Beyond Thundera Podcast

Before ThunderCats, Larry Franke was working in the legendary New York recording scene alongside names like John Lennon, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, and producer Phil Ramone. Then his career took an unexpected turn into the world of Rankin/Bass, where he became one of the key recording studio figures behind ThunderCats, SilverHawks, and other beloved animated classics. In th...

ThunderCats Live remains one of the most fascinating and least documented chapters in ThunderCats history. In this first time  interview, Sean "Buddha" McKeone and original ThunderCats writer Peter Lawrence sit down with Marty Almaraz , who portrayed Tygra, Buzzsaw, and multiple characters in the legendary touring arena production that brought ThunderCats, SilverHawks, TigerSharks, Karate Kat, and...

ThunderCats fans, animation historians, and aspiring artists will love this  conversation with Jim Meskimen. Before becoming known for his incredible impressions and voice acting, Jim worked behind the scenes at Rankin/Bass as a secondary character designer on ThunderCats, later contributing to SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, and more. In this episode, Jim Meskimen tells the incredible story of how...

Lion-O, Tygra & Janice from Friends Together? Yes, It Happened! What happens when these castmates reunite for a their first conversation in 40 years? A lot of stories you've probably never heard before. A lot of stories you've probably never heard before. This episode starts with a surprise guest appearance that even the other guests didn't know was coming and quickly turns into a...

ThunderCats, SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, Galaxy Rangers, Gargoyles, ExoSquad, and 1980s animation history all collide in this incredible behind-the-scenes conversation with writer and character designer Dennis Woodyard. In this episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Dennis Woodyard joins Peter Lawrence and Sean “Buddha” McKeone to discuss his work on ThunderCats, SilverHawks, The Comic Strip, T...

ThunderCats fans, retro animation lovers, and artists alike — this may be one of the most personal and emotional episodes of the Beyond Thundera Podcast yet. Join ThunderCats writer/story editor Peter Lawrence and author Sean “Buddha” McKeone as they sit down with longtime ThunderCats fan artist Celesta Johnston for a deeply honest conversation about fandom, creativity, animation, preserving class...

ThunderCats, SilverHawks, and 1980s animation fans — this episode is packed with rare behind-the-scenes stories, honest creator reflections, and deep discussion pulled directly from the ThunderCats Reddit and Discord communities. In this special AMA episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, ThunderCats writer/story editor Peter Lawrence and author Sean “Buddha” McKeone answer fan-submitted questions...

In this episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Sean “Buddha” McKeone and Peter Lawrence sit down with Scott Cook of Epic Entertainment U.S., the live event agent who represents ThunderCats legends Larry Kenney, Peter Newman, Lynn Lipton, Pete Cannarozzi, and more. Scott shares how he got started in the convention world, why he only represents properties he personally loves, and what it is like he...

Before ThunderCats became one of the most iconic cartoons of the 1980s… there was a small New York recording studio, reel-to-reel tape machines, razor blades used to cut audio by hand, and a production crew trying to invent a completely new way to make animated television. In this fascinating episode of the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Rankin/Bass production staff member Tony Giovanniello pulls back t...

Step behind the scenes of Fox’s cult classic animated series Peter Pan and the Pirates with legendary writer/story editor and ThunderCats creative force Peter Lawrence. In this fascinating deep-dive conversation on the Beyond Thundera Podcast, Peter shares never-before-heard stories about joining the series after Rankin/Bass, moving from New York to Los Angeles, working with Buzz Potamkin, Lee Dan...

In this episode, we sit down with JP aka Thundercats Classics from Instagram to talk all things ThunderCats , the passionate fanbase across Latin America , rare collectibles, fan art, future conventions, and the lasting legacy of one of the greatest animated series of all time. We dive deep into why countries like Peru, Colombia, Argentina, and across South America still celebrate ThunderCats with...

What happens when legendary animation writer Grant Moran joins the show to talk ThunderCats, Batman: The Animated Series, Bobby’s World, Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, and Hollywood writing secrets — all while revealing an incredible charity auction helping refugee children? In this powerful and entertaining interview, Grant shares how he founded Kepyr.org , a nonprofit supporting displaced children arou...

