Being a Fan of Disney: The Podcast

This episode is a class discussion of the Disney movies produced by the company and its subsidiaries from 1937 onward. It includes a discussion of what the future of entertainment and theatrical releases may look like.  You can keep up with the class, podcast, and interviews by following my Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow along wit the class by joining the Facebook public group @BeingaFan...

This episode features the discussion and vote the Fall 2021 Being a Fan of Disney class had regarding the Best/Favorite MCU Character and the Best/Favorite MCU Movie! Be sure to check back for our discussion and votes regarding Best/Favorite Disney Attraction and Best/Favorite Disney Movie in the coming months.  You can keep up with the class, podcast, and interviews by following my Twitter @...

Lisa DiNoto Glassner of TheCastleRun.com stops by to talk with us again about her journey as an entrepreneur. We discuss her insights and advice for anyone wanting to start a business. It is always great to have Lisa talk with the class and podcast and it was a very fun conversation! The video of this visit is available at https://youtu.be/OP4vIc7HzTQ . You can engage with Lisa via email at Lisa@T...

In this episode, Lisa DiNoto Glassner of TheCastleRun.com , Ryan Boeckman of the My Disney Classroom Podcast , Dr. Jaime Williams ( JamieWilliams@tntech.edu ), and Sarah Beals Sager of SlightlyProblematic.net return to share their reactions and views of the MCU shows on Disney+! We discuss the Disney+ shows WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Loki, along with the release of Black W...

John Saccheri of BigFatPanda.com stops by to talk with us again about his fandom, pivoting during the pandemic, and how he things Disney handled parks closures, fan engagement, and other things during the pandemic. It is always fun talking with John and this was a really great conversation. Video of the visit is available at https://youtu.be/5ubmrPlJ_Yg . You can engage with John and find his soci...

Michael Ruffin of The Moving Platform joins the class again to discuss his two ideas for a 5th Gate at WDW! We discuss his ideas for a Villains Park and a Marvel Park (caveat that one can be built with all Marvel characters in Florida)! We also talk about his upcoming project Just Another Movie Podcast . The video of the interview is available at https://youtu.be/8hdMHQ2KACQ . You can engage with...

Lou Prosperi, author of mutliple books about Walt Disney Imagineering, joins the class to discuss his fandom and how the principles of Imagineering can be utilized in business and everyday settings. Lou discusses his three books ( here ), future projects, and impressions of some of the Imagineer's projects in the Disney Parks. The video of the interview is available at https://youtu.be/Fk9habR7yrU...

In this episode, we visit with Michael Crawford, author of 'The Progress City Primer' and co-host of the podcast 'The Progress City Primer Radio Hour'. We discuss his research on the Walt Disney Company and his book about behind-the-scenes stories and details covering a large swath of Disney fandom. The video of this visit is available at https://youtu.be/OBX0bjvjvvM . Michael can be reached on Tw...

In our 50th episode, Dr. Carissa Baker, theme park researcher and expert, visits with the class again to discuss her impressions of the Disney Parks around the World! Having traveled to all six parks, Dr. Baker discusses the similarities and differences among the parks from ownership models, cultural considerations, to favorite versions of well-known attractions. The video of the visit is availabl...

This episode features a class discussion and vote on the Spring 2021 Best/Favorite Disney Movie! See where your favorite movies end up in the vote! This episode published with permission.  You can keep up with the class, podcast, and interviews/visits by following me on Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow along with the class by joining the Facebook public group @BeingaFanofDisney. Thank you...

This episode features a discussion of an analysis about competition and rivalry among streaming services brands. In particular, we discuss how competition can influence intellectual property and original content, and the future of home and movie theater entertainment. The video of this presentation is available at https://youtu.be/s17Gmuf74HQ . You can keep up with the class, podcast, and intervie...

In this episode, Sarah Beals Sager visits the class to discuss her expertise in film induced tourism. Specifically, we talk about her Master's Thesis about consumption and identification with the Western genre, projects that have been slightly problematic and how The Walt Disney Company is doing moving forward trying to be more inclusive in storytelling, and finally how the lands themed after inte...

