The Class of ’74

FROM BESTSELLING NOVELIST TO AUDIO STORYTELLER: RICH BENNETT INTERVIEWS LAURA

Laura Van Wormer appears on Conversations with Rich Bennett [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-laura-van-wormer-remarkably-found-her-voice-again/id1112605924?i=1000771972262] to talk about her serialized audio drama, The Class of ’74 — a nostalgic, character‑driven podcast story that opens on September 8, 1971. The bestselling novelist describes how a drunk driver wrecked her life in a head-on collision, her despair over the physical and cognitive damage she sustained, and how, 8 years later, multiple miracles began unfolding with her creation of The Class of ’74. Laura describes the remarkable listener support and feedback she has received from "The Detention Club" at Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/c/theclassof74podcastlauravanwormer/membership]; she and Rich talk about how terrific podcasters are as a breed, and how she wishes all seniors would try listening to podcasts to experience the medium's special intimacy in what can be a lonely world. The Class of ’74 resumes in August with a 16-straight-week run to end season 2. She is also working on a new non-fiction discussion show about what distinguishes Americans born between 1954 and 1965 from the rest of the baby boomer generation. And yes, she is doing it with 3 other members of her 1974 high school class. Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy [https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fsoundroll%2Fbring-the-energy/vZub/nT66AQ/AQ/df9e28a0-35d6-474e-aca5-4887d70fc117/4/yKDWh-d7D0] License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK   #Classof74Podcast

#14 SHOCKING PINK & SCHOOLYARD SCANDALS

Cynthia rides home with Senora Córdova-Smith and her bold pink outfit, confronts a picture of a bully, and recounts how Mimi slapped him in behaving well. At home, family tensions rise over freedom, babysitting, and a  trip to Boston. The episode follows preparations for the first football game, friendships and fashion-club chatter, and ends with a shocker concerning Clay.     Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer Join The Class of '74 Podcast Detention Club [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheClassof74PodcastLauraVanWormer]and meet the nicest people in America   Ending Music: "Bubblegum" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bubblegum License code: EDW3EEZ3FBYQITB1    Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy [https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fsoundroll%2Fbring-the-energy/vZub/nT66AQ/AQ/df9e28a0-35d6-474e-aca5-4887d70fc117/4/yKDWh-d7D0] License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK   #Classof74Podcast

#13 THE MECHANICS OF FRIENDSHIP: DRIVEWAY DRAMA & A TEACHER’S SECRET

Friday night before the big game, Cynthia and her friends are swept into a chaotic driveway scene when a borrowed Saab is found hotwired and a set of metric tools is missing. The Senora Córdova-Smith brings charm, surprising backstory and a mysterious photograph, while parents, teachers, and students trade gossip, jokes, and hints of deeper tensions. Between car trouble, club plans, and a tender conversation about safety and reputation, the episode balances humor, small-town mystery, and the bonds of friendship as it sets up new questions for the coming days. Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer Join The Class of '74 Podcast Detention Club [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheClassof74PodcastLauraVanWormer]and meet the nicest people in America   Ending Music: “Sunlight” by Aaron Paul https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/sunlight License code: 5MRLA4BHTILI3MJU    Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy [https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fsoundroll%2Fbring-the-energy/vZub/nT66AQ/AQ/df9e28a0-35d6-474e-aca5-4887d70fc117/4/yKDWh-d7D0] License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK   #Classof74Podcast

HOW TO LISTEN TO A PODCAST

Laura shares an emotional "Bad Kid Edition" episode reflecting on Mother's Day and recent memorials, then reads an excerpt from her booklet "How to Listen to a Podcast." She recounts the 2015 accident that halted her novel writing, how discovering podcasts helped her recovery, and how that led to creating the Class of '74 podcast. Laura explains her wish to help older readers discover podcasts, notes the booklet is available on Amazon, and closes with a warm sign-off and a reminder not to drink and drive.

#12DIFFERENT CULTURES – VICTOR’S CONFESSION AT THE PEP RALLY

After the pep rally chaos, Cynthia confronts the fallout from Evan's brutal attack when Victor Wronski unexpectedly apologizes  — while questions about Evan’s mysterious brain injury and his refusal of testing deepen the tension. Meanwhile, Clarke’s secret mission to move a new IBM printer introduces the school’s computer room, and unexpected visitors and a mysterious car in Cynthia’s driveway hint at more secrets to come. Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer Join The Class of '74 Podcast Detention Club [https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheClassof74PodcastLauraVanWormer]and meet the nicest people in America Ending Music:: "Grasshopper Jump" by Airstream https://uppbeat.io/t/airstream/grasshopper-jump License code: 6TXTJ83AICQAKRGX   Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy [https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fsoundroll%2Fbring-the-energy/vZub/nT66AQ/AQ/df9e28a0-35d6-474e-aca5-4887d70fc117/4/yKDWh-d7D0] License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK   #Classof74Podcast