Step back in time with Rich and Brian on Lost in the 80s, the podcast that celebrates the decade of big hair, bold colors, and unforgettable memories. From pop culture and sports to video games, music, and family life, each episode dives into the moments that made the 80s one of the most iconic eras in history. Whether you grew up in the 80s or just love its lasting influence, join us as we laugh, reminisce, and relive the magic of a decade that still shapes the way we connect today.
Before screens took over, the toy box was everything.
In this episode of Lost in the 80s, Rich and Brian head back to the glory days of Toys “R” Us, Christmas catalogs, Saturday morning cartoons, and the toys every kid desperately wanted.
We’re talking G.I. Joe, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Transformers, Cabbage Patch Kids, Rubik’s Cube, Atari, Nintendo, WWF figures, M.A.S.K., ThunderCats, Star Wars toys and plenty more.
Which toys actually lived up to the hype? Which ones did we beg our parents for? What was the greatest playset of the decade? And which toy would we give anything to find sitting unopened in our childhood closet today?
Plus, we tackle the biggest question of all:
What was the greatest toy of the 1980s?
Grab your action figures, fire up the NES, and try not to step on a LEGO — we’re going Lost in the 80s!
#LostInThe80s #80sToys #1980s #GIJoe #HeMan #Transformers #Nintendo #80sNostalgia #RetroToys #GenX
14 Aug 2026
We Loved to Hate Them: The Greatest Villains of the ’80s.
The ’80s gave us some of the greatest villains of all time—and in this episode of Lost in the ’80s, Rich and Brian are ranking their favorites!
From Darth Vader and the Fratellis to Shredder, Skeletor, Ivan Drago, Freddy Krueger, Hans Gruber, Cobra Commander and more, we’re looking back at the bad guys who terrified us, made us laugh, and sometimes were even cooler than the heroes.
We’ll talk about the villains that scared us as kids, the ones we wanted as action figures, the best cartoon bad guys, the greatest movie villains, and why the ’80s seemed so good at creating characters we loved to hate.
Plus, we tackle the important questions: Was Johnny Lawrence really the villain of The Karate Kid? Who was the king of Saturday morning cartoon villains? And who deserves the title of the greatest villain of the 1980s?
Grab your VHS tapes, fire up the VCR, and come back to the decade when bad guys were REALLY bad.
Who’s your #1 ’80s villain? Drop your Top 5 in the comments!
#LostInThe80s #80sMovies #80sNostalgia #MovieVillains #1980s #80sKids #RetroMovies #80sTV
4 Aug 2026
Back to School in the 80s | Trapper Keepers, Lunchboxes & First Day Memories | Lost in the 80s
School is back in session, and we're taking a trip back to a time when the biggest decision of August was which Trapper Keeper to buy, whether your new shoes would make the grade, and if your lunchbox was cool enough for the cafeteria.
Join Rich and Brian as they relive the excitement of back-to-school shopping at Kmart and Sears, brand-new school supplies, character lunchboxes, cafeteria favorites, recess games, school buses without air conditioning, and all the little traditions that made growing up in the 1980s unforgettable.
Whether you were racing to the monkey bars, trading stickers, sharpening pencils by hand, or proudly carrying your favorite Trapper Keeper into class, this episode is packed with the sights, sounds, and memories that every 80s kid will recognize.
So grab your backpack, find your favorite seat on the bus, and come reminisce with us as we remember what going back to school was really like in the greatest decade to be a kid.
What was your favorite back-to-school memory? Let us know in the comments! We'd love to hear about your favorite school supply, lunchbox, recess game, or first-day tradition.
#LostInThe80s #BackToSchool #80sKids #1980s #TrapperKeeper #SchoolDays #Nostalgia #GrowingUpInThe80s #Retro #GenX
27 Jul 2026
The Moments That Defined the ’80s: Tragedy, Scandal, & Sneakers
The 1980s were more than big hair, neon colors, and unforgettable music. They were a decade filled with moments that changed how we watched the news, bought products, followed celebrities, and understood the world around us.
