Toon My Heart

<p>Happy Mother's Day! To celebrate, this special episode of Toon My Heart features two special guests (and moms): Author Shayla Huber, whose latest book is titled "10 Things I Hate About Motherhood: Exchanging the World's Perfection for God's Peace and Presence;" and voiceover actor Katie Leigh, who has played a multitude of characters, including Baby Rowlf on Muppet Babies, Sunni Gummi on Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Dumbo on Dumbo's Circus, and Connie Kendall in Focus on the Family's audio drama series, Adventures in Odyssey. Shayla and Katie join host Tracy Herold to talk about some of our favorite animated moms: Mrs. Brisby from Don Bluth's The Secret of NIMH, Chicha from Disney's The Emperor's New Groove, and Roz from Dreamworks' The Wild Robot. We discuss how each of these mother characters reflect the joys and the challenges of motherhood, the qualities we admire in them, and the lessons we can take from them-- and all ultimately in light of what the Bible tells us about motherhood, love, sacrifice, and the grace and guidance God provides for his mother sheep.</p><p></p><ul><li>Find Shayla Huber at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.shaylamariehuber.com">shaylamariehuber.com</a></li><li>Follow Shayla on TikTok <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@shaylahuber30">@shaylahuber30</a>, Instagram <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/shaylamariehuber">@shaylamariehuber</a>, and Facebook <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/shaylamariehuber">@shaylamariehuber</a></li><li>Find Shayla's books on Amazon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Shayla-Huber/author/B0D2P3BR61">https://www.amazon.com/stores/Shayla-Huber/author/B0D2P3BR61</a></li></ul><p></p><ul><li>Find Katie Leigh at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.katieleigh.com">katieleigh.com</a></li><li>Follow Katie on Instagram <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/katieleighvo">@katieleighvo</a>, Facebook @<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/KatieLeighVO">katieleighvo </a></li><li>Watch the Tell Ya Later podcast on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/tellyalater">YouTube</a>, or listen wherever you get your podcasts</li><li>Find Katie's books on Amazon: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Katie-Leigh/author/B01CYX2E36">https://www.amazon.com/stores/Katie-Leigh/author/B01CYX2E36</a></li></ul><p></p><p>Also mentioned in this episode: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.adventuresinodyssey.com">AdventuresInOdyssey.com</a></p><p>Thank you to the following people on X for sharing some of their favorite animated moms for inclusion in this episode: @alec_behan, @thetangles, @rozemyne_rmr, @Cookiesthin, @Kitsulie, @p1eak1ey, @TDWilli140173, @diamond_jemgirl, @MilesRi80520690</p><p>Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart">https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart</a></p><p>Interested in sponsoring an episode, or have any questions or comments to share? Email <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>!</p><p>Music by REDproductions, sourced from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Pixabay.com">Pixabay.com</a></p><p></p>

<p>2025 was quite a year for Bible-based animated films, with Angel Studios' and Sunrise Animation Studios' "David" closing out the year, following in the footsteps of Angel's Easter epic "The King of Kings" and the traditionally animated "Light of the World"-- and overtaking both of them to become the highest-grossing faith-based animated film of all time. But is it worthy of such a distinction? In this "First Impressions" episode of Toon My Heart podcast, host Tracy Herold takes a quick look at both the strengths and shortcomings of this family film depicting David's rise to the throne, including iconic scenes like his battle with Goliath, beautiful musical numbers, and moments of genuine emotion.</p><p>Referenced in this episode: David creator Phil Cunningham on 30-year journey to 'the best animated film of 2025': <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://joynews.co.za/david-creator-phil-cunningham-on-30-year-journey-to-the-best-animated-film-of-2025/">https://joynews.co.za/david-creator-phil-cunningham-on-30-year-journey-to-the-best-animated-film-of-2025/</a></p><p>Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart">https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart</a></p><p>Interested in sponsoring an episode, or have any questions or comments to share? Email <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>!</p><p>Music by REDproductions, sourced from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Pixabay.com">Pixabay.com</a></p>

<p>With a strong opening weekend and continuing box office success, Disney and Pixar's Hoppers has risen above a sea of sequels and remakes to prove that original concepts can still spell success for animation studios. Directed by Daniel Chong of We Bare Bears fame, the film's zany premise about a girl who transfers her mind into a robot beaver in order to talk to animals has won over the majority of both critics and general audience member who have seen it. But how should Christians approach this seemingly environmentalist film. Host Tracy Herold examines whether Christians should oppose or embrace environmentalism, how we should relate to the rest of God's creation and to each other, and whether there's more to Hoppers than meets the eye in this latest "First Impressions" episode of Toon My Heart.</p><p>Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart">https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart</a></p><p>Interested in sponsoring an episode, being a guest, or just have any questions or comments to share? Email <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>!</p><p>Music by REDproductions, sourced from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Pixabay.com">Pixabay.com</a></p>

