Episodes

  • Remembering Death
    Dec 16 2025

    The 8 Decades Podcast's final episode explores the past decade through the personal lens of Steve Freeland, covering significant historical events from 2010 to 2023. Host Josiah Freeland sits down with his grandfather to discuss major world events, personal challenges, and reflective insights spanning technology, politics, social movements, and family experiences. From global tragedies to personal triumphs, this episode offers a unique generational perspective on recent American history, wrapped up with heartfelt advice and personal reflections.


    Future projects:

    https://youtu.be/nGxzpJCdjjM


    Discussed in this episode:

    0:00 Intro

    1:30 Burj Khalifa

    2:13 Nuclear Disaster in Japan

    2:57 Battle Against Cancer

    10:19 Sandy Hook Mass Shooting

    11:59 Shootings, Then & Now

    12:48 End of The Mayan Calendar

    13:31 Boston Marathon Bombings

    14:49 Snowden's NSA Leaks

    19:31 Flight 370 Disappeared

    20:49 West Africa Ebola Outbreak

    21:58 ISIS & Their Rise to Power

    22:49 President Trump

    23:23 Retirement

    26:21 Kneeling During National Anthem

    31:06 Country Music Festival Shooting

    31:53 COVID-19

    32:22 Killing of George Floyd

    33:40 USA Capitol Invasion

    34:09 Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

    36:09 James Webb Telescope

    37:05 1st Final Question

    38:46 2nd Final Question


    Credits:

    History fact checked by Jeffrey Copeland

    Sound design by Bijoy Ahmed

    Video backgrounds by Nathaniel Agueros

    Hosted & edited by Josiah Freeland

    Sharing stories & perspectives by Steve Freeland

    Special thanks to Cale Freeland for encouragement & help along the way.

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    42 mins
  • "Are you ready? Okay let's roll"
    Dec 9 2025

    In this sixth episode of the 8 Decades Podcast, host Josiah Freeland continues exploring American history through his grandfather Steve Freeland's personal perspective. The episode delves into the pivotal decade of the 2000s, examining transformative events like 9/11, the first iPhone release, Hurricane Katrina, the Great Recession, and Barack Obama's historic presidential election. Steve shares intimate reflections, personal experiences, and thoughtful insights that provide a unique, firsthand account of this complex and challenging period in recent American history.


    Discussed in this episode:

    0:00 Intro

    1:28 9/11

    15:12 Discovering Methuselah

    16:08 Hurricane Katrina

    18:13 The First iPhone

    18:53 Great Recession

    26:53 President Obama

    28:53 Change in Politics

    29:27 Avatar, Highest Grossing Movie

    32:36 Sneak Peak


    Credits:

    History fact checked by Jeffrey Copeland

    Sound design by Bijoy Ahmed

    Video backgrounds by Nathaniel Agueros

    Hosted & edited by Josiah Freeland

    Sharing stories & perspectives by Steve Freeland

    Special thanks to Cale Freeland for encouragement & help along the way.


    Disclaimer: Audio excerpt from a historical ABC News segment, used under fair use for commentary and educational purposes.

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    33 mins
  • Back to Paper
    Dec 2 2025

    In this fifth episode of the 8 Decades Podcast, host Josiah Freeland sits down with his grandfather Steve Freeland to explore the pivotal moments and personal stories of the 1990s. From technological advancements and global changes to personal milestones, this episode offers a unique, intimate perspective on a transformative decade through the eyes of someone who lived through it. Join them as they discuss everything from the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of the internet, blending historical events with heartfelt family memories.


    Discussed in this episode:

    0:00 Intro

    1:17 Hubble Space Telescope

    2:47 Jeffrey Dahmer

    3:56 USSR Collapse

    6:34 First GMOs

    12:27 Amazon.com

    14:42 His Kids Getting Married

    18:34 First Cloned Animal

    20:40 DVDs

    22:04 Gas Prices

    23:00 Grandchildren

    26:12 Y2K

    29:55 Earth's Rapid Population Growth

    34:06 A New Millennium

    35:36 Sneak Peak


    Credits:

    History fact checked by Jeffrey Copeland

    Sound design by Bijoy Ahmed

    Video backgrounds by Nathaniel Agueros

    Hosted & edited by Josiah Freeland

    Sharing stories & perspectives by Steve Freeland

    Special thanks to Cale Freeland for encouragement & help along the way.


    Disclaimer: Audio excerpt from a historical The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age segment, used under fair use for commentary and educational purposes.

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    36 mins
  • WWW
    Nov 25 2025

    In this fourth episode of the 8 Decades Podcast, host Josiah Freeland sits down with his grandfather, Steve Freeland, to explore the pivotal moments and personal stories of the 1980s. From technological innovations and space exploration to significant world events, Steve shares his unique perspective on a transformative decade. He tells stories of family life, work challenges, and the cultural shifts that defined this remarkable period of American history.


    Discussed in this episode:

    0:00 Intro

    1:46 NASA's Enterprise

    2:08 First Reports of AIDS

    2:43 AT&T & His Rant

    10:39 Working 4 Jobs

    15:26 First Mobile Phone

    17:28 First Untethered Space Walk

    19:01 Coke 2

    20:14 Chernobyl's Nuclear Accident

    21:42 Comet Halley

    22:51 Challenger Explosion

    27:09 Sneak Peak


    Credits:

    History fact checked by Jeffrey Copeland

    Sound design by Bijoy Ahmed

    Video backgrounds by Nathaniel Agueros

    Hosted & edited by Josiah Freeland

    Sharing stories & perspectives by Steve Freeland

    Special thanks to Cale Freeland for encouragement & help along the way.


