Nicstalgia

Adryan Corcione is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Tri-State Area pop culture enthusiasts unite!!! We chat about how we met (spoiler alert: we are the only people talking about Xanga), Gerard Way working at Hot Topic in the Willowbrook Mall, Adryan's journalistic work and forthcoming book about growing up online at the advent of social media, the themes of identity and connection, and parallels between the early internet and now. We have a show and tell of select pieces Adryan's awesome physical media collection, featuring Lindsay Lohan covers from Cosmopolitan (2022), Playboy (2012), Nylon (2009), Maxim (2007), Fangoria (2007) featuring possibly the only favorable review of I Know Who Killed Me (2007), and Interview (2004). We talk about how Lindsay's personal life overshadowed and informed the perception of IKWKM and the parallel between how her public struggles with substance abuse mirrors how society views drug and mental health crises. How we treat It Girls affects the treatment of girls everywhere. Ultimately, I pose the question – How can we as the general public, media, internet, and cultural critics do better going forward have more compassion for the people around us? We dive into the consumption of public figures, the price of pursuing fame, and the right to privacy. Even reality TV stars have boundaries! Despite what's shown (and sold) to the public, celebrities are people and have nuance…but so does everyone else. Social media has democratized access to celebrities - we can contact them – AND celebrity – we can become them ourselves. We close out with a Britney Spears oracle card reading! Moral of the story: Pop culture matters!

Kelli Williams is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Kelli shares how Laguna Biotch came to life, and we explore the sense of freedom that comes with shamelessly leaning into the things you like – including but not limited to Backstreet Boys and Celine Dion. We explore the undoing of societal conditioning around being a fangirl, revisiting things you loved when you were younger, healing your inner teenager, and creating a world where you can be you. Why aren't people willing to be silly anymore?? We wouldn't know. Kelli and I talk about the wave of millennial nostalgia happening right now and how it's not new, buying concert tickets instead of houses, Kelli's experience of being in the crowd at TRL, and how in the 2000s, BSB had to do a whole media circuit with news vs. celebs' Notes app posts today. Speaking of celebs, we dive deep into the democratization of access to celebrities through social media, blurring of lines with parasocial relationships, how social media has changed the concept of celebrity and whose legacies are impacted (Justin), and how this affects us as pop culture researchers and lifelong fans. We explore how different celebrities are positioned as actors (Jennifer Aniston), entrepreneurs (Gwyneth), and even products or objects of consumption themselves (Britney, Paris). Of course we talk about Laguna Beach!! Reality TV has evolved and is more produced, but there will always be conflicting stories about what's “real”. Wanna know what 2000s fashion was REALLY like? Watch Laguna Beach and you'll find out everything you need to know. We also explore who the best/worst One Tree Hill character is and our initial reactions to The OC vs. our reactions during the rewatch. California, here we come!

In this episode, I explain how “nostalgia” is often used as a misnomer for “nowstalgia” when marketing an old cultural object to a new consumer demographic. Drawing inspiration from my article, “Nostalgia vs. Nowstalgia, and Why Both Matter in 2022”, and dig into six key considerations of how both affect connection, communication, and commerce: regenerative revenue, trend zeitgeists, context collapse, retro subversion, compensatory consumption, and projection bias. Get ready for a deep dive on the commodification – more specifically, the Etsyfication, Coachellafication, yassification, and tattooification – of licensed band t-shirts that capitalize off of existing, nowstalgic IP. Why does every youth culture fixture generation think they invented every style when it's really a recycled version of what came before? We'll explore the context collapse of flannel shirts, The Cerulean Principle (inspired by the infamous The Devil Wears Prada monologue), and my personal favorite nowstalgic aesthetic: Groovival, a revival of 60s culture from the vantage point of the 90s. You will learn about how isolated cultural objects, like an olive green utilitarian jacket, gain context through composition and can therefore be dated like a time capsule. Millennials' fear of being cheugy exemplifies their resistance to The Chasm™ – when you become old enough to witness the completion of a standard 20-year trend cycle and are no longer considered the fixture generation of youth culture. I explain how tie dye has been an enduring cultural symbol with different meanings over time, why hipsters annoy everyone, why Millennials are outraged by Gen Z reselling their 00s pink and black zebra print homecoming dresses, why I love nowstalgic content creators (shoutout to Merel, Nicole aka. Misss 2005, Sammiee, and Sarah), and why everyone for some reason thinks they can predict the future about what will “come back”. Even if a headline says the biggest trend for 2024 is nostalgia, it isn't. That's because nostalgia never goes out of style.

In this episode, I share the experience of my Physical Media Renaissance™ project that I've been working on for about a year. I dive into the physical media (CDs), 00s entertainment technology (icy blue Memorex CD boombox), and memorabilia (the iconic Geri poster) that I've acquired and six key considerations: consumption, media ephemerality, perceived value, circular economy, friction, and taste. I talk about what this project means to me on a personal and generational level, why 90s-00s nostalgia has become a thing, the nostalgic and nowstalgic resurgence of flip phones and digital cameras by Luddite teens and Millennial lifestyle editors avoiding doom scrolling, why Urban Outfitters can sell a first-gen iPod for $350, and why I'm buying $1 CDs when Boomers told us to stop eating avocado toast and drinking Starbucks to buy a house for $725k. Haters will have their questions answered: Is this project wasteful? Is it materialistic? I dig into themes of ownership, transience, and – of course – the Diffusion of Innovations model as it relates to physical media. We constantly switch from screen to screen with utmost ease and endless distractions, so is the friction of using physical media really worse than the feigned conversancy of Spotify Wrapped? If an algorithm wasn't reinforcing confirmation bias and shaping your choices, would you be able to make them on your own? Wouldn't it be fun to genuinely discover something? You'll learn my Nicstalgia Consumption Rubric framework of how to know what to buy and what not to buy, the similarities and differences between modes of consumption – thrifting, resale, and fast fashion – and how to curate and refine your own taste by using my ‘Live Laugh Love Loathe' Nicstalgia Curation Rubric. I share my favorite finds and takeaways from the project around mindfulness, non-attachment, value, memories, and sense of self.

Ruby Thelot is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. He shares how his love for studying and researching niche internet communities and cultures led him to writing his forthcoming book, A Cyberarchaeology of Checkpoints. We talk about how the concept of checkpoints originated in video game culture and took on a subversive new form as personal life status updates in a YouTube comments section. What happens when a community is formed by thousands of checkpoints in a YouTube comments section, and what happens when that YouTube video is deleted? We explore the shock of deletion, the jarring experience of no longer having access to a digital space you once frequented. (RIP MySpace.) In the words of internet archivist Rebane2001, “Forget what you lost, save what you can.” Is everything meant to be saved? We ponder the concept of media ephemerality and why we assume permanence of what's on the internet when we expect real-life places to come and go. (RIP to my Midtown hair salon.) Digital media is full of paradox – abundance devalues digital media and makes access harder (i.e. trying to find one of the 7500 photos on my phone), preservation disrupts the content's original environment (i.e. downloading my Xanga archives), and materiality affects relevance and value. We dive into the intricacies of memory and technology, my Buddhist internet philosophy, and how deletion of digital artifacts erases stories, memories, and ‘monuments of emotional history', therefore impacting the future interpretation and legacy of our civilization. I ask Ruby what he'd leave in a digital time capsule, the ethics of digital life after death, the morality of AI when “we can only perceive the present once it is the distant past”, and how media literacy and astuteness will develop for young generations in a new digital age.

Merel from Ex-Girlfriend Shop is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Your two favorite Aries Angels chat about what inspired her to start Ex-Girlfriend Shop, our love for Y2K fashion, my first designer handbag, and what it was like for Merel discovering fashion trends pre-internet in the Netherlands and ID'ing celeb outfits post-internet. I catch a glimpse of Merel's skillfully curated, iconic non-clothing memorabilia collection, including a Claudia Schiffer Barbie and Anna Nicole Smith bobblehead. In the words of Sheryl Crow (and Merel), “If it makes you happy it cant be that bad.” We deep dive into Mariah Carey, Tomato Mozzarella, and the JLo “I don't know her” saga, Dollzmania, our shared Halloween costume as Dump Him- era Britney, and my profound emotional experience seeing Crossroads in theaters for the first time in 2002.

Nora Woods is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Friends since we were 12, we reminisce about dancing in the living room to Beatles records, listening to Queen deep cuts and loving Freddie Mercury, dancing to “Get Low” at prom, going tanning, our fav Latin pop sensations Shakira and Enrique Iglesias, being in the middle school talent show, and being cheerleaders. **Please note that since the time of this recording, I DID locate our cheerleading mix songs!!!!!** We share our parallel experiences on September 11th, reflect on if Girls and Broad City accurately depicted of our lives as Millennial women in NYC in the 2010s, and recall watching Degrassi at my house (and seeing Toby at hers). We have always been ~very online~ individuals, as young early adopters of AIM, Xanga, and MySpace, and discuss our days on early social media. Nora shares her favorite and most obscure Disney Channel Original Movies and shows us her CD binder from the 2000s, mix CDs intact!!! Nic & Nora have always had a shared curiosity for pop culture ‘before our time', a sense of nowstalgia for Queen, and how you never think trends you saw as kids are going to cycle back – until they do.

Tiffany Tarazi is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. She shares her journey from second-gen makeup artist to product developer to developing Nosta Beauty. We chat about home videos from the 90s vs. now, capturing both milestones and mundane aspects of day-to-day life for personal use vs. performative nature of social media (and how that changes once you become a parent yourself). What makeup trend is coming back? What 90s makeup trend was Tiffany's favorite? How does she make makeup that's glittery and nostalgic yet doesn't make me break out into hives like i did with Bath and Body Works glitter? We dive into all of the above, plus how doing our makeup has evolved over time, the Laguna Beach/Hollister-era self tanner epidemic, our hair removal nightmares, and whose makeup Tiffany would love to do on their world tour.

Fabiola Larios is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about Fabi's Barbie exhibit at Yami-Ichi, subverting obsolescence and bringing new life to old and retro technology, AI-generated art on Fabi's irreplaceable pink Disney Princess TV, the iconic 90s computer game Barbie Magic Hairstyler (y también Barbie Salón de Belleza). We deep dive into rituals, societal conditioning, misconceptions of Barbie, and the meaning adults (not children) assign to Barbie, and how she's really a representation of our society, projected onto a 12” piece of plastic. We contrast not just the image, but the messaging behind Barbie vs. Bratz and agree that Barbie is an intellectual and a badass. We play a Dream Outfit and Dream Career game for AI-generated Fabi Barbie and tap into the imagination, play, levity, and joy that Barbie brought us as kids — and how we own that sentiment as adults.

Jocelyn and Alaina from Bijou Candles and the Candle Coven Podcast are featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about Rocky Horror Picture Show, Seinfeld, being a dELiA*s girl in a Hollister world, shared memory and collective consciousness, and how pop culture represents human connection and is a spiritual experience. The two biggest comedic geniuses: Larry David, who dissects the minutia of life and calls out the absurdity of humans, and Victoria Beckham, for obvious reasons. We talk about the two most important things essential to my life and well-being, Celine Dion and the Spice Girls, and delve into my physical media renaissance and the icy blue Memorex boombox that I DID end up rebuying. We answer the important questions: Are we Romy or Michele? Which Golden Girls are we a mix of? Which celebrities would we put on our Mount Rushmore for a dream candle collection? Mel C Heads™️, this one is for you.

BARTYDARTY is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about Adam's journey to becoming a DJ and producer: going on MySpace at the ripe age of 12, blogging in 5th grade, being influenced by Detroit's electronic and house music, and getting his brother's hand-me-down trumpet. We touch on the EDM explosion of the end of the 2000s to 2010s, listening to “Clarity” on the prom party bus, the dichotomy between Avicii's struggle with fame and Steve Aoki's “I'll sleep when I'm dead” ethos, and the inescapable “Closer” by The Chainsmokers. Adam shares about how not having health insurance inspired his first album, his rebrand to BARTYDARTY and the values behind it, staying in touch with your inner child, doing what your younger self would be proud of, embracing a sense of play while also accepting responsibility, and finding other people who share your values. We explore establishing and integrating IRL and URL identities to reflect who you want to be and remember: you are never too old to make your mark on the world.

Chris Payne is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about his amazing new book, WHERE ARE YOUR BOYS TONIGHT?, how he got into music journalism, getting an email from Pete Wentz, My Chemical Romance nowstalgia, and finding out about Paramore before they made it big. Does liking emo music require alienation from, or frustration with, mainstream society? We explore how emo shares outsider themes with punk rock but ultimately focuses on the self, inner turmoil, and interpersonal relationships vs. DIY culture, progressive politics, and zines. We chat about being from New Jersey (Chris) and Connecticut (Me and Chris Carrabba), wearing Converse with band tees from Hot Topic and double popped collar polo shirts, picking out the perfect MySpace song, and so much more.

Ana from This Must Be Pop is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We discuss how the music of boy bands have been overlooked in music history, how This Must Be Pop was developed through a feminist lens, reframing the whole idea of what being a “fangirl” or “fanboy” means, and legitimizing the fandom space by not diminishing the viewpoint of primarily young girls and the LGBTQ+ community. When it comes to boy bands, there are soooo many dichotomies to unpack!! We dive deep on the reconciliation of being rich (well, depending on who your management is) and famous vs. exploitation and rejecting a a superficial, manufactured, crafted image with stifled individuality. Ana and I talk about BSB and *NSYNC musically, commercially, and how you can't really compare them the way we did in the 90s-00s. We ponder important questions: Why can fandoms be resistant to change? What if Howie was in Menudo? What would have happened to JC Chasez's solo career had he had the label support Justin did? Do we really need all of these reunions? What does the future of fandom look like? About our Guest Ana is a music journalist as well as the creator and host of "This Must Be Pop", a podcast that tries to shake us from the social stigma surrounding boybands by legitimizing the fan experience and showcasing the legitimately great music and talent of boybands. Connect with Our Guest Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

