A surprise from my inner child!

In the days before television, the main form of entertainment was the radio. There were all sorts of programs that included music, dramas, newscasts, comedies, and many others. In the ’80s when I was a kid, a lot of these “old-time radio shows” as they were called, were recorded and sold on cassette. I can’t recall when exactly I got my first tape, but I was quickly hooked, and I built up a large collection of these programs.

One of my favorite shows was called “The Shadow” in which the hero is an unassuming businessman, but he has a secret – he has the power of invisibility, and he uses this power to fight crime and bring criminals and evildoers to justice. I listened to The Shadow dozens of times, using my imagination to “see” what each character looked like, and using my mind’s eye to picture every secret hideaway and evil lair described. I’d bet money that this simple leisurely activity would be a struggle for today’s brains that have been rewired by technology.

A couple of months ago, it came to me that these radio shows are likely available online, and I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I located some of the episodes that I used to own so many years ago. I knew I would enjoy hearing them again but I was surprised by just how much. I remembered the dialogue and sound effects that were used, seeing the same images in my mind as if I had listened to them a few days prior. For those twenty-minute episodes, I was transported back to that time in my childhood when I could almost feel what it was like to be that age again; before having responsibilities like work and expenses, before having nagging aches and pains, and when exercise was known as “play”.

I was very happy to learn that those memories of more carefree times are still present in my mind and body and that I can access them just by listening to these programs. I know that a big reason why I had this experience was because I was present and really listening to the program; not something I had on in the background while busy with something else.

When it comes to the concept of the Inner Child, what’s usually discussed are the traumas and wounds that are experienced when we’re young, and how they impact us as adults. But how refreshing it was to lean into my inner child through old-time radio, and have it bring feelings of happiness and calm.

I’d love to hear if anyone else has had this type of experience. Was it from a TV show, a particular album, childhood photos, or something else that took you back to when your life was simpler?