Whitney, I loved when you called Pop Candy a henhouse. So funny! So true. Thanks for the memories. It sounds silly, but Pop Candy did change my life. The Pop Candy community was and continues to be a special source of creativity and inspiration.
And right back atcha, BB -- I'm so grateful for all of the people I met through the blog and am fortunate to still know them today. What a weird, fantastic time. xo
Hi Whitney, long time reader, first time commenter. I religiously read your Pop Candy articles every day while I was in my 30s and working as a university professor. They kept me hip and up-to-date, making me relevant to the "young folk" I taught daily. Had I known about the haters, I would have flooded the comment section with positivity and love. I looked forward to Pop Candy; it is a meaningful and groundbreaking cultural platform. Cheers to 25 years! Thank you for making me feel relevant and cool, at least throughout my 30s.
The reason I was attracted to Pop Candy in the first place was its spirit of positivity and discovery. It was as if we were all hanging out together and sharing our favorite things. It was a balm in those snarky times. Thanks for all you do!
You and that comment section made what was undoubtedly the most uncomfortable and stressful job I've had just a bit more bearable each day. A small miracle.
Eager to read your book! And put this in your memory bank: For any book signing, give us plenty of advance notice to plan for travel -- a Pop Candy meetup/reunion!
25 years? Not possible!! I remember so much. I think your writing helped push me towards producing concerts. Now I’m doing it full time 20 years after starting with a few shows a year in my little town. Now in trying to fill the calendar of a new venue and somehow stay current at age 61!
Pop Candy was the day maker that inspired and got so many of us through hard times as your writing was the day maker, your writing was what brightened things up. At the age of 22, your journalistic genius and understanding the pulse of the pop culture scene with the internet that wasn't fully figured out in 1997 is something to be damn proud of 25 years later.
Today's piece was powerful, insightful and showcased a great life led regardless of opinion by someone who proves herself still on a weekly basis to us for the love of journalism. Thank You!
Happy 25th, Whitney! Pop Candy was also very important to my wife and me in those heady pre-social media days of wild internet, Fark and Television Without Pity. We always found joy and connection in your words and those of your readers.
Pop Candy meant so much to so many of us. I can’t even put into words how it has changed my life. I made 5 life long friends based on pop culture and a love of travel. And that site introduced me to a group of women, some I have never met in person, who are one of the best support systems around. Thank you, Whitney.
Whitney! This made me cry!! I’m not sure if it’s the nostalgia of the old comments section (where I, too, made friends I still have) or just a general longing for a different time…but you hit my feels. As always. Thank you for putting my thoughts into words.
Aw, that is so sweet. As strange as it sounds, it *was* a simpler time when we didn't text or tweet, we just connected through email and comments on websites. I miss it -- or at least the good parts of it. xo
Whitney, I loved when you called Pop Candy a henhouse. So funny! So true. Thanks for the memories. It sounds silly, but Pop Candy did change my life. The Pop Candy community was and continues to be a special source of creativity and inspiration.
WHITNEY MATHESON IS YOUR OVERLORD!
👏👏👏🖤
And right back atcha, BB -- I'm so grateful for all of the people I met through the blog and am fortunate to still know them today. What a weird, fantastic time. xo
Hi Whitney, long time reader, first time commenter. I religiously read your Pop Candy articles every day while I was in my 30s and working as a university professor. They kept me hip and up-to-date, making me relevant to the "young folk" I taught daily. Had I known about the haters, I would have flooded the comment section with positivity and love. I looked forward to Pop Candy; it is a meaningful and groundbreaking cultural platform. Cheers to 25 years! Thank you for making me feel relevant and cool, at least throughout my 30s.
You're welcome - these days I rely on my kid to help me feel relevant and (somewhat) cool! :D
Reverse mentors!
The reason I was attracted to Pop Candy in the first place was its spirit of positivity and discovery. It was as if we were all hanging out together and sharing our favorite things. It was a balm in those snarky times. Thanks for all you do!
Pop Candy and caffeine was the best combo to kick off the day.
You and that comment section made what was undoubtedly the most uncomfortable and stressful job I've had just a bit more bearable each day. A small miracle.
I hope you are in a happier job now! :D
Eager to read your book! And put this in your memory bank: For any book signing, give us plenty of advance notice to plan for travel -- a Pop Candy meetup/reunion!
That would be wonderful!
25 years? Not possible!! I remember so much. I think your writing helped push me towards producing concerts. Now I’m doing it full time 20 years after starting with a few shows a year in my little town. Now in trying to fill the calendar of a new venue and somehow stay current at age 61!
Fantastic! (And what little town are you in, by the way?)
I live in Arden Delaware. It’s north of Wilmington DE. The new venue is 25 miles south in Elkton MD
Pop Candy was the day maker that inspired and got so many of us through hard times as your writing was the day maker, your writing was what brightened things up. At the age of 22, your journalistic genius and understanding the pulse of the pop culture scene with the internet that wasn't fully figured out in 1997 is something to be damn proud of 25 years later.
Today's piece was powerful, insightful and showcased a great life led regardless of opinion by someone who proves herself still on a weekly basis to us for the love of journalism. Thank You!
Matt, YOU are the "day maker." Thanks - hope to see you in Baltimore in the fall.
We live, as we dream, alone
Happy 25th, Whitney! Pop Candy was also very important to my wife and me in those heady pre-social media days of wild internet, Fark and Television Without Pity. We always found joy and connection in your words and those of your readers.
I miss TWoP! Thank you, Chip!!
Pop Candy meant so much to so many of us. I can’t even put into words how it has changed my life. I made 5 life long friends based on pop culture and a love of travel. And that site introduced me to a group of women, some I have never met in person, who are one of the best support systems around. Thank you, Whitney.
I am so touched to hear this. Thank you so much for being such a longtime supporter of my work, Maria.
Happy 25th Anniversary Whitney. 💥🎆
Whitney! This made me cry!! I’m not sure if it’s the nostalgia of the old comments section (where I, too, made friends I still have) or just a general longing for a different time…but you hit my feels. As always. Thank you for putting my thoughts into words.
PS: Happy 25th anniversary! ✨
Aw, that is so sweet. As strange as it sounds, it *was* a simpler time when we didn't text or tweet, we just connected through email and comments on websites. I miss it -- or at least the good parts of it. xo