The Progress City Radio Hour
Arts & Culture Podcasts
Hosts Jeff & Michael Crawford take you through a century of Disney history, with a focus on Walt Disney and his many works. From animation to live-action film to theme parks and Imagineering and beyond, we present deep dives into our monthly topics while also interviewing fascinating individuals who have contributed to the Disney legacy. With a look to the past, and an eye to the future, hop on the monorail and join us for a great big beautiful tomorrow! Disney history, music, and more - broadcasting from beautiful downtown Progress City, U.S.A.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Arts & Culture Podcasts
Description:
Hosts Jeff & Michael Crawford take you through a century of Disney history, with a focus on Walt Disney and his many works. From animation to live-action film to theme parks and Imagineering and beyond, we present deep dives into our monthly topics while also interviewing fascinating individuals who have contributed to the Disney legacy. With a look to the past, and an eye to the future, hop on the monorail and join us for a great big beautiful tomorrow! Disney history, music, and more - broadcasting from beautiful downtown Progress City, U.S.A.
Language:
English
Website:
http://progresscityusa.com/
Episodes
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 76 - The Spirit of Aloha!
12/23/2025
Aloha! The Radio Hour is back with a look at some of Disney's brushes with the cultures of the south seas. We'll look at Walt's voyages to Hawaii, the creation of his Enchanted Tiki Room, and the many delights of the Tahitian Terrace. Come closer so you may see what magic there is in fantasy, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:36:53
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 75 - A Trip Back To '75!
7/29/2025
For our 75th episode we again turn the clock back fifty years to visit Walt Disney World in 1975. It's a time of much activity at the resort, so we look at the state of EPCOT planning back then, take a visit to the new Lake Buena Vista Marketplace, and spend a day experiencing the best of what Walt Disney World had to offer fifty long years ago! Cash those travelers' checks and we'll meet you at the Chummery, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:02:30:13
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 74 - Tomorrowland '75!
4/29/2025
In this episode of the Radio Hour we turn back time fifty years to the debut of Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland expansion of 1975! We take a look at the development of its three signature attractions - Space Mountain, the WEDway PeopleMover, and the Carousel of Progress. We also revisit a rather unusual television special meant to promote the arrival of Florida's First Mountain™. Now is the time, now is the best time, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:02:23:18
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 73 - A Progress City Christmas 2024!
12/20/2024
The Progress City Radio Hour roasts the chestnuts and figgies the pudding for our 2024 Christmas episode! This year we're hosting two special guests to talk about their new books - former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis, and artist/director Steve Anderson! We delve into their fascinating projects, discussing Weis's long Imagineering career and Anderson's history of the Disney studio from 1966-86. History, music, and more - from all of us to all of you, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:02:36:39
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 72 - Autumn!
11/26/2024
It's autumn, one of our favorite seasons here in Progress City, and that means it's time to break out a number of festive traditions! In this episode we look at Disney's intersections with a number of fall favorites, including football and the state fair. We also take a trip to Sleepy Hollow for some autumnal spookiness with Ichabod Crane. From pigskin to pig races, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:58:10
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 71 - Town Hall: Didier Ghez, J.B. Kaufman, & Ted Thomas
10/1/2024
In this town hall we're thrilled to welcome historians and authors Didier Ghez, J.B. Kaufman, and Ted Thomas. They join us to discuss their newest monograph, Walt Disney & El Grupo in Latin America, and the groundbreaking 1941 Disney voyage which inspired it. We examine the importance of Walt's many travels, and also take a look at what's next for the Hyperion Historical Alliance and its busy authors. Time to buy a new bookshelf - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:27:09
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 70 - Fiesta!
9/17/2024
Saludos amigos! In this episode the Radio Hour heads south of the border to look at Disney's connections to Mexico. We discuss Walt's ties to the country, early Mexican representation at Disneyland and in Disney films, examine the mighty churro, and explore EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion. History, music, and more - uts talahá ané exte Mexico yanchaħ uuchich, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:36:00
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 69 - Town Hall: Derric Johnson
7/2/2024
In this Town Hall we're thrilled to speak with Derric Johnson, founder and long-time leader of the Voices of Liberty at EPCOT's American Adventure pavilion. Learn about his early Disney experiences in the 1970s, special moments over the years with the Voices of Liberty, and his time directing the annual Walt Disney World Candlelight Ceremony. History, music, and more - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:42:35
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 68 - The Sherman Brothers!
