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With John Tefteller

Vintage 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. 

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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 May 7, 2026

Episode 489: Crime Classics: The Bloody, Bloody Banks Of Fall River

This week, we dive into another famous true crime story, Crime Classics brings us “The Bloody, Bloody Banks of Fall River.” Host John Tefteller is joined by researcher Karl Schadow and Bernard Herrmann biographer Steven C. Smith to unpack this 1950s take on the Lizzie Borden case. The episode walks us through the tightly wound world of the Borden household, leading up to the infamous murders and the trial that followed. It’s a familiar story, but Crime Classics gives it a unique edge with its dry narration and psychological focus. We also take an in-depth look at Bernard Herrmann’s score, which uses just a few instruments to build tension. It’s a perfect example of how this series could take a well-known case and make it feel fresh and unsettling.

Recent Episodes

Tuesday May 5, 2026

Episode 488: Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper

This week, to enhance our Crime Classics episode from last Thursday, we have a Robert Bloch story that was talked about in that episode called, “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper,” presented on the Molle Mystery Theater. This story takes the infamous killer out of Victorian London and drops him into modern-day Chicago… with a twist. What if Jack the Ripper never died? What if he’s been staying alive all these years through something darker? The story follows Sir Guy Hollis, a man obsessed with tracking the killer, as his search leads him closer and closer to the truth.

Thursday April 30, 2026

Episode 487: Crime Classics: Good Evening, My Name Is Jack The Ripper

This week, we step into the foggy streets of Victorian London with Crime Classics, and possibly the most intriguing real-life unsolved mysteries of all time, “Good Evening, My Name Is Jack the Ripper.” John Tefteller, along with researcher Karl Schadow and Bernard Herrmann biographer Steven C. Smith, takes a closer look at the Whitechapel murders, focusing not just on the crimes, but on the lives of the victims and the fear that gripped the city. Along the way, the discussion highlights the often-overlooked people behind the scenes: sound effects artists, assistant directors, and others who helped create that immersive atmosphere.

Tuesday April 28, 2026

Episode 486: The Man Who Tried To Save Lincoln

Today, we conclude our Lincoln-themed series through the lens of time travel, from The Mysterious Traveler, with a story about a physicist and a historian attempting to project a modern mind into the past, hoping to prevent Lincoln’s assassination. The plan is to influence events from the inside… but things don’t go as expected. In true radio fashion, the story takes a sharp turn that flips the entire mission on its head.

What Listeners Say

"Thanks for bringing back these wonderful programs! Some bring a chuckle, others a tingle of fear.....and the old advertisments are a hoot!"
-Eve
"Episode 3 was a killer episode! I’m saving episode 2 for daylight but thank you again for this series, I truly enjoy the yarn they spin!"
-Josh
"Superb story. This podcast series is addicting."
-John

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.

John Tefteller

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