Remembering actor Sam Neill

Pull up a chair to the kitchen table and get ready for a trip down memory lane! In this episode of the Back to the Past Podcast, we are unboxing the rich history, quirky origins, and unforgettable family rivalries behind some of the world's most iconic classic board games. From ancient strategy staples like Chess to colorful 20th-century living room favorites such as Aggravation and The Game of Life, we explore how cardboard, dice, and plastic pieces shaped generations of family game nights. Whether you were a ruthless real estate mogul in Monopoly, a fast-thinking wordsmith in Scattergories, or just trying to make it to the end of the month in Pay Day, this nostalgic deep dive covers the games that defined childhoods. In this episode, we discuss: Ancient Strategy vs. Modern Chaos: The centuries-old evolution of Chess compared to the fast-paced, push-your-luck dice rolling of Farkle. The Classics That Built Game Night: The surprising backstories behind Monopoly and The Game of Life—including the hidden moral lessons originally baked into their designs. Pure Nostalgia & Friendly Rivalries: Why Candy Land was the ultimate first game for kids, the tabletop frustration of Aggravation, and the timed panic of Scattergories. Money & Milestones: How Pay Day taught a generation of kids about bills, loans, and budgeting before they ever got a real paycheck. Grab your favorite game piece, shuffle the cards, and join us as we roll the dice on pop culture history! Listen now, and subscribe to Back to the Past Podcast for more retro and nostalgia deep dives. To share your memories about your favorite board games, and to support us by purchasing updated versions of those games, visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! There you can do the following and more:  Email us Send topic suggestions Support the show by shopping the great products that we have added via affiliate links Connect with us on social media Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast Feel free to DM us at The "2 Dumb Dads" Show Facebook Page

In this episode, we break down Thriller, Michael Jackson's 1982 album produced by Quincy Jones and the best-selling album of all time. We go through the record track by track and talk about why it still stands out more than 40 years later. What we cover: The story behind the making of Thriller and Quincy Jones's role as producer A full track-by-track breakdown of all nine songs: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" "Baby Be Mine" "The Girl Is Mine" (the Paul McCartney duet) "Thriller" "Beat It" "Billie Jean" "Human Nature" "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" "The Lady in My Life" The hit singles and why "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" became so iconic The Thriller music video and its impact on MTV and pop culture How the album changed the music industry in the 1980s Our memories of the album, from vinyl and cassette to CD If you love 80s music, classic albums, Michael Jackson, or retro pop culture, this one is for you. Listen now, and subscribe to Back to the Past Podcast for more retro and nostalgia deep dives. To share your memories about Michael Jackson's Thriller album, or to buy your own copy of the album on your preferred format, visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! There you can do the following and more:  Email us Send topic suggestions Support the show by shopping the great products that we have added via affiliate links Connect with us on social media Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast Feel free to DM us at The "2 Dumb Dads" Show Facebook Page.

In this episode, we revisit It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the classic Peanuts Halloween special from Charles M. Schulz. It first aired on October 27, 1966, so this year marks its 60th anniversary. We look back at why it's still a Halloween tradition for so many families. What we cover: The story of Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown's trick-or-treating, and why that rock still gets a laugh Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace Vince Guaraldi's jazz soundtrack and how it shaped the feel of the special How the special was made, with Bill Melendez directing How it compares to A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Our own memories of watching it every October Why it still holds up 60 years later If you love Halloween nostalgia, classic TV specials, Peanuts, or retro fall traditions, this episode is for you. Listen now, and subscribe to Back to the Past Podcast for more retro and nostalgia deep dives. To share your memories about the It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown special, or to buy your own copy of the cartoon on your preferred format, visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! There you can do the following and more:  Email us Send topic suggestions Support the show by shopping the great products that we have added via affiliate links Connect with us on social media Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast Feel free to DM us at The "2 Dumb Dads" Show Facebook Page.

This week on Back to the Past Podcast, we dig up one of the most unsettling horror films of the late '80s: Mary Lambert's Pet Sematary (1989), adapted from Stephen King's novel. Louis Creed moves his family to rural Maine, where a creepy burial ground beyond the pet cemetery promises to bring back what you've lost. It doesn't go well. We look at why this movie still gets under people's skin and why it holds a special place in the VHS-era horror boom. Along the way we share our own first-viewing memories and decide whether it holds up today. Key Topics Covered: The plot and the Creed family's move to Ludlow, Maine How Stephen King wrote the screenplay himself, and what changed from the novel Fred Gwynne as Jud Crandall, and the film's strong cast Zelda, Victor Pascow, and some of the most memorable scares in '80s horror The film's themes of grief, death, and the lengths people go to for the ones they love The Ramones' "Pet Sematary" and its place in the film's legacy Behind-the-scenes trivia and filming locations Gage, and why that storyline still disturbs people decades later Our final verdict: does it still hold up? Want to grab a copy of Pet Sematary from Audible? Sign up on Audible via our Affiliate Link to start enjoying the great books that are available! To share your memories about Pet Sematary from 1989, visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! There you can do the following and more:  Email us Send topic suggestions Support the show by shopping the great products that we have added via affiliate links Connect with us on social media   Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast Feel free to DM us at The "2 Dumb Dads" Show Facebook Page.

