point -- including Keith's one-and-only time inside the Video Music Awards. The year was 1998, and it was the last time Madonna was the show's leading nominee, and she took home the video of the year trophy for "Ray of Light." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • August 18 · 34 min

    Chappell Roan With Noah Kahan, Cynthia Erivo With Ariana Grande & Kristen Bell With Savannah Bananas: A Weekend of Surprise Guests

    Over the weekend, tens of thousands of fans got this experience at events across the globe, with Chappell Roan popping out with Noah Kahan at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for her song "California"; Cynthia Erivo reuniting with her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande at the O2 Arena in London; and Kristen Bell regaling the Savannah Bananas crowd with a Disney-powered medley at Denver's Coors Field. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, we're talking about the trio of delightful surprise guests crossing genres and continents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • August 11 · 43 min

    With Sophia Stepping Back From KATSEYE, Will the Global Girl Group Remain a Quartet?

    On Friday, it was announced that Sophia would be taking a step back from KATSEYE to prioritize her “mental health and wellness,” following a similar announcement from her groupmate Manon back in February. Now the six-person global girl group is down to a quartet — and it’s unclear when either member might return to the fold, especially after a six-month absence for Manon. The news comes at a particularly busy time for KATSEYE, with their Wild album arriving on Friday and their Wildworld Tour — the group’s first global trek — kicking off in October. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are discussing the announcement and what it means for the group’s future. Will both women return, or might they remain a quartet? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • August 4 · 40 min

    BTS Grammy Decision Sparks Debate About New Asian Pop Category, But Who Wins & Who Loses?

    Without even mentioning it by name, BTS sparked a major debate about the new best Asian pop music performance category at the 2027 Grammys with their bombshell decision last week not to submit music from their latest album, ARIRANG, at next year's awards show. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith take a closer look at that decision and at the category, and what it will look like without BTS in it. We also discuss Madonna's new "Love Sensation" remix with Kylie Minogue, which the pair previewed with a WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 performance over the weekend before the song's arrival later this week. Plus: Ariana Grande's rep announced over the weekend that the pop star/actress plans to step back following the end of her Eternal Sunshine Tour, after Friday's release of her latest album, Petal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • July 29 · 36 min

    Lollapalooza, Daisy Chain Fields & Ocean Way: 2026 Summer Festival Season Is Just Heating Up

    With Lollapalooza, Daisy Chain Fields and the new Ocean Way Festival in Santa Monica, Calif. all on the horizon, Pop Shop hosts Katie and Keith are talking about each of the fests, breaking down the performers (including Charli xcx, Olivia Rodrigo, Olivia Dean and so many more) and deciding that they'll probably need to take a Pop Shop field trip for the latter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • July 21 · 48 min

    Did Shakira, BTS, Madonna & Justin Bieber Achieve Their Goals at First World Cup Final Halftime Show?

    How could four superstar music headliners -- Shakira, BTS, Madonna and Justin Bieber -- possibly all fit into an 11-minute performance? We found out Sunday during the first-ever World Cup Final halftime show, and on the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast we're talking all about what worked, and what got weird. The craziest part of the jam-packed spectacle was that the quartet of headliners weren't alone: They were joined by a robust cast of side characters, including Gustavo Dudamel directing the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela's Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra; Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in character as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard; Staten Island's PS22 Chorus and Coldplay performing the original song "We Dance"; and yes, even The Muppets. Listen to Katie & Keith's full conversation now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • July 15 · 54 min

    Suki Waterhouse on Feeling ‘Wiser & Also Sillier Than Ever’ on ‘Loveland’ Album, How Opening for Taylor Swift Will Impact Her Next Tour

    Suki Waterhouse joins the Pop Shop to chat about her first album in nearly two years, “Loveland,” and how the record was inspired by the “huge shift” of motherhood (she’s a new mom!) and how she finds her self in a “very joyful, delicate, interesting time" in her life. Plus, hosts Keith and Katie review chart news about Madonna’s big debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with her 10th leader, “Confessions II.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • July 7 · 40 min

    Taylor Swift's Wedding Doubles as a Once-in-a-Lifetime Concert From Paul McCartney & Stevie Nicks

    When Taylor Swift curates a concert, it's legends only. While Swift's July 3 nuptials to Travis Kelce have been pretty successfully kept under wraps -- including any photos of the bride and groom on their wedding day -- a couple of musical details have crept out, including that Stevie Nicks performed at the ceremony and that Paul McCartney played a Beatles song he hasn't done since 1964: “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about the details we've learned from the big day and what (if anything) we might see of photos or videos from inside New York's Madison Square Garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • July 1 · 36 min

    Lauryn Hill's Joyful, Joyful Celebration & More Lessons From the 2026 BET Awards

    On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are discussing the overwhelmingly positive response to Sunday's 2026 BET Awards and what other awards shows might be able to learn from it. The biggest takeaway seems to be the welcome return of Lauryn Hill, who enthusiastically enjoyed performances of her songs by Doja Cat, SZA, Lizzo, Doechii, Queen Latifah, Nas and more, as well as three of her children: Selah, YG and Zion Marley. Hill also gave a beautiful speech and performed two songs -- "Ex-Factor" and "Everything Is Everything" -- to wrap up the loving tribute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • June 23 · 28 min

    Could ‘Toy Story 5’ Soundtrack Gallop to a Big Billboard 200 Debut, With Some Help From Taylor Swift?

