The Hyperion Hub

🎃👻 The chilly winds aren’t the reason the hair is standing up on the back of your neck. It’s spooky season! It’s that time of year when our mind plays tricks on us and we pay a little more attention to what lurks in the dark. Walt Disney understood great storytelling needs conflict—and sometimes, that conflict comes with a creepy twist! This week, we’re exploring the spooky side of Disney and th...

We have a trip report this week from Marceline, Missouri. Uber Disney fanatics Steve Spain and Derek Schulze participated in the D23 Event, Marceline Magic hosted by the voice of Goofy, Bill Farmer. Hear about their amazing visit. We also discuss our Disney bucket list destinations. You’re always welcome to meet up with us at The Hyperion Hub! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshaf...

Jim Fanning is back at The Hyperion Hub to continue our conversation about Disney history! Jim has authored books like Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder , written for D23 and The Hollywood Reporter , and helped produce numerous Disney documentaries. This week, we talk about why Disney history continues to fascinate so many people. Plus, what are the quintessential “Walt” attractions? Shawn and Jo...

📚✨A premier resource on Disney history, Jim Fanning has authored books like The Disney Book - A Celebration of the World of Disney and Drawing 100 years of Disney Wonder. He’s written articles for D23 and The Hollywood Reporter and he’s helped produce many Disney documentaries. This week he chats with us and shares his story—from being a Disney fan at an early age to making his dream of working...

The whole gang is back! Life is busy so John, Shawn and John are taking advantage of being in the same room on location at a high school band competition this week. They’re announcing the 38th Annual Washington Community High School Band Invitational in Washington, IL and hosting Episode 309. They’ll discuss Walt’s love of marching bands and share their own favorite band memories. Also, Disney pai...

The beautiful new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens soon and we’re sitting down with someone who’s already had a chance to visit. Museum member Jen Sopchockchai Bankard shares her first impressions-and they are great. This place isn’t just for Star Wars fans. Jen is a professor at the University of Southern California and a podcaster for the The Long Take Review, where four college professors ta...

There’s a great big beautiful today because we’re talking about a classic Disney attraction. We’re taking a spin and doing a deep dive on Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. From its earliest roots in New York, to stops in California and Florida. We’ll also look ahead to its future. Plus we’ll discuss our favorite Sherman Brother’s Disney song NOT from Mary Poppins. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenha...

🎙️It’s showtime once again!🌺🦜Author and animator Ken Bruce is back to chat about Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and his book, Before the Birds Sang Words . This week, Ken shares some of his most interesting discoveries from researching the book—and explains why this groundbreaking attraction changed the theme park industry forever. Purchase the book at tikiroom63.com. Plus, we share our list...

It’s showtime! 🦜🌺We’re visiting a tropical hideaway this week as we welcome author and animator Ken Bruce! He’s written the quintessential book about Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room called Before the Birds Sang Words. Find out how the idea morphed from a café to a Disneyland classic through what Ken calls the “chaos of creation.” Purchase the book at tikiroom63.com. Plus we reveal what we are...

"Live" from Anaheim, CA! Shawn Degenhart shares nightly reports from D23: The Ultimate Fan Event and Disneyland with Disneyland with park announcements, panels he attended and more. This week on the Hyperion Hub! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send a recorded audio message at podcast@thehyperionhub.com. Find us on social med...

D23 continues! Here are instant reactions to the big parks and experiences panel called Horizons: A Carousel of Progress from D23: The Ultimate Fan Event 2026 Day 2. John Alois shares news and his opinions on the event.

Instant reactions to D23: Ultimate Fan Event 2026 Day 1. John Alois shares news and his takes on the Disney Entertainment Showcase.

We're looking ahead to D23: The Ultimate Fan Event this weekend in Anaheim. We share our predictions about announcements in the world of Disney theme parks and films. Our Shawn Degenhart will be there! We're also looking back at a busy summer at the movies, plus Disney and Tik Tok have formed a content-sharing deal. Those stories and more this week on the Hyperion Hub! Hosts John Alois, Sh...

