Nostalgic Memories From the 80s with Pete Kleinjan

10/17/23 • 50 min

In our recent discussion with Pete Kleinjan in Nostalgia Street Episode 2, Jeff begins the podcast with a hypothetical scenario involving three iconic individuals: Mike Ditka, Mike Tyson, and Michael Jackson.

"If Mike Ditka, Mike Tyson, and Michael Jackson, at any age, walk into a ring, what happens?" The hosts agree it's a bit of a stalemate. While many might assume that Mike Tyson would knock out the competition, there's a humorous notion that Michael Jackson would dance around the ring. It's also suggested that it's impossible to knock out Mike Ditka, the legendary football coach. This fun scenario sets the stage for an engaging conversation.

We introduced our guest, Pete Kleinjan, a long-time friend of the studio and an SEO expert with a wealth of experience.

Childhood Memories: Pete reminisces about growing up on a farm, surrounded by four brothers and numerous cousins. Their days were filled with hard work and fun, and they played with square bales, a common sight on the farm. It was a time filled with togetherness, bike rides, and baseball in the yard. The hosts share a laugh about childhood memories, such as that one sibling who always cheated in games.

Creative Childhood Games: We discussed how we’d combine various sports or activities to invent their own unique games, even if they didn't make much sense in hindsight. The atmosphere of childhood creativity and the joy of making up games is fondly recalled.

Growing Up Without Cable TV: Pete shares his upbringing on the farm, highlighting that they didn't have cable TV. He humorously mentions that he grew up with just four channels, known as the "big three" – ABC, CBS, and NBC, along with PBS. He explains that he often served as the "remote control" for the family.

Cuffed Pants and Strange Fashion Trends: The conversation turns to the strange and intriguing fashion trends of their youth. We discuss the phenomenon of folding up the hems or cuffs of our pants, a trend that, even to this day, is somewhat baffling.

With a sense of amusement and curiosity, we contemplate whether it came from the East Coast, West Coast, or perhaps even a famous figure like Cindy Crawford. Peer pressure and the desire to fit in with friends at school seemed to be the driving force behind this fashion trend.

We mention that we wouldn't be surprised if the trend of cuffed pants made a comeback. Indeed, the cyclical nature of fashion means that trends from the past often find their way back into the present.

The podcast segues into a conversation about Pete’s life-size Michael Jordan poster, soggy cereal and A-Tracks.

Vince then shares a story about falsely accusing his brother and using his language skills to escape grounding, and it’s quite relatable. Many of us have childhood memories that involve a bit of mischief or a clever way to avoid consequences. These experiences shape us and teach us valuable life lessons.

Jeff and Pete also share memories of growing up, getting in trouble and punishments used by their parents.

We often look back on these memories from our youth with a mix of nostalgia, amusement and the occasional blush of embarrassment. These anecdotes remind us of how our formative years have shaped our present selves.

We continue the conversation by reflecting on how we shopped from catalogs, our favorite 80s music, including the Super Mario Bros theme song.

Jeff then decides to take the conversation to a deeper level where he asks the other two if they could go back, if there’s anything they’d change. This leads into a conversation of whether you’d want to change what happened in the past or if it is something to be grateful for because it’s what brought you to where they are today.

The conversation then turns to how childhood felt like the “good old days” and how there are aspects that we wish had stayed the same, for example, how small communities come together during hardships.

This podcast episode really brings out an appreciation for the lessons learned and the value in sharing cherished memories.

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To learn more about Pete Kleinjan and his business, Tiger29, visit tiger29.com.

You can find this podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and if you’re on iTunes, we encourage you to leave us a review!

Address: 114 S Main Ave Unit 220, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

We introduced our guest, Pete Kleinjan, a long-time friend of the studio and an SEO expert with a wealth of experience.

The podcast segues into a conversation about Pete’s life-size Michael Jordan poster, soggy cereal and A-Tracks.

Jeff and Pete also share memories of growing up, getting in trouble and punishments used by their parents.

We continue the conversation by reflecting on how we shopped from catalogs, our favorite 80s music, including the Super Mario Bros theme song.

This podcast episode really brings out an appreciation for the lessons learned and the value in sharing cherished memories.

—--------------

To learn more about Pete Kleinjan and his business, Tiger29, visit tiger29.com.

You can find this podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and if you’re on iTunes, we encourage you to leave us a review!

Address: 114 S Main Ave Unit 220, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Previous Episode

Welcome To Nostalgia Street

1 Recommendations

Introducing our new podcast, Nostalgia Street! It's a place where we dust off the cobwebs of time, flip through the pages of our personal history books, and embrace the warmth of cherished memories. Whether you were a '90s kid, an '80s teen, or you're simply young at heart, Nostalgia Street is the avenue where we all meet.

Picture this: you're cruising down the highway of life, solo-style, blasting your Spotify playlist – maybe it's filled with '80s rock anthems, '90s pop classics, or early 2000s jams. Then, out of the blue, a song strikes a chord, transporting you back to your first date or another momentous occasion in your past. It's as if the DeLorean from Back to the Future just whisked you away to your own personal '80s prom.

And how about those unexpected trips to the grocery store, where you stumble upon long-forgotten treasures like Dunkaroos or Cracker Jacks? It's like a snack-powered time machine.

Even Netflix knows the magic of nostalgia. Suddenly, a Tom Cruise movie pops up in your recommendations. Yes, the Tom Cruise who ruled the '80s movie scene. Those films take you back to a time when Maverick wasn't just a character in Top Gun; he was an embodiment of your youth.

