Beyond The Mouse: A Weekly Disney Podcast

This week on Beyond the Mouse , it’s Muppet mayhem as Craig, Vanessa, and Brett dive into a March Madness–style bracket to determine the ultimate champion of The Muppets ! From the charm of Kermit the Frog and the diva energy of Miss Piggy to the chaotic brilliance of Swedish Chef and the underrated greatness of Camilla the Chicken, every matchup is a battle for Muppet supremacy. Who survives the...

On this totally unhinged episode of Beyond the Mouse, Vanessa and Bea do their best to explain what happens in Disney Pixar's "Hoppers," and well, they tried. They really tried. But that shouldn't stop you from seeing this hilarious new film that brings the heart and the comedy. It's basically Avatar, but with beavers. This may be one of the best Pixar films yet! Featuring: V...

This week on  Beyond the Mouse , Craig, Vanessa, and Brett face off in a fast-paced game of  black or white, this or that ! From  Disney Parks  favorites to classic  Walt Disney Animation Studios  moments and beloved  Pixar  films, the trio must choose a side—no middle ground allowed. Which picks will spark debate, which will be unanimous, and which choices might surprise you? Tune in and play alo...

Craig discusses his thoughts on the life and legacy of Olympian Jeff Galloway. We've also included his two appearances Beyond the Mouse this week. Keep running...

On this episode of Beyond the Mouse, Vanessa travels to Walt Disney World and comes back with a long list of tips and tricks. We'll learn how to avoid long walks to the parking lots, what's worth the hype (and what's not), what it's like staying off property, and how to score a scooter! JOIN OUR PATREON: ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________________________________________...

Love is in the air on this week’s episode of Beyond the Mouse ! 💕 In honor of Valentine’s Day, the crew splits into three teams for an epic Disney Couples Draft to determine who can assemble the ultimate lineup of iconic romances. Team BTM (Brett and Vanessa) are ready to defend the home turf. Team Like This Pod (Meghan and Jacqueline from I Think You’re Gonna Like This Pod ) bring the heart and...

This week on  Beyond the Mouse , Brett, Craig, and Vanessa dive into the  major leadership news  coming out of The Walt Disney Company. Disney has officially named  Josh D’Amaro  as its next  CEO , succeeding longtime leader Bob Iger in March — a monumental shift for the company and its fans alike. Alongside D’Amaro’s promotion,  Dana Walden  steps into the newly created role of  President and Chi...

This week on Beyond the Mouse , Craig is joined by Greg from the wildly popular YouTube channel How to Drink for a spirited conversation that blends cocktails, creativity, and Disney fandom. Greg shares the story behind his channel and his journey into the world of mixology, then reveals how his love for Disney first took root. From there, the episode takes a deep dive into tiki culture—its histor...

This week on  Beyond the Mouse , Craig recaps all the magic, miles, and memories from  runDisney Marathon Weekend 2026 ! He’s joined by his friends from  Sorcerers Running Club  to break down everything from Expo Day excitement to the final steps across the finish line on Marathon Sunday. The group shares race highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, challenges on the course, and what made this mara...

This week on Beyond the Mouse, we continue to work our way through the alphabet. Hollywood Studios, Hoop-Dee-Doo, Han Solo. We cover it a lot, but let us know if we missed any of your favorite Disney things that start with the letter "H." Featuring: Craig, Vanessa, and Brett JOIN OUR PATREON:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________________________________________ Named one of the...

It was such a treat to sit down with Tim O'Day, whose enthusiasm and knowledge of Disney history fills any Disney parks fan with complete joy. We talk about his favorite memories working in public relations, D23 conventions, and we hear a teaser of what to expect at the Festival of the Arts 2026! Featuring: Craig and Vanessa JOIN OUR PATREON: ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____________________...

We are back to talk all about the year that was 2025. Thank you for your continued kindness and listenership .We appreciate you so much. See you in 2026!

For Disney fans, Xavier “X” Atencio is remembered for his many roles: animator, attraction designer, and lyricist. But most importantly, he was a good friend. This week on Beyond the Mouse we are joined by authors Bobbie Lucas, Kelsey McCullough, and Tori Atencio McCullough, who talk about their book “Xavier ‘X’ Atencio: The Legacy of An Artist, Imagineer, and Disney Legend.” We discuss X’s except...

