Hold On to Your Butts: A Podcast About Great Franchises that Uhhhhhhhhh Lost Their Way

Predator 2 might be the strangest blockbuster sequel of the 1990s. JD and Paul are joined by Eric Riley (Graveyard Choir, In The Whale) to discuss Danny Glover's sweaty showdown with the Predator, Gary Busey's alien-hunting government task force, Jamaican Voodoo Posse stereotypes, and the sequel that accidentally created Alien vs. Predator.  Along the way they discuss franchise history, DVD special features, action movie excess, Paul Verhoeven comparisons, Predator lore, and whether Danny Glover only working out for five weeks was enough to save humanity.

A new season of Hold On To Your Butts begins. JD and Paul leave Indiana Jones behind and start their journey through the Predator franchise with the original 1987 classic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and one of the most iconic movie monsters ever created. They discuss whether Predator deserves its reputation as an all-time action masterpiece, why Arnold became the defining action star of the era, the fascinating behind-the-scenes production stories that shaped the film, and whether the franchise has finally found its footing again with the recent movies. They also spend an alarming amount of time debating Schwarzenegger vs. Stallone, Jesse Ventura's political career, and the eternal mystery: What is a Predator?

The movies are over, but the adventure isn't. After rewatching every Indiana Jones film, Paul and JD take one final trip into the world of Indy by exploring everything beyond the movies. JD watched the entire Young Indiana Jones Chronicles series, Paul read one of the Indiana Jones novels, and together they discuss whether these forgotten corners of the franchise enrich the character or just complicate him. They also dive into Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the acclaimed 2024 video game that may have delivered the best Indiana Jones story in decades, before revealing what's next for Hold On to Your Butts. If you've enjoyed our Indiana Jones season, thanks for coming along for the ride.

In this week's Hold On to Your Butts, JD and Paul are joined once again by singer, songwriter, and Indiana Jones enthusiast Neyla Pekarek to discuss the final chapter in the franchise, "The Dial of Destiny." Together, they dig into the legacy of Harrison Ford, argue about the emotional payoff (or lack thereof), the maguffin as a metaphor for aging, and ask: Does this movie justify its own existence?  This episode is filled with heartfelt laughs, nostalgic tangents, and one last question: what do we want from our heroes as they age? Follow JD on Left Hand Right Brain and Paul on City Cast Denver  

Comedian and podcaster Mitch Jones (Broadcast Geeks) joins Paul and JD to talk about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The conversation includes aliens, nuked fridges, swinging with monkeys, Cate Blanchett's villain, and whether this was the franchise's first real stumble or just misunderstood.  Find more from JD on Left Hand Right Brain or on Instagram @lefthandrightbrain. Hear Paul on City Cast Denver talking about the latest news and culture in the Mile High City.

Paul and JD talk about the conclusion of the classic Indy trilogy — Last Crusade. From the return of the Nazi villains to Sean Connery's debut as Henry Jones Sr., we're debating whether this is the pinnacle of the series and what Last Crusade got so right. 🎙️ It's the third installment of the No Time for Love, Dr. Jones, an Indiana Jones miniseries — aka, the second season of Hold On to Your Butts, a podcast about beloved franchises that uuuhhh lost their way. Find more from JD on Left Hand Right Brain or on Instagram @lefthandrightbrain. Hear Paul talk about Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.  

Paul, JD, and special guest Molly Smith (host of Did That Age Well?) plunge into the most controversial and chaotic entry in the Indiana Jones franchise — Temple of Doom. From Short Round's iconic debut — "hold on to your potatoes!" — to the wild cultural legacy of chilled monkey brains, the trio wrestles with whether this film is trash cinema or a misunderstood classic. 🎙️ It's the second installment of the No Time for Love, Dr. Jones, an Indiana Jones miniseries — aka, the second season of Hold On to Your Butts, a podcast about beloved franchises that uuuhhh lost their way. Find more from JD on Left Hand Right Brain or on Instagram @lefthandrightbrain. Hear Paul talk about Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.  

Season 2 begins! Paul and JD return with a brand-new mission: exploring franchises that uuuhhhhh lost their way. First up is Indiana Jones, starting with the 1981 classic Raiders of the Lost Ark. They dig into its timeless cool, Spielberg's blockbuster mastery, and how this franchise sets such a high bar for everything that followed. We've got new segments, but plenty of wife takes and, of course, a step into JD's Fashion Corner. Follow JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on Instagram @lefthandrightbrain. Catch Paul on the City Cast Denver podcast.  

Paul and JD return! Jurassic World: Rebirth hits streaming this weekend (Peacock), so we rewatched the Scarlett Johansson blockbuster now that all the summer blockbuster hype has faded. JD brings fresh behind-the-scenes insights, and we discuss the future of Hold on to Your Butts. Catch this episode on YouTube! Find more from JD on Left Hand Right Brain and more from Paul on City Cast Denver.

Paul and JD conclude the Jurassic saga with a opening night viewing of Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025). Plus, we invited our wives for the ultimate Wife Take on the new movie (and this entire podcast). Catch this episode on YouTube! Find more from JD on Left Hand Right Brain and more from Paul on City Cast Denver. 

Comedian and outdoors educator Eeland Stribling joins Paul and JD to discuss dinosaurs living alongside humans in "Jurassic World: Dominion," Colin Trevorrow's 2022 conclusion to his Jurassic World trilogy. Find more with JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on instagram @lefthandrightbrain. You can hear Paul talk about daily Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.

Comedian and horror movie aficionado Katie Bowman joins Paul and JD to discuss the haunted house horrors of "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," J.A. Bayona's 2018 sequel to Jurassic World.  Find more with JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on instagram @lefthandrightbrain. You can hear Paul talk about daily Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.  

Musician and Jurassic Park superfan Neyla Pekarek joins Paul and JD to discuss the arrival of Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt in "Jurassic World," Colin Trevorrow's 2015 soft reboot of the classic dinosaur franchise. Find more with JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on instagram @lefthandrightbrain. You can hear Paul talk about daily Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.

Paul and JD discuss the return of Sam Neill and Laura Dern in "Jurassic Park III," Joe Johnston's 2001 take on tropical dino action.  Find more with JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on instagram @lefthandrightbrain. You can hear Paul talk about daily Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.  

Paul and JD discuss the Jeff Goldblum vehicle "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," Steven Spielberg's 1997 sequel to the original box office smash. Find more with JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on instagram @lefthandrightbrain. You can hear Paul talk about daily Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.  

Comedian Evan Joe joins Paul and JD to read and discuss Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park," the 1990 book that inspired Steven Spielberg's classic movie. Find more with JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on instagram @lefthandrightbrain. You can hear Paul talk about daily Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.

Paul and JD start at the beginning with Steven Spielberg's 1993 masterpiece Jurassic Park.  Find more with JD on his Left Hand Right Brain podcast or on instagram @lefthandrightbrain. You can hear Paul talk about daily Denver news and culture on the City Cast Denver podcast.  

Welcome to Hold On to Your Butts! Join Paul and JD as they rewatch all six Jurassic movies ahead of the release of the seventh. Will pod, uhhhhhhh, find a way?