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 those conversations have moved online, spreading through podcasts, forums, and independent media.

In this episode we explore:

• How The X-Files influenced mainstream conspiracy culture
• The difference between 90s conspiracy communities and today’s internet pipelines
• Media control and narrative shaping
• UFOs and the current alien disclosure conversation
• The ongoing cultural debate around 9/11
• Why political and trade decisions can fuel conspiracy thinking

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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.

We talk about:
• Growing up in Minnesota and chasing creative ambition
• Moving to LA and breaking into media
• The reality behind the Girls Gone Wild era
• Building a career in podcasting
• Writing and publishing Girl Gone Wild
• Reporting on sex, psychedelics, and reproductive rights

Courtney hosts Private Parts Unknown, The Bleeders, and Podcast Bestie, and has produced major podcasts including The Bellas Podcast and Never Stand Still.

Pre-order or learn more about Girl Gone Wild:
https://www.courtneykocak.com

Follow Courtney:
Website: https://www.courtneykocak.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneykocak
X: https://x.com/courtneykocak
Private Parts Unknown: https://www.privatepartsunknown.com
Podcast Bestie: https://www.podcastbestie.com

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New episodes weekly.

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 & forum culture
• AIM, MSN & early digital identity
• MySpace vs Facebook
• The rise of influencers
• The algorithm era
• Cancel culture
• The loss of anonymity
• Is social media better now — or worse?

If you remember customizing your Top 8 or hearing the dial-up tone, this episode is for you.

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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 debate. Bad Bunny took the stage and reactions were split. We unpack the backlash, the cultural conversation, and the media response.

On this episode:
• The Epstein files document dump
• Redactions and DOJ testimony
• Super Bowl halftime controversy
• Public reaction vs media narrative

This is Episode 13, Season 3 of And The Year Was 1985.

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New episodes weekly.

🎙 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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🎙 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 conversation, this one hits.

🔗 Connect with Kevin Dietz:
Website: https://kevindietzmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietztagram/

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This week the guys check out the Netflix Live Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua. Come take listen for the live reaction on this week podcast!

New episodes weekly

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!

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