The Memory Mercantile

Teen Idols

On this episode of The Memory Mercantile, Mark and Jan look back at the teen idols, heartthrobs, music stars, movies stars, and pop culture icons that filled their childhood and teenage years with excitement – from Tiger Beat Magazine covers to unforgettable TV show celebrities - It’s a fun and heartfelt look at the celebrity crushes and pop culture icons that made growing up in the ’70s and ’80s unforgettable!

Flashback Headlines

In this episode, Mark and Jan revisit the headlines and big moments that shaped their childhood and teen years—those stories that everyone talked about and never quite forgot. Tune in as they look back at the news that helped define a generation.

Grade School Days

Mark and Jan revisit their grade school days, sharing fond memories of grade school in the 1970s - from favorite teachers to some classroom quirks. They laugh about the small moments that made school feel like its own little world. Along the way, they reflect on how those early experiences helped shape who they are today—all wrapped in the warmth of childhood nostalgia.

Jan’s Jingle Gauntlet

Jan puts Mark’s memory to the ultimate test in this playful trip down commercial lane, quizzing him on 70 classic jingles from Jan’s television obsession. From catchy one-liners to full-on sing-alongs, it’s a fast-paced ride through the sounds that stuck with us—whether we wanted them to or not. Tune in and see how many you remember… and whether Mark can survive Jan’s Jingle Gauntlet.

What's for Dinner?

In this deliciously nostalgic episode of The Memory Mercantile, Mark and Jan open the pantry doors of memory and pull out the flavors of their childhood. They reminisce about canned classics, Jell-O, and the unmistakable ways to open that can of green beans. From weeknight family inventions to the magical crinkle of foil on a TV dinner tray, their conversation blends humor, heart, and cultural time travel—exploring not just what they ate, but how those meals shaped family routines, connection, and the meaning of “childhood.” It’s a warm, funny, and flavor-packed stroll down memory lane—where dinner wasn’t organic, fast food felt fancy, and dessert sometimes came in its own little foil compartment.