The Happiest Pod on Earth
by Geek Therapy Network
Geek Therapy's Disney Podcast! Hosted by Stefanie Bautista and Ariel Landrum. In each episode they talk about the power of Disney to bring people together. Join us to learn how to use everything Disney to teach, learn, heal, and connect with others.
Episodes
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All the Feels in Inside Out 2
47: Join Ariel, Stef, and special guest Helen Garcia from Yellow Chair Collective for a heartfelt, hilarious, and insightful discussion on Inside Out 2 and the emotional rollercoaster that is adolescence. This episode unpacks how the film portrays anxiety, perfectionism, and identity shifts with...
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Magical Ink
46: Ariel and Stef are joined by Dr. Jinxi Caddel for a heartfelt and art-filled dive into the world of tattoos, identity, and Disney fandom. From full Alice in Wonderland back pieces to tiny churro flash tats, this episode celebrates how ink becomes a personal archive of memory, culture, and...
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Queer Cheer: Disney Dreams & Rainbow Realness
Join Ariel, Stef, and their guests Jodie Anders and Shalom (aka Boy Venus) for an honest, colorful, and insightful episode that celebrates queer identity through the magic (and mess) of Disney. The conversation spans nostalgic awakenings, media analysis, cultural critique, and the affirming power...
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Celebrating Juneteenth and Diversity in Disney
44: Ariel, Stef, and special guest Chance Calloway discuss Juneteenth, media representation, and Disney’s portrayal of Black characters. They highlight Juneteenth’s significance and embodiment of “we’re not free until we are all free.” The episode promotes authentic representations and diverse...
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Dynamic Disabilities: From Accommodations to Accessibility
43: Ariel, Stef, and return guest Maria delve into the intricacies of hosting a play therapy conference at Disneyland, focusing on accommodations for dynamic disabilities. They discuss the unique challenges and rewards of planning such an event in a magical setting. They emphasize the importance…
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Previously On X-Men with Julia and Eric Lewald
42: Join Ariel, Stef, and their distinguished guests, Julia and Eric Lewald—writers and showrunners of the X-Men Animated Series. This episode explores the legacy of the original X-Men series, its cultural impact, and the exciting revival with X-Men 97. The Lewalds share the challenges and joys…
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Finding Belonging With Turning Red
41: Join Ariel, Stef, and their distinguished guests, Soo Jin and Linda—authors and mental health professionals—as they bond over Pixar’s Turning Red. This episode covers the film’s profound themes of family, identity, mental health, and cultural nuances. Our discussion celebrates the movie and…
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Galactic Celebrations: Star Wars Nite and Beyond
40: Ariel and Stefanie delve into Star Wars, unpacking its cultural significance and impact as part of the May the 4th celebrations. Both hosts go on a journey through this monumental franchise’s legacy and ongoing influence. From Disneyland’s Star Wars Nite to personal connections with the...
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The Battle for Pumpkin King
39: In honor of Half-Way to Halloween, Ariel, Stefanie, and their guest, Dan Connor, dive into the enchanting world of the comic series The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Battle for Pumpkin King. They explore the beginnings of iconic characters Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie, shedding light…
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The Power of Nostalgia Activated By “X-Men 97”
38: Ariel and Stef unpack the continuation of a beloved series with X-Men 97, exploring its impact from therapy to education. They discuss nostalgia’s role in healing trauma and connecting with students, the nuances of characters like Rogue and Storm, and how X-Men’s diversity and inclusion…
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Feasting on Fandom: Disney Food Chronicles Part 1
37: Hosts Ariel and Stefanie embark on a journey through Disney’s culinary delights, from the treats at the Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure, unexpected finds at Disney Channel Nite, to the surprising food merchandise. They navigate the rising prices, sustainability efforts, and the...
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Beyond the Screen: Disney Leveling Up
36: Venture ‘Beyond the Screen: Disney Leveling Up’ in Episode 36 of HPOE. Ariel and Stef navigate Disney’s groundbreaking move into developing a gaming metaverse and the company’s history with games, in general. This episode explores the fusion of iconic Disney storytelling with the interactive...
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Unlocking The Healing Powers of Play
#35: Step into a world where play and healing intertwine in Episode 35 of HPOE. Ariel, Stefanie, and special guest Maria delve into the transformative power of play therapy. Discover how Disney villains can become tools for empathy in therapy and how engaging with our favorite stories and...
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Disney Animation Studios The Concert
#34: Join Ariel and Stefanie in a magical evening under the stars for Episode 34 of HPOE. Relive their enchanting experience at the Disney Animation Studios The Concert at the Hollywood Bowl, celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary. From the melodies of the LA Philharmonic to the emotional…
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Sidekicks! Disney’s Animal Aides
#33: Explore the unique roles of Disney sidekicks as they dissect how these beloved characters from classics like ‘The Little Mermaid,’ ‘Cinderella,’ and ‘The Lion King’ relate to mental wellness. Engaging discussions reveal how these animated companions, could don the titles of emotional support...
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Styling for Dapper Day
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More #32: Join cohosts Ariel and Stefanie on their journey for Dapper Day outfits. Immerse...
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Disney After Dark: Princess Nite
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More #31: In this episode of Happiest Pod, join Ariel and Stef as they recount their magical evening at Disneyland’s After Dark event, Princess Nite. Held for the first time at Disneyland Park on...
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Navigating Pop Culture Conventions
#30: Pop culture conventions, where fans and geeks gather to celebrate their fandoms, are often the most anticipated experiences of the year. This year, Stef and Ariel were blessed with the opportunity to speak as panelists at both WonderCon and the mega San Diego Comic-Con. In this episode, they...
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Behind the Magic: Up Close with Lady Tremaine
#29: Ariel and Stef had the honor of interviewing the terrifying and regal Jessica who played Lady Tremaine at Walt Disney World. In this episode, we learn the joys, the frustrations, and the horrors of being a face character at the happiest place on earth. Read the blog post for this episode for...
About this show
Geek Therapy's Disney Podcast! Hosted by Stefanie Bautista and Ariel Landrum. In each episode they talk about the power of Disney to bring people together. Join us to learn how to use everything Disney to teach, learn, heal, and connect with others.
Hosted by
Geek Therapy Network