Finding Walt Disney is a podcast dedicated to exploring the life and legacy of Walt Disney. Here you will find interviews with authors, historians and experts as well as many people who knew and worked with Walt and his brother Roy.
We will discuss everything from Walt's humble beginnings growing up on a farm in Marceline, Missouri to the beginnings of his career in animation in Kansas City to the creation of Disneyland and more!
In addition to exploring the history we will examine the present and look to the future of all aspects of the company that Walt and Roy built.
Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Android, Google Play or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Thank you for listening!
FindingWaltDisney.com
facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
twitter: @disneypodcast23
Instagram: @findingwaltdisneypodcast
#014 Halloween Podcast - Interview with Psychic Medium Author Michael J. Kouri
For Halloween I welcome back to the show famed Psychic Medium and Author, Michael J. Kouri. In this episode Michael shares true haunting stories of Disneyland and previews his new book on the spirits that haunt The Happiest Place on Earth.
Michael has authored more than 70 books including his most popular, 'The Ghost of Walt Disney and Me'. Although Michael never met Walt Disney in life, he shares several stories of encounters with Walt's spirit and many more ghostly tales.
You can learn more about Michael and even book one of his famous Southern California Ghost Tours by visiting his website -
ICGhosts.com
There you can also purchase any of Michael's books including 'The Ghost of Walt Disney and Me'.
Follow me on social media here:
https://www.facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
https://www.instagram.com/findingwaltdisneypodcast/
https://twitter.com/disneypodcast23
Thank you for listening and sharing with all your Disney loving friends and family.
Happy Halloween!
11 Sept 2020
#013 Walt Before Mickey - Disney's Early Years 1919 to 1928
In this episode I speak with author Timothy S. Susanin about his meticulously researched book 'Walt Before Mickey, Disney's Early Years, 1919-1928.'
Tim's book chronicles in exquisite detail, the life of Walt Disney and practically everyone he knew from his life as a teenager in Kansas City in 1919 and the formation of his first animation studios, to his move to Hollywood in the summer of 1923 and the eventual beginnings of the Disney Brothers Studio and Walt Disney Studios.
Through Tim's book we get a look into the life of Walt Disney and become familiar with him in new ways, through his family, friends, colleagues, employees, investors, neighbors and business associates. The community of people with whom Walt Disney associated during this critical period of his life are brought to life alongside him and open us up to seeing a side of Walt we never knew before.
If you think you have read everything you could about Walt Disney, think again, and pick up a copy of Tim Susanin's incredible book and get to know the Walt Disney we never really knew 'before Mickey'.
Please be sure to follow me on social media here:
https://www.facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
https://www.instagram.com/findingwaltdisneypodcast/
https://twitter.com/disneypodcast23
Thank you for listening!
22 May 2020
#012 Bob Gurr - Interview with a Disney Legend and Imagineer
In this episode I interview Disney Legend and Imagineer Bob Gurr about his incredible career working for Walt Disney. We discuss Bob's early life as a young boy through his time at WED Enterprises working directly for Walt Disney on the construction of Disneyland. Bob is often quoted as saying..."If it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it."
That quote is quite accurate considering Bob's impressive resume as designer of such iconic attraction ride vehicles as: the Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Disneyland Fire Engine, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride cars, and the OmniMover ride vehicle system, which appears most notoriously in the 'Doom Buggies' Haunted Mansion ride vehicles.
Bob is not only a Disney Legend, his career is legendary but it did not end when Bob officially left Disney in 1981. In fact, Bob not only continued to work as Designer for many years after leaving Disney, he is still working today!
Be sure to check back for a Part 2 of this podcast interview in which Bob and I will further explore his time at Disney and beyond.
You can learn more about Bob Gurr and his incredible life by visiting:
BobGurr.com
Bob also conducts Bus Tours in Southern California of historic and iconic locations that are significant to Walt Disney history. You can learn more about these incredible WaltLand Tours by visiting:
WaltLand.com
Be sure to follow The Finding Walt Disney podcast here to keep up to date on future episodes.
facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
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twitter.com/disneypodcast23
Thank you for listening! Be sure to share with all your Disney-loving friends and family!
10 Nov 2019
#010 The Walt Disney Birthplace - Chicago, Illinois
In this episode I interview Dina Benadon, co-owner of The Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, IL. Dina and her husband Brent Young purchased the home where Walt, Roy and their younger sister Ruth were all born and they have embarked on an extensive restoration project to turn the home into a 'Disney-worthy' destination.
The home, located in Chicago's Hermosa neighborhood at 2156 N.Tripp Avenue, was incidentally designed by Walt's mother, Flora and built by Walt's Father Elias Disney.
