April 23, 2026

#113 - Decade by Decade: Why Nostalgia Still Hits So Hard

45 minutes

What have we lost as life has gotten faster, louder, and more connected?

In this episode of Girls Gone Gritty, Farley and Jennifer take a heartfelt walk through the decades, reflecting on what made the 70s, 80s, and 90s feel so memorable. What starts as a fun conversation about nostalgia turns into something deeper: a look at how presence, shared experiences, and simpler routines shaped the way people connected. They talk about the cultural feel of each era, from the grit of the 70s to the ambition of the 80s and the raw energy of the 90s, while also comparing that to today’s world of nonstop technology, fragmented attention, and algorithm-driven living.

One of the biggest takeaways is that life used to require more intention. People made plans ahead of time, watched shows together, listened more closely, and lived with clearer boundaries between work, home, and play. The episode also reminds listeners that looking back is not about romanticizing the past. It is about learning from it. The conversation closes with a strong message about giving kids more freedom, protecting real connection, and being more thoughtful about how we live now.

Episode Highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:45) Farley’s California trip and life update
(3:19) Three current culture stories
(6:45) Artemis, space, and the power of crew
(10:14) Why looking back helps us move forward
(11:23) What made past decades feel different
(12:00) A walk through the decades
(14:09) The spirit of the 70s
(19:10) The ambition and excess of the 80s
(29:17) The raw energy of the 90s
(33:32) Y2K and the shift into modern life
(35:14) Why today feels more fragmented
(36:52) A challenge to revisit old eras
(38:50) What kids still need from us today
(40:12) Tim Tebow as the Got Grit award winner
(42:53) Song of the week and final takeaway
(44:45) Outro