Pop Culture Preservation Society

HR Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and so many more giant foam puppet-like things haunt the dreams of our 1970's childhood. The world of Sid and Marty Krofft dominated Saturday morning TV from 1969 until the mid 80's and left a unique and psychadelic mark on television history. The Krofft universe was both drug-induced AND for children and featured things like a faux g...

What do Shirley Temple, Jonathan Knight, Phoebe Cates, Christopher Atkins, Matt Dillon, Andrew McCarthy, and Greg Evigan all have in common? They proved that life doesn’t end when the closing credits roll. This week, we’re celebrating the glorious second act—those moments when our favorite stars traded fame for fulfillment, discovering that sometimes the best role of your life comes after the one...

For us GenXers born before about 1972, the build-up to our nation’s Bicentennial was truly one of the most anticipated events of our young lives. Join us as we celebrate the Spirit of '76 through your eyes, with a collection of special, star-spangled Bicentennial memories straight from our listeners — from getting pennies smashed by the passing Freedom Train to collecting those treasured Bicen...

We're kicking off Season 19 AND summer by saving the summer when the galaxy got a lot darker, the music got a lot smoother, and we wore out the stickers on our Rubik's Cubes waiting to find out who shot J.R. -- the summer of 1980! Relive the movies (“Luke, I am your father”), the music (“What’s the matter with the clothes I’m wearing?”), the (Incredible!) TV shows, and so much more as we t...

It’s one of our favorite episodes of every season—the one where we pull back the curtain and give you a sneak peek at what’s ahead. In this preview episode, we're sharing the "coming attractions" for Season 19. From a summer that helped define a decade to a pop culture movement that inspired both admiration and eye rolls, we’ve got nostalgia, laughter, trivia, deep dives, and a few lon...

Kick off summer with us by remembering the summer reading programs or our youth and the excitement we felt to read our way to a super ball … or a Garfield pencil … or a Pizza Hut personal pan pizza. (And bonus if you got a mimeographed certificate!) Then we’re helping you create your own 2026 summer reading program by giving you a plethora of our own reading and listening recommendations, PLUS a w...

In today's PCPS Light episode, we three proud Gen Xers try to have a quick, refreshing conversation about an emerging trend in our culture; but it's hard to be brief when you feel unfairly attacked. Especially when the attacks seem to originate from extreme misunderstandings about who Gen Xers are and how they got this way. Perhaps this is because Gen Xers don't share much about the un...

Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, try listening to your favorite music from your adolescence! Today we’re talking about how the music of our youth can act like a weighted blanket and is proven to help you CALM THE EFF DOWN. Then we’re sharing our own “cortisol cleanse” playlists with you (NO JUDGMENT!) and telling you why we go to artists like Prince, the Carpenters, Wham!, and Phil...

In this PCPS Light, we’re talking about something we can’t stop noticing: analog is having a moment, and Gen X saw it coming. From writing by hand to creative hobbies to simply slowing down, we explore why so many people (including our kids) are craving a break from constant screens. Is it nostalgia? Maybe. But it also feels like something deeper. It's like our brains and bodies asking for a d...

Join us for a contemplative discussion on Andrew McCarthy’s newest book, “Who Needs Friends,” but stay for the part where Michelle tells the story of meeting Andrew and what she said that prompted him to adorably chuckle and say, “Oh, Michelle ...” which caused her 1986 self to melt. "Who Needs Friends" by Andrew McCarthy Subscribe to our favorite magazine and get 83% off just by being a P...

HBO'S hit medical drama, The Pitt, has a soft spot for Generation X. And it's not just that it looks like the reincarnation of Gen X favorite, ER. Or that it stars ER's Gen X hero, Noah Wyle. There's also an exploration of generational differences in the workplace and medical issues unique to Gen Xers. And there are so many Gen X pop culture references, we actually had to make a li...

Here’s the story … of a lovely lady … who has written a very lovely book! Join us as we chat with Eve Plumb — the REAL Jan Brady — about the stories she shares in her delightful new book, “Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond.” We’re talking about her life and many acting roles pre-Brady Bunch, what little Eve thought of the Brady Bunch (and what her favorite episodes were), and yes, how teena...

