Music 101, now in its third season, takes listeners on a nostalgic journey into the world of 1970s Soft Rock, exploring how this genre defined an era with its smooth melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and unforgettable artists. From the rise of bands that blended rock with folk and pop influences to the cultural movements that shaped its sound, this episode uncovers the stories behind the music that continues to inspire generations. We reflect on the emotional depth, rebellious spirit, and timeless appeal of classics from the decade, highlighting why Soft Rock remains one of the most beloved genres in music history. Perfect for fans of classic rock, music history enthusiasts, and anyone who loves revisiting the golden age of sound, this episode celebrates the lasting legacy of ’70s Soft Rock.

While punk often wore its defiance on ripped sleeves, ’70s soft rock rebelled in a subtler but more radical way—by challenging cultural expectations of masculinity, politics, and art through vulnerability. Instead of thrashing guitars and chaos, artists like Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and Bread crafted lush harmonies and introspective lyrics that rejected the era’s obsession with aggression and bravado. Their rebellion lay in showing that gentleness could be powerful, that love and heartbreak were worthy of anthems, and that polished melodies could carry the weight of social discontent just as fiercely as a distorted riff. In this sense, soft rock quietly pushed against the grain, redefining what rebellion in music could look like.

The Art of Lies: Dilemma, Betrayal, and Vietnamese Art Forgeries. What if the Biggest Fraud was Your Family Legacy?

What happens when an ambitious museum employee from Vietnam discovers art crime that affects her family and country? Thuy, a proud 39-year-old aspiring museum curator in Hanoi, Vietnam, loses a long-sought-after job but then gets the chance to mount a major visiting exhibit at her museum, which could boost her career. The exhibit will showcase paintings “returning home” to Vietnam. A collector in France has offered to loan Vietnamese artists’ paintings that have been outside the country for years. Several paintings are by her famous great-uncle, whose reputation has been critical for the family legacy for decades. But, right before the exhibit opens, she’s faced with the possibility that some of the paintings are fake. She must find out if they are, why they are, and who’s behind the scam.

Her father insists she tell no one, not even the museum’s director and curator. She fears that opening with forged paintings could ruin her reputation, along with the artists’, the museum, and the country. She approaches the collector, who claims he had no idea and insists she open the exhibit.