
History of the 90s
On History of the 90’s we travel back in time through the stories that defined a decade. The last 10 years of the 20th century was a time like no other, from Columbine to Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Seinfeld, Air Jordan, and the Spice Girls …if it happened in the 90’s you’ll hear about it on this podcast. Join Kathy Kenzora as we journey through the History of the 90's every other Wednesday.
Latest episodes

Jun 25, 2025 • 41min
Clueless | 138
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: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest info:
Veronica Litt, assistant professor of English at Cape Breton University and author of: Ugh! As if!: Clueless
https://ecwpress.com/products/ugh-as-if
Additional Sources for this episode: As if! The Oral History of Clueless as told by Amy Heckerling and the Cast and Crew By Jen Chaney
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Jun 11, 2025 • 33min
Jann Arden | 137
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: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest Info:
www.jannarden.com
Instagram: @jannarden
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May 28, 2025 • 32min
American Girl Dolls | 136
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: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest info:
Emilie Zaslow, professor at Pace University in New York and author of Playing With America's Doll: Cultural Analysis of the American Girl Collection
www.emiliezaslow.com
Dominique Jean-Louis, the chief historian of the Center for Brooklyn History at the Brooklyn Public Library. Previously as a curator of history exhibits at the New York Historical Museum she worked on an exhibit that focused on the history and significance of Black Dolls in American history.
X: @DominiqueJL15
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May 14, 2025 • 43min
The Zapatista Uprising | 135
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 disastrous for Mexican President Carlos Salinas who had promised his trade partners that Mexico was a modern, peaceful democratic country.
Show Contact Info:
Instagram: @that90spodcast
Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca
Guest Info:
Neil Harvey, Professor New Mexico State University and
author of :
The Chiapas Rebellion; The Struggle for Land and Democracy
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Apr 30, 2025 • 45min
Introducing... A Most Audacious Heist - The Only Way Is Up | 02
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/heistEveryone’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: @BlanchardHouseStoriesInstagram: @BlanchardHouseStoriesX (formerly Twitter): @BlanchardTweetsBlanchard House website: blanchard-house.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 16, 2025 • 48min
The WB & The Teen Drama - Part 2 | 134
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 UPNBy Susanne Daniels and Cynthia Littleton If hearing about Dawson's epic breakdown at the end of season three wasn't enough, you can watch it here.Show Contact Info:Instagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 2, 2025 • 36min
The WB & The Teen Drama - Part 1 | 133
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.Sources for this episode include: Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall of The WB and UPNBy Susanne Daniels and Cynthia Littleton Show Contact Info:Instagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 19, 2025 • 48min
Kurt Browning | 132
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 IceInstagram: @kb. on.iceX: @KurtBrowningSHOW INFO:Show Info: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 5, 2025 • 55min
Tupac Shakur | 131
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 executivewww.iansteaman.comInstagram: @ian.steamanSHOW INFO:Show Info: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 19, 2025 • 44min
Nelson Mandela and Apartheid Revisited
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 musicians played a pivotal role in raising awareness in the rest of the world about the injustices in South Africa.Songs mentioned in episode:Biko, by Peter Gabriel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luVpsM3YAgwFree Nelson Mandela, by The Special AKA https://youtu.be/FmKiq0mQd8c?si=5J-EdHYYZU4rbusWSun City, by Artists United Against Apartheid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BIvf-ZlJNcGuest Info:Sekibakiba Peter Lekgoathi (Ph.D.)Associate Professor of HistoryUniversity of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSHOW INFO:Show Info: Instagram: @that90spodcast TikTok: @90spodcast Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices