Stay ConnectedThe longest-running ’80s podcast—featuring interviews with music legends, movie stars, and MTV icons. Deep dives, debates, and Gen X nostalgia every week.
Hosted by Steve Spears and Brad Williams, the show blends sharp takes with insider stories from the people who lived it. From ’80s music and movies to MTV culture and pop culture history, each episode goes deeper than nostalgia to uncover what made the decade unforgettable.
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During the late 1980s, few bands blended soaring vocals, dramatic songwriting and polished pop-rock production quite like T'Pau. Fronted by the instantly recognizable voice of Carol Decker, the band became a massive success in the United Kingdom with hits like China in Your Hand and Valentine while breaking through in America with the MTV favorite Heart and Soul. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Carol joins Steve and Brad for a deep dive into the band’s history, the explosion of MTV-era fame and the lasting appeal of T’Pau’s music decades later.
During the interview, Carol reflects on the whirlwind success of T'Pau during the late 1980s and the experience of suddenly hearing the band’s songs all over radio and television. She discusses the creation of their biggest hits, the challenges of touring during the peak years of pop-rock excess and the strange reality of becoming an instantly recognizable face during the early days of music video culture.
The conversation also explores the differences between the British and American music scenes during the MTV era and why songs like Heart and Soul connected so strongly with U.S. audiences. Along the way, Carol shares stories from the road, memories of the music industry during the late ’80s and reflections on how fans continue rediscovering the band through streaming, nostalgia playlists and retro pop culture fandom.
Steve and Brad also talk with Carol about her upcoming appearance aboard The 80s Cruise, where fans will once again get the chance to experience the music of T’Pau live alongside other legendary artists from the decade. If you love new wave, pop-rock, MTV nostalgia, female-fronted ’80s bands and behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of music videos, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
For nearly a decade, The 80s Cruise has become the ultimate vacation destination for Gen X music fans, bringing together legendary artists, nonstop concerts and thousands of people who still believe the 1980s were the greatest decade ever. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Steve and Brad welcome Joey Fairchild from ECP Cruises to preview everything planned for the 2025 voyage and explain why this floating ’80s music festival has become such a beloved annual tradition.
During the conversation, Joey shares details about the performers, special events, celebrity appearances and fan experiences waiting aboard the 2025 sailing. From live concerts and themed parties to trivia contests, meet-and-greets and late-night hangouts with fellow Gen X fans, the cruise continues to evolve into one of the most unique nostalgia experiences anywhere in the world.
The episode also explores what makes The 80s Cruise different from a normal concert or vacation. Steve and Brad reflect on their own experiences aboard previous sailings, including the surreal experience of casually running into ’80s music legends in elevators, hallways and buffet lines while surrounded by nonstop MTV-era music and pop culture memories.
Along the way, Joey discusses how the cruise community has grown over the years and why so many guests return year after year. Whether you grew up listening to new wave, arena rock, synth-pop or classic MTV hits, the cruise offers a chance to reconnect with the music, fashion and shared cultural memories that defined a generation.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to spend several days surrounded by live ’80s music, themed events, celebrity interviews and thousands of fellow nostalgia lovers, this episode is the perfect introduction to the experience.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise in 2025. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The year 1987 was packed with massive pop stars, unforgettable MTV videos and some of the biggest radio hits of the entire decade. But beyond the blockbuster songs from artists like Bon Jovi, U2 and Whitney Houston, there were plenty of underrated tracks that slowly faded from classic hits playlists over the years. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Steve and Brad continue their popular “Forgotten Hits of the ’80s” series with a deep dive into the overlooked songs of 1987 that deserve another listen.
The episode revisits six forgotten songs from the late MTV era, featuring artists like Huey Lewis and the News, Peter Cetera, Europe and Samantha Fox. Along the way, Steve and Brad reflect on the unique sound of 1987 — a strange and wonderful mix of arena rock, synth-pop, power ballads and glossy Top 40 production that perfectly captured the spirit of the decade.
The conversation also explores how MTV, FM radio and cassette culture helped shape music discovery during the 1980s and why certain songs somehow disappeared while others became permanent staples of classic rock and oldies stations. Like many episodes in the “Forgotten Hits” series, the discussion taps directly into Gen X nostalgia — hearing these tracks in shopping malls, car stereos, arcades and school dances during the peak years of the MTV generation.
Along the way, the gang revisits the larger pop culture landscape of 1987, from over-the-top music videos and teased hair to blockbuster movies, neon fashion and the final years before grunge and alternative rock completely changed the musical landscape. If you love forgotten ’80s songs, underrated MTV hits, deep music cuts and rediscovering tracks you haven’t heard in decades, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Few actors possessed a voice more instantly recognizable than James Earl Jones. Whether terrifying audiences as Darth Vader, inspiring baseball fans in Field of Dreams or bringing warmth and authority to countless film and television roles, James Earl Jones became one of the most beloved and respected performers of the modern era. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Steve and Brad celebrate his life and legacy with a Top 5 countdown of their favorite James Earl Jones performances from the 1980s and beyond.
