Talk To The Hand Podcast

HAPPY PRIDE! If there’s anyone that embodies the principles of Pride, it’s RuPaul, America’s most famous and commercially successful drag queen. She burst on the scene in the 90s in New York City, catapulting the community into the spotlight and making drag a more mainstream lifestyle. From her talk show to her MAC cosmetics campaign, RuPaul has ALWAYS been unapologetically herself, authentic in her self-expression and striving to make the world a better place through loving yourself first so you can love others second. Did we mention she’s our de-facto spiritual teacher? This week, my dear friend Derric (@derricdalton) from the 3am Mystery Club Podcast (@3amclubpod) is with me to discuss a person we truly look up to and aim to embody every single day - the one and only magical RuPaul Charles. SOURCES https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/26129/1/this-unearthed-vid-shows-rupaul-at-his-90s-best (https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/26129/1/this-unearthed-vid-shows-rupaul-at-his-90s-best) https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/drag-explosion-fabulousness-defiance-90s-drag-n1252395 (https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/drag-explosion-fabulousness-defiance-90s-drag-n1252395) https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-talk-show-1996-michelle-visage/ (https://screenrant.com/rupaul-drag-race-talk-show-1996-michelle-visage/) http://www.newnownext.com/linda-simpson-the-drag-explosion-book-rupaul/12/2020/ (http://www.newnownext.com/linda-simpson-the-drag-explosion-book-rupaul/12/2020/) https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/51358/1/watch-rupaul-drag-race-christmas-holiday-special-1997-cult-tv-youtube (https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/51358/1/watch-rupaul-drag-race-christmas-holiday-special-1997-cult-tv-youtube) https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8488631/rupaul-drag-race-guest-judges-nirvana-jimmy-kimmel-live-video (https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8488631/rupaul-drag-race-guest-judges-nirvana-jimmy-kimmel-live-video) https://www.thethings.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-rupaul/ (https://www.thethings.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-rupaul/) https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/6/17085244/rupaul-trans-women-drag-queens-interview-controversy (https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/3/6/17085244/rupaul-trans-women-drag-queens-interview-controversy) https://www.mic.com/articles/44947/how-rupaul-became-a-leading-icon-in-the-gay-community#.mjWQkaIfc (https://www.mic.com/articles/44947/how-rupaul-became-a-leading-icon-in-the-gay-community#.mjWQkaIfc) https://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/33452/1/why-rupaul-was-a-cultural-icon-long-before-drag-race (https://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/33452/1/why-rupaul-was-a-cultural-icon-long-before-drag-race)

For 51 days in 1993, the FBI and ATF were in an increasingly tense standoff with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, an extreme far-right religious sect outside of Waco, Texas. After a search and arrest warrant led to a gunfight leaving 10 dead, negotiators and tactical teams squared off about how to get the Branch Davidians out safely for nearly two months.  Ultimately, the Waco siege culminated in tragedy, reframing how America looks at aggressive paramilitary responses from the government and reinforcing the distrust of government in far-right groups. And we are still dealing with both of these realities almost 30 years later. This week, we are covering the siege at Waco.  CW: Cults, physical and sexual abuse, violence, suicide, death, drugs, gun violence. SOURCES https://www.history.com/topics/1990s/waco-siege (https://www.history.com/topics/1990s/waco-siege) https://www.vox.com/2016/1/5/10714746/waco-ruby-ridge-oregon (https://www.vox.com/2016/1/5/10714746/waco-ruby-ridge-oregon) https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/flashback-waco-cult-showdown-ends-in-disaster-124074/ (https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/flashback-waco-cult-showdown-ends-in-disaster-124074/) https://abcnews.go.com/US/survivors-1993-waco-siege-describe-happened-fire-ended/story?id=52034435 (https://abcnews.go.com/US/survivors-1993-waco-siege-describe-happened-fire-ended/story?id=52034435) https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-waco-review-20180124-story.html (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-waco-review-20180124-story.html)

The office landscape looks a LOT different 22 years after Mike Judge’s 1999 comedy Office Space. It was changing even BEFORE Covid hit, and this last year has accelerated its change even more - but we love the movie just the same. This week we’re discussing the cult classic, our favorite characters and scenes, and the fate of the 90s office as portrayed in media all those years ago. So let’s head over to Chotchkie’s for coffee, but make sure you have enough flair and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD do not tell anyone they have a case of the Mondays. Sources Mentalfloss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/556414/office-space-mike-judge-things-to-look-for (https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/556414/office-space-mike-judge-things-to-look-for) Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/office_space/quotes/ (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/office_space/quotes/)

90s kids, FIND YOUR SEATS - Mama Spurlock is in the house. This week, my mom - the queen herself, Shelley Spurlock - is joining me to talk all about what it was like to be a parent in the 90s. From art docent-ing to leading the Brownie troops to rescuing injured, sick, or orphaned birds, my mom’s experience of the 90s was NOTHING short of spectacular. Which is not surprising if you know her. So jump into our 90s minivan-shaped time machine and travel back to the Sacramento of thirty years ago with us. Just make sure to bring your earplugs in case we take you to a 98 Degrees concert. Raise Your Hand Foundation http://www.raiseyourhandfoundation.org (www.raiseyourhandfoundation.org) https://www.facebook.com/Raise-Your-Hand-Foundation-105296379528047 (https://www.facebook.com/Raise-Your-Hand-Foundation-105296379528047) shelley@ryhf.org Please consider a Big Day of Giving Donation on May 6th to make your gift go even further: bigdayofgiving.org/RAISEYOURHANDFOUNDATION

What do Anna Nicole Smith and Ruth Bader Ginsburg have in common? RBG, ever the women’s empowerment champion, wrote the majority opinion in Anna’s Supreme Court case, allowing her to go after her fair share of her late husband’s estate in the 2000s. So that’s pretty cool. This week I’m by myself discussing the 90s bombshell herself and how she paved the way for women and femmes to own their bodies and their sexualities in a way no one had ever seen before. So grab that coffee and settle in as we travel back to the Hollywood and Houston of the 90s to discuss a woman who was SO much more than a pretty face. SOURCE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJV-h8BqRPs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJV-h8BqRPs)

Hit the black light, blast some hip hop or Sublime, and settle in because we’re going back to the 90s for a look into pre-Y2K cannabis culture and how it has shaped the way we view weed today. We've come a long way, baby, and we would be absolutely nowhere without pot pioneers of the 90s like Snoop Dogg, Brad Pitt, Dave Chapelle, Chris Tucker and Ice Cube, The Dude, and so many more. So if you’re toking up today, burn one for them. And if not, that's cool too. For legislative cannabis advocacy resources visit https://norml.org (https://norml.org).  SOURCES https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/19/10/14554582/thanks-to-weed-every-cool-movie-in-the-90s-was-a-stoner-movie (https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/19/10/14554582/thanks-to-weed-every-cool-movie-in-the-90s-was-a-stoner-movie) https://www.theatlantic.com/membership/archive/2019/01/25-years-reefer-madness/580351/ (https://www.theatlantic.com/membership/archive/2019/01/25-years-reefer-madness/580351/) https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1994/08/reefer-madness/303476/ (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1994/08/reefer-madness/303476/) https://merryjane.com/culture/why-was-marijuana-such-a-big-deal-in-the-90s (https://merryjane.com/culture/why-was-marijuana-such-a-big-deal-in-the-90s) https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/cannabis-hip-hop/ (https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/cannabis-hip-hop/) https://www.theatlantic.com/letters/archive/2019/04/marijuana-decriminalization-1990s-reefer-madness/587617/ (https://www.theatlantic.com/letters/archive/2019/04/marijuana-decriminalization-1990s-reefer-madness/587617/) https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-09-ca-43823-story.html (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-09-ca-43823-story.html)

