Back Issue

Pineapple Street Studios and Audacy

Back Issue reminisces on moments in pop culture’s past that have shaped our present. Each episode brings personal reflection, incredible guests, and plenty of deep belly laughs. This season our co-pilot Tracy Clayton is taking a break, so Josh Gwynn has invited some very special guest co-hosts to share their perspective on some of the most formative stories in pop culture. We start out with not just another hair story but a conversation about the gendered politics of specific hairstyles as Josh sets out on a mission to get a silk press. We’ll also reflect on iconic award speeches, explore what our brains do on gossip, break down the backstories of Degrassi and Cheetah Girls, decide if Josh should become the next Black ex-pat, and discuss which multi-hyphenate performers are deserving of their flowers. read less

Our Editor's Take

Back Issue is a podcast that brings fans on a hilarious look at old school entertainment stories. This Millennial-focused series talks about great moments in popular culture. It celebrates Black artistic achievements as it spreads laughter. Josh Gwynn and Tracy Clayon host. Celebrity guest cohosts also join the conversation.

Josh and Tracy talk about everything from Freaknik to America's Next Top Model. Both Fire Marshall Bill and Beyoncé have a spot on this show. The cohosts discuss the musicians and actors who have made an impact on American pop culture.

The hosts bring their unique brand of humor to every episode. They make people laugh out loud as they reminisce about great moments in entertainment. Fans of 90s TV shows and musicians may particularly like this show.

Tracy started her audio career in 2015 on the BuzzFeed-produced Another Round, with cohost Heben Nigatu. The podcast featured notable guests like Hilary Clinton and Issa Rae. Slate and The Atlantic crowned it the best of 2015. Josh had worked with Tracy on other podcasts before cohosting Back Issue. He got his start as an intern at BuzzFeed, then becoming producer and host. Tracy and Josh have a similar disposition when it comes to pop culture and current events. The cohosts are on the same wavelength. Their interactions appear seamless and effortless.

Many guests join the fun. In Living Color's Tommy Davidson talks about the show's cultural impact. Sherri Shepherd shares her thoughts on daytime talk shows. Sometimes the conversations get serious. The hosts talk about Whitney Houston's life and untimely demise.

Fans can sit back, relax, and let Tracy and Josh bring them on a journey through entertainment's past. Episodes drop on a periodic basis and run just under an hour.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

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Coming Soon: Back Issue

Coming Soon: Back Issue

Remember when Monica allegedly punched Brandy right before they performed live at the MTV Video Music Awards? When Freaknik took over Atlanta, and changed the game for parties everywhere? When tasteless critics panned Mariah Carey’s Glitter? (#JusticeforGlitter!) We do! Back Issue tells the stories behind formative moments in pop culture. In each episode, we look back at some of the moments that shook us, that changed us. Join Tracy Clayton (host of Netflix’s Strong Black Legends, Mailchimp’s Going Through It) and Pineapple Street Studios Producer Josh Gwynn as they reckon with some of culture’s biggest questions, from "How did we let this happen?" to "Why do we still love this?" Because nostalgia is more than just a feeling. Got an issue you’d like us to investigate? Hit the Back Issue Hotline at (678)-74ISSUE. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 3

In Our SZN 3 Era

In Our SZN 3 Era

Back Issue is BACK, y’all! 🥳 We’re in our SZN 3 era, and once again, we’re taking you back to some of your favorite, formative pop culture moments. This time, we’re paying homage to sacred texts that taught us how to live, such as 'The Cheetah Girls' and 'Degrassi'. We’re having conversations that need to be had about Hair, Gossip, and Award Show Speeches. And Josh slips on a robe to take on a deserved role as Chief Justice of Pop Culture Opinions! ⚖️ Throughout it all, we’ll of course follow Tyra “Be a Star” Banks’ invaluable wisdom and make sure we 🗣“LEARN SOMETHING FROM THIS!” While we're yelling like Tyra: 🗣 DON'T MISS OUT on our season premiere, which drops February 21st, wherever you get your podcasts! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Silk Press Era

In Our Silk Press Era

In the first episode of Season 3, Josh and Tracy are talking about hair HAIR, but this isn't just any old hair talk. No discoveries on how to get a magical texture by slapping on ointments and berry juices. Today we're discussing the timeline textures, getting into the stigmas around certain styles, and talking about the gendered and queered politics of hair with special guest Carvell Wallace. What is our hair really telling us about ourselves? And more importantly, how will Josh feel after his first silk press? This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Cheetah-licious Era