It's all about nostalgia and the warm, fuzzy feelings it evokes. That's where Nostalgia Street comes into play. We're here to take you on a thrilling journey through time, right from the comfort of your headphones.

Our mission is simple: to uncover life lessons and personal growth stories that have their roots in our collective past. We want to help you live a richer, more connected life today by reminiscing about the good old days.

The format of our podcast is as straightforward as it is engaging. We'll be featuring local guests from Sioux Falls and beyond. Together, we'll dive into the fun moments of their past. Think back to your favorite childhood toys, your family dynamics, your first love, the movies that defined your youth, and the songs that provided the soundtrack to your life.

But we won't stop at the surface. We're also delving into the deeper aspects of our guests' lives.

High school and college memories, influential mentors, the challenges they overcame, and the fears they conquered – these are the stories that shaped who they are today.

Nostalgia Street is where we reflect, reminisce, and relish in the memories that make us who we are. It's a timeless exploration, open to everyone, regardless of their generation.

You won't have to wait long to hop on the Nostalgia Street bandwagon. We'll be releasing episodes weekly, every Tuesday. You can catch us on all your favorite podcast platforms, from Apple to Overcast, Spotify to Google Podcasts, and everything in between.

Connect with us on our social channels @4FrontStudios – that's where the magic happens. Follow us for updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and even more nostalgia-infused content.

Have a treasure trove of nostalgia tucked away at home? Send us a message at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you and potentially feature your item and its accompanying story.

So, subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform, leave us a rating and review on iTunes, and hop over to our YouTube channel for visuals that complement our podcast. We appreciate your support and can't wait to have you with us on our next episode.

Until then, dear listeners, stay curious, stay engaged, and never stop walking down Nostalgia Street. Your personal time machine awaits!

Address:

114 S Main Ave Unit 220, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Next Episode

A Trip Down Memory Lane with Jamie Wood: Childhood Stories, Halloween, and Board Games

In this special episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of chatting with our special guest, Jamie Wood. While we didn't initially know much about Jamie, she shared with us some fascinating stories from her childhood, including memorable Halloween moments and her favorite board games. We also touched on some spooky encounters and even a few anecdotes about her musical preferences. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane with Jamie Wood.

Childhood Memories: Jamie shared that her family was rich in experiences, even if they didn't have much money. She fondly recalled a Christmas memory from her childhood when her family had a tight budget. To earn Christmas money, they collected excess corn from a nearby farm.

Favorite Childhood Song: When asked about her favorite song that reminded her of her teenage years, Jamie expressed her love for classic rock from the '70s and '80s. Her musical influences included artists like Three Dog Night, The Doors, Rod Stewart, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, and more. Music played a significant role in her life, as she even became a DJ in her early twenties.

Music Elimination Game: The hosts decided to have some fun with a game, asking Jamie to choose which rock musician she would give immunity to in a fictional Survivor-style competition and which one she'd eliminate. Jamie chose to give immunity to Bon Jovi, while she jokingly considered eliminating softer rock artists in the "Bubblegum Rock" category.

Supernatural Encounter: As the conversation took a spooky turn for Halloween, Jamie shared a creepy experience from her time working late in an old European building. She recalled hearing footsteps and feeling a sudden burst of cold air on her neck, even though there was no one there. Although she couldn't confirm the presence of anything supernatural, she acknowledged the eerie experience.

Halloween Memories: The hosts steered the conversation towards Halloween, inquiring about Jamie's favorite Halloween costume. She reminisced about her childhood costumes, the excitement of choosing one, and how she's carried that enthusiasm into themed adult parties. One notable theme was a pirate party she hosted while living in Europe, where attendees embraced various pirate styles and one guest even dressed as a life-size parrot.

Favorite Board Games: Jamie shared her cherished childhood memories of board games, highlighting the role of family time and fun at the dinner table. She recalled playing games like Triominoes (a variation of dominoes with triangular pieces), Battleship, Monopoly (despite not being a real estate tycoon), and Sorry. Monopoly, in particular, sparked more conflicts than other games, but these experiences enriched her family bonds.

Hidden Talents and Childhood Memories:

Jamie has a hidden talent for being incredibly good at apologizing. This lighthearted moment sets the stage for a nostalgic conversation about childhood memories, including playing games like Knock, Operation, and Jaws. These games not only entertained but also taught valuable lessons about precision and steady hands.

From Radio Waves to Basic Training:

At the age of 21, Jamie decided to join the military, having previously pursued a couple of years of college. Her journey began with basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where she knew that she would grow up rapidly. Her father's veteran status had not initially influenced her decision, but it opened doors to her career in military broadcasting.

Jamie's military career provided her with valuable experiences, such as working with different media outlets, including National Geographic and Vogue magazine, and traveling to places like Africa. She reflects on how the military enhanced her passion for public communication and working in public affairs.

Overcoming Challenges:

Jamie also shares personal and professional challenges, such as the loss of her sibling in a tragic car accident. These challenges influenced her career choices and motivated her to make a difference in the world. She reflects on the importance of faith and positivity in facing adversity and emphasizes the need to keep moving forward.

A Commitment to Helping Others:

As the conversation progresses, Jamie discusses her passion for being a "good human." She emphasizes the fulfillment that comes from helping others and reveals her commitment to assisting small businesses through her role in the SBA. Her role focuses on supporting small businesses in South Dakota, ensuring that they receive the assistance they need.

Jamie's life story is a reminder that every experience, whether filled with joy or adversity, contributes to our growth and shapes our future. Her unwavering commitment to helping small businesses succeed is a shining example of how we can all make a difference in our communities and the world.

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Connect with Jamie Wood ...