Explore Five Incredible Disney Imagineering Projects Hiding in Everyday Places Outside the Parks. You'll discover how Disney's Imagineers contributed to public spaces like the Houston Airport with the Wedway PeopleMover, the space-age Encounter Restaurant at LAX, and their work in children’s hospitals with interactive and comforting environments. E…

Eric dives into the surprising story of how the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers became part of the Disney family. From Haim Saban’s early days as a music producer to building Saban Entertainment, we cover his work in cartoon music, partnerships with Deac, successful shows like X-Men: The Animated Series, and the process of adapting Super Sentai into P…

The Incredible World of DiC meets the Wonderful World of Disney On this episode of Synergy Loves Company, Eric explores the surprising connections between DIC Entertainment and Disney, focusing on how beloved cartoons like Inspector Gadget ended up as Disney properties. The episode covers DIC’s origins in France, the company’s partnerships with pro…

Check out these Libraries in Disney Parks, in the Walt Disney Company, and in your own Community! Amanda Pemberton (Main Street Library) joins Eric to explore the fascinating intersection of Disney and libraries in Real Life. In honor of National Library Week, they explore Disney libraries and library-like spaces in the Parks, in the Studio, and of…

Jim Varney Tops Mickey Mouse at the Indy 500 and Michael Eisner gives Ernest a Job. In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric takes you on a nostalgic journey exploring the fascinating connections between Disney and the beloved character Ernest P. Worrell, created by Jim Varney and John Cherry. Eric uncovers the surprising Disney synergy …

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, Eric dives into the fascinating history and connections between Disney and Marriott. Discover how theme parks like Disneyland inspired similar ventures worldwide, including Marriott's own Great America parks. Explore the beginnings of Marriott as a root beer stand and its evolution into a global hospitality…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric explores Disney's history with construction, focusing on their longstanding partnership with Tishman. From the challenges faced during Walt Disney World's construction to the collaboration on Epcot in the early 1980s, the episode delves into Disney's decision to work with Tishman to bring this amb…

Long Before Pixar, Marvel, LucasFilm, 20th Century Fox and even ABC disney Acquired Arvida! In this episode of "Synergy Loves Company," we delve into the intriguing history of Disney's first major acquisition under CEO Ron Miller, Arvida. We explore how this acquisition came about as a defensive strategy against corporate raider Saul Steinberg and …

Explore the unique connections between filmmaker David Lynch and Disney in this episode of Synergy Loves Company. Eric dives into Lynch's cinematic career, highlighting key works like "Eraserhead," "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet," and his television masterpiece "Twin Peaks." During which he rubbed shoulders with some Future Disney CEO’s. Discover…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric delves into Disney's efforts to promote healthier eating with the Mickey Check, now known as the Disney Check. We explore the program's origins in 2005 when the FDA revised dietary guidelines and childhood obesity was declared an epidemic. Eric discusses how Disney introduced nutritional guideline…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric delves into the fascinating connections between Hallmark and Disney, exploring their parallel beginnings and shared history. Discover how both companies, with humble origins in Kansas City, rose to create expansive global legacies that bring magic and memories into millions of homes. Eric discusse…

In this episode of "Synergy Loves Company," Eric and guest Bethanee from Park Swagger Tees dive into the quirky world of "Mickey Unwrapped," a 1994 Disney album mixing iconic characters with hip hop tunes. They explore the surprising and sometimes risqué lyrics sung by Minnie Mouse, and critique songs like "Ducks in the Hood" and "DJ Goof." The epi…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric takes listeners on a journey through the intertwined legacies of Whitney Houston and Disney. Starting with Whitney's iconic 1991 Super Bowl performance, Eric explores her rise to stardom and her transition to the silver screen with films like "The Bodyguard" and Disney's "The Preacher’s Wife." He …

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric delves into the fascinating connection between Disney and GoPro. Discover Disney's historical relationship with cameras, from the early days of the Alice Comedies using Bell and Howell cameras to the revolutionary multiplane camera in classic animations like Snow White. Learn about GoPro's origins…

In this episode of "Synergy Loves Company," host Eric is joined by returning guest, Author, Jamie Hecker to explore the intersection of Disney and U.S. presidencies. They discuss the importance of civic duty and voting, highlighting both presidential and local elections. The conversation delves into the historical connections between Disney and Ame…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric explores the intriguing connections between Prince and Disney in the final installment of the eighties pop trinity trilogy. Dive into the Minneapolis music scene of the seventies that shaped Prince's musicianship and his perfectionist approach, drawing parallels to Walt Disney himself. Discover Pr…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, Eric dives into the connections between The King of Pop Michael Jackson and Disney. Starting from Michael's early days with the Jackson 5 and their cover of "Zip A Dee Doo Dah," to their appearance on Sandy in Disneyland, and Michael's solo career participation in Disneyland's 25th and 30th anniversaries. D…