When American Pie was released in the summer of 1999, movie theaters weren’t prepared for the onslaught of underage kids sneaking in to watch the raunchy sex jokes, gross stunts, and heartwarming friendships. The film was an instant hit among teens, because a movie FINALLY depicted how awkward it was to be a teenager learning how your body works - and how embarrassing it seemed for others to witness those lessons. This week, we are talking about the beloved late 90s films American Pie 1 and 2 and how the series shaped the teen sex comedy for the future. So grab a pale ale and join us for an episode that is guaranteed to take you right back to the nostalgic days of Blink 182 and warm apple pie. And if you create a Green Day/Blink 182 crossover cover band named Green 182, please let us know if you need a bassist or keyboardist, thanks.

GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL! If you played Pokémon in the 90s at school, you knew it was practically an underground economy. 10-year-old card slingers, if they were smart and savvy, operated like drug kingpins. Except instead of illicit drugs, they were trading pieces of cardboard. And it was so much more than a game - it was a community, a unifier, a way of life. Even if you didn’t play Pokémon - and even if you know NOTHING about Pokémon (like me, Sarah) - you will TOTALLY enjoy this episode with our friend Julien, comedian, Pokémon trader, professional poker player, and my good friend from my Political Science days at UC Davis more than a decade ago. Did you play Pokémon? Let us know: What was your favorite part of Pokémon — the show, the OG games, the spinoff games, the card game?  Who was your favorite and who was your starter? What’s your favorite type? How did you build a team — was it all one type like a gym leader, or was it more strategized like your Rival? What do you think Happened to Gary’s Ratticate on the SS Anne? Did you ever get a full Pokédex? Did you ever catch ‘em all? You can find Julien on Instagram at @esfplayer. SOURCES https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/History_of_Pok%C3%A9mon (https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/History_of_Pokémon) https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/Z7zHxltyWtFNzcoXPZAbjI/A-brief-history-of-Pokmon.html (https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/Z7zHxltyWtFNzcoXPZAbjI/A-brief-history-of-Pokmon.html) https://youtu.be/cH6dWY86GmE (https://youtu.be/cH6dWY86GmE)

Settle in for Part 2 of our chat with Henry Rollins! In our humble punk rock opinion, Henry Rollins is one of the most prolific and inspiring artists of all time. Vocalist and frontman of Black Flag and the Rollins Band, actor, author, essayist, spoken word performer, activist - it would probably be easier to count how many artistic mediums he HASN'T tried. He had a wild 90s between being the first note of the first song of the first Lollapalooza in 1991, winning a Grammy in 1995, traveling to all seven continents and 92 countries, and writing books including one that would eventually become a sacred text for traveling musicians. Oh, and also he was the ring bearer/best man at our wedding last year which is also pretty cool. This week we will drop two sides to our interview/chat with Henry (okay, two parts - Side A and Side B) where we learn all about his early childhood music education and radical politicization, what the music scene was like in LA during the 80s and 90s, and so. much. more. So rise above, grab a six-pack, and settle in for the kind of stories and lessons that only Henry Rollins can give. You can find Henry on Instagram @henryandheidi https://www.henryrollins.com/ (https://www.henryrollins.com/ ) Henry’s Publishing Company 2.13.61 https://www.twothirteensixtyone.com/ (https://www.twothirteensixtyone.com/)

In our humble punk rock opinion, Henry Rollins is one of the most prolific and inspiring artists of all time. Vocalist and frontman of Black Flag and the Rollins Band, actor, author, essayist, spoken word performer, activist - it would probably be easier to count how many artistic mediums he HASN'T tried. He had a wild 90s between being the first note of the first song of the first Lollapalooza in 1991, winning a Grammy in 1995, traveling to all seven continents and 92 countries, and writing books including one that would eventually become a sacred text for traveling musicians. Oh, and also he was the ring bearer/best man at our wedding last year which is also pretty cool. This week we will drop two sides to our interview/chat with Henry (okay, two parts - Side A and Side B) where we learn all about his early childhood music education and radical politicization, what the music scene was like in LA during the 80s and 90s, and so. much. more. So rise above, grab a six-pack, and settle in for the kind of stories and lessons that only Henry Rollins can give. You can find Henry on Instagram @henryandheidi Henry’s Publishing Company 2.13.61 https://www.twothirteensixtyone.com/ (https://www.twothirteensixtyone.com/)

The age old question: were they on a break?  Ross Gellar and Rachel Green were one of the most iconic couples of the 90s, fictional or not. A lot of their relationship was problematic in hindsight, but there are some moments that show true and genuine love for each other. And all of it kept us coming back week after week, blunder after blunder, silly sitcom scenario after silly sitcom scenario. This week I’m by myself discussing Rachel and Ross - both the sketchy and the beautiful aspects of their relationship then and now, whether I thought they were on a break or not, the moments when Rachel stood up for herself, fan commentary, and my top 5 Ross and Rachel moments of the whole series. Because Ross and Rachel gave us hope that we may all, one day, find our lobster. Anti-Racism Resources: https://www.antiracismdaily.com/ (https://www.antiracismdaily.com/)  Gun Reform Resources: https://everytown.org/ (https://everytown.org/)  Domestic Abuse Resources: https://www.weaveinc.org/get-help (https://www.weaveinc.org/get-help)  Episode Sources https://gritdaily.com/ross-and-rachel/ (https://gritdaily.com/ross-and-rachel/) https://www.buzzfeed.com/kaylayandoli/times-rachel-called-ross-out-on-friends (https://www.buzzfeed.com/kaylayandoli/times-rachel-called-ross-out-on-friends) https://www.insider.com/the-best-and-worst-episodes-of-friends-according-to-fans (https://www.insider.com/the-best-and-worst-episodes-of-friends-according-to-fans) https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/friends-writers-didnt-originally-plan-to-break-up-ross-and-rachel.html/ (https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/friends-writers-didnt-originally-plan-to-break-up-ross-and-rachel.html/) https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/07/ross-rachel-break-friends (https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/07/ross-rachel-break-friends) https://screenrant.com/friends-best-couple-comparison-ross-rachel-monica-chandler/ (https://screenrant.com/friends-best-couple-comparison-ross-rachel-monica-chandler/) https://www.thethings.com/friends-ross-rachel-relationship-toxic-perfect/ (https://www.thethings.com/friends-ross-rachel-relationship-toxic-perfect/)

