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Episode 235: Lauren Gray, Backbox Pinball Podcast

Pinball Profile·podcast_episode·16m 31s·held·Dec 3, 2019
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.028

TL;DR

Jeff Teolis interviews Backbox Pinball's Lauren Gray on passion, women in pinball, and dream games.

Summary

Jeff Teolis interviews Lauren Gray, host of the Backbox Pinball Podcast, at a Houston pinball event. They discuss Lauren's podcast journey focused on women in pinball, her personal favorite games (Total Nuclear Annihilation, Fathom), her holy grail machine (a Barry Oursler-signed BSD), and dream machines she'd like to see made (The The Princess Bride, Prince, Madonna). The conversation highlights the passion and community-building aspect of pinball podcasting.

Key Claims

  • Lauren Gray launched Backbox Pinball Podcast to feature more stories about women pinballers and women players

    high confidence · Lauren Gray stated directly: 'I wanted to hear more story about women pinballers, women players... if I want to hear more of those stories, maybe I should just do my own podcast about women.'

  • Lauren owns a Barry Oursler-signed BSD that was previously owned by Barry Oursler (Barry Oursler)

    high confidence · Lauren stated: 'My BSD that was once owned by Barry Oursler... It was signed by him. I love it. It's my baby.'

  • Lauren's favorite current game is Total Nuclear Annihilation because it's an EM-style single level playfield with amazing Scott Danesi soundtrack

    high confidence · Lauren directly answered: 'The game I love right now is Total Nuclear Annihilation... it has that single level play field... and has the amazing soundtrack by Scott Danesi.'

  • Lauren hates the Stargate pinball game despite it being considered the best Gottlieb game

    high confidence · Lauren stated: 'I just played it right now. Stargate. Hate that game. Hate it. I don't want to see that game ever again.'

  • Lauren's favorite pinball art package is Fathom

    high confidence · Lauren answered the art package question: 'I'm probably going to have to go with Fathom... I absolutely adore it.'

  • Lauren's favorite pinball sound is the Harlem Globetrotters game playing Sweet Georgia Brown

    high confidence · Lauren stated: 'My favorite pinball sound in the whole wide world... is Harlem Globetrotters. When you turn it on and you hear Sweet Georgia Brown.'

  • Lauren wants to play pinball head-to-head with Roger Sharpe above all other players

    high confidence · Lauren stated: 'My number one is actually Roger Sharpe, the OG. You know, that's the guy I've always wanted to have a pinball.'

  • Lauren prefers New York style pizza over Chicago deep-dish pizza, despite having Chicago family roots

    high confidence · Jeff noted: 'You have said you like New York style pizza over Chicago' and Lauren acknowledged her 'secret shame' around this preference.

Notable Quotes

  • “For me, if you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. What are you doing? Why would you even be here?”

    Lauren Gray @ ~08:00 — Reflects Lauren's core philosophy about the pinball hobby and podcast approach

  • “If I can make somebody's day a little brighter and share my love and my passion for the hobby and the sport, then I've done a good thing.”

    Lauren Gray @ ~08:30 — Articulates her motivation for doing the Backbox Pinball Podcast

  • “There are all kinds of different people from different walks of life all across the globe, but we all love the same thing in pinball.”

    Lauren Gray @ ~09:00 — Captures the unifying nature of the pinball community across diverse backgrounds

  • “I can never sell this machine. It's going to stay in my collection forever.”

    Lauren Gray @ ~25:00 — Demonstrates emotional attachment to her holy grail BSD after learning its provenance from Barry Oster

  • “There's a lot of good ones to choose from, but what is your favorite pinball art package?”

    Jeff Teolis @ ~27:30 — Sets up discussion of classic pinball art aesthetics

  • “I'm a huge Prince fan. I think that would sell pretty well. It's just something different.”

    Lauren Gray @ ~35:00 — Reflects desire for pinball manufacturers to expand beyond classic rock into pop music licensing

  • “Not too many shirts come with free hugs, but that's what Lauren Gray is all about.”

