
The Documentary Podcast The power of nostalgia and a first kiss
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Jan 4, 2026 Victoria Gill, a Science Correspondent, dives into the fascinating evolutionary origins of kissing, revealing that it may date back over 21 million years across species. Meanwhile, Marie Tussiama, founder of Archive Ivoir, shares her personal insights on Côte d'Ivoire's 90s–00s aesthetics and the current Y2K revival among Gen Z. They discuss how nostalgia helps us reconnect with the past, why younger generations embrace retro styles, and explore the intriguing behaviors surrounding kissing in both humans and animals.
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Nostalgia Reaches Beyond Lived Experience
- Nostalgia is a universal sentimental feeling that connects people to the past through memories and objects.
- Gen Z often feels nostalgia for eras they never lived through, drawn to Y2K fashion and old tech.
Why Nostalgia Feels So Rewarding
- Nostalgia serves self-reflection, autobiographical continuity, and emotional regulation according to Ryan Lazardi.
- The brain rewards nostalgic recall by releasing dopamine and sanding off negative details to improve mood.
Use Repetition To Build Nostalgic Value
- Repetition strengthens nostalgic attachments by making memories more salient and positively glossed by the brain.
- Seek repeated, positive experiences if you want durable nostalgic connections to certain media or objects.

