That's Pretty Dark: An '80s & '90s Nostalgia Podcast

Spice Girl Power, sitcom surrealism, and the Satanic Temple… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they wrap up their Sabrina timeline with a discussion about the Netflix series, including its surprising real-world Satanic Temple conflict, and run down a highlight reel of pretty dark plot points from across the franchise. From the character’s religious ties, to 60+ years of feminism, they’re ready to spend some of their Halloween season untangling the cultural reflections AND impact laced into Sabrina’s life cycles.

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TGIF, comic book lore, and Salem Saberhagen… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they begin their deep dive on one of the Pretty Darkest mainstream characters of the 20th century. From her Archie Comics debut to everyone’s Friday night TV screens, Sabrina went through a lot to become the witch we know and love. Plenty of origin-stories and sitcom behind-the-scenes await…

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Halloween How-To's, spicy pumpkins, and relentless hope… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘80s AND ‘90s kids as they wait in the pumpkin patch and share everything from the childhood and career of Charles Schulz to the origin of Peanuts, to a breakdown of America’s first bonafide “Halloween Special.” Intwining their own Halloween memories, this October dream team is characteristically wistful about keeping the spirit of the holiday alive… just like Linus.

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Headless Horsemen, undying legends, and glowstick Jack-o’-lanterns… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they discuss their own ghostly happenings, yearn for Halloween dances gone by, and get “a-head” of Spooky Season with one of the oldest and most prevalent American ghost stories – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. From early Dutch settler lore to revolutionary-era imprints of tragedy, Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman, imparted to us here by the Midnight Society, has held a chilling place in our collective hearts for over two centuries, and seems like the perfect introduction to our sixth Hallowee...

Romantic friendships, flashlit faces, and perpetual comings-of-age… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they round all the bases on this beloved staple. Together, they’ll do s’more reflecting on the “mature themes” and childlike wonder that combined forces to make this film such a classic, take a closer look at the scenes that made multiple generations cheer, shudder, and smile, and get just a lil emotional about the finite nature of life (and baseball). If this Existential Summer is reminding us of one thing, it’s that life goes by way too fast – and...

Achy Americana, baseball slang, and Benny the Disappearing Jet… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they wring out whatever magic is left in Existential Summer and step up to the plate at the Sandlot. Writer and director David Mickey Evans hit a home run in nostalgia, and this peek behind the scenes highlights his quest to reframe his own experiences as the new kid on the block. Come bask in 30-year cycles, prime schoolyard insults, and the timelessness of a pre-tech childhood with your Ghost Hosts!

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Ducky-isms, banana teeth, and emotional extinction events… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they take one for the millennial team and journey toward their own Pretty Dark Great Valley, full of dino-racism, prickly tears, and the death of Littlefoot’s mother. This film shaped a generation’s view of life, grief, and loss in ways that most of us are still unpacking… but luckily, we can do it together, armed with dino-facts and thoughts of Norman Bates (don’t ask).

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Dinosaur infodumps, paleontological accuracy, and Bambi's Late Jurassic ancestor… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they tackle the production story behind one of the most emotionally heavy-hitting films they can recall – and learn how it almost hit even heavier. From Spielberg’s original vision, to James Horner’s unmistakable musical imprint, to the late 19th century Bone Wars and their dinosaur naming conventions, there’s more than a century of Lore Before Time to excavate together.

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Blue collar blues, nursing homes, and the crushing conveyer belt of existence… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they flash back to the Brave Little Toaster franchise to break down a song they couldn’t squeeze into their earlier coverage. One of the most existentially charged tracks from their childhoods, they’ve spent years carrying the confusion of the complex, adult references and haunting obsolescence. They’re ready to make it all make sense with and for their Darkling friends, one lyric at a time. 

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Fiery bosses, paper pushers, and infinite Reptar cereal… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they rewind to the dawn of the Nicktoon and learn how these toddlers were created – and how they managed to teach a generation about growing up. As one of Nickelodeon’s longest running programs, and one of the earliest to reach your Ghost Hosts, Rugrats had a unique opportunity to shape our collective psyche in ways we wouldn’t appreciate for decades. This first trip into the catalog showcases that developmental shift as the kids share a hellish fantasy ab...

