Fad Files

Business in the front, party in the back, glorious all over. It's a fun one to close out Season 2. On this episode, Adam and Erin discuss how ancient warriors sported the Kentucky Waterfall, the surprising recent history of the actual term "mullet", and the thrilling international scene of hairstyle competitions. Although, as a 12-year-old Australian might tell you... "It's not a hairstyle. It's a lifestyle."

We'll be taking another short break, but in the meantime please feel free to connect with us at [email protected] or on instagram @fadfilespod. We'd love to hear your ideas and stories!

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We're pointing at our ears, and then giving you a big creepy smile. Art! In this episode, Erin tells Adam about the ancient origins of "the clown's silent cousin" (terrifying), Marcel Marceau's badass World War II heroics, and whether or not you have to "get it" to appreciate it.

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Ever been stuck with nothing good to wear to a party? Then ever quickly cut something out of felt, slap a patch on it, and have it become an international fashion sensation? In this episode, Erin tells Adam about the inspiring DIY history of poodle skirts, the Dior "New Look" femininity of it all, and the long-lasting impact of three little sassy dachshunds.

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Gee, gosh, and golly, Mister - get ready to take down the secret message for next week's exciting presentation of the Fad Files. Set your secret society pins to code O4! That's a O as in Ovaltine, 4 as in the number of times you should drink it per day.

On this episode, Erin teaches Adam about the covert spy history behind these popular decoder toys, Little Orphan Annie's arms dealer of a benefactor, and why exactly Ovaltine is necessary for a growing boy like himself.

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Who can resist that sexy triangle silhouette? On this episode, Adam teaches Erin about what "JNCO" actually stands for, corporate marketing teams once again deviously vying to capture "the youths", and the heyday of shopping malls.

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Ah, the classic American pastime of blowing stuff up. On this episode, Erin teaches Adam about the proper safety precautions for smashing two locomotives together, desert pop up towns, and the man, the myth, the legend: "Head-On Joe" Connolly.

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Oh look, another fad from the 1970s that was unnecessarily sexualized. On this episode Adam teaches Erin about the long-winded history of beds, before finally getting to when a guy got the bright idea to make one out of water.

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Nothing's sexier than a steaming pot full of melted cheese. On this episode, Erin teaches Adam about why you should never drop the bread, the dreaded Swiss Cheese Mafia, and a dairy-and-ski-fueled 1970s swinging culture. Bow-chicka-wow-wow.

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So... they don't actually look like monkeys. But there is an even greater disappointment lurking in the history of these aquatic pets that is guaranteed to ruin your childhood. On this episode, Adam teaches Erin about some lovable brine shrimp and their problematic "father".

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(Mostly) gone, but not forgotten. The Palm Pilot solitaired, so that the iPhones and Androids could... fully take over our lives. Simpler times.

On this episode, Erin teaches Adam all about the transitionary tech that was Personal Digital Assistants, while Adam works through his childhood trauma of being bullied for having a Palm Pilot in the 8th grade.

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