Stuck in the '80s Podcast
Music
About
The longest-running ’80s podcast—featuring interviews with music legends, movie stars, and MTV icons. Deep dives, debates, and Gen X nostalgia every week.Hosted by Steve Spears and Brad Williams, the show blends sharp takes with insider stories from the people who lived it. From ’80s music and movies to MTV culture and pop culture history, each episode goes deeper than nostalgia to uncover what made the decade unforgettable.
Episodes
- Peter Gabriel’s ‘So’ at 40 | Songs, Stories and Legacy
Forty years later, So still stands as one of the most ambitious, emotional and sonically adventurous albums of the 1980s. Released in 1986, the landmark record transformed Peter Gabriel from respected art-rock innovator into a full-fledged…
- 783: Unlikely Cover Songs of the ’80s: Eddie Money, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler & The Clash
On the Stuck in the
- 782: Famous ’80s TV & Movie Cars: KITT, the DeLorean, General Lee & Ecto-1
Steve Spears and Brad in California, joined by Retro DJ Travis Bell,
- 781: Soccer and WWII Collide in 1981's 'Victory'
Alexi Lalas joins Steve Spears and Brad Williams to discuss the 1981 movie "Victory." The episode also mentions the book "Stuck in the
- 780: Meet the Rock Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Inductees
The Stuck in the '80s Podcast, hosted by Steve Spears and Brad Williams, reviews the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class, discussing inductees and snubs. The episode also mentions the 80s Cruise lineup and the release of Spears's book fe…
- 779: Reliving the Kenny Loggins Interview
This episode features a 2007 interview with Kenny Loggins, re-released by the Stuck in the
- Pretty in Pink vs. Some Kind of Wonderful — Which John Hughes ’80s Movie Is Better?
Which '80s teen romance movie is stronger: "Pretty in Pink" or "Some Kind of Wonderful?" We decide today. Plus, full seggies, a book update, and our review of the 2026 voyage of The 80s Cruise. On Sale Now! Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of C…
- The Greatest American Hero Turns 45: William Katt Looks Back on the Classic ’80s TV Series
TV's "The Greatest American Hero" debuted 45 years ago today - March 18, 1981. We honor the '80s TV show with a reairing of our 2007 interview with actor William Katt. On Sale Now! Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Cult…
- Inside the New Stuck in the ’80s Book: 20 Years of Celebrity Interviews & Podcast Stories
The new Stuck in the '80s podcast book is finally for sale. Brad interviews Spearsy about a project 20 years in the making. On Sale Now! Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade , by podcast…
- Highlander Turns 40: Why the Cult ’80s Fantasy Movie Still Rules
"Highlander" is officially 40 years old. Well, technically Connor MacLeod is 508 years old now. Here's our tribute episode recorded in 2012 with co-host Sean Daly. Coming in March Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Cultu…
- Miracle on Ice Revisited: Why the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team Still Inspires America
Relive the Miracle on Ice from the 1980 Winter Olympic Games and the gold medal performance of US Men's Hockey with hosts Steve Spears, Sean Daly and Tom Jones. This a re-run from Episode 190 in 2010. Coming in March Stuck in the '80s: 20…
- MTV VJ Martha Quinn on the Radio Hall of Fame, MTV’s Rise & the ’80s Music Revolution
Original MTV veejay Martha Quinn makes her first visit to Stuck in the '80s in 10 years. Martha talks about her induction into the Radio Hall of Fame along with her thoughts on the enduring love for '80s nostalgia and music. Plus full segg…
- Sean Daly Returns: Behind the Scenes of 20 Years of the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast
Sean Daly, one of the original hosts of the Stuck in the '80s podcast, returns this week to talk about the podcast's first 20 years. Plus, full seggies! Coming in March Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Wh…
- Author Becky Kliss on Gen X Nostalgia, ’80s Culture & When We Felt Invincible
"When We Were Invincible: Life Lessons from the ’80s that Defined a Generation" is a new book by Becky Kliss, who joins the show to talk about Gen X and what we learned from our teen years. Plus, seggies including TV Party Tonight and Spin…
- Glass Tiger’s Alan Frew on ’80s Fame, “Don’t Forget Me” & the MTV Era
Glass Tiger frontman Alan Frew joins the podcast to talk about the band's history, his background growing up in Scotland, and Glass Tiger's upcoming performance on The 80s Cruise. Seggies include: Stuck in the Arcade and Listener Mailbag.…
- 10 Classic Songs Turning 50 in 2026 — The Hits That Defined the ’70s and ’80s
The year 1976 seems so long ago, and it was. Here are 10 songs we loved from that year that are turning 50 in 2026. Songs from Boston, ABBA, Diana Ross, the Eagles and more. Plus full seggies. Coming This Spring Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years…
- 1985 Revisited: The Biggest Movies, Music & Pop Culture Moments 40 Years Later
On New Year's Eve, we look back at the end of 1985 and see how it shaped the rest of the decade. Seggies include Stuck in the Arcade. Coming This Spring Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Deca…