Psychic Photography, vengeful spirits, and Phoebe Bridgers… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these four ‘90s ParaPods kids (including Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer!) as they wade deeper into the curses and tragedies that made Samara spiral in the first place. Walk with them through the original Japanese cursed videos and novels, compare and contrast their American counterparts, and explore the misogynistic shadows of the Japanese spiritualist movement. Historical context makes The Ring’s trademark echo of hate, revenge, and destruction all the more haunting… and all we know is, society better do a quick 180, lest these pa...

Sleepwalking parents, Japanese folklore, and viral marketing campaigns… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids and two of their podcastin’ heroes as they turn up the horror dial with a millennial classic that shaped the genre as we now know it. Em Schulz brings the FASCINATING history of chain letters, Christine Schiefer shares childhood nightmares that prevent her from watching horror movies to this day, and your Ghost Hosts guide you through the film’s production history and cyclical Japanese ghost stories that inspired it. Though it wasn’t made for children, many of us caught T...

Chanting townsfolk, quarantined premises, and The Little Engine That Could… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they head back to Hillwood for Arnold’s very first toe-dip into urban legend territory. These airwaves are consistently partial to the Boo-Radley-kind, and Stoop Kid is no exception. Highlighting the effects of neglect, societal pressure, and the power of one’s mindset, this Hey Arnold! fixture not only stuck in our minds but showed us that there’s life beyond one’s stoop… but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to leave.

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Bracket busters, trolley problems, and exploding heads… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! These FOUR ‘90s kids take you through their first annual March “Dadness” bracket (underscored by Jeri’s foolproof Daddy/Babygirl scale), in which they rate, rank, compare, and debate the traits of 16 randomly selected Pretty Dark villains to determine The Darkest of Them All. The final matchup is one for the ages, and it’s possible your Ghost Hosts have never soapboxed this hard, so get your March Madness fix a month late with laughs, logic, and these tangenting ParaPods partners in crime. 

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Super Soaker battles, gravedigging legends, and androgynous icons… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! These ‘90s kids are finishing up season 2 of Are You Afraid of the Dark? and going out with a bang… a game, really, of potentially disastrous consequences. Around here, we recognize that it’s important—maybe now more than ever—to play. To connect to our inner children and re-live carefree times gone by. In fact, kids have been hiding-and-seeking for nearly all of recorded history. But in the case of this Midnight Society tale, we find that play can sometimes become an eternal state...

Unicornian origins, Greek mythology, and bodies that are dying around us… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! These ‘90s kids are rounding out their coverage of a film (and novel) that, though elusive to both of them in childhood, has plenty of nostalgic, achy yearning to go around. They’ll lead you through this Unicorn-hero’s journey centered on mortality, identity, and regret – built by not only the terrifyingly finite nature of time, but our inherent need for authenticity and community. Don’t worry, Darklings, your Unicorn might still be coming ‘round the mountain.

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Existentialism, unicornicopias, and speed dating EM SCHULZ… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! These ‘90s kids are beside themselves with anticipation to announce their new home—the ParaPods network, founded by Em Schulz and Christine Scheifer of And That’s Why We Drink podcast! First up, Em joins Kalyn for a Valentine’s extravaganza. Then, they get into your regularly scheduled programming with a trip through 1970s animation culture. The Last Unicorn, from earliest origins, is a tale for those who harbor a phantom, fading magic, and are up to the daunting task of finding their place in the wor...

Reptilian subjugation, Walkman contraband, and Spunge… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for another Midnight Society gathering where nothing is as it seems. From boarding school horrors to binaural beats, they’ll unpack the psychological reasoning behind one of Are You Afraid of the Dark?’s most conspiracy-laden tales. It might seem coldblooded, but as usual, there are more layers to crack into than one might eggspect.

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Demonic forces, prestidigitation, and a braided ficus… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids around the Midnight Society campfire for a mysterious, magnificent trip through the history and art of stage magic. They’ll explore the enduring legacy of magic as performance, ponder portals and vortexes, and uncover references buried so deep you might miss them if you didn’t know where to look…. kinda like a magic trick. 

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Optimistic reflections, Ghost Host life, and introducing Editing Mason… Oh lawd, it’s about to get Pretty Dark as we ring in 2026! Join these ‘90s kids around the annual campfire to decompress, hear about editing triumphs and turmoils, and candidly discuss what made the Pretty Darkness most poignant in our collective and individual 2025 experiences. TPD is poised to grow in exciting ways this year, but one thing is for sure—we couldn’t be more grateful to be not-alone with our Darkling community.

