The Class of ’74

Cynthia finds Clay semi-conscious in a makeshift medical tent at the Brighton vs. Westport football game after he secretly left Mass General. He says he "got" the men who tied him up, the FBI arrests suspects, and Detective Fiduccia presses Cynthia for more answers. As Clay's parents prevent the authorities from questioning his brother, Patrick, family secrets about Clay's parents create new complications — leaving the episode on a tense cliffhanger. Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer Join The Class of '74 Podcast Detention Club and meet the nicest people in America Ending Music:: "Scary Treat" by El Depravo https://uppbeat.io/music/tracks/el-depravo/scary-treat License code: 5KEUFU8U18KBF8AK Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK #Classof74Podcast

An episode of surprising arrivals and mounting secrets, Cynthia Schuyler is confined to a small corner of the stadium by Detective Fiducia, witnesses the disastrous game opening with Katey, admonishes not-Fred for being a snob, meets new students Winston and Lilibet Hartley, and is invited by the principal, Dr. Mullen, to join him in the press box, but instead leaves the stadium with Explorer Post 49 EMT, Derek, to discover where Clay is. Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer Join The Class of '74 Podcast Detention Club and meet the nicest people in America Ending Music:: "Liberation" by Iros Young https://uppbeat.io/t/iros-young/liberation License code: HALFVFM9NOUCXE8V Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK #Classof74Podcast

At Brighton High's first football game of the season, Cynthia is stunned when Not-Fred tells her he just saw Clay—who is supposed to be in a Boston hospital. As the crowd roars, Cynthia and Katey navigate the chaos of the grandstand, seeking information about Clay, but are distracted by acts of mischief, school rivalry, encounters with friends, enemies, quirky characters and amazing surprises to leave the mystery of Clay's whereabouts unresolved. Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer Join The Class of '74 Podcast Detention Club and meet the nicest people in America Ending Music:: "Liberation" by Iros Young https://uppbeat.io/t/iros-young/liberation License code: HALFVFM9NOUCXE8V Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK #Classof74Podcast

Laura Van Wormer appears on Conversations with Rich Bennett to talk about her serialized audio drama, The Class of ’74 — a nostalgic, character‑driven podcast story that opens on September 8, 1971. The bestselling novelist describes how a drunk driver wrecked her life in a head-on collision, her despair over the physical and cognitive damage she sustained, and how, 8 years later, multiple miracles began unfolding with her creation of The Class of ’74. Laura describes the remarkable listener support and feedback she has received from "The Detention Club" at Patreon; she and Rich talk about how terrific podcasters are as a breed, and how she wishes all seniors would try listening to podcasts to experience the medium's special intimacy in what can be a lonely world. The Class of ’74 resumes in August with a 16-straight-week run to end season 2. She is also working on a new non-fiction discussion show about what distinguishes Americans born between 1954 and 1965 from the rest of the baby boomer generation. And yes, she is doing it with 3 other members of her 1974 high school class. Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK #Classof74Podcast

Cynthia rides home with Senora Córdova-Smith and her bold pink outfit, confronts a picture of a bully, and recounts how Mimi slapped him in behaving well. At home, family tensions rise over freedom, babysitting, and a trip to Boston. The episode follows preparations for the first football game, friendships and fashion-club chatter, and ends with a shocker concerning Clay. Written and Narrated by Laura Van Wormer Join The Class of '74 Podcast Detention Club and meet the nicest people in America Ending Music: "Bubblegum" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bubblegum License code: EDW3EEZ3FBYQITB1 Bumper Music: "Bring the Energy" by Soundroll @ Uppbeat.io https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/bring-the-energy License code: DZY6URYZV6Z4X7RKK #Classof74Podcast