The Hyperion Hub

We’re five years old today! This week, we’re celebrating half a decade of podcasting by sharing our origin stories. We’re interviewing each other. What were we like as kids? When did we discover Disney? How did we come up with the name for the show? What does the name mean? Find out in this episode. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send...

This week’s show is from Disney Fest at The Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL where we sat down with authors Mindy Johnson and JB Kaufman. Our many topics include artist Mary Blair, The Reluctant Dragon from 1941, the history of Tinker Bell and more. We also share our own personal stories and talk about the moment we knew Disney became our passion. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John R...

What’s happening in the world of Star Wars? We reach out to our best expert on the subject! Dan Zehr from Coffee With Kenobi is back with us to talk about Seasons of the Force in Disneyland. We’ll also chat about Star Wars Celebration in Japan and Season 2 of Andor.  Plus we’ll preview the new show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. Hosts John Alois, Shawn...

We’re less than two weeks away from the annual Disney Fest at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL. Organizer and avid Disney art collector Steve Spain joins us to preview the event. Disney films Cinderella and Peter Pan will be among the movies shown this year on the enormous screen. Plus guest speakers will talk about the history of the films. Plus games, animation workshops and more! May...

In the second half of our conversation with Disney Legend Tony Baxter he talks about mentors he had and the importance of mentoring. He shares thoughts on the future of the theme park industry and has some wise advice for all of us. Plus, is the Magical Express coming back to Walt Disney World? We’ll discuss a new service that has us wondering. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingsha...

Little did Tony Baxter know when he began scooping ice cream on Main Street U.S.A. he would one day become a Disney Legend. We're thrilled to have the Disney Imagineer on this week. He talks about his early days at Disney and covers some of his biggest projects including EPCOT, and the mysterious, unbuilt Discovery Bay in Disneyland. Plus we're playing a little game called blind ranking. Hosts Joh...

We have a plethora of topics to cover this week including the next gen animatronics possibly coming to the parks, the new Disney Vacation Club lounge in the Magic Kingdom, Disney/PIXAR’s Elio trailer has us intrigued, D23 is heading back to Marceline, Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again, and more! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear from you! Email or send a reco...

They help bring the parks to life. They're the Disney characters in the parks and they create some of our favorite memories. But they weren't part of the original plan for Disneyland and Walt had to actually borrow costumes for opening day. We'll share that story and talk about our memorable moments. Plus the Disneyland Band surprises Walt Disney World guests with a trip out east. Hosts John Alois...

Kim Kaufman is back this week to share more stories from her time in Walt Disney World as a Cast Member. Kim was "friends with" a lot of the characters in the parks. She talks about both funny and touching moments from her interactions with guests. Plus we're also talking about the latest additions to author Ridley Pearson's popular Kingdom Keeper book series. Hosts John Alois, S...

Seeing Disney characters is a highlight for many Disney park visitors. Our guest this week not only got to meet characters as a kid, she became good "friends" with them. Lifelong Disney fan and former cast member Kim Kaufman shares some of her unique character stories. Plus Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro was on hand at the South By Southwest conference to share more informa...

New adventures await Walt and his teams in the 1960s. Disney looks to expand its themed entertainment across the country with creations for the New York World's Fair. Walt also plans to build a city on swampland in Florida. At the box office, he produces more live action films than ever before. One of those movies is considered his greatest onscreen masterpiece. Thanks for joining us at The Hub as...

He's back! Long time popular Disney podcaster Lou Mongello from WDW Radio returns for the second half of our conversation with him. He shares more personal stories and talks about some of his favorite Disney things. Plus Disney Fest 2025 is coming to the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL this May 2-4! We have some details on what to look forward to at this year's event! Thanks for joining us...

Once upon a time, an attorney from New Jersey decided to leave his law practice and pursue his true passion of sharing his love for all things Disney with the world. Twenty years later, Lou Mongello is one of the biggest podcasters and influencers in the Disney fan community. He tells his amazing story this week on The Hyperion Hub. Plus we have a review of Captain America: Brave New World from Ma...

