Courtney Kocak Interview: From Girls Gone Wild to Memoir Author - Season 3 - Episode 3

<p>This week on <strong>And The Year Was 1985</strong>, we’re joined by author, podcaster, comedian, screenwriter, and producer Courtney Kocak.</p><p>Courtney’s debut memoir <em>Girl Gone Wild</em> drops April 1, 2026. The book traces her journey from rural Minnesota to Los Angeles, detailing her early creative ambitions, her time working on the <em>Girls Gone Wild</em> tour in the late 90s, and the experiences that shaped her voice as a journalist and storyteller.</p><p>We talk about:<br />• Growing up in Minnesota and chasing creative ambition<br />• Moving to LA and breaking into media<br />• The reality behind the <em>Girls Gone Wild</em> era<br />• Building a career in podcasting<br />• Writing and publishing <em>Girl Gone Wild</em><br />• Reporting on sex, psychedelics, and reproductive rights</p><p>Courtney hosts <em>Private Parts Unknown</em>, <em>The Bleeders</em>, and <em>Podcast Bestie</em>, and has produced major podcasts including <em>The Bellas Podcast</em> and <em>Never Stand Still</em>.</p><p>Pre-order or learn more about <em>Girl Gone Wild</em>:<br /><a href="https://www.courtneykocak.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.courtneykocak.com</a></p><p>Follow Courtney:<br />Website: <a href="https://www.courtneykocak.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.courtneykocak.com</a><br />Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/courtneykocak</a><br />X: <a target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/courtneykocak</a><br />Private Parts Unknown: <a href="https://www.privatepartsunknown.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.privatepartsunknown.com</a><br />Podcast Bestie: <a href="https://www.podcastbestie.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.podcastbestie.com</a></p><p>Follow And The Year Was 1985:<br />All links: <a href="https://linktr.ee/theyearwas1985" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://linktr.ee/theyearwas1985</a></p><p>New episodes weekly.</p>