37: Hosts Ariel and Stefanie embark on a journey through Disney’s culinary delights, from the treats at the Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure, unexpected finds at Disney Channel Nite, to the surprising food merchandise. They navigate the rising prices, sustainability efforts, and the art of indulging at Disney parks. This episode invites listeners to a broader conversation on food and fandom.

Summary of HPOE37

1. Introduction (0:11): Stef and Ariel set the stage for a delicious discussion on Disney food, touching on its cultural and social impact.
2. Disney's Food and Wine Festival (2:03): They dive into the Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure, expressing surprise over the lack of avocado-themed dishes despite the event's theme.
3. Favorite Festival Foods (6:04): The hosts share their top picks and experiences from the festival, including standout dishes.
4. Merchandise and Marketing (43:46): Discussion shifts to Disney's strategic merchandising of food-themed products, highlighting the new "Disney Eats" monthly release strategy.
5. Educational and Therapeutic Use of Food (32:13): They explore how food can be integrated into educational settings and therapy to foster learning, healing, and a deeper understanding of cultural identity.
6. Closing Thoughts (45:49): The episode wraps up with details on an upcoming panel discussion at WonderCon and an invitation for listeners to share their favorite Disney foods and food fandoms.

Media/Characters Mentioned

• Tiana
• Princess and the Frog
• Remy
• Ratatouille
• Deadpool
• Suki
• Gilmore Girls
• Toadstool
• Funko Figures

Topics/Themes Mentioned
 

• Disney Food Culture
• Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure
• Disney Merchandising and Marketing Strategies
• Using Food in Education and Therapy
• Disney Eats Collection
• Panel Discussion on Food and Fandom

Website: happy.geektherapy.com
| Instagram: @HappiestPodGT | Twitter: @HappiestPodGT | Facebook: @HappiestPodGT |
| Stef on Twitter: @stefa_kneee | Ariel on Instagram: @airyell3000 |

Geek Therapy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of advocating for the effective and meaningful use of popular media in therapeutic, educational, and community practice.
| GT Facebook: @GeekTherapy | GT Twitter: @GeekTherapy |
| GT Forum: forum.geektherapy.com  | GT Discord: geektherapy.com/discord |

36: Venture 'Beyond the Screen: Disney Leveling Up' in Episode 36 of HPOE. Ariel and Stef navigate Disney's groundbreaking move into developing a gaming metaverse and the company's history with games, in general. This episode explores the fusion of iconic Disney storytelling with the interactive world of gaming, highlighting the potential for new adventures and connections. A thrilling exploration of Disney's digital expansion, offering a glimpse into the future of entertainment for gamers, Disney aficionados, and digital explorers alike.

Learn more about the military charity Stack Up: https://www.stackup.org/

Summary of HPOE36:

• Introduction (0:10): Stefanie and Ariel introduce the episode from Stack Up Studios, highlighting the integration of passions in education and therapy.
• About Stack Up (1:01): Discussion on Stack Up’s support for veterans through gaming and community events.
• Recording Together (2:55): Sharing the novelty of recording in person for the first time, enhancing their discussion dynamics.
• Diving into Gaming (3:27): Transition into discussing video games, especially those not typically associated with the “gamer” stereotype.
• Disney and Gaming (4:57): Exploration of Disney’s history with video games, with a special focus on the Kingdom Hearts series.
• Personal Gaming Histories (6:07): Stefanie and Ariel share their personal journeys with video games, from childhood favorites to adult choices.
• Disney’s Gaming Evolution (15:27): Discussing Disney’s new ventures into gaming, including a partnership with Epic Games for a metaverse project.
• Cultural Impact of Gaming (31:18): Reflecting on how gaming influences family traditions and social interactions.
• Safety in Gaming (43:11): Concerns and hopes for safety measures in Disney’s future gaming projects.
• Engagement and Community (45:46): Encouragement for listeners to share their gaming experiences and engage with the community.

Media/Characters Mentioned

• Disney Characters
• Epic Games
• Wreck-It Ralph
• Epic Games
• Fortnite
• GameWorks
• The Little Mermaid
• Aladdin
• Pokemon
• Pokemon Go
• Rock Band
• Guitar Hero
• Disneyland

Topics/Themes Mentioned

• Disney’s Metaverse
• Gaming Evolution
• Community Engagement
• Cultural Impact of Gaming
• Storytelling in Games
• Educational Gaming
• Therapeutic Gaming
• Handheld Games
• Generational Gaming
• Gaming Community
• Community Building
• Recovery
• Destress

Website: happy.geektherapy.com
| Instagram: @HappiestPodGT | Twitter: @HappiestPodGT | Facebook: @HappiestPodGT |
| Stef on Twitter: @stefa_kneee | Ariel on Instagram: @airyell3000 |

Geek Therapy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that advocates for the effective and meaningful use of popular media in therapeutic, educational, and community practice.
| GT Facebook: @GeekTherapy | GT Twitter: @GeekTherapy |
| GT Forum: forum.geektherapy.com  | GT Discord: geektherapy.com/discord |
| A New Hope on Instagram: @stackupdotorg | Twitter: @stackupdotorg | Facebook: Stack Up  Website: https://www.stackup.org/