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The Spirit of the Time

The Spirit of the Time

By: Zeitgeist Design & Production
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 Set your time machines for the past . . . and the future! Celebrating the history and next generation of themed entertainment, "The Spirit of the Time" Zoomcast shares the philosophies, insights and industry tradecraft of the top creatives and executives who made or are making their mark in timeless and timely out-of-home entertainment projects all over the world.2022 Art Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Zeitgeist's The Spirit Of The Time Episode 47: Tom Mehrmann

    Zeitgeist's The Spirit Of The Time Episode 47: Tom Mehrmann
    Dec 10 2025

    Flight 47: Former President & COO, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Tom Mehrmann

    While the focus of The Spirit of the Time Zoomcast tends to be on the creative minds who have designed some of the world's most beloved theme parks and attractions, equal creedence must be given to those who operate these projects and ensure, day by day, that the design intent is not just maintained, but improved. Tom Mehrmann is one of our industry's most respected operators, having spent some five decades overseeing major theme parks around the globe — from Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Marine World to Ocean Park, Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid, and Universal Studios Beijing. Set your timepiece now and plan to join us as we welcome the nicest guy in the industry aboard our time machine for a master class in how to successfully operate a theme park and ensure that both guests and employees are your biggest fans!
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Zeitgeist's The Spirit Of The Time Episode 46: Frank Stanek

    Zeitgeist's The Spirit Of The Time Episode 46: Frank Stanek
    Nov 10 2025

    Flight 46: Iconic former domestic and international planning and development executive for both Disney and Universal, Frank Stanek.

    When you view construction photos or videos of Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan and other major themed entertainment projects around the globe, the focus is typically on those crazy creative folks — not the guys in the suits. But the truth is that if it weren't for the guys in the suits who secured the site and the funding, strategically planned the project, and oversaw the budgets and schedules, those crazy creative folks wouldn't have anything to design or build! Frank Stanek is probably the most famous "suit" in our industry today, having worked for Walt and Roy Disney on the New York World's Fair and Mineral King before joining WED Enterprises to oversee business planning and development. He helped to create Walt Disney World, Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris before working directly with Michael Eisner and Frank Wells as the Walt Disney Company's first Corporate Vice President of Planning. After a stint with the Japanese firm Dentsu, Frank was recruited to MCA/Universal, where he became President of International Business Development and oversaw the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, and Universal projects in Spain, Korea, and China. Set your timepiece now and plan to join us as one of the themed entertainment industry's most storied planning and development execs shares his wisdom and tales from the trenches in what promises to be Zoomcast for the ages!
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Zeitgeist's The Spirit Of The Time Episode 45: Joe Garlington

    Zeitgeist's The Spirit Of The Time Episode 45: Joe Garlington
    Sep 28 2025

    Flight 45: Former VP of Interactive Projects, Show Producer & Interactive Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Joe Garlington

    By 1990, it was believed that Disney park guests were tired of passive attractions and so the company brought back former EPCOT Center "Arcade of the Future" designer and the owner of LA-based Art & Technology Joe Garlington to tap into the latest computer hardware and software and transform Disney experiences into communal, personalized, and yes, interactive experiences. If you've ever immersed yourself in Stitch Encounter, Turtle Talk with Crush, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Disneyquest or dozens of early interactive experiences at museums, aquariums and theme parks around the country, you've no doubt enjoyed the creative visions of Joe Garlington. Set your interactive calendar now and plan to join us as USC's Adjunct Professor and Advisor of Themed Entertainment Design climbs aboard the time machine to share his career highlights, collected wisdom, and predictions for the future of interactive technology in themed entertainment. It promises to be, well, interactive!
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    1 hr and 16 mins
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