    Jeff Teolis @ ~37:00 — Characterizes Lauren's approachable, enthusiastic personality as brand element

  • “My second one... is either Jackbot, huge fan of Jackbot, obviously another Barry Oursler game, and then I really like Night Moves”

    Lauren Gray @ ~23:00 — Shows Lauren's appreciation for Barry Oster's game design legacy

Entities

Lauren GraypersonJeff TeolispersonBackbox Pinball PodcastorganizationPinball ProfileorganizationBarry OurslerpersonJulie DorsterpersonCrystal GemnichpersonAshley LudwigpersonScott Danesiperson

Signals

  • ?

    content_signal: Backbox Pinball Podcast is gaining traction in the pinball community with positive reception from other established podcasters like Jeff Teolis

    high · Jeff Teolis explicitly praised the podcast: 'the recent one was just the two young girls... adorable... And the episodes have been fantastic' and described Lauren's podcast as 'one of my new favorite podcasts'

  • ?

    community_signal: Deliberate effort to create dedicated platform for women's stories in pinball, addressing perceived gap in existing podcast coverage

    high · Lauren stated: 'I wanted to hear more story about women pinballers, women players... if I want to hear more of those stories, maybe I should just do my own podcast about women'

  • ?

    community_signal: Pinball community demonstrates strong cross-cultural and background diversity united by single passion, creating unexpected friendships across geographical and ideological divides

    high · Lauren stated: 'There are all kinds of different people from different walks of life all across the globe, but we all love the same thing in pinball... It's just bizarre to me that people that could be on total polar opposites of certain aspects of life doesn't matter when it comes to pinball'

  • ?

    collector_signal: Discovery of provenance enhances emotional attachment to machines; Lauren's Barry Oster-signed BSD gained significance upon learning its history

    high · Lauren described moment of learning about the machine's provenance: 'he told me the providence behind him. I'm like, what? I was like, oh my God. I'm like, I can never sell this machine. It's going to stay in my collection forever.'

  • ?

Transcript

groq_whisper · $0.050

0:00
it's time now for another pinball profile i'm your host jeff teals you can find our group on facebook we're also on twitter at pinball profile email us pinball profile at gmail.com please subscribe on your favorite podcatcher and check us out on instagram at pinball profile here in Texas. Hi, y'all. I'm with my, one of my new favorite podcasts, you know, Backbox Pinball Podcast. Lauren Gray from San Antonio is here. Hello. I love the hi, y'all. Hi, y'all. How you doing? There it is. That's what I love hearing. And boy, the episodes have been fantastic. The recent one was just the two young girls, Elizabeth and David's daughters. Yeah, Miette and Annabeth Dronay. They're adorable. So cute. So funny. And just not afraid. You and I both do the same thing. We do podcasts and we interview people. And I don't know what it's like for you, but I get some people like, oh, I'm going to be nervous. And I just say, oh, you know what? You're just talking like we're talking now. Do you ever come across people that were nervous, especially someone like kids? You know what? The kids are actually the most fun because there's no constraints. They don't get nervous. They're just going to speak their mind. The adults tend to overthink things and get a little freaked out by it. But I just tell them, you know what? It's all prerecorded. It's not live. If you mess up, it's okay. It's going to be fine. It's just us talking. And you and I know the truth. The ones who mess up the most are the hosts. It's actually true. It's so true. It's all done in the edit to make it sound just perfect. That's the trick, isn't it? Very much so. I have to say, what I like the most about your podcast, easily, hands down, the passion that you show in pinball. It comes out so easily. And you know, when there's drama in the world and drama in pinball, I just listen to your podcast. I think this is what it's meant to be. It's meant to be fun. And you bring that out in every episode. Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. For me, if you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. What are you doing? I'm like, why would you even be here? And if I can make somebody's day a little brighter and share my love and my passion for the hobby and the sport, then I've done a good thing. So I don't know much about the background. I don't know two things. I'm not going to ask you how you got into pinball. What made you decide to do the podcast? Well, I am a podcast fan, and I have a radio background, and I had loved all the podcasts. I listened to yours. I was a big fan of Jeff Parsons. I like Slap Save and Special and Lit, and there's just so many. I haven't heard of any of those other ones. Anyway, go on. No, they're all great.
Roger Sharpe
person
Danieleperson
Johannes Ostermeyerperson
Rob Reinerperson
Mike McKennaperson
Marco Specialtiescompany
Deep Rootcompany
Total Nuclear Annihilationgame
Fathomgame
Harlem Globetrottersgame
Stargategame
Draculagame
Jack·Botgame
Night Movesgame
Electronimogame

