In this episode of Up Next, host Tommy Lee sits down with Tony Bancroft, Director, Animator, Podcaster, and Lipscomb University Professor, to discuss his latest project, Light of the World, a groundbreaking 2D animated feature about Jesus.During his 12-year career with Disney Studios, Tony helped bring to life some of the most beloved characters in animation history: Pumbaa in The Lion King, Kronk in The Emperor’s New Groove, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, and Iago in Aladdin. His most notable achievements include co-directing Disney’s Mulan, earning the Annie Award for Director of the Year, and serving as Animation Supervisor for Sony’s Stuart Little 2, which won the Visual Effects Society’s top award for character animation. Tony also directed the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso for Disney.In this conversation, Tony shares how his personal faith and professional expertise intersect in the making of Light of the World, the creative challenges of animating the life of Jesus, and the deeper spiritual insights he has gained along the way.Tune in for an inspiring conversation on art, faith, and storytelling with one of animation’s most celebrated voices!

What does it mean to be a good bandmate, in music, in leadership, and in life?

In this episode, Tommy Lee sits down with Stu Smith, Head of Design at Atlassian, to trace his journey from worship bands in Texas to leading design for global products like Confluence and Trello. Stu shares how music opened the door to design, how “cave time” and “spike time” fuel creativity, and how he learned to lead not by consensus but with clarity and care.

From the Austin startup scene to Atlassian’s global team, Stu reflects on what it takes to foster creativity, build healthy remote teams, and show up authentically as a Christ-follower in the workplace. His insights on leadership, faith, and creativity will inspire anyone navigating the intersection of calling, career, and community.

#Podcast #LeadershipPodcast #FaithAndWork #ChristianLeadership #Creativity #DesignLeadership #WorkplaceFaith

In this episode of UpNext, Yonilda Varner shares her remarkable journey from California to Austin, where family circumstances and a heart to support her mother shaped her path. With over 25 years at AT&T, she reflects on how servant leadership and meaningful workplace relationships defined her career. Yonilda and Tommy also discuss the evolution of training methods in a rapidly changing culture and her transition into the nonprofit sector with Life Anew, where she experiences the joy of seeing her work’s direct impact. Along the way, Yonilda draws wisdom from her mother and grandmother, offering timeless lessons on resilience, kindness, and the power of community.Tune into this inspiring new episode of UpNext! #Leadership #ServantLeadership #FaithAndWork #NonprofitLeadership #PodcastCommunity #ChristianLeadership #LifeLessons #UpNextPodcast