In this 50th episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric launches a new miniseries exploring the holy trinity of 1980s pop music: Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince. In this episode, Eric delves into Madonna’s early life and career beginnings, including her formation and departure from the band The Breakfast Club and her slight connection to the …

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, Dr. Cody Havard joins host Eric to delve into the world of Disney fandom. They discuss the influence of family in shaping fan behavior, the unique bond between being introduced to Disney and becoming a fan, and the strong emotional attachment fans have to the brand. From Disney's size as an entertainment co…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric explores the experiences of visiting Disneyland and Walt Disney World within a few months of each other. He delves into topics like the blessing of size, comparing the parks, and how each park offers a unique experience. In trying to capture the vibes of the parks on both coasts, Eric also draws a…

Eric Visited the Universal Studios Orlando parks for the first time in over 30 years. In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, Eric delves into the historical rivalry between Disney and Universal Studios. From the early days of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to the developments of Disneyland and Universal Studios, Eric breaks down the competition between…

In this episode, we explore the unique connection between Disney and the Olympics. We will pit each Disney Olympic moment up against eachother in competition for the Glory of the games! from Walt Disney's influence at the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics to the design of commemorative pins for the 2004 Athens games see which moments earn the Gold …

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric delves into the fascinating history of Disney, the Internet, and go.com. From Walt Disney's innovative foresight into budding technologies to the rise and fall of go.com, Eric discusses the merging of Disney with Starwave and Infoseek, the birth of the Go network, the dotcom bubble burst, and the …

In this episode, Eric shares an episode from Rare Cuts Media Society where they discuss Disney's 2005 film, Sky High, as part of their superhero summer series. The movie's cast, and the concept of Sky High are explored by the RCMS Panel: Synergy Host Eric and the rest of the Rare Cust team, Rob Lachcik, Andrew Jagoda, and Mike Ross. Sky High is a D…

In this episode, we delve into actor John Stamos' deep connection to Disney, from his upbringing near Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm to his roles in various Disney projects, including Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Mickey Mouse Fun House, and his role in the Disney Plus series "Big Shot." He also made appearances in Disney TV specials. Addit…

In today's episode, we're riding a wave of Disney magic with the Beach Boys. Host Eric takes us on a journey through the intertwined history of the iconic surf rock band and the Disney empire, just in time for the debut of the Disney+ documentary about the band!. From their songs featured in Disney projects to their collaborations with Annette Funi…

In this episode of Synergy Loves Company, host Eric jumps into the connections between Disney and Las Vegas. From exploring the Disney-like spaces in Las Vegas to examining the influence of Disney on the city's resorts and attractions, Eric uncovers the surprising ties between the two entertainment giants. He discusses the Disney connections in var…

In this episode, Eric dives deep into the world of Disney Legends with guest Jamie Hecker, Author of Disney Legends: Makers of Magic Vol. 1. Eric tries to find an answer to the question What Makes a Disney Legend, Jamie helps him figure out what it takes by reflecting on past inductees and discussing potential future honorees. From visual artists a…

In this episode, Eric takes us on a behind-the-scenes cinematic journey through his visit to the Warner Brothers studio tour in Burbank, California. He explores the connections between Disney and the iconic Hollywood studio, revealing surprising ties and shared histories. From classic movies to beloved sitcoms, Eric uncovers the Disney magic in une…

On this episode, we connect with Disney in a different way, as we dive into the magical world of Disneyland with special guest Kristen Carr, from The Happiest Club On Eart, and Moustalgia Fast Pass podcast. Get insider tips, recommendations, and delightful anecdotes from a Disneyland local as host Eric Hathhorn also gears up for his first visit. Er…

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the classic 1954 film "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" with friends from Rare Cuts Media Society. Synergy Host Eric and the rest of the Rare Cust team, Rob Lachcik, Andrew Jagoda, and Mike Ross explore the film's iconic elements, from Kirk Douglas' unexpected musical numbers to the portrayal of Captain Nemo.…

Swifties and Disney Fans have a lot in common! In this episode, Eric is joined by his friend Sarah Jagoda and his daughter Maddie: Two Disney and Taylor Swift fans, to better help him understand the Eras and the Fandom. Together they play a game called EARas (get it like Mickey Ears) where the swifties try to determine which Disney Character best f…

Eric looks back at one of the origins of his Disney obsession. DTV was Disney Channel’s answer to MTV in the 1980s. Each episode of the series featured Disney animation clips choreographed to popular music of the time. Eric explores the impact MTV had on Disney’s decision to make this series. He takes a look at the legacy of DTV in Disney History, …

Matt Parrish from the thirty20eight podcast stops by to talk about Disney Super Bowl halftime shows! Since 1977 The Walt Disney Company has produced six Super Bowl Halftime shows. Two were Small World Themed, two were tributes to Hollywood, and all of them were Spectacular. Shows feature stars like Mickey Rooney, George Burns, the New Kids on the B…