In this solo episode, we are doing whatever the opposite is of taking a walk down memory lane. I share with you my lifestyle, fashion/2010s revival, and tech trend predictions for 2023. We're due for a 2020s version of wine/paint bars. Pickleball? Grandma stuff? Mushroom bags? I'm here for it. Will we see a resurgence of business casual, going out tops, or the perfect combination of the two: peplum tops?? Dare I mention…side parts? Giant Bakers-esque 6” platform stilettos? It's time for a new generation to risk it all (namely, a sprained ankle) trying to leave the house. (Shoutout to the Diffusion of Innovations and my retail career for making this episode possible.) Do younger generations ultimately just end up turning into their parents' generations? Is ChatGPT for Gen Alpha just Wikipedia for Millennials? Is the -verse coming for us? (Taco Bell-verse will have us at bay.) I talk about web3, the next iteration of the internet based on ownership, and dig into what the future looks like for content creators and influencers as the breakdown of social media as we know it begins to unfold. What does content production and distribution look like when we center creators rather than platforms? I share what I think is going to happen to influencers and creators of different sizes based on the current web2 (social media) landscape, the tools that can facilitate positive change so we're not a bunch of burnt out robots, and advice for fellow nano influencers. (TLDR: don't trust an algorithm lol.) Nicstalgia had 41 episodes in 2022 – thank you for coming along for the ride! Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Andy Frye is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We chat about his book, Ninety Days In The 90s, the vibrant Chicago music scene, and how changes in popular culture are actually more gradual than we make them out to be in hindsight. Andy talk about what he was able to discover in the late 80s and early 90s, contrary to radio pop and hair metal dominating the airwaves at the time. We dive into the quintessential Gen X topics: mix tapes, zines, the emergence of college and independent radio, and the age-old idea of being a ‘sellout'. How can you avoid betraying your ideals while still growing as an artist? Are Gen X authentic to a fault? We explore the commodification of music, when concert tickets got super expensive, the best interviews Andy has conducted as a writer. About our Guest ANDY FRYE has written for Rolling Stone, ESPN, Chicago Tribune, and other publications. Currently, he writes about sports business for Forbes. Over his career, Andy has interviewed hundreds of professional athletes, rock stars and other celebrities. Among the bands and solo artists he has interviewed are Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Morrissey, Jimmy Eat World, Rage Against The Machine, and Alice In Chains. Connect with Our Guest Twitter 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Nicole Randone from Misss2005 is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. This episode goes to show that Millennials and Gen Z have more in common than the internet makes it out to be. We talk about collecting physical media from the 2000s, experiencing the motorola rzr for the first time, my unhinged Mercari emails, and creating “authentic” yet ‘nowstalgic' 2000s content. Is getting Starbucks at Target the equivalent of going to the gas station in the 2000s? If you're looking forward to ‘just cracking up' (shoutout to Jake Thomas), you will love this episode. **Please note that Nicole has met Chad Michael Murray IRL since the time of this recording!!! We chat about One Tree Hill, A Cinderella Story, my Hilary Duff sighting, John Tucker Must Die, vintage Abercrombie & Fitch lace camis (my fashion degree comes out in full force lol), and blinged out Playboy bunny necklaces. We tap into the evolution of technology and content creation in the future, how we basically live in [the DCOM] Smart House, and if Nicole can really remember a time in life without technology. About our Guest Nicole is an early 2000s content creator and influencer, most commonly referred to online as Miss 2005! Nicole has dedicated herself to using the past to bring happiness to the present. Connect with Our Guest TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 YouTube Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Fabiola Larios, Gremlin, and Vivian Fu are featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about making a critical statement through subversive glitter art, Dollz, cute internet sounds (what glitter sounds like), and early digital technology. We dive deep on social media and identity, exploring how digital personas evolve, how social media became a romanticized performance, and the psyops behind manufactured illusions of vulnerability. Turns out, photo dumps, making songs in your bedroom, and crying on TikTok aren't “authentic” after all. (Let it be known that Vivian started “dumpage theory”, dissecting performative ugliness online.) We get into the psychology of the internet and optics of surveillance capitalism, looking at people as statistics in order to sell to them, and the lengths creators, influencers, and people with public-facing personalities on the internet will go to in order to be seen. We think about how to approach being online heuristically, where critical thinking, research, and media literacy help people discern what they see. Whether you're a creator or consumer of content, you'll enjoy the candidness of our discourse around internalizing and rejecting the “influencer” moniker, having self-worth and acceptance as a creator, how to not care about algorithms, and dealing with the pressure of being ~always online~. Our heads are already in the future, thinking about how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts the creative process and how web3 will disrupt web2 economies of scale, aka. how musicians will make money from their work instead of the streaming/social platforms. About our Guests Fabiola defines herself as a Net Art AI Internet Glitter Artist, her work is about the representation of the self on the Internet, the vulnerability of personal data, and our digital footprint focusing on surveillance with digital and physical objects. Gremlin is a Los-Angeles based creator who specializes in digital audio art. She makes pop music under the name Boule Goes Boing and creates experimental generative audio as gremlin_bb. When she's not making music, Gremlin interviews web3 creators for Rusty Rollers Radio on Twitter and acts as a Category Lead for the web3 networking group Friends with Benefits. She loves analog synthesizers and heavy 808s. Vivian is some girl who was once on tumblr but now works in tech. Connect with Our Guests Fabiola: Twitter 〰 Instagram Gremlin: Twitter 〰 Instagram Vivian: Twitter 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Nikki Pebbles is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Can the conversation about thongs ever really end??? No. Talking ~in depth~ about hiding your bedazzled and embellished Mandee's, Weathervane, Wet Seal, Rave, and Rave Girl thongs from your mom. Did Nikki have her first kiss at a Harry Potter movie, wearing Jessica Simpson's edible dessert line? Yes, of course she did. (Lorraine just knew.) Shout out to Mike's Hard Lemonade. We talk about AIM away message/bio drama, dating someone in 8th grade and not only not talking to them but actively avoiding them in the hallway, school locker anxiety, and dealing with being cyber-bullied as the first generation of kids on the internet. We play “Shake It Fast, Watch Yourself” (inspired by the Mystikal song, naturally), where Nikki picks between two songs from my Middle School Dance Spotify playlist. Nikki and I share our favorite high school prom songs and the synchronicities between our childhood selves. Middle School Dance Playlist on Spotify Middle School Dance Culture Nicstalgia episode with Nicole & Nikki on YouTube Connect with Nikki TikTok 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Shaleena from Everything 90s podcast is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Yes we met at what was truly the event of the year – Spice Girls trivia!! We talk about some of our shared loves, from the iconic Spiceworld album that we both had on cassette tape to Oops! I Did It Again, the iconic album inspired the Nicstalgia theme song! You'll hear about the Swedish girl band Play, who literally brings a tear to Shaleena's eye because they are so legendary. What also brings a tear to the eye is the fact that Cinderella (1997) didn't have a soundtrack. Canadian Nicstalgia listeners will love this episode, as we discuss some of my favorite Canadian exports: Céline Dion (obviously), Degrassi, Avril Lavigne, Nelly Furtado, and more. (Shania Twain is notably missing, oops!!!! Pretend we talk about her instead of Justin Bieber lol.) I also never miss an opportunity to tell anyone that I was Myspace friends with Aubrey Graham in 2005, before he dropped his first mixtapes as who we now know as Drake. We dive deep into arguably the most iconic Canadian TV show of all time: The Big Comfy Couch!!! (Starring Loonette and Molly, a clown and her dolly) and I share my top 3 favorite TV theme songs. About our Guest Shaleena is the creator and host of Everything 90s Podcast - a show where she invites fellow 90s kids, and lovers of that decade, to join her on nostalgic trips down 90s memory lane. Connect with Shaleena Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Donny from I Am The Cute One podcast is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We discuss which housewives franchise he would be a part of, my inherent understanding of RHONJ, and educating your parents about pop culture that they will never watch. All I'm saying is that we predicted the return of Laguna Beach streaming on Netflix!!! Donny answers the question of what being the ‘final girl' really means and which celebrities he loves to hate. We talk about how not liking Anne Hathaway or even Lea Michele isn't funny anymore, (Glee is the real American Horror Story, isn't it??) which musical show Donny would have competed on and likely won, and which pop band should have recruited him as their final member. Did I work at a corporate fashion company for three years so that I could meet the leader of 2000s bubblegum pop girl band No Secrets? Yes. Have we waited in line for book signings at Barnes & Noble in Union Square for hours? Yes. Do we just want Jessica Biel to be happy? Yes. Is Donny is literally Sabrina's aunt's muse? Yes. About our Guest Donny is a nostalgia-obsessed entertainment writer and podcaster with a passion for 90s horror and early 2000s reality competition shows. If he could teach a college course about TGIF, he would; but until then, he spends his days rewatching Big Brother 6 and trying to persuade anyone that will listen that the title character was the actual villain of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Connect with Donny Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Danielle Clarke and Jackie Conley from the No More Late Fees podcast are featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. They share what it was like working at Blockbuster: Did they incur late fees themselves? How was the transition from VHS to DVDs? What was the movie everyone wanted to see? We really dive into our “hard opinions on random things”, like being Team Subtitles™️. We discuss physical media collections, how getting rid of all our DVDs was actually a huge mistake, the business aspect behind streaming, how streaming was positioned toward consumers in the 2000s as an “infinite” content library, and how we may actually have less options, access, and availability now than we did in Blockbuster stores. We explore my favorite genre of 90s-00s movies and ultimate comfort: Gen X Ensemble Casts!! Everything really connects back to Can't Hardly Wait and the Buffyverse, doesn't it? We talk about how many movies (including CHW) haven't aged well with time and how we perceive dated movies differently when we have firsthand nostalgic ties to it. About our Guests Danielle Clarke and Jackie Conley from the No More Late Fees podcast are two best friends and ex Blockbuster employees rewatching some of the best and worst movies from the late 90's and early 2000's. Connect with No More Late Fees Twitter 〰 TikTok 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Jaz Zepatos is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about being funny, not caring about what people think, and getting used to feeling stupid. (Or in the words of the inimitable Weird Al, “Dare To Be Stupid”.) You will come to discover in this episode that both crying in public and falling down a flight of stairs are essentially rites of passage living in New York City. We discuss Jaz's experience with improv, making music, being a former child actor, and how to dismiss the limiting tropes and stereotypical boxes that female-identifying comedians are put in so you can be be the funny, smart, sexy, and [whatever you want] person to desire to be. We realize just how many similarities there are between Mean Girls and Never Been Kissed, My So Called Life, and well, kinda everything that came before it. We also play a game where Jaz composes songs about our favorite movies! Am I the next Princess of Genovia? Who's to say. Shout out to (probably) listeners of the podcast, Weird Al, Dua Lipa, and Evan Rachel Wood. About our Guest Jaz Zapp is a comedian and content creator that thrives in the millennial corner of the internet. She is a host of the Millennial Movie Club Podcast, and has recently released the first single on her comedy album, Plant Daddy, streaming everywhere now. She is the love child of Dua Lipa and Weird Al, and a recovering “Guys Girl”. Connect with Jaz Instagram 〰 TikTok 〰 YouTube 〰 Twitter 〰 Plant Daddy on Spotify Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Danielle Petty from 90s Babes is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We reminisce about Tamagotchi parenthood, Beanie Baby ownership, the best 90s treats and snacks, and the ever-controversial Furby. There's definitely a ‘played office' as a kid to business owner pipeline, and we talk about the fun traits that Danielle's digital art project, 90s Babes, is inspired by. Which Powerpuff Girl are we most like? Which Spice Girl are we most like? Spoiler alert: Kinda all of them. We play Now or Then, where Danielle either loves certain nostalgic items today or leaves them back in the 90s (but looks back on fondly upon them). I will be leaving popcorn shirts in the 90s…BYE!!!! About our Guest Danielle is the definition of a 90s Boss Babe. She's worked at Google in their Google Ads department, and currently holds the title COO at a digital marketing agency. Helping to guide the creative direction and execution of the 90s Babes, she's hoping to build a strong community of individuals around the same mission — to open doors for women. Connect with Danielle Twitter 〰 90s Babes Twitter 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Shawn Eric Jones is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We answer questions like, when those true crime documentaries take place in a “small town”, how small are we really talking here? Is the sense of community in Friday Night Lights like real life? Why run a 90s nostalgia social media account? Shawn shares how he developed a love for 90s movies to see what the world was like outside of working on his grandparents' farm in rural Missouri. He also realized that life is not like the movies when he moved to LA and was in movies. I dive into my favorite extracurricular activity of high school: eating bagels and reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower. We play ‘Rent or Return', Southern US Edition, and I share about my crushing childhood (and adulthood??) fear of scary movie posters. (There was really nothing scarier as a child than a poster falling off the wall while you're sleeping.) We talk about the light side of pop culture and how nostalgia helps foster belonging, inclusion, empathy, and kindness. About our Guest Shawn comes from a small Missouri farm town where there are more cows than people. He's an actor and avid lover of everything 90s! Connect with Shawn Instagram 〰 YouTube 〰 Facebook Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Susanna Gore is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. I ask her what a 2000s kid time capsule would look like, and she tells me about her favorite 80s, 90s, and 00s memorabilia. We touch upon Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag's “How to be Famous” book, Bump Its, and old shows that did not age well, like Saved By The Bell. We play "Making The Band", where Susanna builds her own super band. (Spoiler alert: BSB may just be the perfect boy band to begin with.) What was life like without “Toxic” by Britney Spears?? Luckily, anyone born after 2004 will never have to know!! We obviously discuss the ILL (Impact, Life, and Legacy) of The Legendary Miss Britney Spears™️. She hopes that next gen kids can enjoy some of the nostalgic shows that we did, and we agree that people will be watching The Simple Life for generations. About our Guest Susanna has been collecting memorabilia of 1970's to early 2000's pop culture since she was 8yrs old. She currently loves to live a pop-princess fanatic lifestyle of the 90s to early 2000s. Her Instagram is 90sx2000saddict. Her TikTok is queenyspears. She really appreciates being part of the Nicstalgia podcast! Connect with Susanna Instagram 〰 TikTok Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Brian Blackmore is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We discuss inspo behind his popular Music Executive character on TikTok, the nepo babies and ‘odd visual experience' that was LMFAO, and setting the record straight between pumpkin spice vs. apple pie seasoning. We answer important questions like, when is the time to break out Mariah Carey's Christmas CD? (After Thanksgiving, so I can use it as the star on my tree!!) and why is Michael Bublé always filled with joy? (Because he is rich from Christmas song royalties!!!) We explore the phenomenon that is Weird Al (can't wait for the movie) because he made it okay to be well, weird. We tend to judge our past selves for how successful we were at ‘fitting