17: Do You Believe In Magic?

17: Do You Believe In Magic?

Author: Oops, Your Culture's Showing! ©2018: Dean Foster, Tom Peterson, and Torin Peterson August 29, 2019 Duration: 57:02

In this episode, Dean and Tom explore magical thinking across cultures, conjuring up the origins of good luck charms while clutching their rabbit’s foot, knocking on wood, and spitting to ward off the evil eye. They also dive into how and why myth-making, from Harry Potter to Groundhog Day to Loch Ness, appeals to so many of us across cultures – but not before our friends at Licensing return to cut off Dean’s rendition of “Do You Believe In Magic?”. Listen and enjoy now before this episode goes *poof*!

Subscribe today! Have a cultural question or episode idea for Dean and Tom? Reach out on Twitter and Facebook (@OopsCultureShow) or by email at oopscultureshow@gmail.com.

Music: “Little Idea” – Bensound.com


Ever find yourself in a situation where a simple gesture or comment lands completely wrong, all because of an unspoken cultural rule you never knew existed? That’s the territory explored in Oops, Your Culture's Showing! Hosted by Dean Foster alongside Tom and Torin Peterson, this podcast digs into the hilarious and often awkward moments where cultural differences come to light. Each episode feels like a conversation with well-traveled friends who’ve been there, analyzing real-life stories of social faux pas, misunderstood traditions, and the subtle norms that govern behavior around the globe. The tone is light and comedic, rooted in personal experience rather than dry academic lecture, making the exploration of societies and places genuinely engaging. You’ll hear the hosts dissect why certain actions are perfectly polite in one context and a major blunder in another, all while laughing at their own misadventures. It’s a blend of comedy and genuine education, perfect for anyone curious about the world or preparing to navigate it. Tune in to this podcast for a reminder that we’re all constantly revealing our cultural backgrounds, often at the most unexpected moments.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 87

Oops, Your Culture's Showing!
Podcast Episodes
Thank You Jacinda! Special Reissue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:31
New Zealand’s iconic prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has announced she’s stepping down in the coming days. In honor of her 5+ years of Kiwi leadership, we’re heading back ‘down under’ with a special reissue of our “Islan…
Joy To The World! Supersized Holiday Reissue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:41
Happy holidays, dear listeners! We’re doubling your dose of joy this holiday season with BOTH parts of our ‘two-part gleeful gabfest’ from Nov/Dec 2021, “Joy To The World!” – packaged together in this supersized, super-s…
36: “Holidays of gratitude” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
Happy Thanksgiving to our US American listeners! In this episode, Dean dishes to Tom about both experiencing US American holidays like Thanksgiving while in different countries, as well as immersing himself in different…
35: “‘Work to live’ cultures, and ‘live to work’ cultures” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:24
Listening to this while eating lunch in the workplace? Fais attention (be careful!) because if you’re in France, that’s illegal. In this episode, Dean and Tom get to work contrasting how countries from France to Japan to…
34: “There’s no chicken lane in Amsterdam!” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:00
Why did Dean, the global cultures expert, cross the road? To chat with Tom about navigating street crossings in cities from Rome to Hong Kong, and the corresponding cultural implications – of course! Plus: Don’t miss the…
Taxi Please! Special Reissue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:10
We hope you’re staying as cool as can be, listeners! Since Dean and Tom will be chatting about global transportation customs in next month’s brand-new episode, we’re ‘crossing the road’ to there with a special reissue th…
32: “Grandma Time!” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:32
Listen up, you whippersnappers! Dean, Tom, and baby/producer Torin impart some wisdom about how cultures value their elders and the “elderly,” especially by comparing perceptions and customs in US culture with those in c…
Back To China – Special Reissue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:09
With both the Lunar New Year and the Winter Olympics in Beijing this month, we’re heading back to China in this special reissue of our “Goat Eyes & Chinese Banquets” episode from June 2018! Please enjoy this classic offe…