Joining Dina on the show is the project's Creative Director Jay Williams and Social Media/Marketing Director Maria Masada to share details of the scope of the project as well as the home's storied history.
Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a positive review or rating.
You can also follow me on social media at the following places:
https://www.facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
Instagram: @FindingWaltDisneyPodcast
Twitter: @DisneyPodcast23
Please share with all the Disney fans in your life.
Thank you for listening!
27 Oct 2019
#011 Walt Disney and Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
In this fun-filled episode we 'Deck the Halls with Disney' as I speak with world-renowned author and noted Disney Historian Jim Korkis. Jim shares many stories included in his book, 'Vault of Walt 7 - Christmas Edition' - Yuletide Tales of Walt Disney, Disney Theme Parks, Cartoons & More!
We learn about Walt's earliest memories of Christmastime from his childhood in Marceline and Kansas City to the first Christmas at Disneyland and so much more! Jim shares many behind-the-scenes stories of Walt Disney, including some never heard before.
Jim Korkis is the author of 27 books on Walt Disney, Disney Theme Parks, Animation and History and he's busy writing more!
If my talk with Jim has you filled with the Christmas spirit, then be sure to click the Amazon link above these show notes and bring home your own copy of 'Vault of Walt 7 - Christmas Edition'.
You can learn more about Jim Korkis and explore the extensive list of books he has authored by visiting:
http://themeparkpress.com/
Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a positive review or rating.
You can also follow me on social media at the following places:
https://www.facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
Instagram: @FindingWaltDisneyPodcast
Twitter: @DisneyPodcast23
Please share with all the Disney fans in your life.
Thank you for listening!
5 Oct 2019
#009 Disneyland's First Host - An Interview with Bob D'Arcy
Bob D'Arcy was just 22 years old and fresh out of the US Army when his father told him of a potential job opening at a new concept in entertainment called Disneyland. Shortly after returning from his post in Alaska to the family home in Southern California, Bob's first stateside job was delivering blueprints to contractors throughout the new theme park's construction site...in Walt Disney's own Jeep. His duties soon expanded to giving tours of the site to investors.
Join me and Bob and we discuss his book 'A Walk In The Park - Reflections From Disneyland's First Host'. Be there as Bob relives giving tours to not only investors in the park, but later to many celebrities and public figures as well and learn why Bob calls this book a 'love story'.
You can buy Bob's book by clicking on the Amazon link above.
Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a positive review or rating.
You can also follow me on social media at the following places:
https://www.facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
Instagram: @FindingWaltDisneyPodcast
Twitter: @DisneyPodcast23
Please share with all the Disney fans in your life.
Thank you for listening!
28 Sept 2019
#008 The Ghost of Walt Disney and Me - HALLOWEEN PODCAST EPISODE!!!
In this Halloween episode I talk with world-renowned author and psychic-medium Michael J. Kouri about his book 'The Ghost of Walt Disney and Me'. Michael is a famed psychic-medium who has authored more than 70 books as of the publishing date of this podcast.
We discuss everything from Michael's book to his experiences with the ghost of Walt Disney and his many interactions with dozens of people and celebrities who knew Walt in life, including Lillian Disney, Diane Disney-Miller, Roy E. Disney, Ray Bradbury, Mae West and many, many others.
Michael has appeared as a guest on dozens of television series around the world and has served as psychic-medium consultant on film and television projects at most of the major networks and studios. When he is not writing or appearing on television, Michael conducts 'Haunted Tours' of some of the most iconic haunted locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.
You can learn more about Michael by visiting his website:
ICGHOSTS.com
Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave a positive review or rating.
You can also follow me on social media at the following places:
https://www.facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
Instagram: @FindingWaltDisneyPodcast
Twitter: @DisneyPodcast23
Please share with all the Disney fans in your life.
Thank you for listening!
25 Aug 2019
#007 Walt Disney's Marceline, Missouri - A Talk with Kaye Malins
Kaye Malins met Walt Disney when she was just eight years old and knew him for the next ten years until his untimely passing in 1966. Kaye lives on the Disney family farm in Marceline, Missouri where Walt and Roy lived with their family from April 1906 until the summer of 1911.
Join me as I talk with Kaye about her family's business with the Disney's in the never-realized 'Marceline Project', her lifelong friendship with Walt and Roy's youngest sibling Ruth, and her ongoing work as Executive Director of The Walt Disney Hometown in Marceline.
You can learn start planning your own trip to Marceline to walk in the footsteps of Walt and Roy Disney by checking out the museum's website:
WaltDisneyMuseum.org
Be sure you stop by and say hi to Kaye and all of the wonderful volunteers at The Walt Disney Hometown Museum.
