Google Podcasts
Podbean
Stitcher
TuneInVintage Radio For Modern Listeners.
The Good Old Days of Radio Show is a podcast that presents the period of American radio commonly known as “The Golden Age”. During this time, audiences were thrilled by comedy, mystery, suspense, and horror, produced by the some of the greatest writers, directors, composers, and famous stars of the time.
In this show we present the best of these radio shows. Each show is carefully selected by record collector John Tefteller as an outstanding example of this classic art form.
Subscribe and listen
The Story Behind The Good Old Days of Radio Show.
In 1992, John Tefteller brought the first Good Old Days Of Radio Show to the airwaves on local Southern Oregon station, KOPE-FM. For three hours every Saturday and Sunday night, thousands of listeners of all ages tuned in to hear the show, earning it ‘the highest rated radio program’ in its time slot.
Latest Episode
Thursday September 24, 2026
Episode 529: Robert Bloch: Stay Tuned For Terror
This is the final episode in a mini-tribute to writer Robert Bloch. John Tefteller and historian Karl Schadow continue our look at the rare and largely forgotten radio horror series, Stay Tuned for Terror. The series produced 39 episodes, but only four recordings are known to have survived. In this episode, we hear the final two. The first follows a scientist who attempts to resurrect Adolf Hitler. The second takes us into werewolf territory, as a mysterious writer may not be quite what he seems. John and Karl also dig into the history of the series, including its connection to the classic Universal horror films, the performers and production team behind it, and the financial problems that ultimately brought the show to an end.
Recent Episodes
Tuesday September 22, 2026
Episode 528: Robert Bloch: Stay Tuned For Terror
We’re continuing where we left off, exploring the radio work of Robert Bloch. This time John Tefteller and researcher Karl Schadow dig into a nearly forgotten piece of radio history: Stay Tuned for Terror. Originally broadcast in 1945, this unusual horror series adapted Bloch’s own pulp stories into fast-moving fifteen-minute stories of the supernatural. Only four of these broadcasts are have been found as of the time we’re posting this podcast. In this episode, we hear two of them. One draws inspiration from the Lizzie Borden murders and takes a turn into demonic possession, while the other unleashes a malevolent genie from an ancient bottle. John and Karl also explore Bloch’s early career, identify some of the performers, and discuss the show’s eerie theme music. It’s a rare glimpse at Robert Bloch before Psycho made him a household name.
Thursday September 17, 2026
Episode 527: The Whistler: Design For Murder
This week, John Tefteller and radio historian Dr. Joe Webb are wrapping up our epic, 10-week saga into the The Whistler radio series, landing with one of the very last episodes from 1955. The story follows a husband who believes he has found the perfect way to hide his infidelity, by turning to murder. But as listeners of The Whistler knew, carefully planned crimes never unfolded the way they should, and secrets always had a way of catching up with those who tried to bury them. It’s a tried-and-true formula that listeners came to expect from the series, and we get them all here. John and Joe discuss how Armed Forces Radio Service recordings and home recordings helped save broadcasts that networks once considered disposable.
Tuesday September 15, 2026
Episode 526: Robert Bloch: Almost Human
We’re joined this week by researcher Karl Schadow to take a look at the remarkable career of writer Robert Bloch, best known today as the author of Psycho, but whose work in radio deserves a look. Bloch got his start writing for the pulp magazines, including Weird Tales, where he developed his style of horror influenced by H. P. Lovecraft. In this episode, we hear a radio adaptation of Bloch’s “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper,” which brings the legendary murderer into the modern world. We also hear “Almost Human,” a story about a robot that appears to possess a mind of its own. Together, these broadcasts show just how versatile Bloch could be, moving between horror, mystery, and science fiction long before artificial intelligence became part of everyday conversation.
What Listeners Say
Meet Your Host
John Tefteller has been collecting vintage radio programs since 1971. He is one of the foremost collectors of records and original radio transcriptions in the world.
John grew up in Southern California, and for decades he scoured flea markers, thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales, and private collections for records. Over the past almost 50 years of hunting, John amassed one of the largest private archives of vintage records and radio recordings.