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PODCAST

Deconstructing Disney

Rachel Casey, Erin Casey

Two life-long Disney fans take on the Disney film catalog, beginning with the animated features, and discuss with a critical lens. New episodes the first Tuesday of every month. @DeconDisney on social media.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

01:44:28

Up

Deconstructing Disney ·

2025/09/04

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel wallow through an elderly man’s grief journey with Pixar’s critically acclaimed Up (2009). They argue the beautiful art and cute sidekicks aren’t enough to redeem this (admittedly beloved) film, especially since the (admittedly moving) love story invokes the classic “dead wife” trope. We’ll keep sailing our balloon house onto the next one, please and thank you. Episode BibliographyAdler, S. (2008, August 7). 'Up' And Coming: 3-D Pixar Movie Tells A 'Coming Of Old Age'

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01:08:30

Bolt

Deconstructing Disney ·

2025/07/15

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel discuss Bolt (2008), a lesser known film about a dog who thinks he’s a super hero. Under new leadership, Disney Animation Studios starts to come out of their slump with this film that some people found boring (Erin) and others found heartwarming (Rachel). Episode BibliographyAmidi, A. (2006, December 18). Chris Sanders No Longer Directing American Dog. Cartoon Brew. https://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/chris-sanders-no-longer-directing-american-dog-2407.htmlBolt. (n.d.)

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01:57:16

WALL-E

Deconstructing Disney ·

2025/05/25

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel travel 700 years into the future to discuss WALL-E (2008), Pixar’s robot romance with an unintentionally anti-capitalist message. Fatphobia and misogyny make this dystopian tale unwatchable despite its endearing protagonist, striking animation, and moments of nostalgia. Episode BibliographyThe 81st Academy Awards | 2009. (2009, February 22). Oscars.org. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2009Akers, D. (2008, June 9). Wall-E: A Movie With a Full Heart, or A

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01:56:12

Ratatouille

Deconstructing Disney ·

2025/04/02

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel discuss Ratatouille (2007), a Pixar film about a French rat who wants to be a chef. Their discussion includes a fine stew of food politics, meritocracy, and sexism with a garnish of fatphobia. Bon appetit! Episode BibliographyBaker, J. (2005, January 17). Dan Lee. James Baker. https://www.james-baker.com/news/dan-lee/Bird, B. [@BradBirdA113]. (2020, July 13). The “Guarantee” was my idea, not Pixar’s. It had zero to do with CARS or HAPPY FEET. It was a [Tweet]. Twitter

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01:22:29

Meet the Robinsons

Deconstructing Disney ·

2025/03/04

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel travel to a frenetic future to discuss Meet the Robinsons (2007), a fever dream of a film that performed poorly at the box office despite intervention from John Lasseter, newly seated Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Sexist and fatphobic content are only minimally present, but that doesn’t mean Erin and Rachel enjoyed this chaotic whirlwind of characters and colors any more than the critics who panned it in 2007. Episode BibliographyA Day with

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01:44:50

Cars

Deconstructing Disney ·

2025/02/04

Episode SummaryIn this episode about Cars (2006), Erin and Rachel take a road trip to Radiator Springs, discussing Pixar history, environmentalism, and masculinity and masculinity along the way. Ka-chow! Episode BibliographyThe Amazing Double Life of Jorgen Klubien. (2013, October 15). FLIP. https://flipanimation.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-amazing-double-life-of-jorgen.htmlArnold, W. (2006, June 8). Cars is a joyous ride. Seattle PI.

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01:17:51

Chicken Little

Deconstructing Disney ·

2024/10/15

Episode SummaryChicken Little (2005), the modern retelling of the classic folk tale, will make you wish the sky was falling so the movie would end. Erin and Rachel discuss the gender dynamics and fatphobia in this story about a father and son (and also baseball and aliens). Episode BibliographyÅström, B. (2015). The symbolic annihilation of mothers in popular culture: Single Father and the death of the mother. Feminist Media Studies, 15(4), 593-607. DOIi:

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01:49:02

The Incredibles

Deconstructing Disney ·

2024/08/30

Episode SummaryFamily superhero saga, The Incredibles (2004), was another smash hit for Pixar. Although fun to watch, the focus on a middle aged male protagonist leads Erin and Rachel to ask once again, who is this movie really for?Episode BibliographyAl-Jbouri, E., & Pomerantz, S. (2020). A new kind of monster, cowboy, and crusader? Gender hegemony and flows of masculinities in Pixar animated films. Boyhood Studies, 13(1), 43-63. doi: 10.3167/bhs.2020.130104Barrier, M. (2005, February 27). Brad

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01:20:10

Home on the Range

Deconstructing Disney ·

2024/07/03

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel venture to the Old West to discuss the oft forgotten 2004 flop Home on the Range. The convoluted plot, juvenile humor, and unsympathetic characters make for a frustrating viewing experience. Most critics and audience members seem to agree this movie would be best put out to pasture. Episode Bibliography#26. A Conversation with John Sanford. (n.d.). Fülle Circle Magazine. https://www.fullecirclemagazine.com/2008/12/conversation-with-john-sanford.htmlDudley, S. (2018,

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01:18:16

Brother Bear

Deconstructing Disney ·

2024/05/19

Episode SummaryWelcome to our family time! Erin and Rachel discuss Brother Bear (2003), another entry in the canon of Disney’s flop era. Despite disappointingly little effort on the part of the filmmakers to ensure cultural authenticity, Brother Bear manages to tell a sweet story with surprisingly little offensive content. Episode BibliographyAlaska Travel Industry Association. (2024). Yup'ik and Cup'ik Culture in Alaska. Travel Alaska.

