Notably Disney
by Brett Nachman
Welcome to Notably Disney, the ultimate Disney podcast on music and books. This podcast provides critique, commentary, reviews, and insight into the past and present of all aspects of The Walt Disney Company as it pertains to songs, scores, and writing. Featuring interviews with authors, social media personalities, historians, and other Disney fans, Notably Disney showcases conversations covering the wide gamut of Disney, from the theme parks and Broadway productions, to television and film.
Episodes
-
Remembering Disney's World War 2 Efforts via a New Book by Author Dave Bossert
At an age when Disney animation had transitioned into developing complete features, the United States and the broader world was thrust into a global conflict with the travesties associated with World War 2. Disney was commissioned to produce a number of shorts, featurettes, and other efforts to...
-
Disneyland Planning with Author Seth Kubersky of "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2027"
When the fall rolls around it means not only the release of new editions of The Unofficial Guides series, but a good excuse for making plans for a future trip. On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman welcomes back travel journalist Seth Kubersky of The Unofficial Guides books, who...
-
Centering "The Wonderful Worlds of Disney" Scenic Art Book with Author Didier Ghez
Everything helps tell a narrative in a Disney animated feature or short, from the script and music to the characters and effects. No truer is this than a core feature of every picture: the scenic art. These backgrounds paint a picture of the tone and context. Over the years dozens of Disney...
-
Charting 30 Years of "Muppet Treasure Island" with ToughPigs' Joe Hennes and Ryan Roe
For years one space online has represented a hub of Muppets information, news, opinions, and fun content, and it’s called ToughPigs.com, so it only made sense to enlist two of its key figures for a tribute episode to the 30th anniversary of one of the Muppets’ classic parodies: Muppet Treasure...
-
Composer Mike Rubino Scores Major Points with New Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Music
Here on Notably Disney we often think about the background score as setting the mood and energy of the visuals we are enveloped in. Composer Mike Rubino plays a major role in accomplishing that, whether in contributing scoring to marketing materials for films like Avengers: Endgame, Tron Legacy,...
-
Opening the Pages of the International Journal of Disney Studies
Studying Disney has reached a new level of appreciation in academic settings through the relatively recent debut of the International Journal of Disney Studies. In this journal readers can find a variety of pieces about all aspects of The Walt Disney Company with a scholarly sensibility. On this...
-
Author Roland Betancourt Levers New Insights in "Disneyland and the Rise of Automation"
In the new book Disneyland and the Rise of Automation: How Technology Created the Happiest Place on Earth, scholar Dr. Roland Betancourt deconstructs how Walt’s original family park served as a foundational space for automation during a time when humans increasingly relied on technology for many…
more -
Composer Mark Isham Discusses "Eight Below" Turning 20 Years and His Accomplished Career
Legendary composer Mark Isham has, for decades, provided some of the most dynamic film scores of our time with his distinct style that has drawn on many styles, including jazz and electronic music. His association with Disney dates back to 1983 with Never Cry Wolf and he has since crafted a…
more -
Composer Cyrus Reynolds Builds a Powerful Score for "Disneyland Handcrafted"
Recently debuting on Disney+ the documentary Disneyland Handcrafted spectacularly shows the development of Walt’s original family park in compelling fashion by storied filmmaker Leslie Iwerks. Layered into this amazing documentary is the music of composer Cyrus Reynolds, who crafts compelling and...
-
Author Stephen Hall Dispenses Knowledge in "A Spoonful of Sugar: The Story of the Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland"
In the earliest days of Disneyland, guests could visit a replica of a pharmacy on Main Street, replete with artifacts and exhibits. In the new book A Spoonful of Sugar: The Story of the Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland author and historian Stephen Hall pours out lots of new knowledge about how the...
-
Deconstructing "Tron" Music with Jonathan Goodman
For some movies, the music is as much of a character as the figures we see on screen. In the case of the three installments of Tron, the score represents one of the most core elements. Whether Wendy Carlos’ work in the original 1982 film, Daft Punk’s and Joseph Trapanese’s contributions for Tron:...
