Soundtrack Your Life

Nicole Barlow & Ryan Pak | Soundtrack Experts
  • 5.0 (24)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak host Soundtrack Your Life, a podcast about the film and TV soundtracks that shape pop culture. Each episode features a guest who shares personal stories about a soundtrack that's meaningful to them. Ranging from the iconic best selling soundtracks of all time to cult favorites, they cover them all. Discover hidden gems, behind-the-scenes stories, hot debates, and deep dives into the most iconic songs in movies. 🎧 Perfect for fans of: • Movie and TV soundtracks • Original songs! Fake bands! Real good needle drops! • Music and pop culture connections • 80s, 90s and Y2K nostalgia • New soundtrack releases  • Exclusive interviews with bands, artists and pop culture experts New episodes are released on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes and more:  Subscribe to our pop culture writing site at: Connect with Soundtrack Your Life on the Web: Music: Phil Bertulfo of This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

  1. MAR 16

    Vicious (2025) - What Did Composer Tom Schraeder Learn From Scoring Vicious and The Dark and the Wicked?

    This episode is part of the Pocasthon 2026! We're supporting the YWCA of Minneapolis. Please learn more about the YWCA of Minneapolis here Tom Schraeder is a songwriter and composer and he scored the 2025 Brian Bertino film, Vicious,. He talks to Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak and scoring the film as well as his previous scores like The Dark and the Wicked, on this episode of Soundtrack Your Life. The Vicious Soundtrack Score is out now on Paramount Music. Tom also discusses his path to becoming a composer, collaborating with rock musicians such as Mars Williams (Psychadelic Furs), Nels Cline (Wilco). Clive Deamer (Portishead, Radiohead), and Stan Harrison (saxophonist for Bowie, Talking Heads, etc). He also talks about a musician that he may collaborate with in the future that Nicole and Ryan are very excited about. Nicole and Ryan also ask Tom about directors that he'd love to work with in the future, and they give flowers to the unsung heroes in soundtracks: sound editors and designers. For More Information About Tom Schraeder: Website Bandcamp Instagram For the month of March, Soundtrack Your Life is offering 10% off on merch with promo code: SYLMPLS. All proceeds from merch will be donated to the YWCA and other organizations to help Minneapolis. ⁠Merch Store⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 6m

  2. MAR 9

    2026 Oscars Best Original Song – K-Pop Demon Hunters vs. Sinners Soundtrack

    We've launched a SYL Merch Store! 10% for the month of March by using promo code SYLMPLS. All profits will go to various organizations in Minnesota. Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak break down the 2026 Oscars Best Original Song category. It looks like Huntrix's "Golden" from K-Pop Demon Hunters is the heavy favorite but Raphael Saadiq and Sinners is the most nominated film of the year. We break down the nominees, songs snubbed from the short list and give our thoughts on the Best Original Score category as well. Dianne Warren is hoping that her 17th nomination will finally get her The Oscar... for her song from a documentary about Dianne Warren. Head to SoulInsole.com and use code SNDCAST for 10% Off Your Order Take the 90 day Just Thrive Probiotic Challenge Today: (Save 20% on your 1st Order) ⁠https://justthrivehealth.com/CX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min

  3. FEB 23

    Pop Culture Writer Tamar Herman on Whether the Music in K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) is Actually K-Pop

    Pop Culture Writer, Tamar Herman, joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the blockbuster soundtrack to the Maggie Kang's 2025 film, K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025). As someone who has covered the K-Pop industry for years, Tamar is the perfect guest to talk about the impact that the soundtrack has had on pop culture and the K-Pop writers and producers who helped shape the songs that have completely captured the zeitgeist. We Discuss: - The careers of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, pre-Demon Hunters - Teddy Park and the BLACK Label writers who helped create the music for Huntr/x - Generation 1 K-Pop homages - K-Pop Megastars Twice and Their Contributions to the Soundtrack - Ryan's Experience at the Twice show in LA For More Information About Tamar Herman: Website Notes on K-Pop Instagram Threads Take the 90 day Just Thrive Probiotic Challenge Today: (Save 20% on your 1st Order) ⁠⁠https://justthrivehealth.com/CX⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m

  4. FEB 9

    Challengers (2024) - The Reznor/Ross Soundtrack Score Drives the Film with Scott Interrante

    Scott Interrante of Big White Elephants and This is the Greatest Song I've Ever Heard in My Entire Life joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to the 2024 Luca Guadagnino film, Challengers. The film was scored by the team of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (Nine Inch Nails) who have worked with Guadagnino multiple times before (Queer, Bones and All, After the Hunt). The soundtrack was also accompanied by a remix album from Boys Noize. The score won the Golden Globe for Best Original Score but it was not even nominated for the Best Original Score Oscar. Hot takes, hot actors, and phallic food is all discussed on this Valentine's Day episode of Soundtrack Your Life. Scott's Socials: Big White Elephants Instagram This is the Greatest Song... Instagram Take the 90 day Just Thrive Probiotic Challenge Today: (Save 20% on your 1st Order) https://justthrivehealth.com/CX Thank you for listening! We would love it if you would join our Patreon membership, where you will get quarterly bonus episodes, access to our ad-free episode feed and more! Soundtrack Your Life Socials ⁠ Patreon membership⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ Writing Site⁠⁠ YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m

