And The Year Was 1985 The Podcast

This week on And The Year Was 1985, Ryan and Sam go down a serious rabbit hole.

What begins as a discussion about The X-Files and 90s conspiracy culture quickly turns into a wide-ranging conversation about media narratives, UFO disclosure, 9/11 controversies, and even Canadian trade deals.

Before social media, shows like The X-Files helped shape how people thought about government secrecy, alien encounters, and hidden truths. Today t...

This week on And The Year Was 1985, we’re joined by author, podcaster, comedian, screenwriter, and producer Courtney Kocak.

Courtney’s debut memoir Girl Gone Wild drops April 1, 2026. The book traces her journey from rural Minnesota to Los Angeles, detailing her early creative ambitions, her time working on the Girls Gone Wild tour in the late 90s, and the experiences that shaped her voice as a journalist and storyteller...

Before algorithms ran the world, the internet felt different.

This episode is a deep dive into the evolution of social media — from IRC chat rooms and message boards to MySpace profiles, Facebook walls, Twitter timelines, and today’s short-form content machine.

We break down how it started, how it shifted, and how it quietly reshaped culture, identity, relationships, politics, and attention spans.

Topics include:
• IRC ...

We’re back — and this week we’re diving straight into the headlines.

After a few weeks off, a massive Epstein document release hit the internet. We break down the fallout, the controversy surrounding the redactions, and the DOJ hearing featuring Pam Bondi. What’s actually in the files? Why are people questioning what was withheld? And what does it all mean?

Plus, the Super Bowl halftime show sparked major deba...

🎙 Welcome back, everyone!
This week, Sam and Ryan unveil the brand-new set, dive into some fresh music news, and rack up a ton of laughs along the way. It’s a classic hang with the guys as they ease into another run of episodes and set the tone for what’s ahead.

🎧 Tune in every week for a brand-new episode of And The Year Was 1985.

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https://linktr.ee/theyearwas1985

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🎙 This week on And The Year Was 1985 — Sam and Ryan are joined by special guest Kevin Dietz!

Kevin shares his journey through music, creative influences, and what fuels his songwriting today. From early inspirations to life as a working artist, this episode is packed with insight, stories, and real talk for anyone who loves music and the process behind it.

🎧 Whether you’re a musician, a fan, or just love a great convers...

We’re back and shootin’ the sh*t once again!This week, Sam and Ryan dive into a laid-back hangout episode packed with laughs and random chaos. The guys talk CD collecting, the latest in UFC, and a whole bunch more as they riff on whatever comes to mind. Tune in weekly for a new episode!

📲 Listen & Follow Us Everywhere:🔗 https://linktr.ee/theyearwas1985

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Steve Bays joins the show. Frontman of Hot Hot Heat, member of Mounties and Fur Trade, and one of Canada’s most versatile producers. We dig into conspiracy theories, the role of social media in shaping music and perception, and why late-night coffee conversations still matter.

Connect with Steve Bays:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevebays
Spotify Artist: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6YrP5z5u9zZ4guYpQqL3wT
...

We are back!

Steve Bays joins the show. Frontman of Hot Hot Heat, member of Mounties and Fur Trade, and one of Canada’s most versatile producers. We dig into conspiracy theories, the role of social media in shaping music and perception, and why late-night coffee still matters.

Connect with Steve Bays:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevebays
Spotify Artist: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6YrP5z5u9zZ4guYpQqL3wT
...

Avalon Stone joins the show. Canadian rock artist from Kitchener blending ’90s grunge with modern alt-rock. Discussion covers her early start at age 10, the writing and concept behind her debut EP “Chained,” mental health themes, and takeaways from sharing stages with Big Wreck, JJ Wilde, The Beaches, and The Goo Goo Dolls.
Website: https://www.avalonstonemusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avalon...

This week, the guys sit down with one of Canada’s most trusted voices in music. From the alt-rock explosion of the 90s to the streaming era, he’s been documenting how sound shapes culture for over three decades. Alan is Creator and Host of The Ongoing History and amazing series that you definitely should check out. We dive into his beginings, early radio, digital music, streaming, A.I. and lots more. Enjoy another incre...

New set. New energy. This week we sit down with V from @buriedbeneathmeofficial — the mind behind The House of Ash, dropping October 24. The album hits with full-scale theatrics, sharp performances, and cinematic weight. We dive into the band’s origins, sound evolution, and what comes next.

Episode out now on @andtheyearwas1985.

Website:⁠

www.buriedbeneathme.com/⁠

SocialMedia:

https://www.facebook.com/Buriedbeneathme/https:/...

🎙 Welcome back, everyone! After a killer summer break, Sam and Ryan return to kick off Season 3 of And The Year Was 1985! The guys catch up on everything that went down over the summer, talk upcoming guests, and give a sneak peek at what’s in store this season.

☀️ Grab your headphones, crack a cold one, and let’s dive back into the 90s nostalgia you know and love.

📲 Listen & Follow Us Everywhere:🔗 https://linktr.ee...