Synergy Loves Company: How Disney Connects to Everything

Eric Visited the Universal Studios Orlando parks for the first time in over 30 years.  In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, Eric delves into the historical rivalry between Disney and Universal Studios. From the early days of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to the developments of Disneyland and Universal Studios, Eric breaks down the competition between these entertainment giants. He also shares his r...

In this episode, we explore the unique connection between Disney and the Olympics. We will pit each Disney Olympic moment up against eachother in competition for the Glory of the games! from Walt Disney's influence at the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics to the design of commemorative pins for the 2004 Athens games see which moments earn the Gold Medal on our show. We delve into Disney's impact o...

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric delves into the fascinating history of Disney, the Internet, and go.com . From Walt Disney's innovative foresight into budding technologies to the rise and fall of go.com , Eric discusses the merging of Disney with Starwave and Infoseek, the birth of the Go network, the dotcom bubble burst, and the lingering legacy of go.com in today's Disney par...

In this episode, Eric shares an episode from Rare Cuts Media Society where they discuss Disney's 2005 film, Sky High, as part of their superhero summer series. The movie's cast, and the concept of Sky High are explored by the RCMS Panel: Synergy Host Eric and the rest of the Rare Cust team, Rob Lachcik, Andrew Jagoda, and Mike Ross. Sky High is a Disney Film, so theres plenty of Disney to go aroun...

In this episode, we delve into actor John Stamos' deep connection to Disney, from his upbringing near Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm to his roles in various Disney projects, including Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Mickey Mouse Fun House, and his role in the Disney Plus series "Big Shot." He also made appearances in Disney TV specials. Additionally, we explore Stamos' new book “If...

In today's episode, we're riding a wave of Disney magic with the Beach Boys. Host Eric takes us on a journey through the intertwined history of the iconic surf rock band and the Disney empire, just in time for the debut of the Disney+ documentary about the band!. From their songs featured in Disney projects to their collaborations with Annette Funicello and appearances in TV shows like Home Improv...

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric jumps into the connections between Disney and Las Vegas. From exploring the Disney-like spaces in Las Vegas to examining the influence of Disney on the city's resorts and attractions, Eric uncovers the surprising ties between the two entertainment giants. He discusses the Disney connections in various Las Vegas resorts, the intertwining of MGM an...

In this episode, Eric dives deep into the world of Disney Legends with guest Jamie Hecker, Author of Disney Legends: Makers of Magic Vol. 1. Eric tries to find an answer to the question What Makes a Disney Legend, Jamie helps him figure out what it takes by reflecting on past inductees and discussing potential future honorees. From visual artists and animators to composers and actors, the conversa...

In this episode, Eric takes us on a behind-the-scenes cinematic journey through his visit to the Warner Brothers studio tour in Burbank, California. He explores the connections between Disney and the iconic Hollywood studio, revealing surprising ties and shared histories. From classic movies to beloved sitcoms, Eric uncovers the Disney magic in unexpected places. Disney Parks experiences like the...

On this episode, we connect with Disney in a different way, as we dive into the magical world of Disneyland with special guest Kristen Carr, from The Happiest Club On Eart, and Moustalgia Fast Pass podcast. Get insider tips, recommendations, and delightful anecdotes from a Disneyland local as host Eric Hathhorn also gears up for his first visit. Eric learns how he can better connect with Disneylan...

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the classic 1954 film "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" with friends from Rare Cuts Media Society. Synergy Host Eric and the rest of the Rare Cust team, Rob Lachcik, Andrew Jagoda, and Mike Ross explore the film's iconic elements, from Kirk Douglas' unexpected musical numbers to the portrayal of Captain Nemo. They also discuss the historical signif...

Swifties and Disney Fans have a lot in common! In this episode, Eric is joined by his friend Sarah Jagoda and his daughter Maddie: Two Disney and Taylor Swift fans, to better help him understand the Eras and the Fandom. Together they play a game called EARas (get it like Mickey Ears) where the swifties try to determine which Disney Character best fits the vibe of the era. All the while Eric points...

Eric looks back at one of the origins of his Disney obsession. DTV was Disney Channel’s answer to MTV in the 1980s. Each episode of the series featured Disney animation clips choreographed to popular music of the time. Eric explores the impact MTV had on Disney’s decision to make this series. He takes a look at the legacy of DTV in Disney History, and exposes some parallels between Walt Disney Pro...

