"Life at Disney" is a podcast all about what it’s like to Be Part of the Story in a career with Disney. Your hosts, Tony Williams and Ashley Siegel uncover some remarkable stories from the perspective of the people and teams behind the magic. In each episode, we will talk with cast members, crew, Imagineers, and employees to learn more about working at Disney. We will peek behind the curtain of a variety of career opportunities available, like doing research and development with Imagineering, traveling the world as a Destination Manager with National Geographic Expeditions, or starting your career with Disney Programs. We will dive into the creative minds behind signature dining menus for our parks and resorts and learn more about how Disney on the Yard fosters a culture of connection and community for HBCU students and alumni. Join us as we bring our core values, culture, and work to life by getting to know the folks who make up The Walt Disney Company on a personal level.
Alumni Week
Walt Disney first said, “It takes people to make the dream a reality.” Today, we’re kicking back with Disney College Program alumni who not only made those dreams come true during their programs but are also bringing their professional wishes to life since then! First, hear from Stephanie, who shares how her experience and transferable skills from the program helped her reach her dream role with The Walt Disney Company! Then, listen as Ruben shares how his Disney journey has taken him from volunteering at The Walt Disney Family Museum to working in custodial at Disney California Adventure Park to most recently, supporting the Disney+ Original Series "Obi-Wan Kenobi” with Industrial Light & Magic.
10/10/2023 • 34 minutes, 17 seconds
Living the Sweet Life
Making candy apples? Check! Tossing a coin in Cinderella’s Wishing Well? Absolutely! No matter what’s on your Disney College Program bucket list, we're ready to help you achieve it all and more. And today, we have two guests who are living their best lives at Disney! Tune in as our first guest Edwin Diaz, an aspiring Disney animator all the way from New York, shares how he’s living on his own for the first time and loving it. Then, hear from Diamond Gaston, a Merchandise cast member at five unique Disney Springs shops, who spends her free time making memories with her coworkers and building lasting friendships. Get ready to discover all the magic you can experience on your own Program!
9/19/2023 • 40 minutes, 17 seconds
A Backstage Pass to Disney Learning
From uniquely Disney learning opportunities and experiences to covering college credit and so much more - you won’t want to miss this episode! Our first guest is Josh Brasher, a Disney College Program alum who is giving back to the Program in a BIG way with unparalleled opportunities and knowledge from his journey with the Company. You’ll also hear from Nick Warner, who is participating in the Disney College Program and truly making the most of the learning component while also developing impactful connections for his future Disney career. But that’s not all! You'll even discover a few fun facts along the way like which Disney legends recently joined as guest speakers. Tune in!
9/5/2023 • 33 minutes, 29 seconds
Back to Earn Our Ears Again on the Disney College Program
Welcome to season two of our miniseries where we’ll discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Kicking off episode one of the season, you’ll hear from Reese Tate, who is following in her mom’s footsteps by participating in the Program. She’s currently working in attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® with the hopes of merging her theater background with leadership opportunities. Then, you’ll meet Kamrin Williams, who enjoyed her Disney College Program so much, that she’s back for round two. This time, she’s getting extra pixie dust as part of the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Cohort powered by Disney on the Yard.
8/22/2023 • 43 minutes, 6 seconds
Do As Dreamers Do on a Disney College Program
Some of the greatest things in life can come from taking a chance and trying something new. Applying to the Disney College Program helped both of our guests discover just that and gain new confidence in themselves. From viewing each day with a positive outlook to daily “pinch-me moments,” the program experience can lead to exciting opportunities and lasting memories. Our first guest is Javier Moreno, a current participant working at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort that made a big move from California to begin his Disney journey. Then you’ll hear from Alexis Rojas, an ad integration and strategy coordinator with ESPN who started her career on the Disney College Program, making the most of each opportunity she received and continues to do so today.
4/4/2023 • 28 minutes, 36 seconds
Finding Mentors and Magic on a Disney College Program
No matter where you start, there's a place for you within The Walt Disney Company! That's what both of our guests in this episode discovered through their Disney College Program experiences. First meet Emma, a current Disney College Program participant working in merchandise at Dinoland U.S.A. within Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park! Through her program she's developed friendships, working relationships, and leadership skills as well as discovering her dream of building a career with Disney. Then hear from Jose, an alum of the program and seven-year cast member currently in a role with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He speaks about his own Disney College Program experience, how mentors and leaders helped in his journey, and why inclusion is important to him, especially as he now gets to be an integral part of so many other's Disney career journeys.
3/28/2023 • 30 minutes, 14 seconds
Meet the Team Dedicated to Your Program Experience
We’re there because we care! Today, we’re chatting with the team that brings uniquely Disney experiences to life for our Disney Programs participants. We go over everything from exclusive activities and learning offerings to academic and career support. On this episode you’ll hear from Quan Spratley, a Program Experience Associate who recently completed the Disney College Program and is now beginning his career helping current participants make the most of their program. You’ll also hear from Ryan Geno, a Program Experience Manager with a decorated 15-year career at Walt Disney World® Resort who focuses on bringing a variety of experiential and instructor-led learning offerings to life for thousands of participants.
