The 1980s marked the first instances of marketed nostalgia which still hangs around today. Named after the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future, Delorean Nights recognizes and explores what a powerful drug nostalgia can be by traveling back in time and taking a road trip across America.

Delorean Nights covers the true stories behind the glamour of Palm Springs, the cons of Chicago, and the casinos of Las Vegas. Listeners are transported across America through slow and even narration and expert storytelling. Each sound effect and timely clip only enhances the story, placing listeners directly in the action.We often remember the past fondly, but not everything was so rosy and clean cut. The host shares more than historical facts, looking at ways pop culture has molded collective memory. Episodes are released sporadically, but well-researched and worth the wait. Delorean Nights is made for history buffs, 1980s fanatics, and anyone interested in community nostalgia.

We were fortunate to talk with Tripucka about the podcast, how they differentiate from other podcasts, and their future plans in podcasting. See below for our full Q&A.

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DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?

TRIPUCKA: I’ve been a fan of podcasts for a very long time, and I read a lot of non-fiction and history books. I also love to take walking tours of New York City (where I work) and wherever I travel.

I wanted to do something with all of the stories I was compiling in my mind. I started writing them down but didn’t really know what to do with them. About two years ago it all clicked, and I attended a seminar on making a podcast. That forced me to map out realistic goals and a plan to put all my ideas into production.

DISCOVER PODS: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to DeLorean Nights Podcast?

TRIPUCKA: I think that cities have the best stories to tell. The culture, diversity, and history of cities are endlessly entertaining. So much of our identities are forged from the places we reside.

Despite the wonders of history, sometimes it can get a little monotonous. Because of this, my focus is finding interesting and lesser known stories. I try to spin a unique combination of history, urban legends, and storytelling into each episode. It’s named Delorean Nights because I want it to feel like a road trip back in time.

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DISCOVER PODS: What kind of feedback have you heard from your listeners?

TRIPUCKA: The most frequent feedback I get from listeners is appreciation for learning something they never knew about a familiar place. For instance, a listener messaged me after the Miami episode. They told me how they went to Miami every summer with family, but never knew the history behind the gorgeous Art Deco buildings. They also had no idea how important Miami Vice was for the revitalization of South Beach. Another example is a listener that gives bike tours of Palm Springs. He told me he never knew several of the tales from our Palm Springs episode. He was excited to sprinkle them into his tour.

DISCOVER PODS: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using? 

TRIPUCKA: Currently I record with a Samson microphone and use Adobe Audition. My “studio” is my apartment in Hoboken NJ, though getting the optimal silence is tricky. I have to wait for my dogs to take naps. I used to record in a real studio down the street, but it closed due to Covid. Luckily, I learned enough about the process to keep the sound quality very high. I also have a producer that helps with editing and compiling the finished product.

DISCOVER PODS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

TRIPUCKA: Definitely attracting new listeners and building an audience. Today the podcast market is so saturated it is difficult to get exposure. I’m glad I got into the podcast game when I did (2019) but it certainly would have been easier if I started a few years earlier.

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DISCOVER PODS: Where do you want to take your podcast?

TRIPUCKA: Right now, it’s just a hobby for me, and I’m okay with that. I know it takes time to build an audience. Since the podcast isn’t about current events, I believe there is an evergreen quality to each episode. New listeners can catch up on older episodes without them feeling dated. I would love to gain enough of a following to make it economical to devout more time and resources toward the podcast. Maybe one day I’ll be able to release a book, as some of my favorite podcasters have done in the past.  

DISCOVER PODS: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

TRIPUCKA: I just finished one called Wind of Change. It’s about a journalist chasing a rumor that the CIA wrote the Scorpions’ famous metal ballad “Wind of Change.” It was a really interesting topic, and very well produced. My other favorites; The Bowery Boys, about New York City; You Must Remember This, about Hollywood History; and of course, I love Last Podcast on the Left for true crime. I can name a few dozen more as well…

DISCOVER PODS: Anything else you’d like to add?

TRIPUCKA: To anyone that enjoys the podcast, please consider following us on Instagram. It’s weird to say, since podcasting is an audio medium, but the Instagram feed is a great compliment to the podcast. I try to find the best visuals of the topics, and also include some additional side stories and fun facts.

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