Nickelodeon in the 90s was way more than just a TV network - it was a community.  Being a kid could be confusing and scary and lonely and sad at times. It could also be totally boring and filled with entertainment that felt toned-down or even pandering. Adults ran the world, and kids had to live by their rules. But not with Nickelodeon. In the 90s, the kids owned Nickelodeon. It was a community where they could do what they wanted and totally be themselves - their true outrageous, goofy, normal, imaginative, and oftentimes gross kid selves. Some of what aired on the channel might have freaked your parents out a little, but that was the point, right?  This week we are joined by Scott Barber, the co-director of the newly-released documentary The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story, to talk all about the documentary, the shows, the characters, the brilliant executives and creators, and what it meant to be a Nick kid in the 90s - and what it means to be a (dare we say grown-up?) 90s Nick kid today. Because in our minds, once a Nick kid - always a Nick kid. The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqjb18BVz8c (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqjb18BVz8c) Instagram: @TheOrangeYears  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theorangeyears (facebook.com/theorangeyears)

Diana Spencer became the Princess of Wales in 1981 a few weeks after turning 20 years old and she immediately caught the attention of the whole world. People loved her accessibility, her warmth, her community service, and her style. But beneath it all, she was deeply unhappy and lonely, despite her boundless love for her two children and all the others she touched through her charity work. Devastatingly, she wasn’t able to escape it and passed away at 36 years old. Just a few days ago in March 2021, Meghan Markle, the former Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry’s wife, came forward with similar revelations about her time in the royal family - years marked by life-threatening depression, lack of support, loneliness, and the added layer of being a multiracial American woman in a deeply, historically oppressive institution. The similarities are stark, and the two womens’ stories tie together and paint a picture of a truly problematic system for women and women of color.  This week I’m by myself covering Princess Diana - her life, her legacy, and how her story is tied to Meghan’s - and my plea for compassionate media consumption as we see how damaging these systems are to women of all strides in the public eye. CW: Suicidal ideations, mental health, bipolar personality disorder, self-harm, disordered eating, public humiliation, shame, harassment

ROSEBUD. *cha-ching sound* *windfall of cash in your account* If only life was like the original The Sims when it was released in 2000. Right? You could pull a cheat code out of thin air and give yourself an influx of cash to build the house of your dreams and go on a ton of cool vacations. You could stand in front of your dresser and magically swap outfits. You could paint, read, play chess, work out. As a Sim, you could live easy. But it wasn’t all rosy to be a Sim - the Grim Reaper was always lurking, burglars could steal your stuff, you could set your kitchen on fire… No matter what happened to your Sims, the game was one of the first instances of that 90s-kid-epiphany that you had to be responsible for yourself and others or things could go sideways fast.  Join me with my sister Sam from SimpsontheGo as we discuss the original The Sims, the gameplay, the expansion packs, and the legacy. And let us know who you made as your spouse (a celebrity or real-life crush?) when you made yourself in the game. SimpsontheGo Instagram: @simpsonthego  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/simpsonthego SOURCES  “The Sims Made Me Realize I'm Ready for More in Life,”  Wired.com, February 2021 https://www.wired.com/story/sims-game-psychology/ (https://www.wired.com/story/sims-game-psychology/) “The Sims 1: Every Original Expansion Pack, Ranked,” TheGamer.com, Jun 2019 https://www.thegamer.com/the-sims-original-expansion-packs-ranked/ (https://www.thegamer.com/the-sims-original-expansion-packs-ranked/) “The Original “The Sims” Was Inherently Dark and Kind of Creepy,” Medium.com, July 2014 https://medium.com/@julialynnrubin/the-original-the-sims-was-inherently-dark-and-kind-of-creepy-2a0ba631f5a7 (https://medium.com/@julialynnrubin/the-original-the-sims-was-inherently-dark-and-kind-of-creepy-2a0ba631f5a7) “The Sims: Weird objects from the original game,” Extratime.media, October 2020 https://extratime.media/2020/10/19/the-sims-weird-objects-from-the-original-game/ (https://extratime.media/2020/10/19/the-sims-weird-objects-from-the-original-game/) “Why The Original Sims Game is Still the BEst in the Series,” Cultured Vultures, September 2017 https://culturedvultures.com/original-sims-still-best/ (https://culturedvultures.com/original-sims-still-best/) “How The Sims navigated 20 years of change to become one of the most successful franchises ever, Washington Post, February 2020 https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/02/04/how-sims-navigated-20-years-change-become-one-most-successful-franchises-ever/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/02/04/how-sims-navigated-20-years-change-become-one-most-successful-franchises-ever/) “31 things all original The Sims players will know all too well,” Metro News UK, June 2014 https://metro.co.uk/2014/06/08/31-things-all-original-the-sims-players-will-know-all-too-well-4754027/ (https://metro.co.uk/2014/06/08/31-things-all-original-the-sims-players-will-know-all-too-well-4754027/) “The Sims, Then and Now,” Bustle, September 2014 https://www.bustle.com/articles/38755-the-sims-then-and-now-your-comprehensive-guide-photos (https://www.bustle.com/articles/38755-the-sims-then-and-now-your-comprehensive-guide-photos)

25 years ago this month, a movie hit theaters that threatened to unseat Caddyshack for the greatest golf movie ever made. Except the main character wasn’t a golfer, he was a hockey player (with a wicked slapshot), and he made sure you never forgot it. This week Eric and I are celebrating the beloved 1996 Adam Sandler classic, Happy Gilmore, on its 25th filmaversary. Arguably one of the best comedies of the 90s, Happy Gilmore (and his iconic rival, Shooter McGavin)  imbued a ton of nostalgic memories in 90s kids and 90s kids at heart. So grab a Subway sandwich and a beer and settle in for a hilarious throwback to a movie that graced our 90s sleepovers and gave us a comedic hero we still love today. And if you have a 90s 9th Green at 9 Theme Party, please invite Eric and me, thanks. LINKS Happy Gilmore/Shooter McGavin Reunion: https://mashable.com/article/happy-gilmore-25-year-anniversary-reunion/ (https://mashable.com/article/happy-gilmore-25-year-anniversary-reunion/) Happy Gilmore/Bob Barker Fight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QJiAK-s5a0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QJiAK-s5a0)

If you and your gal pals from the 90s did any of the following, this episode is for you: 1) Made prank calls or obscure AIM screen names to see if your crush liked you. 2) Played MASH and read Seventeen magazine at sleepovers. 3) Did makeovers on each other or, heaven forbid, plucked each other's eyebrows. 4) Swooned over JTT while watching Home Improvement or TGIF. 5) Traded friendship necklaces and bracelets you got from Claire's. 6) Idolized iconic 90s friendships like Cher and Dion, Romy and Michele, Monica/Rachel/Pheobe, and more. 7) Supported each other as you all navigated the true weirdness of stepping into the Y2K digital information age while still trying to hang onto your imagination, creativity, and whatever childhood innocence you had and wanted to prolong. This week, two of my best girls - Alisa, my bestie who grew up with me in the 90s, and Laura, my bestie here with me in LA - recount all the fun things we did with our girlfriends in the 90s. To girlfriends everywhere, this episode is for you. Happy Galentine's Day!

