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Artwork for Connecting with Walt

Connecting with Walt - A look into the history of the man behind Mickey Mouse, Disneyland and Walt Disney World

The DIS
Walt Disney
Disneyland
Disney Animation
D23 Expo
Disney
Walt Disney World
Fantasia
Walt Disney Company
Disney Parks
Animation
Disney Films
Milt Kahl
Epcot
Imagineering
Disney History
Epcot Center
Bambi
Mary Poppins
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Indiana Jones Adventure

Connecting with Walt is a podcast focusing on the life and creations of Walt Disney. Episodes include the history of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney movies, and more! Hosted by Michael Bowling and Tom Bell, the show is a tribute to the man who made it all happen, Walt Disney, and his brother, Roy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes377Founded10 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Connecting with Walt

Latest Episodes

In this episode, we share a special live recording of Michael's presentation at last summer's OzCon International that explores the history of Walt Disney's never completed "Rainbow Road to Oz" project.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segmen... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss why the ideas that Walt Disney championed during his lifetime still matter today.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Important DIS links and more information!

* Connecting with Walt on Twi... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by special guest Mary Jo to explore the history of EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion, then take a journey inside.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Important DIS links and more information!

* Co... more

After exploring the problems with Disneyland's many iterations of Tomorrowland in last week's episode, Michael and Tom practice some armchair Imagineering and suggest some of their own ideas for updates to the troubled land.

Links:

* Michael’s Dis... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Michael Campbell
Historian and author of Walt Disney's Trains, A Grand Circle Tour Through His Life and Legacy
Author, Historian
Episode: Walt Disney's Love of Trains with Michael Campbell
Diane Disney Miller
Mentioned in discussion as Walt's daughter; not a guest on this episode
Disney Family Museum (indirectly)
Episode: Walt Disney's Love of Trains with Michael Campbell
Mary Jo Malata-Willi
Friend of the hosts and listener guest
Episode: The Invisible Magic: How Imagineers Engage the Senses
Maggie Richardson
Niece of Mary Blair, co-executor of the Mary Blair estate
Mary Blair estate
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Mary Blair & Mary Poppins
Gregg Sherman
Writer, producer and co-director, son of Richard Sherman
Sherman Brothers family/Legacy
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Mary Blair & Mary Poppins
Don Hahn
Producer, director, author, and storyteller
Episode: A Tribute to Roger Allers with Don Hahn
J.B. Kaufman
Disney historian and author
Author of Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia
Episode: Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Fantasia with J.B. Kaufman
Todd James Pierce
Author and scholar known for works on Disney history
Episode: Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
John Canemaker
Academy Award-winning animator, author, educator, and Disney historian
Episode: A Conversation with Disney Historian John Canemaker

Hosts

Michael Bowling
Host and Disney historian with extensive archival knowledge and a research-forward approach.
Tom Bell
Co-host and producer with a long-running involvement in Disney history discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 960 ratings
  • What a gem!

    I have been listening to this gem for 2 years now and it's like being told a bedtime story bringing comfort and stirring memories of the past! I never miss an episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Disneyland history
    United States2 months ago
  • Unfortunately, lost its charm

    I’m trying really hard to enjoy this - the way I did when Craig was on, but I get so frustrated with the constant talking over each other, John interrupting without even knowing what he’s going to say - he’ll interrupt then pause for like 10 seconds so there’s so much dead air in every episode. What was easily my favourite podcast has become one I begrudgingly try to listen to just incase it gets back to its charming self. Michael does a fantastic job as always but the chemistry is non existent ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MissMoonmoose
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Disneyland Reunion

    I love when the Disneyland podcast team comes back together. I learn sooo much from these shows. I vote for more of these!! Please!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SB Fan😊
    United Statesa year ago
  • All the facts

    I love that this podcast shares so much history about Walt Disney, his family, and the parks. I have learned so many facts. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Whistle while I work
    United Statesa year ago
  • Disneys history podcast

    This is 1 of the best podcast i ever heard

    You guys did a fantastic job

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sam gels
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Deep archival insights paired with accessible storytelling.
A must-listen for serious Disney history fans and educators.
Occasional audio quality and pacing issues noted by some listeners.
Engaging, well-researched Disney history with strong host chemistry.
Lively conversations that connect past and present in Disney lore.

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Radio Rental
Radio RentalTenderfoot TV & Audacy
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Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Humans
HumansHank Green

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Mary Blair & Mary Poppins
Q: Did Mary Blair influence how her conceptual designs were used in films, according to the talk?
Yes, the speakers explained that Blair's concepts were adapted but presented with challenges, including balancing flat, modern design with the need for three-dimensional animation, and her work was especially prominent in films like Cinderella and It's a Small World.
Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Mary Blair & Mary Poppins
Q: What was Mary Blair's favorite film or piece that Mary created, according to the guests?
The guests indicated Mary Blair's Alice in Wonderland sequences, particularly the dream-like Alice sequence, and Cinderella moments as standout pieces that captured her distinctive style and emotional impact.
A Tribute to Roger Allers with Don Hahn
Q: What did Roger teach you about navigating a creative life?
Roger taught a fearlessness about exploration and living a bigger creative life.
A Tribute to Roger Allers with Don Hahn
Q: Was Roger consciously seen as a mentor?
Roger's mentorship was intuitive; he led by example rather than in a traditional, hierarchical manner.
A Tribute to Roger Allers with Don Hahn
Q: How would you describe Roger's artistic voice? What did he bring uniquely to a project?
Roger's artistic voice was about personal moments related to the human condition, focusing on deep emotional connections.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Connecting with Walt

What is Connecting with Walt about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on Disney history, storytelling, and the creative world behind Walt Disney and his enterprises. Across episodes, conversations cover Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Imagineering, classic films, and museum/history perspectives, often featuring historians, authors, and industry observers. Notable strengths include in-depth archival context, cross-era comparisons, and a mix of celebratory nostalgia with critical commentary on design decisions and their cultural impact. A recurring emphasis on learning through immersion, design philosophy, and the human story behind iconic attractions makes it a compelling listen for Disney enthusiasts, historians, and professionals curious about brand storytelling and experience design.

Where can I find podcast stats for Connecting with Walt?

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How many listeners does Connecting with Walt get?

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What are the audience demographics for Connecting with Walt?

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How many subscribers and views does Connecting with Walt have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Connecting with Walt has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Connecting with Walt?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Connecting with Walt:

1. Disney History Institute Podcast
2. DIS Unlimited
3. WDW Radio: Your Guide to the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise and More Disney Magic!
4. The Disney Dish with Jim Hill
5. The Disney Dining Show

How many episodes of Connecting with Walt are there?

Connecting with Walt launched 10 years ago and published 377 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Connecting with Walt?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Connecting with Walt?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Connecting with Walt from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Connecting with Walt?

Recent guests on Connecting with Walt include:

1. Michael Campbell
2. Diane Disney Miller
3. Mary Jo Malata-Willi
4. Maggie Richardson
5. Gregg Sherman
6. Don Hahn
7. J.B. Kaufman
8. Todd James Pierce

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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