Go behind the scenes of the original ThunderCats with recording staff insider John Crenshaw! In this episode of Beyond Thundera , we dive deep into the making of the iconic 1980s animated series ThunderCats with John Crenshaw, a key member of the recording and editorial team. From cutting quarter-inch tape to directing voiceover sessions on the fly, John shares what it was really like working on o...

What makes ThunderCats timeless? Why does it still resonate over 40 years later? In this episode of Beyond Thundera Podcast , we sit down with Ryan Hunter and David Hale from the Radical Retro Rewind Podcast and discuss the legacy of one of the most iconic 80s animated series ever created. Ryan and David share how their love of ThunderCats began in childhood and evolved into a powerful bond as bro...

In this in-depth interview, Jeri Craden shares her incredible journey from voice actor and storyteller to becoming a writer in the world of 1980s animation, including her path to working on ThunderCats . During a time of economic uncertainty in the early 1980s, Jeri made the bold decision to leave Canada and pursue opportunities in New York—facing intense competition, limited opportunities, and th...

What if the true story behind ThunderCats was never fully told? In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with James Gauthier , a close personal friend of legendary creator & Head Writer Leonard Starr, to uncover the real origins of one of the most iconic animated series of all time. Joined by ThunderCats and SilverHawks writer and show-runner Peter Lawrence, this conversation pulls back the...

In this episode of Beyond Thundera, we explore the world of ThunderCats collecting, toy collecting psychology, and the powerful role of nostalgia in fandom. From rare figures and vintage merchandise to the thrill of the hunt, we break down what drives collectors and why these items mean so much. We discuss:* The emotional connection to childhood toys* How 80s and 90s nostalgia fuels today’s collec...

What was it really like working behind the scenes on the original ThunderCats ? Writer, dialogue director, and Rankin-Bass insider Matthew Malach discusses Rankin-Bass, classic episodes, and how the legendary cartoon was made. In this episode of Beyond Thundera , hosts Sean “Buddha” McKeone and ThunderCats writer & show-runner Peter Lawrence sit down with Matthew Malach , who played multiple k...

What did it take to create the ICONIC sound of 80s animation? In this episode of Beyond Thundera, hosts Sean”Buddha” McKeone and ThunderCats writer & show-runner Peter Lawrence sit down with musician, sound designer, and voice actor Pete Cannarozzi to uncover the behind-the-scenes story of how the soundscape of ThunderCats and SilverHawks was brought to life. You’ve heard his work hundreds—if...

In episode 3 of the Beyond Thundera Podcast , we sit down with illustrator Kyle Lambert, the artist behind some of the most recognizable imagery in modern entertainment. Best known for his work on Stranger Things, Kyle has also created artwork for hit series like The Boys, Gen V, and One Piece — but his journey started the same way many of ours did: as a fan of ThunderCats. Kyle shares: * How Thun...

Got a question or something you want us to revisit? Drop it in the comments, message us on social media, or join the discussion. Your input directly influences future episodes! New full episodes release weekly — with more creators, cast, and behind-the-scenes voices from the world of classic animation. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss upcoming guest interviews and deep-dive di...

Episode 2 of the Beyond Thundera Podcast.  In this episode of Beyond Thundera, we sit down with legendary ThunderCats writer Chris Trengove, the creative mind behind fan-favorite episodes like The Super Power Potion, Wolfrat, Turmagar the Tuska, and Catfight. Join hosts Sean McKeone and series show-runner Peter Lawrence as they explore the origins of these iconic stories and what it was really lik...

Welcome to a special Beyond Thundera Podcast Interlude — a new mini-episode format where we pause, reflect, clarify, and dive deeper into the conversations behind the mic. In these occasional interludes, Hall of Omens author, Sean Mckeone and ThunderCats original series writer/show-runner Peter Lawrence revisit topics from previous episodes and explore the creative thinking behind the stories, cha...

Welcome to the debut episode of the BEYOND THUNDERA Podcast! Hosted by Sean “Buddha” McKeone (author of Hall of Omens: The Unofficial Ultimate Guide to ThunderCats Toys and Beyond & Hall of Omens: Thunder-Verse! The Unofficial Ultimate Collector's Guide To ThundeCats, SilverHawks, & TigerSharks) and Peter Lawrence (ThunderCats, SilverHawks & TigerSharks writer and showrunner), Beyo...