Forever 80s Podcast

When I got married in 2019, our friends organized a bachelor party for my husband. We got married in Las Vegas and this bachelor party wasn't going to be your typical night out. Knowing that my husband is a big fan of Pee-wee Herman, impersonator Drew Lepkowski (known as Las Vegas Pee-wee, @lasvegaspeewee) was invited to tag along for the night. On this episode of Forever '80s, Drew shares the highs and lows of impersonating one of the most iconic characters of the 1980s. Hope you enjoy this episode! Subscribe for more, and follow along on Instagram @80spodcast and on TikTok @forever80spodcast

Andrea Warner is the author of The Time of My Life: Dirty Dancing, part of ECW Press' Pop Classics series. In her book, Andrea explores the film's longevity and cultural relevance with the passion of a fan and the eye of a pop culture critic. We talked about what Dirty Dancing still means decades after its debut, and why its core themes still resonate with audiences today. Find Andrea on Instagram at @missandreawarner and check out her book here. -- If you enjoyed this episode of Forever '80s please subscribe! You can also follow Liz on Instagram @80spodcast and through her website, www.lizworthauthor.com

Tony Crouch of vhsislife.com caught my attention when he released a new product to help clean mold off your VHS tapes. I learned A LOT about the impact of mold and poor storage on VHS tapes and now I know what to look for when shopping around. We talked about the VHS community and why analog media continues to live on through dedicated collectors. Find Tony online at vhsislife.com and on Instagram @VHS_is_life If you enjoyed this episode please hit SUBSCRIBE. You can also follow Liz on Instagram @80spodcast and on TikTok @forever80spodcast

Isabella is an Australian-based collector of Care Bears and other retro toys. I discovered her through her colourful Care Bear posts on Instagram, where she shares updates about her toy collection and recent additions. In this episode, I talk to Bella about what inspires her to collect Care Bears, and the experiences she's had growing her '80s collection. Find Bella on Instagram @bellastretro_ and on TikTok @bellas_retro And if you enjoyed this episode of Forever '80s, I hope you'll subscribe! You can also follow Liz at @80spodcast on Instagram and @forever80spodscast on TikTok.

Gillian Steele describes herself as "your retro mommy" and if you follow her online (@retrodreamer80s) you'll see what she's talking about. Gillian's has embraced the '80s mom vibe as her persona as a way to express her love of 1980s satin blouses, shoulder pads, and power suits. We talked about '80s fashion, the X-Files, Modern Talking, and more. If you enjoy this episode, hit subscribe, and give us a follow on Instagram @80spodcast.

Jeanie Jean is a self-described subculture diarist and photographer based in the UK. Jeanie's book NOT DEAD is a collection of photographs documenting the ongoing celebration of subcultures through a modern lens. Inspired by seeing younger generations pay tribute to traditional punk, goth and other fashions, Jeanie traveled around to take incredible photographs of her subjects. Her work has been accepted into the British Culture Archive, and she has plans for more photograhic projects. I talked to Jeanie about her experiences documenting people's ongoing interests in subcultures, and why these scenes continue to endure. Find Jeanie Jean on Instagram @jeaniejeanphotos and through her website jeaniejeanphotos.com Want more from the Forever '80s podcast? Hit subscribe, and follow us on Instagram @80spodcast

Shane Robitaille is the author of Rockit Crew: The Adventures of Teenage Hip-Hop Misfits. In this episode, we talk about the impact that generation gaps had on so many of us who grew up in the '80s, and how music defined our identities along the way. Follow Shane on Instagram @neongraffitiadventures and check out his book here. Want more from the Forever '80s podcast? Hit subscribe, and give us a follow at @80spodcast

This episode of the Forever '80s podcast features Rado, founder of High Fidelity Vinyl. High Fidelity Vinyl is an online company that specializes in vintage refurbished and new cassette and CD players (hello Walkman memories!). They also records, blank tapes, and more. Rado and I talked about why physical media still matters, why it's important to sustain the dying art of musical equipment repair, and more. Check out High Fidelity Vinyl at highfidelityvinyl.com Want to keep up with the Forever '80s podcast? Follow along on Instagram @80spodcast

UK Calling are a Toronto-based tribute band with a very specific focus on British new wave, post-punk, and 2 tone. In this episode I talk with Peter and Jarrod of UK Calling about why they pay tribute to the 1980s. We talked about Tears for Fears, '80s nostalgia, and the fun that comes with playing songs so many people love. Find UK Calling online at ukcalling.ca and on Instagram @UKcallingband Did you enjoy this episode? Hit subscribe for more from the Forever '80s podcast, and give us a follow on Instagram @80spodcast

Will Padilla is the host of 1980s Now, a podcast that "explores the importance of 1980s culture and its continued influence today." Will shared his experiences growing up as Gen Xer and talks about the influence of the 1980s on his own creative inspiration. Check out the 1980s Now Podcast online. You can also follow them on Instagram @1980snowpod -- If you enjoyed this episode of the Forever '80s podcast, please let us know! Hit Subscribe and follow along for more on Instagram @80spodcast.

Singer Michael Angelaux describes his music as Retro Pop but that label just begins to scratch the surface of what his art is all about. Michael is a unique musician who takes inspiration from an eclectic range of sources, including vintage soap operas, first wave punk, and of course '80s music. In this episode, we talked about why the 1980s continue to be such an important decade, and how the '80s have influenced Michael's music and the making of his new album Young & Restless. Find Michael on Instagram @michael.angelaux and TikTok @michael.angelaux80s. And of course check out his Spotify page to hear his new album. -- Did you enjoy this episode? Hit subscribe, and share it with a friend! The purpose of the Forever '80s podcast is to showcase people who are keeping the '80s alive in their own way. Follow us on Instagram @80spodcast and learn more about Liz at www.lizworthauthor.com

When I sat down with Missy Garnett and David Lowry of HEARTBREAKER, I was ready for a deep-dive into why Pat Benatar's music still matters. And of course we got into that: How could you not when talking about paying tribute to one of the most successful female recording artists of the '80s? But our conversation veered into other important territory, too, especially in regards to the state of the music industry and the modern era's impact on creativity, pop culture, and careers in music. Like what you hear? Hit subscribe! You can also follow along with the Forever 80s podcast on Instagram @80spodcast and TikTok @forever80spodcast And be sure to check out HEARTBREAKER online through their website, or on Facebook , Instagram @heartbreakertribute and YouTube.

Samira, aka Lady in the '80s, is a self-described cassette devotee and '80s enthusiast. Samira's tastes and fashion sense lean towards '80s goth and new wave. We talked about her passion for '80s music and fashion, and why she enjoys expressing herself through '80s style above any other while still remaining present in the NOW. You can check out Samira and her amazing '80s style on Instagram @ladyinthe80s and TikTok @ladyinthe80s -- If you enjoyed this episode, please hit SUBSCRIBE! For more from Liz and the Forever '80s podcast, you can also follow along on Instagram @80spodcast and TikTok @forever80spodcast or at lizworthauthor.com

Content creator Katelyn Sue says she is "just a girl living like it's 1985" and we are here for it! Katelyn's online presence promotes authenticity and positivity, all while celebrating the 1980s. In this episode of the Forever '80s podcast, Katelyn talks about her love of Weird Al, Pee-wee Herman and more, and how important pop culture can be for our own well-being. Find Katelyn on Instagram at @1980s.nostalgia and on TikTok under the same handle. Enjoy this episode? Please share it with a friend, and hit subscribe for more! You can also follow Liz on Instagram and TikTok, or at www.lizworthauthor.com

The Gear bag was THE bag to own in the '80s. But for all of this bag's popularity they are nearly impossible to find out there in the wild and are highly sought after on the vintage market. But if you miss your Gear bag, the hunt to find a new one is over: Gear bags are back, baby! It's all thanks to Donna Lennox, who has re-launched these iconic bags into the world with her Gear 80 brand. Donna is staying true to the classic style while elevating the Gear look to make it work for the modern world. Check out Gear 80 on Instagram @shopgear80 or at shopgear80.com Want more of the Forever '80s podcast? Be sure to subscribe, and follow along on Instagram @80spodcast or on TikTok @forever80spodcast

John Hughes' films, particularly Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, and The Breakfast Club, are some of the most iconic '80s movies. They not only influenced a generation when they debuted, but continue to epitomize '80s fashion, music, and mindset for younger generations. Hughes' character Duckie Dale, featured in Pretty in Pink and played by John Cryer, is arguably one of the most memorable characters John Hughes created. Cosplayer Jenny Hale has embraced the character of Duckie Dale through spot-on style and attitude. I discovered Jenny on Instagram @alwaysaduckman and was blown away by what I saw. Jenny is a multi-passionate, multi-disciplinary artist and individual who gives thoughtful analysis to Duckie Dale's character and the work of John Hughes. Tune in to hear our conversation, and be sure to check out Jenny on Instagram and TikTok @alwaysaduckman And if you want more from the Forever '80s podcast, be sure to subscribe! You can also follow Liz on Instagram @80spodcast and on TikTok @forever80spodcast , as well as at lizworthauthor.com