- Celebrating Rob Reiner: The Director Behind Stand by Me, The Princess Bride & More
We say goodbye to Rob Reiner by honoring the films he directed in the '80s and the parts he played throughout his career. Our Sponsors The 2026 lineup of The 80s Cruise is now sold out, but you can still join the waiting list and use our p…
- Author Michael Weitz on ‘We Be Dragons,’ Dungeons & Dragons & Growing Up in the ’80s
Award-winning author Michael Weitz joins Brad to talk about his new novel, We Be Dragons, which drops readers into 1986 in rural Washington State, where real-life small-town struggles collide with a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Plus, full…
- Revisiting ‘Taps’ and ‘The Lords of Discipline’: Dark Military Dramas of the ’80s
Military school movies in the '80s? Yeah, they were a thing, though "Taps" and "Lords of Discipline" rose to the top of the ranks thanks to amazing casting with the likes of Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Tom Cruise, David Keith and many other…
- Bret Michaels Interview Revisited: Poison, Hair Metal & Life in the ’80s
Poison frontman Bret Michaels visits Spearsy and Sean in this classic 2010 episode of the podcast. Bret is also the headliner on the 2026 voyage of The 80s Cruise. This is originall Episode 212 from September 2010. Our Sponsors The 2026 li…
- Taylor Dayne on ’80s Pop Stardom, Dance Hits & the MTV Era
Singer/songwriter Taylor Dayne joins Spearsy to talk about The 80s Cruise, opening for Michael Jackson and her start working in Russian clubs. Dayne is among the artists scheduled to perform on The 80s Cruise in February 2026. Seggies this…
- Classic Tommy Lee Interview: Mötley Crüe, Hair Metal & the Wild ’80s
Tommy Lee from Motley Crue was our guest in 2011 in this repeat episode of Stuck in the '80s. Get ready for a rare blast of hair metal from hosts Spearsy and Sean Daly in this rerun. Our Sponsors The 2026 lineup of The 80s Cruise is here,…
- Inside the Ultimate ’80s Arcade Airbnb: Retro Video Games, Neon & Pure Nostalgia
Have you dreamed of spending the day at your dream '80s arcade? It actually exists in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We talk to Scott Leftwich, the owner of the Wieners and Losers arcade and '80s-themed AirBnB. Plus, Spearsy and Brad talk…
- The Best Goofy Vampire Movies of the ’80s: Horror, Comedy & Cult Classics
Halloween in the '80s wasn't all horror. Sometimes we got big laughs from the vampire flicks. In this 2019 episode, we honor our favorite "goofy vampire" flicks of the '80s: "My Best Friend is a Vampire" and "Once Bitten." Our Sponsors The…
- Author Mike Spring on the Best Cult Movies of the ’80s
Are you still addicted to the cult movie classics of the '80s. Author Mike Spring wrote a whole book about them called "I Want My Two Dollars: A Guide to 20 Cult Classics of the 1980s." He's our guest this week. Plus "Stuck in the Arcade"…
- Ivan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats on ‘The Safety Dance,’ New Wave & the MTV Era
Ivan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats joins us this week to talk about the band's new anthem "I Love the '80s" and his upcoming appearance on The 80s Cruise. Plus, our favorite French-language songs of the '80s. Seggies this week: Mystery Mov…
- Forgotten Pop Hits of 1989 That Deserve Another Listen
Do you remember the forgotten hit songs of 1989? Sure, the charts were dominated by megastars like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul and Phil Collins, but the final year of the 1980s also produced dozens of underrated songs and overloo…
- Author Tamara Dever on ‘The Day We Found Yesterday’ & ’80s Nostalgia
Eighties trivia expert and frequent guest host Tamara Dever returns this week to talk about her new book, "The Day We Found Yesterday," an incredible project for kids and Gen X parents and grandparents. Seggies this week include Stuck in t…
- Author Steven Manchester on Growing Up and Graduating in the ’80s
Do you remember your high school graduation in the '80s? Author Steven Manchester does. His new book "Yo-Yo's and Yearbooks: Crushing the '80s" is a tribute to those days and the final book - maybe - in his '80s trilogy. Co-hosts Brad and…
- Nick Heyward on Haircut 100, ‘Love Plus One’ & the Golden Age of New Wave
Haircut 100 has reformed with Nick Heyward, Les Nemes and Graham Jones. They're touring the U.S. in September 2025 with Howard Jones. Relive our amazing 2018 interview with Nick and catch them on the road! Our Sponsors The 2026 lineup of T…
- Remembering Grad Nite in the ’80s: Disney Trips, High School & Teen Freedom
What was Grad Nite like in the 1980s? For a generation of Gen X teens, Grad Nite was the ultimate high school reward — an all-night celebration packed with theme parks, concerts, friendships, freedom and just enough teenage chaos to make i…
- Author Travis Kennedy on ‘Whyte Python World Tour,’ Hair Metal & ’80s Rock Excess
One of the most incredible books set in the '80s is now on book shelves and online libraries: "Whyte Python World Tour" by author Travis Kennedy. We talk to Travis about his hair metal adventure set in our beloved decade and its future on…
- Remembering Ozzy Osbourne: The Legacy of the Prince of Darkness
July 22, 2025 is the date where another legend passed over to the other side. Ozzy Osbourne. An 80s legend. A musical legend. A cultural legend. The Godfather of what we know as Heavy Metal. The Prince of Darkness. The notorious man our pa…