You can find me on social media here:
Facebook.com/FindingWaltDisney
Instagram: @FindingWaltDisneyPodcast
Twitter: @DisneyPodcast23
Be sure to share, subscribe and comment!
Thank you for listening.
11 Aug 2019
#006 Interview with Rolly Crump - Imagineer and Disney Legend
Rolly Crump began his Disney career in 1952 at the age of 22 as an 'In-Betweener' working in Animation. After working on such notable films as 'Peter Pan', '101 Dalmatians' and 'Sleeping Beauty', Rolly was selected by Walt Disney himself to join WED, present-day Walt Disney Imagineering to help with the design and construction of Disneyland.
Join me in this delightful interview with Imagineer, Rolly Crump for some never-before-heard stories and insight into the life of this Disney Legend.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Rolly authored the book 'Its Kind of a Cute Story' with Rolly Crump as Told to Jeff Heimbuch. Follow the links below to get your copy and immerse yourself in Disney history with one of Walt's original Imagineers.
Rolly's book:
ItsKindofaCuteStory.com
Find me on Social Media:
Facebook.com/FindingWaltDisney
Instagram.com/FindingWaltDisneyPodcast
Twitter.com/DisneyPodcast23
Thank you for listening!
29 Jul 2019
#005 Lost Disneyland Attraction 'Midget Autopia' in Marceline, Missouri
Walt Disney Hometown Museum volunteer and Marceline resident Lee Hoover talks with me about the progress of the 'Midget Autopia' walking track. Lee shares a history of the Disneyland attraction 'Midget Autopia' that was famously relocated from its home at Disneyland to Marceline, Missouri as a gift from Walt Disney in 1966. The attraction remained in operation at Walt Disney Municipal Park in Marceline for eleven years until its closure in 1977.
Plans are still ongoing to hopefully one day bring the fully operational attraction back to Marceline with the help and hard work of volunteers like Lee Hoover.
FindingWaltDisney.com
WaltDisneyMuseum.org
9 Jun 2019
#004 Walt Disney Hometown Museum - Marceline, Missouri
Join me for this insightful interview with Peter Whitehead, Creative Director of The Walt Disney Hometown Musuem in Marceline, Missouri. In this interview Peter discusses the origins of the museum and the future plans which keep him and Executive Director Kaye Malins busy throughout the year.
You can learn more about the museum and start planning your own visit to Walt Disney's boyhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri by visiting:
https://www.waltdisneymuseum.org
Be sure to visit my website for more podcast episodes at:
FindingWaltDisney.com
19 May 2019
#003 'Walt Disney's Missouri' - Interview with Dan Viets
My interview with author Dan Viets who co-authored the book 'Walt Disney's Missouri, a comprehensive and well researched volume that details Walt's life from his humble beginnings in Marceline to the start of his animation career in Kansas City.
Dan is also president of 'Thank You Walt Disney', a non-profit which was established to save, preserve and restore Walt Disney's Laugh O' Gram Studios in Kansas City.
You can learn more about Dan Viets at:
ThankYouWaltDisney.org
Thank you for listening!
FindingWaltDisney.com
facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
twitter: @disneypodcast23
5 May 2019
#002 'Eat Like Walt' - Interview with Marcy Carriker Smothers
In this revealing interview I speak with radio personality and author Marcy Carriker Smothers about her book 'Eat Like Walt'. Marcy's book is a culinary treat for anyone who believes that food just tastes better at Disneyland.
Her book offers not only a trip down memory lane for Disneyland history buffs, but also a remarkable collection of historical artifacts and stories related to the restaurants at the Walt Disney Studios as well as insight into Walt Disney's family life at home.
You can learn more about Marcy at:
EatLikeWalt.com
FoodWineMarcy.com
Be sure to follow Marcy on Instagram to keep up with her many adventures in food and Disneyland!
@eatlikewalt
@foodwinemarcy
Thank you for listening!
FindingWaltDisney.com
facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
twitter: @disneypodcast23
21 Apr 2019
#001 Finding Walt Disney - Pilot
Finding Walt Disney is a podcast dedicated to exploring the life and legacy of Walt Disney. Here you will find interviews with authors, historians and experts as well as many people who knew and worked with Walt and his brother Roy.
We discuss everything from Walt's humble beginnings growing up on a farm in Marceline, Missouri to the beginnings of his career in animation in Kansas City to the creation of Disneyland and more!
In addition to exploring the history we will examine the present and look to the future of all aspects of the company that Walt and Roy built.
Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Android, Google Play or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Thank you for listening!
FindingWaltDisney.com
facebook.com/findingwaltdisney
twitter: @disneypodcast23
Instagram: @findingwaltdisneypodcast
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4.8 / 5
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