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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When Culture is the Plot
50: What happens when culture drives the story? Ariel and Stef welcome Filipino American therapist Jez Cornel to talk about why DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island hits so close to home. From karaoke to Lola’s advice to pressure to be the “good kid,” they unpack the details that actually make...
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A Little Less FOMO, A Lot More Magic
49: Can doing less make Disney feel more magical? In the Happiest Pod’s first shorter episode, Ariel and Stef reflect on how their relationships with Disney and the podcast have evolved. They talk about slower park days, letting go of FOMO, experiencing Disneyland through growing children, and...
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Clinically Ever After
48: Join Ariel and Stef with special guest Shaelene, somatic DBT therapist and creator of Clinically Ever After, a Disney-based conference for mental health professionals. What started as a “what if” became a “what is.” This sold-out event brought clinicians and educators together at Walt Disney...
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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...
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We DO Talk About Bruno Reprise
#28: Ariel, Stef, and past host Josué team up for a second time to do a deeper dive into Disney’s Encanto. In this episode, themes of dysfunctional family roles, inner child archetypes, and how to inspire students and clients to discover their own inner talents. Episode 26 is part one of this...
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Celebrating Lunar New Year
#27: Lunar New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The year 2022 is the year of the Tiger, and tiger energy is exactly what Ariel and Stef want to take into the New Year. In this episode, they share the various cultures that...
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We DO Talk About Bruno
#26: Ariel, Stef, and special guest and past host Josué welcome listeners to the family Madrigal! In this episode, they highlight the themes of visual symbolism and color schemes to generational trauma and family roles that can be found in Disney’s Encanto. Read the blog post for this episode for...
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The Merriest Nite at Disneyland
#25: Disneyland added a new night event over the holiday season, titled “Merriest Nites.” This special event featured six distinct parties that have unique music, food, and character interactions. Even the infamous Muppet did a holiday show filled with their classic antics. Host Stef attended…
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Disney Villains
#24: What is it about villains that we are attracted to? They have become popular, if not more popular, than Disney heroes. More and more Disney movies and shows are highlighting their villains, even going so far as creating live-action adaptations of these principal characters. Ariel, Stef, and...
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It’s Just A Bunch of Hocus Pocus
#23: Hocus Pocus, a film released in 1993, continues to embody the Halloween Spirit and capture the hearts of Disney fans, including those of Stef, Ariel, and Special Guest Travis Hayward. Together they take a personality quiz to learn which character they are, share fun facts from the movie, and...
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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings
#22: Happiest Pod celebrates the Asian representation in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings by highlighting “Asian Easter Eggs.” Learn Asian American history, the symbolism of death, and how Shan-Chi integrates his different heritages when he learns to wield the rings. Become a...
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Baby’s First Disney Trip
#21: Stef shares what it’s like to take an infant to the park for the first time. A first for her son and a first for her husband and her. She shares the infant-friendly rides, navigates virtual queues, and responds to the needs of her family. Read the blog post for this episode for additional...
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Grading the Changes at the Park
#20: With Special Guest Billy Madden, better known as “The Movie Grader,” Happiest Pod jumps into his experience returning to Disneyland, sharing details about Webslinger. Stef, Ariel, and Billy analyze the changes happening in Disneyland parks, and how these developments are setting a precedent...
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Sing-Along With Disney
#19: After seeing a meme that questioned if Disney Karaoke existed, Stef and Ariel decided to set the record straight. In this episode, they highlight the cultural significance of participating in karaoke or noraebang experiences. Together, they share their favorite Disney songs to sing along to...
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Disney Soundtracks by Candlelight
#18: Listening to live music is always magical, but when the music is Disney music, it’s even more enchanting. On this episode, Stef and Ariel share their experience with Candlelight Concerts on the beach, featuring the Orchid Quartet. With a setlist of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and more, our…
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Back to School? More Like Back To Recess!
