I am 2.5 years and about 60 episodes into my show, the Pop Culture Retrospective Podcast.  I didn't really know what to expect when I got into this but I have been incredibly grateful for this journey.  I've had the chance to interact with people I would not have normally and I think the show has brought back some happy memories for my family, friends and faithful listeners.  Thank you all so much for your support!  Since I have so many episodes under my belt at this point, I thought it might be helpful for me to put together my top 5 episodes thus far of the show.  So with that said, here we go!

#5:  "Episode #40:  Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary - Reflections on being a Cast Member Part 1."  This has been a pretty popular show and I think part of that is because I was an actual cast member at Walt Disney World in 2001!  One of my dreams all growing up was to one day work at Walt Disney World and I had the chance to do that when I graduated from high school.  It was everything I hoped for and more!  I not only got to work at the Happiest Place on Earth, but I also was fortunate to meet 3 people, my roommates, who have become life-long friends.  On this episode I read from a memoir of sorts that I wrote both during and shortly after my experience in the Walt Disney World College Program!  You can listen to that episode here:  Working at Walt Disney World! 

#4:  "Episode # 37 - Extinct and Disappearing Restaurant Chains of the 80s and 90s Pt. I."  I really enjoyed putting this episode together because I think the decades of both the 1980s and 1990s saw a huge explosion in the opening of chain restaurants all across the United States and abroad.  It was really fascinating to learn about why particular chains went under (i.e. Chi-Chi's) and which chains are surprisingly still around (i.e. TGI Fridays).  I also really enjoy viewing old commercials for the restaurant chains as it brought back a lot of memories and comfort!  You can listen to that episode here:  Extinct & Disappearing Restaurant Chains Part 1!

#3: "Episode # 26 - Extinct Department & Big Box Stores." Reminiscing about shopping malls and stores from decades past is always a lot of fun and likewise, so too was putting together this episode!  From Marshall Fields to Circuit City and Linens 'N Things, on this episode you will learn all about large box stores that have gone out of business.  It was truly fascinating to take a look back at these stores that were so incredibly popular but somehow, right around the time of the great recession, they disappeared right before our eyes! You will also get to hear some of my favorite outtakes at the end! Extinct department & big box stores!

#2:  "Episode #4 - Today's Special: An early Nickelodeon TV show from the 1980s and a true Canadian treasure!"  One television show I distinctly remember watching with my sister was "Todays Special" which aired on Nickelodeon for many years during the 1980s.  Originating in Canada, "Today's Special" was about the adventures of two department store workers (one human named Jody, one puppet named Sam) and their friend, a magic mannequin named Jeff.  Jeff comes to life after the store closes and the show follows their adventures after dark!  You can find that episode here:  Today's Special!

And finally, here is my #1 favorite episode of the Pop Culture Retrospective Podcast!  It is: The Introductory Episode.  Okay, I know this isn't technically an episode per se, but it does give listeners some information about what the show is all about and where the idea came from. Without my sister, this show would have never happened.  So I owe everything to her and I think it's important for people who tune into my show know how it came about.  It's just a few minutes long and I was INCREDIBLY NERVOUS when I recorded this episode but nonetheless it's important to understand the context of the show.  You can find that here:  Intro episode!

Thank you for traveling down memory lane with me, I really appreciate it!  I have so many plans for the show in 2023, but I think it's important to revisit episodes of the past as I am incredibly proud of what I have put together since May of 2020 when the show launched!  I hope you have enjoyed listening!  

Do you have any thoughts you want to share?  Please comment below!