Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented Canadian puppet artist and performer, Matt Ficner! Known for his unique characters and imaginative designs, Matt has brought countless puppets to life across television and film. We dive into his early work on The Noddy Shop, where he co-created the show's beloved puppets alongside the late Noreen Young and performed characters like Rusty, Lichtenstein, Fred, and Whiny. Matt also shares his experiences performing Teddy in the puppet segments of Caillou and reflects on his contributions to shows like Brats of the Lost Nebula, Planet Bizzaro: The World According to Zoomer, Ace Lightning, Wilbur, and more. Plus, we chat about his work on the TV movie The Creepy Puppet Project and his time on the 2007 film, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. It's a fun, fascinating conversation filled with nostalgia, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry!

Also, after several months, this is the final appearance of Matt Bingel on the podcast.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we welcome the legendary voice behind some of animation's most unforgettable characters — Charlie Adler! With a career spanning decades, Charlie has brought to life an iconic range of roles, from Nat Smurfling on The Smurfs, Mad Dog on TaleSpin, and Buster Bunny on Tiny Toon Adventures, to Ed and Bev Bighead on Rocko's Modern Life, Ickis on Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, and Cow, Chicken, The Red Guy, and I.R. Baboon on Cow and Chicken and I Am Weasel. He was also the voice of Mr. Whiskers from Brandy & Mr. Whiskers and a master behind the mic as both a voice actor and director. Join us as Charlie shares stories from the booth, his journey through the evolution of TV animation, his approach to directing, and the creative energy that's made him a standout voice in pop culture.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Canadian actress and voice artist Jennifer Seguin! Best known as the voice of Doris, Caillou's mom on the long-running children's series Caillou, Jennifer has brought warmth, humor, and heart to countless beloved characters across children's television. From Graziella on Wimzie's House and Millicent Crosswire on Arthur to Mom on Rotten Ralph, Madeleine Gotto on Mona the Vampire, Bobo on Spookley the Square Pumpkin, and Stella on the English dub of Winx Club, her voice has been a comforting presence for generations of viewers. Jennifer shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time working on Caillou, including her experiences collaborating with Pat Fry, the voice of Caillou's dad Boris, and her heartfelt memories of the late Jaclyn Linetsky, who originally voiced Caillou. She also dives into her work in the world of video game voiceover and her ventures in on-camera acting.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode, we're joined by the dynamic Canadian composing duo Steve D'Angelo and Terry Tompkins, the musical minds behind some of the most beloved children's shows of the past few decades. If you grew up watching PBS Kids, chances are you've heard their unforgettable work! From Peep and the Big Wide World to Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman, Design Squad, WordGirl and Super Why!, Steve and Terry have helped shape the sound of educational entertainment for a generation. They've also left their musical mark on iconic series like Zoom (remake), Arthur, Molly of Denali, Astroblast!, and even Thomas & Friends. In our conversation, we dive into their creative process, the unique challenges of composing for children's television, and how they balance fun, emotion, and education through music. We also chat about Steve's work in feature films and documentaries, and Terry's role as a founding member of the folk rock band Lost & Profound.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome the multitalented Aubrey Miller! Aubrey has been lighting up screens and stages since childhood, getting her start as the Junior Beats version of Kiki on Nick Jr.'s The Fresh Beat Band and showing off her dance moves in Just Dance Kids 2. From there, she landed guest roles on hit shows like Kickin' It, Sam & Cat, Shameless, and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn. Disney Channel fans will recognize her as Megan Simms from Austin & Ally, but Aubrey is best known for her starring role as Hannah Parker-Kent on the beloved Amazon Prime Video series Just Add Magic. Most recently, she appeared in The Thundermans comeback film, The Thundermans Return, and took creative control by creating, writing, producing, and starring in her own YouTube series, ME. On top of all that, she's made her mark as a singer with original tracks like Crossing My Heart and Lemonade.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

