Best Digital Tee Podcasts (2025)

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The Polar Express (2004) 1:06:10

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10d ago1:06:10

1:06:10

The Fantasy/Animation Christmas special pulls into the proverbial station with this look at The Polar Express (Robert Zemeckis, 2004), a computer-animated adaptation of the 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and a film noted for its pioneering - if at times highly uncanny - application of motion capture technology as it portrays the magic o…

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Footnote #70 - Pantomime 12:23

17d ago12:23

12:23

Sound, performance, and the body come together in this Footnote episode discussing pantomime as an entertainment spectacle, as Chris and Alex seek to map the possible connections between pantomime as a popular theatrical tradition emerging in the 17th century and both animation’s own technologies and representations and legacies of fantasy. Topics …

1
Babes in Toyland (1934) (with Rob King) 1:13:23

24d ago1:13:23

1:13:23

Chris and Alex make their first foray into the world of Laurel and Hardy with this reflection on Babes in Toyland (Gus Meins and Charles Rogers, 1934), a film based loosely on the Mother Goose fairytale albeit with a few other nursery rhyme characters thrown in for good measure, all supported by the iconicity of Laurel and Hardy and the duo’s parti…

1
Footnote #69 - Transnational Cinemas 15:05

1M ago15:05

15:05

Chris and Alex take on transnational cinemas in this brand new Footnote episode of the podcast, thinking through the mobility of - and interactions between - films and filmmakers across national borders and what it means for cinema to ‘travel.’ Topics include the national/transnational relation, and how new kinds of interconnectedness between natio…

1
Lotus Lantern (1999) (with Muyang Zhuang) 1:07:26

1M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Chris and Alex are delighted to be joined for Episode 162 of the podcast by Muyang Zhuang (Assistant Professor at Tongji University), who is a specialist in Chinese cinema, media, and visual culture in East Asia, with a special focus on animation and cartoons. In this instalment, the trio discuss Shanghai Animation Film Studio’s Lotus Lantern (Chan…

1
Footnote #68 - Historiography 13:16

2M ago13:16

13:16

The next Footnote episode of the podcast maps the stakes of telling history and what it means to construct historical narratives through cinema as a form of historical writing. Listen as Fantasy/Animation’s resident lapsed historian Alex takes Chris through the history and theory of making history and doing historical work; verbal and visual discou…

1
Tee Collins (with Robby Gilbert) 1:10:44

2M ago1:10:44

1:10:44

Episode 161 of the podcast features an examination of the animated career of Tee Collins, a pioneer of the medium whose place within received histories has tended to sideline, rather than celebrate, his contribution to the industry and aesthetics of the animated craft. Joining Chris and Alex to situate Collins within the trajectory of U.S. animatio…

1
Footnote #67 - Pepper's Ghost 13:39

2M ago13:39

13:39

Inspired by the recent podcast episode on Casper (Brad Silberling, 1995) that featured a conversation with the film’s lead animator Mark Austin, Chris and Alex maintain the Halloween theme for this latest Footnote instalment that examines the spectacular imagery of “pepper’s ghost” - an illusion technique dating back to the earliest forms of stage …

1
Casper (1995) (with Mark Austin) 1:25:02

2M ago1:25:02

1:25:02

The Fantasy/Animation podcast presents its Halloween special with this deep dive into Casper (Brad Silberling, 1995) featuring a conversation with the film’s lead animator Mark Austin, who as part of the team at Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) worked on bringing the supernatural spectacle of Casper’s lonely ghost roaming the corridors of Whipstaff…

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Footnote #66 - Enviro-Toons 12:58

2M ago12:58

12:58

The first Footnote podcast of the new season kicks off with this discussion of enviro-toons, a category - perhaps even sub-genre - of animation that speaks to the complex relationship that exists between the representations of (and labour processes behind) the animated medium and the environment. Topics include the questionable ‘greenness’ of anima…