Dr. Christopher Tremblay is passing through town on a remarkable journey called Walt’s Pilgrimage. It’s an annual trek he leads with his students from the  Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University. They make 40 meaningful stops across the country, each helping tell the story of Walt Disney’s life and legacy. From Walt’s Birthplace in Chicago to his childhood home in Marceline, MO to Disne...

🇫🇷 Bonjour! This week, John Redlingshafer takes the Hyperion Hub across the Atlantic for a magical adventure at Disneyland, Paris. From enchanting attractions to unforgettable moments, he shares stories, sounds and highlights from his European Disney trip. No passport required! Just grab a baguette, pour yourself a café au lait and profitez De Hyperion Hub! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and Jo...

🎉 Episode 300 is here! 🎉 It’s a milestone week at The Hyperion Hub as we celebrate 300 episodes! The whole gang is back together as John Redlingshafer reunites with John Alois and Shawn Degenhart to share favorite Disney memories, beloved films, unforgettable moments, and plenty of stories, opinions and laughs along the way. It’s the big 3-0-0 and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you...

We’re gettin’ our heads in the game this week as we visit the iconic East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah—the filming location for Disney Channel’s smash hit  High School Musical  films and the Disney+ series! Joining the Aloises are longtime theater performers and educators Debbie and Mark Bacus as we explore the unforgettable location. 🎶We’re all in this together at The Hyperion Hub!🎶 Host...

We’re at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for the wonderful event, American Animation Art on Screen one more time. Author JB Kaufman shared fascinating behind-the-scenes stories on the making of Alice’s Wonderland (1923) and Mary Poppins (1964) before each film’s screening. Our own Shawn Degenhart took a deep dive into the unforgettable Sherman Brothers’ music as well. Shawn continues work on his next...

We’re honored to welcome world-renowned Chef Art Smith! He joins us from the Peoria Riverfront Museum to share unforgettable stories from a career that has taken him from cooking for governors and popes to serving some of the world’s biggest celebrities. As Art says,  “Food without a story doesn’t taste that good.” We also talk about his beloved Disney Springs restaurant, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomi...

We welcome the magic of Marceline, Missouri on this week’s Hyperion Hub.  From the Peoria Riverfront Museum, we’re joined by Kaye Malins and Sumner Nesbitt of the Walt Disney Hometown Museum to explore the town that helped shape Walt Disney’s imagination. Kaye shares her incredible firsthand story of hosting Walt during his return visit to Marceline in 1956, while Sumner discusses his journey from...

This week on The Hyperion Hub, acclaimed Disney historian and author JB Kaufman joins us from the Peoria Riverfront Museum to discuss his latest work, Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney’s Fantasia. Discover the fascinating story behind Walt Disney’s groundbreaking animated masterpiece as JB shares insights from his definitive new book and explores the creative process that brough...

If you spot Marcy Carriker Smothers at Disneyland or in Marceline, Missouri with her laptop open, chances are she’s working on her next Disney-inspired bestseller. The author of Eat Like Walt and Walt’s Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney joins us this week from the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Marcy was in town for the fantastic American Animation: Art on Screen event. Thanks for joining...

🎙️ it’s our pleasure to once again welcome Disney Legend Karen Dotrice to the Hyperion Hub. The original Jane Banks shares more wonderful stories from the set of Mary Poppins.🌂 Karen discusses why Walt Disney’s timeless masterpiece continues to resonate with modern audiences. She also reflects on her return to Cherry Tree Lane for the filming of Mary Poppins Returns. Plus a small piece of Burbank...

🎙️This week on The Hyperion Hub, we’re joined by the original Jane Banks herself, Disney Legend Karen Dotrice! Karen shares unforgettable stories from the set of Mary Poppins, including memories of working with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, the Sherman Brothers and more. She grew up in an acting family so this was nothing new for her, but little did she know as an 8-year old she was part of someth...

It’s the return of Jedi Dan Zehr! We’re previewing the newest Star Wars film, The Mandalorian and Grogu! We’ll share our thoughts. Dan is a high school teacher who finds a way to incorporate Star Wars and Marvel into his mythology class. We’ll chat about that, the second season of Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ and more this week on The Hyperion Hub! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart an...