TOPG Ep 44: Jacob’s Ladder
Is it a psychological horror masterpiece or just a paranoid fever dream? This week, we descend into Jacob’s Ladder (1990), a mind-bending journey through the fractured psyche of a Vietnam veteran haunted by terrifying visions and a past that may not be what it seems. With unsettling imagery, cryptic twists, and a gut-punch ending, does this cult classic still mess with our minds, or has time dulled its nightmare fuel?
Hosts: Olen Vanderleeden & Matthew Stockton
Co-Hosts: Clef Seeley & Anthony
Co-Hosts: Clef Seeley & Anthony
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
Clef Seeley
Clef Seeley is is the composer of our theme music and soundtrack critic. He’s just as comfortable appreciating the lighthearted charm of Remo Williams as he is unpacking the psychological layers of Videodrome. Clef brings a rare balance of joy and depth to the pod, always ready to laugh, but never afraid to go deep when a film demands it.
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.
