Soundtrack Your Life
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak host Soundtrack Your Life, a podcast about the film and TV soundtracks that shape pop culture. Each episode features a guest who shares personal stories about a soundtrack that's meaningful to them. Ranging from the iconic best selling soundtracks of all time to cult favorites, they cover them all. Discover hidden gems, behind-the-scenes stories, hot debates, and deep dives into the most iconic songs in movies. 🎧 Perfect for fans of: • Movie and TV soundtracks • Original songs! Fake bands! Real good needle drops! • Music and pop culture connections • 80s, 90s and Y2K nostalgia • New soundtrack releases • Exclusive interviews with bands, artists and pop culture experts New episodes are released on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes and more: Subscribe to our pop culture writing site at: Connect with Soundtrack Your Life on the Web:</
Episodes
- Jane Austen's Period Drama (2024) - The Soundtrack for the Oscar Nominated Short Film Blends a Chamber Pop Score with an End Credits Banger w/ Nicole Alyse Nelson
Actress Nicole Alyse Nelson joins hosts Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the Oscar-nominated short film Jane Austen's Period Drama. They explore the film's musical score by Alex Winkler, featuring a chamber pop piece and an end credit…
- Drive (2011) - The Soundtrack That's Too Cool To Listen To with Pop Culture Writer Chris Deville
Pop Culture Writer Chris Deville joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack of the 2011 film Drive. They explore the soundtrack's influence on music artists and its connection to Ryan Gosling's career.
- Shrek 2 (2004) - The 2000s Blockbuster Pop Soundtrack Tries to Go Bigger than Its Predecessor with Pop Culture Writer/Podcaster Candice Lim
The Shrek 2 film soundtrack, featuring songs by Counting Crows, covers by Frou Frou and Butterfly Boucher, and previously released tracks by Tom Waits and Nick Cave, is discussed by hosts Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak with guest Candice Lim.
- Vicious (2025) - What Did Composer Tom Schraeder Learn From Scoring Vicious and The Dark and the Wicked?
On this episode of Soundtrack Your Life, composer Tom Schraeder discusses his work on the film Vicious, including his process and previous scores like The Dark and the Wicked. He also shares insights into his collaborations with various mu…
- 2026 Oscars Best Original Song – K-Pop Demon Hunters vs. Sinners Soundtrack
Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak break down the 2026 Oscars Best Original Song category. They discuss the nominees, including Huntrix's "Golden" from K-Pop Demon Hunters and Raphael Saadiq and Sinners, as well as snubbed songs and the Best Origi…
- Pop Culture Writer Tamar Herman on Whether the Music in K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) is Actually K-Pop
Pop Culture Writer, Tamar Herman, joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the blockbuster soundtrack to the Maggie Kang's 2025 film, K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) . As someone who has covered the K-Pop industry for years, Tamar is the per…
- Challengers (2024) - The Reznor/Ross Soundtrack Score Drives the Film with Scott Interrante
Scott Interrante of Big White Elephants and This is the Greatest Song I've Ever Heard in My Entire Life joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to the 2024 Luca Guadagnino film, Challengers . The film was scored by the t…
- Office Space (1999) - Why The Gangsta Rap Soundtrack Works So Well with Mometu President Bryan Louzil
Mometu President Bryan Louzil joins Nicole and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to Mike Judge's 1999 cult classic, Office Space . The soundtrack boasts needle drops from artists like Scarface, The Geto Boys, Slum Village, Canibus & Biz M…
- Walk Hard (2007) - The Soundtrack and It's Brilliant Original Songs with Filmmaker/Comedian Cameron Smith
Comedian and Filmmaker , Cameron Smith, joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to talk about the soundtrack to the 2007 Jake Kasdan film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. While the film flopped at the box office, it has become a cult classic and…
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Doubling as the Perfect Christmas & Halloween Soundtrack with Musician Sean Griffin
Musician Sean Griffin (The Ruffians) is our guest to ring in the holidays by talking about Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas on Soundtrack Your Life! Sean has just released the Christmas song, "I'm in Love for Christmas" , so h…
- GO! (1999) - The Soundtrack that Perfectly Captures the Late 90s with Author Eric Gee
