In this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora will give you the 4-1-1 on how a teen movie with a modest budget adapted from a 200 year old book became a cultural juggernaut that continues to be felt thirty years later. This is the story of Clueless. Show Contact Info: Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Guest info: Veronica Litt, assistant professor of English at Cape Breton University and author of: Ugh! As if!: Clueless https://ecwpress.com/pr...
Jun 25, 2025•41 min
In this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora is joined by singer/songwriter Jann Arden as they discuss her journey from busker to Canadian icon. Show Contact Info: Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Guest Info: www.jannarden.com Instagram: @jannarden Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 11, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 137
During the 1990s a doll that taught kids about American History became a major force within the crowded toy market. The 18 inch historically accurate dolls were expensive and only available by mail order, but they managed to capture the imagination of an entire generation and in the process made inventor Pleasant Rowland incredibly wealthy. On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the cultural phenomenon of American Girl. Show Contact Info: Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: ...
May 28, 2025•32 min
On January 1, 1994, masked indigenous rebels burst from the rainforest in Chiapas, Mexico to launch an uprising that was years in the making. The Zapatista Army declared war on the Mexican Government demanding basics rights for the diverse Mayan communities who lived in extreme poverty through out the region. The rebellion, which captured the world’s attention thanks in part to the Zapatista’s charismatic leader, coincided with the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement and was dis...
May 14, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 135
Hey, it's Kathy and I wanted to give you a little teaser for another great podcast that you can now binge in full! Check out A Most Audacious Heist wherever you podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/heist Everyone’s gotta start somewhere. Daniel enjoys his first taste of crime and the thrill of getting away with it. And a privileged young Sisi takes her freedom for granted not realizing she’s about to be caught in a trap. Is their destiny already written in the stars? Contact: Facebook: @BlanchardHous...
Apr 30, 2025•45 min
When The WB found success with the teen drama's 7th Heaven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer the fledgling new network decided to fully embrace the genre. On this episode we continue our look back at some of the iconic teen dramas that helped put The WB on the map during it's 11 year run and created core memories for the millennials who grew up watching them. Sources for this episode include: Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall of The WB and UPN By Susanne Daniels and Cynthia Littleton If hea...
Apr 16, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 134
When The WB launched in January 1995 it's initial block of programming focused on comedy with four new sitcoms including The Wayans Brothers. But it wasn't comedy that would come to define the short lived television network. Instead The WB became known as the home of the teen drama. Over the next two episode we look back at some of the most iconic teen dramas ever seen on television. From Seventh Heaven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Dawson's Creek and Charmed, this is the story of The WB. Sour...
Apr 02, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Canada's Kurt Browning made history at the 1988 World Figure Skating Championships when he became the first person to successfully land a quadruple jump in competition. He went on to dominate men's figure skating into the 1990s, winning a record breaking four world titles, including three in a row from 1989 to 1991. On this episode Kurt Browning joins us to talk about his amazing career and what it was like to be a superstar skater in the 90s. Guest Info: Kurt Browning Stars On Ice Instagram: @k...
Mar 19, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 132
When Tupac Shakur was gunned down in September 1996 it ended his short but monumental career as a rapper and actor. But his death did not stop his popularity and influence from continuing to grow. In this episode of History of the 90s we’re looking back at the extraordinary life and career of one of the most influential and controversial figures in hip-hop history. Guest Info: Ian Steaman, award-winning screenwriter and former music industry executive www.iansteaman.com Instagram: @ian.steaman S...
Mar 05, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 131
This year marks 35 years since Nelson Mandela was released from prison and apartheid was dismantled in South Africa. To mark the anniversary we are revisiting an episode that looks at some of aspects of the anti-apartheid struggle that you might not know: pirate radio and protest songs. Pirate radio was a weapon used by the African National Congress to inspire black South Africans and to counter propaganda and misinformation by the apartheid government. While protest songs performed by western m...