design_philosophy: Lauren expresses strong preference for single-level EM-style playfields over modern games, indicating niche but dedicated segment valuing classic mechanical design

high · Lauren's favorite game analysis: 'I am a fan of EMs. So it has that single level play field. Just has everything I would ever want in a single level game.'

  • $

    market_signal: Community identifies underexploited IP licensing opportunities in pop music (Prince, Madonna, U2) and classic films beyond current 70s rock focus

    medium · Lauren and Jeff discussed expanding machine themes: 'I think that is the next wave in the next few years. Once they get Queen and Zeppelin... I think you're right. There's certainly a big void in that... Prince and Madonna for sure are great ideas'

  • ?

    venue_signal: Houston show featured elevated booth experiences with elaborate theming (Jurassic Park, Elvira) and diverse talent roster, demonstrating trend toward experiential marketing at pinball expos

    high · Lauren described Marco Specialties booth: 'a whole experience... I felt like I was in the jungle... It's all bedazzled too with all the Jurassic Park... Marco's really stepped up'

  • ?

    personnel_signal: Marco Specialties actively recruiting and featuring multiple community personalities (Crystal Gemnich, Ashley Ludwig) as part of show circuit presence

    medium · Jeff noted: 'They're getting some good people there... I see them bring Ashley Ludwig from Rochester, New York. She's now a big part of that kind of Marco show circuit thing so they're getting some good people there'

  • ?

    content_signal: Established podcast hosts actively recruiting new guests from community and building relationships with other podcast creators, indicating collaborative rather than competitive media environment

    high · Lauren mentioned encountering Ashley Ludwig at show: 'I had to ask her to be on the show... I was like, oh my God, we have to meet and do the show'

  • ?

    community_signal: Podcast hosts view storytelling and personal connections as primary value proposition; community values authentic, enthusiastic engagement over technical perfection

    high · Jeff praised Lauren: 'what I like the most about your podcast, easily, hands down, the passion that you show in pinball. It comes out so easily... this is what it's meant to be. It's meant to be fun'

  • ?

    restoration_signal: Community creating custom themed restorations (Wonder Woman Electronimo, Hello Kitty homebrew concepts) demonstrating creative customization culture beyond factory machines

    high · Discussion of Julie Dorster's projects: 'her and I were also on Team Princess Bride... I think it would be a fun homebrew... I don't think it would be a mass market appeal, but I think it would appeal to a very niche audience'

  • ?

    rumor_hype: Community expresses strong desire for specific unmade IP themes (Princess Bride, Prince, Madonna, U2, Spinal Tap) reflecting gaps in current manufacturer output

    medium · Lauren responded to dream machine question: 'Princess Bride... Prince or a Madonna machine. I would like to see either one of those' and Jeff added interest in Spinal Tap and U2 machines

