Stranger Things continues to escalate in Episode 2, “The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler,” and we break it all down in this episode of 40 Years & 40 Beers.

We cover the full scene-by-scene progression, the implications of Holly’s disappearance, the Upside Down connections, character developments, and the subtle clues pointing toward the bigger Season 5 arc.

If you want a sharp, detailed walkthrough of S5E2 without the fluff, this is the one to listen to.
Share your theories — this episode leaves a lot beneath the surface.

Stranger Things Season 5 kicks off with “The Crawl,” and we’re breaking down every moment. In this episode of 40 Years & 40 Beers, we go scene-by-scene through S5E1, covering character setups, timeline shifts, callbacks, and the subtle clues that set the stage for the final season.

We dig into the tone, pacing, visual hints, and the early groundwork the Duffers are laying for the endgame. If you want a thorough, no-nonsense walkthrough of Episode 1, you’re in the right place.

Share your theories with us — Stranger Things always hides more beneath the surface.

Joe Gannascoli — Vito Spatafore from The Sopranos — joins Bob Bain and Joe Massi for a no-nonsense conversation about the role, the storylines, and the moments fans still talk about decades later.

He shares behind-the-scenes stories, insights into Vito’s arc, and his honest thoughts on how The Sopranos shaped television forever.

If you’re a Sopranos fan, this is one of those interviews you don’t skip.

Season 3 of 40 Years & 40 Beers is all about Stranger Things, and we’re kicking it off with our raw predictions before Season 5 premieres. Joe and Bobby break down their biggest theories on how the final season plays out and who may not make it to the end.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Whether Will Byers is the real key to stopping Vecna
• Why we think Vecna’s defeat may come at a major cost
• The possibility of Eddie Munson returning in Season 5
• What happens to Max, and if Eleven can save her again
• Which characters are most likely to die
• Whether Season 5 is truly the end of the Stranger Things universe
• How the Upside Down might finally disappear — or survive

This was recorded just before the Season 5 premiere, so these are pure, unspoiled predictions.
Season 3 will cover each new episode as it releases.

Enjoy — and let us know your theories.

Joseph R. Gannascoli (Vito Spatafore from The Sopranos) joins us for a brutally honest conversation about the shows that set the bar for him. He said that The Offer is the best series he’s seen in more than a decade, and we explain to him why The Bear —fueled by Jeremy Allen White’s authenticity— follows right behind it.

He also reveals a rare Sopranos detail: Vito was the only character in the entire series to have an inner monologue.
Plus, he digs into the legendary scene and explains how the watch-checking moment and the tools on set weren’t authentic —and what he learned from that.

A sharp, candid look at acting, storytelling, and the craft behind iconic TV.

Sopranos, Joseph R. Gannascoli, The Offer, The Bear, TV Interviews

Before Deadwood and long before Game of Thrones, five shows transformed HBO from a premium channel into the home of prestige television. Bob, Joe, and special guest Leah Cevoli revisit the late-’90s “Phase One” era that changed everything.

They unpack how Oz, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and Curb Your Enthusiasm reshaped storytelling, pushed boundaries, and made HBO the standard every network chased for the next two decades.

A deep dive for anyone who loves classic TV, cultural history, and the rise of premium storytelling.

Leah Cevoli explains why Sean Astin is, in her words, “the perfect person for the job” as SAG-AFTRA President. She shares personal stories from working with Sean on multiple projects, including his political podcast Vox Populi, and how his empathy, fairness, and drive to understand all sides make him a natural leader.

They discuss his family legacy with Patty Duke, his growing advocacy for working actors, and his focus on protecting performers from AI exploitation — all while remaining one of the most grounded people in Hollywood.

🎙️ From The Goonies to Lord of the Rings to leading one of the biggest unions in entertainment, Sean Astin’s journey proves you can evolve from actor to advocate without losing who you are.

#SeanAstin #SAGAFTRA #LeahCevoli #ActorsUnion #40YearsAnd40Beers #Hollywood

Actress and producer Leah Cevoli (Deadwood, Robot Chicken) joins Bob Bain and Joe Massi to tell the unbelievable story of how a random Friendster message led her from $80 background days on Deadwood to being directed by Seth Green for Robot Chicken —with Mila Kunis in the booth and Macaulay Culkin on the couch.

Leah shares what it was like stepping into the world of Adult Swim, learning voice-over on the fly, and watching Robot Chicken evolve from a shoestring experiment into a cult-favorite hit.
She also reveals her behind-the-scenes lessons from San Diego Comic-Con—from scoring a professional badge to creating her groundbreaking “All Shapes and Sizes Welcome” panel, which helped change how conventions talk about body image and inclusion.

If you love animation, pop culture, and real Hollywood origin stories, this one’s for you.

Key topics:

• The Friendster DM that launched a career

• Seth Green’s directing style and the early Robot Chicken sessions

• How SAG-AFTRA Taft-Hartley rules opened the door

• Balancing Deadwood and a $700 voice-over day

• Inside San Diego Comic-Con’s pro badge system

• Creating inclusive panels and confronting industry bullies

Featuring:
Leah Cevoli • Bob Bain • Joe Massi
🎙 40 Years & 40 Beers Podcast

https://linktr.ee/40years40beers