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
16 episodes
I Didn’t Know About All This Crab Business
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 ...
Podmaxxing
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 mall...
There’s No Pleasing Punks
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 retu...
Miss Me With The Rolling Stones
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 q...
Dennis the Phantom Menace
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 E...
Big Thunder County Line
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."Whic...
(Bye Bye) Bye Week
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.
Fraggle Rock with Circus Folk
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-manner...
That Pan Flute CD We Got at the Local Fair
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...
Extreme Harmonicking
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 ...
An Elbow Full of Snag
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 cu...
Upstairs, Just Goonin'
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 pit...
Tennessee's Polite Boy
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, ...
The Eyebrow Ring Still Looks Good
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...
Can’t Find a Bun Spot Anywhere
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 a...
A Museum is Just a Hall of Fame for Dinosaurs
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 defin...