Linda Schuyler is the co-creator and executive producer of the long-running Degrassi franchise. I recently read Linda's memoir, The Mother of All Degrassi (ECW Press) and was incredibly inspired by her story. I've been a long-time fan of Degrassi and grew up watching the show, so it was a great honour to have Linda here as a guest. We talked about the challenges career women faced in the '80s, and the serendipitous events that led to the creation of Degrassi. Check out Linda's book at ECW Press. -- Want more Forever '80s podcast? Hit subscribe! You can also follow along on Instagram and TikTok. Find Liz at www.lizworthauthor.com

The Queen is Dead is a Smiths tribute band based in Toronto, Canada. On this episode, vocalist Nelson Garcia and drummer Frank Baraczka join in to talk about what it's like to play tribute to a legendary band like The Smiths. If you enjoy this episode and want to learn more afterwards... Find the Queen is Dead on Instagram at @thequeenisdead_to, on Facebook or at thequeenisdead.ca. For more about the Forever '80s podcast, follow Liz on Instagram at @80spodcast, or on TikTok @forever80spodcast. You can also find me at lizworthauthor.com

Grace Marian Chan is a writer, zine maker, and overall '80s enthusiast based in California. In this episode, Grace shares her experiences growing up in the '80s and how the '80s are influencing her novel-in-progress, set in 1987. We also talked about '90s zine culture, retro toys, and more - including why we still love the '80s despite the challenges of the decade. Check out Grace on Instagram at @GRACEMARIAN and through her website at https://gracemarianchan.com/ -- Want more of the Forever '80s podcast? Hit subscribe for future episodes, and give us a follow on Instagram at @80spodcast and TikTok at @forever80spodcast Reach Liz at [email protected] or through her website, lizworthauthor.com

Kylee Kubat is a multi-passionate person who is keeping the '80s alive through her work in real estate and through her music. Kylee is a Florida-based realtor who represents various 1980s-era condos in the state. She is also working on a conceptual album inspired by Florida condos. We talked about 1980s architecture and what it means to Kylee to preserve it in a society bent on constant change. -- Want to check out Kylee online? She is on Instagram @80scondoqueen and on Facebook. You can also check out her music and more on her YouTube channel. Want more of the Forever '80s Podcast? Be sure to subscribe! You can also give us a follow on Instagram @80spodcast and on TikTok @forever80spodcast Liz can be reached at www.lizworthauthor.com and via email at [email protected]

Photographer Michael Galinsky captured the essence of American mall culture through his highly sought after books Malls Across America and The Decline of Mall Civilization. In this episode, Michael talks about mall culture in the '80s but we also get into so much more: Why is nostalgia so powerful? What are people looking for these days that our current era doesn't seem to provide? Give it a listen, and if you like what you hear subscribe and share the episode. For more information on Michael and his work as a photographer, filmmaker, and more, visit https://rumur.com/ or find him on Instagram @rumurpix For more information about Liz, visit lizworthauthor.com or give a follow on Instagram @80spodcast or on TikTok @forever80spodcast

I first met Jeff Schuster while shopping at his retro toy store Retrosaurus in Hamilton, Ontario. I've been collecting '80s toys on and off for years, having decided in my 20s that I wanted to gradually replicate my childhood toy collection. After spending time in the vintage community, I've learned that I'm not alone in this pursuit. Adults of all ages seek out vintage toys for all kinds of reasons. I asked Jeff what drives people to shop in his store, and why toy collecting can become such a passion for us grown-ups. Check out Jeff's shop Retrosaurus online or locally in Hamilton at 550 Concession Street. They're also on Instagram. Want more episodes of the Forever '80s Podcast? Be sure to subscribe, and give us a follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Illustrator Madlen Bochmann, currently based in Germany, first caught my eye on Instagram when I noticed her illustrations of Talk Talk singer Mark Hollis. I'm a huge fan of Mark Hollis and Talk Talk, and was intrigued by Madlen's creative discipline and sustained inspiration to create an ongoing artistic output dedicated to Mark. We talked about what Mark Hollis means to Madlen, and why he has been such a source of inspiration since his death in 2019. Want to check out Madlen's work? Find her here on Instagram @madddrawings_ And be sure to follow Liz and the Forever 80s podcast over on Instagram @80spodcast and on TikTok @forever80spodcast www.lizworthauthor.com

When Rob and Michele of Rascal Salvage Vintage heard that there was an opportunity to get a hold of a replica of Falkor from the classic 1980s film The Neverending Story, they seized the moment. It has turned out to be a life-changing decision that's led to new adventures and brushes with celebrity. In this episode, Rob and Michele talk about the impact that Falkor and The Neverending Story continue to have, and why Falkor's appeal has crossed generations. For more about Rob, Michele and their shop Rascal Salvage Vintage, visit their website here and check out their Instagram here. To follow Liz and the Forever 80s podcast, Instagram is a good place to start. You can also visit lizworthauthor.com Thanks for tuning in! If you're enjoying the show, hit subscribe and share the episode with a friend!