In 1995, a bright, beautiful, motivated 22-year-old woman named Monica Lewinsky fell in love with the wrong man and suffered a heartbreak you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Who hasn’t? Although for Monica, the wrong man was the President of the United States, and her heartbreak played out for the world to witness, sending her into a deep depressive spiral that she almost didn’t survive. Fast forward to 2021, after years of therapy and deep healing work, she is now a major force in the activism against cyberbullying. Through her work and others', the tides of public humiliation have shifted since 2014, and she has since pivoted to become a major advocate of the #MeToo movement focusing on uncovering abuses of power in so-called consensual relationships. And she's a badass at it. Join me (by myself) as I explore her story in the 90s and the legacy of her status as “patient zero” of cyberbullying. And after you listen, raise a glass of your sparkliest bubbly to this sparkly human, whose presence brings solidarity and comfort to so many femmes/women today. CW: This episode contains depictions of shame, depression, suicidal thoughts, PTSD, sexual assault, power abuse,  and sexual harassment. Sources “The president has a girlfriend”: Linda Tripp’s betrayal of Monica Lewinsky and the taped phone calls,” ABCNews, January 2019: https://abcnews.go.com/US/president-girlfriend-linda-tripps-betrayal-monica-lewinsky-taped/story?id=59865969 (https://abcnews.go.com/US/president-girlfriend-linda-tripps-betrayal-monica-lewinsky-taped/story?id=59865969) Monica Lewinsky: Emerging from the House of Gaslight in the age of MeToo,” Vanity Fair, March 2018: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/02/monica-lewinsky-in-the-age-of-metoo (https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/02/monica-lewinsky-in-the-age-of-metoo) “Clinton Whistleblower Linda Tripp dies at 70, Monica Lewinsky Reacts to her Illness,” Refinery 29, April 2020 https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/04/9669757/monica-lewinsky-linda-tripp-death-cancer-twitter (https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/04/9669757/monica-lewinsky-linda-tripp-death-cancer-twitter) “Amid a new impeachment drama, onica Lewinsky works to rewrite her story, Boston Globe, February 2020 https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/04/metro/amid-new-impeachment-drama-monica-lewinsky-works-rewrite-her-story/ (https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/04/metro/amid-new-impeachment-drama-monica-lewinsky-works-rewrite-her-story/) “The Price of Shame,” Monica Lewinsky - Ted Talk, March 2015 https://www.ted.com/talks/monica_lewinsky_the_price_of_shame?language=en (https://www.ted.com/talks/monica_lewinsky_the_price_of_shame?language=en)

There is nothing more instantly recognizable from the 90s than Austin Powers. From the late 90s to the early 00s, Mike Myers and crew took us on a shagadelic ride from the Swingin’ 60s London to a “time where greed and corruption ruled again” (the 90s). With bad teeth, velour suits, and a free love worldview, Myers burned his classic groovy persona into our brains (along with the villainous Dr. Evil, of course). They are hands down still some of our all-time favorite movies and characters from the 90s. But do they hold up today? Join Eric and me as we hop into a groovy 1999 New Beetle and head to the colorful, fuzzy, love-filled world of Austin Danger Powers and reminisce about the franchise that taught American 90s kids what the word “shag” means. So pour a martini (shaken, not stirred) and hop in - and don’t you dare lose your mojo along the way. Warning, contains spoilers! Sources “Does Austin Powers Hold Up?” GQ, April 2018, https://www.gq.com/story/does-austin-powers-hold-up (https://www.gq.com/story/does-austin-powers-hold-up) “Austin Powers at 20: Mike Myers, Jay Roach, More Spill Secrets in Shagadelic Oral History,” Hollywood Reporter, April 2017: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/austin-powers-definitive-oral-history-mike-myers-jay-roach-more-reveal-secrets-997139 (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/austin-powers-definitive-oral-history-mike-myers-jay-roach-more-reveal-secrets-997139) “Austin Powers: All 3 Movies Ranked from Worst to Best,” Screenrant, September 2020 https://screenrant.com/austin-powers-movies-ranked-worst-best/ (https://screenrant.com/austin-powers-movies-ranked-worst-best/) “Austin Power Still Haunts the James Bond Franchise, The Ringer, April 2020 https://www.theringer.com/movies/2020/4/30/21241822/austin-powers-james-bond-camp (https://www.theringer.com/movies/2020/4/30/21241822/austin-powers-james-bond-camp) “Here’s Where the Jaguar E-Type from Austin Powers Is Now” , Hotcars.com, October 2020 https://www.hotcars.com/heres-where-the-jaguar-e-type-from-austin-powers-is-now/ (https://www.hotcars.com/heres-where-the-jaguar-e-type-from-austin-powers-is-now/) “The Criterion Channel Presents The Legendary Director Peter Bogdanovich on the Lasting Influence of Austin Powers in Goldmember,” The New Yorker, August 2020 https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/the-criterion-channel-presents-the-legendary-director-peter-bogdanovich-on-the-lasting-influence-of-austin-powers-in-goldmember (https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/the-criterion-channel-presents-the-legendary-director-peter-bogdanovich-on-the-lasting-influence-of-austin-powers-in-goldmember)

In the 90s, the first day of school was the prime moment to show off your new back-to-school swag. If you liked bright colors and cute animals, chances are that swag included products by Lisa Frank Inc., the artist/design company behind the instantly recognizable neon rainbows, unicorns, pink leopards, alien beauty queens, cute puppies, and more. Today, as various 90s aesthetics show up to the current culture in waves, the Lisa Frank vibe has simply never left. And we're NOT mad about it. Join me and my fabulous designer/screenprinter friend Jackie (@stayunratedpressco) from Stay Unrated Press Co. as we do a colorful swan dive back to the 90s to explore this vibrant world and its legacy today. And if you have a Lisa Frank-themed bachelorette, please invite us. Thanks! Stay Unrated Press Co. IG: @stayunratedpressco, website: stayunratedpressco.com  Sources “Lisa Frank Created the most nostalgic-inducing collection for Morphe,” Nylon.com, November 2020, https://www.nylon.com/beauty/morphe-tapped-lisa-frank-for-its-newest-and-most-colorful-collection-yet (https://www.nylon.com/beauty/morphe-tapped-lisa-frank-for-its-newest-and-most-colorful-collection-yet) “What Lisa Frank notebooks meant to me and why I want my daughter to have one too,” Moms.com, December 2020 https://www.moms.com/lisa-frank-notebook-mother-daughter-bond/ (https://www.moms.com/lisa-frank-notebook-mother-daughter-bond/) “Beauty fans are furious that Lisa Frank is collaborating with Morphe after they helped raise over $370,000 to create 90s-themed makeup that was never released”, Insider, November 2020 https://www.insider.com/lisa-frank-morphe-makeup-collection-backlash-2020-11 (https://www.insider.com/lisa-frank-morphe-makeup-collection-backlash-2020-11) “Lisa Frank’s Dulled Dreamland,” Everything Grande Prairie!, October 2020 https://everythinggp.com/2020/10/23/lisa-franks-dulled-dreamland/ (https://everythinggp.com/2020/10/23/lisa-franks-dulled-dreamland/) “You don’t have to be a 90s baby to appreciate the new Lisa Frank x Friends collection,” Popsugar, July 2020 https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/lisa-frank-x-friends-apparel-collaboration-47651324 (https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/lisa-frank-x-friends-apparel-collaboration-47651324) “19 Bright and Colorful Facts about Lisa Frank,” mentalfloss.com, July 2015 https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66688/17-bright-and-colorful-facts-about-lisa-frank (https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66688/17-bright-and-colorful-facts-about-lisa-frank) “Lisa Frank Posted This Drawing of Joe Exotic From “Tiger King” Looking Like the Cover of One of Their Notebooks And It’s Truly Art,” Buzzfeed, March 2020 https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/lisa-frank-posted-this-drawing-of-joe-exotic-from-tiger (https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/lisa-frank-posted-this-drawing-of-joe-exotic-from-tiger) “My stay at the Lisa Frank flat was all rainbows, unicorns, and… controversy”, LAist, November 2019 https://laist.com/2019/11/12/lisa_frank_flat_studio_mucci_controversy_theft_eviction_downtown_los_angeles.php (https://laist.com/2019/11/12/lisa_frank_flat_studio_mucci_controversy_theft_eviction_downtown_los_angeles.php) “PSA: Lisa Frank-Inspired Hot Dogs Exist,” Delish.com, August 2019 https://www.delish.com/food/a28877885/lisa-frank-inspired-hot-dogs-smorgasburg/ (https://www.delish.com/food/a28877885/lisa-frank-inspired-hot-dogs-smorgasburg/) “Inside the Rainbow Gulag: The Technicolor Rise and Fall of Lisa Frank,” Jezebel, December 2013 https://jezebel.com/inside-the-rainbow-gulag-the-technicolor-rise-and-fall-1179495705?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow (https://jezebel.com/inside-the-rainbow-gulag-the-technicolor-rise-and-fall-1179495705?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow)

