Notably Disney is the ultimate Disney podcast covering music and books written by and about The Walt Disney Company.
Episodes
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
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 episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman leads a discussion of Pocahontas. Joining Brett are two guests who have examined Disney work from a scholarly sense: Dr. Peter Kunze, Assistant Professor of Communication at Tulane University, who was on the podcast a couple of years ago to discuss his book Staging a Comeback, as well as Dr. Michelle Anya Anjirbag-Reeve, Affiliated Researcher at the University of Antwerp. Michelle and Pete examine the roles of race, culture, language, and more in this thoughtful dialogue about how Pocahontas fits within the Disney Renaissance period and in the company more broadly.
Email Pete at pkunze@tulane.edu and check out his book about Disney musicals - Staging a Comeback - on the Rugters University Press website.
Learn more about Michelle's work by checking out her website: MichelleAnjirbag.com
Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
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 existed in a Disney theme park. As the last production that Jim Henson worked on, Muppet*Vision 3D is filled with laughs, heart, and ingenuity. To honor this magnificent attraction, author Aaron Wallace joins host Brett Nachman to share our memories, favorite show elements, including its brilliant writing, and they think represent the show’s legacy, among other topics. This episode is a salute to all 3D shows, but mostly Muppet*Vision 3D. If you know, you know!
Check out what Aaron Wallace has been up to by following him on Instagram (@aaronhwallace) and find out more about his books on AaronWallaceOnline.com.
Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
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 from 2016-2012, chronicles four decades of self-described success and failure in Dream Chasing: My Four Decades of Success and Failure with Walt Disney Imagineering, a fantastic autobiography recently published by Disney Editions. In this episode of Notably Disney, Bob speaks with host Brett Nachman about a range of topics, from dealing with tight budgets for park attractions to bringing new lands to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Throughout Bob explains the commitment that Disney Imagineers have in developing rich experiences based on classic storytelling. Bob also shares a bit about his new fiction title entitled Ghost Dog.
Follow Bob on Instagram @bobweis! Learn more about Dream Chasing on Disney Books and Ghost Dog: A Novel from Old Mill Press.
Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
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 recounts Bob’s amazing time with Disney Imagineering, working on new theme parks like the Disney-MGM Studios and Tokyo DisneySea to conceptualizing projects that never materialized. It’s a wonderful look at not only one person’s career, but also the major endeavors that they contributed to. Joining host Brett Nachman to review this title are Emily McDermott and Courtney Guth from the Book the Mouse Club podcast.
Be sure to check out the Book of the Mouse Club podcast on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts. Their email is bookofthemouseclub@gmail.com
Also make sure you follow Book of the Mouse Club on Instagram (@bookofthemouse), along with each of the hosts: Courtney (@greatguthsby) and Emily (@emily_mickde).
Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
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 Brett on this episode is Dr. Gregory Camp, a senior lecturer of music at the University of Auckland School of Music. Later this year, Camp's new book, Music in the Disney Theme Parks, will be published through Routledge. Gregory discusses with Brett what’s in store in this academic title that peers into the music that completely envelops us when visiting a Disney destination.
Learn more about Dr. Camp's work by visiting his faculty profile page on the University of Auckland website.
Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
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 he joins host Brett Nachman on Notably Disney to discuss his journey in covering two decades of seeming overlooked Disney history via the comprehensive book Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986, published by The Old Mill Press. Steve shares the undertaking of compiling around 20 years into 450 pages or thereabouts, including the lessons learned from a period of reconciliation and change for the Mouse House.
Purchase a signed copy of Disney In-Between on The Old Mill Press website. Follow Stephen on Instagram, Bluesky, and X (@SteveHatGuy).
Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
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 for this new release. Shawn joins host Brett Nachman to share the process of translating the beloved score by Oliver Wallace and Paul Smith to wider audiences.
Check out Shawn's work and purchase a copy of the full score on his website: degenhartmusic.com!
Feel free to reach out to Brett via Bluesky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
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 Mencken, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more!
Be sure to follow Tammy on Twitter (@TammyTuckey) Instagram (@TammyTuckey), Facebook (Facebook.com/SingerTammyTuckey), and YouTube, where you can listen to her interviews with amazing Disney personalities. Look for The Tammy Tuckey Show wherever you listen to podcasts! And visit Tammy's website: TammyTuckey.com
Feel free to reach out to Brett via BlueSky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
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 is a perfect opportunity to highlight what are some of our favorite and, arguably the best, Disney songs over 25 years. Joining host Brett Nachman in this two-part round-up of tunes is podcaster and singer Tammy Tuckey of The Tammy Tuckey Show, a frequent and favorite guest of Notably Disney. Brett and Tammy share their selections, including songs from Stephen Schwartz, Randy Newman, Alan Menken, and Jonatha Brooke.
Be sure to follow Tammy on Twitter (@TammyTuckey) Instagram (@TammyTuckey), Facebook (Facebook.com/SingerTammyTuckey), and YouTube, where you can listen to her interviews with amazing Disney personalities. Look for The Tammy Tuckey Show wherever you listen to podcasts! And visit Tammy's website: TammyTuckey.com
Feel free to reach out to Brett via BlueSky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
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 classic Disney films, for which many have seen on YouTube. Today on Notably Disney, Stephen joins host Brett Nachman to discuss his passion for music, career trajectory, and what Disney music brings to his life. Along the way he shares stories of singing with Michael Bublé and having performers like Mariah Carey and Halley Bailey check out his renditions of their music.
Check out Stephen's work on his website (stephenscaccia.com), his YouTube channel, TikTok, and Instagram. You may also find him performing as part of The Famous Players Band.
Feel free to reach out to Brett via BlueSky @drnachman and Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to notablydisney@gmail.com
New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.