Animation... and Beyond!

Aloha! In this episode of Animation and Beyond, Ezra and Julian dive into the 2002 Disney classic, Lilo & Stitch, and the live-action remake! After a quick catch-up and life update, Ezra and Julian unpack the movie's core message of "Ohana" and the beauty of found family. Ezra covers everything from the franchise's sequels and merchandise empire to the hidden Easter eggs. We also reflect on the film's lasting legacy, particularly how Lilo's character resonates so strongly with autism representation. Grab your surfboard and join our Ohana for Elvis, aliens, and Hawaiian fun!

Recorded January 2026

Get ready for a wild ride as Ezra and Julian hop straight into the bustling metropolis of Disney's Zootopia! We’re breaking down Judy and Nick's unlikely buddy-cop dynamic, exploring Judy's paw-sitively inspiring feminist journey, hunting down our favorite hidden Easter eggs, and unpacking the roaring critical and box office success of this modern classic. Plus, we explore the franchise's ever-expanding universe - from the wild success of the new hit sequel, Zootopia 2, to its leap into theme park lands and merch! It’s an episode packed with fascinating facts and fun... fur real! 🐰🦊 Record in January 2026

Ever wonder what was left on the cutting room floor? ✂️ This week on Animation & Beyond, Ezra and Julian are going "Beyond the Box Office" to explore the wild world of director’s cuts and extended editions. They are diving into how a few extra scenes can totally reshape a story—from the epic marathons of Lord of the Rings to the fan-fueled Justice League. They discuss the "tug-of-war" between directors and producers and how streaming is finally letting filmmakers have the last word. Grab your popcorn and let’s get into the "missing" magic! 🍿

In this episode of Animation and Beyond, hosts Ezra and Julian dig into the block-buster world of Minecraft!

They explore its origins, core gameplay mechanics, and explore its lasting cultural impact. They discuss what makes the game Minecraft such a powerful tool for creativity and world-building, and why its simple design has captured imaginations for over a decade. The conversation digs into the 2025 Minecraft movie, its cast, and how it connects to the gaming community. The episode concludes with the newly named trivia segment "I bet you didn't know” and personal updates from the hosts.

Recorded in November 2025.

In this episode of Animation and Beyond, Ezra and Julian explore the connection between animated characters and the actors who inspire them. They look at how some characters are designed directly after real-life performers and how that differs from characters who are brought to life through voice alone.

Along the way, they highlight the influence of iconic performers like Robin Williams and Tom Hanks, break down the differences between voice acting and on-screen acting, and discuss how these choices shape character design and development. It’s a fun, behind-the-scenes look at how animation blends performance and personality to create unforgettable characters.

In this week’s episode of Animation and Beyond, Ezra and Julian crawl into the adorable (and occasionally chaotic) world of babies in animation. They chat about films with baby leads, explore the idea of forever babies, those cartoon kiddos who never grow up, and compare them with coming-of-age characters whose journeys allow them to evolve and mature on screen.

Ezra and Julian explore why baby characters are so lovable, the unique storytelling angles they bring, and how animated films use them to highlight family values and found-family dynamics. They also consider how these characters have evolved over time and what makes them such effective emotional anchors in their stories.

The episode wraps up with trivia, laughs, and a few thoughtful reflections on why animation just can’t quit its cutest characters!

Recorded October 2025

🪞Mirror, mirror on the wall… who’s the fairest of them all? After a long break, Animation and Beyond is back! Ezra and his new co-host Julian dive into the story that started it all — Snow White! From Disney’s 1937 classic to modern adaptations, join us for poisoned apples, quirky dwarfs, and a timeless tale as we break it down one bite at a time🍎

On this episode, we're talking about the emotional rollercoaster of Inside Out! In this 2010's coming-of-age film, there's plenty to love. Plus, Mardy is saying goodbye to the role of Animation and Beyond cohost! Don't fret, though. Ezra will be back with a new cohost and the podcast will go on!

On this episode, we're talking about the world's most gluttonous cat! Your furry, orange, comical friend, Garfield, is returning to the screen with a new movie, and we're celebrating by going over his long history of shows, films, games, merch, and more!

This week we've got a special episode...and interview with the Creator, Executive Producer, and Showrunner for the series "Angry Birds: Mystery Island," Eric Rogers!