Join us as we talk to the iconic Sonia Manzano, known by generations for her role as Fix-It Shop co-owner Maria Rodriguez on Sesame Street from 1971 to 2015. Hear stories about her time on the show, her experiences as a writer, and the impact of Sesame Street on her life and career. Sonia also discusses her memoir Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx, her role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and voicing Rosa Casagrande on Nickelodeon's The Loud House and The Casagrandes. Plus, learn about her latest creation, the PBS Kids series Alma's Way, which celebrates Latinx culture and empowers young viewers.

Join us as we talk to acclaimed composer Jeff Danna. From the scores of Silent Hill and The Boondock Saints to Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends and The Zula Patrol, Jeff shares stories and insights about his iconic work. He is also best known for collaborating with his brother Mychael on Disney/Pixar's The Good Dinosaur and Onward.

Join us as we speak with the incredibly talented puppeteer, Kristin Charney. From the iconic Muppets to characters on shows like Greg the Bunny and Crank Yankers, Kristin has had quite the career. Hear stories about her experiences working with The Muppets on both the 2011 film and the 2015 TV series. Learn about her work on the Henson digital puppetry series Frances, where she performed the title character. Plus, discover her contributions to films like Team America: World Police and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and TV shows like Sid the Science Kid and Imagination Movers.

Join us as we take a nostalgic journey with legendary children's TV creator and producer, Rick Siggelkow. Rick shares behind-the-scenes stories about bringing beloved franchises like Thomas the Tank Engine and Noddy to American audiences. From the magic of Shining Time Station and The Noddy Shop to creating series like Ace Lightning and Dinosapien, and even the 2016 reboot of Little People, Rick shares insights into his career with children's television.

Special thanks to our guest co-host Ryan for joining us!

On Episode 265 of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we interview TV creator and author Zachariah O'Hora and director and storyboard artist Lisa Whittick!

Zachariah and Lisa have backgrounds in the children's world! Zachariah is an author and illustrator and Lisa is a storyboard artist and director! Recently, Zachariah created the upcoming PBS Kids series Carl the Collector, which Lisa directs! Carl the Collector focuses on Carl, an adventurous raccoon with autism, who enjoys collecting things and loves his friends and family in Fuzzytown.

Carl the Collector premieres on PBS Kids November 14th!

On Episode 264 of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we interview composer, singer and voice actor Russ Velazquez!

For many years, Russ was a singer and composer for a variety of projects under 4Kids Entertainment, including the highly successful animes Pokémon and One Piece, as well as composing and performing the theme songs for the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and Sonic X, where he also lent his voice to a number of characters. In the children's world, Russ composed a number of songs for Sesame Street, as well as its spin-offs Play with Me Sesame and Panwapa and its international co-productions! Aside from television, he was also a member of the group The Hit Men!

On Episode 263 of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we interview TV, Broadway and film actor Kevin Chamberlin!

Early on in Kevin's professional acting career, he appeared in projects such as Ghostwriter, Die Hard with a Vengeance and State of Mind. He is known by many for portraying the role of the family butler Bertram Winkle in the Disney Channel series Jessie, Dr. Fusion in the DCOM Teen Beach Movie and Flip on the Nickelodeon series The Really Loud House. Kevin is also best known for his work in the theater world, where he played Horton the Elephant in Seussical, Uncle Fester in The Addams Family, Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors and many more!

On Episode 262 of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we interview voice actress and singer Gigi Abraham!

Some of Gigi's voiceover roles include voicing the Hasbro toy TJ Bearytales and several projects for Sprout, including JB in Sprout's Wiggly Waffle and Halley in Astroblast! She also voiced Laura Carrot and Nicky the Pepper in VeggieTales and voiced characters for the Cocomelon franchise. Gigi has also provided voiceover for toys, DVDs, commercials and audiobooks!