Feb 19, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 122
It’s a summer night in 1998. Vienna, Austria. And petty thief Daniel Blanchard is about to carry out the heist of a lifetime. Stealing a crown jewel. The last remaining diamond Sisi Star. His plan? A daring night-time parachute jump. Daniel is no ordinary thief. His heists are ingenious, meticulously planned; his escapes from the law defy belief. And Daniel knows that if he can get his hands on the star, it will launch him into the criminal big-leagues. Daniel’s exploits unleash a relentless gam...
Feb 12, 2025•36 min
During the 1990s TV’s approach to LGBTQ+ characters underwent a dramatic transformation. Groundbreaking storylines on numerous shows including My So Called Life, Roseanne, Ellen and Will and Grace played a crucial role in increasing queer representation on television. On this Episode of History of the ‘90s we look back at some of the characters and shows that helped bring more queer content into the mainstream. GUEST INFO: Stephen Tropiano, Professor and Program Director of Ithaca College’s JB P...
Feb 05, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Tennis in the 1990s was dominated by several young and talented players who helped usher in a new era on both the men’s and women’s tours. In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the flashy, style of Andre Agassi and his highly talented rival Pete Sampras who faced off in one of the greatest tennis rivalries ever. As well as the equally exciting rivalry between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles which came to a premature and tragic conclusion. Guest Info: Tony Hagen, co-host of the Gay T...
Jan 22, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 129
There are some years when it seems like the world has gone a bit mad and 1995 was one of those years. Deadly terrorist attacks in the US and Japan shocked the world, while an assassination in Israel ended any hope for peace in the middle east. Meantime, high profile murder trials fascinated the public in Los Angeles and Toronto and Quebec came within a hair of separating from Canada. In this episode of History of the 90s we’re taking a look back at those stories and several others as we count do...
Jan 08, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 128
The holiday season is upon us and one questions is always present. Have you been naughty or nice? Depending on your answer you'll either be rewarded or you'll find a much more frightening fate will be upon you, and no, it's not a lump of coal. For centuries, disobedient children in Austria and other Alpine countries have faced a truly terrifying Christmas consequence for their misbehavior — a dreaded visit from Krampus. If you've misbehaved Krampus can be heard before he can be seen which makes ...
Dec 25, 2024•22 min
In the 1990s four Canadian women dominated the charts, each with their own style and type of music. On this episode of History of the 90s we continue looking back at the era as we dig into the musical journeys of Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morisette. Guest Info: Andrea Warner, author of "We Oughta Know: How Celine, Shania, Alanis and Sarah Ruled the 90s and Changed Music and co-host of the Pop This! podcast. Show Info: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: [email protected] Lear...
Dec 11, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 127
In the 1990s four Canadian women dominated the charts, each with their own style and type of music. Over the next two episodes of History of the 90s, we are looking back at their journeys to fame and success in a male dominated industry. These are the stories of Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette. Guest Info: Andrea Warner, author of "We Oughta Know: How Celine, Shania, Alanis and Sarah Ruled the 90s and Changed Music and co-host of the Pop This! podcast. Show Info:...
Nov 27, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 126
For seven seasons in the 1990s a TV show that featured musclebound men and women doling out punishing hits while dressed in star spangled spandex outfits became a pop culture phenomenon. In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at American Gladiators with help from Jim Starr better known as Laser, the only Gladiator to appear in every season of the show. SHOW INFO: TikTok: @90spodcast Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
Nov 13, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 125
In 1990, a plan to expand a golf course in Oka, Quebec led to a 78 day standoff with the Mohawks of Kanesatake who claimed the disputed land belonged to them. During the tense standoff a provincial police officer was killed, mobs of locals burned effigies and harassed Indigenous people and ultimately Canadian Forces soldiers were deployed to the area. In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at what led up to the Kanestake Resistance and how it forced Canada to confront a new reality i...
Oct 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 124
This year marks 30 years since Friends debuted on NBC and changed the face of television. Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey quickly became a cultural phenomenon as millions of viewers tuned in each week to watch them navigate that time in your life when your friends are your family. This week we revisit an episode from 2019 which took a deep dive into the making of the iconic sitcom and tries to answer the question why Friends continues to endure, despite some of its obvious flaws....
