Children of the 80s

This week, Jim and Lindsay share a brief update on Jim's recovery following surgery. Since life has been a little hectic lately, we're replaying our very first Patreon-exclusive episode from January. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, we hope you enjoy this trip back to where our Patreon journey began.

In this episode, we take a look at some of the most recognizable faces from the 1980s who took surprisingly different paths after their time in the spotlight. From Hollywood stardom to unexpected second acts, we dive into the career pivots of Danica McKellar, Stacey Keenan, Phoebe Cates, Jamie Gertz, and Rick Moranis—and ask the question: how did they end up there?

Jim and Lindsay are joined by Dave from the Totally 80s and 90s Recall podcast, James from the Bad Movies Rule podcast and Jason from the Surely You Can't Be Serious podcast to crown a champion in our 80s cartoon theme song tournament. 

On October 14, 1987, 18-month-old Jessica McClure fell into a narrow abandoned well in Midland, Texas—triggering a 58-hour rescue effort that captivated the nation. In this episode, we break down the intense rescue operation, the rise of round-the-clock media coverage, and how “Baby Jessica” became one of the defining news stories of the 1980s.

Jim and Lindsay are joined by Jason from the Dram Amateur podcast and Shawn and Jess from the Smoking Sounds podcast to pick winners for the poeple region of the 80s cartoon theme songs tournament. 

Enjoy this fan favorite episode from season 2 while we enjoy spring break. Jim and Lindsay are talking about iconic '80s commercials again! Toys, cars, fruit and candy bars all make the list this week. 

Jim and Lindsay are joined by Dave from Totally 80s and 90s Recall, Matt Cook from Spinning the Wheel, and Chris Lee from the Best Under Five to pick winners for the Creature region of the 80s cartoon theme songs tournament. Join our Patreon here: Children of the 80s Patreon page

Three rock legends walk into a birthday party… and yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds. When Alice Cooper celebrated 78, he was joined by Mick Fleetwood and Sammy Hagar —so we’re dubbing them The Three Amigos. In this episode, Lindsay brings the fun facts while we break down their biggest 80s moments, weirdest stories, and why these guys are still cooler than all of us.

Step into the courtroom where reality TV was born. In this episode we dive into the rise of The People’s Court the no-nonsense style of Joseph Wapner and the real-life cases that made everyday disputes must-see TV. From small claims to big cultural impact, this episode explores how one courtroom show set the stage for decades of TV drama—80s style.

Jim and Lindsay are joined by Dave and Rob from Totally 80s 90s Recall podcast and Def Dave from the Def Dave's 1984 podcast to pick winners for the animals region of the 80s cartoon theme song tournament. 

Jim and Lindsay are joined by James from Bad Movies Rule, Brad from Pop Culture Yearbook, and Justin from Pop Culture Reflections to pick winners for the aliens/robots region of the 80s cartoon theme songs tournament. 

Before smartphones and texting, life came with cords, coins, and the occasional busy signal. In this episode, we dial back to the 1980s to revisit the everyday things that were once totally normal — and are now completely gone. From beepers and pay phones to stretched-out kitchen cords and packed malls, we’re keeping it nostalgic, light, and just a little ridiculous. So grab your quarters and stay on the line… the 80s are calling. 

In the 1980s, TV and movie stars weren’t content to just act — they wanted to top the music charts too. We’re diving into the hits, the flops, and the most surprising singles you forgot actors ever sang. Neon, synths, and dramatic career moves guaranteed.Join us on Patreon: Children of the 80s Patreon page

Break out the slow-dance moves and the dramatic stares — we’re diving into the sappiest love songs of the ’80s. This Valentine’s special is packed with soaring ballads, big key changes, and absolutely zero emotional restraint.Join us on Patreon: Children of the 80s Patreon pageValentine's Day Playlist:Sappy 80s Love Songs

Roses are overrated. This week we flip the script with a playlist of top 80s hits that rage, brood, stalk, and side-eye Valentine’s Day. From broken hearts to bitter anthems, these songs prove love in the 80s was complicated… and often messy.Join us on Patreon: Children of the 80s Patreon pageAnti-Valentine's Day Spotify Playlist: Anti Valentine's Day Playlist

Three future stars. One serial killer. In this episode, we explore chilling near-misses involving Debbie Harry, Anne Boylen, and Kurt Russell—all unknowingly brushing up against Ted Bundy before fame and before the truth was known.Join our Patreon here: Children of the 80s Patreon page

No school, local TV listings, and a whole day that felt like a surprise holiday. In this episode, we take a warm, nostalgic trip back to snow days in the 1980s—from waiting for your school to scroll across the TV screen to sledding all afternoon. We reminisce about how snow days felt when there was no internet, no emails, and no expectations… just pure childhood freedom. Check out our Patreon page here:Children of the 80s Patreon page

Join us as we kick off the new year by looking back at the celebrities we lost in 2025 who influenced us throughout the decade of the 1980s.