1
The Lion King (1994) 1:15:22

3M ago1:15:22

1:15:22

The Fantasy/Animation podcast returns for a brand new season with Chris and Alex marking the end of their summer hiatus with another trip into the magic of Disney’s animated features, this time to remember the pleasures of the pride lands and the circle of life held in delicate balance that propels forward the story of The Lion King (Roger Allers &…

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Reusable, Remarkable, Path to Eco-Innovation - Emma Rose Cohen of Final Straw 49:18

3M ago49:18

49:18

Emma Rose Cohen, the innovative CEO and founder of Final Straw, on Treptalks. In this insightful episode, Emma shares her journey from being a ski bum to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the sustainability movement. She discusses how Final Straw, the pioneering reusable and collapsible straw, launched on Kickstarter and raised $1.8 million shortl…

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Unlocking Growth Through Wellness with St. Belford - Alex Stanford of Saint Belford 53:29

3M ago53:29

53:29

Alex Stanford, the founder of St. Belford, a company specializing in lifestyle planners and journals designed to help individuals prioritize self-care, build healthier habits, and achieve personal growth. Alex shares her entrepreneurial journey, including her motivation behind starting the business in 2017 following personal burnout, and the unique…

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Turning Canine Love Into a Lifestyle Brand - Mai Tran of Cavology 40:28

4M ago40:28

40:28

Mai Tran, the founder of Cavology, a Canadian-based lifestyle brand specializing in fashionable and functional accessories for dogs and their owners. Mai shares her inspiring journey from practicing law to becoming an entrepreneur in the pet industry. She discusses the development and growth of her brand, the strategies and tactics used to build an…

1
Archive Episode - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) (with Simran Hans) 1:05:33

5M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

For the final archive episode of 2025, Chris and Alex once again swing their way back into the superhero world of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey & Rodney Rothman, 2018), revisiting their discussion of Sony Pictures Animation’s computer-animated film that featured special guest Simran Hans, film critic and culture w…

1
Crafting a Sustainable Business From Worn Tees - Nathan Rothstein of Project Repat 54:46

5M ago54:46

54:46

Nathan Rothstein, founder of Project Repat. Nathan shares the story of how Project Repat started in 2012 to convert customers' memorable t-shirts into high-quality quilts. Discussing his entrepreneurial journey, Nathan reveals the initial inspiration, challenges faced, and strategies used to scale the business to an eight-figure enterprise.…

1
Navigating challenges in finance, leadership, and tech integration - Joanne Liscano of On-Air Parking 44:01

5M ago44:01

44:01

Joanne Liscano, the Chief Executive Officer of On-Air Parking. Joanne shares her inspiring journey from working at American Airlines to becoming the CEO of a travel technology company. She discusses the challenges of balancing family life with a professional career and how she utilized her skills to climb the ranks within On-Air Parking. Joanne als…

1
Archive Episode - Wizards (1977) (Live @ Cinema Museum) 56:57

5M ago56:57

56:57

Chris and Alex go all the way back to 2020 for the penultimate archive episode of the podcast for this summer, remembering their discussion of Ralph Bakshi’s high fantasy animated epic Wizards (Ralph Bakshi, 1977), which was originally recorded in front of a live audience at the Cinema Museum in Kennington, London in January 2020. Released first ti…

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The $500K Kickstarter Torch That Changed Grilling Forever - Bob Healey of GrillBlazer 1:12:40

6M ago1:12:40

1:12:40

Bob Healey, founder and inventor of GrillBlazer. Bob shares his fascinating journey from frustration with low-quality propane torches to creating the innovative Grill Gun. He discusses the challenges and strategies he employed to take his idea from concept to market. Bob explains the importance of hands-on design, navigating manufacturing hurdles, …

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Archive Episode - Inside Out (2015) (with Eric Herhuth) 1:03:27

6M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

To coincide with the release of Pixar’s science-fiction computer-animated feature Elio (Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi & Adrian Molina, 2025) this summer, Chris and Alex take listeners back a decade to 2015 and the emotional worlds created by the studio’s earlier Inside Out (Pete Docter, 2015). Originally recorded at the 33rd annual Society for Anim…

