The Class of ’74
A weekly narrative drama about suburban teenagers starting high school in 1971 - or, the colorful misadventures of Miss Cynthia Schuyler and her friends before cellphones were even invented.
#TheClassof74Podcast
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Episodes
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
In Episode 17, Cynthia navigates a chaotic school day at Brighton High: an economics quiz exposes Cynthia and her classmates as well-meaning but clueless children of privilege; Cynthia introduces straight-arrow junior, Charlie, to Katey; Cynthia employs her best truth-bending skills to avoid punishment from Vice Principal Eagleton; Betsey explodes when Cynthia suggests perhaps she's lost too much weight; and the ever- enchanting Senora Cardova is floored by Cynthia.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Produced by Ryann Robinson
Ending Music: "Happy Feels" by All Good Folks
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/happy-feels
License code: GRNTI8X4ANCVCNEU
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74podcast
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Against a background of science, Cynthia navigates the fallout from a shocking Saturday night as friendships fracture and secrets surface
Cynthia meets Señora Cardova's husband when a reporter radios for help to file a story, and the school erupts when the Brighton Police launch a search.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Produced by Ryann Robinson
Ending Music: Moonlight Hall by Kevin Macleodhttps://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/moonlight-hallLicense code: JFLICPHYSXGAOBZQ
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74podcast
Friday Sep 26, 2025
Friday Sep 26, 2025
When sophomore football player Clay Seton doesn’t return home after a Sunday practice, rumors spread, police coordinate a campus-wide search, and classmates recount where they last saw him.
The episode follows the tense search—from whispers in the library and cafeteria to a rescue—ending on a shocking discovery that leaves more questions than answers.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Produced by Ryann Robinson
Aerial Photograph was taken by Mike Moore in 1970
Ending Music: "Pulsar" by Sky Cassette @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-cassette/pulsar
License code: IF3RST3BPVZ5STAL
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74podcast
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Clay is discovered bound and gagged in the school stadium snack bar; police, medics, and students rush to free him while Cynthia watches in fear and relief. Despite severe bruising and numbness, Clay walks out and is taken to the hospital, leaving questions about his attackers unanswered.
The episode follows the tense rescue, the emotional fallout among classmates and teachers, and the lingering mystery of who tied him up, ending with hope and a call to keep watching.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Produced by Ryann Robinson
Ending Music: “Keep Going” by Ra @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/keep-going
License code: NHIJ7KL2FN2Q84RY
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74podcast
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
In this episode Cynthia struggles with worry and exhaustion as she searches for books and answers.
Cynthia confides in a guidance counselor about Betsey Satterfield’s weight loss, drinking, and risky behavior; the counselor promises confidentiality and to handle the situation. While the police launch an investigation into the kidnapping of Clay Seton, Cynthia waits at home with her mother and Mimi for news of his condition.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written & Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Assisted by Ryann Robinson
Ending Music: “Blue Planets" by All Good Folks @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/blue-planets
License code: 5DTAQMTJRVBWPCUY
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74podcast
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Cynthia panics after learning Clay was rushed to Mass General in an effort to save his hand. As she searches for answers and updates on his condition, the episode shifts between tense phone calls, town gossip, grim national news about Attica Prison, and the latest on the local front - that a psycho may be on the loose in Brighton.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Ending Music: "Haunted Lullabies” by Tomas Herudek @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/sfx/haunted-lullabies-creepy-music-box-piano-music/167345/58692
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Assisted by Ryann Robinson
#Classof74podcast
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Cynthia sees Mimi off on her first day of school, learns Not-Fred's real name, hears rumors about a drug dealer, juggles questions about her fractured friendship with Betsey Satterfield, tries not to reveal anything about Clay's situation, learns about the gold standard in such a way as to put her asleep, and is celebrated in Spanish for her ham radio adventure reporting on Attica.
Going into the season finale, attractions, budding romances and mysteries abound.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Assisted by Ryann Robinson
Ending Music: "Fiesta Barcelona" by Christian Larssen @ #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larssen/fiesta-barcelona
License code: TEZ4ZOF8ORBOBMTO
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74Podcast
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
In this special 1-hour season finale, Cynthia navigates rumors, tensions, and uneasy alliances after a chaotic weekend—Teddy begs her to intervene in the prosecution of Victor Wronski, Betsy’s behavior sparks gossip, while Didi and others tease out uncomfortable details.
A mysterious new student, Lincoln, causes a stir at school, while a late, shaky call from Clay leaves Cynthia reeling. There are multiple cliffhangers setting up Season Two, which begins on Valentine's Day, 2026.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written & Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Join Laura's Detention Clubhouse at Patreon!
The cover photo of the Shah and Empress of Iran in 1971 was taken by by Carlo Bavagnoli.
Ending Music: "Existence" is by Simon Folwar @ #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/existence
License code: SEPAUB0NLVSNS17Y
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74Podcast
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Thursday Jan 22, 2026
After learning that Victor Wronski — the steroid-fueled attacker — has left the hospital, Cynthia worries about Evan's safety while trying to follow the detective's plea to keep quiet. Meanwhile Mimi embraces a bold new persona with dramatic flair, winning attention at school, and Cynthia navigates friendships, family moments, and the tension between grown-up investigations and teenage life.
The episode mixes suspense about Wronki's freedom, tender family scenes, and Mimi's surprising transformation into a confident, theatrical presence.
Visit The Class of '74 at Patreon.com to meet the nicest people in America in The Detention Club.
Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer
Assisted by Ryann Robinson
Ending Music: "Misstep” by Illya Kuznetsov @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/track/ilya-kuznetsov/misstep
License code: B29E7GIIPIYSLTXD
Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy
License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RK
#Classof74Podcast
Boomers Are Going to Have a Blast.
Everybody Else Won't Believe Half of What They Hear, But Eventually They'll Get it...
That a world without cellphones, personal computers, social media and streaming video was like a different planet. In the first place, understand that in the early 1970's everything took FOREVER. In the second, the supervision of children was a hit or miss operation. And third, if someone didn’t answer their telephone, that someone could be shopping at the store, lying murdered on the floor of the garage, or eating escargot in Paris, nobody ever really knew for sure because there were no such things as answering machines, either.
Many public figures appear in The Class of ’74, but any resemblance between Laura's made-up characters and real-life people is inadvertent. However, it is entirely intentional that baby boomers will be reminded of incidents from their misspent youth, realize just how far they have come in this life, and understand all they have to be grateful for today.
So everybody sit back and relax - alone or with friends - and have fun at Brighton High with The Class of '74.
Author/Narrator, Laura Van Wormer
When I was very little my mother used to tear out a picture from a magazine and ask me to tell her a story about it. I knew then whatever it was I was doing it was something I wanted to do forever because it felt magical. That's the way storytelling has been for me ever since.
This podcast marries everything I've ever been interested in, from the TV/Radio program at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, my editorial tenure at Doubleday, my freelance writing for Lorimar, my 14 novels, my venture into a tech start-up--even spending 30 years piecing together the true life story of an 18th century actress turned countess!
What could more joyful than writing a story about high school in the early 1970's, knowing I DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND LIVE IT AGAIN! Talk about making me grateful for my life today! Talk about an attitude adustment regarding aging! And it all began with the 50th reunion of Darien High School, class of '74. Love you guys!