Get ready for no respect and big laughs! On this episode of the Back to the Past Podcast, we're heading back to campus with the 1986 comedy classic Back to School, starring the legendary Rodney Dangerfield. Join us as we breakdown self-made millionaire Thornton Melon's hilarious return to college to help his struggling son pass his classes, survive fraternity life, and master the legendary Triple Lindy dive. We dive deep into Rodney's signature comedic timing, the iconic supporting performances by Robert Downey Jr. and Sam Kinison, behind-the-scenes trivia, and why this '80s movie favorite still holds up today. Whether you're an '80s movie nostalgia fan, a standalone Rodney Dangerfield enthusiast, or just looking for a good laugh, press play and hit the books with us! Key Topics Covered: Thornton Melon's best one-liners and classic Rodney Dangerfield comedy style Early career standout performance by Robert Downey Jr. as Derek Lutz Sam Kinison's unhinged, unforgettable history teacher scene Deep dive into the famous "Triple Lindy" dive sequence How Back to School compares to other classic 1980s college comedies Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!   To share your memories about Back to School, visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! There you can do the following and more:  Email us Send topic suggestions Support the show by shopping the great products that we have added via affiliate links Connect with us on social media   Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Comfortable Carla's Heating & Cooling Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast Feel free to DM us at The "2 Dumb Dads" Show Facebook Page.

In 1986, Hasbro changed childhood forever by bringing The Transformers: The Movie to the big screen—and traumatizing an entire generation by killing off Optimus Prime. In this episode, we dive deep into the 1986 animated classic that bridged the gap between Season 2 and Season 3 of the original G1 series. Join us as we break down: The Voice Cast & Characters: From Orson Welles' final role as the planet-eating Unicron to Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron, plus Rodimus Prime, Megatron, Ultra Magnus, and Soundwave. The Traumatizing Plot Points: The Battle of Autobot City, the passing of the Matrix of Leadership, and the shocking character deaths that rewrote 80s pop culture. The Iconic Soundtrack: Vince DiCola's synth score, Stan Bush's "The Touch," and Weird Al Yankovic's "Dare to Be Stupid". Legacy & Nostalgia: Why this toy-selling feature film became a beloved cult classic, "more than meets the eye". Whether you're a die-hard Generation 1 fan or discovering Cybertron for the first time, light your darkest hour and hit play! For all things Back to the Past Podcast, including all of our social media links, topic suggestions and our shop full of great items (affiliate links), please visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Comfortable Carla's Heating & Cooling Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast Feel free to DM us at The "2 Dumb Dads" Show Facebook Page.

"Groovy, baby, yeah!" Fire up the time machine and grab your velvet suit as we travel back to 1997 for Mike Myers' comedy classic Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. We're breaking down the iconic catchphrases, Dr. Evil's devious laser schemes, and why this spy spoof still holds up today on the Back to the Past Podcast from the AllStar Fence STL Studios on the Lion's Den Podcast Network powered by Stark Roofing! Oh, behave! For all things Back to the Past Podcast, including all of our social media links, topic suggestions and our shop full of great items (affiliate links), please visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Comfortable Carla's Heating & Cooling Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast

"I came here to chew bubblegum and review movies... and I'm all out of bubblegum!" Grab your sunglasses and tune in as we break down John Carpenter's 1988 cult classic They Live, starring Rowdy Roddy Piper. From the legendary alleyway brawl to subliminal alien messages, we're exposing the truth on the Back to the Past Podcast from the AllStar Fence STL Studios on the Lion's Den Podcast Network powered by Stark Roofing! For all things Back to the Past Podcast, including all of our social media links, topic suggestions and our shop full of great items (affiliate links), please visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Comfortable Carla's Heating & Cooling Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast

Boomtown violence, kinetic camera work, and an absurdly stacked cast—this week we're diving into The Quick and the Dead (1995). Is it a comic-book pulp masterpiece or a stylish mess? We discuss Sharon Stone handpicking Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, Gene Hackman's terrifying charm, and how Sam Raimi injected his signature comic-book kineticism into the classic Western genre. Tune in for hot takes, killer trivia, and plenty of quick-draw drama on the Back to the Past Podcast from the AllStar Fence STL Studios on the Lion's Den Podcast Network powered by Stark Roofing! For all things Back to the Past Podcast, including all of our social media links, topic suggestions and our shop full of great items (affiliate links), please visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Comfortable Carla's Heating & Cooling Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected]

On this special episode, we remember actor Sam Neill, who passed away on July 13, 2026 at the age of 79. Sam was best known to fans around the world for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the film Jurassic Park, as well as a few of the following sequels. You can view his full filmography over on IMDB here.   For all things Back to the Past Podcast, including our social media links, where to leave feedback about this episode, share topic suggestions and our new shop full of great items (affiliate links), please visit us at BacktothePastPodcast.com! Please support our sponsors: Stark Roofing LLC AllStar Fence STL Granite Pros, LLC Comfortable Carla's Heating & Cooling Terri Anne The Moon & Back Photography and Doula Services Spanky's Tote Rental If you have any feedback or questions about The Lions Den Podcast Network, please email Spanky at: [email protected] Also please "Like" and DM The Lions Den Podcast Facebook Page here. You can also follow The Lions Den Podcast on: Instagram at @TheLionsDenPodcast TikTok at The Lions Den Podcast Feel free to DM us at The "2 Dumb Dads" Show Facebook Page.