Rewind to 1986 as Jim and Lindsay turn back the clock 40 years to discuss the music, movies, TV, and news that defined the year — from chart-topping hits and box office blockbusters to the moments everyone was talking about. It's all 1986, baby!

In 1985, America didn’t just listen to the radio — it counted down the top hits together. This week, we revisit American Top 40’s year-end countdown with the legendary Casey Kasem, counting down the biggest songs of 1985.Listen to the 1985 year end playlist on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/04nnKVv7szsGwJjLwElGT3?si=0sEBv5NZT3uwo4knPdBekg

In 1985, video games were considered dead. In this episode, we look at why the Nintendo Entertainment System wasn’t just another console, but a carefully designed comeback plan. We revisit the chaos of the pre-NES era, the loss of trust after Atari’s collapse, and how Nintendo rebuilt confidence with the Seal of Quality, smart marketing, and games that actually delivered.Stick around until the very end of the episode for a little Easter egg, er, Christmas present from us.  

The flu has hit Children of the 80s so enjoy this Christmas episode from Season 2 while we recover from this hellish bug.It's an episode chock full of Christmas cheer! Jim and Lindsay discuss classic songs performed in a new way and also new songs released in the 80s that have become traditional Christmas hits. 

In this episode, we’re diving into the best Christmas songs from 1980s movies — the classics that made us laugh, cry, and sing along with the TV on full blast. From feel-good favorites to unexpected gems, we’ll explore how these iconic tracks captured the spirit of the season in true 80s style. Grab some eggnog, press play, and join us for a trip down holiday memory lane!Listen to our Spotify Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7EzWaxAOrMsX4JVI2Qewjp?si=mnn5ZXJhQTCRtAmVZIBeJQ

Fire up the VCR—it’s 80s TV trivia time! Join Jim and Lindsay as they tear through a stack of rapid-fire Trivial Pursuit questions, battling it out over the tv shows, stars, and cartoons that defined the decade. Let’s see who really rules the remote!

We're home for Thanksgiving and the fam has a special request. ..hits from the 80s that were actually covers from earlier decades. Join Jim and Lindsay as they "cover" some of the best. 

This episode originally aired in Season 1. In this episode, we review the timeless classic, "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving." From Charlie Brown's attempts to host a Thanksgiving meal for his friends to Snoopy's culinary escapades, we discuss the endearing characters and the humor that continues to resonate with audiences some fifty years after first airing. 

Jim spins ten unforgettable tracks from the 1980s, and Lindsay's job — guess whether each song actually hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100! From smooth slow jams to high-energy pop hits, some answers will surprise you, and others will make you say, “How was that not number one?” It’s a totally tubular trip through the decade of big hair, big hooks, and chart-topping tunes.Listen to the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1cQ8zTZqN12i5oVBiskFNM?si=o1J_bfOmRiGz9LImscfFvA&pi=PLQ6J-SCQyunr&nd=1&dlsi=40d944bd30c14cac

Pull up a chair on the lanai and grab a slice of cheesecake — we’re heading to Miami to celebrate four of the most unforgettable women in television history. In this episode, we dive into The Golden Girls — how a show about four single women “of a certain age” became one of the smartest, funniest, and most progressive sitcoms of the 1980s. So pour some coffee, get cozy, and — as always — thank you for being a friend.

It’s the ultimate 1980s horror showdown! In this episode, we're joined by Justin from Pop Culture Reflections Podcast as we pit Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees against each other — not in the ring, but in the decade that made them legends. From Elm Street to Camp Crystal Lake, we’re diving into their most iconic kills, their cultural impact, and the pure nightmare fuel that defined ‘80s slasher cinema. Who ruled the decade of terror — the dream stalker or the silent slayer?

Grab some microwave popcorn and dim the lights — we’re heading back to the 1980s when every video store shelf had at least one Stephen King nightmare staring back at you. From haunted hotels to killer cars, we’re counting down the top 10 King flicks that made us sleep with the lights on (and made Maine seem like the worst vacation spot ever!).

To kick off the Halloween season, we're bringing back a popular episode from season1. In this episode, Jim and Lindsay make a playlist of Halloween theme songs from the 1980s. Join us as Lindsay introduces Jim to a non-'80s Halloween country song, Jim geeks out about MJ and Lindsay questions whether or not Ozzy really bit the head off a bat. 

Think the McDonald’s Monopoly game of the 80s was just a fun way to win free fries? Think again. In this episode, we dive into the shocking story of how a few insiders turned the beloved fast-food game into a multi-million-dollar scam. From golden tokens to mob ties, we break down how Monopoly went from family fun to federal fraud.

We're playing the 80s game this week and testing each other with questions covering movies, music, TV, and pop culture. In typical Jim and Lindsay fashion, we'll get sidetracked along the way with stories and memories. It's part trivia, part nostlgia hang out, and all totallly 80s!

