Voice Acting Legends: Jim Cummings, Joan Van Ark & Phil Cunningham Share Their Stories

This episode features three remarkable conversations with entertainment industry veterans who have left indelible marks on their respective fields.Jim Cummings, the legendary voice behind Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and countless other beloved Disney characters, shares his incredible journey from doing impressions in the back of classrooms to becoming one of the most prolific voice actors in animation history. Starting his professional career in 1984 at age 30, Cummings discusses the emotional moment when Paul Winchell, the original voice of Tigger, passed the torch to him with the words "take care of my little buddy for me, kid." He reveals how he creates characters by combining imperfections—explaining that his Star Wars character Hondo Ohnaka came from mixing "bad Yul Brynner and bad Charles Bronson." From singing as the California Raisins to voicing the big bad wolf, Tasmanian Devil, and appearing throughout Disney's theme parks worldwide, Cummings reflects on bringing joy to generations who tell him "you raised me, you're the voice of my childhood."Joan Van Ark takes listeners behind the scenes of her 14-year run on the hit primetime soap opera "Knots Landing" and her memorable appearances on "Dallas." The accomplished actress reveals how heartbreak at age 14—when the high school quarterback asked someone else to prom—led her to audition for community theater and discover her true calling. Van Ark shares the touching story of her iconic "face washing scene" on Knots Landing, a five-minute uninterrupted take that remains her proudest work. She discusses the full-circle moment when Julie Harris, who had paved the way for her scholarship to Yale Drama School years earlier, was cast as her mother on the show. Van Ark also opens up about navigating the entertainment industry's evolution, her close friendships with co-stars Michelle Lee and Donna Mills, and her compassion for former co-star Alec Baldwin during his current challenges.Phil Cunningham, founder of Sunrise Animation Studios and director of the animated film "David," shares how a vision 37 years ago while canoeing down Africa's Zambezi River inspired him to create an epic retelling of the biblical story. Cunningham explains why David's flawed but wholehearted character resonates so deeply with audiences and why he assembled a team of 400-500 people across 32 countries—including veterans from Pixar and DreamWorks—to create what he calls an "Arc de Triomphe" of animated films rather than just another TV movie. He reveals the 10-year journey to bring this musical to life, featuring Phil Wickham as adult David and Lauren Daigle in the cast, while staying authentic to the source material through four research trips to Israel. Cunningham's passion for storytelling and his desire to inspire audiences to "take on the giants in their lives" shines through as he discusses championing mothers, the importance of music in revealing David's heart, and creating an adventure that transcends the familiar David and Goliath story.