Author Eric Gee joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to Doug Liman's 1999 film, Go! From the B.T. score to the timeless earworm of Len's "Steal My Sunshine", to a new No Doubt song, Go! captures all the music that sub…
- Adventureland (2009) - A Timeless 80s Indie Period Piece Soundtrack with Pop Culture Writer Rachel Brodsky
Pop culture writer, and soon to be author, Rachel Brodsky (Time, LA Times, Stereogum, Rolling Stone, and more!) returns to Soundtrack Your Life to discuss the soundtrack to the 2009 Greg Mottolla film, Adventureland , with hosts Nicole Bar…
- The Greatest Showman (2017) - Film Musical Soundtrack with Singer/Broadway Star Kelsie Watts
Singer and star SIX, Moulin Rouge on Broadway, Kelsie Watts, joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to the 2017 Michael Gracey film, The Greatest Showman. The soundtrack spent 28 weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts, and…
- Tales From the Crypt Writer/Showrunner Alan Katz on the Legendary Composers on Tales
*Trigger Warning: This episode has references to self harm and sexual assault. Alan Katz, formerly a writer/showrunner for the TV show, Tales from the Crypt , joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to talk about his new career in podcasting. Ala…
- Phantom of the Paradise (1974) - The Cult Classic Paul Williams Soundtrack with Kat Robichaud
Singer, performer, and creator of Kat Robichaud's Misfit Cabaret, Kat Robichaud joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to the 1974 Brian De Palma film, Phantom of the Paradise . Oscar winner, Paul Williams starred in th…
- A Mighty Wind (2003) - The Folk Soundtrack That Might Be Better than the Music It's Sending Up with Musician Reeya Banerjee
Musician Reeya Banerjee has just released her album, This Place . She joined Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak on Soundtrack Your Life to discuss the new album as well as the soundtrack to Christopher Guest's 2003 film, A Mighty Wind. The soundtr…
- Godzilla (1998) - The Summer Blockbuster Soundtrack with the Rap Rock Hit with The Nostalgia Pit's Colin Casserd
The Nostalgia Pit's Colin Casserd joins Nicole and Ryan to discuss the soundtrack to the 1998 Roland Emmerich film, Godzilla. The soundtrack is aptly titled, Godzilla: The Album since barely any of the songs on the soundtrack actually appe…
- Spawn (1997) - The Electronic / Rock Soundtrack That Still Feels Fresh Today with Michele Catalano
(00:00:00) Introducing Michele Catalano and Why Did She Pick Spawn? (00:07:33) Thoughts on Spawn the film (00:17:36) Soundtrack Composer Graham Revell and ILM Worked on this Movie? (00:19:03) Breaking Down the Best Songs of the Spawn Sound…
- Wonderwall (1968) - How The George Harrison Soundtrack Score is a Huge Influence for Kula Shaker's Crispian Mills
(00:00:00) What's New with Kula Shaker and Why Did Crispian Select Wonderwall? (00:10:29) Wonderwall's Influence on Kula Shaker (00:13:47) Kula Shaker Sampling "Skiing" for Gokula (00:17:09) Wondewall as a Gateway into Indian Musicians (00…
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) - The Beloved 90s Alt-Rock Soundtrack w/ Monique Powell of Save Ferris (and the 10 Things I Hate About You Prom Band)
(00:00:00) Introducing Monique Powell from Save Ferris (00:12:21) How Save Ferris Ended up in 10 Things I Hate About You (00:18:32) Filming with Letters to Cleo (00:22:49) Soundtrack Composer Richard Gibbs and the Soundtrack Supervisor (00…
- The Lost Boys (1987) - The Taste Making 80s Soundtrack with We Are Scientists' Keith Murray
(00:00:00) Introducing Keith Murray and the New We Are Scientists Album, Qualifying Miles (00:10:08) Why are We Talking About The Lost Boys? (00:17:00) Breaking Down the Lost Boys Soundtrack (00:23:30) Kiefer Sutherland, Rock Star? (00:32:…
- Flash Gordon (1980) - The Queen Soundtracked Space Opera with The Ritualists' Christian Dryden
Christian Dryden, bassist and lead singer of The Ritualists , joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to talk about the Queen soundtracked 1980 Mike Hodges film, Flash Gordon. Queen took the assignment so seriously that they spent a year dedicate…
- The Legend of Ochi (2025) - Dave Longstreth's (Dirty Projectors) Stellar Debut Score with Jim of the Film Rage Podcast
(00:00:00) Introducing Jim and The Legend of Ochi (00:09:24) The Soundtrack and Composer Dave Longstreth (00:16:57) The Tension Building Throughout The Legend of Ochi (00:22:22) What is an Ochi? (00:24:17) Metal Bands in the Film (00:26:16…
- Pavements (2025) - The Soundtrack that Will Satisfy Even The Most Hardcore Pavement Fan
(00:00:00) Intro (00:06:24) Who is Alex Ross Perry? What is Pavements? (00:12:46) Slanted! Enchanted! (00:18:24) Catchy Songs, Distant Lyrics (00:21:24) Range life (00:27:03) Wants For the Pavements DVD/BluRay Bonus Features (00:30:52) The…