    Taylor Swift‘s back-to-back weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her Toy Story 5 song “I Knew It, I Knew You” got us thinking: Could the Disney/Pixar film’s soundtrack album also find success on our charts? On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith discuss just how high the Toy Story 5 album could climb on the Billboard 200 next week, considering no previous Toy Story soundtrack has ever hit the top 40 of our flagship albums chart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • June 10 · 51 min

    Taylor Swift Surprises 'Toy Story 5' Premiere With Rare Performance & We Were Inside to Tell the Full Story

    At the "Toy Story 5" world premiere in Hollywood, Taylor Swift treated the audience to a surprise two-song performance and we were among the lucky few inside the Dolby Theatre. On the latest Pop Shop, Katie shares what it was like to be in the room where it happened, plus a spoiler-free take on the film itself, and what it was like being at such a huge event. Plus, we've got chart news on Ariana Grande and Paul McCartney, and we dig into P!nk's Tony Awards hosting gig and Madonna's new "Confessions II - The Film." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • June 1 · 43 min

    Taylor Swift's 'Toy Story 5' Song Will Bring Pop Superstar Back to Country & To Movie Music

    Taylor Swift confirmed Monday (June 1) that she will release the new song "I Knew It, I Knew You" from Toy Story 5 this Friday -- and the news also marks Swift's return to country. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are discussing everything we know about the song so far, and how it also brings Swift back to movie music after her four best original song Golden Globes nominations in the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • May 26 · 42 min

    Can Drake's New Chart Records Ever Be Beat & Who Else Could Put Up These Numbers?

    Drake flooded the zone when he released three new albums -- ICEMAN, HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR -- all on May 15, and now he's reaping the chart rewards, debuting in the top three slots on the Billboard 200 albums chart and landing 42 new songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the first artist to surpass 400 entries on the tally. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are discussing just how unprecedented Drake's chart stats are and whether there are any other musicians who could put up these kinds of numbers. What if Taylor Swift released three albums in one day? Or if Morgan Wallen decided to put out a triple-album next after previously holding the Hot 100 record with 37 concurrent hits? Or maybe a streaming-favorite act like Travis Scott could pull off the prolific feat? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • May 19 · 37 min

    How Can BTS, Madonna & Shakira All Squeeze Into an 11-Minute World Cup Halftime Show?

    Madonna only had "4 Minutes" to save the world, and now the Queen of Pop, Shakira and BTS only have 11 minutes to stage the first-ever World Cup halftime show. On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about how the three superstar acts might share their time during the 2026 World Cup final game on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. One theory we have: Each act will have around three minutes to do a medley of their new music and their biggest hits, and then all three could come together for a new version of Shak's just-released World Cup anthem "Dai Dai" (originally also featuring Burna Boy). We'll have to wait until the soccer world championship in July to find out, but in the meantime, listen to our conversation now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • May 12 · 59 min

    Linda Perry Talks 'Let It Die Here' Documentary & Album, Plus 4 Non Blondes' 'What's Up?' Viral Moment: 'You Can't Buy That Kind of Marketing'

    Between her time as the frontwoman for 4 Non Blondes, her legendary songwriting catalog (for Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys and more), her own solo career, and her outspoken activism, Linda Perry has already lived countless lives in the public eye. But the new documentary Linda Perry: Let It Die Here peels back brand-new layers to the musical firebrand, from being a mom to 9-year-old Rhodes to losing her own mother just after the singer/songwriter was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. In addition to the film -- which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and is now in select theaters -- Perry also released the album Let It Die Here on Friday, her first solo album in more than a decade. When Perry sat down with the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast in March, she explained that the film and album were both a bit unexpected, with the documentary emerging from director Dan Hardy asking if he could shadow her in the studio and the album sort of pouring out from there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • May 7 · 41 min

    Josh Groban Talks Channeling Movie Magic for 'Cinematic,' His 'Emotionally Personal' New Album That Features the 'Epic' Jennifer Hudson & His Own Dad

    Josh Groban joins the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast to chat about his new album "Cinematic," where the chart-topper pays tribute to music from the silver screen, including "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "Moon River" and "As Time Goes By." Plus, hosts Katie and Keith discuss chart news from Noah Kahan and Ella Langley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • April 27 · 38 min

    Inside Madonna's 'Club Confessions' Dance Party: Setting the Scene of West Hollywood's Hottest Ticket

    The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast takes you inside Madonna's invite-only star-studded Club Confessions event at The Abbey in West Hollywood, Calif. The Queen of Pop previewed unheard tracks from Confessions II, the July 3 sequel to her 2005 classic dance album Confessions on a Dance Floor. Stuart Price — the producer behind both Confessions projects — was the night's final DJ, and Madonna joined him for a surprise appearance behind the booth at the famed gay bar. Also on the pod, Keith and Katie have chart news on Olivia Rodrigo, Ella Langley and Olivia Dean, and the team also discuss the big box office earnings of the Michael Jackson biopic Michael. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • April 22 · 36 min

    From 'Confessions II' Reveal to Sabrina Carpenter Coachella Cameo, Madonna Is Back On the Dance Floor

    It's been less than a week since Madonna announced Confessions II, the sequel to her 2005 electro-pop dance classic Confessions On a Dance Floor. But so much has happened in the days since. After she announced the album's July 3 release date, Madonna released "I Feel So Free" -- the first song from the project -- on Friday and then joined Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella weekend 2 to tease their potential Confessions II collab and duet on 1989's "Like a Prayer" and 1990's "Like a Prayer." On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are talking about all the buzz around Madonna and her new album and what we could expect next ahead of the album sequel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes