Jacktical Magic
Jacktical Magic is a deep dive into the strangest radio phenomenon in America: Jack FM — the station that claims to “play what we want,” yet somehow taps directly into our collective memory and delivers the most Jack FM vibes imaginable. Hosts Amelia Scannell and Cooper Willis investigate how this format works, why these songs feel so instantly familiar, and what cultural forces shaped the playlists we all grew up with. They break down the hidden patterns, industry decisions, and historical moments behind the music — the same forces that created those unexpected, oddly satisfying transitions Jack FM is famous for. (If you’ve ever heard “Fly Away” sandwiched between “Tainted Love” and “Drops of Jupiter,” and thought, yeah, that tracks, this show is for you.) At the center of the series is a 64-song tournament designed to find the most definitive Jack FM track of all time. Through music analysis, radio history, and cultural storytelling, Jacktical Magic offers an accessible, revealing look at why these songs endure — and what they say about us as listeners, consumers, and accidental archivists of a shared pop memory. Whether you’re a lifelong radio fan or just curious about how certain songs become cultural fixtures, this podcast gives you a smart, compelling entry point into a world hiding in plain sight.
Episodes
On this very overdue episode, we have Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” vs. Aerosmith’s “Livin’ On The Edge” in our fourteenth matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Let Amelia and Cooper regale you with tales of some really awful people, Weird Al’s teenage successor, a child actor’s on-set injuries, and Steven Tyler’s favorite hidey-holes.
Which song will b...
We’re lengthmaxxing this 95-minute episode! Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony” and The New Radicals’ “Get What You Give” compete in our thirteenth matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia explains the concept of shopping malls to Cooper. Cooper makes a new frenemy. Amelia takes a daughter of the Iranian revolution to Universal CityWalk.
Which song is Jack FM vibemaxxing the hardest this week?
Y...
In a very late episode with weird sound mixing, The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and Dexys Midnight Runners’ “Come On Eileen” compete in our twelfth matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper return to the dreary English Midlands and discuss Romani life, Disneyland’s biggest prick-tease, and the most weirdly serendipitous super group there’s ever been.
Which ...
Happy Magical Monday!! In our first Monday episode, Green Day’s “When I Come Around” and The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” compete in our eleventh matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper talk about the quality of life of a Burger King employee, a punk utopia in Berkley, and how drummers pass the time when nobody else wants to work.
Which song will be declared the winner and mov...
The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” and Bon Jovi's “It’s My Life” go head to head in our tenth matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper chat about a generous walkie-talkie donation, going above and beyond for Emilio Estevez, and the best way to consume chili dogs.
Which song will be declared the winner and move one step closer to the title of having the most Jack FM energy?
Your vote d...
We’re back, ya piggies! Creed’s “Higher” and Blink 182's “All The Small Things” face off in matchup 9 of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper get into UFOs, airport adjacent towns, and "Phantom Hits."
Which song will be declared the winner and move one step closer to the title of having the most Jack FM energy? And how could they miss Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and St. Petersburg?
Y...
Cooper hates to be the bearer of bad news and Gordon Shumway (ALF) attempts to mount a long overdue comeback. Oh, and there's no episode this week.
Ask us anything or tell us a story!
Cast Your Vote: Each week, vote for the song you think has the most Jack FM vibes at instagram.com/jackticalmagic/
Call the Hotline: Tell us which song you think should win next week’s matchup. Leave a voicemail at (424) 666-1711.
Email ...
Men Without Hats' “Safety Dance” and Tom Petty's “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” compete in the eigth clash of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper converse about subterranean intellectuals, a boy meeting a well-mannered gent, and a National Treasure- style treasure hunt.
Which song will be declared the winner and move one step closer to the title of having the most Jack FM energy? And will the Tra...
Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly" and Cake's “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” go head to head in the seventh battle of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper recall how much of an impact grunge music had on them growing up (none.) Amelia cancels Amazon, Cooper went to high school with a really neat individual named Chas, and they talk about the Popeye Movie Soundtrack for way too long.
Which song wi...
Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love" and Blues Traveler's “Hook” settle their differences in our sixth matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Cooper finally decides to stand up to Amelia’s bullying. Cooper also demonstrates how every song ever has stolen from somebody named Pachelbel, and Amelia presents a psychological profile of a killer giving the law enforcement the runaround. Oh- and British people...
In a very special episode of Jacktical Magic, The Black Crowes’ ”Hard to Handle" and Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” face off in our fifth matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper talk about the cutest scene in movie history, get into why everything sucked after 9/11, and Amelia shares how Drops of Jupiter relates to her own experience of grief.
Which song will be declared the ...
Beck’s “Loser” and Radiohead’s “Creep” face off in our fourth matchup of the Jacktical Magic tournament.
Amelia and Cooper bite off more than they can chew with these early songs from two massive artists. They also pitch a jingle for Rancho Cucamonga, spend a lot of time making fun of the Brits, and learn that you can’t get music in prison.
Which song will be declared the winner and mov...
Sheryl Crow’s “If it Makes You Happy” and Beastie Boys' “Fight for Your Right” face off in our third matchup.
Amelia and Cooper are back from the holiday break to discuss Sheryl's possible fetish, Beastie Boys' Texas roots, and do a lot of impressions of talk show hosts.
Which song will be declared the winner and move one step forward to the title of having the most Jack FM energy?
Your vote decides.
Staind’s “It’s Been Awhile” and Goo Goo Dolls “Slide,” face off in our second matchup.
Amelia and Cooper discuss Jack FM’s diversity issues, sea shanties, and an impovised performance of Dear Evan Hanson. Oh- they also weigh in on what song had more Jack FM vibes.
Which song moves on to Round 2, and where does Fred Durst enter the equation?
Your vote decides.
Ask us anything or tell us a story!
...
The tournament begins. In our first matchup, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Otherside” faces off against Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away,” two songs that deliver wildly different but unmistakably classic Jack FM energy.
Amelia and Cooper break down why these tracks are cultural fixtures, how each one fits the Jack FM formula, and what makes this pairing the perfect way to kick off our 64-song bracket to find t...
In our debut episode, hosts Amelia Scannell and Cooper Willis introduce listeners to the world of Jack FM, the radio format known for unpredictable playlists, nostalgic hits, and the unmistakable “Jack FM energy” that defines its sound. We walk through how Jack FM started, why its mix of ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s rock and pop resonates so widely, and what makes these songs feel instantly familiar.
This premiere a...
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