Notably Disney

When you think of film scores, perhaps one name comes to mind more than any other: the legendary John Williams. In the new documentary on Disney+, entitled Music by John Wililams, director Laurent Bouzereau helps tell the story and impact of John’s work across the worlds of film, music, and more. Along the way we hear from the maestro himself, along with his good friends, including Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, and additional collaborators over his many decades-long career. Joining host Brett Nachman to discuss the documentary and Williams’ work is fellow podcaster and friend Trent Vactor, who has been on Notably Disney before to discuss some of Williams’ scores, including for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. 

Follow Trent Vactor on Instagram (@Vactor). Subscribe to the Vactor-Verse content, featuring comic book shorts, discussions and more on YouTube (@Vactor-Verse). Trust in the Force covers Star Wars material, whereas This Comic COOKS! centers on everything comics!

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Instagram @drnachman, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected] 

New episodes of Notably Disney debut on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

What makes a true Disney legend? On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman speaks with the woman featured in a moving and personal title just published by Disney Editions. In Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey through The Happiest Place on Earth, recently-named Disney Legend Martha Blanding tells her decades-long story of reaching significant milestones as a Disneyland cast member and tour-guide-turned VIP tour hostess and ultimately senior manager of Disneyland Resort Merchandise Special Events. This new book, also written by renowned public relations executive and author Tim O’Day, relays a most touching, impressive, and deeply impactful autobiography of perseverance and magical memories in both the worlds of Disney and broader society. Brett speaks with Martha and Tim to discuss “Groundbreaking Magic," including tales of interacting with A-list celebrities, hosting cool events at Disneyland, and hearing the news of Martha being named a Disney Legend. 

To learn more about Groundbreaking Magic and pick up a copy of the book, visit the Disney Books website.

eel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Author David A. Bossert experienced a successful career with The Walt Disney Company over multiple decades and in various roles. Over recent years he has written books for The Old Mill Press, as he has previously appeared on Notably Disney to discuss them. Find Your Happy Place: The 8 Step Guide to Boosting Your Creativity through a Personal Retreat, his newest book, offers support to all readers on adopting actionable strategies to embrace what a personal retreat can afford. Host Brett Nachman sits down with Dave to discuss the value of these retreats.

Pick up a an author-signed copy of Find Your Happy Place by visiting TheOldMillPress.com.

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

15 years ago Disney released a documentary directed and written by Theodore Thomas that unveiled a relatively unexplored part of Disney history, at least in film form: when Walt and his colleagues were commissioned by the United States government to engage in a goodwill trip down to Latin and South America to forge positive relationships with their governments and peoples. Now, Thomas, as well as celebrated Disney authors Didier Ghez and JB Kaufman, have assembled to produce Walt Disney & El Grupo in Latin America, a new monograph from the Hyperion Historical Alliance, which offers a day-by-day telling of the experience with glorious photography, narrative accounts, and other details. On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman invites in Ted Thomas, Didier Chez, and JB Kaufman to discuss the creation of this visually-stunning and very detailed account of the journey Walt and colleagues embarked on. 

To pick up a copy of Walt Disney & El Grupo in Latin America, check out the Stuart NG Books website.

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

This marks the 150th episode of Notably Disney. How time flies. Five and a half years later, host Brett Nachman continues to find joy and magic in producing this podcast that spotlights the important contributions that Disney authors, musicians, composers, and songwriters make in the world of Disney, as well as the fun and engagement that fellow Disney fans and podcasters bring to this shared passion. In honor of the very special occasion, Brett wanted to bring in some past guests, approximately two dozen of them, to share their memories of being on the show and connections to Disney music or books. Hear some of their recollections and messages on this very special episode! 

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Elyse Willis is an accomplished vocalist and lyricist, having joined Notably Disney several years ago alongside her husband, composer Christopher Willis, to discuss their contributions to the amazing Mickey Mouse shorts. On this episode of Notably Disney, Elyse returns to discuss with host Brett Nachman the business and working life of a vocalist, mentoring students via the Disney Imagination Campus program, providing the operatic voice of an operatic space slug in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, singing in series like Galavant and WandaVision, and much more!

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Author and Disney expert Aaron Wallace has long attended D23 Expo, now called D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, and recently attended the amazing Anaheim experience. Aaron, a longtime guest and friend of the podcast, is here to join host Brett Nachman to dish on everything he experienced and what we as Disney aficionados can be excited about over the coming years. Among the talking points include examining the logistics and execution of D23's ticketing and reservation system, the music-themed presentations and panels on topics like Mary Poppins and The Sherman Brothers, the star-studded and performance-heavy Honda Center events, and much more. Needless to say, Aaron and Brett have some hot takes on some of the theme parks announcements that surfaced and, at least for Brett, strong opinions on recent Disney Legends inductees. Aaron also shares some details about the recent Witches Run Amok: The Oral History of Disney's Hocus Pocus book, for which he contributed his knowledge and perspectives within Shannon Carlin's new release.

Check out what Aaron Wallace has been up to by following him on Twitter/X (@aaronwallace) and Instagram (@aaronhwallace).

Feel free to follow Brett on Twitter (@bnachmanreports), subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Whereas sometimes social media and online videos can be filled with much noise, other times this content brings unbridled joy to users and viewers. Actor, composer, singer, and songwriter Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz is one of those people who exudes brightness, creativity, and optimism in all of his work, crafting videos and performances across his channels, with most of the content centering on obscure and under-appreciated Disney tunes, including original creations. On this episode of Notably Disney Noah host Brett Nachman to share about his trajectory into the arts, career with The Walt Disney Company, and content that you can find on his many platforms. Among the great stories include working with voice artist Corey Burton, crafting content for Imagineering, and assembling amazing Disney medleys!

Check out Noah's work across his website, Instagram (@noahsundaylefkowitz), TikTok (@noahsundaylefkowtiz), and YouTube (Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz).

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

Earlier in 2024 on Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman and guest Matthew Hodge (professor and author) discussed some of their favorite Disney songs and scores, and then provided recommendations on other selections that you may not have heard of.

Today the duo is back, specifically to discuss their recommendations of Disney songs if you enjoy other similar choices. It's a fun game of "if you like this, then you love these" options.

Learn more about Matt's work by visiting his website. And be sure to purchase a copy of Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney, his award-winning book about Disney and jazz, by visiting Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.

On May 25, 2024 the world lost a legendary songwriter emblematic of the term Disney Legend. Richard M. Sherman, who, with his brother Robert, wrote some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century and into the 21st century, too, passed away at the age of 95. It’s almost impossible to sum up Richard’s life and legacy in the span of a few sentences, or even over this conversation, though I want to create space to honor a man whose music and spirit will continue to illuminate our lives for generations to come. On this episode of Notably Disney, host Brett Nachman is joined by two individuals who knew, wrote about, and worked with Richard over the years. Author Jeff Kurtti is a celebrated Disney author who has written several dozen books about various facets of Disney. Central to this dialogue, he is the co-producer of The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story documentary and an editor on the Walt’s Time: From Before to Beyond book about the Sherman Brothers. Author Jim Fanning is an accomplished Disney author of many books, including the recent Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder, and has over the years crafted many articles, videos, and other pieces of writing about the Sherman Brothers’ work. Jeff and Jim share their memories of Richard Sherman, including some incredible anecdotes and facts that illustrate the songwriter's creativity and kindness.

Feel free to reach out to Brett via Twitter/X @bnachmanreports, subscribe to the podcast, and send your feedback to [email protected]

New episodes of the podcast debut on the first and third Tuesday of every month.