This week, we're joined by the legendary songwriting duo Michael and Patty Silversher! Known for crafting some of the most iconic and beloved tunes in children's television, the Silvershers have been the musical minds behind countless favorites from Disney and The Jim Henson Company. From writing the unforgettable theme songs for Adventures of the Gummi Bears and TaleSpin to penning songs for Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, DuckTales, and the Winnie the Pooh franchise, their Disney legacy speaks (or sings!) for itself. Michael also wrote and arranged most of the classic Mickey Mouse Splashdance album. With The Jim Henson Company, they brought their talents to projects like Muppet Classic Theater, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, Animal Jam, Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals, as well as the heartfelt ballad "Together Forever" from The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. We dive into their creative process, the stories behind your favorite childhood songs, and what it's like to write music that spans generations.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode, we had the great pleasure of speaking with someone who not only shaped our childhoods, but generations of childhoods! We're joined by none other than Greg Page — Australian singer, performer, and the original Yellow Wiggle of children's music group, The Wiggles! Greg takes us back to the early days before The Wiggles, sharing stories from his teenage years playing in bands like Dead Giveaway and his time as a roadie for pub rock band The Cockroaches — where he met future Wiggle bandmates Anthony Field and Jeff Fatt. We also dive into how studying early childhood education at Macquarie University led him to cross paths with Murray Cook and, ultimately, the formation of The Wiggles. Greg reflects on recording their debut album, some of his favorite songs he wrote, and the group's journey to international success — including their breakthrough in the U.S. We also touch on Greg's sudden cardiac arrest in 2020. He opens up about that life-changing moment and how it sparked a powerful mission to raise awareness about heart health. We also discuss Greg's recent venture into the world of musical theater, where he portrays the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Australian production of Annie the Musical.

Special thanks to our guest co-host Tyler for joining us again!

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode, we're joined by the talented Australian actress, director, and producer Joanne Samuel! Best known for her iconic role as Jessie Rockatansky in the original Mad Max, Joanne takes us on a journey through her remarkable career in film and television. We talk about her experience working alongside Mel Gibson, her starring role in the cult horror film Alison's Birthday, and her appearances in films such as Early Frost, Nightmaster, Christmas Down Under, and What About Sal. Joanne also reflects on her work in beloved television soap operas and shares stories from her role as Mrs. Rosemary Bingle in The Wiggles Movie, a favorite for children around the world. Plus, we dive into her appearance in the documentary Mad Max Fans: Beyond The Wasteland and discuss her behind-the-scenes work as a director and producer.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this exciting episode, we're joined by the creative masterminds behind some of your favorite TV series and films, Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle! From their early work on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! to writing episodes of beloved Disney hits like Goof Troop and the TV adaptations of Aladdin and Hercules, Bob and Mark's writing careers have spanned decades and captured the hearts of fans worldwide. As creators, they crafted the Toy Story spin-off series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and are best known for creating one of Disney Channel's most iconic series, Kim Possible. They share stories from Kim Possible's incredible run, which led to two TV movies and a 2019 live-action remake. Bob and Mark also co-wrote the films Sky High and Hotel for Dogs, and even brought us two series based on iconic film franchises, The Penguins of Madagascar and Big Hero 6: The Series.

Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome legendary drummer and longtime "Weird Al" Yankovic collaborator, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz! For over four decades, Bermuda has been the rhythmic force behind Al's iconic parodies, touring the world and recording countless fan-favorite tracks. But he's more than just a drummer—he's also the band's official historian and archivist, curating a massive collection that captures the unique legacy of "Weird Al." Bermuda joins us to chat about his musical journey, his incredible archive, and what it's like being part of one of the most beloved comedy acts in music history. We also dive into his two photo-packed books, Black & White & Weird All Over and Lights, Camera, Accordion!, which offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at life on the road and in the studio. Plus, hear about his collaborations beyond Al, including his work with the religious comedy group ApologetiX.

Special thanks to our guest co-host Kev for joining us again!