Beyond The Mouse: A Weekly Disney Podcast

Beyond The Mouse: A Weekly Disney Podcast

We are a show all about Disney for NPR Illinois Community Voices and for The Front Row Network. Join Craig, Brett and Vanessa weekly as they discuss all things Disney. We talk films, parks and invite guests on that have included seven Disney Legends.

Episodes

Ep. 176 – “Loud Mouse” with Cara Mentzel and Disney Legend Idina Menzel

September 23, 2022
“When you’re doing something you love, and you’re passionate about, there is nothing like it in the world.” We are so excited to bring you a special interview with Cara Menzel and her sister, Disney Legend Idina Menzel. These two have teamed up to write a wonderful new children’s book called Loud Mouse: How a […]
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BONUS EPISODE – “Strange World” Press Event

September 21, 2022
“This looks like it was made for me.” Thanks to Walt Disney Animation Studios, Craig had the opportunity to speak to many of the creators behind the upcoming Disney film Strange World. This film will be coming to theaters on November 23, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union and Lucy Liu. Join […]
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Ep. 175 – Reactions from D23 Expo 2022!

September 16, 2022
The one where Brett and Craig argue about Harmonious again…. Wow! This past weekend brought us a ton of Disney announcements from D23 Expo 2022. On this episode, Craig, Brett and Bea will break down some of the announcements they were the most excited about from the whole weekend of panels and events. You’ll get […]
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Ep. 174 – “Part of My World” with Disney Legend Jodi Benson

September 8, 2022
“I have a gift, but I don’t necessarily get to choose how that gift is shared…” We are incredibly excited to welcome back to the podcast, Disney Legend Jodi Benson. She has written, for the first time, some of her thoughts and feelings about her life. It’s less an autobiography and more a conversation that […]
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BONUS: D23 Expo Week Planning

September 5, 2022
It is D23 Expo Week! Are you ready for D23 Expo? Join BTM Brett with special guests Cari and Jacqueline as they get ready for their D23Expo 2022 adventures! Questions will be answered and excitement abounds! FEATURING: Brett Rutherford __________________________________________   Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts   FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://ww...
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Ep. 173 – Around the Sun (with Brad Forenza and Adassa)

September 1, 2022
“It’s just one beautiful land of opportunity we are in…” This week Craig and Vanessa had a wonderful opportunity to speak to Brad Forenza about the upcoming second season of Around the Sun. “A scripted, episodic audio drama that explores human connections, made and missed, with an existential flare,” premiering in fall 2022. Brad is […]
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Ep. 172 – Mickey’s Not So Scary Trip Report!

August 26, 2022
Boo to you! This week Craig and Anna talk all about their recent trip to the first night of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. That’s right! Halloween in Disney World starts on August 12 and we were there for it. We also chat about Wilderness Lodge and Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. […]
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Ep. 171 – TV Shows in the Parks

August 19, 2022
Quick– you’re stuck in the parks with Topanga and Andre Johnson, what you gonna do? It’s ladies week on Beyond the Mouse! This week on the show Vanessa is joined by special guest Bea Bonner as they talk about TV sitcoms that have filmed episodes in the Disney parks. FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Brett Rutherford and […]
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Ep. 170- Unpopular Opinions w/ Zoey Zara

August 12, 2022
Don’t Hate Us! Don’t hate us.  Yes, we don’t always love everything about Disney. Sometimes we notice things that we think could better. Join us this week as we discuss our most unpopular opinions with special guest Zoey Zara.  FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Brett Rutherford and Vanessa Ferguson  __________________________________________   Named one of the top 50 Disney […]
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Ep. 169 – The World of DVC (with Paul and Amy Krieger)

August 4, 2022
Welcome home! This week we bring you our conversation with Paul and Amy Kreiger of DVC Rental Store and Monora Financial. They bought into DVC in 2019, and quickly have become a leading resource for DVC members. Both are heavily active in the DVC Fan Facebook group, as well as making frequent appearances on The […]
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Ep. 168 – Top Ten Places to Stay Cool in Walt Disney World

July 28, 2022
Let’s be real– Walt Disney World is hot! This week we bring you our top ten (OK we didn’t keep count and there are way more than ten) places to stay cool at Walt Disney World. It’s sweltering in Orlando this summer, and we want to look out for you if you have a trip […]
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Ep. 167 – An Interview with Muppets Animator Guy Gilchrist

July 21, 2022
“He wanted to share the vision he had and make you a part of it…” Really excited to bring to the show this week our interview with artist Guy Gilchrist. Craig had the chance to meet Guy at Fan Expo St. Louis. Guy has drawn dozens of childhood favorites including The Muppets, Teenage Mutant Ninja […]
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Ep. 166 – Thor: Love and Thunder

July 11, 2022
“Sweet child of mine!” On this multi-show crossover we dive into the latest addition to the MCU, Thor: Love and Thunder. Craig, Jeremy and Brett share their thoughts on the film and attempt to predict the impact it may have on the rest of phase four. We start the episode with a spoiler-free first take, […]
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Ep. 165 – The Disney Wish (with John Saccheri of BigFatPanda.com)

July 7, 2022
“I think you’re going to be hooked…” We are excited to welcome back Panda as he is straight off the christening cruise for the Disney Wish. This was a media event cruise, which was sponsored by Disney. As such, John isn’t going to review the cruise, but give us some insights into the newest ship […]
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Ep. 164 – Brett Remembers WDW 4th of July Specials

June 30, 2022
Brett, take the wheel! Join Brett as he shares behind the scenes recollections of Magic Kingdom 4th of July castle show Spectaculars! Let the fireworks fly along with Disney memories that include Disney’s all-star casts including Tommy Tune, Carol Channing and Rita Moreno! FEATURING: Brett Rutherford __________________________________________  Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts […]
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BONUS EPISODE – An Interview with Academy Governor Howard Berger

June 24, 2022
“You have to listen to people tell their story.” Howard Berger is an Oscar winner and an Emmy winner for his work in make-up over a forty year career in Hollywood. One of his first projects was Aliens and since then had has become a fixture in special effects make-up especially in the area of […]
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Ep. 163 – Bedknobs and Broomsticks (with Front Row Classics)

June 22, 2022
“I liked you better as a rabbit, Charlie.” We are excited to dive into the 1971 live action film, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. It wouldn’t be right to talk about this classic film without inviting on Brandon Davis from Front Row Classics to give us a bit of credibility. In addition to Brandon, Anna joins us […]
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Ep. 162 – The Panda Returns (with John Saccheri of BigFatPanda.com)

June 16, 2022
Welcome back, friend! We finally tracked down John Saccheri, Big Fat Panda, and put him in front of a Zoom screen to catch us up on his rollercoaster year! We chat about his new role with The Dis as well as his recent trips to Aulani, Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line. We here at Beyond […]
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BONUS EPISODE: Ultra Violet and Black Scorpion with Showrunners Leo Chu and Eric Garcia

June 13, 2022
“We get to have a very unique Mexican-American superhero.” Craig had an excellent opportunity to catch up with the showrunners behind the new Disney Channel series Ultra Violet and Black Scorpion, Leo Chu and Eric Garcia. This team has been creating together for a decade going back to their time developing Afro Samurai. They open […]
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Ep. 161 – All Things D23 with Jeffrey R. Epstein

June 9, 2022
“I have been very very lucky…” This week we are thrilled to bring you our discussion with Jeffrey R. Epstein, Vice President of Corporate Communications for the Walt Disney Company. Jeffrey has been involved with the official Disney fan club, D23, since its inception. He is also a vital part of the team that brings […]
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