

Talk ’90s to me
Podmasters
Diving deep into a wild decade of chaos, creativity and hedonism – from Oasis to ‘Friends’, from grunge to girl power, from Kate Moss to alcopops to ‘Trainspotting’ and beyond. Join award-winning Observer journalist and Smash Hits graduate Miranda Sawyer as she meets the people who were really there for the decade of Cool Britannia, Cantona and the Chemical Generation.
Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky for clips, behind the scenes content and to send us your questions & thoughts!
You can now support us on Patreon! Help support the podcast and get episodes early and ad-free, bonus content and some EXCELLENT merch.
Talk ’90s To Me – could a podcast BE any more brilliant?
Talk ’90s To Me is a Podmasters production.
Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky for clips, behind the scenes content and to send us your questions & thoughts!
You can now support us on Patreon! Help support the podcast and get episodes early and ad-free, bonus content and some EXCELLENT merch.
Talk ’90s To Me – could a podcast BE any more brilliant?
Talk ’90s To Me is a Podmasters production.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 24, 2025 • 59min
Seinfeld – The best sitcom of the ’90s?
Phoebe Roy, a writer and comedian, and Milo Edwards, a comedian and podcaster, dive into the quirky world of Seinfeld, dissecting its rise from an oddity to a cultural landmark. They share how the show's 'nothing' premise mirrors real friendships, recount childhood VHS hunting experiences, and analyze iconic character dynamics, particularly George and Elaine. The duo reflects on the show's legacy and influence on modern comedy, while also addressing more controversial aspects of Jerry's life, balancing nostalgia with critical insights.

Nov 21, 2025 • 26min
RIP Mani – Why the Stone Roses bass genius was universally loved
John Robb, a journalist and founder of Louder Than War, pays tribute to the beloved Stone Roses bassist Gary 'Mani' Mounfield. Robb reflects on how Mani's infectious personality and warmth united the band and the music scene in Manchester. He explores Mani’s punk roots, his intuitive bass playing that fused indie and dance, and his role as a mediator within a volatile group. With personal anecdotes and insight into Mani's legacy, Robb captures why Mani remains cherished in British music history.

Nov 17, 2025 • 52min
Thelma & Louise – The ’90s most important chick flick
This week features Sarah Morgan, a comedy writer known for her work on Geek Girl, who dives into the cultural impact of Thelma & Louise. She discusses the film's liberating narrative and how it reshaped perceptions of chick flicks. Sarah reveals fascinating insights about casting, including the last-minute choice of Brad Pitt and Meryl Streep’s notable influence. They also analyze iconic scenes, character development, and the critical backlash that sparked vital conversations about feminism in Hollywood.

Nov 10, 2025 • 49min
From Take That to Westlife – Inside the boy band boom!
Michael Cragg, music journalist and author of 'Reach for the Stars: 1996–2006,' dives into the vibrant world of 90s boy bands. He shares how Take That transformed the genre and the impact of Robbie Williams' departure. The conversation explores fan culture before social media and the obsessive marketing strategies of the era. Michael delves into the rise and fall of groups like Westlife and Five, highlighting the mental health struggles they faced. He also discusses the evolution of boy bands into the 2000s and the shift away from choreography in male acts.

Nov 5, 2025 • 19min
Patreon mini-pod! UNFINISHED SYMPATHY – How MASSIVE ATTACK kickstarted trip-hop
Stand-up comedian and podcaster Carl Donnelly shares his deep passion for trip-hop and Massive Attack. He explores how 'Unfinished Sympathy' revolutionized ’90s music by blending hip hop, soul, and dance influences. Carl highlights Shara Nelson’s key role in the song and the often-overlooked contributions of female vocalists. He also describes the remarkable strings arrangement story and the emotional impact of its iconic single-take music video. The discussion immerses listeners in the modern yet melancholic vibe that defined a generation.

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
The KLF! The real story of the band that burnt one million quid
Joe Muggs, a journalist and writer specializing in electronic music, joins to share the wild story of The KLF, a band that shockingly burnt a million pounds. He discusses their origins, from Bill Drummond's Liverpool roots to their influence on acid house and rave culture. Joe delves into their infamous hits, including a controversial Doctor Who mashup, and explores their artistic provocation with the K Foundation. The conversation wraps up with insights into their lasting legacy, including the innovative People's Pyramid project.

Oct 27, 2025 • 51min
How Scream started the ’90s horror revolution
The brand new podcast that dives deep into all things ’90s. For our special Halloween episode, we’re looking back at the film that defined ‘90s horror. When Scream slashed into cinemas in 1996, Wes Craven’s meta-masterpiece tore up the rulebook and rewrote the genre for a new generation. Miranda Sawyer is joined by Clark Collis, author of Screaming and Conjuring: The Resurrection and Unstoppable Rise of the Modern Horror Movie to find out why Scream is still the sharpest horror satire and asking the question: “What’s your favourite scary movie?”
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Buy Miranda’s book Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs and Clark’s book Screaming and Conjuring: The Resurrection and Unstoppable Rise of the Modern Horror Movie through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.
Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out moreWritten and presented by Miranda Sawyer. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio and video production by Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Soniq Branding from Artlist. Talk ’90s To Me is a Podmasters production.
www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 4min
Adam Buxton! – Inside the making of The Adam and Joe Show!
The brand new podcast that dives deep into all things ’90s. Before YouTube, before TikTok, Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish were ahead of the curve: parodying Hollywood blockbusters with toys, pranking shopkeepers with the direction of Louis Theroux and doing it all on a shoestring budget. This week, Miranda Sawyer is joined by Adam Buxton, podcaster, national treasure and author of I Love You, Byeee, to look back at the cult brilliance of Channel 4’s The Adam and Joe Show.
You can now support us on Patreon! Help support the podcast and get episodes early and ad-free, bonus content and some EXCELLENT merch.
Follow us on:
BlueSky
Instagram
TikTok
Subscribe to our Spotify playlist
Buy Miranda’s book Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs and Adam’s book I Love You, Byeee through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.
Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out moreWritten and presented by Miranda Sawyer. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio and video production by Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Soniq Branding from Artlist. Talk ’90s To Me is a Podmasters production.
www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 13, 2025 • 53min
Tomb Raider! – Lara Croft, girl power and the game that changed everything
Aleks Krotoski, a tech expert and host of Radio 4's The Digital Human, dives into the revolutionary impact of Lara Croft in gaming. She discusses how Lara became a cultural icon in the '90s, merging empowerment with controversy due to her objectification. The conversation highlights PlayStation's role in marketing gaming to young adults and the complexities of Lara's design. Aleks reflects on early fandoms and Lara's franchise growth while critiquing the limits of '90s media and the challenges of modern reboots.

5 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 1min
How the Castlemorton rave changed festivals forever
Filmmaker Aaron Trinder, director of the documentary 'Free Party: A Folk History,' dives into the wild world of the Castlemorton rave. He explains how this monumental event, uniting travelers and ravers, reshaped festivals and nightlife in the UK. With thrilling tales of unity amidst chaos and the profound impact of media coverage, Trinder reveals the cultural shifts that followed, including the legal repercussions that stifled free parties. He also reflects on how the spirit of Castlemorton lives on in modern festival culture and the ongoing fight for public assembly rights.


