Somewhere between the final notes of a mixtape recorded off the radio, the glow of MTV after midnight, and the smell of popcorn at a packed multiplex showing the latest John Hughes movie, a generation found its identity.
That generation was Gen X.
And for more than 20 years, the Stuck in the ’80s podcast has celebrated the music, movies, television, celebrities and unforgettable pop culture moments that shaped our lives.
Hosted by journalist Steve Spears and pop culture expert Brad Williams, Stuck in the ’80s is one of the longest-running ’80s nostalgia podcasts anywhere — a weekly conversation about the decade that gave us new wave music, mall culture, VHS rentals, arcade games, movie soundtracks, Casey Kasem countdowns, MTV videos, late-night television, and more unforgettable memories than we can possibly count.
If you’ve ever argued about the best John Hughes soundtrack, stayed up to watch David Letterman after your parents went to bed, spent hours perfecting a cassette mixtape, or still get emotional hearing your favorite song from high school, you’re among friends here.
What You’ll Find on the Podcast
Every week, Stuck in the ’80s explores the decade from every possible angle, including:
- Classic ’80s music and artists
- New wave, synth-pop, hair metal and MTV-era bands
- Iconic movies and cult classics
- Television shows that defined Gen X
- One-hit wonders and forgotten gems
- Concert memories and live music culture
- Toys, trends and technology from the decade
- Pop culture countdowns and debates
- Interviews with the artists, actors and creators who shaped the era
Whether we’re revisiting the soundtrack to your teenage years or debating the greatest movie montage songs of all time, the mission has always remained the same:
To celebrate the joy, weirdness, creativity and emotional connection of growing up in the 1980s.
Interviews With the Icons of the ’80s
Over the years, Stuck in the ’80s has welcomed hundreds of musicians, actors, filmmakers, VJs, comedians and pop culture legends to the show.
Guests have included artists from across the musical spectrum — from new wave pioneers and MTV staples to arena rock legends, movie stars and television favorites who helped define a generation.
Because the podcast isn’t just about nostalgia.
It’s about reconnecting with the people and stories that helped shape who we became.
More Than Nostalgia
The ’80s weren’t perfect.
But they were personal.
For many Gen X listeners, the decade represents first concerts, first loves, first cars, first apartments, first heartbreaks and the first time music or movies made us feel truly understood.
That emotional connection is why Stuck in the ’80s continues to resonate with listeners more than two decades after the podcast first launched.
This isn’t just a retro podcast.
It’s an ongoing conversation about memory, culture, identity and the strange magic of growing up in a world before algorithms decided everything for us.
Start Listening
New to the show?
Here are a few great places to begin:
- Favorite celebrity interviews
- Essential ’80s movie episodes
- Music deep dives and album anniversaries
- One-hit wonder specials
- Gen X nostalgia episodes
- Holiday-themed episodes and countdowns
You can listen on:
About the Hosts
Steve Spears
Steve Spears is a longtime journalist, author and pop culture writer whose lifelong obsession with music, movies and television eventually became Stuck in the ’80s. He is the author of Stuck in the ’80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade and a frequent host and personality on The 80s Cruise.
Brad Williams
Brad Williams brings decades of music knowledge, sharp wit and deep appreciation for the culture of the 1980s to every episode. His passion for discovering overlooked songs, forgotten trends and hidden stories has helped shape the personality of the podcast since its earliest years.
The Book: Stuck in the ’80s
After more than two decades of interviews, memories and conversations about the decade that shaped Generation X, host Steve Spears brought the story of the podcast to the page with the release of:
Stuck in the ’80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade
Part memoir, part pop culture history and part backstage pass to the evolution of one of the internet’s longest-running nostalgia podcasts, the book celebrates the artists, actors and unforgettable personalities who helped define the 1980s — and the fans who never stopped loving them.
Filled with stories from celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and reflections on why the decade still matters today, the book is a love letter to Gen X and the enduring magic of ’80s culture.
Available through Amazon and major booksellers.