It was such a treat to sit down with Tim O'Day, whose enthusiasm and knowledge of Disney history fills any Disney parks fan with complete joy. We talk about his favorite memories working in public relations, D23 conventions, and we hear a teaser of what to expect at the Festival of the Arts 2026!
Featuring: Craig and Vanessa
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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!
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We are back to talk all about the year that was 2025. Thank you for your continued kindness and listenership .We appreciate you so much.
See you in 2026!
For Disney fans, Xavier “X” Atencio is remembered for his many roles: animator, attraction designer, and lyricist. But most importantly, he was a good friend. This week on Beyond the Mouse we are joined by authors Bobbie Lucas, Kelsey McCullough, and Tori Atencio McCullough, who talk about their book “Xavier ‘X’ Atencio: The Legacy of An Artist, Imagineer, and Disney Legend.” We discuss X’s exceptional creativity and the legacy of kindness expressed by his family and friends.
Featuring: Craig and Vanessa
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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, Craig welcomes legendary running coach Jeff Galloway to talk all things Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend! He’s joined by Sarah and Shannon from Dames of the DDP, who are training for their first-ever Disney half marathon using Jeff’s famous Galloway Run/Walk/Run method. Jeff shares thoughtful coaching tips, updates on his own running journey, and inspiring insights from his personal story.
Then, Craig sits down with Justin and Matthew from the Disney Dads Podcast to discuss how the DDP running team is raising funds for BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation in Central Florida. Their mission: reach a $25,000 fundraising goal to support children and families in their toughest battles.
Support the cause here: basecamp.org/ddp4bc
Featuring: Craig
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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!
This week on Beyond the Mouse, Craig shares a special experience after being invited by Disney+ to take part in a virtual press junket with Diary of a Wimpy Kid creator Jeff Kinney. Ahead of the release of the newest animated film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Strawpremiering December 5 on Disney+, Craig sits down with Jeff to discuss the heart at the center of this story—fatherhood, parenting, and the moments that shape Greg and Frank’s relationship.
Craig also offers his non-spoiler review of the film, breaking down what longtime fans and new viewers alike can look forward to in this latest Wimpy Kid adventure.
It’s a fun, thoughtful, and heartfelt episode you won’t want to miss! Tune in and get excited for The Last Straw on Disney+.
Join our intrepid Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser friends for a recap and review from HalcyCon2!
Featuring: Brett
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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, Craig is joined by his wife Zoey, along with Jacqueline and Meghan from the I Think You’re Gonna Like This podcast, for a festive crossover review of the brand-new holiday movie A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, debuting on Disney+ on November 14.
The group kicks things off with a fun and completely non-spoiler discussion for those who haven’t streamed it yet. Then, once the sleigh bells are ringing, they dive deep into the film—its holiday charm, Jonas-centric surprises, and everything that makes it a new seasonal watch.
Grab some hot cocoa, fire up Disney+, and join in on the holiday cheer with this special episode!
This week on Beyond the Mouse we are plannin' a weddin'! Craig is off this week to get hitched, and Vanessa, Brett and Bea discuss ideas for planning a Disney-themed wedding! Congrats Craig and Zoey!
Featuring: Vanessa, Brett and Bea
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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!
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It’s a spooktacular special on Beyond the Mouse! Brett, Vanessa, and Craig are brewing up some frightfully fun ideas as they each design their perfect Disney-themed Halloween party. From eerie attractions to villainous vibes, Disney treats to magical tricks, they’re pulling out all the stops to create the ultimate celebration of spooky season.
But the final say is up to you! After you listen, head over to BTM Podcast Pals on Facebook to vote for your favorite Disney Halloween party. Which host will conjure the most magical night of all? Tune in to find out—if you dare!
The Muppets are celebrating 70 years, and Creative Director of the Muppets Studio, Dani Iglesias, joins Beyond the Mouse to talk about how Disney is honoring the Muppets legacy. We also give love to Bean Bunny and share why the Muppets mean so much to so many.