  5. JAN 26

    Office Space (1999) - Why The Gangsta Rap Soundtrack Works So Well with Mometu President Bryan Louzil

    Mometu President Bryan Louzil joins Nicole and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to Mike Judge's 1999 cult classic, Office Space. The soundtrack boasts needle drops from artists like Scarface, The Geto Boys, Slum Village, Canibus & Biz Markie, Ice Cube and Kool Keith. Obviously, we have to talk about "Still" by the Geto Boys which soundtracks the infamous "printer scene". The soundtrack supervisor for Office Space is Karyn Rachtman, whose illustrious career includes soundtracking Pulp Fiction, Clueless, Romeo and Juliet, Reality Bites, and Moulin Rouge - and those are just the movies that we've covered on our podcast. For More Information About Bryan Louzil: Mometu Mometu IG Mometu Podcast The Mometu College Film Festival Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 8m

  6. JAN 12

    Walk Hard (2007) - The Soundtrack and It's Brilliant Original Songs with Filmmaker/Comedian Cameron Smith

    Comedian and Filmmaker, Cameron Smith, joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to talk about the soundtrack to the 2007 Jake Kasdan film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. While the film flopped at the box office, it has become a cult classic and star, John C. Reilly is planning to take the Dewey Cox songs on tour in 2007 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film. We Discuss: - How the Film Influenced Cameron In His Formative Years - The Great Songs and the Massively Talented Songwriters Behind Them - John C. Reilly's Love of Music - Our Favorite Scenes, Performances, and The Beatles For More Information About Cameron Smith: Website YouTube Instagram TikTok Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  7. 12/22/2025

    The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Doubling as the Perfect Christmas & Halloween Soundtrack with Musician Sean Griffin

    Musician Sean Griffin (The Ruffians) is our guest to ring in the holidays by talking about Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas on Soundtrack Your Life! Sean has just released the Christmas song, "I'm in Love for Christmas", so he's the perfect guest for our holiday episode! Obviously, if we're talking The Nightmare before Christmas, we're talking about Danny Elfman, who composed the score, wrote the songs, and is the singing voice of Jack Skellington. We also talk about Catherine O'Hara as Sally, and how she's an underrated singer (we covered her singing on our A Mighty Wind episode a couple of months ago). We also chat about Christmas traditions, and our favorite Christmas specials and songs. For More Information About Sean Griffin (and where you can find his music): Website Instagram We've launched a SYL merch store! Promo code: Newbie for 10% off at: https://soundtrackcast.creator-spring.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    GO! (1999) - The Soundtrack that Perfectly Captures the Late 90s with Author Eric Gee

    Author Eric Gee joins Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak to discuss the soundtrack to Doug Liman's 1999 film, Go! From the B.T. score to the timeless earworm of Len's "Steal My Sunshine", to a new No Doubt song, Go! captures all the music that suburban kids were into in 1999. 00:00:00-00:09:30 Introducing Eric Gee & The Power of Personality 00:09:31-00:15:30 Why Did Eric Pick Go!? 00:15:31-00:23:00 The Soundtrack Supervisor and Capturing 1999 00:23:01-00:25:15 The Pulp Fiction Comparison 00:25:16-00:32:30 The "Steal My Sunshine" Needle Drop and Rave Culture 00:32:31-00:39:00 John August and Screenwriting 00:39:01-00:44:30 The Career of Electronic Music Pioneer, BT 00:44:31-00:50:30 Is Go! a Christmas Movie? and Breckin Meyer Defining 1999 00:50:31-00:56:00 Doug Liman's Post-Go! Career and The Simpsons' homage to Go! 00:56:01-00:59:30 Your Life in 3 Tracks 00:59:31-01:05:54 What's Ryan's Animal? / Thank Yous and Goodbyes Eric's book, The Power of Personality of out now! For More Information About Eric Gee: Website Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 9m
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5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Nicole Barlow and Ryan Pak host Soundtrack Your Life, a podcast about the film and TV soundtracks that shape pop culture. Each episode features a guest who shares personal stories about a soundtrack that's meaningful to them. Ranging from the iconic best selling soundtracks of all time to cult favorites, they cover them all. Discover hidden gems, behind-the-scenes stories, hot debates, and deep dives into the most iconic songs in movies. 🎧 Perfect for fans of: • Movie and TV soundtracks • Original songs! Fake bands! Real good needle drops! • Music and pop culture connections • 80s, 90s and Y2K nostalgia • New soundtrack releases  • Exclusive interviews with bands, artists and pop culture experts New episodes are released on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes and more:  Subscribe to our pop culture writing site at: Connect with Soundtrack Your Life on the Web: Music: Phil Bertulfo of This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole Barlow & Ryan Pak | Soundtrack Experts
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Ryan Pak
  • Show Website
    Soundtrack Your Life

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