The episode revisits Jones’ unforgettable role as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga, one of the most iconic villain performances in movie history. Steve and Brad discuss how Jones’ commanding delivery helped transform Vader into a pop culture legend and why his voice became permanently embedded in the imagination of Gen X movie fans who grew up during the golden age of blockbuster cinema.
Along the way, the conversation explores other standout performances from Jones’ remarkable career, including his emotionally powerful role in Field of Dreams, his work in Coming to America and his unforgettable presence in animation, television and theater. The gang reflects on how Jones brought dignity, warmth and gravitas to every role, whether he was playing royalty, military leaders, wise mentors or larger-than-life villains.
The episode also dives into the larger movie culture of the 1980s — a time when legendary character actors helped define many of the decade’s most beloved films. From VHS rentals and cable-TV reruns to quoting famous movie lines with friends at school, James Earl Jones’ performances became part of the shared cultural fabric of Gen X life.
If you love classic movies, ’80s nostalgia, Star Wars history, unforgettable movie voices and deep dives into pop culture legends, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
More than 35 years after Beetlejuice became one of the most beloved cult comedies of the MTV era, the ghost with the most is finally back. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Steve and Brad dive into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel from director Tim Burton that reunites audiences with the strange, gothic and gloriously chaotic world of Beetlejuice.
The episode explores whether Michael Keaton still has the same manic energy that made Beetlejuice one of the most iconic movie characters of the 1980s and whether the sequel successfully captures the weird magic of the original film. Along the way, Steve and Brad discuss the return of Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, the evolution of Tim Burton’s visual style and the challenge of revisiting a cult classic decades later in a very different Hollywood landscape.
The conversation also revisits the legacy of the original Beetlejuice and why it became such a defining movie for Gen X audiences growing up during the late 1980s. From the unforgettable practical effects and gothic production design to the bizarre humor and quotable dialogue, the original movie stood apart from nearly everything else released during the era and helped solidify Tim Burton as one of the most distinctive filmmakers of his generation.
Steve and Brad also reflect on the larger trend of ’80s sequels and nostalgia-driven reboots, discussing which modern follow-ups have worked and which should have stayed buried in the afterlife. If you love classic ’80s movies, Tim Burton nostalgia, gothic comedy, Michael Keaton performances and revisiting cult favorites from the VHS era, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
There was something magical about summer in the 1980s. School was out, MTV was on nonstop, blockbuster movies ruled the multiplex and every car seemed to have a cassette deck blasting the soundtrack of the season. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Steve and Brad revisit one of the show’s all-time favorite classic episodes — a nostalgic celebration of the movies, music and memories that made summers in the ’80s unforgettable for Gen X kids everywhere.
Originally recorded in 2008, this fan-favorite episode dives headfirst into the sights and sounds of summertime during the MTV era. Along the way, the gang revisits the songs that dominated beach trips, swimming pools, backyard barbecues and late-night drives with the windows rolled down. From pop hits and power ballads to movie soundtracks and radio staples, the episode explores how music became inseparable from summer memories during the 1980s.
The conversation also looks back at the unforgettable summer movies of the decade — the action blockbusters, teen comedies and adventure films that defined childhood and adolescence for an entire generation. Steve and Brad reflect on the golden age of summer moviegoing, when theaters were packed with lines for the latest hit and VHS rentals kept the fun going long after the credits rolled.
Along the way, the episode taps into the larger culture of summertime in the 1980s: arcades, shopping malls, roller rinks, amusement parks, fireworks, baseball games and endless afternoons spent outside before smartphones and social media changed everything. Like many classic Stuck in the ’80s episodes, the discussion isn’t just about pop culture — it’s about remembering what life actually felt like growing up during the decade.
If you miss ’80s summer songs, classic summer movies, Gen X nostalgia and the carefree feeling of summers before the internet took over the world, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Cold War was everywhere in the 1980s — on the nightly news, in political speeches, in classrooms and especially in the movies. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Spearsy revisits one of the show’s classic fan-favorite episodes from 2008: a deep dive into the Red Scare movies of the MTV era. Joining the conversation is longtime friend “Jeff in Cuba” as the gang explores how Cold War fears, Soviet villains and nuclear paranoia shaped some of the most memorable films of the decade.
The episode revisits iconic ’80s movies like Red Dawn and Top Gun — films that transformed Cold War tension into blockbuster entertainment for Gen X audiences growing up during the Reagan years. Along the way, Spearsy and Jeff discuss the explosion of military action movies, anti-Soviet storylines and patriotic themes that became central to so much 1980s pop culture.
The conversation also explores the larger atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that surrounded the decade. From nuclear war anxiety and “duck and cover” memories to nightly news stories about the Soviet Union and the arms race, the 1980s often felt like the world could change overnight. Hollywood tapped directly into those fears, producing movies that mixed action, suspense and political tension in ways that still feel uniquely tied to the era.
Along the way, the gang reflects on how these movies shaped Gen X imagination — inspiring playground games, military fantasies and endless debates about which action heroes would survive World War III. They also revisit the unforgettable soundtracks, one-liners and larger-than-life movie stars who helped make Cold War cinema one of the defining genres of the 1980s.