Featuring: Craig, Vanessa, and Brett
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Join Brett and BTM Guests, Brittney and Jen, as they discuss their experiences on The Official Walt Disney Studios Walking Tour – Presented by D23. Brett and his sometimes alter ego, James Mason, reminisce about his previous visits to The Walt Disney Studios during his time as a WDW Cast Member. Then the trio share more about their “walk through Disney history” on the Official Tour!
Featuring: Brett Rutherford, Brittney and Jen!
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, we’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with the powerhouse songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez!
From creating unforgettable melodies to shaping the emotional core of modern Disney classics, Kristen and Robert have redefined what it means to make magic through music. Their award-winning work includes iconic songs from Disney’s Frozen (“Let It Go”), Frozen II (“Into the Unknown”), and Coco (“Remember Me”), as well as their Emmy-winning contributions to WandaVision.
Robert Lopez holds the extraordinary distinction of being the only person to achieve a double EGOT—earning two Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards—a testament to the duo’s unmatched impact on the world of music and storytelling.
Whether you're a lifelong Disney fan or a lover of musical theater, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into the creative process, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes stories from two of the most influential songwriters of our time.
Featuring: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford
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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot!
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Join us this week on Beyond the Mouse as we gallop into another grand installment of our Favorite Disney Things by Letter series — and this week, it’s all about the glorious letter G! From Goofy gags to glittering gowns, we’re diving deep into the greatest, gooiest, and most grin-worthy Disney favorites that start with G.
Whether you're a fan of Genie’s genius, Gaston’s gusto, or the galactic greatness of Guardians of the Galaxy, we’ve got something that’ll make your Disney heart glow. So grab your Mickey ears, get comfy, and geek out with us over all things G!
This week on Beyond the Mouse we are answering your questions! Thank you for submitting your questions. We had a lot of fun! Find out our favorite places, memories and who is most like Winnie the Pooh.
Featuring: Craig McFarland, Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, Brett and Craig blast off into the world of Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past! They kick things off with a spoiler-free review of the second series before diving into an incredible round of interviews. Hear from stars Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things) and Tony Revolori (Spider-Man: No Way Home), who voice the lead characters in this galactic adventure. Then, writers and executive producers Dan Hernandezand Benji Samit join the conversation to share the creative process behind building this hilarious, action-packed Lego Star Wars story.
Whether you’re a lifelong Star Wars fan or just love a good laugh, this episode is one you won’t want to miss!
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, we sit down with our friend and fellow podcaster Matthew Krul from Imagination Skyway to talk about Destination D23 and what Matthew has been up to since our last chat.
Featuring: Brett and Vanessa
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, we’re joined by two-time Tony nominee Gavin Lee! Gavin recently stepped into the iconic role of Scar in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, and he shares what it’s been like joining such a beloved production. We also dive into his incredible career, including originating Bert in Mary Poppins and bringing Squidward to life in The SpongeBob Musical. Whether you’re a Disney fan, a Broadway lover, or both, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Brett Rutherford
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Set sail with us on this magical episode of Beyond the Mouse as we welcome Amy and Paul Krieger, hosts of The DVC Show and The Cruising Compass! These seasoned Disney Cruise Line experts join us to share their top tips, insider tricks, and must-know hacks to help you make the absolute most out of your Disney cruise vacation. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a Castaway Club veteran, Amy and Paul offer advice that will elevate your experience—from stateroom selection and dining secrets to excursion planning and hidden gems on board. Don’t miss this deep dive into Disney cruising magic!
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse Vanessa and Brett try to remember all their favorite things about Disney that start with the letter "F." Can they do it? Or will they get an "F" as in "FAIL!"
Featuring: Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford
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This week on Beyond the Mouse, Jeremy joins Craig for a deep dive into the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With three new MCU films hitting theaters this year, the duo breaks down what’s working, what’s not, and where the franchise might be headed next. From shifting storylines and character arcs to box office performance and fan reception, it's an honest and insightful look at a universe in transition. Whether you're a longtime Marvel fan or just curious about the hype, this episode is your all-access pass to the pulse of the MCU in 2025.
Featuring: Craig McFarland and Jeremy Goeckner
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