Episode Details

Dustin joins Amanda to discuss something near and dear (or at least super nostalgic): infomercials.  How did they become a billion dollar business in the late 80s? And when/where did they begin?  We discuss all of that (and more) in this episode.

Watch:
The First Infomercial (Vitamix)
Ronco Electric Food Dehydrator
The Time Life Mysteries of the Unknown Series
Pure Moods

Read:
"The Stepford Channel," Rick Marin, The New York Times.

The first audio essay series of 2023!!

We’re going to be talking about our relationship with shopping!

As we began to talk about at the end of last year, we are practically trained to be consumers from birth.  From sticker collections to toys to the commercials on the Saturday morning cartoons, we have been told that new stuff = a better life. More happiness. Popularity…and even in the case of the “romance industrial complex,” it means love and appreciation.  Shopping is a social activity, the subject of copious amounts of magazine articles, blogs posts, and social media content.  For some families shopping is the only way they can spend time together and get along!

Here are some ideas of things you can cover in your audio essay:

• How did shopping fit into your childhood? Was it a part of your relationship with a family member? Did it change over time?
• Do you find yourself engaging in so-called “ retail therapy?”  Does it help? Have you found something that helps more?
• Are you addicted to bargains and deals? Have you found a non-shopping way to scratch that itch?
• Does shopping make you happy? Sad? Angry? Why?
• Are there any specific shopping memories that have shaped how you approach clothing as an adult?
• Or maybe you have your own theme you would like to cover! That’s fine, too!

Write out what you want to say before you record it. Try to fit it into 5 minutes or less.

If you want your contact info (name, instagram handle, business) to be included in the episode, please tell us in the recording. If you want to be anonymous, that’s fine, too!

It’s okay if you make a mistake while recording, just say that part again and keep going. Amanda will edit it.

Record in a quiet room away from fans, air conditioners, bus stops, and howling hound dogs.

Be sure to double check your recording before sending. Yes, I have received fully silent recordings.

When you email it, include your name, pronouns, and IG handle.

The deadline for this project is March 15.

Check out Amanda's other podcast, The Department.

Have questions/comments/cute animal photos? Reach out via email:  amanda@clotheshorse.world

Find the transcript at clotheshorsepodcast.com

Want to support Amanda's work on Clotheshorse? Learn more at patreon.com/clotheshorsepodcast

Clotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis