Dreamland Podcast
116 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 91 ratingsYou know how your subconscious makes connections between things as you slip into sleep? Dreamland helps you do this while you’re awake by mapping out surprising links and shining a light down the rabbit hole of hilarious and bizarre stories about the GenX pop culture phenomena you only thought you knew.
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Episodes
Death: The True Meaning of Christmas (80s Xmas Specials)
December 29, 2023 16:18 - 1 hour - 96.2 MBMelinda and Conrad put the Dreamland spin on Christmas and review three decidedly dark 80s Christmas specials featuring the dark spectre of death: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985, Rankin-Bass), The Snowman (1982, John Coates), and The Christmas Toy (1986, Jim Henson Productions).
Vampira vs Elvira - Horror Hosts History
October 28, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 125 MBVampira and Elvira definitely didn't get off to a good start with each other, but they definitely changed the televised landscape for horror and instigated some of our favorite B-movie anthology shows.
Charity Singles and the 80s Spectacle of Giving: Live Aid and We Are the World
September 09, 2023 21:25 - 1 hour - 98.9 MBConrad and Melinda discuss the onslaught of charity singles in the 80s: the concept, the dramas, and the impact.
80s Movie Visions of AI - Melinda Reacts
August 06, 2023 20:50 - 1 hour - 94.6 MBConrad gets Melinda to watch THREE 80s movies she's never seen before to get her reaction to the 80s vision of our artificial intelligence future. Will she guess their plots correctly? Will she like any of them? Can Conrad predict her reactions? Movies watched: 2010: The Year We Make Contact, D.A.R.Y.L., and Electric Dreams
Stranger Danger and 80s Childhood Propaganda
July 20, 2023 17:43 - 1 hour - 89 MBThis month we're discussing the child safety panic of the 80s in the US and UK, the funny and the terrifying.
DeLorean- The Story You Only Think You Know
June 07, 2023 14:30 - 1 hour - 88 MBMelinda and Conrad discuss DeLorean: the man, the car, the myth - and what it's actually like to be in one!
Classic Stallone Films: A Brit Reacts
May 17, 2023 15:30 - 1 hour - 72.8 MBWhen Melinda discovered Conrad hadn’t seen any of Sylvester Stallone’s classic filmography, she had to take action. What will Conrad think of Rocky, Rambo, and Over The Top? Find out in our latest show!
Fairy Tale TV Shows of the 80s
April 02, 2023 15:03 - 1 hour - 81.1 MBMelinda and Conrad remember two fairy tale anthology shows from the 80s- Faerie Tale Theatre with Shelly Duvall and The StoryTeller by Jim Henson - and analyze the history of fairy tales in general. They also discuss their new obsession with the work of well-known Harvard folklore expert Maria Tatar.
Generation X and the Nuclear Nightmare
March 05, 2023 22:12 - 1 hour - 95.8 MBGrowing up in the 80s for many of us meant a constant awareness and fear of nuclear war, along with everything that would follow. We explore the media of the decade and how it reflected these fears, with a focus on The Day After (US, 1983) and Threads (UK, 1984) - TV movies with a big message.
Beanie Babies: From Boom to Bust
January 29, 2023 22:30 - 1 hour - 85.6 MBWe discuss Ty Warner, Beanie Babies, and the lasting impact to the collecting world.
High (Grange Hill and Degrassi Jr. High)
December 29, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBMelinda and Conrad explore the trailblazing teen shows Degrassi Junior High and Grange Hill.
The Abyss (1989) with Movie Oubliette
July 07, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 130 MBMelinda and Aaron take a journey back to 1989 and take a deep dive into the Abyss (pun very much intended) with special guests Conrad and Dan from Movie Oubliette. They may or may not be saved by benevolent aliens, but they’re guaranteed to spend longer underwater than they intended.
Howard the Duck
May 09, 2021 16:55 - 1 hour - 117 MBWe travel from the comic books of the 70s to George Lucas and Willard Huyck’s vision to Marvel’s current cinematic universe to discover Howard the Duck - trapped in a world he never made.
Garbage Pail Kids
April 02, 2021 13:25 - 1 hour - 129 MBJoin Melinda and Aaron as they dive deep into the dumpster containing the Garbage Pail Kids- they discuss the cards, the film, the cartoon, and more!