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Ancient gift-bringers, corporal punishment, and Santa’s manna… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for a long overdue folkloric account detailing the traditions that brought our most recognizable Christmas character into the mainstream. From spectral horsemen and old world saints to cautionary characters and medieval stage plays, this Pretty Dark version of Christmas cheer is sure to bring a chill to your spine and a Ruprecht to your door. Just trust us.

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Electroshock therapy, egg allergies, and sentient furniture… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Journey with these ‘90s kids through the most confusing, labyrinthian corners of either a far-off, fantastical world, or a traumatized young girl’s psyche. With haunting whispers of early 20th century quack psychiatry and multiple, varied dissections of self and identity, the idea that there’s “no place like home” takes on new meaning not only for Dorothy Gale, but any child willing to read between Baum’s sparkliest lines.

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Talkin' fowl, prosaic protection, and the importance of mannequins… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for a culturally-relevant trip through the life and times of 'The Wizard of Oz' originator L. Frank Baum, then peek behind the production curtain on what might be the darkest Oz adaptation to date. With ethereal grit only found in a kids’ film of the 1980s, it’s safe to say 'Return to Oz' confounded yet comforted your Ghost Hosts – and changed a generation of child audiences For Good.

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Pubescent parenting perils, ancient cycles, and the real trick to magic… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for a double-stuffed Halloween celebration as they unpack both the production details and plot behind of one of the finest DCOMs of the mortal world. They’ll revisit their own coming-of-age criticisms with new perspective, and by way of the witchy, underscore the importance of developmentally appropriate education. It’s a heavy helping of Halloween nostalgia and a timely reminder that when we honor our true selves (and the agency of those around us)…. it just might be e...

Annual seances, proverbial outcasts, and an undying sense of dark humor… Oh lawd, it’s about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids on a romp to remember as they reacquaint themselves with the 1991 Addams Family, whose gruesome yet affectionate nature has perplexed, delighted, and influenced audiences for a nearly a century, earning their macabre place in the annals of pretty dark history.

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Death iconography, spooky satire, and mid-century screa-ums… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for the history behind everyone’s favorite ooky, spooky family. Straight from the morbidly curious mind of Charles Addams, these characters and their macabre sensibilities sent shockwaves throughout the 20th century. They and their disquieting hospitality evolved (along with the public) all the way into our ‘90s living rooms, paving the way for alternative thinking, self-assurance, and those of us who have never fit into the boxes society would prefer.

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Otherworldly invaders, radio Tricks, and Well(e)s of Treats… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they investigate one of America’s most notorious Halloween hijinks—the 1938 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast—through the lens of everyone’s favorite Football Head on All Hallows Eve. With a harrowing recap of the myths and realities of this historical “alien invasion” entwined with a walkthrough of Hillwood's own recreation, they’ll raise all kinds of questions about what we collectively believe and the mechanics of how and why we decide to believe it.

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Wicked purple ooze, violent programming, and enslaved parents ... Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids getting real about the silliest and most sinister(?) sides of the Power Rangers prism. Come tie together the loosest ends, bemoan missed opportunities, insert more euphemism than ever thought possible, and round it all out with the realization that maybe a dose of accessible empowerment and planetary preservation wasn’t the worst thing to feed your child-self.

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Capitalistic considerations, Morphin mythos, and erotic planets… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they learn the layered history behind one of the biggest franchises (complete with infinite merchandise) their show has ever seen. Whether you were, yourself, a childhood Mighty Morpher or you’ve always wondered where all of its colorful chaos originated - the complex cultural overlap and monetary motivation are plentiful… and pretty dark. 

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The Law of the Jungle, ripples of consequence, and a childhood lost…or gained… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they STAMPEDE through a recap – and reevaluation – of Jumanji’s darkest truths, traipsing through the strange comfort and coping found in urban legend, the enduring-if-harmful performance of “masculinity,” and the unraveling of a town’s legacy…. Society’s games may have been established long ago, but if there’s anything this sentient tabletop teaches us, it’s that it’s our decision which ones to keep playing.

