Skull Rock Broadcast: A Stranger Things Podcast

You’ve got to love a good countdown! In this week’s episode, which is now a bit of a time capsule as it was recorded back in July, Stacy and Meghan celebrate 10 years of Stranger Things by counting down their top ten memories and experiences that shaped their experience with the show. The episode is part nostalgia trip, part love letter to the community, and part reminder that the best fandoms create real-life connections. We chat about first watching the show in 2016, the Upside Down convention, visiting filming locations, Djo concerts, collecting, conventions, tattoos, and Steddie fanfiction, along with how the podcast itself became one of our biggest takeaways from this fandom. Make sure to check out our anniversary giveaway which we will re-open until the end of the month and join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast for early access to ad-free episodes, bonus entries to all of our giveaways, and other bonus content.

From the Millennium Falcon in Mike’s basement to the unlikely romance between Barbie & He-Man, Stranger Things is full of references to toys. In this episode, Stacy and Meghan reminisce about favorite childhood toys, many of which went viral long before social media even existed. We discuss the impact of toys and games on our lives, connecting these nostalgic memories to Stranger Things, and explore how these experiences shaped who we are today. We also share Stranger Things merchandise we’ve added to our collections recently. Come hang on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support our show and access bonus content and ad-free versions of all new episodes.

We’re finally back! Join Stacy and Meghan for some chaotic catching up on our summer, including lots of Djo concerts. We also talk about Joe Keery’s Broadway debut, the upcoming Stranger Things content at Halloween Horror Nights, fall drinks, the movies and tv shows we’ve been watching lately, and lots and lots of merch. From Lego and Funko to small businesses and Etsy shops, there is absolutely no shortage of Stranger Things merch to talk about and Stacy has all the collectors covered with her update. Please join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support the podcast and access bonus content, including ad-free versions of all new episodes.

An in-depth discussion of Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap. In this episode, Stacy and Meghan recap the next episode of season 5, discussing the scenes, sets, and performances that impressed them and critiquing elements of certain other scenes. Don’t miss our analysis which includes lots of creepy Henry vibes, multiple references to McGruff the Crime Dog and the D.A.R.E. program (just say no to drugs, kids), and the return of Mr. Clarke (everybody cheered). This episode has a lot of relationship development, especially between Joyce, Will, and Robin, some humorous moments with Murray and the apology pie, and an epic Home Alone-style trap to close out the episode with a bang. We hope you enjoy revisiting it with us. Make sure to check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support our show and access bonus content and ad-free versions of all new episodes.

For Meghan’s birthday, we are combining two of her favorite things - summer and travel - with Stacy’s love of movies to bring you great movie recommendations, travel stories and tips, and (as always) hilarious conversation. Tune in and come along for the ride as we chat about the beach, road trips, camping, vacations, and international travel and hear about some great movies in all of those categories. Come hang out with us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support our show and access bonus content and ad-free versions of all new episodes.

An in-depth discussion of Chapter Two: The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler. We are finally ready to revisit the second episode of the final season of Stranger Things. This month, we are diving into the episode that confirmed Meghan’s long-time theory that Holly Wheeler would have a bigger role to play this season. We enjoyed talking about the horror references in this episode, along with the impressive editing and cinematography. Both the opening sequence, with the Demogorogon and the Wheelers, and the closing sequence, with the reveal of Mr. Whatsit as Henry, are absolutely epic and a blast to re-watch. Natalia Dyer also had some incredibly moving performances in this episode, and it was fun to see the Wheeler siblings interact in the hospital. Despite some gripes, we overall had a fun time talking about this episode and found a lot to appreciate. Please join us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support the show and access bonus content, including ad-free versions of all new episodes.

Stacy and Meghan are joined by Brandi this week to talk all about conventions, which happen to be the place where we all first met in person back in 2023. We share experiences and favorite moments we’ve spent at cons together (RIP Epic Cons) and over the years, including lots of crazy and entertaining stories and anecdotes. We talk about the best (and some of the worst) celebrity encounters we’ve had at cons, and who we would still love to meet. Brandi and Stacy have been attending conventions for a long time, and share how much has changed over the years, and their thoughts about what could make cons better. Check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support our show and access bonus content including new taste tests and ad-free versions of all new episodes.

If you are a regular listener of the podcast, you have definitely heard Stacy mention Shane, her friend and tattoo artist, once or twice. This week, Meghan and Stacy talk to Shane about his passion for horror, collectibles, and the importance of physical media. We dive into the childhood nostalgia of collecting movies on VHS, favorite cover artwork, and box sets including the upcoming release of Stranger Things from Arrow Video. Finally, we take some time to chat about tattoos, including some of the many tattoos Shane has done for Stacy, and advice for getting a tattoo for the first time. You can find Shane on Instagram at @smurphytattoo and @theaterofcreeps, and be sure to check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support our show and access bonus content and ad-free versions of all new episodes.

Thought that title sounded better than sad and weird… Meghan and Stacy are finally diving into The Crux Deluxe by Djo, the expanded follow-up to The Crux that dropped unexpectedly last fall. We describe our experience and reactions to the initial release of the album, and how our thoughts about the album have evolved over the past few months. We rave about the album cover, discuss the influences we noticed in the music, and go deep with our interpretations. We talk about our favorite songs and unpack the dense (and sad and weird) lyrics. Finally, we discuss the experience of seeing the closing track, Awake, performed live and speculate on whether more of this album will be played at the summer shows. Come hang out with us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support our show and access bonus content and ad-free versions of all new episodes.

Disclaimer: don’t listen to this episode hungry. In this week’s episode, Meghan and Stacy take a yummy trip down memory lane recounting all of our favorite Stranger Things-themed food. From the obvious Scoops Ahoy ice cream and Surfer Boy pizza, to more niche food items in various collaborations, we rank our favorites and least favorites from over the years. Meghan also started watching Twin Peaks, to Stacy’s delight, so expect updates about that journey to be woven into upcoming episodes as well. Check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/skullrockbroadcast to support our show and access bonus content and ad-free versions of all new episodes and a video version of this episode, coming soon!