TOPG Ep 13: The Running Man
Schwarzenegger, spandex, opera singer killers and the greatest game show of all times. Tune in as we discuss The Running Man, the 1987 movie that may or may not have influenced Elon Musk.
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Mathew Stockton
Co-Hosts: Anthony, Debbie, & Nicole
Creators and Guests
Host
Mathew Stockton
Mathew Stockton is co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold and the voice behind the acclaimed true crime podcast Dark Poutine. Known for his dry wit, sharp cultural takes, and unapologetic disdain for both Tom Cruise and David Hasselhoff, Mathew brings a grounded, no-nonsense edge to the show. Check Mathew out on Dark Poutine and follow his dog Steve at Steve_couldnt_leave
Host
Olen Vanderleeden
A Gen X creative whose career spans cannabis, clean tech, and media, but his real passion is stuck in a time warp somewhere between a VHS rental and a training montage. As the creator, producer, and co-host of Too Old or Pure Gold, Olen channels his lifelong love of 80s cinema, especially the high-kicking, synth-scored, gloriously weird corners of it, into a podcast that celebrates, critiques, and reexamines the movies that shaped a generation.
Guest
Anthony
A true renaissance man and our resident construction sage, Anthony brings a no-frills, all-heart perspective. He’s our go-to voice on all things structural, whether it’s a collapsing bridge in an 80s action flick or the logic gaps in a flimsy plot. As the show’s self-appointed “dog acting” critic, he’s got a keen eye for canine performances and a low tolerance for cinematic nonsense.
Guest
Debbie
Debbie is a fierce, unapologetic defender of the 80s, enthusiastic, outspoken, and never afraid to call out the perverts. She brings passion and fire to every episode, whether dissecting the chaos of Airplane!, the action-packed thrills of Running Man, or the gender dynamics in Sleepless in Seattle (she’s got zero tolerance for reverse stalking, thank you very much).
Guest
Pieter Vanderleeden
At 93, Pieter is the tireless heart of Pieter’s Plot Corner, watching and studying every film we cover, then delivering a brilliant and succinct plot summary for listeners who may not have seen (or survived) the movie in question. He missed a lot of these films in the '80s, but he’s catching up now, and loving (almost) every minute. Equally dedicated to the good and the awful, Pieter is an essential part of the podcast family and a fan favorite in his own right.