#17: Recess is a show about six brave 4th graders who take on the social dynamics of the playground. Stef and Ariel discuss this beloved 90’s animated series, and how studies find that recess is an important part of a child’s social-emotional learning. Resources for this episode: 1. Verywell…
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That Wandavision Style
#16: Stef and Ariel are avid retro and vintage fans, and in this episode, they share these passions through the medium of Wandavision, the first Disney+ Marvel show to kick off the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They dive into the clothing, the music, the special effects, and…
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Braving the Theater for Black Widow
#15: In this episode, Ariel and Stef go back to the movie theaters and watch the long-awaited Black Widow film, starring Scarlett Johansson. They dive into their very different theater experiences, analyze how feminism is explored in the newest Marvel cinematic entry, and the new era for The...
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Leaning Into Loki’s Journey
#14: With Special Guest Rachel Wethers, MSW, Happiest Pod dives into both the character and show Loki on Disney+. Stef, Ariel, and Rachel talk about themes of trauma, adoption, lying, acceptance, and belonging. Read the blog post for this episode for additional references and resources. Become a...
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Career Buffet
#13: One Day At Disney is a Disney Shorts series that features individuals and the various jobs and careers they have with Disney Corporation. Stef and Ariel highlight these stories, and their own, with the belief that diversity in skills and networking instead, of just longevity, are what create...
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Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, Back To The Parks I Go
#12: Ariel shares with Stef what it was like to go back to Disneyland after a pandemic kept her away for 532 days. From experiencing nostalgia, awe at the Avengers Campus, and learning the tips of her new “legendary” pass. Read the blog post for this episode for additional references and…
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Disney-Fying Self-Care
#11: Happiest Pod dives in on self-care and the different ways we use Disney mediums to incorporate it into our everyday lives. We define self-care and give examples for children, adults, and families. Read the blog post for this episode for additional references and resources. Become a member of...
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Swimming in the Sauce
#10: Lara and Josué are happy to introduce the show’s new hosts Ariel Landrum and Stephanie Bautista! The four of us discuss Cruella, both the character and the new film. Media/Characters Mentioned Cruella de Vil 101 Dalmatians Jungle Book Mulan Topics/Themes Betrayal Change Consequences Death...
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Mulan
#9: The live-action Mulan is finally here! We react to the new film and discuss all the themes and ideas that make Disney’s Mulan so special. Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum. — Check out the GT Network: network.geektherapy.com GT Forum: forum.geektherapy.com GT Discord:...
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Disney’s Star Wars
#8: On the eve of The Rise of Skywalker, we look at how Star Wars is doing as a Disney property and why we use Star Wars so much in our work. Rise of Skywalker reactions on GT Radio – https://geektherapy.com/the-rise-of-skywalker Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum. — Check...
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Frozen 2
#7: In typical Geek Therapy fashion, we react to Frozen 2, and look at its relatable themes and how it addresses difficult emotions. Spoiler alert for all the Frozens! And when in doubt, do the next right thing! Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum. — Check out the GT…
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Disney+ Is Here! (But Not For Everyone)
#6: Disney+ is finally here! But this episode is actually about the psychological pain and negative effects of exclusion. According to researchers, the social pain of exclusion and ostracism can hurt just as much or more than physical injuries. Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT...
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Disney+ at D23: Too much content!
#5: We learned a lot about Disney+ at this year’s D23 event and it was overwhelming! So many new shows and movies were announced for the service and we go through all of them. From more live-action Disney remakes to more Marvel and Star Wars series, it almost seems like too much. Just kidding,...
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The Lion King Is Still the Best
#4: The Lion King live-action remake isn’t actually live-action but it’s here and we loved it. We compare the movies and the Broadway musical, look at what makes us love this story so much, and discuss some of its themes in depth. Simba’s loss is heart-breaking in every version. Questions?...
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Toy Story 4: A Woody Story
#3: Toy Story 4 feels smaller and more intimate to us than the other films, mostly because it feels like one toy’s story. This is Woody’s movie and it hit us like all the others, full of very relatable themes that made us reflect on some real-life milestones. Also, are all toys sentient in this...
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Aladdin Left Us Speechless
#2: The Aladdin live-action remake is finally here! We react to the film and compare it to the original. We also cover representation, empowerment, and other important and relatable themes. Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum. — Check out the GT Network:...
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Our Origin Stories
#1: Welcome to The Happiest Pod on Earth! We are a podcast about how Disney content, parks, and memories can bring people together. Your hosts Lara Taylor and Josué Cardona share their Disney origin stories and their plans for the show. Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum. —...
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