If you love classic ’80s movies, Cold War nostalgia, military action films, Reagan-era pop culture and revisiting the strange mix of patriotism and paranoia that defined the decade, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The world lost one of the great voices of classic rock and early MTV music in 2024 with the passing of Greg Kihn. Best known for hits like Jeopardy and The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em), Kihn built a career filled with sharp songwriting, unforgettable hooks and a warm sense of humor that made him beloved by generations of rock fans. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Spearsy honors Greg’s memory by revisiting the podcast’s classic 2011 interview with the late musician — one of the show’s all-time favorite conversations.
Before replaying the original interview, Spearsy reflects on Greg’s passing and the lasting impact his music had during the 1980s. Like many Gen X listeners, Spearsy remembers hearing Jeopardy blasting from car stereos and radio stations during the early MTV era, while The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em) became one of those endlessly quotable songs that seemed permanently woven into the soundtrack of growing up in the decade.
The interview itself captures Greg at his absolute best — funny, thoughtful and deeply appreciative of the fans who helped make the Greg Kihn Band one of the defining rock acts of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Along the way, Greg discusses his biggest hits, the changing music industry, life on the road during the golden age of rock radio and the strange experience of suddenly becoming part of MTV culture.
The episode also revisits the larger world of early ’80s rock music, when power pop, new wave and guitar-driven radio hits still dominated the airwaves. Like many classic Stuck in the ’80s interviews, the conversation feels less like a formal press junket and more like hanging out with one of the musicians who helped shape the soundtrack of Gen X life.
If you love classic rock, MTV nostalgia, memorable ’80s interviews and rediscovering the artists behind the songs that defined the decade, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The world lost one of the most commanding and respected actors of his generation with the passing of Louis Gossett Jr.. Whether playing a tough military drill instructor, a wise alien survivor or a deeply human mentor figure, Gossett brought intelligence, strength and emotional depth to every performance. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Steve and Chuck Coverly honor the legendary actor with a special ’80s movie showdown featuring two of his most beloved films: Enemy Mine and An Officer and a Gentleman.
The episode revisits Gossett’s Oscar-winning role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman, one of the defining performances of 1980s cinema. Steve and Brad discuss the movie’s emotional power, unforgettable dialogue and the way Gossett elevated what could have been a standard military drama into something deeply memorable. The gang also reflects on the film’s place in Gen X movie culture, from VHS rewatches to late-night cable-TV airings during the golden age of the 1980s.
The conversation then shifts to Enemy Mine, the underrated science-fiction cult classic starring Gossett alongside Dennis Quaid. Part Cold War allegory and part emotional survival story, the movie remains one of the most unusual and ambitious sci-fi films of the decade. Steve and Brad revisit the themes of friendship, prejudice and survival that helped make the film resonate with fans long after its original release.
Along the way, the episode explores the larger legacy of Louis Gossett Jr. and why he became such an important figure in film history during the 1980s and beyond. Whether starring in blockbuster dramas, science-fiction adventures or television miniseries, Gossett always brought gravity and authenticity to the screen in a way few actors could match.
If you love classic ’80s movies, science fiction, military dramas, unforgettable character actors and revisiting the emotional heart of Gen X cinema, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent more than 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Steve and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On July 25, 2024, the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast officially turned 19 years old — meaning the show has now entered its 20th year celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. What began in 2005 as a simple nostalgia podcast for Gen X fans has grown into one of the longest-running and most beloved ’80s pop culture podcasts anywhere. This week, Spearsy and Brad celebrate the milestone by revisiting a special 2017 interview in which frequent guest co-host “Gayle from D.C.” turned the tables and interviewed the hosts themselves about the history of the show and the unforgettable moments along the way.
The episode looks back at nearly two decades of podcasting about the MTV generation, including the origins of the show, the evolution of podcasting itself and how a shared love of ’80s nostalgia created a passionate community of listeners around the world. Along the way, Spearsy and Brad reflect on some of their favorite celebrity interviews, the strangest moments in podcast history and the episodes that connected most deeply with Gen X audiences over the years.
The conversation also revisits how dramatically media and technology have changed since the podcast first launched in 2005. Long before streaming and social media algorithms dominated entertainment, Stuck in the ’80s was helping fans rediscover forgotten songs, cult movies and pop culture memories from the decade that shaped them. The episode explores how nostalgia itself has evolved and why the 1980s continue to resonate so strongly with multiple generations of listeners.
Along the way, Spearsy and Brad share personal stories about balancing life, work and podcasting over nearly 20 years while building friendships with listeners, musicians, actors and fellow fans of the decade. Like many classic Stuck in the ’80s episodes, the conversation becomes less about rankings and trivia and more about the emotional connection people still have to the music and movies that defined their youth.
If you love ’80s nostalgia, podcast history, behind-the-scenes stories and revisiting the moments that shaped the Stuck in the ’80s community, this episode belongs in your playlist.
The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.
And don’t forget: Spearsy and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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