Matt Parrish from the thirty20eight podcast stops by to talk about Disney Super Bowl halftime shows! Since 1977 The Walt Disney Company has produced six Super Bowl Halftime shows. Two were Small World Themed, two were tributes to Hollywood, and all of them were Spectacular. Shows feature stars like Mickey Rooney, George Burns, the New Kids on the Block, President George H.W. Bush, Phil Collins, Ch...

Join Eric for a Look into Disney 100: the Exhibition now on display in Chicago. In this episode, he recounts his visit to the pop-up exhibit and counts down his favorite items from each of the ten galleries on display. Disney 100: the Exhibition was presented by the Walt Disney Archives as part of the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration. The traveling exhibit that started in Philadelphia is currently...

Eric Welcomes Super Star Wars fan Andrew from the Rare Cuts Media Society to talk all about George Lucas and Disney…but not necessarily Star Wars. George Lucas has been a force in filmmaking technology in the movies he made and the Companies he started, Like Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). But he also did a lot for the Disney Company and that was all before he sold his LucasFilm to Disney. In th...

Read transcript Eric shares a special Christmas list with you this holiday season. It's a list of Disney Christmas History! Fun and exciting ways you can learn more about Christmas and Disney. He offers up some of his favorite Disney Christmas books to stuff in your stocking, films to cozy up and watch in the light of your Christmas tree, and podcasts to punctuate all of your Christmas season task...

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Eric Serves up a feast of Disney Turkeys from both onscreen and in real life. Turkeys in Shorts like Chicken Little, Cold Turkey with Pluto, and Turkey Catchers featuring Mickey Donald and Pluto. For a healthy portion of American History, he explores Disney’s ties to the Presidents and the original Modern Thanksgiving Celebration. He also takes a bite out of one of t...

Join Eric for a trip report of his exploration of the Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago. Uncover the humble beginnings of the Disney legacy as he delves into the historical significance of the home where Walt and Roy Disney were born. He visited during Open House Chicago and during the Disney 100 years of Wonder anniversary of the Walt Disney Company when the birthplace opens its doors to the publ...

Join Eric and his special guest, Smithsonian Museum Specialist, Bethanee Bemis, as they explore Mirror Mirror: Reflections of America in the Disney Parks, an Exhibit about the Disney Park’s influence on the American Narrative at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. As the driving force behind the exhibit, Bethanee shares what goes into making a Museum Exhibit and Some of her favori...

Raise a glass to the Disney Family of Wines! Join Eric and his special guest, Keri, his wife, as they pop the corks on a collection of wines known as the Disney Family of Wines. Once a staple at the Disney Food and Wine Festivals and on menus at Disney restaurants, the family of wines has had a presence in the parks. Each wine in the Disney Family of Wines has a special connection to the Disney co...

In this Very Special Episode, Eric celebrates National Library Card Sign Up Month! What better way to celebrate getting your library card than with a countdown of my favorite Disney Librarians done in Dewey Decimal Style! We take a look at animated librarians, like Monsters University. Disney Junior Librarians Like in Mira Royal Detective. Movie Detectives like Abigail Chase from National Treasure...

Join Eric as he explores the connections between Disney and Steve Martin. Most recently Steve Martin has co-created Only Murders in the Building For Disney’s 20th Century television and Hulu.  But he has a much deeper history with the company. Though he has acted in a few Touchstone Films and published some books under Disney’s Hyperion Press, Disney has actually done more for Steve Martin.  In th...

Join Eric as he explores the connections between Disney and Martin Short. Short plays Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building for Disney’s Hulu. But that's not the first time Martin Short worked with the Walt Disney Company! Martin Short has starred in Disney and Touchstone Movies, Done voice-over work for animated projects, Guest Starred in many Disney television shows, and Taken the lead r...

Join Eric as explores the connections between Disney and Selena Gomez. Once a Disney Channel star as a kid, she has gone out on her own to pursue a more grown-up image, only to return to the Walt Disney Company in their Hulu/20th Century Television Production Only Murders in the Building. Selena had a starring role on Wizards of Waverly Plance, as well as a very successful music career with Disney...