<p>Almost 90 years ago, Walt Disney made history by producing the first cel animated feature film ever, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. While movie industry insiders and even those closest to him had doubted his vision, Walt and his studio staff persevered in creating an undisputed masterpiece, and managed to change the course of film and animation history in the process. In this episode of Toon My Heart, host Tracy Herold is joined by guest Dr. William Brunson, pastor, John Maxwell coach, and author of the new book <em>Faith, Leadership, and Walt: Leading with Purpose, Passion, and the Power of Possibility. </em>Dr. Brunson shares anecdotes about Walt's leadership and vision casting as we discuss the artistry and depth found within his first feature film. We discuss how Walt's Christian faith was reflected in this and other movies and projects; debate whether the original Disney princess is really the helpless "damsel in distress" that she's often made out to be; talk about how she displays characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit and how this contrasts with the Evil Queen's vanity, envy, and other "works of the flesh"; consider which characters can be seen as Christ figures within the fairy tale story; bring up other Biblical symbolism found within the movie, such as the "forbidden fruit" of the poison apple; and appreciate how Snow White's quiet strength, faithful waiting, gentle kindness, and patient resilience can serve as an example to us all.</p><ul><li>Buy <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Leadership-Walt-Leading-Possibility-ebook/dp/B0GMK74C5X?ref_=ast_author_mpb#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor">Faith, Leadership, and Walt</a> on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Amazon.com">Amazon.com</a></li><li>Find Dr. Brunson's other books on his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Amazon.com">Amazon.com</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/William-Brunson/author/B08D3XPDDF?ref=ap_rdr&amp;shoppingPortalEnabled=true">author page</a></li><li>Visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.deeperpurposecoaching.com/">DeeperPurposeCoaching.com</a></li><li>Visit his church at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://vhmc.org/">vhmc.org</a></li></ul><p>Also mentioned in this episode: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Cinderella-Feminists-Disney-Princesses-ebook/dp/B07L2HYRLD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QUFZ0ABSZP7C&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5SbEyFfiG5YW3LRxW_BNDsOpvxK3G9g25DQ-JkCKOaGG0L88YBUNjoWAyB_62rAEtKwNQoeBPT8nCQIx4yLXfvK0Ig-6ab2qD8v5ycDXnPp2tCS33CplIGgdr9kXfYLpUzNwy56VZx7v613JclCxWpAlbAcYI3SLCN3k04PwDtTom57wu6KfPHTPa2GmqeqlWZQltyH-WjtslCtSwC1KB3nki4l-DhcG3KeAiVgxUNc.Z-GAiAe2h3YT9TB2OLzGs1OZsK6spWsXsZ-xpcMhVjQ&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=faith+moore&amp;qid=1776279811&amp;s=digital-text&amp;sprefix=faith+moore%252Cdigital-text%252C640&amp;sr=1-1">Saving Cinderella: What Feminists Get Wrong About Disney Princesses and How to Set it Right</a>, by Faith Moore</p><p>Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart">https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart</a></p><p>Interested in sponsoring an episode? Email [email protected]!</p><p>Thanks to the following folks on X for sharing their comments for this episode: @cookiesthin, @DesertofReelPod, @Intellectric</p><p>Music by REDproductions, sourced from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Pixabay.com">Pixabay.com</a></p>

<p>The 2026 Academy Awards show is coming up in just a few days. While you've probably seen, or at least familiar with, some of the animated film nominees, such as Sony Animation's K-Pop Demon Hunters (the favorite to win the Oscar) and Disney's Zooptopia 2, let's take a look at a few of the nominees that you may have missed-- and that may be worth checking out.</p><p>In the Best Animated Feature Film category, we have Arco-- a traditionally animated sci-fi fantasy out of France, featuring time travel, robots, and a tale of friendship and connection-- and Little Amelie or the Character of Rain-- another French film full of stunning 2D animated visuals, based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Amelie Nothomb, about the daughter of a Belgian diplomat growing up in Japan.</p><p>In the Best Animated Short Film category, the 3D animated Forevergreen offers a stop-motion-like aesthetic inspired by wood carvings, and an overtly Christian story about a little bear and the tree that cares for him, inspired by Jesus' parable of The Prodigal Son.</p><p>Watch Forevergreen on YouTube for a limited time at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4EPW7JUMTM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4EPW7JUMTM</a></p><p>Learn more about Toon My Heart: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/toonmyheart">https://linktr.ee/toonmyheart</a></p><p>Music by REDproductions, sourced from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Pixabay.com">Pixabay.com</a></p>