In Our Cheetah-licious Era

We're Cheetah Girls, Cheetah Sisters and don't you EVER forget it! This week Josh and special guest-host Jazmine Hughes take a trip down a cheetah-spotted memory lane into the Cheetah Girls franchise. Most know the cheetah-licious girl group from their Disney Channel movies, but did you know this all stemmed from a children's book series? Or that two of the members were from the girl group 3LW? Today we explore the groups' undeniable bops, how they arrived at their height and what started to shift. From how Raven Symone navigated her conditional role as leader, to a message from the creator of it all, writer Deborah Gregory, we're talking all things cheetah-licious. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our 'Thanking the Academy' Era

In Our 'Thanking the Academy' Era

Who amongst us hasn’t pretended our bottle of shampoo was an Oscar and thanked the Academy? Today on Back Issue, we talk through the most memorable acceptance speeches, from Sally Field’s often misquoted “You really like me!” speech to Halle Berry’s historic win to Sheryl Lee Ralph’s musical twist. With help from Aisha Harris and Wesley Morris, Josh unpacks the impact of acceptance speeches and what makes the great ones so great. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Degrassi Era

In Our Degrassi Era

Do you remember the teen show that made you fall in love with teen shows? For Josh and special guest-host Amil Niazi, that show was Canadian soap, "Degrassi: The Next Generation." And let’s just say, this episode GOES THERE. Why’d they do JT like that? Where is the Grammy for Paige Michalchuk and the Sex Kittens? How did playing Jimmy launch Drake to superstardom? Whatever it takes, Josh and Amil are getting to the bottom of all these questions and more. PLUS: Stay tuned for insights from Andrea Lewis, who starred as Hazel Aden. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Gossip, Girl Era

In Our Gossip, Girl Era

Why is gossiping sooo fun? And how has the world of celebrity gossip changed over the years? To answer these questions and learn the A to Zs of celebrities (from Ava Max to Zendaya), Josh and guest host Rachelle Hampton take a field trip inside the human brain, go back in time with a PhD gossip expert, Andrea McDonnell, and chat with Who? Weekly's Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Hot Takes Era

In Our Hot Takes Era

Do you have pop culture feelings you keep to yourself 'cause the world isn't ready for them? So do guests Hunter Harris, BA Parker, and Sam Sanders! On today's episode, they're bravely serving up their spiciest opinions in front of Judge Josh and making a case for their hottest takes in Josh's Court. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Theater Kid Era

In Our Theater Kid Era

On a very special episode of Back Issue, our beloved host Josh Gwynn comes down with a mysterious illness. He cannot stop breaking out into song! Alongside guest host and Real Doctor, Matt Bellassai, Josh takes a journey through the world of musical theater. When did it become so central to the zeitgeist? Why do we inevitably cry at the song before intermission? Can Lea Michele read? And along the way, with the help of special guests, Josh will try to diagnose his ailment. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our 'Search for Home' Era

In Our 'Search for Home' Era

On today’s episode, @RegardingJosh examines our cultural understanding of home, talks to a citizen of the WORLD to see where he should be looking for home and looks at current landscape of the housing market to see how possible it is to even find a "home." Thank you to our incredible guests -- @mayasymonecade, creator and curator of @TheBlackFilmArchive and @libraryofconress scholar in residence; and @marquita_harris_, journalist and world traveler -- for sharing their stories and perspectives with us this week! This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Triple Threat Era

In Our Triple Threat Era

Multi-hyphenates raise your hands? Now put them down because we know you can't be talented in everything you think you are. In this episode, Josh and special guest Ashley C. Ford are talking about their favorite multi-hyphenates, what makes them great, whether or not they're underrated, and what it means to be good at everything, or maybe not. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Our Singer/Songwriter Era

In Our Singer/Songwriter Era

In our season finale, Josh partners with coaches to put together a song to pump himself up when the world seems like too much. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Music of My Mind, from The Wonder of Stevie

Music of My Mind, from The Wonder of Stevie

Hey Back Issue listeners! Here’s a preview of a new podcast called The Wonder of Stevie, produced by our very own Josh Gwynn. You might think you know Stevie Wonder. You might think you know his music. But you’ve never heard it like this. Host Wesley Morris is taking you on a deep-dive through Stevie's Classic Period: five legendary albums back-to-back in less than five years. Hear about the record deal that started it all, the technology Stevie adopted to create never-before-heard sounds, and his influence on our culture. There will be appearances from legends like Barack and Michelle Obama, Questlove, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Babyface, Janelle Monae and more. In this episode, Wesley details how, years after signing his first recording deal with Motown Records, Stevie decides to renegotiate his contract. One of the things on the table? Complete creative control. What follows is the beginning of one of the greatest streak of albums in American popular music: Music of My Mind. The Wonder of Stevie is out now, wherever you listen to podcasts! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 2

