Living in the Past Podcast

In the 1980s, the mullet hairstyle was everywhere. From celebrities to regular folks, the unique style captured the attention of young and old. The bi-level hairdo punctured popular culture and wearers often modified the look to suit their individual personalities. Remember Billy Rae Cyrus’ mullet? Now compare that to Rod Stewarts. Very different in some ways, but the “business up front, party in...

"Business up front, party in the back!" That's what the popular 80s hairstyle - the Mullet - was all about. From celebrities to regular folks, from grandmas to elementary school kids, the unique coiffure was everywhere in the 1980s. Boasting both style and coolness, the mullet-wearer made a definite statement when rocking the 'do. They showed the world that they were tuned in, trendy and most impo...

With a roll of the dice, Gen-Xers dodged a bullet by making all of our mistakes before digital technology existed. Whew! Not having to have our most embarrassing moments “stitched,” shared and ridiculed is a small mercy from the gods. Read the full post here: I’m So Glad That Social Media Didn’t Catch My Cringiest Teenage Moments This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other s...

Before cellphones, texting and digital technology in general, there was a quaint thing called a "phone booth." Conveniently installed on most roads and streets in many cities, both urban and rural, these relics from the past provided a connection to our loved ones, our friends and more. Phone booths also served many other purposes, not the least of which was a place for Clark Kent to conveniently...

Those of us who went to elementary school in another time remember the rite of passage that cursive signified. The lined paper. The strangely-shaped letters. The repetitious copying and practicing of said letters until we got it right. The transition from a pencil to a pen, when our teacher thought that we were ready, and that we had mastered to some degree, the ability to write script. Kids today...

Every Gen-Xer who watched TV knows the words to the limited script: Boy 1: “What’s this stuff?” Boy 2: “Some cereal. It’’s supposed to be good for you.” Boy 1: “Are you gonna try it? Boy 2: “I’m not gonna try it. YOU try it!” Boy 1: “I’m not gonna try it.” [enter lightbulb moment/stroke of genius here] Boy 2: “I know! Let’s get Mikey!” Boy 1: “He won’t eat it. He hates everything.” Camera pans to...

This hardline regarding one’s life choices - as important as the choice of a career or life partner, and as insignificant as what was on the menu for brunch (quiche if you had a double-x chromosome) - was one that was not to be crossed. You were on one side or the other. Quiche or steak. Choose your side. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

When we look at pictures and videos of people in the past - say the 50s, 60s and 70s - don't you find that they look a lot older than people of the same age now? Why is that? What are the reasons that a 15-year-old in 1972 looks so much older than a teen of the same age today? What the heck is going on? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

When did it become safe to fly over the Bermuda Triangle again? For a full decade, fear and hysteria about “The Devil’s Triangle” as it was also known, was at a fever pitch. Then the 1970s ended and the fear of this particular longitude and latitude seemed to end as well. The question is, why? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...

There was a time in the 1970s when you couldn’t live life without the possibility of a naked person gracing your line of sight. Often, it was funny. Other times it wasn’t. Either way, it was always absurd. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd li...

There was a time that no plans were made until the TV Guide was reviewed and consulted. Remember? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.co...

When these dreaded colours appeared on the screen, you knew it was game over. Remember? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscrib...

So many keys, so little danger. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss thi...

Remember unsafe playground equipment? The danger is what made it fun. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public...

“Burn, baby burn!” And boy, did we ever. Burn. On the metal slides. Back in the day. Yes - if you grew up in the 60s, 70s and even some of the 80s, you know of which I speak. Playground fare back then included all manner of dangerous “play” things, including slides made of metal and merry-go-round-type contraptions that were engineered to invoke the maximum amount of inner-ear turmoil as possible....

It was a fantasy. We were scammed. We still had burnt kernels, despite all the hype. Remember? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/s...

Who remembers "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous?" Crazy, right? Tacky, wasn't it? Some thoughts about this exercise in excess show almost 40 years later. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

When I was young I listened to the radio, waiting for my favourite songs… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a pu...

There was a time when we had to dress up to travel by air. It was more work, but maybe, just maybe, it was better? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginth...

Thought this was a distant memory? Think again. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd lik...

The more things change, the more they stay the same. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'...

What’s in a Name? What’s in a name? A lot. So very much. For instance, did you know that a certain name will guarantee an accurate guess about one’s age for those in the know? If your name is Jennifer, Lisa or Tammy, hello my fellow Gen-Xer and child of the 70s! If your name is Ashley, Tiffany or Megan, I bet your mom loved watching the Young and the Restless or, “Y &R” for the soap opera’s super-...

When Uber was just a twinkle in the 21st century’s eye, there was a similarly efficient way of getting around. And parents everywhere worried about it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acces...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livinginthepast.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...