Pop Culture Preservation Society

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 Bicentennial quarters to costumes — SO. MANY. COSTUMES. (Special shoutout to the Tricorn hat.) Let’s celebrate our collective patriotic memories together as we get ready for the 50th anniversary of the unforgettable Bicentennial and that undeniable SPIRIT of '76!Get Mike Derrico's book "Bicentennial Chic: Bronx Bombers, KISSteria & the Birth of Saturday Night Fever" hereClick here for a year of Remind Magazine for only $12.Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 favorites) and we have so much to say (and sing!) that we couldn’t contain it in just one episode!Watch Helen Reddy biopic "I Am Woman"Great podcast episode from Amy Lively's podcast For the Record: The 70s "The Softer Side of 70s Rock"Helen Reddy and Carol Burnett skitSubscribe to our favorite magazine and get 83% off just by being a PCPS listener. Click here for a year of Remind Magazine for only $12.Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 like Ariel? Which Olympic gymnast has a family connection to the movie? And which one of us had never seen Footloose until a few weeks ago (and is lucky she’s still a card-carrying member of the PCPS)?Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 they helped create a lexicon of words and phrases that may be best known by Gen Xers: “20 original hits! 20 original stars!” “As seen on TV!” And, most importantly, “But Wait! There’s more!” Packed with twenty current hits from the radio, each KTEL album was like a precursor to the homemade mixtapes that became staples of 80s culture. SO WHAT WAS THE MOST POPULAR KTEL ALBUM?If we only knew! But if we can judge by the internet, and how often people talk about it, that would be MUSIC EXPRESS, the 1975 album featuring The Captain and Tennille, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Disco Tex and the Sex-o-lettes – “and many more!!!!” Join us as we walk through this album song by song, sharing the vibes and fun facts like only your pop culture preservationists can.Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 really and truly claim that we know how our generation felt about what they were watching, reading, listening to and playing with when they were children in the 70s and 80s. We are the experts in YOU.And on November 7, 2025, to celebrate the five year anniversary of the PCPS, we went to the Jason Show -- the daily pop culture talk show viewed by people all around the nation -- and said, we have a list. We call it The Top 10 Gen X Moments of All Time as determined by US after five years of asking questions, and researching episodes, and polling our listeners and followers, -- these are the top ten moments weve found our people really like to talk about. Can you guess what sits in the number one spot? And, big disclaimer, this is highly subjective and we reserve the right to change our minds tomorrow! Don't be surprised if you see Top 10 Gen X Moments Part Deux next season! Please enjoy and don't be crabby if you disagree with our vastly unscientific findings (see DISCLAIMER: PART DEUX above).Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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? Comin’ in HOT. But wait, there’s more! Listen now for all the GenX pop culture nuggets we’re serving up … starting next week!Check out the Stars of the Golden Age podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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, but of the character of Cameron as well.Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Join us as we chat about the 1979 movie, The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (starring Jane Seymour) and how “America’s Sweethearts” grabbed hold of (two of) us long before their reality show and Netflix series. Which one of us was infatuated with them? Who not only despises the DCC but considered them their mortal enemy? And which host do we discover not only tried out but MADE an NHL dance team?!? Listen now!Shop our link at bookshop.org to support independent bookstores and the PCPS.Subscribe to our YouTube channel hereFollow the Pop Culture Preservation Society on Instagram, Facebook an TikTokSupport the PCPS by becoming a patron on Patreon. Check all the extra perks you get here.Help the PCPS keep on truckin' by making a one-time donation hereSubscribe to the PCPS email newsletter, "The Weekly Reader" hereSend us an email at hello@poppreservationists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands