Podcast
Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show!
Hosted by Jake Deffinbaugh · EN
Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!
Hosted by Jake Deffinbaugh, with co-host, Chris Bixby.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 362: Frankie Cordero (Puppeteer, Director, & Producer)
3w ago01:20:07Tap to summarizeAlso this week on Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by puppeteer, director, and producer Frankie Cordero!Known for bringing Rudy to life on Sesame Street, Purple Panda on Donkey Hodie, and Mamu and Papu on Oobi, Frankie shares his journey into puppetry, including getting his start with Sesame Street through the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He talks about working alongside Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Abby Cadabby (Rudy's stepsister), plus collaborating with David Rudman and Adam Rudman for Spiffy Pictures. Frankie also reflects on the fun of getting to work with Tally Hall and the many memorable moments from his career in children's television. It's a lively conversation full of behind-the-scenes stories, creative collaboration, and plenty of nostalgia.Special thanks to Haley Jenkins for connecting us!Connect with Frankie:https://www.instagram.com/frankiecordero/http://x.com/frankiecorderoTaping date: March 9, 2026Edited by: Mileshttps://www.youtube.com/@Miles02109Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 361: Halle Stanford & Dorien Davies (Creators)
3w ago00:25:17Tap to summarizeFirst up this week on Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by creators Halle Stanford and Dorien Davies!Halle has helped bring beloved Henson projects to life including Sid the Science Kid, Pajanimals, Dinosaur Train, and Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, while Dorien's impressive career includes work with The Muppets and Henson productions such as Puppet Up!, Julie's Greenroom, Word Party, The Happytime Murders, and Earth to Ned. Together, they discuss their brand new PBS Kids special Wowsabout, which follows Roxy (Dorien Davies) and Ronald (John Tartaglia), two very different explorers, on an unforgettable adventure through Sequoia National Park. They share how the special came to life, favorite behind-the-scenes memories, what it was like working alongside John as both puppeteer and director, the message they hope audiences take away from the story, and much more!Watch Wowsabout on PBS Kids and online at PBSKids.org:https://pbskids.org/videos/wowsaboutConnect with Halle and Dorien:https://www.7crowstories.com/https://www.instagram.com/halle_stanford_/https://www.doriendavies.com/https://www.instagram.com/doriendaviesofficial/Taping date: May 7, 2026Edited by: Chris Bixby (Co-Host)https://www.facebook.com/cbixby2000Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 360: Barry Pearl (Actor)
4w ago01:47:59Tap to summarize(We apologize for the delay in posting this as we had a bit of trouble getting this up yesterday.)Also this week on Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by actor Barry Pearl!Barry is best known to many as Doody in Grease and Professor Tinkerputt in the Barney franchise, including the primetime special Bedtime with Barney: Imagination Island and the Barney's Big Surprise tour. Barry shares the stories behind landing these unforgettable roles and what made those experiences so special. He also reflects on some of the most treasured moments from his long career, his appearances at pop culture conventions meeting fans across generations, and his meaningful work with Joey Travolta's Inclusion Films, which helps teach filmmaking to neurodivergent individuals. It's a fun, heartfelt conversation filled with nostalgia, behind-the-scenes memories, and inspiring stories from a truly memorable career.Connect with Barry:https://www.instagram.com/barry_pearl_la/https://www.cameo.com/barry_pearl_laTaping date: April 1, 2026Edited by: Drew Wellshttps://www.youtube.com/@drewsmediacorner399https://www.instagram.com/drews_media_1/Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 359: Greg Amici (Singer-Songwriter)
4w ago00:34:48Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by rock and alternative rock singer-songwriter Greg Amici!Greg's musical career took a complete halt for 16 years due to a vocal injury, and eventually returned not with a continuation of his past work, but a reinvention. His latest album, Tragicomic, plays like a time capsule rebuilt from memory, drawing on classic rock, Americana, ska, and folk-punk while channeling the late '70s through '90s with a modern, darkly humorous edge. It's a conversation about the sounds that shape us, the time it takes to find your way back, and what happens when you do.Connect with Greg and stream his music:https://www.youtube.com/@gregamicimusichttps://open.spotify.com/artist/5TBZE1LVSVi5QRdKL6Xso2https://www.gregamici.com/https://www.instagram.com/gregamicimusichttps://www.facebook.com/GregAmiciMusic/https://x.com/gregamiciTaping date: March 30, 2026Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreationshttps://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreationshttps://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 358: Angela Santomero (Executive Producer & Creator)
May 200:21:18Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by executive producer and creator Angela Santomero!Angela is best known for her extensive career in children's entertainment, by co-creating the beloved Nick Jr. series Blue's Clues, its spin-off Blue's Room, and the reboot Blue's Clues & You!, as well as PBS Kids favorites Super Why! and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, among other beloved series, including the digitally animated hit Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things. In this conversation, Angela shares the inspiration behind Princess Penelope, how the series builds on her decades of experience in children's media, and the central messages she hopes young viewers take away. She also talks about the upcoming early-reader series based on the show, the playful origins of the "preposterous things" in Penelope's purse, and her approach to creating content that sparks curiosity, creativity, and joy in children.Connect with Angela and check out Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things:https://princesspenelope.com/https://www.angelasclues.com/https://www.instagram.com/AngelasClues/https://www.tiktok.com/@angelascluesTaping date: April 29, 2026Edited by: Chris Bixby (Co-Host)https://www.facebook.com/cbixby2000Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 357: John Derevlany (Writer, Creator, & Showrunner)
Apr 2500:50:22Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by Canadian writer, creator, and showrunner John Derevlany.John joins us to share his journey through the worlds of adult and children's television. Starting out writing for National Lampoon, John eventually transitioned into television, initially writing for adult audiences before finding his niche in children's programming. He discusses his work on the Nickelodeon series The Angry Beavers, creating Jim Henson's Animal Jam, developing the Wayside TV series, serving as head writer on Monster Buster Club, and co-creating Legends of Chima for LEGO. Throughout the conversation, John shares behind-the-scenes stories, creative challenges, and how his experiences in adult comedy influenced his approach to writing for kids.Connect with John:https://johnderevlany.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnderevlany/Taping date: January 7, 2025Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreationshttps://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreationshttps://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 356: Bob Lavallee (Production Designer)
Apr 1802:34:06Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by production designer Bob Lavallee.Bob spent 14 and a half years shaping the visual world of Barney & Friends, working from Season 4 through to the very end. He also contributed to numerous Barney home videos, including Camp WannaRunnaRound, Sing & Dance With Barney, Barney's Night Before Christmas, Let's Play School!, and Come on Over to Barney's House, just to name a few. Bob shares how he transitioned from live theater into television, landed the job on Barney & Friends, and reimagined beloved sets like the treehouse and school. He also discusses how the show evolved with new additions such as the park, Idea Bench, and gazebo, giving fans fresh spaces to explore. Along the way, you may even see some design sketches for some sets!Special thanks to Fred Holmes for connecting us!Taping date: February 7, 2026Edited by: Drew Wellshttps://www.youtube.com/@drewsmediacorner399https://www.instagram.com/drews_media_1/Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 355: Keeth Apgar (Singer-Songwriter & Educator)
Apr 1100:48:58Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by singer-songwriter and educator Keeth Apgar!Keeth joins us to talk about his journey as the founder and frontman of the family music band The Harmonica Pocket. Their latest single, Imperfection is a Gift, shares a message of embracing life's accidents and finding the beauty and power within those moments of imperfection we all experience. Keeth opens up about balancing storytelling with crafting catchy, memorable melodies, shares his favorite songs and touring experiences, and reflects on the creative process behind his music. He also discusses the honor of recently winning the ASCAP Foundation Joe Raposo Children’s Music Award and what it means for his work in family and children's music.Check out The Harmonica Pocket and stream Imperfection is a Gift wherever you listen to music:https://orcd.co/imperfectionisagifthttps://harmonicapocket.com/https://www.facebook.com/HarmonicaPockethttps://x.com/HarmonicaPockethttps://www.youtube.com/@harmonicapockethttps://harmonicapocket.bandcamp.com/https://www.instagram.com/harmonicapocketTaping date: March 18, 2026Edited by: Mileshttps://www.youtube.com/@Miles02109Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 354: Paul Germain & Joe Ansolabehere (Writers & Producers)
Apr 402:01:00Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by writers and producers Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere!Paul co-created Rugrats alongside Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó and oversaw the show's first three seasons, while Joe joined as a writer during those early years, helping bring the adventures of Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, and the gang to life. After Rugrats, Joe went on to co-develop the Nickelodeon series Hey Arnold! with creator Craig Bartlett, while Paul and Joe's partnership continued with Disney shows like Recess, its theatrical film Recess: School's Out, and Lloyd in Space. They also co-wrote the 2010 film Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue and developed the 2010 reboot of Pound Puppies. In this conversation, they discuss the inspiration behind the Rugrats and Recess characters, how these shows became landmark cartoons of the '90s, their collaborative process, and the lasting impact of their work.Taping date: October 11, 2025Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreationshttps://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreationshttps://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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Episode 353: Alex Rockwell (Writer & Producer)
Mar 2801:26:58Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by writer and producer Alex Rockwell!Alex began her work with The Jim Henson Company in the late '1980s, first as a producer on The Jim Henson Hour, continuing as a producer and executive producer on series such as Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, and Bear in the Big Blue House, as well as the feature films Muppets from Space and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. She was also behind the creation of Frances, Pajanimals, Word Party, and Slumberkins. During our chat with Alex, we also talk about her experience being interviewed for the 2024 documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man.Special thanks to Judy Rothman Rofé for connecting us!Taping date: February 26, 2025Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreationshttps://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreationshttps://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
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