The Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast

On this episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss what's going on at Disney Adventure World, how Disney is doing you a favor (while saving money), the latest news, and more. Plus, we chat with Danny Shuster of WDW Magazine about the new podcast Parks & Pages! We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

On this episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Bob Iger's tenure, in-person shareholders meetings, and more. Plus, Alex chats with filmmakers and cast from Pixar's "Hoppers" We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

On this episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Josh D'Amaro's new job, The Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl commerical, and more. Plus, we are joined by author Marcy Carriker Smothers (Eat Like Walt). We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

On this episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss eventizing, DCA's birthday, and more. Plus, we are joined by Gavin Doyle of Mickey Visit to discuss Disney's earnings. Note: This episode was recorded on February 2, 2026 - AKA, the day before the CEO announcement. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

On this special episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we're joined once again by Rebekah and Doobie Moseley for a look back at our 2025 Bold Predictions and place our bets for 2026! We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

On this episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the anxiety surrounding Disney's CEO announcement, Disney's customer service, and more. Plus, we chat with Beci Mahnken from Mouse Fan Travel for National Plan For Vacation Day. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

On this episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Asad Ayaz's latest role, EPCOT's weakest festival, and more. Plus, we chat with filmmaker Leslie Iwerks about "Disneyland Handcrafted." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

On the second season premiere of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Benji's resolutions for Disney, the parks' pricing strategy, and introduce a new segment: The Pick 6. Plus, we chat with author Stephen Hall about his new book "A Spoonful of Sugar: The Story of the Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland" We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's special episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Benji's picks for the Most Fascinating Disney People of 2025 — and the Disney Person of the Year. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss whether Disney could be an acquisition target after Warner Bros. Discovery, the anniversary of "Think Again," and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with Disney Legend James Cameron as well as  Jack Champion, Trinity Bliss, and Bailey Bass from "Avatar: Fire and Ash." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the potential sale of Warner Bros. Discover, how Disney can mix dynamic pricing with price discrimination, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with Patrick Warburton about "Zootopia 2" and his Disney legacy (so far). We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney's current stagnation, what we can learn from recent Dancing with the Stars success, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with  Kenzi Richardson and Janice LeAnn Brown about their Disney Channel shows! We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney's recent embrace of its history, what the future may hold for D23: The Official Disney Fanclub, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with Gavin Doyle of Mickey visit to recap Destination D23 and much more. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss what lessons we can learn from the success of "KPop Demon Hunters", the good and bad of Disney nomenclature (and why it's time to bring back FastPass), and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with Scott Gustin about Destination D23 and more. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss a possible return for Paramount Parks, how Disney Lorcana fits into the Disney flywheel, and the latest Disney news. Plus, Stephanie Shuster of WDW Magazine joins us to discuss her Disney origin story, her recent experience in Papenburg, Deutschland, and much more. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Hong Kong Disneyland's 20th anniversary, how Walmart celebrates its founder (and how Disneyland is set to honor its), the latest Disney news, and more. Plus, Alex chats with cast members of "Zombie 4" We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the need for smaller Disney theme park experiences, why Disney should create a savings account for fans, the latest Disney news, and more. Plus, Benji chats with Don Hahn & Christopher Merritt about their new book The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney current advantage over its media rivals, how teaser announcements can backfire, the latest Disney news, and more. Plus, Benji chats with the cast and crew of Pixar's "Elio," including Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, Mary Alice Drumm, and Yonas Kibreab.  We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney "getting back on the treadmill," how movie theatres became merchandise engines, the latest news, and more. Plus, Alex has a chance to chat with Vincent Martella who voices Phineas on the new season of "Phineas and Ferb." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss who recently became Ben's pick to become the next Disney CEO, how Disney films actually become hits, the latest news, and more. Plus, we have a very special chat with former animator and Imagineer Joe Lanzisero about his career(s) as well as his children's book "Lemonade The Yellow Bear." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the competition to become Disney's next CEO, what Disney could do with a premium credit card offering, the latest news, and more. Plus, we talk to Mickey Visit's Gavin Doyle about Disney's earnings — including the big Abu Dhabi Disney announcement. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the new Walt Disney - A Magical Life attraction, where Disney could expand its Parks to next, the latest news, and more. Plus, Ben and Tony talk to "Big City Greens" creators Shane and Chris Houghton about their big 100th episode. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss what it's like to be a fan in 2025, the continued existence of Disneynature, the latest news, and more. Plus, Mike talks to Asa Kalama and Michael Serna from Walt Disney Imagineering about current and future(!) Star Wars experiences in the Disney Parks. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the competition Universal Epic Universe brings to Florida, what increasingly thrilling attractions means for those less tolerant of such things, the latest news, and more. Plus, we talk to Eric Kimelton & Christopher Ninness about their new documentary "Not Just a Goof." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney's SXSW announcements, what Disney (and fans) can learn from Southwest's current debacle, the latest news, and more. Plus, Tony chats with "Kiff" creators Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the end of the current virtual queue systems in the domestic parks, encountering casual Disney fans, the latest news, and more. Plus, we chat with Janice LeAnn Brown about "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the current lack of elder statesmen at Disney, how Disney Parks and Universal approach announcements, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we talk to Eric Goldman about "Captain America: Brave New World" and the state of the MCU. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the current state of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, how the Disney+ interface could change for the better, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with Gavin Doyle of MickeyVisit.com about Disney's earnings call. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Universal presenting a new challenge to Disney's after hours events, runDisney still not bringing back pre-pandemic offerings, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" showrunner Jeff Trammell about the new series. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the lack of clarity in Disney's current streaming plans, the strange cycle of Disney fan reactions to park updates, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with the DCL Duo about the Disney Cruise Line's recent announcements. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss how Disney could help Los Angeles recover from the devastating wildfires, compares modern-day Disney and Las Vegas, chat with special guests about the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, and the latest Disney news. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we will be discussing why Disney should look toward 2026 (while admitting defeat in 2025), what Disney fans traveling internationally should make sure to do, our Bold Predictions for the new year, and the latest Disney news. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

In today's episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we will be discussing what lessons Disney can learn from Mufasa's opening weekend at the box office, some New Year's resolution ideas that the Disney Parks should adopt, the Disney Treasure (with our own Alex Reif), and the latest Disney news. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].