In this episode of Lost in the ’80s, we look back at some of the decade’s most seminal events and cultural phenomena—from the heartbreaking Challenger disaster and the Iran-Contra scandal to the rise of Michael Jordan’s signature sneakers, the Cabbage Patch Kids craze, and the pop-culture moments everyone was talking about.
Which events truly defined the decade? Which ones shaped us as kids, even when we did not fully understand what was happening? Join us as we revisit the serious, the strange, the tragic, and the totally ’80s moments that made the decade unforgettable.
14 Jul 2026
Don’t Touch That Dial: The TV Shows That Raised Us in the ’80s.
This week on Lost in the ’80s, we’re heading back to the days of one family television, rabbit-ear antennas and having to be home at the right time to catch your favorite show.
We revisit some of the biggest live-action shows of the decade, including The Cosby Show, The A-Team, Knight Rider, The Wonder Years and Coach. From family sitcoms and coming-of-age stories to action heroes, cool cars and unforgettable theme songs, these were the shows that helped define our childhood.
We also confess the shows we were a little embarrassed to admit we enjoyed—The Golden Girls and even Jem and the Holograms.
Were these shows really better, or did having fewer channels make every episode feel like an event? Grab the remote and join us for a nostalgic trip through the television shows that kept us glued to the screen in the 1980s.
11 Jun 2026
When Eating Out Was a Treat: 80s Restaurant Culture
Remember when eating out felt like a special occasion?
In this episode of Lost in the 80s, we’re heading back to the decade of salad bars, smoking sections, wood paneling, neon signs, collectible kids’ meal toys, all-you-can-eat buffets, and restaurants that felt like destinations.
We’ll talk about what eating out culture was like in the 1980s, how fast food exploded into everyday life, the chains that became household names, and the forgotten restaurants that didn’t survive. From TV dinners at home to Pizza Hut birthday parties, mall food courts, family sit-down restaurants, and long-lost fast-food favorites, this episode is a full plate of 80s nostalgia.
Grab a booth, order a Coke, and join us as we get Lost in the 80s.
2 Apr 2026
The Soundtrack That Defined a Generation
Step back into a decade where the music was bold, the style was unforgettable, and every song felt like an anthem.
In this episode of Lost in the 80s, we dive into the iconic sounds that shaped a generation—from synth-driven pop and arena rock to power ballads and unforgettable one-hit wonders. Whether you lived it or just love the vibe, this episode brings back the songs that made the 80s truly electric.
We’re talking:
The artists that defined the decade
Songs you forgot you loved
The rise of MTV and music videos
Why 80s music still hits today
Press play and get ready to rewind.
13 Jan 2026
Enjoy the Magic of the Movies
In this episode of Lost in the 80s, Rich and Brian rewind the VHS tape and count down their Top Ten Movies of the 1980s—a decade that defined blockbuster magic, unforgettable characters, and endlessly quotable lines. From action-packed classics and laugh-out-loud comedies to coming-of-age favorites and genre-defining hits, this list celebrates the films that shaped a generation.
Along the way, the guys debate rankings, share personal memories tied to each movie, and relive the theater-going experience of the era—when trailers mattered, popcorn came in real buckets, and rewinding was a way of life. Whether you grew up in the 80s or discovered these films later, this episode is a nostalgic ride through one of the greatest decades in movie history.
11 Dec 2025
The Magic of Christmas
Step into a neon-lit winter wonderland as Rich and Brian unwrap the heart, humor, and pure magic of an ’80s Christmas. From the iconic toys we circled in department-store catalogs, to the unforgettable holiday TV specials, movie moments, and school-break traditions that defined a generation, this episode is packed with nostalgia. The guys swap stories of family celebrations, neighborhood light displays, the music that filled every mall, and the simple joys that made Christmas in the 1980s feel truly magical.
10 Nov 2025
Snow Day!!
There was nothing more magical in childhood than waking up to a world covered in snow and realizing school was canceled. In this episode, Rich and Brian take a trip back to the ultimate childhood holiday: the 80s snow day. From staying up the night before hoping the news ticker would show your school, to the surge of joy when you finally heard your district’s name on the radio — snow days were pure freedom.