in' with others, but tbh we were just meant to stand out in the first place. Brian is my first guest from the lovely state of Connecticut, so we talk about concert venues, “tag sales”, amusement parks (forgot to mention that I did karaoke to “Say My Name” at Quassy in 2001 but it's worth noting), Starbucks vs. Dunkin (actually Perkatory) and the most important jingle of ALL TIME. About our Guest Brian Blackmore is a DJ/ Musician/ Producer & Content Creator. Connect with Brian TikTok 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Kate Steinberg is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. She's the Mary Kate to my Ashley, and it feels like we've known each other since 2007. We really paint the picture of the Middle School Dance ™️, how yes, Abercrombie lace camis are vintage, and how we used to wear multiple camis and polos at once. We dig deep into nostalgic fashion: the peril of wearing a strapless bra, the status symbol of having multiple bra straps showing, and the unlocked memory of clear Victoria's Secret bra straps. We may not have been in the “popular” cliques, but we DID invent leggings as pants at our respective schools!!! We break down brave 2000s looks, including leggings and denim skirts with flip flops all year round, yoga pants under cheer uniforms, and Soffe shorts rolled 4 times. We walk through the FULL Limited Too shopping experience, Kate gives her incredible picks for nostalgic back to school outfits, and we share which local restaurants we went to with friends in high school. About our Guest Kate unlocks memories one video a time on TikTok. Connect with Kate TikTok 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Tom McLeod from Arkive is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We discuss the objects that serve as milestone-markers throughout childhood and his formative memories around gaming. (Well actually, Tom playing games and me eating popcorn watching other people play games.) There's definitely a Slap Bracelet Entrepreneur to Tech Founder pipeline. You'll learn why pop culture will move the needle toward mass adoption in web3, how Beethoven was really just the Drake of his time, which piece of pop culture memorabilia I finally bought off eBay, and why one day, 80s-90s ‘Grandma Names' will become cool once again. We explore the maps ➡️ Mapquest ➡️ physical GPS ➡️ smartphone GPS timeline and work together to wrap our heads around the fact that we are further from Y2K now than we were then from the creation of the internet. Are the malls in New Jersey superior? As Tri-state area natives, we say yes. About our Guest Tom McLeod is a 5x serial entrepreneur. Currently he is building Arkive; unlocking the value of Smithsonian-like museum treasuries by letting members curate a distributed collection of offline valuable cultural artifacts brought on chain. Along with a passion for tech and the arts, Tom has a dedicated interest in service and supporting diverse communities. He sits on the board of the investment platform Firma and Camelback Ventures as well as advising numerous founders and startups. Connect with Tom Twitter Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Jessica Conrad is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We discuss the best 2000s movie soundtracks, 'cheese grater' music videos, and our shared formative experience: DANCE!! We deep dive on dance studio culture and its impact on music discoverability, the dance world's impact on pop culture, and the harsh realities of a career in dance. You'll hear about Jessica's epic 8th grade talent show performance, where she got a standing ovation, and how middle school was actually kinda like Mean Girls IRL. Turns out, you don't have to choose between being a dance girl, theater kid, or emo kid: all can coexist. It's hard to make a decision about what to do with the rest of your life at 17, but what really matters is being the kind of person your teenage self would think is cool. About our Guest Jessica is a nostalgia creator who infuses her love for the 2000's emo/scene culture with her passion for theatre. Her IG/TikTok takes a page out of every angsty teenagers book of repressed memories. Connect with Jessica TikTok 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Rachel Burke from 90s Obscurity is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. What did we do when we didn't know the name of a song before Google or lyrics before Shazam?? Called the radio station. How did we get to dELiA*s before Google Maps, GPS, or Mapquest? Honestly, I don't exactly know. We talk about 90s music, fashion, and movies, and despite how trend cycles repeat every 20 years or so, people always look to pop culture to explore and express their ever-evolving identity. Was being a teenager better when there was no technology/cell phones/social media? TLDR – yes. Rachel is Team Dylan and breaks down the Aaron Spelling universe: seminal 90s classic TV shows Beverly Hills, 90210 and its spinoff Melrose Place. Think you know every 90s song? Think again: She also shares the bands and recommends a song that truly IS 90s obscurity. About our Guest Rachel is the host of the 90's Obscurity Show, which features highly underrated music, movies and pop culture references from the 90's. Her show airs every Monday at 7pm on B2 Internet Radio, and every Tuesday on Spotify. Connect with Rachel Instagram Links Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Tasafila from R3WIND (formerly Blockbuster DAO) is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Tasafila stands for ‘Take a second and fall in love again', which I stan. He's a literal neighbor to the last-standing Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon and a friend who hangs out with me at the intersection of pop culture, nostalgia, and web3. We explore the evolution of media, culture, and technology and ultimately how this content and culture bring us together. I loved geeking out over web3, how archival IP and ‘licensed nostalgia' can enable a whole new era of content and pop culture, how integrity can be maintained in the space, and how exploitation of legacy brands ultimately replicates web2's problems in web3. We play Rent or Return, where Tasafila picks which ‘classic' movies he was into (or not). He shares his curated movie picks, just like the Blockbuster employees do, except he doesn't put Requiem for a Dream (traumatizing) in between Disney Pixar movies. I have the opportunity to talk about my favorite meta humor-filled, campy, extra, overtly gratuitous movie, Spiceworld, at relative length. About our Guest Tasafila is the founder of R3WIND (formerly BlockbusterDAO), a content ecosystem that gives power back to the creators. Connect with Tasafila Twitter Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Bridget from Literal Trash 2004 is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We explore how having ‘bad taste' is really arbitrary, the shadow side of pop culture, tabloid culture, low culture, bimbofication, and how superficiality and vapidness on the internet can actually be fun. Not everything has to be ~so deep~ right?? If you've ever thought about why Paris, Lindsay, Britney, Nicole, Mischa, and so many others were made out to be villains by the media, how fame was so detrimental to high-visibility celebrities before social media democratized access to having a platform, or a time when there was a divide between the public and celebrities, you will love this episode. We play Trashy or Trendy with 2000s culture staples like Von Dutch, Ed Hardy, Jersey Shore, Playboy Bunny motifs. If you had pink, lime green, and zebra print bedroom decor, you are trash!! (It's okay, we are too.) About our Guest Bridget is the account runner of the literaltrash2004 instagram and lover of all things trashy, celebrity, and chaos! Connect with Literal Trash 2004 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Janine from Retro Avocado is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. She gets the inspo for her nostalgic content, her favorite music videos and 90s movies, and which fashion trends & hairstyles that she loves vs. ones that she'd leave in the past. Our convo is all about channeling enthusiasm and joy into everything you do, from wearing butterfly clips to watching old music videos to making playlists. You'll find out what mall store has the most accurate Y2K-era clothing that looks like it was literally stolen from our closets, and remember how sending text messages and the Hairagami were VERY expensive!! We touch on the compelling journalism that is our elementary school journals, what it was like for Janine to style on-set for an emo music video, how I live vicariously through apparently ~everyone~ around me who got to be in an emo music video in the 2000s, and how music was so much more dramatic back then. Important PSA: anyone looking to cast an emo music video, please contact me immediately!!! About our Guest Janine is a pop culture and nostalgia obsessed theatre nerd-turned-content creator. Her Retro Avocado Tiktok/IG is an exploration of millennial memories that unite us all! Connect with Retro Avocado TikTok 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Kpop Sociology is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. Whether you're new to Kpop or already a devoted fandom member, you'll enjoy this episode! We chat about how Kpop and fandom is a unifying force that fosters genuine connection, gives a voice to people discontent with their reality, and makes people feel like they belong. Kpop Sociology shares what it was like growing up in South Korea, the difference between Kpop in the 90s-00s and now, how content and entertainment is created for global consumption, and how artists are moving toward authenticity. We touch on the grueling training process, a concern for idols' mental health, and why dating is a no-no in Kpop, in contrast to PR relationships in the US. If you haven't heard the song that first got me into Kpop, please do yourself a favor and listen to PARTY by Girls' Generation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQzu7NYlZNQ About our Guest Kpop Sociology is a content creator promoting the critical consumption of Kpop. She combines her experience growing up in South Korea, 20+ years following the industry with sociology knowledge to help her international audience better understand and enjoy Kpop. Connect with Kpop Sociology YouTube 〰 Twitter 〰 TikTok 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Perry Goeders is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about the inspiration behind her TikTok series, if department stores had a reality show. Who can forget the sensory experience that is going to the mall? Hot Topic is literally a time machine to 2005, wouldn't you agree? We describe the difference between emo kids and scene kids; is it just a ‘you had to be there' kinda thing?? From being forced to fit into boxes to cosplaying different aesthetics, teenagers have always looked for an outlet to find out who they are and create an identity for themselves. We also dive into the legacy, personal brand, and impact of Britney Spears. As MTV's Diary said, “You think you know, but you have no idea.” About our Guest Perry is an actress and content creator. You might recognize her eyes and mouth from the Real Department Stores series on TikTok. Perry is originally from North Carolina, but she ventured out to LA four years ago to pursue an MFA in Acting at California Institute of the Arts. She loves using her creativity to connect people by resurfacing old memories, pointing out the absurdism of class and societal standards, and providing brief intermissions from an increasingly crazy world. Connect with Perry TikTok Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Although we played with Bratz dolls in the 2000s, we didn't actually look like them (yet). We explore realistic, cringe, cursed yet iconic looks at a time when everyone had skinny eyebrows. Jeans over pants, capris, “going out tops”, layering, popped collars, bug sunglasses, ‘thin useless scarves', mod revival, non-functional belts, shrugs, and more! We flash back to what accessories/styles were all the rage, how people incorrectly call the McBling aesthetic “Y2K” fashion, and why these styles, despite having seen the trend cycle repeat in the 2020s, will never be the same as they once were. We also play Vogue or Rogue, where I go through my old outfits of the 2000s and rate whether they're cute or just cursed. Lesson of the day from the ever-iconic Paris Hilton: Stop being desperate!! My realistic 2000s fashion board on Pinterest All images courtesy of Pinterest. Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Where did all of our childhood toys go?? We'll talk about those super random, niche, obscure things you may have forgotten about. The goal here is to unlock those core memories and have you be like — whoa, I literally forgot about that!! Today we go through my Pinterest board, specific nostalgic things. Did you run your own Fisher Price town? Do you remember end-of-the-analog-era electronics? To what beauty lengths did we go to in order to achieve middle school dance perfection? You know who really woke up and chose violence – people vying for Beanie Baby McDonald's toys. Content warning for my sister: The Cabbage Patch Doll that ate kids' hair!! (Don't worry, I do not mention F*rby, but do mention an obscene amount of Barbies.) We reminisce about games, books, outdoor toys, having MASH tell you you'd live in a mansion with Leonardo DiCaprio and 3 kids, and of course, the rainbow parachute from gym class. Times really were simpler then. My specific nostalgic things board on Pinterest Fisher Price Dream Dollhouse computer game Barbie Magic Hair Styler computer game Riverside podcasting platform All images courtesy of Pinterest. Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Why were the members of TLC called “T-Boz”, “Left Eye” and “Chili”?? Wait, Sinbad discovered a girl band?? Why do we all know someone who did a tap dance to “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”?? No one can really be sure. Berry Gordy is related to WHO?? Technically, not to Beyoncé. You know who IS related? Sister duos Tegan & Sara, The Veronicas, Aly & AJ, Nina Sky, and Cherish are. (Bounce with it, drop with it, lean with it, rock with it!!) Yes Spice Girls is factually, historically, and scientifically the best-selling girl group of all time, but I barely talk about them because they deserve their own episode. I can't keep you here all day!! Please note that any and all statistics mentioned here are either kind of accurate or completely wrong. (Sad face, Destiny's Child and Pussycat Dolls were only mentioned briefly in this ranking, although you know we discuss Nicole Scherzinger's first act, Eden's Crush, in further detail.) We travel around the world and discuss girl bands from the US, Ireland, UK, Scandinavia, and Asia. We also discuss girl groups across rap/hip hop, contemporary R&B, and pop genres. (I forgot to mention rock lol — shoutout to The Donnas, my favorite rock girl band!!) Also *NSYNC comes up kind of a lot in this episode. Giving JC Chasez more press than his actual publicist did in the early 2000s. I explain a crazy Mandela Effect sensation I experience around him and what it has to do with one of my favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. So you'll learn little-known facts about these groups, my predictions for a girlband (or boyband) revival, what needs to change in the music industry before that happens, and how web3 and emerging technology can facilitate that shift. Please note there is SOOOO much nuance here and I wish I could fit it all in a reasonably-timed episode!! Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Perri Godsk & Sofia Ishaq of butterland are featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. The real question here is, if we know better, do we actually do better? When it comes to media literacy, nah, not really. In this episode, we answer questions like, when did we go from buying 13 different eyeshadow palettes to needing a 13-step skincare routine? Is reality well, reality, or is it just a ‘reality' being sold to us by companies? (Spoiler alert: both. See: endless number of celeb skincare, makeup, and perfume lines.) We deep dive on the Kardashians: Yay or nay? Do they – or any celebrities – have a responsibility to be role models? Do we even care anymore either way? Regardless, I think we can really all agree that season 1 of KUWTK (and all of its contrivances) reigns supreme. What are the implications of deep fakes and beauty filters? We explore the intersection of media literacy, social media marketing, influencer 1.0 culture, and big tech, so you'll learn how to decipher online what's real and what's not. About our Guests Perri & Sofia are strategic marketing consultants who work with tech startups. Connect with Perri & Sofia Website 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Shirin Carmel Bucknam of Crypto Witch Club is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We discuss crypto education through the lens of pop culture. (Per usual, this is not financial or investing advice.) In a world of Krypto Kurrencies, where Kris Jenner is Bitcoin, how can we prepare ourselves for the inevitable grand entrance of Kanye into web3? (Ask him later.) We get answers from the Elle Woods of Crypto™️ about how crypto twitter (CT) is adding new language to the social lexicon, much like we experienced watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and how Seth Green is somehow at the intersection of both. Regina George ~may or may not~ be Satoshi Nakamoto, the founder(s) of Bitcoin, because she has the whitepapers and she's not afraid to use them. About our Guest Shirin Carmel Bucknam is co-founder of Crypto Witch Club -- an inclusive, equitable space for all to learn about everything blockchain tech + Web3. She believe equity lies in education and can provide easy-to-understand answers to blockchain + web3-related questions for your audience. Prior to launching Crypto Witch Club in September 2021, Shirin and her business partner Kaitlin ran a PR + Marketing Consultancy in NYC for over 8 years. Connect with Crypto Witch Club Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Facebook 〰 Pinterest 〰 TikTok Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

