Explore every episode of the podcast The Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Disneyland's Milestone, Walmart vs. Disney, and the Cast of "Zombies 4" | 05 Jul 2025 | 00:35:57 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Hong Kong Disneyland's 20th anniversary, how Walmart celebrates its founder (and how Disneyland is set to honor its), the latest Disney news, and more. Plus, Alex chats with cast members of "Zombie 4" We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Theme Parks Singles and Doubles, Disney Savings Accounts, and Don Hahn & Christopher Merritt | 21 Jun 2025 | 00:57:56 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the need for smaller Disney theme park experiences, why Disney should create a savings account for fans, the latest Disney news, and more. Plus, Benji chats with Don Hahn & Christopher Merritt about their new book The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Disney's Current Entertainment Advantage, Tease Fails, and the Filmmakers Behind "Elio" | 15 Jun 2025 | 00:28:42 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney current advantage over its media rivals, how teaser announcements can backfire, the latest Disney news, and more. Plus, Benji chats with the cast and crew of Pixar's "Elio," including Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, Mary Alice Drumm, and Yonas Kibreab. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Disney Getting in Shape, Movie Theatre Merch, and Vincent Martella of "Phineas and Ferb" | 01 Jun 2025 | 00:34:08 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney "getting back on the treadmill," how movie theatres became merchandise engines, the latest news, and more. Plus, Alex has a chance to chat with Vincent Martella who voices Phineas on the new season of "Phineas and Ferb." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Benji's CEO Pick, What Makes a Disney Hit?, and Imagineer/Animator/Author Joe Lanzisero | 19 May 2025 | 01:11:49 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss who recently became Ben's pick to become the next Disney CEO, how Disney films actually become hits, the latest news, and more. Plus, we have a very special chat with former animator and Imagineer Joe Lanzisero about his career(s) as well as his children's book "Lemonade The Yellow Bear." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Who Will Lead Disney Next?, Pitching a Premium Disney Credit Card, and Earnings Day with Gavin Doyle | 10 May 2025 | 00:55:36 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the competition to become Disney's next CEO, what Disney could do with a premium credit card offering, the latest news, and more. Plus, we talk to Mickey Visit's Gavin Doyle about Disney's earnings — including the big Abu Dhabi Disney announcement. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Walt the Audio-Animatronic, Where Should Disney Build Next?, and "Big City Greens" Creators Shane and Chris Houghton | 02 May 2025 | 00:43:13 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the new Walt Disney - A Magical Life attraction, where Disney could expand its Parks to next, the latest news, and more. Plus, Ben and Tony talk to "Big City Greens" creators Shane and Chris Houghton about their big 100th episode. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Navigating Fandom, Disneynature, and Imagineering Star Wars in Disney Parks with Asa Kalama & Michael Serna | 20 Apr 2025 | 00:39:53 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss what it's like to be a fan in 2025, the continued existence of Disneynature, the latest news, and more. Plus, Mike talks to Asa Kalama and Michael Serna from Walt Disney Imagineering about current and future(!) Star Wars experiences in the Disney Parks. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Epic Threat?, Disney Thrills, and "Not Just a Goof" w/ Eric Kimelton & Christopher Ninness | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:46:03 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the competition Universal Epic Universe brings to Florida, what increasingly thrilling attractions means for those less tolerant of such things, the latest news, and more. Plus, we talk to Eric Kimelton & Christopher Ninness about their new documentary "Not Just a Goof." We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| South by Southwest & Southwest + "Kiff" Creators Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal | 16 Mar 2025 | 00:52:38 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Disney's SXSW announcements, what Disney (and fans) can learn from Southwest's current debacle, the latest news, and more. Plus, Tony chats with "Kiff" creators Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| The End of Virtual Queue (?), Disney Fandom in the Wild, and Janice LeAnn Brown | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:35:53 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the end of the current virtual queue systems in the domestic parks, encountering casual Disney fans, the latest news, and more. Plus, we chat with Janice LeAnn Brown about "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Where Are the Elder Statesmen?, Disney's Announcement Problem, and Eric Goldman | 16 Feb 2025 | 01:05:01 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the current lack of elder statesmen at Disney, how Disney Parks and Universal approach announcements, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we talk to Eric Goldman about "Captain America: Brave New World" and the state of the MCU. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| The State of D23, How Disney+ Can Improve, and Gavin Doyle | 09 Feb 2025 | 00:54:05 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the current state of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, how the Disney+ interface could change for the better, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with Gavin Doyle of MickeyVisit.com about Disney's earnings call. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| Disney's Competition in After Hours Events, What Happened to runDisney?, and Jeff Trammell | 02 Feb 2025 | 00:32:33 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss Universal presenting a new challenge to Disney's after hours events, runDisney still not bringing back pre-pandemic offerings, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" showrunner Jeff Trammell about the new series. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||
| What is Disney's Streaming Strategy Now?, Anger In & Anger Out, and DCL Duo | 27 Jan 2025 | 01:09:40 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss the lack of clarity in Disney's current streaming plans, the strange cycle of Disney fan reactions to park updates, and the latest Disney news. Plus, we chat with the DCL Duo about the Disney Cruise Line's recent announcements.
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| How Disney Can Help L.A.'s Recovery, True Comparisons Between Disney & Vegas, and Festival of the Arts | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:56:29 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we discuss how Disney could help Los Angeles recover from the devastating wildfires, compares modern-day Disney and Las Vegas, chat with special guests about the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, and the latest Disney news.
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| Taking the 'L' on 2025, What NOT to Do at International Disney Parks, and Bold Predictions | 04 Jan 2025 | 00:54:17 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we will be discussing why Disney should look toward 2026 (while admitting defeat in 2025), what Disney fans traveling internationally should make sure to do, our Bold Predictions for the new year, and the latest Disney news.
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| Lessons From Mufasa and Disney Experience Resolutions | 27 Dec 2024 | 00:49:25 | |
In today’s episode of the Laughing Place "On Balance" Podcast, we will be discussing what lessons Disney can learn from Mufasa's opening weekend at the box office, some New Year's resolution ideas that the Disney Parks should adopt, the Disney Treasure (with our own Alex Reif), and the latest Disney news. We welcome your feedback, so please send your thoughts and questions to podcast@laughingplace.com. | |||