1
Balancing Tradition & Innovation in Fashion - Arpit Aryan Gupta of NG Apparels 55:47

6M ago55:47

55:47

Arpit Aryan Gupta, the partner and new business development head of NG Apparels. Arpit shares insights about his journey as a fourth-generation entrepreneur in the textile industry. He discusses the history and evolution of NG Apparels, an India-based custom and sustainable clothing manufacturer utilizing ethical and fair trade practices. Gain valu…

1
Archive Episode - Sub-Saharan African Animation (1966-2013) (with Paula Callus) 1:08:10

6M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

For this second archive episode, Chris and Alex revisit Episode 81 of the podcast that gave listeners a quickfire journey through Sub-Saharan African animation with Paula Callus, a Professor in the National Centre for Computer Animation at Bournemouth University and an expert in Sub-Saharan African animation. The films covered in this instalment we…

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Archive Episode - Space Jam (1996) (with Paul Wells) 1:25:00

7M ago1:25:00

1:25:00

To mark the return of the Fantasy/Animation archive instalments, Chris and Alex once more delve into the podcast’s back catalogue for this relisten of Episode 70 and their discussion of Space Jam (Joe Pytka, 1996), which featured very special guest Professor Paul Wells, Director of the Animation Academy at Loughborough University. Listen again at t…

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Building a Healthy Meal Delivery Business - Andy Sartori of MealPro 1:03:48

7M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Andy Sartori, the founder of MealPro. Andy shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a passion for healthy eating and evolved into a successful e-commerce business that delivers nutritious meals to busy professionals and individuals with specific dietary needs. He discusses the strategic challenges and steps he took, including vertical i…

1
Footnote #65 - Pervasive Animation 12:22

7M ago12:22

12:22

The current cultural “pervasiveness” of animated media and the medium’s durable status as a vital intermediary between ‘us’ and ‘the world’ is the focus of this latest Footnote episode, which tackles “Pervasive Animation” as it has been understood within Suzanne Buchan’s 2013 anthology of the same name. Chris takes Alex through the requisite method…

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The subscription box for adventurers and survivalists - John Roman of BattlBox 1:02:20

7M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

John Roman, founder of BattlBox, a monthly subscription service offering handpicked outdoor survival gear. John shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the inception of BattlBox, the strategies and tactics used to grow the business, and the significant milestones along the way. He also discusses the challenges of operating a subscription mode…

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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Patrick McKay & J.D. Payne, 2022-) (Live @ PCA 2025) 1:30:50

7M ago1:30:50

1:30:50

This podcast special was recorded live at the recent Popular Culture Association Conference in New Orleans, USA, April 2025, where Alex was delighted to be asked to participate in a roundtable discussion on Amazon’s prequel series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Patrick McKay & J.D. Payne, 2022-). In a detour from our usual format, Alex …

1
The Sweet Success of XO Marshmallow - Lindzi Shanks of XO Marshmallow 45:27

8M ago45:27

45:27

Lindzi Shanks, co-founder of XO Marshmallow, a gourmet marshmallow e-commerce company based in Chicago. Lindzi shares the fascinating journey of starting XO Marshmallow with just $200 and growing it into a multi-million dollar business. She delves into how the idea for custom-flavored marshmallows was born, the power of social media in their succes…

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Footnote #64 - The Golden Age of Animation 14:37

8M ago14:37

14:37

Fresh from last week’s discussion of Mickey Mouse, Chris and Alex are once again joined by Dr David McGowan (Lecturer in the Contextual and Theoretical Studies of Animation at the University of the Arts London) to map the mythology of the Golden Age of Animation, and in particular how this phase of the medium’s history has been framed in relation t…

1
Turning a Travel Hassle Into a Must-Have Invention – Craig Rabin of The AirHook 1:06:21

8M ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Craig Rabin, the founder of The AirHook, a patented travel convenience product. Craig shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of creating and marketing The AirHook, and his pivot into becoming an 'invention coach.' Learn about the power of rapid prototyping, the importance of strong relationships, and the value of giving back. Craig also…

1
Mickey Mouse (with David McGowan) 1:30:18

8M ago1:30:18

1:30:18

For this new episode of the podcast, Chris and Alex try and do justice to the global stardom of perhaps the most famous animated character of them all - Mickey Mouse. They are joined by Dr David McGowan, who is Lecturer in the Contextual and Theoretical Studies of Animation at the University of the Arts London, as well as author of Animated Persona…

1
Redefining Luxurious Natural Skincare - Ambrose Price of SKNMUSE 55:19

8M ago55:19

55:19

Ambrose Price, the co-founder of SKNMUSE, a premium skincare brand. Ambrose shares the entrepreneurial journey of creating SKNMUSE alongside his wife, the challenges faced, and the strategies used to grow the business. They discuss the unique aspects of their product line, focusing on natural ingredients and artisanal production. Ambrose also highl…

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Yuba Bikes and the Future of Urban Mobility - Benjamin Sarrazin of Yuba Cargo Bikes 48:06

8M ago48:06

48:06

Ben Sarrazin, founder of Yuba Bikes, a pioneering company on a mission to transform urban mobility through high-quality, eco-friendly cargo bikes. With a background in environmental science and a lifelong passion for cycling, Ben shares the story behind Yuba’s creation and his vision for sustainable transportation. We explore the early challenges o…

1
Footnote #63 - The Censored Eleven 11:09

8M ago11:09

11:09

Chris and Alex take a look at animation’s historical and troubling relationship to race with this examination of the Censored Eleven, a collection of controversial Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons produced during the 1930s and 1940s removed from syndication since 1968 for their inclusion of harmful and offensive racist stereotypes. Topics …

1
Rise of the Guardians (2012) 1:05:44

8M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

To mark the Easter break, Fantasy/Animation crack open Rise of the Guardians (Peter Ramsey, 2012), the 2012 computer-animated film produced by DreamWorks Animation studio and a Hollywood blockbuster adapted from the children’s book series by William Joyce. Something of a box-office failure and a film that prompted an $87 million loss for DreamWorks…

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Minimalist and Socially Responsible Adventurist Backpack and Accessories Company - Matilda and Kelly Belknap 1:02:32

8M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

Matilda and Kelly Belknap, co-founders of the Adventurist Backpack Company share their entrepreneurial journey, tracing the idea back to their first international backpacking trip. Observing market gaps between low-cost and high-end backpacks, they designed their own line that combined quality and affordability. Their travels also exposed them to g…

1
Footnote #62 - Object Relations 12:13

9M ago12:13

12:13

The Fantasy/Animation Footnotes complete their unofficial ‘psychoanalysis trilogy’ with this look at object relations and a branch of psychoanalytic approaches to film that emerged as a competing way of thinking about cinema linked to the development of the conscious minds of children. Listen as Alex takes Chris through the contributions of the Bri…

1
Wedding Day Pet Care Service Business - Illana Karcinski of FairyTail Pet Care 54:23

9M ago54:23

54:23

Illana Karcinski, co-founder of Fairytale Pet Care, a unique wedding day pet care company, discusses her entrepreneurial journey, revealing how the idea originated from observing a common problem in the hospitality industry where couples struggled with including their pets in their wedding. She explains how Fairytale Petcare offers a range of servi…

1
Up (2009) (with Tom Brown) 1:18:42

9M ago1:18:42

1:18:42

Chris and Alex are back in the warm embrace of Pixar Animation Studio, looking at their tenth computer animated film Up (Pete Docter, 2009) - a real high point in the company’s run of critically and commercially successful animated features, and a film that comes almost at the midway point between Pixar today their debut with Toy Story (John Lasset…

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The Front-Facing Dog Backpack Carrier - Joseph Watson of K9 Sport Sack® 1:16:51

9M ago1:16:51

1:16:51

Joseph Watson, Co-owner of K9 Sport Sack, shares the inspirational story of how rescuing a puppy named Daisy from a dumpster led him and his wife to create a product that allows people to bring their dogs along on cycling and hiking adventures. Throughout the interview, Joseph discusses the evolution of the K9 Sport Sack, the challenges they faced,…