-
Disney Book Collecting 101
Emily McDermott and Courtney Kern of the late Book of the Mouse Club podcast have long been on Notably Disney, helping review a variety of books over the years. But one question has never quite surfaced in these conversations: how do you become a Disney book collector? Such is the spark of…
more -
Disney Treasure Trip Report: Sailing the Caribbean with Disney Cruise Line
What is it like to sail one of the newest Disney Cruise Line ships? On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman is joined by author, professor, and musician Matthew Hodge, a frequent podcast guest, to discuss their time on the Disney Treasure. This sixth ship in the DCL fleet launched…
more -
Walt Disney's "Fantasia" and "Worlds to Conquer" with Author J.B. Kaufman
Author J.B. Kaufman has been long known as one of the most capable Disney historians to cover work from early on in the company’s history, ranging from Pinocchio to the Silly Symphonies shorts. This tradition continues with Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney’s Fantasia, newly...
-
"Making Mary Poppins" with Author Todd James Pierce
Sixty years later it remains one of the most enduring and beloved Disney movies of all time. Mary Poppins, based on the PL Travers stories, has even inspired a making of film through 2013’s Saving Mr. Banks. In tandem, the late songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman, responsible for the classic...
-
Diving into Piano Playing for Disney Cruise Line with Clay Barnard (Part 2)
Pianist, composer, and vocalist Clay Barnard of Disney Cruise Line continues his discussion with host Brett Nachman about what it's like to play for DCL. On the last episode he shared his career origins, whereas on this episode Clay details the process of creating piano sets on the Disney ships,...
-
Diving into Piano Playing for Disney Cruise Line with Clay Barnard (Part 1)
It’s not every day that you can call a cruise ship as your home, but in the case of Clay Barnard, that’s a reality. Clay is a pianist, composer, and vocalist who has entertained numerous guests on Disney Cruise Line. Recently host Brett Nachman had the opportunity to listen to Clay in action when...
-
Analyzing "Beauty and the Beast" Stage Adaptations
Beauty and the Beast remains not only one of the most beloved and enduring animated classics out of the Disney library, but also one of its most popular to feature across various stage adaptations. On this episode of Notably Disney, author, musician, and professor Matthew Hodge joins host Brett...
-
Content Creator Isaac Carlson Digs Into Disney 90s Music
With nearly 900,000 YouTube subscribers and 400 million views as of late August 2025, Isaac Carlson is a prominent content creator whose Disney material has covered the gamut of profiles of characters from Cars to deconstructing popular theories. Isaac’s videos have allowed us to process Disney...
-
Composer Geoff Zanelli Dives into "Pirates of the Caribbean" Music
Geoff Zanelli started his career as a collaborator of legends like Hans Zimmer and John Powell, and he has since established himself as an acclaimed composer in his own right. For The Walt Disney Company, Geoff has scored films like Christopher Robin, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and The Odd…
more -
Discussing "Disney Adults" with Author AJ Wolfe of Disney Food Blog
You know her voice and content if you’re a Disney Adult. But what makes a Disney Adult? And why is this culture so enveloping and fascinating, too? AJ Wolfe of the uber popular and stellar Disney Food Blog (DFB) has deconstructed this phenomena in a new book entitled Disney Adults: Exploring (And...
-
Celebrating 30 Years of Toy Story with Jonathan Goodman of "Music Behind the Magic"
This fall marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most groundbreaking films ever. Toy Story debuted in 1995 to critical success and public adoration. Pixar’s first film, and also the first fully computer animated production, is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. It also boasts the first...
-
Worst Disney Villain Songs with Matthew Hodge
The previous episode of Notably Disney featured a conversation on the best Disney villain songs, but as much as we may love some of these tunes, there are also some atrocious ones in the mix and across a variety of platforms, including film, television, and stage. Over two episodes on Notably...
-
Best Disney Villain Songs with Matthew Hodge
We hate to love them, as well as love to hate them. The Disney villains compromise an electric crew of sinfully satisfying baddies. Some appear in animated movies, others live-action films. Others are on television, in the theme parks, or even on Broadway. Disney villains are sometimes...
