Headlines, gossip, fashion, music & movies: The Pop Culture Diary revisits every year from 1980–2020.

For the past five years, I’ve been the creator and host of Reverie True Crime. I’ve always done my best to be victim-centered and present the research carefully. Week after week, I was writing about heartbreaking stories to make sure the people trying to handle such tragedies were never lost behind headlines/stories that are sensationalized. That work has taught me how to be a storyteller and to keep working at it. I think all those things have helped attract a community of listeners who value truth, justice, and detail. True crime gives me a chance to help make voices louder because they deserve to be heard. After years of living in that difficult but important space, I decided to create something new that could exist on the opposite end of the spectrum. I will still be releasing Reverie True Crime episodes here and there but I wanted to go lighter, nostalgic, but still full of cultural significance. That’s how The Pop Culture Diary came to life.

This is a nostalgic time capsule podcast that flips open a diary of, what the kids now call, the retro/vintage years from 1980 through 2020, one entry at a time. Each episode revisits a single year and gives an overview or prep for the biggest headlines, world events, blockbuster movies, unforgettable TV shows, chart-topping songs, fashion shifts, toy crazes, gadgets, and the juiciest celebrity scandals that defined generations and are our memories. The show gives listeners a mix of fun, perspective, and “I totally forgot about that!” moments. Most of us are so nostalgic for (certain parts of) pop culture history. That’s everything from presidential elections and breaking news to Pac-Man fever, royal weddings, power suits, boy bands, reality TV chaos, and red-carpet gossip. It’s messy, fascinating, and a reminder of how culture reflects who we are!

This podcast is for anyone who loves nostalgia, trivia, and storytelling that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you grew up in the ’80s, ’90s, or 2000s, you’ll relive memories you didn’t even realize you still have.
 

I wanted to create a lighter podcast but still narrative style. I wanted to create something informative but that could also spark joy, nostalgia, and laughter. That’s how The Pop Culture Diary originated in my mind.

I’ve always been fascinated by the way culture leaves its mark on every decade. The news headlines, music, fashion, celebrity scandals, toys, and tech all come together to create not just memories, but a part of our identity. Think about it… The clothes you wore, the songs you blasted in your car, the shows you watched after school, and the magazines you flipped through at the checkout line. All of that is part of who you are. I wanted to make a podcast that celebrates the experiences we have in common, one year at a time, like flipping through the pages of a diary we all wrote together without realizing it.

The “how” came together pretty naturally. I wanted to lean into the researching aspect that I love, scripting, and narrating like I have done for my true crime podcast, and use those things for a totally different topic. I was having a nostalgic moment and it just clicked. I wanted to start mapping out each year from 1980 to 2020, researching the biggest stories and the gossip, then weaving it all together to keep it fun. I want this to feel like a history lesson + late-night conversation with a friend who remembers all the wild, weird, and wonderful moments you completely forgot.
 

Finding the time and funding for podcasting has been a mix of creativity, persistence, patience, and if I’m honest…a lot of trial and error. I fund my shows myself, which has meant having to learn where to invest and where to make do. Over the past five years, I’ve had to replace my computer almost annually because I tend to work until they physically can’t take another megabyte of storage and simply refuse to turn it back on. (RIP to the graveyard of laptops that carried hundreds of episodes on their hard drives.) I’ve also bought different microphones along the way, testing out what works best for me without breaking the bank

Thankfully, hosting doesn’t drain me financially. I’m on the Spreaker Prime program, which provides hosting for free once you’re accepted. Before that, I experimented with other affordable platforms like Anchor, Podbean, SoundCloud, and creators just starting out can use YouTube, even if it’s audio only. You can easily get creative if you want by putting visuals and pictures relevant to what you’re saying over the audio with free apps that are easy to learn. That said, unless you blow up on YouTube, monetization options there are limited, so Spreaker has been the most sustainable route for me.

As for time…living with chronic illnesses has given me more of it. I’m almost always at home, and instead of letting that keep me isolated or allowing it to make me feel useless, like I had for too many years, since I love being creative I thought podcasting would be a cool way to create content that means something.

Producing an episode isn’t fast. From researching and writing to recording and editing, the process usually takes me at least a week, sometimes more, depending on how much information is available. It’s not just the hours spent talking. It’s digging through articles, cross-checking details, writing an accurate and, when it comes to this podcast, entertaining script. Then recording and editing can take many hours.

Funding and my health make it tough, but passion keeps me creating.
 

