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Music Behind the Magic

Music Behind the Magic

Jonathan Goodman 59 Episodes Oct 4, 2026

A podcast celebrating the magic of Disney songs, scores, and soundtracks--from the movies to the parks. Join us in exploring the music of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel with new topics and interviews every week. Let's create some magical, musical pixie dust!

Episodes

The Skywalker Symphonies: John Williams and the Music of Star Wars with Frank Lehman
The Skywalker Symphonies: John Williams and the Music of Star Wars with Frank Lehman Oct 4, 2026 00:55:08 Over the course of the 9 episode Skywalker Saga, John Williams created a comprehensive, wide ranging symphonic masterpiece, brilliantly conceived and meticulously constructed. To do a deeper dive around the musical (and psychological) elements of those scores, we are joined by Frank Lehman, a professor of Music at Tufts University who has just released his latest book The Skywalker Symphonies: Joh
The Jungle Cruise: History, Jokes, and Music with Tim Foster
The Jungle Cruise: History, Jokes, and Music with Tim Foster Sep 13, 2026 01:24:55 The Jungle Cruise is one of Disney fans’ most beloved attractions. And while many people love the theming, the mechanical animals, and the scenery, the jokes and puns are usually what keeps us coming back for more. But this ride has a long and storied history, starting with its debut as an opening day attraction at Disneyland in 1955 and at Walt Disney World in 1971. It just so happens that there
D23 Recap and Trip Report: Music, Movies, Magic, and More
D23 Recap and Trip Report: Music, Movies, Magic, and More Aug 28, 2026 00:59:47 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is Disney’s largest fan convention, bringing together fans from around the world for major announcements, immersive exhibits, exclusive merchandise, special performances, and more. Taking place August 14 – 16, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center and nearby Honda Center, D23 2026 is the ultimate destination for Disney fandom.What does that mean? It means that i
The Best of Star Wars Music with Tim Foster
The Best of Star Wars Music with Tim Foster Aug 3, 2026 01:54:52 With the recent release of The Mandalorian and Grogu marking the return of Star Wars to the movie theaters for the first time in 7 years (after 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker), the recent conclusion of the Maul: Shadow Lord animated series, and with the 50th Anniversary of the release of Star Wars (or Episode IV, or A New Hope) coming next year, I figure it’s a great time to take a look at our favor
Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz and the Emotional Power of Disney Medleys
Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz and the Emotional Power of Disney Medleys Jul 10, 2026 01:07:19 It’s one thing to love Disney songs. It’s another to be able to play Disney songs. But it’s a whole other level to write and perform original music about Disney songs, drawing upon the fandom’s collective passion for history and nostalgia and providing a musical outlet for those emotions. Today we are joined by an incredibly talented singer, musician, and voice actor, Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz, who ha
Mark Mancina and the Music of Moana
Mark Mancina and the Music of Moana Jun 26, 2026 00:40:20 It’s a big summer for Disney in the movie theaters. The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first Star Wars movie in 7 years, Toy Story 5 is out and is already breaking records, and the live-action reimagining of Moana is coming out on July 10th, just in time to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the animated film’s original release. The movie has become an instant classic due to the depth and complexit
Legendary Composer Bruce Broughton Returns to Discuss Soarin' Across America
Legendary Composer Bruce Broughton Returns to Discuss Soarin' Across America Jun 8, 2026 00:58:30 If you’ve been paying attention, you may have noticed that there is a LOT going on around the Disney parks. There are re-imaginings and updates to existing rides, and lots of news coming out about upcoming rides as well. This year, we’ve already seen the re-opening of the newly redesigned Rock n Roller Coaster starring the Muppets and news of a significant overhaul of Carousel of Progress, which i
The Magic of Live Disney Musical Entertainment with Michael Mastroianni
The Magic of Live Disney Musical Entertainment with Michael Mastroianni May 26, 2026 01:02:48 On the podcast, we talk a lot about the emotional power that Disney music is able to convey, and most of the time, we experience that power passively—on a screen or through our headphones. But the real magic of Disney music happens when you are able to experience it live, and throughout the Disney parks there are exceptional musicians who play that music directly—and unfiltered—to the guests and c
A Conversation with Pixar Creative Veteran James Ford Murphy and the Music of "Lava"
A Conversation with Pixar Creative Veteran James Ford Murphy and the Music of "Lava" May 10, 2026 00:56:20 This year commemorates the 40th anniversary of Pixar. Pixar was officially founded as an independent company on February 3, 1986, when Steve Jobs purchased the Computer Graphics Division from Lucasfilm. Since that time, Pixar has gone on revolutionize the industry, creating technologically groundbreaking and emotionally resonant masterpieces, including 20 short films and 30 feature films. But, wha
Haim Mazar and the Music of Disney's Versa
Haim Mazar and the Music of Disney's Versa Apr 28, 2026 00:56:32 The amazing thing about Disney movies is how they are able to make us feel so many emotions through the use of unparalleled storytelling. With some clever or poignant dialogue, incredible voice acting and music in the background, we can feel joy, wonder, or even sadness. But what happens when someone wants to convey some of the most complex and personal of emotions—love, loss, grieving, acceptance
Composer Tyler Koontz and Creating Disney Parks Music Around the World
Composer Tyler Koontz and Creating Disney Parks Music Around the World Apr 11, 2026 00:43:56 When we visit the Disney parks, there is always music around to guide us. There is the background music in each land that sets the theme, and the attraction music that helps narrate the story of the ride. But the music in the parades, shows, and nighttime entertainment spectaculars is there to do more than guide you—it is there to make you feel. To give you that beautifully bittersweet feeling of
The Top 10 Pixar Songs with Tim Foster
The Top 10 Pixar Songs with Tim Foster Mar 15, 2026 02:19:59 With all of the Disney news that has come out in the past few months, it might have gone a bit under the radar that Pixar recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as a company. And Pixar in particular has established an incredible musical legacy, not in the traditional “Disney Musical” sense, but by using compositions and songs to drive the narrative of its films and maximize their emotional impac

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