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01:37:17

Finding Nemo

Deconstructing Disney ·

2024/04/02

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel dive into a discussion of Finding Nemo (2003), the box office splash that enthralled audiences and critics alike. This movie about fish offers a surprising amount to wade through in terms of environmentalism, gender politics, and ableism. Episode BibliographyAl-Jbouri, E., & Pomerantz, S. (2020). A new kind of monster, cowboy, and crusader? Gender hegemony and flows of masculinities in Pixar animated films. Boyhood Studies, 13(1), 43-63. doi:

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01:44:49

Treasure Planet

Deconstructing Disney ·

2024/03/05

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel explore Treasure Planet (2002), the biggest flop in Disney animation since The Black Cauldron. The hosts discuss what went wrong with this pet project of veteran directors Ron Clements and Jon Musker, beyond just the usual misogyny, that is. Episode BibliographyAguilar, C. (2022, December 28). ‘Treasure Planet’ at 20: Disney’s failed space odyssey deserved to soar. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/28/movies/treasure-planet-disney.htmlArmstrong, J

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01:48:24

Lilo & Stitch

Deconstructing Disney ·

2024/02/06

Episode SummaryMuch like family dynamics and intergalactic diplomacy, Lilo & Stitch (2002) is a complicated movie. Erin and Rachel surf through the topics of Hawaiian culture and representation, colonialism, and Elvis. Episode BibliographyBell, J. (2023, August 13). The Meaning Behind The Song: He Mele No Lilo by Disney. Old Time Music. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-he-mele-no-lilo-by-disney/Byrne, E. (2012). Forgetting Hawai’i: The role of

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01:10:13

The Best Disney Song of All Time

Deconstructing Disney ·

2023/12/05

Erin and Rachel sing their way through a March madness-style bracket to determine the best Disney song of all time! Listen to the official playlist of songs in the bracket (all "Sweet 16" of them) on YouTube Music. Watch the Our Last Night cover of Surface Pressure on YouTube.

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01:27:21

Monsters, Inc.

Deconstructing Disney ·

2023/10/31

Episode SummaryJoin Erin and Rachel on the Scare Floor for a discussion of Monsters, Inc. (2001). The impressive animation, clever world building, strong performances, and high joke density adequately compensate for some outdated fatphobic, classist, and misogynist beats. Under director Pete Docter, Pixar has officially hit their stride with this critically acclaimed box office smash. Episode BibliographyAl-Jbouri, E., & Pomerantz, S. (2020). A new kind of monster, cowboy, and crusader? Gender

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01:50:17

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Deconstructing Disney ·

2023/09/12

Episode SummaryMaking sense of the plot of Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) proves almost as difficult as locating a lost civilization in the Atlantic Ocean. Erin and Rachel muddle through the complicated lore of this box office flop and manage to find some positive depictions of gender roles and racial diversity. Episode Bibliographyapneax3n0n. (2015, May 9). Nadia vs Atlantis - The More You Know post. Imgur. Retrieved August 6, 2023, from https://imgur.com/gallery/ytmAWAtlantis: The Lost Empire

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01:40:24

The Emperor's New Groove

Deconstructing Disney ·

2023/08/08

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel try not to throw off the emperor’s groove with their critique of the cultural appropriation and homophobia in this cult classic from 2000. Ultimately, the memeable humor and nuanced portrayal of masculinity make The Emperor’s New Groove a palatable offering from a studio that was floundering post-Renaissance. Episode BibliographyBorthaiser, N. (2010). Brave New Americas: Historical re-interpretations in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove and DreamWorks' The Road to El

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01:11:19

Dinosaur

Deconstructing Disney ·

2023/06/06

Episode SummaryDisney animators combined computer generated animation with live action background scenery to create the visually stunning Dinosaur (2000). Unfortunately, the boring plot and lackluster characters leave Erin and Rachel wishing that these dinosaurs would hurry up and go extinct. Episode BibliographyAguilar, C. (2020, May 26). Celebrating the risk-taking greatness of Disney’s Dinosaur, 20 years later. RogerEbert.com. Blankstein, A. (1998, February 28). Boom's Counterweight Cited as

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01:25:46

Toy Story 2

Deconstructing Disney ·

2023/05/02

Episode SummaryOriginally planned for a direct-to-video release, Toy Story 2 (1999) was deemed too good for the small screen and instead enjoyed a theatrical release that was met with rave reviews. The addition of a plucky heroine with a tragic backstory mitigates some of the toxic masculinity from the first installment, but ableism and fatphobia manage to sneak in. Episode BibliographyABC News. (2000, October 24). Profane Toy Story 2 Recalled. ABC News. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from

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01:31:55

Tarzan

Deconstructing Disney ·

2023/03/21

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel swing to the end of the Disney Renaissance with their discussion of Tarzan (1999). The hosts fault the filmmakers for their choice of racist, misogynistic source material, but applaud the stunning visuals, quotable script, and catchy soundtrack. Episode BibliographyAbbott, J. (1999, June 7). A FRESH TARZAN. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-06-08-9906070397-story.htmlAsclepi. (2012, June 26). The Making

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