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Ever wondered what it takes to voice an entire cast of characters in a single show? Or how an actor brings psychological terror to life as Metal Gear Solid’s unforgettable Psycho Mantis?

Join us for an extraordinary deep-dive with Doug Stone, the legendary voice actor who’s brought countless characters to life across animation, anime, and video games. From leading the heroic M.A.S.K. team as Matt Trakker (while simultaneously voicing seven other characters in the same series!) to delivering spine-chilling performances as gaming’s most mind-bending villain, Doug reveals the secrets behind his incredible range.

🔥 What You’ll Discover:
The Actor’s Craft Revealed: Go inside Doug’s character creation process—how he builds distinct voices, finds emotional truth in isolation, and transforms scripts into living, breathing personalities.

Behind the M.A.S.K.: Learn how voice actors of the ’80s essentially became one-person repertory companies, and hear Doug break down the challenge of voicing heroes, villains, and everyone in between within a single animated universe.

Gaming’s Psychological Mastermind: Discover the unique demands of voicing Psycho Mantis—a character who breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to players, blending meta-gaming with pure psychological horror.

From Booth to Director’s Chair: Explore Doug’s transition from performer to director and casting specialist, including his work on Mobile Suit Gundam, Tenchi Muyo!, and Street Fighter II.
Dubbing Mastery Across Cultures: From Cowboy Bebop’s space western to Kill la Kill’s intense Japanese storytelling, learn how Doug navigates vastly different cultural contexts while maintaining character authenticity.

💫 Plus: A Cause Close to His Heart
Doug opens up about his passion for animal rescue and his work with the Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats—proving that the same dedication he brings to character voices extends to saving real lives.

To learn more click the link: 

https://www.kittybungalow.org/

Whether you’re an aspiring voice actor, a fan of iconic animation and games, or just love hearing about the craft behind the characters you grew up with, this episode delivers insights you won’t find anywhere else.

Theme music composed by 

Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Gabe Fletcher 

Website: 

https://gabefletcher.net/

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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What if a postcard could change your life? Welcome to Back to Pop, the podcast that dives deep into the stories behind the stories in comics, pop culture, and the creative industry. Each episode features intimate conversations with the legends, innovators, and unsung heroes who shaped the entertainment we love.

From Marvel editors to European comic translators, from educational comic pioneers to digital media trailblazers, Back to Pop uncovers the human moments that transformed creative careers and influenced entire generations of fans. Whether you’re a longtime comic enthusiast or just discovering the rich history behind your favorite characters, you’ll find compelling stories that connect the dots between yesterday’s innovations and today’s pop culture landscape.

Featured in This Episode
Join us for an incredible conversation with Jim Salicrup, former Marvel editor and , the former co-owner of Papercutz, in which ( Terry Nantier and Jim recently sold Papercutz to Mad Cave Studios ), who has spent over 40 years making comics accessible to kids worldwide. From his teenage fanzine days in Brooklyn to shepherding literary giants like Ray Bradbury and legends like Jack Kirby under one roof at Topps Comics, Jim shares behind-the-scenes stories that span the entire modern comics era.

 They Discover how a single letter to Roy Thomas launched a legendary career, learn about the meticulous process of adapting European comics like Asterix for American audiences, and get insider perspectives on everything from the Marvel Try-Out Book to the rise and fall of Stan Lee Media. Plus, Jim opens up about mentorship, creative wellness, and what it takes to preserve an author’s voice across languages and cultures.

What You’ll Hear
 • The untold story of Spidey Super Stories and working with the Children’s Television Workshop
 • Behind-the-scenes tales from Marvel Age magazine and proto-social media engagement
 • War stories from managing creative legends at Topps Comics
 • Early digital adventures with Stan Lee Media and lessons for today’s creators
 • The art of cultural translation in global comics publishing
 • Insights on mentorship and avoiding industry burnout

Credits
Theme Song: Composed by Ron Wasserman

https://www.ronw.com/

Format: Long-form interview podcast featuring industry professionals, creators, and cultural historians

Perfect For: Comics fans, pop culture enthusiasts, aspiring creators, and anyone curious about the stories behind their favorite entertainment

Audio composed and engineered by Gabe Fletcher 

https://gabefletcher.net/

New episodes every Thrusday. Subscribe now to never miss a conversation that could change how you see pop culture forever.