    • 2:34
    But the thing I was missing is that I wanted to hear more story about women pinballers, women players, and not to take anything away from any other podcast, but I thought, well, if I want to hear more of those stories, maybe I should just do my own podcast about women. I think we have something in common there, certainly about that topic, but also too, just finding out more about people. And that's the great thing I found out in the last three years is just that there are all kinds of different people from different walks of life all across the globe, but we all love the same thing in pinball. It's so weird that we're all together in tournaments, in shows, in the community, in forums. it's just bizarre to me that people that could be on total polar opposites of certain aspects of life doesn't matter when it comes to pinball yeah definitely i think there's this just interesting cross-section of of people and backgrounds and just what we're interested in but we have one universal love which is pinball and to me i just love meeting all these new people i have all these new friends when i come to shows like this now it's like hey i haven't seen you in forever or hey, I stalk you on Facebook. How you doing? The hello y'all is certainly your trademark. I know you've got some swag, but hello y'all's got to be on the next round of shirts. I know. I really try hard actually to not make it too Texas-y, but yeah, I can't help the y'all. It's part of the thing. By the way, that's the thing that I laugh about because you're not even from Texas. You're from Chicago I am I did grow up in Texas but my entire family is from the Midwest and the Chicago area So they always make fun of me They like oh you the Texas you know kids It you know because we show up y And we love things like salsa and barbecue all kinds of good stuff But you have completely shed all your Chicago roots because I've heard you talk about another love that I have. Yes, pinball's up there, but pizza. And you have said you like New York style pizza over Chicago. did you have to give up like any Illinois any kind of information in the past they had to wipe you out of all the records because how dare you say that I know it is my secret shame I have to hang my head whenever I'm around my Chicago relatives because they just cannot believe that I have just totally you know jumped ship and gone to foldable pizza land yeah but I love it I love New York style pizza I can't eat pizza with a knife and fork I can't do it are you all in on everything pinball? Because I mean, certainly it's easy to see the big companies and what they're doing. But I mean, when something like American Girl doll pinball machine comes out, do you just lose your you know what? Yeah, no, I'm so I'm waiting for someone, my husband to buy that for me for Christmas. If he doesn't, I'm just gonna buy it for myself. Yeah, it slowly has become a thing. Now I'm spending all my money. Yeah, you buy that for yourself with the money you would have spent on his gift. I'm all for that. Lauren, go do that. I love that idea. And I also know from listening to your show. You are a huge, I will not say Trekkie, Trekker. There is a big difference. The Trekker is the next generation for those that don't know, correct? That is correct. I'm a huge Trekker. You know, Team John Luke, that is my jam. I love it. Make it so. Make it so, number one. Yeah, definitely. I always thought it would be great if he said, look, he's got to leave the captain's chair to go to the washroom. I'm going number two, number one. Never does.
    5:47
    Oh my God, I love that. I've heard other episodes. I heard you fan girl out when you had a moto on who's fantastic and we saw what she's doing this weekend here in houston at marco specialties she's awesome i she's amazing she is just so she has so many gifts and so many just amazing talents like she has taken it to the next level with this marketing and the visual presentation that marco at the marco booth for this time around i'm used to just seeing like the metal and the basic booth i was a whole experience i felt like i was in the jungle i thought a t-rex would come after me that's right it's all bedazzled too with all the Jurassic Park and then of course the great Elvira stuff that they did that we saw at Expo. It was all here at Houston and Marco's really stepped up. There's a company that I like seeing them at shows because you know they're going to put on a great production. All the games that they bring you talked about the backdrop and everything else but two I mean they've got some great staff there. Crystal Gemnick's been doing a wonderful job. I see them bring Ashley Ludwig from Rochester, New York. She's now a big part of that kind of Marco show circuit thing so they're getting some good people there. They are. I'm seeing lots of new faces each time I come to a new show. I got to meet Ashley for the first time in person. Of course, I had to ask her to be on the show. Oh, you have to. I had to. I was like, oh my God, we have to meet and do the show. Have you seen the restorations that she does on games? Yes. And I was like, I have to talk to you about your restorations. I mean, they're absolutely beautiful. So excited to talk to her. Isn't that