Podcasting has given me so much more than I ever expected. Beyond sharing important stories, it’s allowed me to build real connections with listeners, fellow creators, and even brands I believe in. My first sponsorship came through the indie creators I saw around Twitter and Instagram whose product(s) I really liked. I met small business owners who wanted to get the word out about their brands, and we worked out arrangements where I earned a percentage from sales made with my promo code. It wasn’t about big money, it was just about supporting each other.

When my show reached around 1,000 listeners a month, I started using Podcorn and also contacted small brands directly. I’ve always made it a rule to only accept sponsorships that feel genuine and align with my values. If I don’t personally love the product or brand, I won’t promote it. Most deals were commission-based through promo codes, but sometimes brands paid a flat rate just to see if exposure could bring in new customers.

I also run dynamic ads through Spreaker, which brings in a little bit of steady revenue. My downloads have grown since the early days, but my approach hasn’t changed much. I look for authentic partnerships, not just any paycheck.
 

My process really depends on the show, but for The Pop Culture Diary it’s looser and more playful compared to my true crime work. I research and write, but I allow myself more flexibility to experiment with format, tone, and even humor. I’m planning to bring on guests for one of the upcoming seasons to play trivia games and share their takes on iconic pop culture moments. For those, I’ll likely use Zoom, Zencastr, or Riverside. I like all of those platforms.

When it comes to editing, I started with Audacity and still do rely on it for certain tools, like fine-tuning audio and layering in music or sound effects. These days I also use Descript, which makes cleaning up missteps much easier. I’m lucky to have a friend who’s an audio engineer who helps polish the narration tracks, while I focus on putting everything together manually in Audacity and making sure levels sound balanced.

Finding guests has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Early on, I connected with other podcasters, then expanded to victims’ families, survivors, and other storytellers for my true crime work. I learned quickly that people are often much more open than you’d expect! The worst that can happen is they say no. I believe you should try it because I’ve been fortunate to never get a no, but always prepared to. Because I know any time I ask, they could easily say no. So just shoot your shot!! For The Pop Culture Diary, guests will be more relaxed. I’ll bring on friends, fellow podcasters, and even local people who want to join in on fun debates or share their opinions about pop culture history. I usually just reach out with a genuine message and ask.
 

My marketing process is pretty simple and hands-on. I mainly use social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. I consistently share promo material for my shows. I use Canva, and I highly recommend their Pro subscription for anyone who wants to up their game with graphics easily. Posting consistently keeps the show visible, and I try to have fun with it so it doesn’t feel like a chore.

I also check stats through Apple and Spotify to get a sense of how people are finding me, but I don’t let analytics run the whole process. Early on, I paid a lot more attention to ALL the numbers, but over time I’ve learned that once you’re in the groove of creating, the stats don’t weigh on your mind as heavily. What matters more is building genuine connections with listeners and just putting something out into the world that means something to you!

Another big part of my marketing is guesting on other people’s shows, even if they’re in a totally different genre. Cross-promotion has been really effective because it introduces me to new audiences that may not have found me otherwise. And it works both ways. It’s also a chance to support fellow creators and share in the podcasting community.

So overall, my approach is consistent, creative, and community-driven. I rely heavily on social media and collaborations, with a little bit of data checking on the back end, but the main goal is to keep showing up, sharing my work authentically, and letting word of mouth and connections help the show grow.
 

My biggest piece of advice is to just start, even if it’s not perfect. You’ll learn and grow so much by doing, and you don’t need the fanciest equipment or editing skills to start. Consistency and passion matter more than perfection. Your listeners know when you’re genuine and passionate about what you’re creating and that is what people love over audio quality. As long as they like the subject you’re talking about or presenting, you will have the right people attracted to your show for the right reasons.

In terms of resources, I’d suggest starting with free or low-cost tools until you know what works best for you. Audacity is a solid free editing program, and Canva is excellent for creating promo material. Descript is also a game-changer for editing if you want something more streamlined. For hosting, choose a platform that fits your needs and budget, and don’t be afraid to switch if you outgrow it.

Also, listen to other podcasts! Not just in your genre but across the board. Pay attention to what draws you in as a listener, then think about how you can bring those elements into your own unique style. Guesting on other shows or joining podcasting communities can also give you a huge boost in both skills and exposure.

Above all, remember why you started. Podcasting should be something you enjoy and are proud of, even on the toughest days. If you keep that in mind, the audience will come with time, consistency, patience, and passion.
 

All links for The Pop Culture Diary are here: https://linktr.ee/thepopculturediary
All links for Reverie True Crime are here: https://linktr.ee/paigeelmore