Did you know that Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix in 2000 - and turned it down? Did you know there is one last Blockbuster remaining in Oregon, and it’s now an AirBnb that hosts unlimited movie nights? Did you know that you actually had until 3pm - not noon - to get that VHS tape back into the Blockbuster Quik (no c) Drop? Whether you knew those trivia facts or not - if you loved going to Blockbuster in the 90s, this episode is for you. This week I am by myself discussing one of the most comforting and nostalgic topics I could muster after last week’s heavy events - Blockbuster Video, and the ecstatic experience of going to the Blue and Yellow on Friday nights for your weekend video haul. So pop some popcorn and travel back to the 90s with me as we browse the aisles, imagine a Blockbuster amusement park (yes, that was almost a thing), and recall the golden rule of the decade: be kind, rewind. Sources “World’s last Blockbuster transforms into a 90s-themed Airbnb,” NBCNews.comm, August 2020: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/world-s-last-blockbuster-transforms-90s-themed-airbnb-n1236476 (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/world-s-last-blockbuster-transforms-90s-themed-airbnb-n1236476) “11 reasons why we still miss Blockbuster,” Insider.com, August 2018: https://www.insider.com/reasons-to-miss-blockbuster-2018-8 (https://www.insider.com/reasons-to-miss-blockbuster-2018-8) “Remembering the Glory Days of the Video Rental Store,” Atlas Obscura, August 2018: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/glory-days-of-the-video-rental-store (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/glory-days-of-the-video-rental-store) “21 Memories Every Kid Who Rented From Blockbuster WIll Have,” BuzzFeed, June 2017: https://www.buzzfeed.com/karlaagis/blockbuster-blues (https://www.buzzfeed.com/karlaagis/blockbuster-blues) “Guys, Blockbuster Wasn’t That Great,” Vulture, August 2019: https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/guys-blockbuster-wasnt-that-great.html (https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/guys-blockbuster-wasnt-that-great.html) “19 Things everyone who used to go to Blockbuster will remember,” Insider, August 2018: https://www.insider.com/best-things-blockbuster-2018-8 (https://www.insider.com/best-things-blockbuster-2018-8) ‘Be Kind, Rewind: Remembering the Golden Age of Blockbuster,” NY Times, March 2019: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/reader-center/remembering-blockbuster-videos.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/reader-center/remembering-blockbuster-videos.html) “The rise and fall of Blockbuster,” Business Insider, August 2020: https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-and-fall-of-blockbuster?amp (https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-and-fall-of-blockbuster?amp) “Blockbuster’s CEO once passed up a chance to buy Netflix for only $50 million”, Business Insider, July 2015: https://www.businessinsider.com/blockbuster-ceo-passed-up-chance-to-buy-netflix-for-50-million-2015-7 (https://www.businessinsider.com/blockbuster-ceo-passed-up-chance-to-buy-netflix-for-50-million-2015-7)

Shania Twain was the leopard-printed, crop-topped, empowered, talented, sophisticated, and sassy older sister we always wanted. She paved the way for a new generation of empowered young women to be themselves and not accept the status quo - or any of the limitations that society puts on them. And she had some amazing country chart-toppers that we can recall at the drop of a sequined cowgirl hat with only three simple words: let’s go, girls. This week, my cousin Candace (a super 90s girl herself) and I are discussing the Canadian-American Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain. So grab a sparkly rosé, don that double denim, and let’s go back to the 90s for some true country girl power.  Sources “Shania Twain references iconic song lyric in Brad Pitt birthday tweet” December 2020, Yahoo! Entertainment: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/shania-twain-references-iconic-song-lyric-in-brad-pitt-birthday-tweet-ill-make-an-exception-for-today-184951381.html (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/shania-twain-references-iconic-song-lyric-in-brad-pitt-birthday-tweet-ill-make-an-exception-for-today-184951381.html) “ShaniaTwainain, 55, sits on a bar wearing fishnets and boots as she reflects on her halted Las Vegas residency” December 2020, Inquisitr.com, https://www.inquisitr.com/6409661/shania-twain-fishnets-boots/ (https://www.inquisitr.com/6409661/shania-twain-fishnets-boots/) “Shania Twain: ‘You’re not allowed to be too pretty or too sexy or too anything as a woman’”, October 2020, The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/shania-twain-interview-woman-me-anniversary-albums-b745027.html (https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/shania-twain-interview-woman-me-anniversary-albums-b745027.html) “Shania Twain reflects on breakout album that changed country”, September 2020, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/shania-twain-reflects-breakout-album-changed-country-73345337 (https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/shania-twain-reflects-breakout-album-changed-country-73345337) “Shania Twain has ‘enough music for three albums’ after writing a ‘mountain’ of songs in quarantine,” October 2020, Taste of Country: https://tasteofcountry.com/shania-twain-new-music-quarantine-live-with-kelly-and-ryan/ (https://tasteofcountry.com/shania-twain-new-music-quarantine-live-with-kelly-and-ryan/)

In the late 90s, a new genre of music rose from the ashes of grunge. Labeled nu-metal, it was different from anything anyone had heard - it had loud, aggressive guitars, funky/jazzy beats and samples, electronic backgrounds, and hip hop vocals that evoked similar angst to punk and grunge. To the chagrin of many metal purists, it was often lumped within their diverse genre - but we know the MTV-fueled fanbase went wider than that. And thus - the basis of our nostalgia as we close out a year that felt oddly reminiscent of that chaotic, “I don’t know what to call it” energy. This week, I’m joined by Eric and his lifelong best friend Josh to discuss what we remember, love, and maybe are ready to forget about this controversial genre. So slip on that Adidas tracksuit and let’s get rollin’. Music video referenced in the episode: Mudvayne, “Dig, 1997 (youtube.com/watch?v=YIqbdnaPcT8) Sources 28 Nu Metal Era Bands You Probably Forgot All About, NME, September 2013 - https://www.nme.com/photos/28-nu-metal-era-bands-you-probably-forgot-all-about-1425509 (https://www.nme.com/photos/28-nu-metal-era-bands-you-probably-forgot-all-about-1425509) The 21 Greatest Nu-Metal Albums of All Time - Ranked, by Kerrang.com, June 2020 https://www.kerrang.com/features/the-21-greatest-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time-definitively-ranked/ (https://www.kerrang.com/features/the-21-greatest-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time-definitively-ranked/)