This week on Beyond the Mouse , Craig welcomes legendary running coach Jeff Galloway to talk all things Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend ! He’s joined by Sarah and Shannon from Dames of the DDP , who are training for their first-ever Disney half marathon using Jeff’s famous Galloway Run/Walk/Run method . Jeff shares thoughtful coaching tips, updates on his own running journey, and inspiring insi...

This week on Beyond the Mouse , Craig shares a special experience after being invited by Disney+ to take part in a virtual press junket with Diary of a Wimpy Kid creator Jeff Kinney . Ahead of the release of the newest animated film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw premiering December 5 on Disney+, Craig sits down with Jeff to discuss the heart at the center of this story—fatherhood, parentin...

Join our intrepid Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser friends for a recap and review from HalcyCon2! Featuring: Brett JOIN OUR PATREON: ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse⁠⁠⁠ __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! ⁠blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts⁠⁠⁠ FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! ⁠⁠nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network⁠⁠⁠ JOIN PODCAST PALS! facebook.c...

This week on  Beyond the Mouse , Craig is joined by his wife Zoey, along with Jacqueline and Meghan from the  I Think You’re Gonna Like This  podcast, for a festive crossover review of the brand-new holiday movie  A Very Jonas Christmas Movie , debuting on Disney+ on November 14. The group kicks things off with a fun and completely  non-spoiler  discussion for those who haven’t streamed it yet. Th...

This week on Beyond the Mouse we are plannin' a weddin'! Craig is off this week to get hitched, and Vanessa, Brett and Bea discuss ideas for planning a Disney-themed wedding! Congrats Craig and Zoey! Featuring: Vanessa, Brett and Bea JOIN OUR PATREON: ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse⁠⁠⁠ __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! ⁠blog.feeds...

It’s a spooktacular special on  Beyond the Mouse ! Brett, Vanessa, and Craig are brewing up some frightfully fun ideas as they each design their  perfect Disney-themed Halloween party . From eerie attractions to villainous vibes, Disney treats to magical tricks, they’re pulling out all the stops to create the ultimate celebration of spooky season. But the final say is up to  you ! After you listen...

The Muppets are celebrating 70 years, and Creative Director of the Muppets Studio, Dani Iglesias, joins Beyond the Mouse to talk about how Disney is honoring the Muppets legacy. We also give love to Bean Bunny and share why the Muppets mean so much to so many. Featuring: Craig, Vanessa, and Brett JOIN OUR PATREON:  ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse⁠⁠⁠ __________________________________________ Named o...

Join Brett and BTM Guests, Brittney and Jen, as they discuss their experiences on The Official Walt Disney Studios Walking Tour – Presented by D23. Brett and his sometimes alter ego, James Mason, reminisce about his previous visits to The Walt Disney Studios during his time as a WDW Cast Member. Then the trio share more about their “walk through Disney history” on the Official Tour! Featuring: Bre...

This week on  Beyond the Mouse , we’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the powerhouse songwriting duo  Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez ! From creating unforgettable melodies to shaping the emotional core of modern Disney classics, Kristen and Robert have redefined what it means to make magic through music. Their award-winning work includes iconic songs from  Disney’s  Fro...

Join us this week on  Beyond the Mouse  as we gallop into another grand installment of our  Favorite Disney Things by Letter  series — and this week, it’s all about the  glorious letter G ! From  Goofy gags  to  glittering gowns , we’re diving deep into the  greatest, gooiest, and most grin-worthy  Disney favorites that start with G. Whether you're a fan of  Genie’s genius ,  Gaston’s gusto ,...

This week on Beyond the Mouse we are answering your questions! Thank you for submitting your questions. We had a lot of fun! Find out our favorite places, memories and who is most like Winnie the Pooh. Featuring: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford JOIN OUR PATREON: ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse⁠⁠⁠ __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcast...

This week on  Beyond the Mouse , Brett and Craig blast off into the world of  Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past ! They kick things off with a spoiler-free review of the second series before diving into an incredible round of interviews. Hear from stars  Gaten Matarazzo  ( Stranger Things ) and  Tony Revolori  ( Spider-Man: No Way Home ), who voice the lead characters in this...