    Disclaimer: Audio excerpt from a historical Forgotten Fantasies segment, used under fair use for commentary and educational purposes.

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    28 mins
  • “Fasser, Daddy, fasser!”
    Nov 18 2025

    In this third episode of the 8 Decades Podcast, host Josiah Freeland sits down with his grandfather, Steve Freeland, to explore the pivotal decade of the 1970s. Through personal stories and historical reflections, they dive into family milestones, significant national events, and the personal transformations that shaped this dynamic period of American history. From adopting a child to navigating the political landscape of the era, this episode offers an intimate and engaging look at one family's journey through a decade of change.


    Discussed in this episode:

    0:00 Intro

    1:47 Adoption & Pregnancy

    10:06 "Fasser, Daddy, Fasser!"

    11:16 Daughter-In-Law

    12:48 A Third Child

    17:03 Voting Age From 21 To 18

    18:00 Too Busy

    22:01 President Nixon

    24:43 Nationwide 55 MPH Limit

    26:14 VHS & Opinion On Technology

    30:01 Viking 1 Lander

    31:12 Apple II Computer

    35:35 Star Wars: A New Hope

    37:40 Jonestown

    40:03 3-Mile Island Nuclear Accident

    42:39 63 American Hostages

    47:39 Sneak Peak


    Credits:

    History fact checked by Jeffrey Copeland

    Sound design by Bijoy Ahmed

    Video backgrounds by Nathaniel Agueros

    Hosted & edited by Josiah Freeland

    Sharing stories & perspectives by Steve Freeland

    Special thanks to Cale Freeland for encouragement & help along the way.


    Disclaimer: Audio excerpt from a historical PIX11 News segment, used under fair use for commentary and educational purposes.

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    48 mins
  • I Have A Dream
    Nov 11 2025

    In the second episode of the 8 Decades Podcast, Josiah Freeland delves into the 1960s with his grandfather Steve, exploring significant milestones like the introduction of zip codes, the Civil Rights Movement, President Kennedy's assassination, and the moon landing. Through personal stories and historical insights, they examine social changes, technological advances, and the cultural landscape that defined this pivotal decade in American history.


    Discussed in this episode:

    0:00 Intro

    1:39 ZIP Codes

    6:04 U-2 Spy Plane

    6:37 First Human To Orbit Earth

    7:31 Aluminum Cans

    9:41 JFK's Assassination

    13:36 MLK Jr. & His Famous Speech

    15:18 Disclaimer

    16:16 Voting Rights Act

    20:55 First Heart Transplant

    23:32 Landing On The Moon

    26:07 Sneak Peak


    Credits:

    History fact checked by Jeffrey Copeland

    Sound design by Bijoy Ahmed

    Video backgrounds by Nathaniel Agueros

    Hosted & edited by Josiah Freeland

    Sharing stories & perspectives by Steve Freeland

    Special thanks to Cale Freeland for encouragement & help along the way.


    Disclaimer: Audio excerpt from a historical ABC News segment, used under fair use for commentary and educational purposes.

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    26 mins
  • The Atomic Age
    Nov 11 2025

    In the first episode of the 8 Decades Podcast, host Josiah Freeland explores the first 18 years of his grandfather Steve Freeland's life, spanning from 1941 to 1959. Through intimate storytelling, the episode offers a personal lens into post-World War II America, revealing how one family experienced significant historical moments, technological advances, and cultural shifts. They journey through a unique perspective of mid-20th century American life, sharing firsthand accounts of military experiences, technological innovations, and the everyday realities of growing up during a transformative period in history. Join Josiah as he uncovers family stories that provide a rich, nuanced understanding of this pivotal era.


    Discussed in this episode:

    0:00 Intro

    2:05 Steve Freeland's Introduction

    3:53 Atomic Bombs Development

    5:44 World War II

    6:41 Life as a Military Kid

    12:33 Invention of the Microwave

    12:53 Korean War

    16:52 Other Countries Develop Atomic Bombs

    18:13 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II

    20:13 News & Information Delay

    22:03 First Sub-4-Minute Mile Run

    22:43 41,000 Miles of Highway

    24:07 Elvis's Rise to Fame

    25:24 Vietnam War

    29:48 Final Question

    34:07 Sneak Peak


    Credits:

    History fact checked by Jeffrey Copeland

    Sound design by Bijoy Ahmed

    Video backgrounds by Nathaniel Agueros

    Hosted & edited by Josiah Freeland

    Sharing stories & perspectives by Steve Freeland

    Special thanks to Cale Freeland for encouragement & help along the way.


    Disclaimer: Audio excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech, used under fair use for commentary and educational purposes.

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    34 mins
  • Introducing: 8 Decades Podcast
    Oct 14 2025

    A mini podcast series where 22-year-old Josiah Freeland sits with his grandpa, Steve, to explore the past 80 years of American history, looking at it from his perspective and sharing personal stories.

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    2 mins