Arnold Schwarzenegger: to some he was governor, to many he was the Terminator, and to us he was Howard - 90s suburban workaholic dad chasing down the elusive Turbo Man action figure for his son on Christmas Eve. This week, Eric, Sam (travel vlogger and veteran TTTH guest from the McDonald’s Happy Meal Toy episode!) and I take you back to 1996 when Jingle All the Way first hit theaters and Tickle-Me-Elmo was the real-life Christmas toy craze. So spike your eggnog and get cozy as Team Turbo Man saves the day with a much-deserved gift of 90s holiday season nostalgia (accessories sold separately, batteries not included).  Follow Sam at @simpsonthego on Instagram - and don’t forget to like and subscribe to her Youtube channel at youtube.com/simpsonthego!  Sources Rita Wilson says ‘Jingle All the Way’ haunts her because her character was ‘just a little too stupid’”, Insider, December 2020: https://www.insider.com/rita-wilson-jingle-all-the-way-2020-12 (https://www.insider.com/rita-wilson-jingle-all-the-way-2020-12) 19 Wild Behind-the-Scenes Christmas Movie Facts Most People Don’t Know, December 2020: https://www.buzzfeed.com/spenceralthouse/cool-christmas-movie-facts (https://www.buzzfeed.com/spenceralthouse/cool-christmas-movie-facts) The Best Funny Christmas Movies & Holiday Comedies to Make Your Season Bright, December 2020: https://collider.com/best-funny-christmas-movies-holiday-comedies-to-watch/ (https://collider.com/best-funny-christmas-movies-holiday-comedies-to-watch/) 20 Wild Details Behind the Making of Jingle All the Way, Screenrant, December 2018: https://screenrant.com/jingle-all-the-way-movie-behind-scenes-trivia-christmas/ (https://screenrant.com/jingle-all-the-way-movie-behind-scenes-trivia-christmas/)

Chant it with us: “JER-RY! JER-RY! JER-RY!” Tabloid talk shows were one of the most quintessential 90s transmissions to travel the airwaves. During the talk show decade, thousands of people from all walks of life claimed their time in the spotlight and aired their dirty laundry on TV for millions to see. From paternity reveals to chair-throwing to “my parents think I’m a freak but I look cool” goths, these shows were nothing short of spectacular. Join me and my dear friend and fellow podcaster Derric as we explore the shows that defined our stay-home-sick-from-school days: Montel, Ricki, Rosie, Sally, Jenny, Maury, and of course - Jerry. And don’t forget that one time that Maury compared his “you are not the father” shows to Shakespeare. Really. “A paternity [reveal] show has the classic Shakespearean themes. There is love. There is lust. There is betrayal. There is conflict.” - Maury Povich Follow Derric and his NEW podcast, the 3AM Mystery Club, at @derricdalton and @3amclubpod! CW/TW: Very brief mentions of discrimination and violence toward LGBTQI+. Sources “10 Daytime Talk Shows We Always Watched When We Stayed Home from School”, throwbacks.com, May 2018 https://www.throwbacks.com/daytime-talk-shows/ (https://www.throwbacks.com/daytime-talk-shows/) “Whatever happened to these 90s talk show hosts” - NickiSwift.com, https://www.nickiswift.com/36891/whatever-happened-90s-talk-show-hosts/ (https://www.nickiswift.com/36891/whatever-happened-90s-talk-show-hosts/) “Let’s Remember when Jenny Jones and Ricki Lake Fueled Panic Over Goths and Punks” - Jezebel, July 20 2020 https://themuse.jezebel.com/lets-remember-when-jenny-jones-and-ricki-lake-fueled-pa-1844543427 (https://themuse.jezebel.com/lets-remember-when-jenny-jones-and-ricki-lake-fueled-pa-1844543427) “Being Gay Was Never the Hardest Part: Rosie O’Donnell on her show, her past, and her passion for Barbara Streisand” - March 2019, Buzzfeed News https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/raminsetoodeh/rosie-odonnell-show-daytime-tv-ladies-who-punch-the-view (https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/raminsetoodeh/rosie-odonnell-show-daytime-tv-ladies-who-punch-the-view) “What Does Maury Povich Think About His Show, Maury” TheThings.com, July 2020 https://www.thethings.com/what-does-maury-povich-think-about-his-show-maury/ (https://www.thethings.com/what-does-maury-povich-think-about-his-show-maury/) “Is Maury Real or Fake?” The Cinemaholic, July 2020 https://www.thecinemaholic.com/is-maury-real-or-fake/ (https://www.thecinemaholic.com/is-maury-real-or-fake/) “How the Jerry Springer Show splashed around in humanity’s worst excesses,” The Guardian.com, April 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/06/jump-the-shark-the-jerry-springer-show (https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/06/jump-the-shark-the-jerry-springer-show) “Jerry Springer Used to Give Guests Lists of 21 Possible Surprises,” TheThings.com, Jany 2020 https://www.thethings.com/jerry-springer-used-to-give-guests-lists-of-21-possible-surprises/ (https://www.thethings.com/jerry-springer-used-to-give-guests-lists-of-21-possible-surprises/) “12 Wild Facts about The Jerry Springer Show”, Mentalfloss.com, June 2018  https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/92307/12-wild-facts-about-jerry-springer-show (https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/92307/12-wild-facts-about-jerry-springer-show)

Pirates! Outer space! Wild West! Castles! McDonalds Drive-Thrus! The 90s is often considered the Lego heyday by enthusiasts, collectors, and 90s kids themselves and the nostalgia for them has never been more acute. Considering millennials who grew up playing with Legos are now the most clinically burnt-out generation in history, these tiny blocks and plastic figurines are somehow even more comforting today - and the Lego Group knows that. But don’t worry, they’re here to help. In this episode, travel vlogger Nick and I recount what it was like to grow up playing with Legos in the 90s - the notable collections, Legoland, how it fostered strategic thinking, where all those tiny blocks from our past have ended up, and the surprising corporate consciousness of the Lego Group itself. So get ready to join us as we shrink down to figurine size to travel to Lego Castle and explore the lego-cy of this beloved 90s toy. Follow Nick at @simpsonthego on Instagram and his YouTube channel at youtube.com/simpsonthego! Sources 6 Classic Lego Sets that Every 90s Kid Wanted - Throwbacks.com, January 2018 https://www.throwbacks.com/6-classic-lego-sets-90s/ (https://www.throwbacks.com/6-classic-lego-sets-90s/) Imagining the Future in Bricks: The Designs of Lego Space (Part 20 the 90s) from 2017 blog post from Ancient Worlds https://ancworlds.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/imagining-the-future-in-bricks-the-designs-of-lego-space-part-2-the-90s/ (https://ancworlds.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/imagining-the-future-in-bricks-the-designs-of-lego-space-part-2-the-90s/) Lego set its sights on a growing market: stressed-out adults, Washington Post, 2020 https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/01/16/legos-toys-for-stressed-adults/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/01/16/legos-toys-for-stressed-adults/)

Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy. Those were the brilliant words of Ms. Frizzle, the eccentric, enthusiastic, bewitching 4th grade teacher who graced our TV sets and led her students on adventures that combined a TON OF REAL SCIENCE with all the fun of being a kid in the 90s. This week, Eric and I are discussing the Magic School Bus - its book-to-TV background, notable episodes and themes, the legacy, and we even go in depth about Ms. Frizzle herself. So grab some chocolate milk and settle in with us as we travel in time all the way back to 1994 to learn about the field trips we wish we had with a teacher we all admired. The Magic School Bus Made the World Safe for Weird Teachers, Slate.com, July 2020 https://slate.com/culture/2020/07/magic-school-bus-ms-frizzle-joanna-cole-weird-teachers.html (https://slate.com/culture/2020/07/magic-school-bus-ms-frizzle-joanna-cole-weird-teachers.html)

There was band camp, there was cheer camp, there was summer camp, and there was SPACE CAMP.  If you were one of the lucky kids to graduate from Space Camp during its prime in the 90s, you got to try on a space suit, eat dippin' dots, pretend to be on the moon, and launch and land a simulated rocket to Mars.  This week, my dad and I take you on a space mission to Huntsville, Alabama, home to the US Space Camp that churned out famous astronauts, hobbyist astronomers, woo-woo astrologers (like myself), and nearly 1 million “cool geeks” who were interested in everything from space exploration to robotics to aviation. So put away all your earthly matters and get ready to blast off right back into the 90s! To make a donation for Space Camp scholarships, visit gospaceeducation.org. SOURCES Here’s what it’s really like to go to Space Camp - Bustle.com https://www.bustle.com/p/heres-what-its-really-like-to-go-to-space-camp-8594642 (https://www.bustle.com/p/heres-what-its-really-like-to-go-to-space-camp-8594642) How Space Camp Works - How Stuff Works  https://science.howstuffworks.com/space-camp.htm (https://science.howstuffworks.com/space-camp.htm) SpaceCamp Alumni https://www.spacecampalumni.com/blog/simulations-space-camp-space-camp-alumni “This One Time, at Space Camp…” Slate - http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/gallery/2011/07/this-one-time-at-space-camp.html “Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know about Space Camp From Someone Who's Actually Been There” - The Mary Sue - https://www.themarysue.com/space-camp/

The "musical for the MTV generation.” The “rock opera of the 90s.” The “hope for the American musical.” Get ready to belt some tunes this week with me and the fabulous Broadway and baking blogger, Madame Cheret, as we travel back in time to 1996 in East Village for the world-famous RENT. This week, Madame Cheret is baking some gorgeous beer and maple donuts as her culinary interpretation of RENT - flavored with, you guessed it, plenty of season(ing) of love. Follow Madame Cheret on Instagram at @madamecheret or visit her blog at madamecheret.com! Trigger warning: This episode touches on subjects such as substance abuse, violence toward LGBTQI+, and HIV/AIDs in the context of the show and the 80s/90s.

July 23, 1996. The world is GLUED to their TVs. It’s the final event. The final vaulter. The final vault. With this one move, the USA Olympic women's gymnastics team could clinch the gold medal for All-Around Team for the first time in history at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.  Kerri Strug is about to make history.  In this episode, I am by myself covering the Magnificent Seven - the seven young women gymnasts who made up the 1996 Team USA in the Summer Olympics. I will cover the girls, the Games, the famous final vault, the abuse, the legacy, and where these magnificent women are now. So get ready for full body goosebumps because this story is inspiring af.  TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses sexual abuse and abuse of power.  The best primary source video of the Kerri Strug final vault: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqUjo_rOxYc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqUjo_rOxYc) “America Failed its Gymnasts: The sport has changed, but not enough” The Cut https://www.thecut.com/2018/02/america-failed-its-gymnasts-with-larry-nassar.html (https://www.thecut.com/2018/02/america-failed-its-gymnasts-with-larry-nassar.html)

Two things we learned from the famous 1993 Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus: A) do not light the black flame candle if you’re a virgin and B) the parents of Salem know how to get LIT. Most of us 90s kids grew up watching Hocus Pocus every Halloween and/or still watch it every year now. In this episode, I am by myself talking about the film and what we love about it - memorable scenes, funny quotes, silly moments, and I even will give you a drinking game for the next time you turn it on.  So come little 90s children, we fly to Salem to learn some interesting facts and trivia about our favorite Halloween movie. PLEASE VOTE. If you haven’t voted yet, drop off your ballot IN PERSON or vote IN PERSON. Vote all the way down the ballot. Amp up your involvement by 25%. Donate. Call. Drive people. Put a sign in your yard. We need to do everything in our power to protect the future of our democracy. Iamavoter.com Iwillvote.com SARAH’S UNOFFICIAL 2020 QUARANTINE HOCUS POCUS DRINKING GAME Take a SIP when: A magic spell is cast Every time you hear the words children, virgin, sister, or sistah Whenever the Sanderson sisters can’t recognize a modern invention Every time there’s a subtle adult joke on screen Anytime someone calls Max “Hollywood” When Sarah Sanderson is acting flirty When Max says “it’s just a bunch of hocus pocus” When one of the Sanderson sisters inhales or smells something When you hear the name Emily Take a GULP when: Max lights the black flame candle Winnie calls for her book Billy Butcherson loses a limb Binx dies  “Yabos” are mentioned “A salt circle” is created Take a SHOT or FINISH your drink when: Sarah Sanderson says “amuck amuck amuck” “I Put a Spell On You” comes on And please drop me a line and let me know how it goes. *Want to be a guest on TTTH Podcast? Go to talktothehandpod.com/contact for our guest application!

It’s Friday night, you’re home alone starting some Jiffy Pop on the stove and ready to settle in for a cozy night. Then the phone rings. Do you answer it? If you said yes, you either haven’t seen any of the 90s teen horror movies we talk about in this episode, or you have and you’re just a little bit crazy. Either way, you’ll want to settle in for some good 90s-era blood curdling screams and squirms as my NEW HUSBAND Eric and I go through some of the genre-defining films of the so-called “second wave of slasher films.”  Just remember to bring an open mind and a healthy dose of irony and self-awareness, which are basically the only things every 90s teen horror movie asks of you. Warning, this episode contains spoilers! PLEASE VOTE! Iamavoter.com Sources: “The Most Iconic 90s Teen Horror Movies Ranked” Collider.com, 2019 https://collider.com/90s-teen-horror-movies-ranked/#scream (https://collider.com/90s-teen-horror-movies-ranked/#scream) “The Rise of the Late 90s Teen Slasher Film” IMDB  https://www.imdb.com/list/ls056866893/ (https://www.imdb.com/list/ls056866893/) “16 Best 90s Teen Horror Films Ranked” Screen Rant, July 2017 https://screenrant.com/best-90s-teen-horror-movies-ranked/ (https://screenrant.com/best-90s-teen-horror-movies-ranked/) “Your Guide to Rewatching Millennium-Era Horror Movies” Vulture, October 1 2020 https://www.vulture.com/article/your-guide-to-rewatching-millenium-era-horror-movies.html (https://www.vulture.com/article/your-guide-to-rewatching-millenium-era-horror-movies.html)