This episode features a class discussion and vote on the Spring 2021 Best/Favorite MCU Character and Movie! See where your favorite characters and movies end up in the vote! You can follow along with the bracket at . This episode published with permission.  You can keep up with the class, podcast, and interviews/visits by following me on Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow along with the clas...

This episode features a class discussion and vote on the Spring 2021 Best/Favorite WDW Attraction! See how your favorite attraction faired in the class vote and you can follow along with the bracket at . This episode published with permission.  You can keep up with he class, podcast, and interviews/visits by following me on Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow along with the class by joining t...

Michael Ruffin visits with the class to talk about his fandom and work producing The Moving Platform videos, podcast, and social media content. Michael also talks about fan theories, from their popularity, to them being used to engage with fans. Michael also shares with us his about his ideas for blue-sky ideas and attractions in the Disney Parks, and his ideas for a 'Fifth Gate'. Video of the vis...

Brian Collins makes a fourth appearance in the class, this time to give us an Imagineers perspective tour of Hollywood Studios! Brian lands and starts the visit on Batuu, where he talks about Galaxy's Edge and the immersion of Hollywood Studios. He takes us on a walking tour through Toy Story Land and around other areas of interest in the park. The video of this visit is available at . You can eng...

Beci Mahnken of MEI and Mouse Fan Travel joins the class to talk about her fandom, transition into the travel industry, focusing on Disney Vacations, and her impressions of how the pandemic will impact travel. We also discussed what makes Disney a destination for many travelers and our appreciation for WandaVision and the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Video of the interview is available at https://yo...

Greg Heilman of Heilman & Haver visits with the class again, this time about Disney musicals. We discuss musicals on the stage, screen, television, in the parks and on the cruise ships. We also talk about the impact of Disney+ on the musical theater fan and general consumer. Video of the visit is available at https://youtu.be/B-lhN0LYGcg . You can engage with Greg on social media @Heilman&...

Brian Collins joins the class for a third time to discuss his background in themed entertainment and his work as a former Imagineer for the Walt Disney Company. Brian regularly joins the class to take us on a tour of Disney Parks from an Imagineers perspective, and it was really fun to be able to talk to him about his background and career. The video of the interview is available at https://youtu....

Sean Gerber of the MCU Fan Show and Fan Show Biz joins the class again to discuss competition among streaming services and how they will impact the future of consumer entertainment, both in-home and the theater experience. The video of the visit is available at https://youtu.be/2x2lr-0tXzg . You can follow Sean on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @MrSeanGerber and @MCUFanShow to learn more about h...

Dr. Nettie Brock, assistant professor of communication at Morehead State University visited with the class to discuss the phenomena of cosplaying and bounding. She discussed why people start cosplaying and bounding, what they receive from the activities, and what how the two impact our larger society. The video of the visit is available at https://youtu.be/AWUdvk6_amk . You can engage with Dr. Bro...

Jaime Williams, instructor and doctoral candidate in the business school at The University of Mississippi, joins the class to discuss how she uses Disney to help teach her students about Human Resources and Employee Relations. We discuss the various ways that we use Disney in the classroom, and what make Disney ideal and ideal learning resource. The video of the visit is available at https://youtu...

This episode features a presentation I gave as part of the Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Symposium Lecture Series. The project addresses how fans of Disney reacted and coped to the closures of the parks and resorts, and then phased reopening of some of those parks and resorts. The Video of this episode is available at https://youtu.be/YzkW3bZXS3w .  You can keep up with the class...

Dr. Howie DiBlasi of My Disney Class Podcast and PD Magic visited with us about his Disney fandom and several projects he is involved with regarding educational technology. We spoke about his background in technology, and how it has influenced his work with teaching educators what goes into the magic behind Walt Disney World! The video of this visit is available at https://youtu.be/-dYH9sHzJ88 . Y...

Roger Palmer of www. WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com visited with us about his Disney fandom and the Disney+ streaming service! He talked about how the streaming service has performed over its first year, how it has impacted the entertainment industry, and looked ahead to the future of Disney+. The video of this visit is available at https://youtu.be/RzRXiY2SIFI . If you want to engage with Roger, you can d...