For 13 years, the award-winning Stuck in the 80s blog has been hosted and supported by the amazing group of journalists and managers at the Tampa Bay Times. That will change in a few weeks. The new home of the blog will be the same place that has hosted our podcast for the last six years – our website here at sit80s.com.
As we transition from our old home to new one, we hope to transform this website into a more dynamic and exciting destination. We plan to redesign the pages and find better ways to offer you the entertainment you’ve come to love over the last 13 years.
When I founded the podcast and blog back in 2005 – more of a mid-life crisis reaction to my 20th high school reunion – I never dreamed we’d survive more than a dozen episodes or posts. For the first seven years of the blog, I posted 365 days a year – breaking that streak only once, I believe, for the day my father passed away. It’s carried me places I’d never imagine – from ’80s-themed vacations all over the world to co-hosting podcasts in New Zealand, to interviewing my hero Steve Perry and more.
In a few short months, we’ll record our 500th episode of the show live on board The 80s Cruise featuring a special group of icons from the ’80s as our interview subjects.
When I left the Times in 2012, the newspaper asked to continue hosting the blog, and I was thrilled to say yes. The Times and I have celebrated milestones together, even though I now live 90 miles away. I wish my colleagues there all the best as they pursue a new direction for their own digital operations.
In the meantime, I will refocus my energies on giving Stuck in the ’80s a second life – maybe a third one, depending on how you score things. I won’t be alone. A group of close friends, co-hosts and ’80s family will be there all the way. Stuck in the ’80s would be nothing without you all. And so, as we embark on this future together, I invite you – as always – to share your thoughts, suggestions and encouragement.
Life does move pretty fast. We’ve taken 13 years to look around so far. Let’s take another few years to see where the journey takes us next.
Hopelessly stuck in the ’80s,
Spearsy….