About
What You’ll Find Here
If you love 80s and 90s nostalgia, then you’re definitely in the right place!
At Retro Relevance, you’ll find reviews, “best of” lists, insights, analysis, and stories about the good, bad, rad, and not-so-rad aspects of the 80s and 90s.
You’ll also find opportunities to reflect in deeper ways about what 80s and 90s pop culture and cultural shifts say about those of us who experienced them.
What You’ll Gain
The feel-good feelings nostalgia often inspires.
A sense of connectedness with others who share your nostalgia for the 80s and 90s.
A deeper understanding of how the 80s and 90s shaped you and the broader society.
Mission
To explore 80s and 90s nostalgia to deepen our understanding of the past, connect through shared memories, and uncover the cultural impact of these formative decades on society and ourselves.
Vision
To create an engaging community where everyone is welcome to share, reflect, and connect about the 80s and 90s, ensuring these decades remain relevant for all generations while learning more about ourselves and each other.
Guiding Principles
Transparency and Integrity – Whether sharing personal stories, curating content, or introducing products, we prioritize honesty and authenticity.
Inclusivity – Building an inclusive community where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, share, and reflect together.
Authenticity – Celebrating genuine connections to the past without romanticizing or distorting reality.
Relevance – Ensuring the 80s and 90s remain inspiring and pertinent for all generations.
Short bio
I’m Craig “Retro” Rourke. I explore the fun and meaningful impacts of pop culture and societal shifts from the 80s and 90s. Through my writing, I blend nostalgia with thought-provoking questions, inviting you to reflect on how these iconic decades shaped our lives and the modern world.
Long bio
I was born in 1980, and graduated high school in 1999.
I’m the oldest child of 3 in a family of 5.
I grew up just outside of a small rural Ontario, Canada town, a few hours North of Toronto.
Growing up, I watched a tonne of movies and bought piles of cassettes, and later CDs.
I have a crazy memory for random, obscure things. Especially things from the 80s and 90s.
I studied English and History at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario, Canada from 1999-2002.
In 2002, I got a summer job in developmental services and developed a passion for working in the sector. My summer job ended up becoming a 20 year career, including 13 years in senior management.
I’m married to a supportive partner and best friend. I’m a proud father of an awesome daughter and 2 loveable dogs.
Recently, I’ve made some big changes. I left my job to focus more on my family and returned to school to become a certified teacher. Teaching has always been a dream of mine, and it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
In December 2023, I started retrorelevance.com as a way to rediscover a creative part of my brain that’s been neglected for quite some time.
Teaching myself how to make a website while learning new skills and connecting with people through shared nostalgia has been a blast.
I’m super excited that you’re here! I invite you to stay as long as you want, to come back often, and to contribute if you are comfortable sharing.
No pressure though. Lurkers are always welcome.
Thanks for taking time to get to know me. I hope you enjoy looking back at looking within as we reflect on the good, bad, rad and not-so-rad aspects of the 80s and 90s.