1
Footnote #61 - The Gaze 14:20

9M ago14:20

14:20

The Fantasy/Animation Footnotes return to psychoanalysis in order to make sense of the world through gazing and gaze theory. Alex once again takes the lead in discussing Laura Mulvey’s seminal work on the gaze but also how it offers just one way of thinking about the topic, drawing instead on Lacanian psychoanalysis to distinguish between the quali…

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Innovative Muscle Scraping Tools Company - David Restiano of Sorsoap 58:06

9M ago58:06

58:06

David Restiano, the founder and inventor of Sorsoap, a unique muscle scraping soap designed for use in the shower, integrating physical therapy into daily routines. David shares the story of how he came up with the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic while dealing with soreness from running. He discusses the development process, manufacturing challen…

1
World of Tomorrow (2015-2020) (with Elizabeth Cox) 1:09:08

9M ago1:09:08

1:09:08

For Fantasy/Animation’s very first look at California-born animator, writer, and independent filmmaker Don Hertzfeldt, Chris and Alex are joined by Elizabeth Cox, founder of independent animation studio Should We Studio, to discuss Hertzfeldt’s influential World of Tomorrow (2015-2020) featuring the tribulations of protagonist Emily. In her role as…

1
Building Unique, Custom-made Motorcycles - Richard Worsham of Janus Motorcycles 1:01:21

9M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

Richard Worsham of Janus Motorcycles, shares his unique background in literature and architecture and details his journey from childhood fascination with vehicles to founding a motorcycle company. Janus Motorcycles specializes in handmade, classically styled, lightweight motorcycles with a strong focus on design, craftsmanship, and personalization.…

1
Footnote #60 - Psychoanalysis 13:54

9M ago13:54

13:54

Listen as Alex takes Chris through the desires and distresses of psychoanalysis in this new Fantasy/Animation Footnote, working through its status as a branch of psychological theory and the contribution of the seminal work of Sigmund Freud. Other topics in this instalment include the emergence of psychoanalytic thinking at the end of the nineteent…

1
The Wind Rises (2013) (with Esther Leslie) 1:17:10

10M ago1:17:10

1:17:10

Chris and Alex return to Japanese anime and Studio Ghibli for this reflection on The Wind Rises (2013), Hayao Miyazaki’s then-final animated feature that plots the life of Japanese aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi, and which also offers a quasi-autobiographical tale of Miyazaki’s own animated career and the spectacle of his ‘last designs’ along…

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Revolutionizing Oral Care with Wide Mouth Toothbrushes - Dr. Bobbi Peterson of Big Mouth Toothbrush 57:00

10M ago57:00

57:00

Dr. Bobbi Peterson, an orthodontist and founder of Big Mouth Toothbrush, shares her journey from opening her own dental practice to becoming the first black female orthodontist to invent an electric toothbrush. She discusses the motivation behind her innovative product, which aims to improve periodontal health with a wider brush head and powerful s…

1
Footnote #59 - Magic 12:44

10M ago12:44

12:44

Fantasy/Animation turns to a kind of magic for this latest Footnote episode, and the role of the magical in the distinction that lies within fantasy between the knowingness of illusion and the pursuit of rationality. Expect turns to how magic can embody both an appreciation of a non-scientific worldview and a magic show’s illusion and sleight-of-ha…

1
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) (with Lisa Scoggin) 1:17:07

10M ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Chris and Alex delve into the stop-motion world of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson, 2022) for Episode 152 of the podcast, joined in this discussion of loss, love, control, and craft by musicologist and animation historian Dr Lisa Scoggin. Lisa is an expert in animation and its relationship to music, publishing wi…

1
Parenting Without Panic ft. Benj Pasek & Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek 45:41

10M ago45:41

45:41

In a world where parents are drowning in expectations and kids are buried under extracurriculars, how do we step back, loosen up, and actually enjoy the ride? Jenna sits down with Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a leading expert in child development, and her son, EGOT winning Composer and Lyricist, Benj Pasek, for a playful yet profound conversation on rais…