Dust off your leg warmers and pull out the VCR, this week, PCPS is sweating it out Gen X–style . We’re diving headfirst into the neon-soaked world of 80s fitness, where high-cut leotards, terry cloth headbands, and very enthusiastic instructors ruled our living rooms. From the unstoppable energy of Jane Fonda to the joyful, glittery motivation of Richard Simmons, we revisit the VHS workouts that s...

In the continuation of Episode 263, we’re chatting more about Helen Reddy’s songs, fame, and her lasting impact. Which song did little Michelle always think was about her and her mama? In which memorable movie about an invisible dragon did Helen Reddy appear and sing an equally memorable song? And we’ll debate the age-old question: Did Angie Baby kill someone or just keep him as a sex slave? (We&#...

In 1972, a single song shifted the cultural landscape forever. This week, we’re diving into the life and career of Helen Reddy , the "Queen of 70s Pop" who became the reluctant — yet resolute — voice of the second-wave feminist movement and gave us all a powerful anthem to shout-sing out loud for decades. We’re taking you through the fun details of some of Helen’s greatest hits (and our fa...

Quick: make a list of your movie theater memories. Family outings, fun with friends, first dates and iconic movies that went on to make history are all part of our Gen X history. Could you make a similar list for movies you've streamed at home? Hmmmm. Probably not. In today's episode, we discuss a New York Times opinion piece in which the CEO of Sony Pictures argues for rescuing the movie...

Kick off your Sunday shoes and dive deep with us into the soundtrack that made all us GenXers cut loose, (want to) dance in the sheets, and give the boy a hand. The iconic Footloose soundtrack is jammed packed with hit after hit, and every single one of them was written for the movie. We’re going track by track discussing the importance of every single song to its corresponding scene. Why don’t we...

In today’s episode we’ll be saving all the residents of Walnut Grove by testing our knowledge of all things Prairie. Because that show was on for nine years – that’s the entirety of our childhoods. We grew up with those people. And we all wanted Pa to be our dad and we wanted Ma to be our mom and we wanted to wear little caps on our heads when we went to bed. And so today we’re testing the LHOP IQ...

Today we’ll be saving the 70s version of mixtapes with a tribute to the most beloved KTEL record of all time: No, it’s not Full Tilt. It’s not Hot Nights and City Lights . It’s not even 24 Great Truck Drivin’ Songs. It’s Music Express. KTEL records were compilation albums full of the hit songs of that very moment – and how did we know about them? Because they were advertised incessantly on TV. And...

Be our guests at the GRAND OPENING of our GenX Museum’s first exhibit, “Scratch-n-Sniff: Smells Like GenX,” where we lead you and your nose through rooms and places of your youth, and tickle your olfactory glands with fragrant things like Noxema, Sweet Honesty, mimeographed worksheets, and Bain de Soleil. Sure, you’ll be surrounded in a cloud of cigarette smoke and the tour may take up most of you...

Today we’re celebrating what we've learned after five years of creating episodes and social media posts, and meeting our listeners, and reading your comments and messages. That's an education that could not be replicated by many people. And even though we have always claimed to be experts in the pop culture of our Gen X youth, after this five-year intensive educational experience, we can r...

Touring the country for the first time in almost fifty years, 1970s teen idol Shaun Cassidy sits down with us to talk about his past and his present; his life, his career(s), his family, his music and the fans who fill the theaters every show to get up close and personal with their first crush. He’s full of wise words and encouragement culled from a lifetime of stories — from the 45s he collected...

It’s a sneak peek into our 18th (!!) season, and we’ve got all your pop-culture bases covered. One of the top 5 movie soundtracks of the 80s? Check. Damp mimeographed worksheets, pencil shavings, and a permeation of cigarette smoke? Got it. Spandex leotards, leg warmers, tiny shorts, and the onset of the aerobics craze? Done. A second, thoughtful and in-depth conversation with your first crush? Co...

Join us as we discuss and pick apart a New York Times article by John McWhorter highlighting the top ten old TV shows he's sharing with his tween daughters. And thank God for him because if we don't share these old shows with younger people they will literally DISAPPEAR from the knowledge base of people younger than 30 years old. It turns out there's plenty to be learned about comedy s...

Today we’re talking about the iconic Chicago Art Museum scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and how the choice of the song — an instrumental version of The Smith’s Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want — is perhaps what made it so impactful. Fan of Ferris? We think you’ll get a lot out of this conversation, and, like us, come to a new and deeper understanding of not only this memorable scene...