Charlie Fink is a leading voice in the world of innovation, extended reality (XR), and technology storytelling. Best known for his Forbes column, the AI/XR Podcast, and a decades-long career spanning Disney Animation, AOL, and multiple startups, Charlie shares his insider’s journey from the VHS era of Disney classics to the frontlines of AI-generated media.

Key Takeaways:

• Decades in Innovation: Charlie started in Hollywood as a production assistant, quickly rising to become the youngest Vice President of Animation at Disney, working on classics like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.”
• Full-Circle Creative Career: Though he moved from animation to live-action (and learned the lessons of following one’s instincts in the entertainment industry), Charlie’s career brought him back to animation—now powered by AI and collaboration with industry legends like Rob Minkoff.
• Digital Media Trailblazer: At AOL, Charlie was among the first to shape original, interactive online content and recognized (ahead of its time) the potential for LinkedIn-style social networks within AOL’s platform.
• Hands-On with XR and AI: Today, Charlie produces the AI/XR Podcast, teaches at Chapman and ASU, writes a weekly Forbes column, and advises countless startups. He’s currently working on a new book and a series of animated shorts created with AI.
• Lessons for Innovators: Charlie highlights the importance of helping others without expecting anything in return, embracing the unknown, and not missing new waves of innovation—even if you’re already successful.
• Foundational Influence: As someone who’s both witnessed and helped shape pivotal shifts in media and tech, Charlie’s story is about the power of curiosity, adaptability, and community.

Subscribe for more inspiring stories of innovation.

About Charlie Fink ---

Charlie Fink writes a weekly technology column for Forbes covering AI and XR, and co-hosts its companion show, The AI/XR Podcast. He is the author of the critically acclaimed AR-enabled books Charlie Fink’s Metaverse (2017) and Convergence: How the World Will Be Painted With Data (2019).

Fink teaches emerging media at Chapman University in Orange, CA, and at Arizona State University’s graduate program in Narrative and Emerging Media in Los Angeles. He is also CEO of Sprocketdyne, an AI animation studio he co-founded with film director Rob Minkoff.

Fink's forty-year career at the intersection of storytelling and technology began at Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he famously conceived the idea for The Lion King and subsequently became the studio’s youngest-ever vice president of creative affairs.

Fink's work in immersive technology began in 1992 as COO of Virtual World Entertainment, a groundbreaking location-based VR company founded by Tim Disney.

A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.
At The Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.
In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success.
If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.