RetroZest’s Top 5 List of RETRO Podcasts

by Curtis Lanclos

For a few years now, I have been an avid podcast listener. You can find a podcast for just about any subject. Since I am such a fan of all things RETRO, nothing makes me happier than being able to listen to like-minded people pontificate about music, movies, TV shows and pop culture of the ’70s and ’80s. It sure beats listening to morning radio shows or talk radio.

I really would like to host my own RETRO podcast at some point, but there are so many good ones already available. Finding a format which is informative and educational without it being an outright copy of something  currently online is a challenge.

For the time being, I thought I would share with you a list of my favorite nostalgic podcasts. If you’re not already a loyal listener, give them a try! I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll enjoy.

#5 – ‘80s All Over
https://www.80sallover.com/podcast/

In this podcast, Scott Weinberg and Drew McWeeny review every major film of the ’80s, one month at a time. You’ll be shocked to find out exactly how many films were released each month; many of them forgotten B-movies or absolute stinkers! The podcast is a little fast-paced, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.

#4 – New Wave Flashback
http://wbnh1051.podbean.com/category/new-wave-flashback/
https://www.facebook.com/NWFlashback/

I had the pleasure of meeting John Britton and his lovely wife Nancy at 80s in the Sand in 2017. Our friendship was sparked by our mutual admiration for the Canadian prog rock band RUSH. Within the past month or so, John began co-hosting an hour long show called New Wave Flashback with Tiffany Lewis on WBNH-LP 105.1 in Bedford, NY. It focuses on all music from the original New Wave era. They try to play a few  familiar and recognizable songs along with some you may have never heard before. You’ll be amazed at how much new wave music you MISSED in the ’80s; I sure am! The show is available for download or streaming as a podcast; thus it made this list.

#3 – Forgotten TV
http://www.forgotten.tv/
https://www.facebook.com/forgottentv/

Chris Cooling does a huge amount of research on classic TV shows. He shares his findings on the Forgotten TV podcast. Each episode is dedicated to a particular show or genre of show (or made for TV movie) from a particular time period (from the ’70s or ’80s, usually). Cooling shares a lot of trivia and excruciating detail in each offering, so it’s a smorgasbord of information. As you peruse through the list of podcast episodes, I’m sure at least once you’ll think to yourself, “Wow, I had forgotten about THAT show!”  That’s the idea.

#2 – The Retroist
https://www.retroist.com/

Garry Vander Voort is the host of this podcast. The format is somewhat similar to Forgotten TV, but the subject matter is not limited to classic television shows. Anything RETRO is up for grabs; movies, video games, pop culture, etc. If the host is talking about a classic TV show, there will be a segment with Meta Girl wherein she shares her top 5 episodes of that show with very brief descriptions. Due to the multiple choices of subject matter available on this podcast, you will likely find yourself on a certain level of nerdy kinship with Vander Voort in at least one or two areas.

#1 – Stuck in the ’80s
http://www.sit80s.com/
https://www.facebook.com/stuckinthe80spodcast/

My number one pick had to be reserved for Stuck in the ’80s. Steve Spears started SIT80s in July 2005 as a 10-minute-long podcast. At the time, Spears was a web editor for the Tampa Bay Times, the largest daily newspaper in Florida. Brad Williams, aka “Brad in LA” or “B-Rad,” joined the podcast as co-host at the end of 2012. This podcast is devoted to the movies, music and pop culture of the 1980s. Each weekly episode tackles new topics and includes the infamous “Seggies,” where listeners can win swag by answering music and movie-related challenges. Over the years, a variety of co-hosts and correspondents have contributed regularly to Stuck in the ’80s; including Jen with one N, Just Drew, and the aforementioned Chris Cooling from Forgotten TV.

I had the privilege of meeting Steve and Brad as a result of the 2017 voyage of The ’80s Cruise. They were hosting Big ’80s Trivia on that annual trip, as they do each year. I am proud to call them my friends. While one might suspect nepotism is involved in the the deciding factor behind their ranking, this simply isn’t the case. Of all the podcasts I have mentioned, I enjoy the format of SIT80s the most. Steve and Brad keep it funny and entertaining, yet informative.

So there you have it! If you ever happen to correspond with any of these podcast hosts, please tell them Curtis at RetroZest sent you!  Happy listening!