In this episode, we talk about the monoculture and web1 (the early internet), the progression of subculture in tandem with the emergence of social media, and the fashion, trends, and technology that supported us through it all. TIME article 〰 Facebook article 〰 Myspace article 〰 AIM article Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Barbara Barna Abel is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about how enthusiasm is valuable (and marketable!), how to avoid the ‘shoulds', stand out as yourself, and find your calling when you don't fit into neat little boxes. There's no shame in being a super fan!! We go over what being a ‘sellout' means nowadays, how to grow, change, and progress toward your goals while still being consistent to your values. There's something to say for taking risks, putting yourself out there, and doing things for the Highest and Best™️ instead of clinging to a false safety and security by staying in your comfort zone. 4:18 How to pursue something when you know you're meant for more 9:05 How I started my TikTok account based on BTS 16:59 Our first concerts and how the concert industry has evolved over time 21:54 The difference between nostalgia and ‘nowstalgia' 26:25 My nowstalgia for the 1970s 28:19 How to not be a ‘sellout' (especially when you have to sell) 37:20 How fans need to stop gatekeeping and grow with artists as they grow 44:40 Why I no longer have shame about being a fan girl About our Guest Barbara is a multi-media communications coach, creative advisor, talent & executive development expert and the host of the award-winning podcast, Camera Ready & Abel, exploring the intersections of media, change and personal growth. Connect with Barbara Website 〰 Podcast 〰 Instagram 〰 LinkedIn 〰 Facebook 〰 Twitter 〰 YouTube Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