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 (2014) - The Classic Rock Needle Drop Soundtrack that Resurrected the Cassette Tape with Writer Russ Burlingame
Pop Culture Writer Russ Burlingame joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to talk about the soundtrack to James Gunn's 2014 film, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1. It's the 1st soundtrack to ever hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 charts with all p…
- Boomerang (1992) - The Multi-Hit, Multi-Platinum 90s R&B Soundtrack with Writer James Deon Williams
Pop culture writer, James Down Williams, joins Ryan to talk about the 1992 Reginald Hudlin film, Boomerang and it's 3x Platinum soundtrack. The soundtrack boasted 6 singles including Toni Braxton's "Give U My Heart" and Boyz II Men's "End…
- The NeverEnding Story (1984) - The Beloved 80s Soundtrack and the Everlasting Hit with LIMAHL (Kajagoogoo)
Solo artist, and lead singer of Kajagoogoo, Limahl is our guest this week and it was an honor to talk to the singer of the chart topping soundtrack song, The NeverEnding Story. It was a top 10 hit in over 15 countries, including hitting #1…
- Natural Born Killers (1994) - The Trent Reznor Curated Soundtrack with It's a Fandom Thing's Erin
Erin Marlow of It's a Fandom Thing joins Nicole and Ryan to talk about the 1994 Oliver Stone film, Natural Born Killers. It began as a Quentin Tarantino script before Oliver Stone turned it into an entirely different thing, which is just o…
- Repo Man (1984) - The 80s Punk Rock Soundtrack with Frank Meyer (Streetwalkin' Cheetahs/Fear)
Rocker Frank Meyer (The Street Walkin' Cheetahs / Trading Aces / Fear) has a new album out on 3/25 called Living Between the Lines (Kitten Robot Records) and he joins Nicole and Ryan to discuss his career and the soundtrack to the 1984 fil…
- Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) - The Hilarious and Catchy Lonely Island Soundtrack with Brad of Pop Culture Yearbook
Doink da doink! Brad from the Pop Culture Yearbook Podcast returns to Soundtrack Your Life to talk to Nicole and Ryan about the Lonely Island 2016 film, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. It flamed out when it was released back in 2016 bu…
- The 2025 Best Original Song Category - Soundtrack Nominee Controversies and Diane Warren Trivia
It's time to talk the 2025 Oscars! Nicole and Ryan break down the 2025 Oscars Best Original Song category. There are some past winners (Elton John), a 16 time nominee (Diane Warren), 2 songs from Emilia Perez, and a nomination for Sing Sin…
- 500 Days of Summer (2009) - The Indie-Pop Soundtrack for Romantic Comedies in the Aughts with DT of Space Castle
DT, host of the Space Castle YouTube Channel , returns to Soundtrack Your Life to talk to Nicole and Ryan about Marc Webb's 2009 film, 500 Days of Summer. Lots of stories or heartbreak in our 20s follows since this film is a perfect backdr…
- Columbus (2017) - Hammock's Gorgeous Ambient Score Soundtrack Deepens an Already Intimate Film with Movies and Us' Jen and Sarah
Jen and Sarah from Movies and Us join Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to talk about Kogonada's 2017 directorial debut, Columbus. The film is intimate and captures smaller moments. Hammock's gorgeous ambient score is the perfect compliment to th…
- Labyrinth (1986) - The David Bowie Written Soundtrack Brings Magic to This Fantasy Film with Slinky Vagabond's Keanan Duffty
A man of many talents, Keanan Duffty is our guest for this episode. His band, Slinky Vagabond, has a new album coming out on January 14th. You can pre-order that here . He is also a fashion designer, one who has collaborated with the iconi…
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - The Holiday Soundtrack That Can Even Make a Grown Adult Cry with Scott Interrante and Tara Giancaspro
Happy Holidays! Scott Interrante of This is the Greatest Song I've Ever Heard in My Entire Life and Tara Giancaspro of xoxo Gossip Giancaspro join Nicole and Ryan to talk about The Muppet Christmas Carol, which begs the question, "Do we ev…
- What We Live in Time (2024) - The Bryce Dessner Score Soundtrack is a Gorgeous Compliment to a Gorgeous Film with Jim from Film Rage
Jim from Film Rage joins Nicole and Ryan to talk about John Crowley's 2024 film, We Live in Time. The score is handled by Bryce Dessner (The National, Big Red Machine), and this is Dessner's 2nd score for 2024, the other being for Sing Sin…
- The Commitments (1991) - The Hit Soul Covers Soundtrack that Started Glen Hansard's Film Career with Stephen Epley of Music Rewind
Stephen Epley, host of Music Rewind, joins Nicole and Ryan to talk about the soundtrack to Alan Parker's 1991 film, The Commitments. The film deserverdly racked up nominations at the BAFTAS, Golden Globes and the Oscars, but the soundtrack…