6/18/2024
To honor the recent passing of Disney Legend Richard Sherman, this special episode of the Radio Hour is a tribute to the iconic and unforgettable Sherman Brothers. We'll take a look at some of their lesser-known work, from their time before Disney to projects such as Tinpanorama and Summer Magic, to, yes, even SMASH FLOPS! History, music, and more - bring your tuppence, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:56:35
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 67 - Town Hall: Bob Holland, Part II
5/21/2024
Ahoy! We continue our nautical theme with the return of former Imagineering and Disney Development Company exec Bob Holland! Bob joins us to talk about the early days of the Disney Cruise Line, from the shipyards of Italy to Castaway Cay. Set sail for new magic - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:43:04
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 66 - Boats!
3/26/2024
The Progress City Radio Hour sets sail for a nautical exploration of one of Disney's best features - its boats! Our salty tales include the life of Disney Legend Admiral Joe Fowler, the origin of Disney boat attractions at Arrow Development, a glimpse of life aboard a FriendShip launch, the creation of Disneyland's Submarine Voyage, and a tribute to Miss Tilly! History, music, and more - cast off the bow line and gun it Mr. Baxter, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:57:08
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 65 - Snow! Part II
1/30/2024
The Progress City Radio Hour returns to the slopes for more snowbound adventure! We have a wintry mix of tales including a trip to Switzerland with Walt to film on the slopes of the Matterhorn, a look at Disney's involvement in the 1960 Winter Olympics, and a conversation with Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer about their book, Disneyland On The Mountain, about the never-built resort at Mineral King. History, music, and more - fire up the fondue and grab that tow rope, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:02:16:31
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 64 - A Progress City Christmas 2023!
12/20/2023
The Progress City Radio Hour mulls the wine and sets out the relish tray for our 2023 Christmas episode! This year we're hosting two very special historians and authors, Steven Vagnini and Foxx Nolte! We talk about their past, current, and future book projects, and take a look ahead at 2024. History, music, and more - from all of us to all of you, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:51:04
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 63 - Town Hall: Scott Hennesy, Part II
11/14/2023
Former Imagineering Show Writer Scott Hennesy returns in this month's Progress City Town Hall! In this episode Scott answers some lingering questions from last time before taking us to Tokyo to discuss his adventures there. From Juicy Lucy to Chandu, there's a lot to talk about. Pack your duffle - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:52:15
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 62 - Town Hall: Scott Hennesy, Part I
9/26/2023
This month on the Progress City Town Hall we welcome former Imagineering Show Writer Scott Hennesy! Scott comes from a long Disney lineage, and in his time at Imagineering worked on such classic attractions as Kitchen Kabaret, Journey into Imagination, Cranium Command, and more. In this interview we talk about his history, his early Imagineering experiences, and some of his projects for Tokyo Disneyland. Cha-cha-cha, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:38:53
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 61 - The American Adventure!
8/1/2023
Let's return to EPCOT Center for a patriotic extravaganza like no other! Join us for a look at the creation of the groundbreaking attraction The American Adventure, and the history of Americana-themed spectacles that preceded it in the 19th and 20th centuries. Then take your seat for a history of the beloved singing group Voices of Liberty! Grab those rose-colored bifocals and spare a dime - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:37:02
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 60 - Imagination!
6/20/2023
Our 40th anniversary retrospective of EPCOT Center gathers one little spark of inspiration to make some memories! Follow Figment to the Dreamport as we explore the development of the classic attraction Journey into Imagination, and find out about previous Kodak promotions both at Disneyland and at the World's Fairs. And fire up the filmstrip because we're remembering the EPCOT Educational Media Company! Just an ordinary day, but all at once we're on our way - it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:46:10
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 59 - Energy!
5/23/2023
We're riding on sunshine as we continue our 40th anniversary retrospective of EPCOT Center with a look at a few of the faces of energy! Cross the bridge future bound as we explore the development of the classic attraction Universe of Energy, and find out about previous energy exhibits both at Disneyland and at the World's Fairs. And take an off-topic side trip to The Chummery for the dulcet tones of the Saltwater Express! Feel the flow cause here we go, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:01:51:49
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 58 - Town Hall: Davy Feiten, Part II
5/2/2023
In this Progress City Town Hall we welcome back animator and Audio-Animatronics programmer Davy Feiten for part two of our epic interview! This time we go into detail about the Country Bear Jamboree and its seasonal shows, plus more of Davy's work on attractions such as Visionarium. Put some pants on that bear, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:02:21:44
The Progress City Radio Hour - Episode 57 - Town Hall: Davy Feiten, Part I
4/11/2023
This month on the Progress City Town Hall we're thrilled to welcome audio-animatronics wizard Davy Feiten! Davy started his career as an animator before coming to Imagineering to work on EPCOT Center, where he programmed American Adventure, World of Motion, Universe of Energy, and more. In this interview we discuss those experiences, as well as his work on Splash Mountain and on attractions for Disneyland Paris. Watch out for those tapdancing dinosaurs, it's the Progress City Radio Hour!
Duration:00:47:10