The Class of '74: A Serialized Fiction Podcast (ft. Laura Van Wormer)

Did teenagers in the 1970s really not have supervision? What darker secrets were hiding behind the nostalgic peace, love, and unsupervised drive-in keg parties?In this episode of Let's Talk Media, host Vedant Akhauri sits down with best-selling novelist Laura Van Wormer. She's best known as the author of the Alexandra Chronicles, which follows the lives of media industry professionals, and the Sally Harringon mystery series, which features a broadcast journalist (both universes are connected!).We explore her scripted podcast dramedy, The Class of '74. Set in a fictional Connecticut suburb in 1971, this narrative soap opera follows 15-year-old Cynthia Skyler as she navigates a wild, unregulated era completely without cell phones or the internet. It was a time when parents had no idea where their kids were, and teenagers routinely drank and drove long before the days of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. But beneath the fun, period-piece nostalgia lies a gritty exploration of a society in massive transition. Laura reveals exactly how she weaves explosive true history and raw teenage rebellion into this addictive audio drama! In this episode about The Class of '74, we discuss:The Dark Realities Swept Under the Rug: Discover why Laura intentionally explores the hidden traumas of the 70s. In a time when eating disorders, severe depression, and child abuse "didn't exist," teenage girls were left to starve themselves and suffer in absolute silence.Unchecked Bullies & High School Dangers: Hear how the podcast tackles the extreme homophobia and unchecked high school bullies who literally locked kids in locker rooms for torture. But, rest assured, Laura promises the show delivers them ultimate karma, and the bullies get exactly what's coming to them!Living Through Explosive History: Learn how the characters' fictional lives collide with massive real-world events from the time period, from the terrifying media blackout during the Attica prison rebellion and the anxiety of the Vietnam War draft lotteries, to 16-year-old Chrissie Evert revolutionizing women's tennis.The Liberation Generation: Why the Class of '74 was so unique. They were the very first generation of young women explicitly told they could grow up to be whatever they wanted.Interactive True Crimes (The Detention Club): Find out how Laura actively uses her Patreon community, "The Detention Club," to let listeners shape the story. You can listen to the first season of The Class of '74 and join "The Detention Club" Patreon at www.classof74podcast.com. You can also request Laura to join the private Facebook group to share your own untold high school stories.Whether you lived through the 1970s or just love nostalgic period dramas, this episode is your ultimate time machine!