Dustin joins Amanda to discuss something near and dear (or at least super nostalgic): infomercials.  How did they become a billion dollar business in the late 80s? And when/where did they begin?  We discuss all of that (and more) in this episode.Watch:The First Informercial (Vitamix)Ronco Electric Food DehydratorThe Time Life Mysteries of the Unknown SeriesPure MoodsRead:"The Stepford Channel," Rick Marin, The New York Times.The first audio essay series of 2023!!We’re going to be talking about our relationship with shopping!As we began to talk about at the end of last year, we are practically trained to be consumers from birth.  From sticker collections to toys to the commercials on the Saturday morning cartoons, we have been told that new stuff = a better life. More happiness. Popularity…and even in the case of the “romance industrial complex,” it means love and appreciation.  Shopping is a social activity, the subject of copious amounts of magazine articles, blogs posts, and social media content.  For some families shopping is the only way they can spend time together and get along!Here are some ideas of things you can cover in your audio essay:
How did shopping fit into your childhood? Was it a part of your relationship with a family member? Did it change over time?
Do you find yourself engaging in so-called “ retail therapy?”  Does it help? Have you found something that helps more?
Are you addicted to bargains and deals? Have you found a non-shopping way to scratch that itch?
Does shopping make you happy? Sad? Angry? Why?
Are there any specific shopping memories that have shaped how you approach clothing as an adult?
Or maybe you have your own theme you would like to cover! That’s fine, too!
Write out what you want to say before you record it. Try to fit it into 5 minutes or less.If you want your contact info (name, instagram handle, business) to be included in the episode, please tell us in the recording. If you want to be anonymous, that’s fine, too!It’s okay if you make a mistake while recording, just say that part again and keep going. Amanda will edit it.Record in a quiet room away from fans, air conditioners, bus stops, and howling hound dogs.Be sure to double check your recording before sending. Yes, I have received fully silent recordings.When you email it, include your name, pronouns, and IG handle.The deadline for this project is March 15.Check out Amanda's other podcast, The Department.Have questions/comments/cute animal photos? Reach out via email:  amanda@clotheshorse.worldFind the transcript at clotheshorsepodcast.comWant to support Amanda's work on Clotheshorse? Learn more at patreon.com/clotheshorsepodcastClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlv and keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.Country Feedback is a mom & pop record shop in Tarboro, North Carolina. They specialize in used rock, country, and soul and offer affordable vintage clothing and housewares. Do you have used records you want to sell? Country Feedback wants to buy them! Find us on Instagram @countryfeedbackvintageandvinyl or head downeast and visit our brick and mortar. All are welcome at this inclusive and family-friendly record shop in the country!Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe an