What would you do if you opened your email and saw a message asking if you wanted to audition for Mickey Mouse?

This week, we’re joined by Bret Iwan, the official voice of Mickey Mouse, to talk about the surreal path that led him from artist and Disney fan to one of the most iconic roles in entertainment history.

Bret shares how he found out about the opportunity, what the audition process was like, and how he approaches voicing a character who means so much to so many people around the world.

In this episode, we cover:

• The email that changed Bret’s life
• How someone auditions to become the voice of Mickey Mouse
• What it means to carry on a role once held by Walt Disney, Jimmy MacDonald, and Wayne Allwine
• Bret’s background as an artist and illustrator
• How he approaches Mickey’s voice without making it about himself
• The rare connection between drawing Mickey and voicing Mickey
• Why Mickey still represents optimism, imagination, and Disney magic

Whether you grew up with Mickey Mouse, love Disney history, or are fascinated by voice acting, this conversation is a heartfelt look at the legacy behind Disney’s most iconic character.

Follow Bret on Instagram

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

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Timestamps

We LOVED Talking with Bret Iwan 00:00

Bret Does a Pretty Good Mickey Impression 02:15

Growing Up With a Love of Disney 04:16

Designing Hallmark Cards 07:45

Do You Want to Be the Voice of Mickey Mouse? 16:11

The Difficulty of Life as a Voice Actor 25:52

Painting Mickey Mouse’s Official Portrait 28:47

Creating Opportunities for Yourself 34:44

Exploring More Depth in Mickey’s Personality 37:53

What Does Mickey Represent? 48:17

How Has Bret’s Relationship with Disney Changed? 50:42

Reflecting on the Legacy of Voicing Mickey Mouse 54:24

Bret’s Connection to Walt Goes Further Than Mickey 59:12

Taking the Leap Into Storytelling 01:04:39

Bret’s Disney Favorites 01:09:29

Follow Bret for More! 01:14:15

What does immersive entertainment actually mean — and why does it feel like the future of theme parks?

This week, we’re joined by Sage Starkey to talk about storytelling, guest agency, themed entertainment, and what it takes to make audiences feel like they truly belong inside a world.

From experiences like Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to interactive theater, live performance, and projects like The Good Neighbor Game, Sage helps us understand how immersive experiences are built from the ground up — and why the guest is such an important part of the story.

In this episode, we cover:

• What immersive entertainment really means
• How creators plan for unpredictable guest behavior
• The balance between freedom, play, and a defined narrative
• What Galactic Starcruiser taught us about interactive storytelling
• Why immersive entertainment may only be getting started

If you love Disney parks, themed entertainment, the Starcruiser, or the future of storytelling, this conversation is a fascinating look at where experiences could go next.

Help us reach our goal of raising $4,000 for Give Kids the World Village by donating here.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

Don’t forget to check us out on:

-Instagram

-Facebook

-Youtube

-Patreon

Get your Enchanted Ears merch now

Timestamps

The World of Immersive Entertainment with Sage Starkey 00:00

Give Kids the World Fundraiser 01:43

What is Immersive Entertainment? 04:00

How to Be More Engaged in Conversations 10:10

How Sage Got Into Themed Entertainment 13:15

Developing the Galactic Starcruiser 17:06

How Much Ownership Did the Cast Have on the Characters? 23:47

The Struggle of Getting Out of Character 27:59

How to Guide the Guests in Immersive Experiences 34:31

You Don’t Know What You Have Until It’s Gone 37:50

How Did Sage Remember Hundreds of People’s Names? 41:00

Good Neighbor Game 43:10

The Future of Themed Entertainment 47:46

The IP ASKING to Be Turned Into an Immersive Experience 51:20

Sage’s Parks Favorites 56:34

Sage’s Favorite AllEars Video 58:07

Did We Just Become Best Friends? 1:00:08

Follow Sage on Social Media 1:03:57

Mickey Bar or Dole Whip?

TRON or Big Thunder Mountain?

Chip or Dale?

Every Disney fan has their favorites, but what is truly the Best of the Parks?

This week, we're kicking off our Episode 400 celebration with the launch of our Best of the Parks Tournament, and we're joined by special guest Quincy from AllEars to help set the field.

Together, we determine the matchups in four categories:

🎢 Classic Attractions

✨ Modern Attractions

🍦 Food & Snacks

📸 Character Meet & Greets

Now it's your turn.

Vote on our website and Instagram and help decide who advances all the way to the championship. The winner will be revealed during our 400th episode celebration.

In this episode, we cover:

• How the bracket works
• Quincy's picks and reactions
• The categories competing for Best of the Parks
• How YOU can help crown the ultimate winner

For complete details, visit: enchantedears.com/400

Donate here for our Give Kids the World fundraiser.

Submit a question/topic for us to discuss on a future episode.

Don’t forget to check us out on:

-Instagram

-Facebook

-Youtube

-Patreon

Get your Enchanted Ears merch now

Timestamps

Welcome 00:00

Give Kids the World Fundraiser 00:56

What’s it Like Traveling Around the World 03:20

Best of the Parks Bracket 06:44

Big Changes for Carousel of Progress 08:17

What are the Best Classic Disney Attractions? 14:16

Is Big Thunder Still the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness? 18:16

The Best Modern Attractions 20:07

Top Snacks at Disney World 30:17

Who is Your Favorite Character Meet and Greet? 40:53

What is Quincy’s Favorite Park? 49:23

We Challenge Quincy! 51:03

Vote Now for the Best of the Parks! 53:53