Stories of the Magic

(Sorry about my audio during this interview! Yikes! At least most of Traci’s is good.) Today we get to pay a return visit to the Hipster Mermaid herself, Traci Hines. You got to hear some great stuff from her when I … Continue reading →

At the end of the last episode, I told you the show was going on what I called an “incomplete hiatus,” but that there were a few guests I had been working on getting for a long time, and one … Continue reading →

  Today, we conclude our 3-part interview with legendary Disney Imagineer Terri Hardin, recorded in person in her studio. In part 1, Terri shared her first assignment in Imagineering (a Stories of the Magic), what Halloween was like at Walt … Continue reading →

Today, we continue with part 2 of a 3-part interview with legendary Disney Imagineer Terri Hardin, recorded in person in her studio. In part 1, Terri shared her first assignment in Imagineering (a Stories of the Magic exclusive), what Halloween … Continue reading →

(This picture will make sense when you listen to the interview.) Today, we begin part 1 of a 3-part interview with legendary Disney Imagineer Terri Hardin, recorded in person in her studio. This is a 3-part interview, and we talked … Continue reading →

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing someone I’ve wanted to talk to for a long time, and hopefully this is just the first of many conversations. Don Hahn is best known for having produced the classic Beauty and the … Continue reading →

  Today, we conclude our 2-part interview with Disney Publishing background painter Nic Gregory. In part 1, we talked about his artistic influences, how he got into the animation industry, his upcoming projects, and much more. If you haven’t listened to … Continue reading →

Today, we begin a 2-part interview with Disney Publishing background painter Nic Gregory. I’ve had some interesting guests on this show before, and Nic is no exception. In fact, with his unique background and perspectives, he will be sharing things … Continue reading →

Today, we conclude our interview with former Disney Imagineer Brian Collins. In part 1, we talked about how he got started working for Disney at the front desk of Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort, how he worked himself from there … Continue reading →

Today, we return to our usual format with part 1 of our interview with former Disney Imagineer Brian Collins. Brian started at the Contemporary Resort at WDW working the Front Desk, but moved through several different roles until ultimately he became … Continue reading →

As you may know, July 14-16, 2017 was the D23 Expo. I was happily able to attend, though not as official Media or Press. Because of that, I wasn’t able to get priority access to anything or set up interviews … Continue reading →

Today we have part 2 of my return visit with Margaret Kerry, the animation reference model for Tinker Bell. In part  last time, we talked about what it means to be an animation reference model, getting into show business 84 years go, … Continue reading →

Today we have another return guest, and it’s one I am incredibly pleased to have. When I first had Margaret Kerry, the animation reference model for Tinker Bell, as a guest more than 2 years ago, we got a lot … Continue reading →

Today we return to our first International Cast Member, Lee Neville. Lee was in the International Program at Walt Disney World, and last time we talked about what that entailed and some of the special things he got to do. … Continue reading →

Today we have a special treat, because we have our first International Cast Member on the show! Lee Neville was in the International Program at Walt Disney World, which brings a unique perspective on Disney, working there, living there, and … Continue reading →

Today we have another returning guest—one who has done some work I know you’ve seen and some other work that you need to see. In this episode, we return to Visual Development Artist and children’s book author & illustrator Claire … Continue reading →

In this episode, we return to one of my most popular guests, Amanda Henderson, for a wonderful follow-up interview. In part 1, back on episode 110, Amanda talked about how she got started working at Disneyland and specifically as an … Continue reading →

Lots of podcasts seem to be ending right now. At least 3 that I listen to have announced they are ending between now and the end of the year, and maybe a half dozen more have faded away during the … Continue reading →

In this episode, we continue a conversation with Jennifer Marx, the founder & creator of the PassPorter guidebooks. In part 1, she told us about how she became interested in Disney, how the PassPorter guidebooks came to be, what’s changed over … Continue reading →

In this episode, we begin a conversation with Jennifer Marx, who has had to wait much too long for me to get this episode released! Jennifer is the founder & creator of the PassPorter guidebooks, which has expanded into so … Continue reading →

Today, we have a very special episode. If you’ve been listening for the last few months, you’ve heard me talk a bit about the Stories of the Magic / Skywalking Through Neverland cruise that’s now less than a year away. … Continue reading →

In this episode we continue our conversation with Kimberly Markey. In part 1, she shared with us about running, her love of Disney, runDisney events, her cancer diagnosis & battle, how all of those tie in to each other, and … Continue reading →

    Today we’re going a little out of the ordinary, even for me, but for very good reason. If you’re looking for a story of Disney-love, of inspiration, and of hope, this is the interview for you. Kimberly Markey … Continue reading →

We have an early morning interview with the host of WDW Radio and the creator of several books, audio tours, Lou Mongello. This was going to be a 1-hour interview, but thanks to the seemingly inevitable Skype issues, we only … Continue reading →

We conclude a 2-part interview with runDisney Sports Host Rudy Novotny. In part 1, Rudy shared with us about his history in running, some of his tips for runners, the cool story of how he started doing race announcing and … Continue reading →

Today we begin a 2-part interview with someone I’ve been wanting to chat with for a long time: runDisney Sports Host Rudy Novotny. Rudy has been a race announcer for a long time, a runner for even longer than that, … Continue reading →

