In which Niko Stratis and Alex Steed set out to better understand history and culture by granularly examining the careers of iconic bands. Rich in side quests and alleyway explorations, there will be plenty to command the attention and fascination of all listeners — from avowed fans of the band to disinterested parties.

This is not a song-by-song breakdown of a career. We are talking about the world as it existed around these bands. What informed them, and what they in turn informed. How were they shaped by their culture and how did they shape the culture? It is, in other words, about how these bands explain the world.

In Season One we cover the Beastie Boys.

In which Niko Stratis and Alex Steed discuss the second half of the 4th season of The OC.

Support the show on Patreon! And now on Apple Podcast Subscriptions!

Alex's new newsletter is here:

https://it-can-only-get-stranger.ghost.io/

You can find Niko Stratis online here:

https://www.nikostratis.com

You can order her book The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dad-rock-that-made-me-a-woman-niko-stratis/21762522

You can find Alex online here:

https://linktr.ee/alexsteed

You can find Alex's other podcast, You Are Good, here:

https://podpage.com/you-are-good/

In which Niko Stratis and Alex Steed discuss the first half of the 4th season of The OC.

Support the show on Patreon! And now on Apple Podcast Subscriptions!

Alex's new newsletter is here:

https://it-can-only-get-stranger.ghost.io/

You can find Niko Stratis online here:

https://www.nikostratis.com

You can order her book The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dad-rock-that-made-me-a-woman-niko-stratis/21762522

You can find Alex online here:

https://linktr.ee/alexsteed

You can find Alex's other podcast, You Are Good, here:

https://podpage.com/you-are-good/

Edit This Episode

Episode is Live
Published:
Sep. 20, 2026 @ 5PM
Edit

Add a Transcript

Add Chapter Markers

Create a Visual Soundbite

Mid-Roll Placements

Share Link to Episode
Episode Share URLCopy
View in website

Direct Link to Audio

Copy

Download MP3

Embed Audio Player

What's New
Platform Stats

While Niko and Alex cram Season 4 of The OC, we asked y'all to call in. An you did exactly that. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us!

Support the show on Patreon! And now on Apple Podcast Subscriptions!

Alex's new newsletter is here:

https://it-can-only-get-stranger.ghost.io/

You can find Niko Stratis online here:

https://www.nikostratis.com

You can order her book The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dad-rock-that-made-me-a-woman-niko-stratis/21762522

You can find Alex online here:

https://linktr.ee/alexsteed

You can find Alex's other podcast, You Are Good, here:

https://podpage.com/you-are-good/

We wanna hear from you. Tell us all your thoughts on show — The OC, that is.

+1 (213) 282-6473

If you wanna talk about our show too that’s cool, but we’re putting together an episode highlighting your thoughts, insights and feelings. We'd love to hear from you.

Call and leave a message, or send a voice memo / recording to alexsteed at gmail dot com!

In which Niko Stratis and Alex Steed are joined by Alysha "Lysh" Haugen to discuss The Graduates, the 25th episode of the 3rd season of The OC.

Support the show on Patreon! And now on Apple Podcast Subscriptions!

Alex's new newsletter is here:

https://it-can-only-get-stranger.ghost.io/

You can find Niko Stratis online here:

https://www.nikostratis.com

You can order her book The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dad-rock-that-made-me-a-woman-niko-stratis/21762522

You can find Alex online here:

https://linktr.ee/alexsteed

You can find Alex's other podcast, You Are Good, here:

https://podpage.com/you-are-good/

In which Niko Stratis and Alex Steed discuss The Man of the Year, the 24th episode of the 3rd season of The OC.

Support the show on Patreon! And now on Apple Podcast Subscriptions!

Alex's new newsletter is here:

https://it-can-only-get-stranger.ghost.io/

You can find Niko Stratis online here:

https://www.nikostratis.com

You can order her book The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dad-rock-that-made-me-a-woman-niko-stratis/21762522

You can find Alex online here:

https://linktr.ee/alexsteed

You can find Alex's other podcast, You Are Good, here:

https://podpage.com/you-are-good/

In which Niko Stratis and Alex Steed discuss The Party Favor, the 23rd episode of the 3rd season of The OC.

Support the show on Patreon! And now on Apple Podcast Subscriptions!

You can find Niko Stratis online here:

https://www.nikostratis.com

You can order her book The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman here:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dad-rock-that-made-me-a-woman-niko-stratis/21762522

You can find Alex online here:

https://linktr.ee/alexsteed

You can find Alex's other podcast, You Are Good, here:

https://podpage.com/you-are-good/