something as you and I do these podcasts, we can make lists of tons and tons of people that I got to get to that person. I got to get to that person. That's there's so many unique people. It's true. There's so many stories. And that's my favorite thing is just to meet these new people and learn their stories and share their stories with other people. And, you know, Ashley's just one of many women and men that I want to meet and learn how they came to pinball and how pinball has shaped their life. You had a very good friend of mine on a recent episode in Julie Dorsers. And boy, the two of you really hit it off. Julie from London, Ontario, and she of the Wonder Woman re-themed Electronimo game. That was a fun episode. That was super fun. You know, I had heard her on your show and I'm like, when we... You can do a better job, is what you said, Lauren. Be honest.
    7:54
    No, I... Jeff totally crapped the bed on that. I'll show you how this is done. That's exactly what you said, Lauren. I bit it. No, I would never say that. Why are you winking?
    8:03
    But, you know, we got to talking and just getting to know her and talk about, you know, her experiences in pinball. She is my sister from another mister for sure I loved her and we going to do the Hello Kitty machine It It gonna happen Oh boy That what she almost did with that Wonder Woman Wonder Woman bravo Yeah I can see honestly it not my style of game a Hello Kitty game, but I think it would do very well. I think it would be a fun homebrew. I don't think it would be a mass market appeal, but I think it would appeal to a very niche audience. But, you know, her and I were also on Team Princess Bride, and I think that one. I'm all in that. Why has that not been made? Why? has Rob Reiner could it be possible to make two perfect movies back to back when you're just starting out in your directing career I love Princess Bride 10 out of 10 for me my favorite all time movie his first movie do you know what it is?
    8:53
    oh my god oh my gosh my all time favorite comedy is it this is Spinal Tap oh my god I can't believe I forgot it is such a masterpiece and it's just because I'm in the radio and when you talk to musicians rock stars and all that stuff and they talk about their Spinal Tap moments. It's painful for them to watch, but it's kind of funny for all of us on the outside. This one goes to 11. Exactly, Lauren. There you go. So, whether it's Princess Bride, whether it's a real Spinal Tap game, I know there's a homebrew version of it, but alright, my fingers are crossed on either one of those. Yeah, definitely. They would be both really awesome games. Okay, you put people under the microscope, you put the pressure on people when they come on Backbox. It's time to turn the tables here and go inside the pinball studio with Lauren Gray. Some of the questions you will hear on Backbox, you will hear right now on Pinball Profile. Lauren, what game do you love and what do you like about it? The game I love right now is Total Nuclear Annihilation. For me, I am a fan of EMs. So it has that single level play field. It just has everything I would ever want in a single level game. And it has the amazing soundtrack by Scott Denise. That's the intro music to my show. I'm a huge fan of that game. I love it. Okay. Now this is going to be difficult for you because you are so positive, but it's one of the questions you hear on your show. What game do you hate? Oh my God. There's two. You know what? I just played it right now. Stargate. Hate that game. Hate it. I don't want to see that game ever again. I'm sorry for those of you who like it. The movie's great, but yeah, that game is terrible. It is considered the best Gottlieb game, but since that company's out of business, you know, you can make fun of them. Nobody's feelings are getting hurt there. So that's your number one hate game, Stargate. Okay. There's a lot of good ones to choose from, but what is your favorite pinball art package? Oh, that's really hard. I'm a huge art fan, but I'm probably going to have to go with Fathom, which is kind of a one that a lot of people choose, but I absolutely adore it. If I could get my hands on a Fathom, I would. Very good. I think I know the answer to this one because you might have just foreshadowed a little bit your favorite pinball sound. I do love the soundtrack and the sound package from TNA, but my favorite pinball sound in the whole wide world, and it's so cheesy and old-fashioned, but Harlem Globetrotters. When you turn it on and you hear Sweet Georgia Brown. Oh, nice. That is my favorite, and I love the spinner from that game also. Both of them? Yeah, they're both. Actually, there's three. A three-spinner game. That is a perfect game, too. I love that game. Good choice. Okay, I think we know the answer to this, and it's so funny that other people say this on your show, but let's just get it out there. Make it official. Your holy grail pinball machine. Does that include, by the way, when you ask this question, games that are already made or games that you'd like to see made? Holy Grail is something that's already out there. Okay, so I don't know the answer to this. Okay, so I have, because I really do have my Holy Grail. I talk about it all the time. My BSD that