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Before “Me Grimlock!” echoed across Saturday mornings, before Spirit walked calmly through the chaos of G.I. Joe missions, there was a young performer discovering the power of voice.

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Back to Pop, we sit down with voice acting legend Gregg Berger—the man behind Grimlock, Spirit, Firefly, Ripcord, Long Haul, Odie, and more—to explore the emotional depth, discipline, and imagination it takes to bring iconic characters to life.

💥 Inside This Episode:

• Gregg’s early creative spark and the artists who inspired him
• His first foray into voiceover and how he built a toolbox that shaped a generation
• The emotional core behind G.I. Joe heroes and villains alike
• The evolution of Grimlock—and how “Me Grimlock” became pop culture gospel
• Voicing Odie—a masterclass in non-verbal performance
• Philosophies on range, truth, and why voice acting is more than just sound
• Reflections on fandom, legacy, and the roles that live in his heart

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Gregg’s work for the first time, this episode is a masterclass in character, commitment, and the power of story.

📼 Subscribe, rewind, and relive the voices that shaped your childhood.

🕹️ Follow us @BackToPopMedia

🌐 https://www.backtopopmedia.com/

🎵 Theme Song composed by Ron Wasserman

https://www.ronw.com/

🎧 Audio engineering by Gabe Fletcher

https://gabefletcher.net/

🎙️ Guest: Gregg Berger – GreggBerger.net

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In this raw and revealing episode, we dive deep with Allison Pittel, breakout star of indie horror hits Stream and Screamboat. From her leap to NYC’s acting grind to the Meisner method that shaped her craft, Allison unpacks the real journey behind the scream queen spotlight.

🎬 SEGMENTS INCLUDE:

• Making the move to NYC & surviving the audition hustle
• Finding truth in terror through Meisner technique
• Behind the scenes of Stream – trauma, tension & truth
• Screamboat’s final girl twist & late-night ferry shoots
• How horror fuels emotional depth & catharsis
• Daily rituals, reads, and what’s next beyond blood and guts

🔥 Whether you’re an actor, horror fanatic, or pop culture obsessive, this episode is a must-listen. We talk emotional stamina, genre tropes, character-building, and why horror is more than just screams—it’s survival with soul.

Find out more about Allison 

https://www.instagram.com/allisonpittel?igsh=MWR4d3ZrNnNrNHgwMw==

📲 Subscribe to Back to Pop for more deep dives with the voices shaping film, TV, and fandom culture.

📍 Hashtags to Use: #BackToPop #AllisonPittel #IndieHorror #Screamboat #StreamMovie #MeisnerTechnique #ActingLife #FinalGirl #WomenInHorror #PopCulture

Audio and sound by: Gabe Fletcher 

Gabefletcher.net

Gabe F https://www.instagram.com/gabefletch?igsh=Znl3ZDJsc2Fldnc1

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In this powerhouse episode of Back to Pop, we sit down with legendary writer Christy Marx—the visionary behind Jem and the Holograms, a creative force on G.I. Joe, Spider-Man, Babylon 5, Conan the Adventurer, and so much more.

From pioneering emotional storytelling in Saturday morning cartoons to building entire worlds in comics like Sisterhood of Steel, Red Sonja, and Elfquest, Christy Marx has always championed character-driven narratives rooted in empathy, identity, and purpose.

🎧 In this episode:

• The untold origin story of Jem & the Holograms
• Writing in male-dominated rooms for Spider-Man & G.I. Joe
• Crafting nuanced fantasy in Conan & Babylon 5
• Balancing humor and heart with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Building entire mythologies in comics with the Sisterhood of Steel
• Her writing philosophy: why genre fiction is never “just for kids”
• What she’d create today with total creative freedom

Find out more about Christy Marx 

💻 https://christymarx.com/

📱 https://www.instagram.com/christy.marx?igsh=dGFnN3k0bzdoaDR3

Whether you’re a fan of 80s cartoons, a comic book enthusiast, or a storyteller looking to learn from one of the best in the business, this episode is a masterclass in genre writing and creating with soul.

🟣 Subscribe, rate, and leave a review to keep discovering the legends who shaped pop culture

Audio Engineered by Gabe Fletcher 

💻 GabeFletcher.net 

💻 Backtopopmedia.com

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This week on Back to Pop, we’re diving into the origin story of one of the most beloved fan events in the country: JoeFest.

Host Marc Childs sits down with JoeFest founder Ed Schumacher to unpack how a small toy show in an Augusta, Georgia hotel ballroom evolved into a full-scale convention center experience with thousands of fans, celebrity guests, and a collector culture that rivals anything Hasbro could dream up.

🎙️ From humble beginnings to massive growth

🎨 The art of curating the perfect vendor floor

🔥 Crisis management stories from behind the scenes

🧒🏾 Why JoeFest is bringing in a new generation of fans

🎟️ How to grab tickets and what exclusives to look out for

💥 Plus: A rapid-fire round we’re calling “The File Card”

If you’ve ever collected an action figure, built a custom display, or just want to hear how passion turns into legacy, this is the episode for you.

🔗 All links mentioned in the episode, including JoeFest tickets → [joefestusa.com]

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Dive deep into the legendary voice behind your favorite childhood heroes! 🐢🎮

Join us on Back to Pop as we go behind the microphone with Cam Clarke, the iconic voice actor who brought Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life and created the chilling presence of Liquid Snake in Metal Gear Solid. But this conversation reveals so much more than just voice acting mastery.

Discover the untold story of one of America’s greatest musical dynasties - the King Family - as Cam shares intimate details from his new book “The King Family: Now They’re All Here.” From TMNT’s recording booth to family legacy secrets, this episode uncovers the fascinating intersection of entertainment history and personal heritage.
What You’ll Learn:
•The creative process behind Leonardo’s iconic leadership voice in the original TMNT series
•Exclusive insights into voicing both heroes and villains across multiple entertainment mediums
•Behind-the-scenes stories from classic anime dubs like Akira and beloved series like Denver the Last Dinosaur
•Family secrets from the King Family’s decades-long entertainment legacy
•Professional techniques for character development and voice acting mastery

Episode Highlights:
🎯 Character Creation Secrets: How Cam developed Leonardo’s moral compass voice vs. Liquid Snake’s menacing presence🎮 Gaming Voice Acting: The unique challenges of bringing video game characters to life🎭 Animation Evolution: From 80s TMNT to modern voice acting techniques📚 Family Legacy: Exclusive stories from “The King Family: Now They’re All Here”🎵 Musical Heritage: How growing up in a legendary musical family shaped his artistic approach

Cam Clarke:

📱 https://www.instagram.com/camclarkevoices?igsh=NTI1a3I4czhkeHJz

📖https://rarebirdlit.com/  

“The King Family: Now They’re All Here.” 

🎙️Audio by: Gabe Fletcher 

Sound Design, Composition, & Engineering 

Editor of Back to Pop

GabeFletcher.net

Produced By:  Terrell Sandefur is an independent film producer, and producer at Back To Pop. 

Web page:  (https://www.imdb.me/TerrellSandefur)

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In this exclusive Back to Pop interview, we sit down with Jim Valentino, co-founder of Image Comics, creator of ShadowHawk, and the visionary who reimagined Guardians of the Galaxy for a new era. From his roots,  to helping launch one of the most influential independent publishing movements in comic book history, Jim brings the receipts on four decades of boundary-pushing storytelling.

Inside the episode:

   •   How Guardians of the Galaxy became a cult classic under his pen

   •   The raw, behind-the-scenes energy of Image Comics, while everything around was chaotic during the early days, the guys were in stride!

   •   ShadowHawk and the darker themes that made it stand out in the ’90s

   •   The indie imprint Shadowline and its philosophy on creator-owned work

   •   The triumphant return of normalman in a 40th Anniversary Omnibus

   •   Reflections on creator rights, the digital comics frontier, and what’s next

Whether you’re a lifelong comics fan or just discovering the indie legends, this is a must-listen deep dive into one of the architects of modern comics.

Grab a copy of Normal Man here: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/normalman-40-th-anniversary-omnibus-hc

Subscribe, share, and don’t forget to rate the show if you believe in the power of creator-owned stories.

