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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
Disney Animation
Fantasia
Milt Kahl
Disneyland
Creativity
Bambi
The Living Seas Pavilion
Nine Old Men
Walt Disney World
Marvin Davis
Disney History
Mental Health
Epcot
Pinocchio
Animation Techniques
Disney
Pixar
Disney Imagineering
Turtle Talk With Crush

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.

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes362Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Connecting with Walt

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Michael and Tom discuss how Walt Disney's optimism shaped the course of his life and kept him moving forward.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Important DIS links and more information!

* Connecting with Walt on... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom welcome historian and author J.B. Kaufman who delves into his newest book, Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Important DIS links and... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom begin the new year by sharing inspirational quotes by Walt Disney or from films of his era that you might be able to relate to.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Important DIS links and more inform... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Todd James Pierce about his book Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of the Classic Film, which delves into the creative process and production of the classic 1964... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Dr. Karen Fang
Professor of English and Visual Studies at the University of Houston
University of Houston
Episode: Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong with Karen Fang
Tony Spittell
Friend and guest from Legacy Disneyland Podcast
Legacy Disneyland Podcast
Episode: Planning a Day at the Magic Kingdom (1975)
Mary Jo
Friend of the hosts and participant in Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebrations
Episode: Dateline Disneyland: July 17, 2025
Jonas Rivera
Producer and a key figure at Pixar since 1994
Pixar Animation Studios
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Pixar & Muppets
Yvette Nicole Brown
Moderator, actress, voice actress, and singer
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Pixar & Muppets
Lisa Henson
CEO of the Jim Henson Company
Jim Henson Company
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Pixar & Muppets

Hosts

Michael Bowling
Host and Disney historian, dedicated to exploring the life and contributions of Walt Disney to animation and theme parks.
Tom Bell
Co-host and producer, passionate about Disney culture and history, contributing insights into the Disney universe during discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 953 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom6 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 States7 months 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
  • Favourite Disney podcast!

    I love listening to the show. Michael is so knowledgeable and Craig and Michael work so well together ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Orlandolover88
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the detailed historical insights into Disney's past, noting the well-researched content and knowledgeable hosts. Many enjoy the personal anecdotes shared by the hosts and guests, enhancing the storytelling aspect. The chemistry between the hosts is often praised as engaging and lively, making the content accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience. However, some feedback indicates a need for better clarity in discussion flow, with occasional critiques about interruptions during conversations. Overall, it remains a favorite among Disney fans for its depth and informative nature.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Fantasia with J.B. Kaufman
Q: Was it not as popular? Was it because of the war?
There were several factors, including the war and changing audience tastes, but Walt believed in the film's groundbreaking nature.
Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Fantasia with J.B. Kaufman
Q: How did Walt see Fantasia's opening doors to new artistic worlds rather than closing them?
He imagined it as a living thing that would never stop changing, always indicating the possibilities of animation.
Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Fantasia with J.B. Kaufman
Q: What first drew you to tell the full story of Fantasia this way?
It was a natural progression after writing books about Walt's first two features; I felt that it needed a comprehensive account.
Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
Q: How did the success of the film change the careers of the Sherman Brothers and their relationship with Walt?
Mary Poppins transformed the Shermans into significant songwriters and bolstered Walt's status in Hollywood.
Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
Q: How did Walt navigate the creative tension between PL. Travers and the studio team?
Walt avoided direct confrontation by having others manage interactions with Travers and strategically used Disneyland to shape her perceptions.

Audience Metrics

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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 podcast explores the enduring legacy of Walt Disney, spotlighting his influence on the creation of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and various Disney films. Each episode delves into different facets of Disney's life and work, including insights on Imagineering, historical narratives, and the creative processes that brought iconic characters and stories to life. With a focus on storytelling, each discussion features notable guests from the animation industry, historians, and passionate Disney enthusiasts, making it a rich resource for both casual fans and devoted scholars of Disney history.

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How many listeners does Connecting with Walt get?

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

How many episodes of Connecting with Walt are there?

Connecting with Walt launched 9 years ago and published 362 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?

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What guests have appeared on Connecting with Walt?

Recent guests on Connecting with Walt include:

1. J.B. Kaufman
2. Todd James Pierce
3. John Canemaker
4. Dr. Karen Fang
5. Tony Spittell
6. Mary Jo
7. Jonas Rivera
8. Yvette Nicole Brown

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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