We're covering many topics this week including the new Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise coming, the Season of the Force event at Disneyland, Marvel TV shows to look forward to in 2025 including Dare Devil: Born Again in March and more! 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. Fi...

We're live from the S.T.E.A.M. Into Star Wars event at Washington Community High School in Washington, IL. Three great guests join us including organizer Tom Gross, Greg McLaughlin from the Rebel Base Card Podcast, and Dan Zehr from Coffee With Kenobi. Plenty to talk about at this year's wonderful event plus we can't think of a better way to learn about Science, technology, engineering...

Disney Archives Director Becky Cline is back with us this week continuing our conversation about collecting Disney history. We’ll hear how the archives began and she shares stories about finding treasured items the Studio forgot existed. Plus what are we looking forward to in the Disney Parks? Find out in Our Disney Views. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redlingshafer would love to hear...

We’re back and we’re starting off 2025 with a very special guest! Director of the Walt Disney Archives Becky Cline joins us on the Hyperion Hub. She has fantastic stories to share including one about how one of the most treasured film props was saved by a janitor. Plus what movies and TV shows are we looking forward to in 2025? Find out in Our Disney Views. Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and Jo...

We’re looking back at 2024. Bloopers from us and the best from of our guests as we recap a wonderful year at The Hub! Thanks to all of our guests who joined us and to those who sent in reports. They include: Mark Silverman Dan Zehr Tom Gross Jesse Mann Zak Kalina Dan Abraham Trent Correy Brad Simonsen Dave Metzger Steve Spain JB Kaufman Ted Thomas Carrie McBeath Don Ballard Camille Dixon Bill Roge...

It's holiday time and we're sharing some of our favorite park traditions! We're also looking back at our top Disney moments in 2024. In our opening segment we'll talk about The Walt Disney Family Museum's official statement regarding the upcoming Walt Disney audio-animatronic figure coming to Disneyland next year. Thanks for joining us at The Hub! Hosts John Alois, Shawn Degenhart and John Redling...

Bri Bertolaccini and Chris Mullen from The Walt Disney Family Museum are with us. We’re talking about the museum in San Francisco, a new exhibit focused on early directors at the studio, and a new book. Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum chronicles the legacy of Walt through iconic objects that represent his life and career. Order the book at waltd...

Cinderella’s full orchestral score is now available from our very own Shawn Degenhart and Degenhart Music! Shawn talks about his new published book and all that went into the process of producing it.  Visit degenhartmusic.com to purchase the book. Plus, our very own John Redlingshafer takes another step in his Star Wars journey by watching The Empire Strikes Back for the first time. Guests Dan Zeh...

Dan Zehr from Coffee with Kenobi and Greg McLaughlin from The Rebel Base Card Podcast are with us this week to talk Star Wars. This is Greg’s first time on The Hyperion Hub and he shares details about his awesome podcast. We’ll talk about collecting cards, pins, toys, you name it. Why do we do it? Why do we love it? Dan has a new book available now! He was a contributing author on Star Wars Encycl...

Bob Weis is back! The former president of Disney Imagineering is with us again this week and has details about his two new books. Dream Chasing (Disney Editions) - My four years of success and failure with Disney Imagineering https://books.disney.com/book/dream-chasing/ Ghost Dog (Old Mill Press) His first novel about a boy who has a ghost dog follow him home from The Haunted Mansion. https://theo...

With an opportunity to lead at the highest level of theme park design, Bob Weis oversaw Disney projects all over the world. The former Disney Imagineer sits down with us to talk about his four decades of experience. From selling popcorn on Main Street to managing a 5-year redesign of Disney California Adventure and more. Bob has 2-new books! Dream Chasing (Disney Editions) - My four years of succe...

Happy Halloween! We have a spooktacular show for you! Each year, Jack Skelington and his friends help transform the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland into the very popular Haunted Mansion Holiday. Join us as we take a deep dive into the attraction that celebrates the moment when two holidays collide. We'll also take a scary spin in a Doom Buggy. Plus we're frightfully excited to chat about our favorit...