Join Eric for a Look into Disney 100: the Exhibition now on display in Chicago. In this episode, he recounts his visit to the pop-up exhibit and counts down his favorite items from each of the ten galleries on display. Disney 100: the Exhibition was presented by the Walt Disney Archives as part of the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration. The traveling …

Eric Welcomes Super Star Wars fan Andrew from the Rare Cuts Media Society to talk all about George Lucas and Disney…but not necessarily Star Wars. George Lucas has been a force in filmmaking technology in the movies he made and the Companies he started, Like Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). But he also did a lot for the Disney Company and that was…

Read transcript Eric shares a special Christmas list with you this holiday season. It's a list of Disney Christmas History! Fun and exciting ways you can learn more about Christmas and Disney. He offers up some of his favorite Disney Christmas books to stuff in your stocking, films to cozy up and watch in the light of your Christmas tree, and podca…

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Eric Serves up a feast of Disney Turkeys from both onscreen and in real life. Turkeys in Shorts like Chicken Little, Cold Turkey with Pluto, and Turkey Catchers featuring Mickey Donald and Pluto. For a healthy portion of American History, he explores Disney’s ties to the Presidents and the original Modern Thanksgiving…

Join Eric for a trip report of his exploration of the Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago. Uncover the humble beginnings of the Disney legacy as he delves into the historical significance of the home where Walt and Roy Disney were born. He visited during Open House Chicago and during the Disney 100 years of Wonder anniversary of the Walt Disney Compa…

Join Eric and his special guest, Smithsonian Museum Specialist, Bethanee Bemis, as they explore Mirror Mirror: Reflections of America in the Disney Parks, an Exhibit about the Disney Park’s influence on the American Narrative at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. As the driving force behind the exhibit, Bethanee shares what goes i…

Raise a glass to the Disney Family of Wines! Join Eric and his special guest, Keri, his wife, as they pop the corks on a collection of wines known as the Disney Family of Wines. Once a staple at the Disney Food and Wine Festivals and on menus at Disney restaurants, the family of wines has had a presence in the parks. Each wine in the Disney Family …

In this Very Special Episode, Eric celebrates National Library Card Sign Up Month! What better way to celebrate getting your library card than with a countdown of my favorite Disney Librarians done in Dewey Decimal Style! We take a look at animated librarians, like Monsters University. Disney Junior Librarians Like in Mira Royal Detective. Movie De…

Join Eric as he explores the connections between Disney and Steve Martin. Most recently Steve Martin has co-created Only Murders in the Building For Disney’s 20th Century television and Hulu. But he has a much deeper history with the company. Though he has acted in a few Touchstone Films and published some books under Disney’s Hyperion Press, Disne…

Join Eric as he explores the connections between Disney and Martin Short. Short plays Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building for Disney’s Hulu. But that's not the first time Martin Short worked with the Walt Disney Company! Martin Short has starred in Disney and Touchstone Movies, Done voice-over work for animated projects, Guest Starred in …

Join Eric as explores the connections between Disney and Selena Gomez. Once a Disney Channel star as a kid, she has gone out on her own to pursue a more grown-up image, only to return to the Walt Disney Company in their Hulu/20th Century Television Production Only Murders in the Building. Selena had a starring role on Wizards of Waverly Plance, as …

Join Eric as he Counts down the connections between Times Square in New York City and the Walt Disney Company Like Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year's Eve!. From The Company’s involvement in the Times Square revitalization project to Iconic moments from Disney Films, like Captain America and Enchanted, a touch of Disney magic lives throughout Times Squ…

Tons of Disney fans are also Tiki fans. I don't know much about Tiki culture at all! Luckly Kevin Quigley author of the brand new book: New England Tiki, knows tons. Not only does he know Tiki he also knows Disney as a cohost of the 3028 Podcast! Kevin serves as my liaison between the worlds of Disney and Tiki helping me sort it all out! From the D…

Join Eric for some podcast synergy as he revisit's his discussion with his other podcast Rare Cuts Media Society! In a recent episode they talked all about three Disney Projects from 1953: In this episode, we shine a spotlight on The Living Desert, a mesmerizing nature documentary that takes us deep into the vibrant and diverse world of desert wild…

Join Eric as he delves into the enthralling journey of the iconic rock band Queen during their time with the Disney-owned record label, Hollywood Records. Freddie Mercury and Brian May helped shape a sound that led the band to Super Stardom. Explore how Disney CEO, Michael Eisner's wish to own a record label for Disney led to Queen's collaboration …

Join Eric as he uncovers the captivating story of Stephen Birnbaum, his partnership with Disney, and the enduring impact of the Birnbaum Guides. From their inception to the present day, these cherished guides continue to provide valuable information and a touch of Disney magic for travelers worldwide. Discover how Stephen and his wife, Alexandra Bi…