- 20 Years of the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast: The Stories, Music and Moments We’ll Never Forget
It all started on July 5, 2005. And here still are 20 years later. Crazy, right? As Stuck in the '80s approached its 20th anniversary, we asked our patrons to pick out their 10 favorite moments in podcast history. We also added 10 of our o…
- The Ultimate 2025 Summer Reading List for ’80s and Gen X Fans
Looking for a good '80s book to read this summer? Spearsy and Jen with One N have a handful of suggestions. Also seggies include Spin My Round and TV Party Tonight. Books mentioned this week: "Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality, and This…
- Steve Spears on Music, Heart Health and Finding Perspective Through the ’80s
If you hear Spearsy humming a tune about the heart, you're about to find out why. We honor songs from the heart in this special episode, including tunes by The Human League, Cyndi Lauper, T'Pau and more. Also seggies include Mystery Movie…
- Broken Hearts in ’80s Music and Real Life | Songs, Loss & Healing
Heartbreak was everywhere in the 1980s. From power ballads and breakup songs to emotional movie scenes and real-life struggles, the MTV era gave Gen X an unforgettable soundtrack for love, loss and recovery. This week on the Stuck in the ’…
- Author Gary Graff on the 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s
Ever debate which were the best albums of the '80s? What if you could narrow it down to 501? That's what music journalist Gary Graff and his team of writers did for "501 Essential Albums of the '80s: The Music Fan's Definitive Guide." Gary…
- Fletch Turns 40: Why the Chevy Chase Comedy Still Holds Up
Forty years later, Fletch remains one of the smartest, weirdest and most endlessly quotable comedies of the 1980s. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast , Spearsy and Brad celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic Chevy Chase movi…
- Steve Perry and Willie Nelson Revisit ‘Faithfully’ | Classic Rock Meets Country
Steve Perry and Willie Nelson have just released a duet version of "Faithfully," the 1983 song from Journey that was a huge hit for the band. The song promotes the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid. Spearsy and guest co-host Dave "Auggie" Augus…
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees: Biggest Snubs, Surprises & ’80s Legends
The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2025 class of inductees. Co-hosts Spearsy and Chuck Coverly go through the list and grade them on their "Eighties-ness." Plus seggies including "Spin Me Round." Our Sponsors The 2026 lineup of…
- Best Unexpected Cover Songs of the ’80s | Hidden Gems, Surprises & Deep Cuts | Part 14
So many of the great songs of the '80s that we associate with our favorite artists are actually cover songs. How do we know? Because we've now done 14 podcasts about them! Today's show features the origins of songs made famous by Pat Benat…
- Remembering Val Kilmer: The ’80s Movie Icon Behind Top Gun, Real Genius & More
Val Kilmer has left us. But he left us with an amazing collection of work that we will honor for decades to come. Spearsy and co-host Chuck Coverly highlight their favorite film moments from "Top Secret" to "Real Genius," "Top Gun," "Willo…
- Reviewing ‘MJ: The Musical’ and the 2025 Voyage of The 80s Cruise
Spearsy reviews "MJ: The Musical," the touring Broadway production about the life of Michael Jackson. We also cover our favorite memories of the 2025 voyage of The 80s Cruise. Seggies this week including Mystery Movie Moment and Name That…
- Classic Rock Legends Who Ruled the ’80s: Bee Gees, Aerosmith, The Jacksons & More
Remember our "Rock Dinosaurs" of the '80s series of podcasts? We did them about 14 years ago, and they were a blast. Basically we honored the bands we loved in the '80s that were already pretty successful during previous decades. This epis…
- Drinking in the ’80s: Bars, Parties, Hangovers & Gen X Nightlife Memories
Have we ever done a St. Patrick's Day episode of Stuck in the '80s? I'm not sure, but we definitely did a "Drinking in the '80s" episode a long time ago. Listen as Spearsy recounts his memories of the episode and then the actual episode, w…
- Pete Byrne of Naked Eyes on ‘Always Something There to Remind Me’ & the MTV Era
Pete Byrne of Naked Eyes was one of the first interviews I did solo for Stuck in the '80s. It was back in 2008 and I had just seen the band perform as part of the Regeneration Tour in Las Vegas. Pete and I had a great chat as he shared sto…
- Inside ‘Jim Henson’s Labyrinth in Concert’ | Celebrating the 1986 Cult Fantasy Classic
If you're a fan of 1986's "Labyrinth," then you need to know about the touring production of "Jim Henson's Labyrinth In Concert." Steve talks to Black Ink Production's John Kinsner about this amazing project. See the tour schedule here: La…
- The Miracle on Ice at 45: Revisiting Hockey’s Greatest Upset | Classic Episode
It's been 45 years since the Miracle on Ice?!? That's insane. Back in 2010, for the hockey game's 30th anniversary, we did a pretty damn good job honoring one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history. The episode features former co-host S…