In this episode of Disney Junkie, we take a deep dive into Disney’s Sleeping Beauty—a film celebrated for its breathtaking artistry, but rooted in some of the darkest folklore in the Disney canon.

Host Jennifer Miller is joined by Ashley Mayfield, co-executive director at Synergy and Bloom and a specialist in holistic trauma recovery, to explore the myths and legends that shaped Sleeping Beauty long before Disney softened the story. From medieval European versions to Charles Perrault’s retelling, we unpack how themes of power, passivity, and violation have followed this fairy tale for centuries—and what that says about the societies that told it.

We also examine how Disney transformed those origins into a visual masterpiece, pairing Tchaikovsky’s score with Eyvind Earle’s bold, stylized animation, and introducing one of Disney’s most iconic villains: Maleficent. The conversation extends into modern reinterpretations, including Maleficent’s shift from villain to victim, and how reclaiming narrative mirrors real-world trauma healing.

Blending film history, mythology, psychology, and energy work, this episode invites listeners to look beyond the spinning wheel and fairytale kiss—and reconsider why Sleeping Beauty continues to enchant, unsettle, and endure.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we uncover the surprising and unsettling real-world history behind one of Disney’s most romantic classics, Lady and the Tramp. While the film is remembered for spaghetti dinners and puppy love, its origins trace back to true crime journalism, personal trauma, and a search for redemption.

Host Jennifer Miller explores how journalist Ward Greene—who covered the infamous Leo Frank case—channeled his experiences into writing Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog, a story rooted in empathy, injustice, and healing. That narrative eventually merged with Walt Disney’s own personal inspiration to become Lady and the Tramp.

We also dig into the film’s groundbreaking production as Disney’s first Cinemascope animated feature, the voices and music that brought the dogs to life, and Peggy Lee’s lasting influence on Disney history. From courtroom tragedy to canine romance, this episode reveals how light can emerge from darkness—and how storytelling can transform even the heaviest histories into something enduring and heartfelt.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we take flight into the fantastical world of Disney’s Peter Pan—a film that blends childhood wonder, adventure, and deeper psychological layers. Host Jennifer Miller is joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Deidre Darling Shea for a thoughtful exploration of the story’s timeless appeal and hidden complexities.

Together, they unpack the origins of J.M. Barrie’s famous tale, from the author’s own tragic childhood to the real-life inspiration behind the Lost Boys. They explore how the characters of Neverland—like the temperamental Tinker Bell and the fearsome Captain Hook—mirror emotional development and the push-pull of growing up.

Deidre offers insight into the psychology of imagination, childhood fantasy, and the desire to stay young forever, while Jennifer reflects on how Disney’s adaptation helped shape generations of viewers’ perceptions of youth and identity.

The conversation also navigates the more complicated aspects of Peter Pan, including its cultural depictions and the long-standing debate around separating art from its creator.

Whether you grew up dreaming of flying off to Neverland or questioning the meaning behind the boy who wouldn’t grow up, this episode invites you to look at Peter Pan with a new perspective.

Stay tuned for our next episode as we head into the romantic streets and social undertones of Lady and the Tramp, only on Disney Junkie.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we take a closer look at Disney’s 1951 animated classic Alice in Wonderland—a film that initially baffled audiences but went on to become one of the studio’s most enduring cult favorites.

Host Jennifer Miller unpacks the chaotic charm and complicated legacy of Alice, tracing its origins back to Lewis Carroll’s surreal 19th-century novel. From oversized mushrooms and vanishing cats to tea parties with no point at all, Alice in Wonderland invites us into a world where nothing makes sense—and that’s exactly the point.

We explore how Disney’s version blended pieces from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass into a whirlwind of visual experimentation, musical nonsense, and emotional unpredictability. And we ask: What does this story actually say about childhood, imagination, and growing up?

Joined by producer Brennon and recurring guest Doug Gaskell—a retired psychologist and film historian—Jennifer dives into the psychological side of Wonderland, including how nonsense and surrealism can serve childhood development. We also confront the more uncomfortable aspects of Lewis Carroll’s life and legacy, raising important questions about the complicated line between art and artist.

Whether Alice is a nostalgic fever dream or a film you’ve always struggled to understand, this episode invites you to take another look at the madness—and maybe even make peace with it.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we take a closer look at Disney’s 1950 animated classic Cinderella—a film that not only saved the studio from financial peril, but also redefined the princess genre for generations to come.

Host Jennifer Miller peels back the layers of this iconic tale to reveal its global and often unsettling roots. From ancient Chinese folklore to the brutal twists of the Brothers Grimm, Cinderella’s story has evolved through centuries of cultural storytelling. We explore how Disney softened and shaped that history into a sparkling rags-to-riches fantasy filled with music, magic, and mice.

Jennifer also reflects on the animation breakthroughs, the iconic transformation scene Walt Disney personally loved, and how Cinderella became a symbol of hope in a postwar world. Beyond the ballgowns and glass slippers, we examine what the story continues to say about gender, power, and identity today.

Whether you grew up dreaming of fairy godmothers or questioning happily ever afters, this episode invites you to see Cinderella with new eyes.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we dig into one of Disney’s most underrated package films: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949). Blending slapstick with the supernatural, this two-part feature combines the whimsical charm of The Wind in the Willows with the eerie folklore of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow—creating one of the strangest tonal pairings in the Disney canon.

Host Jennifer Miller unpacks the literary origins of both tales, revealing how Kenneth Grahame’s mischievous Mr. Toad explores themes of indulgence, addiction, and redemption, while Washington Irving’s headless specter taps into centuries-old ghost lore and societal anxieties. We explore how Disney softened, sharpened, and stylized each adaptation—balancing playful storytelling with real historical and psychological depth.

From courtroom chaos to midnight rides through haunted woods, this episode traces how Disney turned two classic tales into a cult favorite. And yes—we ask the big question: Did Ichabod survive?

Next up: Cinderella. Until then, keep your heart sparkly and your curiosity just spooky enough.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we dive into Fun and Fancy Free (1947), a lesser-known gem from Disney’s post-war era. Released during a time of budget cuts, creative compromise, and industry recovery, this packaged feature combined two very different stories—Bongo the Bear and Mickey and the Beanstalk—to deliver lighthearted escapism when audiences needed it most.

Host Jennifer Miller unpacks the real-world pressures behind the film’s creation, including the financial strains of World War II and a brewing power struggle between Walt and Roy Disney. We explore the deeper origins of both stories: Bongo’s tale of captivity and self-discovery (based on a story by Nobel Prize winner Sinclair Lewis), and Mickey’s legendary turn in Jack and the Beanstalk, backed by ancient folklore and mythic symbolism.

From moral lessons wrapped in whimsy to the enduring appeal of happy endings, Fun and Fancy Free may not top most Disney rankings—but it remains a fascinating snapshot of the studio’s resilience and creativity in uncertain times.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we wander into the quiet, emotional world of Bambi (1942)—a film known for its breathtaking animation, haunting use of silence, and unexpectedly deep roots in European history and allegory. Adapted from Felix Salten’s novel Bambi, A Life in the Woods, this story carries themes of persecution, resilience, and the cycle of life far beyond what’s seen on screen.

Joining host Jennifer Miller is a very special guest: her father, Doug Gaskill—a recently retired psychologist, teacher, historian, and lifelong film aficionado. Together, they explore the film’s historical context, the power of silence in storytelling, and the lasting cultural impact of one of Disney’s most emotionally resonant classics.

From Salten’s political allegory to Disney’s artistic innovation, this episode invites listeners to see Bambi not just as a story of a young deer, but as a timeless tale of survival, identity, and growth.