The soap opera marriage that began with an assault. The magazine headline that declared a woman was “more likely to be killed by a terrorist than to marry past 40.” The steamy (or was it creepy?) student-teacher relationship on your favorite TV show. We all have moments from our pasts that look different in retrospect. Today, The Meteor and iHeartPodcasts, announced IN RETROSPECT, a captivating new podcast that transports listeners back in time to pop culture and media moments from the 80s and 90s that shaped us all.

Each Friday, Emmy-winning journalist and filmmaker Susie Banikarim and New York Times writer and bestselling author Jessica Bennett will guide you through cultural touchstones that shaped a generation — and ask: What did those moments teach us about the world, and our place in it?

It’s your ticket to a fascinating reexamining of the plotlines, punchlines, language, fashion items, and even the scents (Axe body spray, anyone?) that left an indelible mark on our collective memories. Whether it’s the tabloid story of Amy Fisher, the so-called “Long Island Lolita,” or the unfair cultural destruction of Robin Givens, after she revealed that her husband Mike Tyson was abusing her in an interview with Barbara Walters, or that iconic red swimsuit on the world’s most popular TV show, Baywatch, Susie and Jessica will unravel how these moments shaped us – and probably you.

In the first full episode, “A Soap Opera Romance That Started With An Assault,” Susie and Jessica unravel the story of Luke and Laura, a beloved soap couple on General Hospital, whose wedding was such a huge cultural moment that it drew more viewers than an actual royal wedding (twice) and Princess Diana sent them champagne when they got married. They ask what did a generation of young women—and men—learn about sex and relationships when the most iconic romance on TV’s most popular soap opera of all time began with a rape?

This exceptional podcast boasts an impressive lineup of cultural critics and thinkers, including Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Salamishah Tillet, journalist and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, the media scholar and author Susan J. Douglas, filmmaker Emma Seligman, and the one and only Pamela Anderson.

‘In Retrospect’ is a co-production of iHeartPodcasts and The Meteor. It is produced by Lauren Hansen, Anna Stumpf, Cindi Leive, Katrina Norvell, Derrick Clements, Sharon Attia, as well as Susie and Jessica. The first two episodes are available now on the iHeartRadio App and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About Susie and Jessica

Susie Banikarim is an Emmy-winning journalist and filmmaker who is the former head of news at VICE. Jessica Bennett was the first-ever gender editor at The New York Times and is the author of two bestselling books. Susie and Jess have been friends for a decade, since they met as part of a very chaotic media merger in the early 2000s. They’ve been gossiping about pop culture, feminism and mismanaged newsrooms ever since. This is their first podcast together.

About Susie Banikarim

Susie Banikarim is an Emmy-winning journalist and filmmaker who has runnewsrooms at VICE, Gizmodo Media Group and The Daily Beast. She directed the 2020 documentary, “Enemies of the People: Trump and the Political Press.”

About Jessica Bennett

Jessica Bennett, an award-winning journalist and New York Times contributing editor, is renowned for her work focusing on gender issues and culture. She is also the author of two bestselling books, “Feminist Fight Club” and “This Is 18.”

About The Meteor

The Meteor is a media company which uses journalism, film, audio and live experiences to tell stories about gender equity and women’s lives, and connect audiences with issues that matter. Our other audio work includes Brittany Packnett Cunningham’s weekly news show UNDISTRACTED and the award-winning series Because of Anita.

About iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 90% of Americans every month, and has a portfolio of unmatched consumer brands and industry-leading events. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have more consumer reach in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the reach of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled reach of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined; has the number one social footprint among audio players; and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.