Needle Drop Nation – Episode 1: A Love Letter to the Music That Raised Us

Welcome to the very first episode of Needle Drop Nation.

This podcast is a home for Gen X music lovers to hang out, reminisce, and celebrate the soundtracks of our lives.

Nick Wood (UK) and Jodi Barias (New York) kick off the journey by sharing why this show exists, what Gen X truly represents (1965–1980), and how the music of our youth shaped who we became.

This episode sets the foundation for an ongoing series where we’ll travel through the years, beginning next week with a deep dive into 1965, and then moving forward year by year, era by era.

In this episode we explore:

• Why music from our youth hits differently
• Vinyl, cassettes, transistor radios, and the magic of “needle drop” moments
• How blues influenced rock, soul, R&B, disco, funk, and beyond
• The evolution of legendary artists across decades
• UK and US crossover artists and cultural impact
• Why Gen X truly was born at the perfect time for music

Artists and influences discussed include:

The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, David Bowie, T-Rex, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Electric Light Orchestra, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, The Traveling Wilburys, Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, Kraftwerk, The Jackson 5, The Carpenters, Simon & Garfunkel, and more.

We’ve created a companion Spotify playlist featuring the songs and artists discussed in this episode so you can listen along.

Listen to the curated episode playlist
👉Spotify Episode Playlist

This is just scratching the surface.

If you’re Gen X (or simply love great music), you’re home.

Follow the show, subscribe, and let us know the songs, artists, and memories you want us to explore next.

Welcome to Needle Drop Nation.

Nick and Jodi aren’t just lifelong music lovers. They’re also passionate about helping people create more freedom in their lives through building simple online income streams. Both actively teach and support beginners who want to learn how to make money online in a realistic, no-fluff way. If you’d like to learn more about their personal programs, tools, and training resources, you’ll find the links in the show notes below.

Nick has a free Skool Community 👉 The Digital Income Freedom Hub
To join contact Jodi 👉 Mjbhappier2bu - YouTube 👉Instagram

Click here to watch a video of this episode.