was once owned by Barry Ousler. Wow. Yeah, I have it. It was signed by him. I love it. It's my baby. I'm going to be buried in it. I'm like not even like joking. But my second one. That gives a whole new meaning to cough and multiball, but okay. Is that Lauren's head? So second up, like the two I would like to get a hold of is either Jackbot, huge fan of Jackbot, obviously another Barry Oster game, and then I really like Night Moves, which is a little cocktail table that I, it's so cheesy, I just love it. I know the game, yeah. Yeah I a huge fan of that Rip the spinner if you get that thing lit that the whole game Now Barry is in San Antonio with Deep Root Is that how you got the game from him in San Antonio How did this come about Well no the gentleman that works on my games Mike McKenna he had worked on Barry's machine and he was like, hey, I have a line on a Dracula because he knew that was my grail. And then he sold it to me and then he told me the providence behind him. I'm like, what? I was like, oh my God. I'm like, I can never sell this machine. It's going to stay in my collection forever. Tell me you saw my all-time favorite, holy grail, if you will, pinball stream moment on BSD. You did. You're nodding your head. The IFPA 16 Championships. How was that? That was amazing. I was just like, I had all the feels, everything. I was like every emotion. I'm like, oh my God, this is the most epic thing I've ever seen. I loved it. It's a shame someone had to lose because they were both great games. And we're talking about Daniele from Italy. And of course, Johannes Ostermeyer, who wound up winning that from Germany. Okay. A couple more questions. Who would you like to play pinball with head to head? I've mentioned this a few times And there's a lot of great women that I want to play that I haven't played yet. But my number one is actually Roger Sharp, the OG. You know, that's the guy I've always wanted to have a pinball. He's going to murder me in pinball. It's fine. But I've just always wanted to play him. Isn't it bizarre how he is such a wonderful, sweet man, yet rotten, disgusting children? Like, I don't, it doesn't make sense. What went wrong with Roger? Too much focus on pinball, perhaps? It could be. You know, I just feel so terrible for him. He's such a kind man. I don't know what happened. Yeah. I guess it's the yin-yang, right? He does so much for pinball, and yet he has to deal with those brats of children. Anyway, I digress.
    13:59
    So again, all right, you get two choices, because I think I know your dream machine. Princess Bride. We just had it made. Poof, it's done. There you go. Now you get to make another one. That's made. What's your second dream machine? That's really hard. I'm a huge music fan, and for me, it would either be a Prince or a Madonna machine. I would like to see either one of those. I'm a huge Prince fan. I think that would sell pretty well. It's just something different. I mean, I like classic rock, but I'd kind of like to see them kind of stretch the envelope on that. I think that is the next wave in the next few years. Once they get Queen and Zeppelin and all these other bands that haven't done, I think you're right. There's certainly a big void in that. And the catalog of Madonna, of Prince, of some of these other huge pop stars, my goodness, there certainly could be a lot of that. but Prince and Madonna for sure are great ideas. We'll see if those are made. I bet they are in our lifetime. I definitely think so. And another band I think would make a perfect pinball machine is U2. They have such a huge catalog and this universal appeal. There's just so many bands. I think you're right. Like once we kind of get past this kind of 70s rock era that we're in, we're going to be pushing into the 80s and a lot of bands that are now becoming classic rock, which just makes me sad. It's not classic rock to me. Lauren, I hope everyone listening to this podcast right now subscribes to Backbox because it's a joy to listen to you're a pleasant person, I'm so glad to meet you this weekend and for those, I can't believe it's possible if there are any of them if they haven't found Backbox, where should they go? You can find us on your podcatcher of choice we're on Apple and Stitcher and all those places or you can go to backboxpinballpodcast.fireside.fm And what about getting some swag? Oh, yes. If you go to the website and you click on the swag button, I have an official t-shirt, which is super awesome. And you can just, you know, as soon as I see you, I will run up to you and hug you just so you know. Not too many shirts come with free hugs, but that's what Lauren Gray is all about. Backbox Pinball, a pleasure to talk to you. I've enjoyed this weekend. Thank you so much. It was so great meeting you. I was so excited. I ran up and I was like, Jeff! So again, it was a pleasure. Thank you so much. We'll have to do it again. Yes, definitely. All right. Thanks very much. This has been your Pinball Profile. you can find our group on Facebook. We're also on Twitter at pinball profile, emails, pinball profile at gmail.com. Please subscribe on your favorite pod catcher, just like you would for back box. And don't forget to find us on Instagram at pinball profile. I'm Jeff. Teal.