Being a Fan of Disney: The Podcast

In this episode, we follow a discussion I had with the class in January 2019 about the history of the Walt Disney Company and Walter E. Disney. the video of this episode is available at https://youtu.be/QojCApVoYEY . You can keep up with the class, podcast, and interviews/visits by following my Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow along with the class on Facebook by joining the public group @Being...

Ray Eddy, former cast member and stunt professional, visited with us about his journey to choosing his profession, working for the Walt Disney Company, and teaching Entertainment Management at the University of Central Florida. Ray worked as stunt coordinator and actor in shows like Fantasmic! and Lights, Motors, Action!, in addition to playing the title role in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Specta...

Matt Dobrovolsky, Walt Disney World cast member and founder of DarthVader92, visited with us today about his fandom and journey to working in Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World! Matt also humored me by answering many Star Wars questions and talking about the future of the franchise. The video of the visit is available at https://youtu.be/T9ZhfvjzUU4 . If you want to engage wit...

This episode features a presentation I developed from an essay I wrote on using the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to help students acclimate to their college environment. We focus on the similarities between college campuses and the Avengers Campus, nine characters within the MCU, and applicable lessons each character and their story arcs can offer. The video of the presentation is available at...

Jeremy Goff of GoffStock Music and D-Signs visits with the class about his Disney fandom and creative works during the quarantine! He talks about his weekly GoffStock Music show every Friday night on Facebook, and his creations of replica attraction signs and shadowboxes under his D-Signs brand. The video of the visit is available at https://youtu.be/5X0J9wr-7Rk . You can engage with Jeremy on Fac...

Victor Nawrocki, a realtor specializing in properties around Walt Disney World, visited with the class about his fandom and business. He discussed "Dressing Disney", and how it has impacted his engagement with others on social media and in his realty business. The video of the interview is available at https://youtu.be/CzfjWtbruGs . You can follow Victor by visiting the page www. DisneyatYourDoors...

Stan Solo joined the class to discuss his fandom of Disney, how he got into going to Disney on solo trips, and his podcasts and content platforms he produces. He currently hosts The Solo Show, and co-hosts the Grand Circle Tour Podcast, WompRatRadio, and Disney Night Live. The video of the interview/visit is available at https://youtu.be/N2BFsJiHnCQ . You can also connect with Stan on Facebook (@S...

Sean LaRochelle joins the class to discuss his Disney fandom, his undergraduate thesis on the feasibility of EPCOT, and his quarantine project! We spend time talking Sean thesis was on the feasibility of EPCOT as a living/working community, then discuss his process of designing and building a roller coaster on his property inspired by the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland. The video of the visit i...

This episode features a talk I gave as part of the 'Last Lecture Series' at The University of Memphis, sponsored by the Helen Hardin Honors College. In the talk, I discuss my journey to accepting and celebrating the fact that I am a life-long learner, with the help of popular characters like Thor, Star Lord, Dr. Strange, and Owl from Winnie the Pooh! The video of the talk can be found at https://y...

Sean Currier joins the class to discuss a wide range of topics, including his fandom and annual Halloween decorations. Each Halloween season, Sean turns his house into a Haunted Mansion walk-through attraction for his neighbors and community. Video of the interview, including a walk-through of the Haunted Mansion house, is available at https://youtu.be/f4VlE7cSuh8 . You can engage with Sean, and f...

In this episode, students from the Fall 2020 'Being a Fan of Disney' class vote on the Best/Favorite Disney Movie! The video of the discussion and vote is available at https://youtu.be/lcmJRyekrBo .  You can keep up with the class, podcast, and interviews/visits by following my Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow the class on Facebook by joining the public group @Being a Fan of Disney. Thank...

This episode is a virtual visit I did with the students in Dr. Ted Peetz Forum class at Bellmont University.  You can keep us with the class, podcast, and interviews/visits by following my Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow the class on Facebook by joining the public group @Being a Fan of Disney. Thank you for listening!

In this episode, students from the Fall 2020 'Being a Fan of Disney' class vote on the Best/Favorite WDW Attraction! The video of the discussion and vote is available at https://youtu.be/Pd-LiSWmiQU .  You can keep up with the class, podcast, and interviews/visits by following my Twitter @chavardphd. You can follow the class on Facebook by joining the public group @Being a Fan of Disney. Than...

Benjamin Lancaster, writer, director, and producer of the movie 'Further Adventures of Walt's Frozen Head' and the audio drama podcast 'Prototype World of Tomorrow' joined the class to discuss his projects and Disney fandom! The video of the visit is available at https://youtu.be/lM_Anb1HY4Y . You can watch 'Further Adventures of Walt's Frozen Head' at https://youtu.be/cj0qwTmn0Ic , and listen to...

Dan Cockerell from Cockerell Consulting and former Executive at Walt Disney World joined the class to discuss his journey working with the Walt Disney Company. From his time working entry-level at Epcot, his experience helping to open EuroDisney (now Disneyland Paris), to being Vice President of the Magic Kingdom, Dan shares insights, stories, and advice from 26 years with the company. The video o...

Brian Collins from WDWithMe and former Walt Disney Imagineer joined the class a second time to take everyone on a live tour of Disney's Animal Kingdom. He discussed topics such as how Pandora fits into the overall theme of Animal Kingdom, the importance of the Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa, and the famous Yeti who inhabits Expedition Everest! The video is available at https://youtu.be/w-u02vSBVeM...

Greg Heilman joins the class to discuss his fandom and journey to working with The Walt Disney Company. Greg also discusses the implications of the latest decision regarding US vs. Paramount on streaming and the future of entertainment. You can watch the video of the virtual visit at . You can follow Greg's podcast, 'Heilman & Haver' at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heilman-haver/id153...

Dr. Carissa Baker, assistant professor researching theme park and storytelling at the University of Central Florida joins the class to discuss her fandom and research! Video of the interview can be seen at https://youtu.be/B59zK0kH208 . 

Sean Gerber, host of the MCU Fan Show podcast, visits the class to discuss MCU fandom and its place in society! Video of the interview can be seen at https://youtu.be/qqfI215yurE . 

Lisa DiNoto Glassner, of TheCastleRun.com and CoreMemoryCandles.com joins the class to discuss her fandom, and journey to moving closer to Walt Disney World! Video of the interview can be seen at https://youtu.be/fiIA6sNGOg0 . 

On this episode, I discuss two projects in which we investigated how rivalry was presented by fans of the Disney Parks and fans of Marvel and DC comics! Video of the summaries can be seen at https://youtu.be/9z84A-eF064 (Disney and Sport), and https://youtu.be/jWonJDx9KwE (Comics and Sport). 

John Saccheri from BigFatPanda.com joins the class to talk about growing up with Disney, and how his fandom took him to create videos from the parks, and eventually move close to Walt Disney World! Video of the interview can be seen at https://youtu.be/R6C6WEABRng . 

Ryan Boeckman, educator, co-author of the My Disney Classroom book, and co-host of the My Disney Classroom podcast, visits the class to discuss his background, journey, and fandom of Disney. Video of the interview can be found at https://youtu.be/YZz1tZ46SOw . 

In this episode, I discuss the lessons that can be learned from the rivalry between the Walt Disney Company and Comcast Corporation! Video of the information can be seen at https://youtu.be/AAtwun7srd4 . 

Lee Cockerell, Retired Executive Vice President for Walt Disney World, visits the class to discuss his journey and work with the Walt Disney Company. Video of the interview can be seen at https://youtu.be/mTDBOMX1x_I .