Episode Summary: "Call It Short & Sweet: That's So Nostalgic"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Call It What It Is
• Host: Danielle Fishel
• Release Date: May 29, 2025
• Description: Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington navigate the highs and lows of life together, offering support, pep talks, and problem-solving insights. In this episode, they open up their friendship circle to explore nostalgic topics that once felt normal but may seem odd today.

Introduction

In the episode titled "That's So Nostalgic," host Danielle Fishel delves into the realm of nostalgia, reflecting on practices and technologies that were once integral to daily life but have become obsolete or evolved significantly by 2025. Flying solo for this episode, Danielle engages listeners in a heartfelt exploration of shared memories, highlighting how societal and technological advancements have transformed our everyday experiences.

Segment 1: Listener Reflections on Nostalgia

Danielle begins by sharing submissions from listeners, each recounting a specific nostalgic practice. These stories paint a vivid picture of how much has changed over the past decades.

1. Scheduled Television Viewing

   • Taylor [03:30]: Remembers the anticipation of watching favorite shows at specific times, ensuring snacks and beverages were ready, and waiting for commercial breaks before moving around.
     • “You couldn’t pause it and you couldn’t leave in the middle. You had to wait for commercial breaks.”

2. Using Landline Telephones

   • Paula [04:15]: Describes the dependency on landline phones, highlighting the inconvenience of waiting for parents to disconnect the internet to make a call.
     • “Do we even have landlines anymore? ... I’m left hanging.”

3. Printed Directions and Map Guides

   • Emma [05:00]: Recounts the effort of printing directions from Google Maps and using bulky Thomas Guides, which required pre-planning routes before driving.
     • “Plot your route before you got in the car. Let’s just say that we are blessed now.”

4. Physical Coin Payments

   • Julia [06:00]: Expresses frustration with using coins for payments, noting how they end up cluttering pockets and cup holders.
     • “They just end up in a cup holder, a pocket, a tray.”

5. Managing Social Media Presence

   • Angela [06:45]: Shares experiences with fake Facebook profiles and the challenges of maintaining a genuine online identity.
     • “As soon as you get one taken down, another one would just pop up. So I just opted out.”

6. Multi-Layered Clothing Trends

   • Jen [07:30]: Discusses the trend of layering tank tops and anticipates its return in future fashion cycles.
     • “Why do we wear five on top of each other? It doesn’t make sense now, but it will come back again.”

7. CDs vs. Streaming Services

   • Katie [08:00]: Nostalgic about purchasing CDs, lamenting the shift to streaming and the declining relevance of physical media.
     • “CDs are like a punishment now. When I find them, I’m like, what do I do with this?”

8. Homework with Books and Dictionaries

   • Ashley [08:45]: Reminisces about doing homework with physical books and dictionaries before the digital age made information more accessible.
     • “You don’t still do homework with books and a dictionary.”

9. Renting Movies from Blockbuster

   • Catherine [09:15]: Reflects on the experience of renting movies from Blockbuster, highlighting how streaming has made such trips unnecessary.
     • “Going to a store like Blockbuster and renting a movie? That would be weird now.”

10. Other Nostalgic Practices

    • Lauren: Hitting multiple buttons to text one letter on older mobile phones.
    • Abby: Circling items in magazines to create wish lists.
    • Bianca: Bringing a digital camera to clubs instead of smartphones.
    • Stephanie: Babysitting kids who are unfamiliar with gaming consoles like Nintendo or Wii.
    • Danny: Using the old cranking motion to roll down car windows.
    • Nina: Hiding in the closet to talk on corded phones.

Segment 2: Host's Personal Insights

Danielle Fishel shares her own reflections on these nostalgic practices, providing personal anecdotes that resonate with the listeners' memories.

• Memorizing Phone Numbers:

  • “How many great stories were born from losing someone's phone number or not writing it down correctly? Love lost.” [06:50]

• Evolution of Communication:

  • Danielle muses on the transition from handwritten letters to digital messaging, pondering the depth and authenticity of connections formed in each era.
    • “Dating has evolved from in-person connections to app-based interactions, and it makes me wonder about the implications for relationships.” [07:20]

• Future Speculations:

  • Inspired by classic cartoons like "The Jetsons," Danielle envisions potential advancements such as enhanced self-driving vehicles and air-based transportation.
    • “Maybe we’ll have jets and mobiles in the future. I wonder about dating in a world dominated by apps.” [08:10]

Segment 3: The Persistence of Nostalgia

Danielle discusses the cyclical nature of trends and how past practices often make comebacks, sometimes in altered forms.

• Fashion Trends:

  • “I don’t know why we wore five tank tops on top of each other, but I predict it will return. Fashion is like a boomerang.” [07:45]

• Technology Adoption:

  • She reflects on how new technologies often replace older ones, yet elements of the past linger in modern adaptations.
    • “We’re always seeking to make life easier, but sometimes the old ways have their charm.” [08:30]

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode concludes, Danielle invites listeners to continue sharing their nostalgic memories, fostering a sense of community through shared experiences.

• “Please let us know your thoughts about things that would be very strange today that were completely normal to you, and we can keep this conversation going.” [11:00]

She acknowledges missing her co-host but emphasizes the importance of keeping the dialogue alive, ensuring that the podcast remains a platform for meaningful reflections and connections.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “You couldn’t pause it and you couldn’t leave in the middle. You had to wait for commercial breaks.” – Taylor [03:30]
• “Do we even have landlines anymore? ... I’m left hanging.” – Paula [04:15]
• “They just end up in a cup holder, a pocket, a tray.” – Julia [06:00]
• “As soon as you get one taken down, another one would just pop up. So I just opted out.” – Angela [06:45]
• “Why do we wear five on top of each other? It doesn’t make sense now, but it will come back again.” – Jen [07:30]
• “CDs are like a punishment now. When I find them, I’m like, what do I do with this?” – Katie [08:00]
• “How many great stories were born from losing someone's phone number or not writing it down correctly? Love lost.” – Danielle Fishel [06:50]

Final Thoughts

"That's So Nostalgic" serves as a poignant reminder of how swiftly our lives evolve, bringing both conveniences and challenges. Danielle Fishel masterfully weaves listener stories with her own reflections, creating an engaging narrative that resonates with anyone who remembers a time when life operated at a different pace. This episode not only celebrates the past but also invites listeners to contemplate the continuous interplay between nostalgia and progress.