In this episode I talk to New York City-based singer Violet Sky, aka @glitterwave80s. Violet is in her early 20s, but her songs sound like they are straight out of the '80s. I got curious: How did she get the sound so bang-on when others have tried and failed? In this episode, Violet tells us why the 1980s are such a deep source of creative inspiration for her music and her lifestyle, and how she's been able to create perfect '80s pop songs in our modern age. Find Violet's videos on YouTube and check her out on Instagram TikTok and more. Want to follow along with Liz and the Forever 80s podcast? Come on over to Instagram or visit lizworthauthor.com

In this episode, I talk to author and journalist Richard Cabut about punk and goth subcultures and more in the 1980s. We covered a lot of interesting ground in this interview as we talked about the emergence of punk and goth in the late '70s and early '80s, and the various influences and factors that contributed to certain countercultures of the time. Richard is the author of a great 1980s punk novel called Looking for a Kiss, as well as Disorderly Magic and Other Disturbances. Richard's website is richardcabut.com and he is on Instagram at @richard.cabut -- To follow Liz and the Forever 80s podcast elsewhere, start on Instagram: @80spodcast And soon on TikTok: @forever80spodcast And on Liz's website: lizworthauthor.com

Jordan Rumsey is a content creator and ultimate 1980s fan who I discovered online through her massive TikTok account, @cantbuyme80s Jordan is a younger fan of the '80s and I absolutely love that about her. Seeing how much she enjoys '80s fashion and pop culture is really inspiring. In this episode, I talked to Jordan about why she loves the '80s so much, and why other members of Gen Z gravitate towards previous decades as well. Unfortunately the audio ended up a bit spotty on this recording, but I hope you'll tune in all the same. Pretend it's radio static we're channeling all the way back from 1985 ;) To learn more about Jordan: Follow her on TikTok Follow her on Instagram Check out her cool offerings To follow along with Liz and the Forever 80s podcast, find us on Instagram or visit Liz's website

This episode features Gordon Deppe, singer, songwriter and guitar player for Canadian new wave band The Spoons. Gord is also the author of SpoonFed: My Life with the Spoons, and is the guitarist for A Flock of Seagulls. We talked about the longevity '80s music has had, and what The Spoons' music has meant to fans for over 40 years and counting. Check out Gord's book here. Follow him on Facebook here. Check out The Spoons online at spoonsmusic.com. -- Follow the Forever '80s Podcast on Instagram. Find Liz Worth on her website.

In this episode I talk to Drew Arnott, founding member of Strange Advance . Strange Advance are a Juno-nominated band formed in 1982 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Strange Advance's sound is a great example of the innovation and complexity being heard in music in the 1980s. Like many of their peers, Strange Advance continues to be active to this day. I asked Drew what the band's creative motivations were when they started out, and what it's like to continue as Strange Advance today. For more about Strange Advance, including upcoming tour dates: Visit the Strange Advance website Or follow them on Instagram Want to follow the Forever 80s podcast on social media? We're on Instagram And Facebook Find out more Liz on her website.

On this episode of the Forever 80s podcast, musician and songwriter Rob Rohm shares his experiences running a Depeche Mode Global Fan Group. Rob's fan group is made up of thousands of Depeche Mode fans from around the world. We talked about the longevity of Depeche Mode and the dedication DM fans have to one of the greatest electronic bands of all time. To check out Rob's fan group: https://www.facebook.com/DepecheModeGlobalFanGroup and http://www.depecheglobal.com/ and https://twitter.com/DepecheGlobal To check out Rob's music: https://www.robrohm.com/ and https://twitter.com/RobRohm -- For more about the Forever 80s podcast, follow us on Instagram at @80spodcast Or visit www.lizworthauthor.com

Why is the My Little Pony franchise so enduring? Around the world, people of all ages are collecting My Little Pony merchandise, attending My Little Pony conventions, and creating social media accounts dedicated to their love of MLP. In this episode, I talk to UK-based My Little Pony collector Miranda Worby. Miranda is reported to have one of the biggest toy collections in the UK. You can follow Miranda on Instagram, YouTube and more at @sniffingplasticponies or through https://linktr.ee/sniffingplasticponies

In this episode I talk to David Tseng, founder of Morrissey-solo.com, a forum for fans to share information related to Morrissey and the Smiths. David has been a fan since 1986 and has been running Morrissey-solo since 1997.

Welcome to the Forever '80s podcast. We'll be launching our first season on Wednesday, August 16. In the meantime, hit subscribe, and give us a follow on Instagram at @80spodcast.