- This is Spinal Tap (1984) - The Fake Metal Soundtrack That Rocks Harder Than It Has Any Right To Rock with DrumTalk TV's Dan Shinder
Dan Shinder, founder of DrumTalkTV joins Nicole and Ryan to talk about the soundtrack to the 1984 Rob Reiner Mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap, and how it might be more realistic than a lot of rock biopics out there. We break down the big h…
- Punch Drunk Love (2002) - The Soundtrack that mixes Jon Brion's Amazing Score with Some Harry Nillson with Middle Class Film Class' Pete Abeyta
Pete Abeyta from the Middle Class Film Class Podcast/ YouTube Channel , joins Nicole and Ryan to talk about the soundtrack to Paul Thomas Anderson's 2002 film, Punch Drunk Love. This soundtrack consists of a wonderful score by producer/com…
- Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010) - The Soundtrack with an 8-Bit Score and 90s/2000s Indie-Rock DT of Space Castle
DT, host of Space Castle on YouTube (formerly the podcast), joins Nicole and Ryan to talk about the soundtrack to the 2010 Edgar Wright film, Scott Pilgrim vs the World. That means discussing Sex B-Bomb, Crash and the Boys, Clash at Demonh…
- The Blues Society (2023) - The Soundtrack That Explores The Memphis Country Blues with Director Dr. Augusta Palmer and DJ Henry Nelson
Director of The Blues Society, Dr. Augusta Palmer, and Memphis radio DJ legend, Henry Nelson join Ryan to talk about the 2023 documentary, The Blues Society. The film has recently become available for rental and purchase on digital platfor…
- Can't Hardly Wait (1998) - The 90s Soundtrack That Checked All the Boxes with Jenn from My Streaming Bubble
Jenn Owens, host of the podcast, My Streaming Bubble, is our guest this week to talk about the soundtrack to the Henry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan 1998 film, Can't Hardly Wait. While the film didn't do huge numbers at the box office office u…
- Bridgerton Season 3 (2024) - The Soundtrack with the Viral Pitbull Needle Drop with Composer Archer Marsh
Composer Archer Marsh is our guest this week, and he discusses his work on the Bridgerton Season 3 Soundtrack including the viral hit, "Give Me Everything" (Pitbull), which has really taken on a life of its own. Archer has 2 other needle d…
- Soundtrack Your Life Ep 101 - Soundtracking Monopoly w/ Scott Interrante and Tara Giancaspro
(After a short hiatus, we're back, and we'll be back to releasing 2 episodes of month until December!)This is the Greatest Song that I've Ever Heard in My Entire Life's Scott Interrante and our favorite substacker, Tara Giancaspro return t…
- Soundtrack Your Life Ep 100 - Soundtracking The Sims w/ Tara Giancaspro and Scott Interrante
Episode 100! For our landmark 100th episode, we have a couple of our favorite guests, Tara Giancaspro, and This is the Greatest Song I've Ever Heard in My Entire Life's Scott Interrante, returning to join Nicole and Ryan to soundtrack a mo…
- Saltburn (2023) -The Soundtrack That Took Us Back to the 2000s with "Murder on the Dancefloor" with Jim from Film Rage
Jim from the Film Rage podcast returns to Soundtrack Your Life to talk to Nicole and Ryan about the soundtrack to the 2023 Emerald Fennell film, Saltburn. Jim was previously a guest for our episode on David Byrne’s True Stories .The movie…
- The Bear Season 1 and Season 2 (2022-2023) - The Soundtrack Featuring 90s Rock Gems with Pop Culture Writer Rachel Brodsky
Pop culture writer, Rachel Brodsky returns to Soundtrack Your Life to talk to Nicole and Ryan about the music that soundtracks the Christopher Storer hit television series, The Bear. With season 3 due in June, we decided to take a look at…
- Charlie’s Angels (2000) - The Soundtrack That Blended Y2K Pop and 70s Nostalgia with Nicstalgia’s Nicole Tremaglio
Cultural theorist and host of the Nicstalgia Podcast, Nicole Tremaglio, joins Nicole and Ryan to discuss the soundtrack to the year 2000 McG directed film, Charlie’s Angels. The film was a huge success at the box office and the soundtrack…
- Marie Antoinette (2006) - The 80s New Wave Soundtrack for A Classical Period Piece with Writer/Film Critic, Lex Briscuso
Film Critic and writer, Lex Briscuso joins Nicole and Ryan to talk about the 2006 Sophia Coppola film, Marie Antoinette and it's iconic soundtrack. The soundtrack pulls from the 80s, 90s, and aughts with tracks from Gang of Four, Siouxie a…
- Romance of the Fruit Peddler / Romance of the Western Chamber (2024) - The Silent Film Soundtracks Re-Scored with Composer Min Xiao-Fen
Composer and pipa virtuoso, Ms. Min Xiao-Fen is our guest this week to talk about her recently released album Metta, in which she soundtracks 2 Chinese silent films, The Romance of the Fruits Peddler and Romance of the Western Chamber with…