We’re talking moon boots, frozen gloves, sledding on anything that could slide, hot chocolate that burned your tongue, all-day cartoons, Nintendo marathons, and forts that may or may not have violated modern building codes. And of course, the most important question of all — Will we get tomorrow off too?
If you grew up in the 80s, this episode will drop you right back into the glow of streetlights on fresh snow and the warm buzz of a house full of laughter.
If you didn’t — you’ll understand why we say we grew up in the greatest snow days ever.
29 Oct 2025
Main Event Madness: The Rise of 80s Wrestling
Step into the squared circle as Lost in the 80s body-slams its way through one of the loudest, flashiest, and most unforgettable parts of the decade — the rise of the World Wrestling Federation. From Hulkamania running wild to the Macho Man’s madness, we’re diving deep into how pro wrestling became a global pop-culture phenomenon.
Rich and Brian relive the wild characters, over-the-top storylines, and neon-soaked theatrics that turned wrestlers into larger-than-life superheroes. Whether you remember Saturday morning showdowns, pay-per-view extravaganzas, or those action figures you weren’t supposed to wrestle with on the coffee table — this episode will drop you right back into the golden age of body slams, trash talk, and unforgettable theme songs.
20 Oct 2025
Who You Gonna Call? The 80s Halloween Episode
It’s spooky season, 80s style! Rich and Brian take you on a haunted trip back to the decade of big hair, bigger scares, and the best Halloween memories ever. From Ghostbusters and The Monster Mash to the glow-in-the-dark costumes, Saturday morning cartoon marathons, and the candy haul that made it all worth it — this episode is packed tighter than a pillowcase full of Reese’s and Snickers.
We’ll talk the top costumes of the 80s, the scariest movie moments that made us sleep with the lights on, the soundtracks that gave us chills, and the weird Halloween traditions only 80s kids remember. So dust off your vinyl records, cue up Thriller, and join us as we get totally Lost in the 80s — Halloween edition!
25 Sept 2025
Baseball Cards!!!
Baseball cards weren’t just collectibles in the 80s — they were a way of life. In this episode of Lost in the 80s, Rich and Brian dive deep into the world of trading cards, from tearing open wax packs with chalky sticks of gum to the thrill of landing a prized rookie. Along the way, they’re joined by a special guest, Steve McQueen (no, not that Steve McQueen), who brings his own stories and memories of growing up in the golden age of card collecting. Together, the crew explores how cards served as currency on the playground, a bond between friends, and a gateway into the sports we loved.
The conversation doesn’t stop at nostalgia — they also trace how the 80s trading card boom shaped today’s collecting world. From PSA-graded treasures to the thriving nostalgia market, Rich, Brian, and Steve connect the dots between childhood fun and the hobby’s modern revival. Whether you grew up flipping cards on the sidewalk or just want to relive the thrill of pulling a Bo Jackson rookie, this episode captures the magic, the memories, and the cardboard that defined a generation.
12 Sept 2025
Summertime Fun!
“Summer in the 80s meant freedom, adventure, and memories that still make us smile today. From bike rides that lasted until the streetlights came on, to pool days, Little League games, and catching fireflies in the backyard, every kid seemed to have their own summer traditions. In this episode of Lost in the 80s, we’re reliving the best of those hot July days — and sharing our own Top 10 summertime activities that made growing up in the 80s unforgettable.”
10 Sept 2025
NES...Now you're playing with power!
In this episode of Lost in the 80s, Rich and Brian dive into the world of Nintendo — from its surprising origins to the release of the NES and the games that defined a generation. They break down the history, debate their personal Top 10 lists (including Tecmo Bowl, Mega Man, Zelda, and more), and share how Nintendo transformed childhood in the 80s with family nights, playground tips, and unforgettable 8-bit memories. Whether you grew up blowing into cartridges or just love retro gaming, this nostalgic ride is for you.
9 Sept 2025
The 1980's...Take Me Back
In the debut episode of Lost in the 80s, Rich and Brian introduce themselves and share why the decade still means so much to them. From childhood memories and family life to the pop culture, sports, and video games that defined the era, they set the stage for what’s to come in future episodes. This 20-minute kickoff offers a nostalgic overview and invites listeners to join the conversation as the show dives deeper into all things 80s.
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