Notably Disney

Last fall saw the release of a massive new autobiography from legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Weis, who ultimately led Walt Disney Imagineering as its president toward the end of his career with the company. Dream Chasing: My Four Decades of Success and Failure with Walt Disney Imagineering recounts Bob’s amazing time with Disney Imagineering, working on new theme parks like the Disney-MGM Studios and Tokyo DisneySea to conceptualizing projects that never materialized. It’s a wonderful look at not only one person’s career, but also the major endeavors that they contributed to. Joining host Brett Nachman to review this title are Emily McDermott and Courtney Guth from the Book the Mouse Club podcast.  Be sure to check out the Book of the Mouse Club podcast on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts. Their email is bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com Also make sure you follow Book of the Mouse Club on Instagram (@bookofthemouse), along with each of the hosts: Courtney (@greatguthsby) and Emily (@emily_mickde)

Notably Disney commonly features conversations with composers and musicians responsible for developing many of the scores we love, including those in the theme parks. Rarely, however, has host Brett Nachman had the opportunity to speak with a musicologist who disentangles such tunes. Joining Brett on this episode is Dr. Gregory Camp, a senior lecturer of music at the University of Auckland School of Music. Later this year, Camp's new book, Music in the Disney Theme Parks, will be published through Routledge. Gregory discusses with Brett what’s in store in this academic title that peers into the music that completely envelops us when visiting a Disney destination.  Learn more about Dr. Camp's work by visiting his faculty profile page on the University of Auckland website. Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com  New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Animator, director, and voice artist Stephen Anderson has held a variety of roles with The Walt Disney Company for more than two decades. Perhaps he is best known as co-director of 2011’s Winnie the Pooh and 2007’s Meet the Robinsons, including as the voice of the eccentric Bowler Hat Guy. Today he joins host Brett Nachman on Notably Disney to discuss his journey in covering two decades of seeming overlooked Disney history via the comprehensive book Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986, published by The Old Mill Press. Steve shares the undertaking of compiling around 20 years into 450 pages or thereabouts, including the lessons learned from a period of reconciliation and change for the Mouse House.  Purchase a signed copy of Disney In-Between on The Old Mill Press website. Follow Stephen on Instagram, Bluesky, and X (@SteveHatGuy). Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com  New episodes of

Before the clock strikes the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney’s masterpiece Cinderella, the release of the full written score of the animated film invites musicians and aficionados to engage with this work. Today’s guest on Notably Disney is arranger and orchestrator Shawn Degenhart, responsible for this new release. Shawn joins host Brett Nachman to share the process of translating the beloved score by Oliver Wallace and Paul Smith to wider audiences.  Check out Shawn's work and purchase a copy of the full score on his website: degenhartmusic.com! Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com  New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

On this second part of a two-part special episode, host Brett Nachman is joined by podcaster and performer Tammy Tuckey as they continue to share their selections of their 25 favorite Disney songs from the past 25 years. Top picks include tunes by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Alan Mencken, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more! Be sure to follow Tammy on Twitter (@TammyTuckey) Instagram (@TammyTuckey), Facebook (Facebook.com/SingerTammyTuckey), and YouTube, where you can listen to her interviews with amazing Disney personalities. Look for The Tammy Tuckey Show wherever you listen to podcasts! And visit Tammy's website: TammyTuckey.com Feel free to reach out to Brett via BlueSky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com  New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

As we enter a new quarter-century, it only seems appropriate to look back at the last 25 years, essentially 2000-2024. Many Disney songs have debuted over this period across all spaces, including film, television, the parks, Broadway stage, and across divisions like Pixar, Marvel, and more. This is a perfect opportunity to highlight what are some of our favorite and, arguably the best, Disney songs over 25 years. Joining host Brett Nachman in this two-part round-up of tunes is podcaster and singer Tammy Tuckey of The Tammy Tuckey Show, a frequent and favorite guest of Notably Disney. Brett and Tammy share their selections, including songs from Stephen Schwartz, Randy Newman, Alan Menken, and Jonatha Brooke.  Be sure to follow Tammy on Twitter (@TammyTuckey) Instagram (@TammyTuckey), Facebook (Facebook.com/SingerTammyTuckey), and YouTube, where you can listen to her interviews with amazing Disney personalities. Look for The Tammy Tuckey Show wherever you listen to podcasts! And visit Tammy's website: TammyTuck

The videos created by today’s guest, a singer whose powerful and crisp voice delights listeners from ear to ear, have generated millions of views. Stephen Scaccia belts out tunes from our favorite artists across his many social media platforms and via live performances. Some pieces stem from classic Disney films, for which many have seen on YouTube. Today on Notably Disney, Stephen joins host Brett Nachman to discuss his passion for music, career trajectory, and what Disney music brings to his life. Along the way he shares stories of singing with Michael Bublé and having performers like Mariah Carey and Halley Bailey check out his renditions of their music. Check out Stephen's work on his website (stephenscaccia.com), his YouTube channel, TikTok, and Instagram. You may also find him performing as part of The Famous Players Band. Feel free to reach out to Brett via BlueSky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com  New episodes of Notably D

As we reach the end of 2024, many individuals may start thinking about planning their next vacation. Returning to Notably Disney is travel journalist Seth Kubersky, the longtime author behind The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando series. The Disneyland 2025 book was recently released, with Universal Orlando 2025 debuting in early December. Seth joins host Brett Nachman to share new considerations for prepping for future trips and what the team at The Unofficial Guide has engaged in to get ready for all the changes happening at the parks.  Pick up a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2025 (written by Seth Kubersky, with Bob Sehlinger, Len Testa and Guy Selga Jr.) and The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025 (written by Seth Kubersky with Alicia Stella) via your local bookstore or The Unofficial Guides website. Follow Seth on Instagram (@skubersky), as well as The Unofficial Guides on Instagram (@theunofficialguides) and Facebook (The Unofficial Guides).

When you think of film scores, perhaps one name comes to mind more than any other: the legendary John Williams. In the new documentary on Disney+, entitled Music by John Wililams, director Laurent Bouzereau helps tell the story and impact of John’s work across the worlds of film, music, and more. Along the way we hear from the maestro himself, along with his good friends, including Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, and additional collaborators over his many decades-long career. Joining host Brett Nachman to discuss the documentary and Williams’ work is fellow podcaster and friend Trent Vactor, who has been on Notably Disney before to discuss some of Williams’ scores, including for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.  Follow Trent Vactor on Instagram (@Vactor). Subscribe to the Vactor-Verse content, featuring comic book shorts, discussions and more on YouTube (@Vactor-Verse). Trust in the Force covers Star Wars material, whereas This Comic COOKS! centers on everything comics

What makes a true Disney legend? On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman speaks with the woman featured in a moving and personal title just published by Disney Editions. In Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey through The Happiest Place on Earth, recently-named Disney Legend Martha Blanding tells her decades-long story of reaching significant milestones as a Disneyland cast member and tour-guide-turned VIP tour hostess and ultimately senior manager of Disneyland Resort Merchandise Special Events. This new book, also written by renowned public relations executive and author Tim O’Day, relays a most touching, impressive, and deeply impactful autobiography of perseverance and magical memories in both the worlds of Disney and broader society. Brett speaks with Martha and Tim to discuss “Groundbreaking Magic," including tales of interacting with A-list celebrities, hosting cool events at Disneyland, and hearing the news of Martha being named a Disney Legend.  To learn more about Groundbreaki

Author David A. Bossert experienced a successful career with The Walt Disney Company over multiple decades and in various roles. Over recent years he has written books for The Old Mill Press, as he has previously appeared on Notably Disney to discuss them. Find Your Happy Place: The 8 Step Guide to Boosting Your Creativity through a Personal Retreat, his newest book, offers support to all readers on adopting actionable strategies to embrace what a personal retreat can afford. Host Brett Nachman sits down with Dave to discuss the value of these retreats. Pick up a an author-signed copy of Find Your Happy Place by visiting TheOldMillPress.com. Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

15 years ago Disney released a documentary directed and written by Theodore Thomas that unveiled a relatively unexplored part of Disney history, at least in film form: when Walt and his colleagues were commissioned by the United States government to engage in a goodwill trip down to Latin and South America to forge positive relationships with their governments and peoples. Now, Thomas, as well as celebrated Disney authors Didier Ghez and JB Kaufman, have assembled to produce Walt Disney & El Grupo in Latin America, a new monograph from the Hyperion Historical Alliance, which offers a day-by-day telling of the experience with glorious photography, narrative accounts, and other details. On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman invites in Ted Thomas, Didier Chez, and JB Kaufman to discuss the creation of this visually-stunning and very detailed account of the journey Walt and colleagues embarked on.  To pick up a copy of Walt Disney & El Grupo in Latin America, check out the Stuart NG Books