Back Issue Season 2: Back In The Habit

Back Issue Season 2: Back In The Habit

Your summer just got a lot hotter, 'cause Back Issue is back in the habit! 🔥Season 2 is about to serve even more joy and pop culture nostalgia than before. We’re honoring Whitney THEE Houston, giving the folks who *actually* invented the internet their flowers, and fighting over whose hometown dreamt up the high five. All along the way, we continue to take the advice of our patron saint Tyra “Move Ya Body” Banks and 🗣LEARN SOMETHING FROM THIS! Oh, and one of our hosts kind of transforms into a cyber-loving ghost, nbd. 👻Season premiere drops Monday, July 26th! Wow, what a moment you will never forget. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That Time We Gave You Five

That Time We Gave You Five

Now that the world is opening and closing...and opening, we’ve been thinking a lot about touch. This week, Tracy and Josh explore all the ways we greet each other – high fives! low fives! secret handshakes! – and what they say about us. They also get into a battle over whose hometown invented the high five. 🍿 And Barry White Jr. – no, not the crooner, but the teacher who went viral for memorizing individualized handshakes for 80+ students – joins us to help us understand the power a greeting can have. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That Time It Wasn’t Right Or OK

That Time It Wasn’t Right Or OK

This week, Josh and Tracy put together a mixtape of love to unpack Whitney Houston’s career and legacy -- from her gospel beginnings and becoming America’s princess, to that infamous Wendy Williams interview and Being Bobby Brown. What can Whitney’s life teach us about the tension between mental health and success? And how can we learn from what she went through to do better? P.S. If any of your relatives were in the Soul Train Awards audience that booed our Queen of the Night, have them call us on our Back Issue hotline: (678) 74-ISSUE. We’d like a word. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That Time The Internet Wasn’t A Hellscape

That Time The Internet Wasn’t A Hellscape

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to pay tribute to this thing called Beyoncé’s internet. No, not today’s digital hellscape, but the one we first fell in love with way back in ye olde days of AOL, Napster, and LiveJournal. *dial up bings and gurgles* This week, Josh and Tracy reminisce on how being online once had the potential to affirm us. How did we go from that to *gestures at the entire World Wide Web* whatever mess this is? And how can we imagine and create a better cyber world for us, by us? To help answer these questions, we’ll be joined by two people we would definitely rank in our Myspace Top 8, Bridget Todd (digital activist and host of “There Are No Girls On The Internet”) and Naj Austin (founder of Ethel’s Club and Somewhere Good). To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That Time We Did It For the '99s and '00s

That Time We Did It For the '99s and '00s

Music has a way of scoring life’s big and small moments, and this week, Josh and Tracy team up to create the ultimate mixtape that ushers in all the feels. They discuss their musical influences, test their knowledge on R&B and pop groups we thought we remembered, and maybe—just maybe, reveal that one of them is secretly a recording artist. Together, we are reminded why music makes us lose control, and why sometimes, that’s just what we need. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That Time We Sat There And Ate Our Food

That Time We Sat There And Ate Our Food

Grab your sporks and your doggy bags! This week, Josh and Tracy dig in and dig deep about their mutual love of food and its way of connecting people, places, and stories. Joining them is founder of Herb ‘N’ Cooking and Food Network's "Chopped" finalist Chef Mustapha Abdul-Rahiim. He breaks down food’s ability to socialize us and its inherent connection to memory. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That Time Aretha Asked Celine If She Knew Jesus

That Time Aretha Asked Celine If She Knew Jesus

Glamour. Sass. Unadulterated talent. What makes a diva? Podcast divas of the universe Tracy and Josh go deep in their diva bags and unpack the origins and evolution of divas as well as the politics around diva-dom. They invite Wayne Isaak, former Executive Vice President of Music Programming and Talent for VH1 and Co-Producer of VH1’s Divas Live ’98 and ’99 to explain all things diva, and he gives the tea on what really happened behind the scenes between the ultimate diva/divo acts like Tina Turner, Elton John, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin. Is a diva still a female version of a hustler or has it been reinvented? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That Time The Clownery Came Back To Bite 🤡

That Time The Clownery Came Back To Bite 🤡

Reality TV dating shows are a subgenre of “reality” that seem to get weirder by the year. Josh and Tracy have watched their fair share of trash reality TV but could never get into nor get the appeal of the most popular reality dating hell show franchise of all: The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Why do shows like this exist and what keeps people coming back for 25 seasons straight? We’ll hear from Ali Barthwell, a writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Vulture Magazine’s Bachelor recap columnist, as she breaks it all down for us, and maybe convinces our hosts to join the Bachelor Nation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices