Rephonic
Artwork for Connecting with Walt

Connecting with Walt - A look into the history of the man behind Mickey Mouse, Disneyland and Walt Disney World

The DIS
Walt Disney
Disney Animation
Fantasia
Milt Kahl
Disneyland
Creativity
Personal Retreats
Bambi
The Living Seas Pavilion
Nine Old Men
Walt Disney World
Marvin Davis
Mental Health
Epcot
Animation Techniques
Pinocchio
Disney
Pixar
Disney Imagineering
Turtle Talk With Crush

Connecting with Walt is a podcast focusing on the life and creations of Walt Disney. Episodes include the history of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney movies, and more! Hosted by Michael Bowling and Tom Bell, the show is a tribute to the man who made it all happen, Walt Disney, and his brother, Roy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes359Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Connecting with Walt

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with author Todd James Pierce about his book Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of the Classic Film, which delves into the creative process and production of the classic 1964... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom wrap up the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by covering how the film finally made it to the big screen and discussing their favorite sequences.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Importan... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom continue the history of the 1942 classic Saludos Amigos by chronicling the research trip to South America that preceded the animated feature.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Important DIS links a... more

In this episode, Michael and Tom chat with influential animator, author, educator, and historian John Canemaker about his upcoming book The Art of John Canemaker: An Animator's Garden.

Links:

* Michael’s Disneyland History Segments

* Important D... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Todd James Pierce
Author and scholar known for works on Disney history
Episode: Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
John Canemaker
Academy Award-winning animator, author, educator, and Disney historian
Episode: A Conversation with Disney Historian John Canemaker
Dr. Karen Fang
Professor of English and Visual Studies at the University of Houston
University of Houston
Episode: Background Artist: The Life and Work of Tyrus Wong with Karen Fang
Tony Spittell
Friend and guest from Legacy Disneyland Podcast
Legacy Disneyland Podcast
Episode: Planning a Day at the Magic Kingdom (1975)
Mary Jo
Friend of the hosts and participant in Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebrations
Episode: Dateline Disneyland: July 17, 2025
Jonas Rivera
Producer and a key figure at Pixar since 1994
Pixar Animation Studios
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Pixar & Muppets
Yvette Nicole Brown
Moderator, actress, voice actress, and singer
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Pixar & Muppets
Lisa Henson
CEO of the Jim Henson Company
Jim Henson Company
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Pixar & Muppets
Dave Goelz
Lead Muppet performer
Jim Henson Company
Episode: Walt Disney Family Museum Events: Pixar & Muppets

Hosts

Michael Bowling
Host and Disney historian, dedicated to exploring the life and contributions of Walt Disney to animation and theme parks.
Tom Bell
Co-host and producer, passionate about Disney culture and history, contributing insights into the Disney universe during discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 952 ratings
  • Unfortunately, lost its charm

    I’m trying really hard to enjoy this - the way I did when Craig was on, but I get so frustrated with the constant talking over each other, John interrupting without even knowing what he’s going to say - he’ll interrupt then pause for like 10 seconds so there’s so much dead air in every episode. What was easily my favourite podcast has become one I begrudgingly try to listen to just incase it gets back to its charming self. Michael does a fantastic job as always but the chemistry is non existent ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MissMoonmoose
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Disneyland Reunion

    I love when the Disneyland podcast team comes back together. I learn sooo much from these shows. I vote for more of these!! Please!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SB Fan😊
    United States6 months ago
  • All the facts

    I love that this podcast shares so much history about Walt Disney, his family, and the parks. I have learned so many facts. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Whistle while I work
    United States10 months ago
  • Disneys history podcast

    This is 1 of the best podcast i ever heard

    You guys did a fantastic job

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sam gels
    United Statesa year ago
  • Favourite Disney podcast!

    I love listening to the show. Michael is so knowledgeable and Craig and Michael work so well together ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Orlandolover88
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the detailed historical insights into Disney's past, noting the well-researched content and knowledgeable hosts. Many enjoy the personal anecdotes shared by the hosts and guests, enhancing the storytelling aspect. The chemistry between the hosts is often praised as engaging and lively, making the content accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience. However, some feedback indicates a need for better clarity in discussion flow, with occasional critiques about interruptions during conversations. Overall, it remains a favorite among Disney fans for its depth and informative nature.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
I've Had It
I've Had ItJennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
Heavyweight
HeavyweightPushkin Industries
If Books Could Kill
If Books Could KillMichael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
Q: How did the success of the film change the careers of the Sherman Brothers and their relationship with Walt?
Mary Poppins transformed the Shermans into significant songwriters and bolstered Walt's status in Hollywood.
Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
Q: How did Walt navigate the creative tension between PL. Travers and the studio team?
Walt avoided direct confrontation by having others manage interactions with Travers and strategically used Disneyland to shape her perceptions.
Making Mary Poppins with Todd James Pierce
Q: What first inspired you to write a book specifically about the making of Mary Poppins?
It stands as the pinnacle of live action films from Walt's time, and I wanted to explore its rich history.
Listener Questions & Answers: Winter 2025 - Part 4
Q: What did Michael provide as a guest on the old Disneyland show that led him to his 10 plus year career as a podcast legend?
Michael reflects on how he clicked with the podcast team and contributed to the show's success, elaborating on his journey over the years in podcasting.
Listener Questions & Answers: Winter 2025 - Part 4
Q: What company leadership and company itself?
The hosts discuss their thoughts on company leadership, expressing frustration over current management's focus on profitability rather than creativity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Connecting with Walt

What is Connecting with Walt about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast explores the enduring legacy of Walt Disney, spotlighting his influence on the creation of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and various Disney films. Each episode delves into different facets of Disney's life and work, including insights on Imagineering, historical narratives, and the creative processes that brought iconic characters and stories to life. With a focus on storytelling, each discussion features notable guests from the animation industry, historians, and passionate Disney enthusiasts, making it a rich resource for both casual fans and devoted scholars of Disney history.

Where can I find podcast stats for Connecting with Walt?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Connecting with Walt. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Connecting with Walt and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Connecting with Walt get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Connecting with Walt, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Connecting with Walt?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Connecting with Walt, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Connecting with Walt have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Connecting with Walt has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Connecting with Walt?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Connecting with Walt:

1. DIS Unlimited
2. WDW Radio: Your Guide to the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise and More Disney Magic!
3. The Disney Dish with Jim Hill
4. The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
5. The DVC Show

How many episodes of Connecting with Walt are there?

Connecting with Walt launched 9 years ago and published 359 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Connecting with Walt?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Connecting with Walt?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Connecting with Walt from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Connecting with Walt?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Connecting with Walt. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Connecting with Walt?

Recent guests on Connecting with Walt include:

1. Todd James Pierce
2. John Canemaker
3. Dr. Karen Fang
4. Tony Spittell
5. Mary Jo
6. Jonas Rivera
7. Yvette Nicole Brown
8. Lisa Henson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days