3/21/2023 • 30 minutes, 5 seconds
It All Started with a Disney College Program
Welcome to our new miniseries where we will discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company. Discussing his unique Disney College Program experience, magical moments, and important lessons, you’ll hear from Colin Hooper, a current Disney College Program participant working as a Resort Concierge and Trainer at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. You’ll also hear from Taylor Barfield, a Disney College Program alum whose program helped her begin her career with Disney. Now, she is paving the way for future participants and connecting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with meaningful opportunities as an Outreach and Engagement Manager.
3/14/2023 • 37 minutes, 2 seconds
Walt Disney Imagineering – Research & Development and AR/VR Design Engineering
From pre-visualizing attractions and shows to researching and developing new experiences that are years away from entering our parks and resorts, we are joined by two Walt Disney Imagineers in this episode. Jonathan Becker, Senior Research & Development Imagineer, and Emily Van Bellegham, AR/VR Design Engineer talk about their current roles, how they got their start with Walt Disney Imagineering, and advice for anyone interested in becoming an Imagineer.
11/1/2022 • 42 minutes, 25 seconds
ESPN – Social Media and Production
To serve sports fans, anytime, anywhere, is the mission of ESPN. As the go-to stop for all sports coverage, we sit down with two ESPN employees, Jett Watkins, Social Media Specialist II and Sania Blu, Associate Producer at ESPN Next, who share that it is not all about the final score, but the stories that EPSN tells. We hear about how ESPN handles breaking news – like when Tom Brady announced he was retiring – tips on how you can improve your content skills, and the different job areas you get to work in when you join the ESPN Next program.
10/25/2022 • 41 minutes, 6 seconds
Disney Programs – Disney College Program and Disney Internships
Discover a unique living and working environment with participants from all over the world. The Disney College Program and Disney Internships can be the start of your career with The Walt Disney Company. Hear from two Disney College Program alumni, including a recently converted Disney Intern, Karla Quintanilla, Programs Experience Associate, and Kevin Boutte, Walt Disney Imagineering Inclusive Strategy Development Designer about their experiences, their roles with the company today, and how you can get started in one on a Disney Program.
10/18/2022 • 35 minutes, 37 seconds
Disney Culinary – Signature Dining and Festivals
The Culinary teams across Disney Parks, Experiences and Products create unforgettable dining experiences for guests from around the world. This week we make stops at our parks on both coasts as we hear from the Culinary Director of Signature Restaurants, Chef Andrew Sutton, and Chef Assistant at EPCOT Festivals, Chef Pedro Pomales. They share their culinary journey, how they conceptualize dishes that end up in our parks and resorts, and the different career paths available with Disney Culinary.
10/11/2022 • 43 minutes
Disney Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Disney on the Yard and Business Employee Resource Groups
At Disney, inclusion is for everyone. We strive to design work environments that inspire optimism and drive innovation for all employees at all levels. And because we recognize that maintaining an inclusive, supportive workplace requires mindful attention and intention, we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our people. To discuss the opportunities available for our cast members, crew, Imagineers, and employees, as well as our external audience in the diversity, inclusion, and equity space, we are joined by Corey Savage, Senior Outreach & Engagement Manager, and LaJoy Mercer, Tech Recruiter as they share their experience and how they have seen this evolve while with The Walt Disney Company.
10/4/2022 • 44 minutes, 1 second
The Walt Disney Studios – Global Marketing and Virtual Production
Walt Disney Studios is the core of where The Walt Disney Company started nearly 100 years ago. Today the Studios brings quality movies, episodic storytelling, music, and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. This week both our guests hail from our Disney Studios Content team, Nicole Roberts, Senior Manager of Global Marketing, and Ian Milham, Virtual Production Supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). Our guests take us behind the scenes of their roles, sharing all the moving parts that go into creating global marketing campaigns, the virtual production process used on The Mandalorian, and how technology is creating new and exciting roles within Studios.
9/20/2022 • 41 minutes, 38 seconds
Technology at Disney – Emerging Technology and Machine Learning Engineering
Innovation is the foundation of what our Disney technologists do. Our technologists are constantly elevating, evolving, and pioneering the future of our streaming platforms, content, and more to always be one step ahead when creating the latest in immersive entertainment experiences. We are joined by two technologists this week, Rekha Bachwani, Director of Machine Learning Engineering with Disney Streaming, and Scott Ray, Director of Technology for Emerging Tech within Disney Parks, Experiences & Products – Technology & Digital. Rekha and Scott give an inside look at some of the projects they’re currently working on with our streaming platforms and our parks and resorts, discuss the culture of their teams, and share advice for anyone interested in a career with technology at Disney!
9/13/2022 • 38 minutes, 43 seconds
Introducing 'Life at Disney'
"Life at Disney" is a podcast all about what it’s like to Be Part of the Story in a career with Disney. Your hosts, Tony Williams and Ashley Siegel uncover some remarkable stories from the perspective of the people and teams behind the magic. In each episode, we will talk with cast members, crew, Imagineers, and employees to learn more about working at Disney. We will peek behind the curtain of a variety of career opportunities available, like doing research and development with Imagineering, traveling the world as a Destination Manager with National Geographic Expeditions, or starting your career with Disney Programs. We will dive into the creative minds behind signature dining menus for our parks and resorts and learn more about how Disney on the Yard fosters a culture of connection and community for HBCU students and alumni. Join us as we bring our core values, culture, and work to life by getting to know the folks who make up The Walt Disney Company on a personal level.