From silky Pantene hair to the squeaky-clean world of Zest, the 1980s gave us commercials we’ll never forget. This week, we’re diving into six iconic ads that defined a decade. Were they genius marketing, cheesy camp, or a little of both? Join us for a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of TV commercials.

Jim and Lindsay sit down with author Eric Shoars to talk about his book Life Goes On: The Lessons We Learned From 80s Music. From power ballads to pop anthems, they dive into how the music of the decade shaped a generation—and still speaks to us today.

Jim and Lindsay are joined by Def Dave to count down their top 10 villains of the 1980s. From over-the-top baddies to sinister aliens—and even a few surprise picks you might not expect—they cover the decade’s most memorable antagonists in all their villain glory.

This episode originally aired in Season 1. We're bringing it back by popular demand while Jim recovers from hand surgery.In this episode Jim and Lindsay discuss some of the great '80s toys and the commercials that got everyone hyped to buy them. Hold on to your Popples as Jim roars onto the scene in his Green Machine while Lindsay complains that the boys got all the good toys back in the day. Why did He-Man fight Skeletor in his underwear? Which Care Bear best describes us? And why can't Lindsay stop talking about the Little Professor Calculator? 

Numbers aren't for math-they made some of the best 80s hits too! Join us as we count UP unforgettable tracks that feature numbers in their titles. 

What do you get when you mix fearless journalism, a broken nose, and an empty vault? The wild ride that is Geraldo Rivera’s career. In this episode, Jim and Lindsay revisit the unforgettable TV moment that cemented Geraldo’s place as an 80s icon.

Get ready to dance across borders! In this episode, we crank up the volume on 1980s hits that broke language barriers and blended English with other tongues. From chart toppers that sprinkled in Spanish to German one hit wonders we have a little bit for everyone. 

This week, we sit down with author Marshall Garvey to talk about his book on the 1985 World Series. Whether you’re a die-hard 80s baseball fan or simply love a good read, you won’t want to miss it. We’ll also have some fun with 80s pop culture as Marshall makes his case for why 1985 was the best year of the decade.

This week we're joined by Justin from Pop Culture Reflections Podcast to reflect on the monumental loss of three cultural giants who shaped our childhoods and left a huge mark on pop culture: Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Ozzy Osbourne, and Hulk Hogan. It's a celebration, a reflection, and a thank-you to three unforgettable figures who helped shape what it meant to grow up in the greatest decade of them all.

This episode originally aired in Season 1. We're bringing it back by popular demand.It's Friday the 13th and things are getting eerie! Join us as we talk about urban legends that everyone thought were true in the 1980s. 

They were the teen idols of the 1980s. Corey Feldman and Corey Haim lit up movie screens, magazine covers, and the hearts of an entire generation. In this episode, we rewind the VHS to explore how these two child stars took Hollywood by storm, how they met, and why their on-screen chemistry became legendary.

Strap on your treasure map and grab some Baby Ruths as we dive deep into The Goonies. We're joined by James from the podcast Bad Movies Rule as we revist the ultimate 80s adventure film. Goonies never say die!

1987 Summer SongsJIm and Lindsay count down the top 10 songs of the summer from 1987. Lindsay wishes that she could pick her favorites while Jim is sticking strictly to the formula. Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3F3sQvadILOfTLCSmD6qNu?si=blVLPrd1SzSoRbVer53xLQ&pi=_zwNrxO9T6qzq&nd=1&dlsi=16310626307b4d2b

In this episode, we dive into one of the strangest intersections of cults and pop culture: the story of Tony Alamo, his controversial religious empire, and the flashy, rhinestone-studded jackets that became an unexpected celebrity fashion trend in the 1980s and early ’90s.References used for this episode:https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/christhiaon-coie-speaks-out-about-her-stepfather-tony-alamo/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ministry-of-evil-the-twisted-cult-of-tony-alamo-review-hell-on-earth-11550785714https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Christian_Foundation https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/article/rhinestones-madness-and-resurrected-corpses-the-love-story-of-tony-susan-alamo/    https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/tony-alamo-cult-leader-musics-most-famous-jacket/

Pull up a stool and join us as we take a deep dive into Cheers, the beloved 1980s sitcom that turned a Boston bar into one of the most iconic settings in TV history. We explore what made Cheers not just a ratings hit, but a culteral touchstone. 

Big hair. Big synths. Bigger shoulder pads. We went to see Guardians of the Jukebox, the 80s tribute band that doesn't just play the hits-they time travel. In this episode, we relive the glory, review the show, and breakdown the full set list. If you've ever wanted to hear A-HA, Madonna, and Bon Jovi in the same nioght without rewinding a cassette, this episode's for you. 

This episode originally aired in season 1. We're bringing it back this week by popular demand. It's a long one but a good one! Put on your cowboy hat and chaps and join us as we travel back to the bull ridin' days of Urban Cowboy and country crossover songs of the early 80s. Lindsay has all the feels and Jim maybe learns to tolerate country music just a little bit more as they count down their top 10 favs.