The Tom Gulley Show

Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The NORAD Santa Tracker - The Cold War Origin Of A Christmas Tradition

Every Christmas Eve, millions of families around the world track Santa Claus in real time thanks to the NORAD Santa Tracker — but few people know how this beloved holiday tradition actually began. In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom dives into the surprising Cold War origins of the NORAD Santa Tracker, the accidental phone call that started it all, and how a military defense command became one of the most wholesome and enduring Christmas traditions in modern history.

From its roots in the 1950s during the height of Cold War anxiety to its evolution into a global digital event followed by millions online, the NORAD Santa Tracker is a rare intersection of military history, pop culture, technology, and holiday magic. Tom explores how NORAD leveraged radar, satellites, and later the internet to track Santa’s journey — and why this tradition continues to resonate across generations.

This episode also looks at how the NORAD Santa Tracker reflects broader themes of American culture, media trust, and the power of storytelling, especially during times of global tension. It’s a fascinating, heartwarming story that proves even the most serious institutions can create moments of joy.

If you love Christmas history, pop culture deep dives, Cold War stories, or the unexpected origins of modern traditions, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more deep dives into history, culture, media, and the stories that shape our world — only on The Tom Gulley Show.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Generation Jones - The Overlooked Generation Between Boomers and Gen X

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley takes a deep dive into Generation Jones, the often-overlooked microgeneration born between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Too young to fully experience the postwar boom and too old to be true Gen X, Generation Jones occupies a unique cultural space shaped by shifting economics, changing social norms, and a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Tom explores the origins of the term “Generation Jones,” the shared experiences that define it—from analog childhoods to digital adulthoods—and how this generation’s cultural identity has been misunderstood or ignored. The discussion covers music, television, advertising, politics, and pop culture touchstones that helped shape Generation Jones, as well as why its influence continues to resonate today.

Perfect for viewers interested in generational studies, social history, pop culture analysis, and cultural identity, this episode offers clarity, context, and thoughtful insight into a generation that has long lived in the shadow of its neighbors.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Duesenberg - America’s Most Luxurious Car

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley explores the legendary Duesenberg car company, the American automaker that redefined luxury, power, and prestige in the early 20th century. From the groundbreaking engineering of the Duesenberg brothers to the jaw-dropping elegance of the Model J, this episode examines how Duesenberg became the ultimate status symbol of its era—and why the name still represents the pinnacle of automotive excellence.

The conversation traces Duesenberg’s origins, its dominance in both luxury automobiles and racing, and its close ties to Hollywood royalty, industrial tycoons, and cultural mythology. Tom also breaks down what made Duesenberg cars so technologically advanced for their time, how the Great Depression impacted the company, and why the phrase “It’s a Duesy” entered the American lexicon.

Ideal for fans of classic cars, automotive history, American industrial design, and vintage luxury brands, this episode delivers a richly detailed look at one of the most iconic names ever to grace the road.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout It’s A Wonderful Levy - An Extra Special Holiday Special

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley is joined by special guest The Reverend Bob Levy for a lively, opinionated deep dive into one of the most beloved films in cinema history: It’s a Wonderful Life. Together, they rate and rank the characters from Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday classic, examining heroes, villains, and everyone in between—from George Bailey and Mary Hatch to Mr. Potter and the unforgettable supporting cast.

Blending film criticism, pop culture history, and sharp commentary, this episode explores why It’s a Wonderful Life continues to resonate across generations, how its characters reflect postwar American values, and which performances truly stand the test of time. Whether you watch the film every Christmas or are rediscovering it through a modern lens, this discussion offers fresh insight, humor, and thoughtful analysis.

Perfect for fans of classic movies, Golden Age Hollywood, Christmas films, and in-depth character analysis, this episode delivers nostalgia with a critical edge—exactly what The Tom Gulley Show is known for.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout All in the Family - The Sitcom That Changed Television Forever

Few television shows reshaped American culture the way All in the Family did. Debuting in 1971, the groundbreaking sitcom didn’t just entertain — it challenged audiences to confront politics, race, class, gender, and generational divides head-on, all from a modest Queens living room.

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom revisits the cultural earthquake created by All in the Family, examining how creator Norman Lear used humor as a Trojan horse for social commentary. From Archie Bunker’s blunt worldview to Edith’s quiet wisdom, the show redefined what television comedy could say — and who it could speak to.

📺 In this episode, we explore:
• Why All in the Family was revolutionary for network television
• Archie Bunker as satire, not celebration
• Norman Lear’s fearless approach to controversial subjects
• The show’s impact on later sitcoms and modern TV storytelling
• How All in the Family still resonates decades later

Whether you watched it during its original run or discovered it in syndication, All in the Family remains a cultural touchstone — funny, uncomfortable, honest, and profoundly influential.

🔔 Subscribe to The Tom Gulley Show for thoughtful conversations about television, film, culture, history, and the moments that changed everything.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Joe Ely - Texas Outlaw Poet, Punk Collaborator, American Original

Joe Ely is one of the most respected — and quietly influential — figures in American music. From the heart of Texas to international stages, Ely has built a career that bridges outlaw country, folk storytelling, roots rock, and even punk rebellion.

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom explores Joe Ely’s remarkable journey: his deep West Texas roots, his early partnership with fellow Flatlanders Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and his fearless collaborations with artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to The Clash. It’s a conversation about independence, integrity, and how Ely carved out a singular place in American music without ever chasing trends.

🎸 In this episode, we cover:
• Joe Ely’s role in shaping the Texas outlaw country movement
• The Flatlanders and their lasting influence
• Ely’s unexpected connection to punk rock and The Clash
• His songwriting legacy and enduring cultural impact
• Why Joe Ely remains a musician’s musician

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Joe Ely for the first time, this episode offers insight into an artist whose work reflects grit, poetry, and a deep sense of place.

Joe Ely doing Hard Livin':
https://youtu.be/qbBw9F0cOmI?si=DnTd9vvK0Q-qZnv9

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Jimmy Hoffa Disappearance - America’s Greatest Mystery

On July 30, 1975, Jimmy Hoffa vanished from a Detroit suburb — and with him went one of the most enduring mysteries in modern American history. On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley examines the facts, theories, and unanswered questions surrounding the disappearance of the powerful Teamsters leader whose influence reached from union halls to the highest levels of politics and organized crime.

This episode traces Hoffa’s rise as a labor icon, his fierce battles with the federal government, his imprisonment, and his attempt to reclaim control of the Teamsters after his release. Tom breaks down what is known about Hoffa’s final day, the people he was scheduled to meet, and why no body has ever been found despite decades of investigations, tips, excavations, and headlines.

The discussion also explores the most persistent theories — from mob involvement to internal union power struggles — while separating documented evidence from rumor, speculation, and pop-culture mythmaking. It’s a careful look at how power, loyalty, and fear collided during a turbulent era in American history.

If you’re fascinated by true crime, unsolved mysteries, labor history, or stories where the truth remains just out of reach, this episode offers a clear, fact-focused examination of the disappearance that still refuses to be solved.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Star Trek Continues - Finishing The Five Year Mission

What happens when fans don’t just celebrate a classic series — they complete it? On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley explores Star Trek Continues, the acclaimed fan-produced series that set out to finish the original Star Trek five-year mission with remarkable attention to detail, tone, and storytelling.

Created by lifelong Star Trek fans, Star Trek Continues recreated the look, pacing, and spirit of the 1960s original series while telling new stories that respected established canon. This episode examines how the project came together, why it resonated so strongly with longtime fans, and how it navigated the evolving relationship between fan creativity and studio ownership.

The discussion also looks at the craftsmanship behind the sets, performances, music, and scripts, as well as the broader impact of Star Trek Continues on fan films and modern franchise storytelling. It’s a conversation about passion, legacy, and what happens when a beloved universe is treated not as a product, but as a promise.

If you’re a Star Trek fan, interested in fan productions, or fascinated by how pop culture communities keep classic stories alive, this episode offers an insightful look at one of the most ambitious and respected fan series ever made. Watch the episodes at: https://www.youtube.com/@StarTrekContinues

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Tom Waits - The Voice, The Myths & The Music

Gravel-voiced, genre-defying, and impossible to imitate, Tom Waits stands as one of the most singular artists in American music. On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley explores the life, career, and enduring mystique of a performer who turned beat poetry, jazz, blues, vaudeville, and experimental sound into something entirely his own.

From his early barroom ballads and late-night troubadour persona to his radical reinvention in the 1980s, this episode traces how Tom Waits reshaped popular music by rejecting convention and embracing character-driven storytelling. The discussion looks at his most influential albums, his collaborations, his work in film and theater, and how his songs became standards covered by artists across genres.

Tom also examines the carefully crafted mythology surrounding Tom Waits — the tall tales, the anti-celebrity stance, and the deliberate distance from mainstream fame — and why that authenticity continues to resonate with fans decades later. It’s a story about art over commerce, voice over polish, and why some musicians don’t just make records, they create entire worlds.

If you love music history, American songwriting, outsider artistry, or cultural figures who refused to play by the rules, this episode offers a thoughtful look at one of the most fascinating artists of the last half-century.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Rob Reiner - A Director Who Spanned Genres & Generations

From sitcom superstardom to one of the most influential directors in Hollywood history, Rob Reiner’s career is a masterclass in creative reinvention. On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom explores how Reiner went from playing “Meathead” on All in the Family to directing some of the most beloved films ever made.

Reiner’s work spans genres, generations, and cultural touchstones—often blending sharp wit with deep humanity. This conversation looks at how his storytelling instincts helped define modern American filmmaking and why his movies continue to resonate decades later.

In this episode, we discuss:
Rob Reiner’s early acting career and All in the Family
The unlikely transition from sitcom star to major film director
The making and legacy of classics like This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally…, and Misery
How Reiner balances comedy, drama, and emotional truth
His lasting influence on filmmakers and pop culture

Whether you grew up quoting The Princess Bride or discovered Spinal Tap years later, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the career of a filmmaker who helped shape the movies we love.

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