-
Danielle Kelly ("I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom") Author Interview
Danielle Kelly, also known as the Dapper Danielle, started out her career as a Disney cast member, and has since evolved into delivering fun social media content and now writing a book that focuses on the most popular theme park in the world. In I Love Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Danielle, with…
more -
Composer Jeff Morrow Unveils Scoring Disney's "Snow White"
Emmy-nominated composer Jeff Morrow held the mighty job of crafting a score for the live-action adaptation of Disney’s first animated feature. 2025’s Snow White takes our heroine and countless memorable characters into a new landscape for which Jeff has a fertile playing ground to capture whimsy,...
-
Deconstructing "Pocahontas" 30 Years Later with Dr. Michelle Anya Anjirbag-Reeve and Dr. Peter Kunze
Three decades later and Disney’s 33rd animated feature remains one of its most controversial for its historical inaccuracies and racial depictions. Yet Pocahontas also remains a celebrated film for its score and songs, garnering Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz a pair of Academy Awards. On this...
-
A Salute to All 3D Shows, But Mostly Muppet*Vision 3D
June 7 marks the end of an era, one that lasted 34 years to be precise. The closing of Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios signifies not only a farewell to one of the oldest and most beloved attractions in the park, but also to one of the cleverest shows that has ever...
-
Bob Weis (Former President, Walt Disney Imagineering) Engages in "Dream Chasing" in New Book
For more than 70 years Walt Disney Imagineering has been at the forefront of creating unforgettable experiences for theme park guests around the world, and one individual has played a crucial role in spearheading a vision filled with ingenuity and experimentation. Bob Weis, who presided over WDI...
-
Book Review of "Dream Chasing" by Disney Imagineer Bob Weis (with Book of the Mouse Club)
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…
more -
Dr. Gregory Camp Examines Disney Theme Park Music
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…
more -
Director and Author Stephen Anderson Disentangles "Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986"
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…
more -
Arranging the Full Score of Disney's Cinderella with Shawn Degenhart
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…
more -
25 Favorite Disney Songs of the Past 25 Years with Tammy Tuckey (Part 2)
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...
-
25 Favorite Disney Songs of the Past 25 Years with Tammy Tuckey (Part 1)
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…
more -
Singer Stephen Scaccia Covers the Disney Catalogue
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...
-
Author Seth Kubersky Previews "The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025" and "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2025"
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...
-
"Music by John Williams" Documentary Review with Trent Vactor
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....
-
Disney Legend Martha Blanding and Author Tim O'Day Discuss "Groundbreaking Magic" Book
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…
more -
Author David A. Bossert Helps Readers "Find Your Happy Place"
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…
more -
"Walt Disney and El Grupo in Latin America" Authors Chronicle an Amazing Journey
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…
more -
Notably Disney 150th Episode Celebration featuring Past Guests
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...
-
Lyricist and Vocalist Elyse Willis Adds Character to Mickey Mouse Toons and Other Tunes
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...
-
D23 2024 Music and Panels Recap with Aaron Wallace
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…
more -
Composer and Singer Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz Honors the Obscure Disney Songbook
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...
-
If You Like These Disney Songs, Then You'll Love These Recommendations, 2nd Edition
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...
-
Honoring the Late Richard M. Sherman with Authors Jeff Kurtti and Jim Fanning
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...
-
If You Like These Disney Scores, Then You'll Love These Recommendations, 2nd Edition
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...
-
"National Treasure" Films and Series Soundtrack Discussion
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.…
more -
Author Foxx Nolte Explores the "Hidden History of Walt Disney World"
Ever wonder about some of the secret stories and forgotten aspects of Walt Disney World? Well, author Foxx Nolte has catalogued many of these tales and fascinating finds in a new book: Hidden History of Walt Disney World, published by The History Press. On this episode of Notably Disney, Foxx…
more
About this show
Welcome to Notably Disney, the ultimate Disney podcast on music and books. This podcast provides critique, commentary, reviews, and insight into the past and present of all aspects of The Walt Disney Company as it pertains to songs, scores, and writing. Featuring interviews with authors, social media personalities, historians, and other Disney fans, Notably Disney showcases conversations covering the wide gamut of Disney, from the theme parks and Broadway productions, to television and film.
Hosted by
Brett Nachman