Oct 16, 2024•46 min
In October 1994 a young mom from a small town in South Carolina reported that she was carjacked on a rural road. Susan Smith claimed that an unknown Black man forced her out of her car at gunpoint and then drove away with her two toddlers in the backseat. The search for the boys and Smith’s emotional pleas for their return drew media attention from around the world for nine days. On this episode of History of the 90s host Kathy Kenzora looks back at the case and the shocking outcome. SHOW INFO: ...
Oct 02, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 123
When Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman first created four teenage crime fighting turtles it was little more than a bit of fun for the aspiring illustrators. But over the next few years, the heroes in a half shell became a cultural phenomenon that peaked in the 1990s with a series of live action movies. In this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora takes you into the sewers of New York for a look back at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Turtlemania. GUEST INFO: Isaac Elliot-Fisher, ci...
Sep 18, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 122
From Alice in Chains and Green Day to Aaliyah and TLC 1994 was a monumental year in music. On this episode of History of the 90s we continue are look back at some of the records that dominated the music charts 30 years ago. This is part two of 10 Classic Albums from 1994. GUEST INFO: Mike Donnelley and Adam Zurbruegg from You’ve Got 90s, New York/New Jersey’s cover band experience www.youvegot90s.com Instagram: @youvegot90sband SHOW INFO: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s...
Sep 04, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 120
From Alice in Chains and Green Day to Aaliyah and TLC 1994 was a monumental year in music. Over the next two episodes of History of the 90s we travel back 30 years for a closer look at some of the records that dominated the music charts. This is part one of 10 Classic Albums from 1994. GUEST INFO: Mike Donnelley and Adam Zurbruegg from You’ve Got 90s, New York/New Jersey’s coverband experience www.youvegot90s.com Instagram: @youvegot90sband SHOW INFO: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodca...
Aug 21, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 120
From The Simpson’s “Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show” to The Soprano’s “College” the 1990s were filled with memorable TV moments. On this episode we travel back in time for the second part of our series on nine television episodes that defined the 90s. GUEST INFO: Twitter/X: @chrisxmorgan Instagram: @chrismorgansporcle SHOW INFO: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 07, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 119
From Seinfeld’s "The Contest" to "Jessie’s Song" on Saved By The Bell the 1990s were filled with memorable TV moments. Over the next two episodes we are going to travel back in time to revisit nine television episodes that defined the 90s and got everybody talking by pushing boundaries and making us laugh. GUEST INFO: Chris Morgan, pop culture writer and author of 99 Episodes That Defined the 90s and The Nickelodeon ‘90s Twitter/X: @chrisxmorgan Instagram: @chrismorgansporcle SHOW INFO: Instagra...
Jul 24, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 118
In this episode we are looking back at the discovery of a game changing treatment for the male libido and the marketing strategy that made it the fastest selling prescription drug in history. This is the story of Viagra. SHOW INFO: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 10, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 117
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the animated Disney classic The Lion King. Since its release on June 24, 1994, The Lion King has remained an enduring part of pop culture thanks to a never ending love by the generation that came of age alongside Simba the lion cub. On this episode of History of the 90s we revisit an episode released in 2019 to mark the 25th anniversary of The Lion King. SHOW INFO: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about yo...
Jun 26, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In 1931, a larger than life prospector, in search of Slumach’s legendary lost gold mine goes missing in the wilderness of British Columbia. In this episode, we retrace the epic search and rescue efforts that went into looking for the missing prospector as well potential clues left behind at his campsite, that point to an even bigger mystery of what happened to Volcanic Brown? Host: Kru Williams Guest: Adam Palmer Facebook - @HISTORYCanada Instagram - @deadmanscurse Instagram - @Historyca Instagr...
Jun 20, 2024•22 min
In May 1999 hordes of Star Wars fans swarmed movie theatres for an event that many thought might never happen. It was release day for a movie they had spent the past 15 years longing for, but all the excitement soon turned to confusion, disappointment and in some cases even anger. In this episode we are looking back at one of the biggest movie releases of the decade. This is the story of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. GUEST INFO: Fearless Fred Kennedy, radio DJ on Q107 in Toronto wee...
Jun 12, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 116