This marks the 150th episode of Notably Disney. How time flies. Five and a half years later, host Brett Nachman continues to find joy and magic in producing this podcast that spotlights the important contributions that Disney authors, musicians, composers, and songwriters make in the world of Disney, as well as the fun and engagement that fellow Disney fans and podcasters bring to this shared passion. In honor of the very special occasion, Brett wanted to bring in some past guests, approximately two dozen of them, to share their memories of being on the show and connections to Disney music or books. Hear some of their recollections and messages on this very special episode!  Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Elyse Willis is an accomplished vocalist and lyricist, having joined Notably Disney several years ago alongside her husband, composer Christopher Willis, to discuss their contributions to the amazing Mickey Mouse shorts. On this episode of Notably Disney, Elyse returns to discuss with host Brett Nachman the business and working life of a vocalist, mentoring students via the Disney Imagination Campus program, providing the operatic voice of an operatic space slug in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, singing in series like Galavant and WandaVision, and much more! Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Author and Disney expert Aaron Wallace has long attended D23 Expo, now called D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, and recently attended the amazing Anaheim experience. Aaron, a longtime guest and friend of the podcast, is here to join host Brett Nachman to dish on everything he experienced and what we as Disney aficionados can be excited about over the coming years. Among the talking points include examining the logistics and execution of D23's ticketing and reservation system, the music-themed presentations and panels on topics like Mary Poppins and The Sherman Brothers, the star-studded and performance-heavy Honda Center events, and much more. Needless to say, Aaron and Brett have some hot takes on some of the theme parks announcements that surfaced and, at least for Brett, strong opinions on recent Disney Legends inductees. Aaron also shares some details about the recent Witches Run Amok: The Oral History of Disney's Hocus Pocus book, for which he contributed his knowledge and perspectives within Shannon C

Whereas sometimes social media and online videos can be filled with much noise, other times this content brings unbridled joy to users and viewers. Actor, composer, singer, and songwriter Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz is one of those people who exudes brightness, creativity, and optimism in all of his work, crafting videos and performances across his channels, with most of the content centering on obscure and under-appreciated Disney tunes, including original creations. On this episode of Notably Disney Noah host Brett Nachman to share about his trajectory into the arts, career with The Walt Disney Company, and content that you can find on his many platforms. Among the great stories include working with voice artist Corey Burton, crafting content for Imagineering, and assembling amazing Disney medleys! Check out Noah's work across his website, Instagram (@noahsundaylefkowitz), TikTok (@noahsundaylefkowtiz), and YouTube (Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz). Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe

Earlier in 2024 on Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman and guest Matthew Hodge (professor and author) discussed some of their favorite Disney songs and scores, and then provided recommendations on other selections that you may not have heard of. Today the duo is back, specifically to discuss their recommendations of Disney songs if you enjoy other similar choices. It's a fun game of "if you like this, then you love these" options. Learn more about Matt's work by visiting his website. And be sure to purchase a copy of Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney, his award-winning book about Disney and jazz, by visiting Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

On May 25, 2024 the world lost a legendary songwriter emblematic of the term Disney Legend. Richard M. Sherman, who, with his brother Robert, wrote some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century and into the 21st century, too, passed away at the age of 95. It’s almost impossible to sum up Richard’s life and legacy in the span of a few sentences, or even over this conversation, though I want to create space to honor a man whose music and spirit will continue to illuminate our lives for generations to come. On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman is joined by two individuals who knew, wrote about, and worked with Richard over the years. Author Jeff Kurtti is a celebrated Disney author who has written several dozen books about various facets of Disney. Central to this dialogue, he is the co-producer of The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story documentary and an editor on the Walt’s Time: From Before to Beyond book about the Sherman Brothers. Author Jim Fanning is an accomplished Disney author of m

Earlier in 2024 on Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman and guest Matthew Hodge (professor and author) discussed some of their favorite Disney songs and scores, and then provided recommendations on other selections that you may not have heard of. Today the duo is back, specifically to discuss their recommendations of Disney scores if you enjoy other similar choices. It's a fun game of "if you like this, then you love these" options. Learn more about Matt's work by visiting his website. And be sure to purchase a copy of Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney, his award-winning book about Disney and jazz, by visiting Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Two decades later, and we are still on the chase for some unexpected historical discoveries. In 2004, Disney released the surprise hit film National Treasure, starring Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates, a modern-day treasure hunter, and the film has since spawned a sequel, television series, and more. Drs. Aubrey R. Paris and Emily M. Black are the hosts of the National Treasure Hunt podcast and authors of the book National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy, for which they discussed during their last appearance on Notably Disney. On this episode, Emily and Aubrey are back as they discuss their thoughts of Trevor Rabin’s scores from the films and series with host Brett Nachman. It's even more poignant since the original film celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! Follow National Treasure Hunt on Twitter (@NTHuntPodcast) and Instagram (@nthuntpodcast). Learn more about the National Treasure Hunt content on their website: nthuntpodcast.com  Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter @bnachmanreports, subscribe