The Influence of 80s Music

The Influence of 80s Music

Author: Will Padilla | 80s Now April 7, 2026 Duration: 47:42

In a special interview, Will chats with Mario Toscano (Back to the 80s), Jim Butler (Children of the 80s), and Eric Shoars about the continued influence of 80s music in our lives. We also talk about Eric's new book Life Goes On, which is a collection of essays by Gen Xers that examines this topic.

0:00 - Introduction

1:24 - Interview

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Check out Back to the 80s with Mario: https://www.fm80s.com/

Check out Children of the 80s with Jim: https://bit.ly/4bVI4BT

Get your copy of Life Goes On: The Lessons We Learned from Eighties Music anywhere books are sold.


Each week on 1980s Now, host Will Padilla digs into the lasting impact of that decade's pop culture, arguing there's more to its modern resonance than simple nostalgia. This podcast connects the dots between then and now through personal stories and conversations with the people who shaped the era-musicians, actors, directors, and other insiders. The discussions reveal how the so-called "era of greed" actually cultivated seminal moments in film, television, music, and sports that continue to define our current landscape. You'll hear specific analysis about why certain movies still look groundbreaking, how TV shows of the period tackled themes that feel surprisingly current, and which musical innovations from the 80s are still being mined by today's artists. It’s a detailed exploration for anyone who enjoys a deep dive, offering a richer understanding of the decade's genuine artistic legacy beyond the familiar hits and iconic imagery. Tune in for a weekly session that treats the 1980s not as a museum piece but as a living, influential force, making this podcast a go-to for thoughtful entertainment.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

1980s Now
Podcast Episodes
Stuck in the '80s with Steve Spears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
In a special interview, Will chats with Steve "Spearsy" Spears, the host of the first (and longest running) 80s podcast Stuck in the '80s. Steve has just published a book of that same name chronicling 20 years of intervi…
80s He-Man, Beastie Boys, and Bill Joel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:08
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction5:35 - FBI ripped off the Beastie Boys12:55 - New music from Beastie Boys' Mike D16:45 - Gen X par…
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Duration: 46:31
In a special interview, Will chats with Jonathan Cathey, Founder and CEO of The Loyal Subjects, one of the fastest-growing independent toy companies in the U.S. If you've ever wished the best parts of the toy aisle from…
80s News: WKRP, Knight Rider, and Prince [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:16
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction3:50 - Rocky statue is gonna fly now16:15 - WKRP is back on the air (sort of)23:20 - Trump Dances…
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Duration: 1:05:49
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction4:57 - Really hungry hippos terrorize Colombia15:35 - Hungry Hungry Hippos: The Game19:05 - Hungry…
Dungeon Crawl at the 80s Mall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:11
In a special interview, Will chats with author Jendia Gammon about her newest book. It's the latest in the Choose Your Own Adventure book series: Dungeon Crawl at the Haunted Mall. Jendia is a Nebula and three-time BSFA…
VHS Comeback | Sherlock in the 80s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:16
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction5:25 - Run your own video rental store13:45 - Name the 80s movie from the fake title20:10 - Physic…
Talking Gen X with Mark Mendenhall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:42
In a special interview, Will speaks with Mark Mendenhall aka Gen X Dad about his media empire Gen X Talks. Over the last several years, Mark has cultivated a tremendous following by discussing everything (and anything) f…
Hardest 80s Arcade Games? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:17
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction2:15 - Bigfoot is in Ohio. Will Jon follow?17:55 - Timothy Chalamet could use some Bugs Bunny32:15…
Cancelled Nerds, Starfighter Sequels, and New Faces of Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:55
Recorded before a live Facebook (and YouTube) audience, Will, Kat and Jon discuss the following topics:0:00 - Introduction2:55 - Robert Carradine has died.5:40 - Did you play TAG: The Assassination Game?10:24 - Has Reven…