Artist, musician, fashion icon, sister, daughter, wife, a human beam of sparkly light. She was a QUEEN in every sense of the word, more than deserving of her title. You guessed it - we’re talking about Selena! Selena Quintanilla-Perez was an insanely talented musician with an out-of-this-world fashion career ahead of her when she passed away at 23 in 1995. But her accomplishments aside (and there are MOUNTAINS of them), she also was a ray of sunshine, filled with so much joy and confidence that it seemed to radiate from her music and connect directly with the hearts of so many women and girls in the 90s and beyond. For the final week of Latinx Heritage Month, my lovely friend Elise and I are chatting about the Queen of Tejano. We discuss her background, her music, her fashion, her legacy - basically, we discuss this beautiful red rose of a human being and everything we love about her for 40 minutes. With wine. And if you dress up as our Queen for Halloween, we want to see a pic! PLEASE VOTE! Rockthevote.org Iamavoter.com

If there’s one person who knew exactly how to slither and slime his way into our collective imaginations in the mid-90s, it was R.L. Stine - famed children’s author of the Goosebumps and Fear Street series (among many others) and the proclaimed “Stephen King of children’s literature.” Whether you read the books, watched the TV series, or indulged in them both, there’s simply no denying it - for 90s kids, the Goosebumps book series was our introduction to the horror genre and gave us all of the brightly-colored thrills and chills that our little 5th grade hearts desired.  This week I am by myself to discuss the series, a breakdown of the book titles that will certainly trigger your campiest memories, the series’ legacy, author, book covers, its pulpy older sister Fear Street, and even Ryan Gosling. Grab a cozy blanket, spike your hot chocolate (and add some marshmallows for good measure), and let’s take a trip to Dead House and Camp Nightmare to revisit our FAVORITE 90s book series. PLEASE VOTE! Vote early, make a plan, vote all the way down the ballot - this is the most important election of our lives, millennials and 90s kids. We have work to do.   Rockthevote.org Episode sources, for your nostalgic reference: “13 Goosebumps Books That Gave All 90s Kids Insane Nightmares,” Popsugar.com, 2019  https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/scariest-goosebumps-books-all-time-46718361 (https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/scariest-goosebumps-books-all-time-46718361) “13 Best Goosebumps Books that ruined your childhood,” Buzzfeed, 2016 https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/13-goosebumps-books-ruined-your-childhood-a6847136.html (https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/13-goosebumps-books-ruined-your-childhood-a6847136.html) “Goosebumps: 10 things you didn’t know about RL Stine - in pictures,” The Guardian, 2016  https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2016/may/16/goosebumps-rl-stine-what-you-didn-t-know (https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2016/may/16/goosebumps-rl-stine-what-you-didn-t-know) “20 RL Stine Books You Need To Read Again,” Teen Vogue, 2016 https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/best-r-l-stine-books-you-need-to-read (https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/best-r-l-stine-books-you-need-to-read) “Q&A: RL Stine Reveals His Most Grusome Scene Ever,” LA Times, 2015  https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-rl-stine-goosebumps-20151015-story.html?track=lat_paidsearch_dsa_acquisition-subscriber_google_search-_ent_______&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwuD7BRDBARIsAK_5YhWXjR-ZgX2lkC92UUTcTY0xzkfFlZ1VE0t5j1uSU9KM_jT13wxfkkIaAsZOEALw_wcB (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-rl-stine-goosebumps-20151015-story.html?track=lat_paidsearch_dsa_acquisition-subscriber_google_search-_ent_______&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwuD7BRDBARIsAK_5YhWXjR-ZgX2lkC92UUTcTY0xzkfFlZ1VE0t5j1uSU9KM_jT13wxfkkIaAsZOEALw_wcB) “The Many Colors of RL Stine” a blog post by Tyler Miller Writes  https://tylermillerwrites.com/2018/07/21/the-many-covers-of-rl-stine/ (https://tylermillerwrites.com/2018/07/21/the-many-covers-of-rl-stine/)

Let’s play GRUNGE BINGO! It only takes two for a bingo. Pick a band from the late 80s to mid 90s. Does the band have two of the following? A) Lyrics about social alienation, drug abuse, despair B) Cheap music production C) Flannel shirts and long hair D) Was signed to SubPop E) From Washington If the band meets two of the five criteria above (maybe even one of the five?), it might be a grunge band.  This week, I’m all by myself talking about the famous “Seattle Sound.” Grab your flannel, pour a cup of joe. Get ready to go deep into the Pacific Northwest for one of the most iconic music genres of the 90s.  TW: Please note, this episode discusses substance abuse; mental health issues including depression, suicide, and addiction; sexual abuse; and other heavy issues associated with grunge music - and the music industry at large - in the late 80s/90s. PLEASE VOTE! Check your voter registration, check your state’s election rules, check your state and county initiatives, check your polling location/hours, CHECK IT ALL.  usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration Rockthevote.org

Everywhere you look (everywhere you go), there’s a heart… a hand to hold onto. If you can still hear this song in your head when you see those lyrics, pour a glass of vino and settle in while my best friend Laura and I take a dive into one of America’s most beloved family sitcoms, FULL HOUSE! And we’ll just put it out there - the show was great, the family was cool and all… but it’s all about one character. To us, at least. TW: Please be aware that this episode mentions, but does not discuss, disordered eating and Stephanie’s uncovering of a classmate’s child abuse. PLEASE VOTE! Check your registration at usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration.

The moment you opened your Happy Meal box to find out which toy you got was one of the biggest moments of truth for 90s kids. Lucky you if you got your first choice Barbie or Hot Wheel or Halloween McNugget Buddy. This week I am joined by my sister Sam, badass travel vlogger and low key McDonald's Happy Meal Toy fan. Join us as we go through some background on the Happy Meal (including a chat about our girl Yolanda, who is actually the inventor of the famous kiddie meal) and talk about some of the most notable Happy Meal toy collections of the 90s. We know you'll love this plastic blast from the past. Just don't go assuming they will be able to fund your 401k one day. You can find Sam on IG at @simpsonthego or at their YouTube channel SimpsOnTheGo. WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want... Sporty, Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh - we all remember. And we all. still. stan. Join me (all by myself) this week for the VERY FIRST episode of Talk To The Hand, all about - you guessed it - the SPICE GIRLS! This week I dive into the history, legacy, and future of our five favorite Girl Power queens. We talk music, we talk the famous Union Jack flag dress, we talk about Spice Girl sleepover antics. Most importantly, we reminisce about how we loved them then and we still love them now. So grab a nice cup o' English Tea and let's get spicy.

If you existed during the 90s - or even if you didn't, and are just interested in the era of body glitter and boy bands - this is the show for you. Each week host Sarah and Eric will dive into a different 90s topic - from Lisa Frank to Nintendo. So grab your inflatable chair or your Surge soda and let's take a tie-dyed time warp. What do you say?