Alien Autopsy
February 27, 2021 01:18 - 1 hour - 146 MBMelinda and Aaron dive deep into the swirling vortex that is the history of Alien Autopsy, that crazy special from the mid-1990s.
The Craft (1996)
January 26, 2021 15:39 - 1 hour - 139 MBDreamland goes goth and delves into the witchy world of The Craft from 1996.
Twilight Zone 1985: Shatterday, A Little Peace and Quiet
November 01, 2020 15:13 - 1 hour - 116 MBMelinda and Aaron recall a memorable remake of the classic Twilight Zone series from their childhoods... that scared them intensely.
Xanadu (1980)
July 30, 2020 14:42 - 1 hour - 153 MBJoin Melinda and Aaron as they descend into the somewhat cringey fever dream that is 1980’s Xanadu. Where roller skating, disco, and big Hollywood musicals crash head-on into Greek mythology and romance, you’ll find… Xanadu.
The 'Burbs (1989)
June 27, 2020 14:45 - 1 hour - 135 MBWe delve into the seedy underbelly of American suburbia, look at our neighbors’ house and ask, “What’s he building in there?” And we talk about the cult classic 80s film starring Tom Hanks.
Cover Songs and Space Travel
May 04, 2020 21:06 - 1 hour - 127 MBMelinda and Aaron have fought through the COVID-19 malaise and are each back with a surprise topic. Melinda delves into what makes a great cover song, with a handful of interesting examples, while Aaron recalls our hopeful visions of space travel from the 80s.
Dot and the Kangaroo (1977 film)
February 09, 2020 19:35 - 1 hour - 87.8 MBIn another fun foray into Australian pop culture, Melinda gets Aaron to watch one of her all-time favorites, Dot and the Kangaroo. Is it really as sad as she remembers? Does the Bunyip actually exist and is it coming for us? Will there be a special mention of Dead Can Dance? Listen and find out.
48 - Dot and the Kangaroo (1977 film)
February 09, 2020 19:35 - 1 hour - 87.8 MBIn another fun foray into Australian pop culture, Melinda gets Aaron to watch one of her all-time favorites, Dot and the Kangaroo. Is it really as sad as she remembers? Does the Bunyip actually exist and is it coming for us? Will there be a special mention of Dead Can Dance? Listen and find out.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)
December 22, 2019 20:38 - 56 minutes - 64.5 MBMichael joins Aaron and Melinda to discuss his favorite Christmas special, the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Rankin-Bass from 1985. Based on the 1902 book by L. Frank Baum (you know, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), it adds a pagany, Tolkien-esque, Dickensian feel to the holiday in an animagical way.
47 - The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)
December 22, 2019 20:38 - 56 minutes - 64.5 MBMichael joins Aaron and Melinda to discuss his favorite Christmas special, the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by Rankin-Bass from 1985. Based on the 1902 book by L. Frank Baum (you know, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), it adds a pagany, Tolkien-esque, Dickensian feel to the holiday in an animagical way.
Secret of NIMH / Rocko's Modern Life
November 27, 2019 21:18 - 1 hour - 120 MBMelinda and Aaron delve into their favorite anthropomorphized cartoon animals in this 50/50 episode. First we reveal the origins and backstory of the groundbreaking animation classic The Secret of NIMH, followed by a discussion of themes in the 90s’ Rocko’s Modern Life.
46 - Mixtape: Secret of NIMH / Rocko's Modern Life
November 27, 2019 21:18 - 1 hour - 120 MBMelinda and Aaron delve into their favorite anthropomorphized cartoon animals in this 50/50 episode. First we reveal the origins and backstory of the groundbreaking animation classic The Secret of NIMH, followed by a discussion of themes in the 90s’ Rocko’s Modern Life.
45 - TerrorVision
October 30, 2019 11:45 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBWe’re still in 1986, this time with TerrorVision directed by Ted Nicolaou. This B-movie is filled with slimy space monsters, swinger parents, and machine guns. Melinda and Aaron ask the question, is there more to this 80s cult classic, or is everything exactly as it seems?
TerrorVision
October 30, 2019 11:45 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBWe’re still in 1986, this time with TerrorVision directed by Ted Nicolaou. This B-movie is filled with slimy space monsters, swinger parents, and machine guns. Melinda and Aaron ask the question, is there more to this 80s cult classic, or is everything exactly as it seems?
44 - Crocodile Dundee
October 25, 2019 23:02 - 1 hour - 106 MBMelinda and Aaron revisit 1986, but a very different film this time! They discuss Crocodile Dundee - the good, bad, ugly, and possibly true story. Put on your teeth hat and grab your knife, we’re going back to the Bush!
Crocodile Dundee
October 25, 2019 23:02 - 1 hour - 106 MBMelinda and Aaron revisit 1986, but a very different film this time! They discuss Crocodile Dundee - the good, bad, ugly, and possibly true story. Put on your teeth hat and grab your knife, we’re going back to the Bush!
Cobra
September 11, 2019 02:07 - 1 hour - 122 MBMelinda and Aaron delve into the world of crazed cults, serial killers, and arguably the most underrated Cannon film ever made- Cobra, starring Sylvester Stallone from 1986. Also - Brian Thompson is in it!
43 - Cobra
September 11, 2019 02:07 - 1 hour - 122 MBMelinda and Aaron delve into the world of crazed cults, serial killers, and arguably the most underrated Cannon film ever made- Cobra, starring Sylvester Stallone from 1986. Also - Brian Thompson is in it!
Stingray (1985 TV Series)
August 02, 2019 19:17 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBOf all the amazing vehicle TV shows to choose from in the 80s, Stingray was the best one you probably didn’t watch. Featuring a classic ‘65 Corvette, a lone-wolf hero who is smarter and tougher than everyone and who has a heart of gold, and the most memorable music of any 80s show - if you haven’t seen it, you don’t know what you’re missing! Melinda and Aaron walk you through the pilot.
42 - Stingray (1985 TV Series)
August 02, 2019 19:17 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBOf all the amazing vehicle TV shows to choose from in the 80s, Stingray was the best one you probably didn’t watch. Featuring a classic ‘65 Corvette, a lone-wolf hero who is smarter and tougher than everyone and who has a heart of gold, and the most memorable music of any 80s show - if you haven’t seen it, you don’t know what you’re missing! Melinda and Aaron walk you through the pilot.
HBO's Chernobyl / Satanic Panic Origins
June 30, 2019 00:44 - 1 hour - 125 MBThis week Melinda and Aaron delve into the darkness and talk about two weirdly similar incidents from the 80s: Chernobyl, as seen in the HBO miniseries, and Mike Warnke as an originator of Satanic Panic. In the first half, Aaron walks us through HBO’s Chernobyl and discusses some of the key highlights and strengths, including things he learned, without spoilers. Later, Melinda describes how Mike Warnke convinced an entire generation that Satanists were everywhere and describes how he did it,...
41 - MixTape: HBO's Chernobyl / Satanic Panic Origins
June 30, 2019 00:44 - 1 hour - 125 MBThis week Melinda and Aaron delve into the darkness and talk about two weirdly similar incidents from the 80s: Chernobyl, as seen in the HBO miniseries, and Mike Warnke as an originator of Satanic Panic. In the first half, Aaron walks us through HBO’s Chernobyl and discusses some of the key highlights and strengths, including things he learned, without spoilers. Later, Melinda describes how Mike Warnke convinced an entire generation that Satanists were everywhere and describes how he did it,...
40 - In Search Of... Bigfoot
June 13, 2019 00:21 - 1 hour - 105 MBFrom 1977 to 1982 Leonard Nimoy guided us through a wide variety of strange phenomena on the syndicated, half-hour show “In Search Of.” On this episode of Dreamland, Melinda and Aaron learn a ton about Bigfoot from Spock himself, as well as special guest Tom Berges from I Grew Up Star Wars. In this episode we discuss four episodes spanning “Bigfoot,” "The Swamp Monster," "Monster Hunters," and "The Abominable Snowman."
In Search Of... Bigfoot
June 13, 2019 00:21 - 1 hour - 105 MBFrom 1977 to 1982 Leonard Nimoy guided us through a wide variety of strange phenomena on the syndicated, half-hour show “In Search Of.” On this episode of Dreamland, Melinda and Aaron learn a ton about Bigfoot from Spock himself, as well as special guest Tom Berges from I Grew Up Star Wars. In this episode we discuss four episodes spanning “Bigfoot,” "The Swamp Monster," "Monster Hunters," and "The Abominable Snowman."
