Meet Your New Best Friends: The Pop Culture Preservation Society
These ladies are true comfort food for your nostalgic soul: Carolyn Cochrane, Kristin Nilsen and Michelle Newman make up the Pop Culture Preservation Society, also the title of their popular podcast, and they are dedicated to preserving all of those precious Gen X childhood memories. From Shaun Cassidy, Andy Gibb and Donny Osmond to Little House on the Prairie, The Brady Bunch, Shakey’s Pizza, Tiger Beat, The Sunshine Family and oh-so-so-so-much more — these ladies are stirring so many feel-good memories.
Well, every week for the past five years, these lovely ladies have been dishing about their crushes (did we mention how obsessed they are with Shawn Cassidy?), clothes, books, movies, songs, TV and toys that shaped their youth on their podcast.
“If you have feelings about Marcia breaking her nose or John Travolta in that plastic bubble, then we should probably be friends,” Kristin joked. And, that we are! We love these ladies, and we think you will, too.
With over 200 episodes recorded now, these gals have made it their mission to share all their positive retro memories (some tears are occasionally part of that, but I mean how can you not cry when remembering Olivia Newton John). To get you more familiar with them, we asked them to answer a few of our ReMIND flashback interview questions …
CAROLYN COCHRANE
Carolyn’s love of Judy Blume, V.C. Andrews and Nancy Drew led her to a career as a middle school English teacher. She once tried to single-handedly save The Waltons from cancellation by writing letters to CBS. Now retired from teaching, she’s found a new career in podcasting.
Who was your biggest star crush on? Jimmy McNichol (Kristy’s brother)
What were some TV shows you never missed? Eight Is Enough, Little House on the Prairie, The Bionic Woman, Battle of the Network Stars
First movie you were officially obsessed with? Grease … playing that album over and over while acting out every scene.
First album you purchased? The Partridge Family Album
Most memorable concert you attended? Bruce Springsteen
Did any star/fan club ever write you back (and if so, who?) Oh, how I wish. It certainly wasn’t from my lack of trying.
What toys & memorabilia do you still hold on to today? My cherished childhood picture books, record albums, Tiger Beat and Seventeen magazines, Judy Blume and Nancy Drew books.
Besides Shaun Cassidy, as we know you already talked to him – who’s on your wish list to reconnect with? Judy Blume, any member of the Brat Pack
MICHELLE NEWMAN
Michelle has tapped into many of her former professions (an elementary school teacher, bookseller and writer for Entertainment Weekly) and is living out her dream as part of the Pop Culture Preservation Society.
Who was your biggest star crush on? Tie: Scott Baio from 1979 until about 1982, then Simon LeBon … and I crushed HARD on him! (Still do!)
What were some TV shows you never missed? Happy Days, The Love Boat, Family Ties, and always, always The Brady Bunch reruns after school.
First movie you were officially obsessed with? Grease!
First album you purchased? Not sure, but probably a Donny & Marie album.
Most memorable concert? Duran Duran, February 2, 1984. My first — and best — concert!
What toys and memorabilia do you still hold on to today? Lots! All my old Weebles sets, many of my albums, my Sunshine Family, all my old Sweet Dreams Romance books, my Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary books, but by far my favorite relics of my childhood are all of my old Fisher-Price Play Family sets (castle, house, A-frame, school, farm, etc.). I have most of them on display in my office (a.k.a. my “childhood museum”)!
Besides Shaun Cassidy, as we know you already talked to him – who’s on your wish list to reconnect with? Henry Winkler, Donny AND Marie (but they have to be together!) or any (or all) of The Facts of Life girls.
KRISTIN NILSEN
Kristin’s bio shares that she once hugged David Cassidy (far too long) and saw Davy Jones on an escalator, and she’s not ever going to stop telling you about it — which is great because we want to hear it. Today, the children’s literature author and erstwhile librarian continues to put out new books, while preserving pop culture via their podcast.
Who was your biggest star crush on? My first crush on Shaun Cassidy at age 9 was so REAL that I wrote a book for middle grade readers inspired by the experience, called Worldwide Crush. Shaun Cassidy even signed my copy! At the time, I just didn’t see anything wrong with a 9-year-old marrying a 19-year-old.
What were some TV shows you never missed? The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (obviously!) and also the Krofft Supershow on Saturday mornings; Sigmund and the Sea Monsters forever!!!! But also Dance Fever and Solid Gold were must-see TV (often followed by practicing my dance moves in the basement).
First movie you were officially obsessed with? I saw Grease in the theater nine times in fifth grade. After school, we’d run home and act out every song, taking turns being Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta.
First album you purchased? I bought the Monkees’ Greatest Hits with my own money when I was 7 years old. I can still sing every word of that album (Daydream believer and a … homecoming queeeeen!).
Most memorable concert you attended? My first concert was Prince’s Purple Rain tour in Minneapolis in 1984. I went twice. At the time, I had no idea how historic it would be.
Did any star/fan club ever write you back (and if so, who?) I wrote to Judy Blume in fifth grade and was totally starstruck when I got a photo and a letter in return. It was a form letter but I had no idea. I couldn’t believe I was looking at her face! Authors’ faces were not something we could see in the pre-internet age.
What toys & memorabilia do you still hold on to today? I have a collection of KTEL records that I have RE-collected after all of mine got sold in my mom’s 90s-era garage sale. Full Tilt, Rock 80, Gold Rush 79, Starflight, Starlite, Starburst, Music Machine, Music Express … but wait! There’s more! High Energy, Winds of Song, Hot Nights & City Lights … it’s a total party.
Besides Shaun Cassidy, as we know you already talked to him – who’s on your wish list to reconnect with? We have a great episode devoted to Andy Gibb and it made me so sad that we couldn’t connect with him and tell him how much he meant to us (I was going to marry him after Shaun Cassidy). So, I think talking with Barry Gibb would be profound on multiple levels; yes, because of Andy, but also because the Brothers Gibb were the soundtrack to my coming of age.
Follow along with the Pop Culture Preservation Society via their podcast, Facebook, Instagram and website.
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