Today we get a fantastic return visit from Stacey J. Aswad! You know her from Must Do Disney at Walt Disney World, VO Buzz Weekly, and more. The first time she was on, we ran out of time before we … Continue reading →

Today we conclude a 2-part interview with the Hipster Mermaid herself, Traci Hines. You got to hear some great stuff from her in part 1 about her love for Disney, her cosplay history, the Hipster Mermaid phenomenon, being an introvert, and … Continue reading →

First of a 2-part interview with the Hipster Mermaid herself, Traci Hines. Traci is enormously talented, incredibly hard working, and has a deep love for Disney and it was great fun to get to talk to her. I had the … Continue reading →

  Today we get to return to Disneyland for a Cast Member story! Amanda Henderson was an Entertainment Host and she still has an incredible love for Disney in general, Disneyland in particular, and for the characters that is infectious … Continue reading →

We conclude my return visit with previous guest, the voice of Goofy for 29 years, Bill Farmer. In part 1, we talked about Bill’s first recording sessions as Goofy, some special memories, singing as the character, and more! Bill talks … Continue reading →

We get to return to a previous guest: Bill Farmer. I had more time with him on this one than I did for episode 44 a little over 2 years ago. Now celebrating 29 years as the official voice of … Continue reading →

In this episode, we take a bit of a different turn as I interview Len Testa, creator of TouringPlans.com. He has spent more time and mental energy than anyone I know making visiting the Disney parks a more enjoyable experience, … Continue reading →

In this episode we conclude my much-delayed interview with Imagineer Bob Gurr. In part 1, we talked quite a bit about some of his memories of Walt Disney as well as his work on Disneyland, including clearing up some confusion … Continue reading →

In this episode I finally get to share an interview with you that began many months ago. In March of 2015, just a few days before my daughter was born, I interviewed Disney Legend and Imagineer Bob Gurr by Skype … Continue reading →

In this episode we conclude our interview with returning guest on the show, Disney historian and author Jim Korkis. In part 1 we talked a lot about Walt Disney’s early Christmases and I hope you enjoyed learning about his childhood … Continue reading →

  In this episode we have a returning guest on the show, Disney historian and author Jim Korkis is back for a 2-part interview. I introduce him much more in the interview intro, so let me give you a preview … Continue reading →

In this episode we conclude our interview with Dr. Jeff Barnes, author of The Wisdom of Walt Disney: Leadership Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland): Success Strategies for Everyone, recorded live at Disneyland! In Part 1, Jeff shared … Continue reading →

We return to our regular interview format with Dr. Jeff Barnes, author of The Wisdom of Walt Disney: Leadership Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland): Success Strategies for Everyone We recorded this live at Disneyland, again at the … Continue reading →

3+ years and 46 guests after beginning, we’ve made it to 100 episodes! Whether this is your first time listening or you’ve heard them all, thank you for making this possible. And if you’ve shared a story or left a … Continue reading →

In this episode, we conclude a 2-part interview with Krista Joy. Krista is a former Walt Disney World Cast Member, and a current blogger, podcaster, and lover of all things Disney, especially Walt Disney World. In part 1 we talked … Continue reading →

In this episode, we begin a 2-part interview with Krista Joy. Krista is a former Walt Disney World Cast Member, and a current blogger, podcaster, and lover of all things Disney, especially Walt Disney World. She is so genuinely excited … Continue reading →

  In this episode, we conclude our 2-part series on the 2015 D23 Expo. In the first part, I shared with you some of the Disney Legends Awards, a bit of audio courtesy of the Mousetalgia and Skywalking Through Neverland … Continue reading →

Welcome to our coverage/recap of the D23 Expo 2015! Unlike many other shows, which focus on announcements, displays, reviewing the event, etc., these 2 episodes will focus, as Stories of the Magic always does, on the people. I can share my thoughts … Continue reading →

  In this episode, we conclude our 3-part interview with former Walt Disney World Cast Member, Jessica Clawson. In the first 2 parts, we talked about working at Toy Story Midway Mania and in the resorts as a Concierge, the … Continue reading →

In this episode, we continue our 3-part interview with former Walt Disney World Cast Member, Jessica Clawson. In part 1, we talked about working at Toy Story Midway Mania and in the resorts as a Concierge, the transition to Magic … Continue reading →

  In this episode, we begin a 3-part interview with former Walt Disney World Cast Member, Jessica Clawson. Jessica had a very strong desire to be a Cast Member and she took a pretty big risk to make it happen. … Continue reading →

  In this episode, we conclude our 2-part interview with 2014-2015 runDisney Specialist on the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Faith Dority. In part 1, we talked about where her love for Disney began and how it grew, becoming a runner, … Continue reading →

In this episode, we begin a 2-part interview with 2014-2015 runDisney Specialist on the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Faith Dority. We’d been working on getting this set up for a few months, so I’m glad to finally be able to … Continue reading →

  In this episode, we conclude our 2-part interview with Don Morin, founder of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet. In part 1, we talked about his interest in Disney, background of the PNW Mouse Meet, what makes it unique, and … Continue reading →

In this episode, we begin a 2-part interview with Don Morin, founder of the Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet. I’ll tell you more about him and what that is in the official introduction to the interview, but if you’ve ever wondered … Continue reading →