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Throwback Thursday: The Dirt

GenX Journeys

Release Date: 08/07/2025

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📅 Originally aired: April 12, 2019
🎧 Guest: Lizzie Newton (from Liz Laugh Cry)

This week on Return to the ’80s, we’re throwing it back to one of our most fun and unfiltered episodes — the wild ride that is Netflix’s The Dirt, the biopic based on the notorious rise (and mayhem) of Mötley CrĂŒe.

This episode marks the very first appearance of Lizzie Newton, and as listeners know, every episode she’s been on since has become one of our most downloaded. We recorded this one together, in person, and the chemistry is off the charts.

🎾 In this episode, we dive into:

  • Lizzie’s newfound obsession with Mötley CrĂŒe (and her journey from Taylor Swift to Tommy Lee)

  • Paul’s deep ‘80s rock roots and cassette tape dilemmas

  • The Dirt vs. Bohemian Rhapsody — which rocked harder?

  • The chaos of CrĂŒe: hotel room trashing, drinking contests with Ozzy, and emotional breakdowns mid-tour

  • Behind-the-scenes band drama and the tragic stories that shaped their journey

  • The 1980s glam metal era, grunge takeovers, and what happened when the hair spray ran dry

  • That infamous Ozzy Osbourne ant-snorting moment (RIP, Prince of Darkness đŸ•ŠïžđŸ–€)

  • Why Lizzie would rather drink Tommy Lee’s pee than snort ants (yes, really)

  • Our love for other rock legends like Def Leppard, Queen, and Heart

  • And possibly the only moment in podcast history where Freddie Mercury is compared to Justin Timberlake đŸ€Ż

âšĄïžPlus:

  • A nostalgic side rant on Britney Spears, Good Charlotte, and how elder millennials like Lizzie view the ‘80s

  • Why Madonna is still queen

  • And how glam rockers somehow still have the energy to tour at 70 (spoiler: oxygen chambers)

This episode is pure ‘80s-meets-Millennial mayhem — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.


đŸ“± Follow Lizzie on Instagram: @LizzieDNewton

 

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đŸŽ€ Until next time—embrace the past, own the present, and build an epic future!