In this episode, we talk about why 2010s nostalgia is already being talked about, fast fashion and social media (SHEIN hauls have entered the chat), how trends travel through the diffusion of innovations (Instagram Reels and wired headphones lol), some of my 2010s revival predictions (breaking down cheugy, arm parties, nostalgia and web3, the creator economy, etc.), and what social media platforms were like in the 2010s vs 2020s. Get ready to explore the threads of continuity that connect the past with the present and even the future. 3:05 Gen Z is getting nostalgic for their own lives for the first time 5:50 The parallel acceleration of fast fashion and social media in the 2010s 14:09 Fashion trend revival predictions 23:26 Technology predictions: nostalgia and web3, the creator economy, and the difference between web1, web2, and web3 26:44 How social media platforms were different then and now, #TBT, mobile view, the ubiquity of apps 32:13 Looking at how society at large evolved: viral social media dances, challenges, memes 33:12 How the 2010s relate to the future: crypto 35:23 I forgot to talk about Indie Sleaze, oops!! But it's already coming back!! Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Jamie from Millennial Misery is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We speak about what it's like running a meme account. Meme pages make us realize we all kinda had the same childhood/life to some extent, don't they?! (Sidebar: Here's your reminder that there are ~real people~ behind all social media accounts, so be kind online – and IRL for that matter.) Do I have to go buy Spice Girls lollipops on eBay for $200? Also, how did my mom throw away my childhood toys without me noticing!!!??? 1:26 Showing your kids nostalgic things from your childhood and raising kids with technology 4:06 How Jamie started Humorous Resources and Millennial Misery 6:17 Unlocking my deepest core memory: Fisher Price Dream House PC game 12:19 The nostalgia boom is not just about an obsession with the past 14:22 Millennial work culture and mental health awareness 22:44 How Biggie, Lil Kim, and 90s hip hop shaped Jamie 28:30 Setting boundaries with technology when you run a meme account 33:54 What Jamie would tell her followers trying to get the hang of “adulting” About our Guest Self-proclaimed, Chief Meme Officer, Jamie of Millennial Misery and Humorous Resources created a safe place for millennials to submerge themselves in nostalgia and for work professionals to laugh at memes about their corporate professional lives. Connect with Jamie Instagram (Millennial Misery) 〰 Instagram (Humorous Resources) 〰 Facebook 〰 TikTok 〰 Twitter Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

In this episode, I talk about the most loved and hated brand of the 2000s: Abercrombie & Fitch. We touch on the recent Netflix documentary and get into my personal experience having working in the store in the late 2000s, perspective on Abercrombie's mall/brand/selling culture, how A&F managed to successfully rebrand after being a complete dumpster fire, why traumatized Millennials and unknowing Gen Z alike still buy their clothes now in 2022, what A&F's goals are going forward, and how to decide if companies like these with problematic pasts, leadership, etc. are worth supporting. 4:30 Mall culture, brand culture, and selling culture of Abercrombie (or lack thereof) 7:36 How I started working there and what my experience was like 8:52 The sexualized visual representation and aesthetic of the brand 11:26 The exclusionary brand standards, what being “brand” means 14:48 Why/when A&F started declining and the overall retail landscape 18:57 How A&F successfully rebranded 23:15 A&F's business goals moving forward 28:50 How to evaluate where you want to shop based on your values My Spotify Playlist, 2008 Gilly Hicks actual playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3u0JGMJYz6O8NGtOhFdOzP?si=2ccec1ef16284d22 Connect with Nic TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoletremaglio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoletremaglio Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/nicoletremaglio Special Thanks

In this episode, I talk about the 2000s and what inspired trends, what the handbags of the moment were (okay yes some of them aren't designer, fine, but whatever!!), what getting their first designer bag ultimately meant for a tween or teenage girl specifically in the 2000s, and how you can channel that energy in a positive way as an adult (without having to prove your worth through material items). I'm bestowing all of my knowledge onto you from both my bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising AND my honorary degree from MKU (Michael Kors University), you're welcome!! Also some of these are not technically designer but they were ~obsessions~ of us tweens and teens in the 00s. 1:31 Differentiating designer vs. luxury vs. speciality mall stores; how fashion is problematic 4:42 Conspicuous Consumption; Differentiating counterfeit from knock-off handbags 9:30 Connecticut: The Dooney & Bourke State 11:56 Taking a mini-break from designer: Initial Bags, Mixed Media Bags and Backpacks 16:22 We cannot talk about the 2000s without mentioning Juicy Couture 18:39 THE bag to represent the 2000s: The Coach Monogram Wristlet 20:58 5 Things - What getting your first handbag meant as a 2000s teen 27:04 How we can channel the positive, excited energy those things bring – as an adult Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Vinnie Potestivo is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about my personal favorite era of MTV – the late 90s-early 00s. the energy of youth culture. He worked on The Osbournes, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, and Punk'D, and even cast Beyoncé in Carmen: A Hip Hopera. Gen Xers were the first generation to scroll…through the TV Guide channel. Watch to find out how Snooki was first discovered! A large audience impacts culture, but it takes only one person to impact *people* who impact culture. Also, neither of us know which Scandinavian country has the most olympic wins. (It's Norway.) However, Vinnie DID get to be in Times Square at MTV for the Y2K New Year's Eve ball drop. Iconic!! 7:14 MTV's seamless transition from “The MTV Generation” (Gen X) to Millennials 12:32 How reality TV helps viewers draw parallels between culture and real life 14:09 How Snooki was discovered and the impact of Jersey Shore 17:26 How Bravo's reality programming got started 18:36 How Myspace, Facebook, and social media impacted mid 00s-era TV programming 30:51 Creators, evolving technology, and web3 38:19 Imposter syndrome, working outside of your industry, and learning new things 42:35 Cram and Vinnie's appearance on the Game Show Network About our Guest Vinnie Potestivo is a media brand advisor, personal brand strategist, and content coach. He is a well-trusted connector who creates, develops, produces, distributes, amplifies, and helps to monetize some of the most talked-about brands in modern pop culture. Connect with Vinnie Podcast 〰 LinkedIn 〰 Instagram Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Marisa Vitale is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about our shared experiences during our upbringing and how we were filmmakers, producers, editors, and choreographers recreating music videos (doing what we now call ‘content creation') in the early 2000s. We explore why people are critical of “Disney Adults”, and how we should really just let people enjoy what they love. Sidebar – the most recent compilation from the iconic collection, Now That's What I Call Music! 81, was released on January 28, 2022. 7:15 How the Disney World parks experience has changed with technology and motherhood 11:43 Why being a “Disney Adult” gets a bad rap 17:32 The Epcot experience: Technology, Education, and Culture 22:00 The music that defined our soundtrack over the years: Boy bands, concerts, burned CDs 27:14 Convincing my mom to buy Baby One More Time for me at Costco 31:47 Now That's What I Call Music 34:40 LG Chocolate, Motorola Razr: the coolest cell phones 41:01 Marisa's media background and the evolution from broadcasting to content creation About our Guest Marisa Vitale is a Pop Culture Guru and Disney Enthusiast with a background in Media Broadcasting. Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Nikki Pebbles is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about being an It Girl in the 2000s. (TW: Body image, EDs.) You probably smelled like Sweet Pea, Lovespell, and slightly burned hair. Reflecting on scrunching your hair yet having pin-straight bangs and always missing *one* single section on the back of your head when using a flat iron. We talk about why Millennial women especially are so triggered by the side vs. middle part and skinny vs. wide leg jeans. We have blown our chances at sponsorship with A&F and Victoria's Secret, and honestly, we're okay with it. 10:01 ConAir, CHI, Hot Tools: we loved straightening (read: frying) our hair 14:17 Middle School Dance Culture 19:32 Why Nikki loves J.Lo and why she was the first celeb she identified with 22:21 Barbies, tabloid culture, media literacy, and the impact on body image 29:47 Why Millennials are triggered by Gen Z making fun of them on TikTok 31:41 Why generational wars are the patriarchy at work 37:22 Why the skincare industry is the new diet industry, A&F and VS are still problematic 43:22 What Nikki would tell both Millennials and Gen Z about maintaining positive body image About our Guest Nikki Pebbles is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and special populations trainer with her master's degree in organizational psychology. Her virtual gym, Rock Your Body, provides fun at-home workouts. Connect with Nikki TikTok 〰 YouTube 〰 Instagram 〰 Join RYB Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Tatiana Lampa is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about how we wanted to be backup dancers, the impact of Bring It On in our becoming cheerleaders, bucket hats, and the false dichotomy that is Team Backstreet Boys vs. Team *NSYNC. While everyone else is out there watching nature or true crime documentaries, I am obviously more concerned with boy band documentaries. (Watch Lance Bass' documentary, The Boy Band Con: The L*u Pe*rlman Story here.) We can all agree that J.C. Chasez should have had a better publicist !!! 1:35 The impact of Total Request Live (TRL) 3:52 The false dichotomy of Team BSB vs. Team *NSYNC 13:32 The resonance of TLC 16:40 Our obsession with hats and hair accessories 19:58 Nickelodeon is my aesthetic, and my sister got slimed at Nickelodeon Studios 21:03 Universal Studios, and I have never seen Harry Potter movies 24:29 The greatest impact on Tatiana: TLC and Bring It On About our Guest Tatiana Lampa is an expert trainer, corrective exercise specialist and the founder of the Training with T App & Move better program. Connect with Tatiana Instagram 〰 Website Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks

Shakivla Todd is featured on this week's episode of Nicstalgia. We talk about being able to appreciate the past while realizing that much pop culture from the past is outdated or problematic now. Shakivla shares her experience of growing up between Southern California and South Carolina, having to always be Scary Spice as the only Black girl in her class, and getting a Spice Girls tattoo in London. We have a love for 90s R&B and recognize that there's really nothing like it in the present time. We also discuss why nostalgia and nowstalgia are so popular now, how brands can be a part of culture in 2022 without being performative, and how Lizzo made an impact as an unapologetically fat woman. 0:35 The Amanda Show and drawing a line between life vs. art, then and now 4:25 Sex and The City, The L Word aging badly 6:13 West Coast vs. East Coast upbringing 11:20 Shakivla's Spice Girls tattoo and having to be Scary Spice 15:43 90s R&B and lyrics we shouldn't have been singing as kids 21:51 Why nostalgia and nowstalgia are so popular right now in 2022 24:22 Millennial Nowstalgia for the 80s and trends repeating themselves 26:07 Abercrombie's successful rebrand and how brands can be inclusive About our Guest Shakivla (sha-key-la) is a 29 y/o queer, black femme that identifies as an extrovert—people magnet, if you will. She's from southern California and South Carolina equally, but currently lives in Brooklyn. She is the Social and Content Manager at IFundWomen and a portrait and branding photographer. Shakivla loves all things pop culture and is not afraid to add her commentary on the latest, past, and returned trends. Connect with Shakivla Instagram 〰 Website Connect with Nic TikTok 〰 Instagram 〰 Twitter 〰 Substack Special Thanks