From Revere to Rodrigo: Chosen Family, Queer Joy & Commemoration

Can’t believe we didn’t cover the “American Runneth on Dunkin” drop, but still in awe this exists.

What do Paul Revere reenactors on TikTok, early-aughts MTV reality shows, and historic barns filled with Taylor Swift breakup songs have in common? They all show up in this episode!

In this deeply nostalgic and occasionally rain-soaked conversation, I call up Tanya Lane—a museum professional, longtime friend, and fellow historian—to talk about memory, myth-making, and millennial queerness. We start with Boston’s recent Rev250 events and how American origin stories often leave a lot (and a lot of people) out. We also get personal: chosen family contracts, friendship origin stories forged in archival chaos, surprise wedding DJ fails (or wins, depending on your view), and the joyful, winding path of queer self-discovery.

We also get into pop culture (of course). We unpack 500 Days of Summer through a 2025 lens, revisit Girls with fresh eyes, and consider what Laguna Beach teaches us about seasonal affective TV viewing. If you’re into commemoration with a side of Katy Perry in space, this one’s for you.

Want to suggest other pop culture topics for me to chat about with guests? Or historical subjects we should mine? You can let me know in the comments!

Feeling brave? You can also leave me a voicemail at ‪(860) 281-2288‬ or DM me @MimiMahoney on Instagram

Timestamps:

00:00-15:00 - Friendship origin story, our internship beginnings, and my wedding

15:00-24:00 - MTV nostalgia, early 00s culture, revisiting milennial pop culture (500 Days of Summer, Girls)

24:00-27:00 - Teen Mom and mom prep

28:00 - 24: 00 - Coming out and Love is Blind

34:00-55:00 - Paul Revere, MA 250, and Commemoration Culture

55:00-end - Total Request Hive (Katy Perry in space etc)

Source we reference:

Paul Revere on TikTok:

“Go get ‘em, Paul!”

@em.driscollOne if by land, two if by sea… three if by Mass Pike #boston #paulrevere

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Articles:

David Ryan. “Re-Enacting Independence through Nostalgia – the 1976 US Bicentennial after the Vietnam War |,” December 9, 2012. https://interamericaonline.org/volume-5-3/ryan/.

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Books:

David Blight. Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory

Michael D. Hattem. The Memory of ‘76: The Revolution in American History

M. J. Rymsza-Pawlowska. History Comes Alive: Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s