The Colbys
May 11, 2019 20:57 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBIn the 80s, "primetime soaps” were definitely a thing, but you may not remember the 1985 Dynasty spinoff, “The Colbys.” An Aaron Spelling project, this show was Dynasty but more expensive, with slightly fewer catfights, but slightly more alien abductions. And let’s not forget that it starred none other than Charlton Heston. Melinda and Aaron marvel at this 80s masterpiece.
S3Ep02 - The Colbys
May 11, 2019 20:57 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBIn the 80s, "primetime soaps” were definitely a thing, but you may not remember the 1985 Dynasty spinoff, “The Colbys.” An Aaron Spelling project, this show was Dynasty but more expensive, with slightly fewer catfights, but slightly more alien abductions. And let’s not forget that it starred none other than Charlton Heston. Melinda and Aaron marvel at this 80s masterpiece.
S3Ep01 - Office Space
April 19, 2019 00:43 - 1 hour - 72.2 MBMelinda and Aaron talk about the uncomfortably accurate and hilarious cult classic, Office Space by Mike Judge.
Office Space
April 19, 2019 00:43 - 1 hour - 72.2 MBMelinda and Aaron talk about the uncomfortably accurate and hilarious cult classic, Office Space by Mike Judge.
S2Ep23 - Heathers
February 09, 2019 22:18 - 1 hour - 101 MBMelinda and Aaron delve deep into Melinda’s favorite teen movie, Heathers (1988) and describe why it’s not a “chick flick.”
Heathers
February 09, 2019 22:18 - 1 hour - 101 MBMelinda and Aaron delve deep into Melinda’s favorite teen movie, Heathers (1988) and describe why it’s not a “chick flick.”
S2Ep22 - MixTape: Echoes and Action Park
January 20, 2019 18:05 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBAs part of our MixTape format, Aaron and Melinda each pick a cool topic and discuss. This week, Aaron tells us about Echoes, the ambient music show on Public Radio, and Melinda shares the crazy story of New Jersey’s Action Park.
Echoes (NPR) and Action Park
January 20, 2019 18:05 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBAs part of our MixTape format, Aaron and Melinda each pick a cool topic and discuss. This week, Aaron tells us about Echoes, the ambient music show on Public Radio, and Melinda shares the crazy story of New Jersey’s Action Park.
Street Hawk, TV Series 1985
November 28, 2018 01:59 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBFirst there was Knight Rider, then there was Airwolf, but then came STREET HAWK! Airing for 13 episodes on ABC in 1985, the series showed us what it would be like to ride a motorcycle at 300 mph and stop on a dime. Melinda and Aaron give you the backstory of the show’s production, and walk you through the extra-long Pilot episode, so even if you’ve never see it, you can say you have experienced: Street Hawk!
S2Ep21 - Street Hawk, TV Series 1985
November 28, 2018 01:59 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBFirst there was Knight Rider, then there was Airwolf, but then came STREET HAWK! Airing for 13 episodes on ABC in 1985, the series showed us what it would be like to ride a motorcycle at 300 mph and stop on a dime. Melinda and Aaron give you the backstory of the show’s production, and walk you through the extra-long Pilot episode, so even if you’ve never see it, you can say you have experienced: Street Hawk!
S2Ep20 - Halloween Specials
October 29, 2018 01:18 - 1 hour - 79.6 MBWhile there are a ton of well-known and much loved Christmas specials, it’s Halloween that really kicks off the season. However, most people could probably only name one, maybe two Halloween specials. In this episode, we watched TEN Halloween specials spanning from 1966 to 1993. We’ll let you know which ones are hidden gems and which ones are best forgotten.
Halloween Specials
October 29, 2018 01:18 - 1 hour - 79.6 MBWhile there are a ton of well-known and much loved Christmas specials, it’s Halloween that really kicks off the season. However, most people could probably only name one, maybe two Halloween specials. In this episode, we watched TEN Halloween specials spanning from 1966 to 1993. We’ll let you know which ones are hidden gems and which ones are best forgotten.