The (Mostly) 80s Music Podcast: What Difference Does It Make?

The (Mostly) 80s Music Podcast: What Difference Does It Make?

Author: Dave Sloan and Holly Cantos Language: English Episodes: 100
For anyone who lived through it, or for those who just love the sounds that defined it, the 1980s were a musical lightning strike. The (Mostly) 80s Music Podcast: What Difference Does It Make? is a deep, personal excavation of that era, hosted by Dave Sloan and Holly Cantos. This isn't a simple nostalgia trip or a countdown of chart-toppers. Instead, Dave and Holly use their genuine expertise and passion to guide conversations with the very people who created the decade's soundtrack. You'll hear directly from the artists, producers, engineers, and label insiders, getting the stories behind the songs that you won't find in a standard biography. Each episode feels like an intimate backstage pass, uncovering the creative decisions, the industry shifts, and the personal anecdotes that explain why this music still resonates so powerfully today. The podcast thrives on specificity-maybe one week features a synth-pop pioneer explaining the gear behind their iconic sound, while another sits down with a session musician who played on a dozen classic albums. It’s a celebration of craft and context, asking and answering the question embedded in its title: what difference did these people and their work truly make? Listening feels like joining a detailed, enthusiastic conversation between friends who just happen to have incredible guests. The result is a richly layered portrait of a decade, built one fascinating story at a time.
Episodes
80s Rock Star Commercials [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:52
Back in the 80s, we thought they were selling out. Turns out, they were ahead of the curve. Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene rounded up some of his favorite commercials featuring 80s rock icons from David Bowie and Genesis to…
Bill Janovitz Lets The Cars Story Be Told [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:57
New York Times Bestselling author Bill Janovitz is a founding member of the Boston-based band Buffalo Tom. Bill's latest book on fellow Boston musicians is called The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told. It features a foreword…
New Year's 80s Music Favorites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:02
Another holiday classic filled with some great 80s music! We celebrate our new year's traditions, new year's resolutions, the history behind toasts and of course, all our favorite music we play to usher in the new year.…
Christmas Music Favorites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:56
What Difference Does It Make, the 80s music podcast, celebrates our favorite 80s Christmas songs. Holly tells us how she wooed her future husband with some skiing lessons and we also do a wrap on a couple old school hip-…
Happy Holidays 80s Music Favorites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
It's the holiday season once again so Holly and I present to you this timeless classic episode...now with actual music! Dave's favorite holiday song is "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues. Holly goes all in on Chanukah…
What Difference Does It Make Best Of 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:17
As we look back at our 34 new podcast episodes from 2025, we realize each one is uniquely special. We've talked with artists, music industry insiders, authors, filmmakers, and friends. Now, we present this best-of episod…
Paul Myers and John Candy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:41
Paul Myers has just completed his Canadian trilogy. Previously, he authored the definitive biographies on Barenaked Ladies and Kids In The Hall. He now takes on one of the most popular Canadians ever, with his latest boo…
Thanksgiving Music Favorites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:10
We talk turkey....and pie...and candy and occasionally about songs that make us think about Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving episode from 2018 reminds us of how fortunate we are to have food, friends and music in our live…
Russell Hitchcock Gives Us Fifty Years of Air Supply [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:16
Russell Hitchcock, the legendary lead singer of Air Supply, is having quite a moment. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the band is soon to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an Air Supply feat…
Nöthin' But A Good Time: The '80s Hard Rock Explosion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:46
Thanks in small part to the band Spinal Tap, November 11 (11/11, get it?), has been decreed National Metal Day. To honor this majestic day we present to you, Nöthin' But A Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Ha…