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.

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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