Hit play, rate the show, and subscribe for more deep dives into pop culture legends.

📱 Instagram: @backtopopmedia
🌐 Website: https://www.backtopopmedia.com

Audio by: Gabe Fletcher

Sound Design, Composition & Engineering

Editor, Back to Pop Podcast

gabefletcher.net

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In this powerhouse episode of Back to Pop, we sit down with Sean Kanan — the actor, author, and entrepreneur best known as Mike Barnes from The Karate Kid Part III and Cobra Kai, as well as his legendary roles on General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful.

Sean opens up about his evolution from martial arts villain to motivational author with his bestselling “Way of the COBRA” philosophy, and how he’s channeling that same energy into his bold new brand, Bad Boy Hot Sauce.

We explore:

• The behind-the-scenes story of joining The Karate Kid universe
• His return to the franchise with a more grounded approach for Mike Barnes in the series Cobra Kai! 
• How soap operas sharpened his acting chops
• The real-life meaning behind “COBRA” (Character, Optimization, Balance, Respect, Abundance)
• His powerful TED Talk on unbecoming
• His mission is to build a purpose-driven brand inspired by legends like Paul Newman

Whether you’re a diehard Karate Kid fan, a soap opera aficionado, a seeker of self-mastery, or love a good hot sauce story — this one’s for you.

Sean Kanan 📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sean.kanan?igsh=MWxtaWJpZGJjZ25icA==

Sean’s Ted Talk https://youtu.be/TNVUi-UWjc8

Sean’s Hot Sauce https://badboyeats.com/ 

Sean’s Books https://wayofthecobra.com/

Hit play, rate the show, and subscribe for more deep dives into pop culture legends.

📱 Instagram: @backtopopmedia
🌐 Website: https://www.backtopopmedia.com

Audio by: Gabe Fletcher

Sound Design, Composition & Engineering

Editor, Back to Pop Podcast

gabefletcher.net

#SeanKanan #KarateKid #CobraKai #WayOfTheCobra #BackToPop #PopCultureIcons #HotSauce #BadBoyEats #SoapOperaStar #ActorEntrepreneur #Unbecoming #TEDTalk #MikeBarnes #CobraKaiSeason6 #PodcastInterview

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Ever wonder who keeps child actors in line on massive movie sets? Or how iconic franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter come to life behind the scenes?
This week on Back to Pop, we pull back the curtain with Hollywood legend Mark Marshall – the unsung hero behind some of your favorite childhood films. From his accidental start as Steven Spielberg’s assistant to wrangling the iconic cast of The Goonies and working on the first Harry Potter film, Mark’s four-decade career has touched every corner of pop culture.

Join us for untold stories about:
•His unexpected journey from movie theater projectionist to Spielberg’s right-hand man
•The chaotic magic of managing The Goonies’ young cast
•Behind-the-scenes challenges of working with a real orca on Free Willy
•Witnessing the Harry Potter phenomenon from ground zero
•How filmmaking has evolved from the analog era to today’s digital landscape
Whether you’re a film buff, aspiring filmmaker, or just love hearing Hollywood secrets, this episode reveals how movie magic really happens – from someone who helped create it.

FEATURED GUEST
Mark Marshall - Veteran Hollywood producer, cast wrangler, and behind-the-scenes mastermind whose career spans four decades of iconic films including The Goonies, Free Willy, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW 

Grab his book here! 

https://www.amazon.com/Goonies-Droids-Killer-Whales-Observations/dp/B0DPLNFVQC

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-to-pop/id1734332690
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6uveYosfnYxCs0LnoGgnPH?si=tnWfkCZJSyCIVf4Uic4nLw
📱 Instagram: @backtopopmedia
🌐 Website: https://www.backtopopmedia.com

Gabe Fletcher

Sound Design, Composition & Engineering

Editor, Back to Pop Podcast

gabefletcher.net

Back to Pop uncovers the hidden legends behind your favorite pop culture moments, one extraordinary story at a time.
#Hollywood #FilmHistory #Goonies #HarryPotter #FreeWilly #Spielberg #MovieMagic #BackToPop #MarkMarshall

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