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Imposter syndrome, improbable illustrations, and Robin’s legacy… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for a JUNGLE of a time as they dig up long buried lore around Jumanji’s original author and its picture-book beginning, hit harrowing production highlights, and pay homage to one of the greatest comedians and thinkers the world has ever known. Like most good fiction, it turns out Jumanji was born from a reserved mind with a chaotic craving… A sense of wonder, a curious “what if…?”… a persistent itch only imagination – and a few million in special effects – could scra...

Bicycle independence, Blockbuster Fridays, and a revenant paradox… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these rusty ‘90s kids for a crash course through Christian’s favorite 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' tale, which thrusts us all into the golden, glowing nostalgia of a good ol’ fashioned bike ride, offers a snapshot of how the ‘90s handled PTSD, and chills with the poignant reminder that some friendships reach beyond the grave. Strap on your bike helmets, your fishing boots, and your most haunting “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve,” and meet us down at our bridge…. You know th...

Tower of Terror stories, the great Disney vs. Nickelodeon debate, and a look at modern horror conventions… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they continue to pick the brain of DJ MacHale, Co-Creator of Are You Afraid of the Dark, and get his thoughts on everything from his film projects, to his TV show with Lizzie McGuire producer Stan Rogow, to his honest thoughts on Goosebumps! It’s a far-reaching, nostalgic-as-ever episode culminating in some of DJ’s own worst fears… if you’re brave enough to hear ‘em!

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Nostalgic Nickelodeon, the schematics of fear, and D.J.’s own haunted house… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for their 100-episode-extravaganza! Here, they celebrate a cornerstone of children’s horror, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, WITH the mastermind behind its success. Together, they’ll share insights from the show’s conception and excavate societal and psychological ingredients that make up the DNA of AYAOTD. Honored, amazed, and as spooked as ever, your Ghost Hosts and their proverbial patron saint FINALLY get the chance to geek out about TPD’s most timeless themes… and re...

Campy dialogue, stucco surreality, and the history of the Pet Detective… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for a dose of tongue-in-cheek noir as their season binge takes them back to suburban xenophobia and the fascinating intersections of vampire and werewolf lore. Somewhere between after-school-special and self-aware ‘60s horror, it serves as a unique metaphor within the AYAOTD catalog - not only an early LGBTQ+ pride flag, but a reminder that we shouldn’t judge books by their covers…. Though we’d do well to keep our pets indoors.

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Fractured personalities, toilet humor, and reparenting your inner self… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids as they apply a heaping helping of psychology and personal reflection to the cringiest and most chaotic parts of adulthood. They get deep about the roles of mothers (and women) in society, pick at their own parental wounds, and thoroughly excavate this Jack-In-The-Box chocked full of everything you repressed... and everything you were socialized to believe….. or not to. 

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Snot faces, imaginary “friends”, and impending doom… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids to get into the history behind one of the deepest darkest…loudest and most obnoxious… corners of your childhood memory. If ever you (or your parents) wondered how the hell this film came to be, you’re in the right place. Clutch your pearls and hang on to your cobwebs as we find psychological through lines and open the doors for a deep dive into what it means to reparent oneself. We’ll be on our worst behavior, we promise!

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Man-handed crocodiles, moonshinin’ muskrats, and the building blocks of feminism… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids down on the bayou to examine everything from The Rescuers’ infectious hope and faith (and some real-life messages-in-bottles), to the film’s feminist slant and the ways it managed… or failed… to manifest. So many of these charming (and violent) southern frames have stayed tucked away in children’s minds decades over. It’s high time we hold them up to our flashlights, together in this shimmering swamp of nostalgia, and maybe even try to see them from a new angle o...

Tearful tributes, scandalous snafus, and the birth of Medusa… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids, returning in all their Movie Night glory, to regale you with the history behind this… gem… of a Disney classic. Bridging the gap between the studio’s famed Nine Old Men and a whole new class of animators that would eventually herald the Disney Renaissance, this murky production story, and the PR nightmare that followed, are sure to turn some heads.

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Generational grudges, queer-coded aunties, and home-owning horrors… Oh lawd, it's about to get pretty dark! Join these ‘90s kids for one of Are You Afraid of the Dark?’s most chilling hauntings as they unpack the lasting impression of a singular phrase, raid the corners of the internet for “real” frozen ghost stories, and reminisce on the magical career of Melissa Joan Hart. The day might’ve been saved, but there are still plenty of dark conclusions to draw surrounding the disappearance of this little boy turned ghostly ‘90s icon.

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