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

In this exciting episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented composer and music director David Bernard Wolf! Early in his career, David founded his own audio production company, Crywolf Productions, where he created and recorded audio content for none other than Chuck E. Cheese! David later became a key figure in the beloved Barney franchise, contributing as a songwriter and music director for the Barney & Friends TV series and several home videos, as well as producing multiple Barney albums. His company has also contributed to projects for Amblin Entertainment, NBCUniversal, and Disney! In 2016, David took his expertise even further by launching Audivita Studios, helping creators bring their audio visions to life.

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

In this episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented Kanja Chen—puppeteer, puppet builder, and writer! Kanja's journey in the puppet world began with performing the title character in Slick Silly and working on series like Mr. Meaty and Big & Small. He later brought to life the puppet version of Otto from Odd Squad and has become best known for his work on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock on Apple TV+, where he performs the non-binary Fraggle, Pogey, along with various background characters. Beyond performing, Kanja is also the founder of Chensational Productions, where he continues to push the boundaries of puppetry and storytelling. Join us as we chat about his incredible career, the art of bringing characters to life, and the magic of puppetry!

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

On today's episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented dancer, singer, and musician Ryan Desaulnier! Originally from Canada, Ryan began his career performing in a variety of productions for the Stratford Festival before making the move to Australia, where he starred in the musical Evie & the Birdman, written by composer and songwriter John Field. That opportunity led him to work with one of the most beloved children's entertainment groups of all time—The Wiggles, from 2001 to 2007, where he performed on-screen and on-stage as a Wiggly Dancer, provided backing vocals for several albums and portrayed the role of Gallant George in The Wiggles' fifth television series! He was also an occasional understudy for several members of the group. After his time with The Wiggles, Ryan continued collaborating with John Field on various musical projects, started the rock band The Vinyl Edge, and remains active in the entertainment industry today. Now back in Canada, he's still pursuing his passion for performance.

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

On today's episode, we're joined by the wonderful Alison Mork! Best known for her work on Pee-wee's Playhouse, Alison brought to life beloved characters like Chairry, Chicky Baby, Magic Screen, and many more. Following her time in the Playhouse, she went on to puppeteer on Sesame Street and performed Jody in the first season of The Puzzle Place. Her incredible puppeteering career has also included work on Bear in the Big Blue House, Between the Lions, Animal Jam, and even films like Team America: World Police and The Happytime Murders. Alison has also contributed her talents to The Muppets, including Muppet Meeting Films and the 2015–2016 TV series on ABC. Join us as Alison takes us through her journey in puppetry, her experiences bringing such iconic characters to life!

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

On today's episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented director, writer, and producer Andy Fickman! Andy has brought countless memorable films to the big screen, including The Game Plan, Race to Witch Mountain, You Again, and Parental Guidance. He also co-wrote and directed Who's Your Daddy? and has worked extensively with Disney Channel, directing and executive producing the hit series Liv and Maddie and the movie Christmas...Again?! Beyond family entertainment, Andy has collaborated frequently with comedian and actor Kevin James, directing Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, producing and directing Kevin Can Wait, and helming Kevin's comedy special Never Don't Give Up. Join us as Andy shares stories from his directing journey, his passion for storytelling, and the magic behind creating films and shows that audiences of all ages love!

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

On today's episode, we're joined by the incredible Eryk Casemiro! Early in his career, Eryk produced the beloved holiday special Frosty Returns, but he is best known for his extensive work with the animation studio Klasky Csupo. As a producer and executive producer, he helped shape Rugrats and its three films, along with its spin-off All Grown Up! and the revival. He also played a key role in developing and writing for other Nickelodeon favorites like The Wild Thornberrys, Rocket Power, and As Told by Ginger. Beyond Nickelodeon, Eryk created The Mr. Men Show for Cartoon Network and co-created Poppy Cat, bringing even more vibrant stories to young audiences. Join us as we explore Eryk's journey through the world of animation, the creative process behind these iconic shows, and the lasting impact of the stories he's helped bring to life!

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

In today's episode, we're thrilled to welcome Michelle Hickey! As a talented puppet wrangler and Muppet Workshop artist, Michelle has been a key part of bringing Sesame Street to life, working closely with iconic characters, especially as one of the main wranglers for Big Bird! She has also wrangled the Sesame Street Muppets for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and has also wrangled for The Book of Pooh, It’s a Big Big World. Some of Michelle's other credits include puppeteering on Comedy Central's Crank Yankers and more recently, as a puppet builder on Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. Join us as Michelle shares her behind-the-scenes experiences, the artistry of puppet wrangling, and what it’s like to help bring these beloved characters to life!

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

On today's episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented Fracaswell Hyman! For years, Cas has been a key creative force in children's television, writing for beloved series like Ghostwriter, Gullah Gullah Island, Taina, and recently Lyla in the Loop. He's best known for creating the Disney Channel series The Famous Jett Jackson, developing Little Bill for Nick Jr., and co-creating Romeo! for Nickelodeon. Aside from his television work, Cas is also an accomplished author, having written the books Mango Delight and Summer in the City! Join us as we dive into Cas' journey through television and literature, the impact of diverse storytelling, and the lasting legacy of the shows that shaped so many childhoods!

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

In today's episode, we're joined by the wonderful Hilary Momberger-Powers! As a former child actress, Hilary is best known for voicing Sally Brown in several Peanuts projects, including the beloved feature film Snoopy Come Home and the classic holiday special A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Beyond voice acting, Hilary has also appeared in various films, both feature-length and short and has also worked as a script supervisor on various TV series and films. Years later, she shared her personal experiences in her 2017 memoir, Peanuts to Percocet: Notes on a Hollywood Childhood, where she reflects on the challenges of growing up as a child star. Join us as she takes us through her unique Hollywood journey, the lessons she's learned along the way, and the lasting impact of being part of the Peanuts legacy!

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

In today's episode, we're thrilled to welcome Richard Termine! Richard's career began in the world of puppetry, designing and building beloved Sesame Street characters like Placido Flamingo, Meryl Sheep, and Wolfgang the Seal. He also contributed to the Sesame Street specials Don't Eat the Pictures, Big Bird in Japan, and the feature film Follow That Bird. Beyond Sesame Street, Richard worked on Fraggle Rock and various Muppets feature films before transitioning into photography, where he continues to capture the magic of Sesame Street as the show's on-set photographer. His lens has also brought to life images for Sesame Street Magazine, Bear in the Big Blue House, Between the Lions, Blue's Clues, and countless theatre and dance productions. Join us as Richard shares his incredible journey, his experiences behind the camera, and his passion for preserving the artistry of puppetry and performance!