In this episode of Disney Junkie, we take flight into the fantastical world of Disney’s Peter Pan—a film that blends childhood wonder, adventure, and deeper psychological layers. Host Jennifer Miller is joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Deidre Darling Shea for a thoughtful exploration of the story’s timeless appeal and hidden complexities.

Together, they unpack the origins of J.M. Barrie’s famous tale, from the author’s own tragic childhood to the real-life inspiration behind the Lost Boys. They explore how the characters of Neverland—like the temperamental Tinker Bell and the fearsome Captain Hook—mirror emotional development and the push-pull of growing up.

Deidre offers insight into the psychology of imagination, childhood fantasy, and the desire to stay young forever, while Jennifer reflects on how Disney’s adaptation helped shape generations of viewers’ perceptions of youth and identity.

The conversation also navigates the more complicated aspects of Peter Pan, including its cultural depictions and the long-standing debate around separating art from its creator.

Whether you grew up dreaming of flying off to Neverland or questioning the meaning behind the boy who wouldn’t grow up, this episode invites you to look at Peter Pan with a new perspective.

Stay tuned for our next episode as we head into the romantic streets and social undertones of Lady and the Tramp, only on Disney Junkie.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we take a closer look at Disney’s 1951 animated classic Alice in Wonderland—a film that initially baffled audiences but went on to become one of the studio’s most enduring cult favorites.

Host Jennifer Miller unpacks the chaotic charm and complicated legacy of Alice, tracing its origins back to Lewis Carroll’s surreal 19th-century novel. From oversized mushrooms and vanishing cats to tea parties with no point at all, Alice in Wonderland invites us into a world where nothing makes sense—and that’s exactly the point.

We explore how Disney’s version blended pieces from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass into a whirlwind of visual experimentation, musical nonsense, and emotional unpredictability. And we ask: What does this story actually say about childhood, imagination, and growing up?

Joined by producer Brennon and recurring guest Doug Gaskell—a retired psychologist and film historian—Jennifer dives into the psychological side of Wonderland, including how nonsense and surrealism can serve childhood development. We also confront the more uncomfortable aspects of Lewis Carroll’s life and legacy, raising important questions about the complicated line between art and artist.

Whether Alice is a nostalgic fever dream or a film you’ve always struggled to understand, this episode invites you to take another look at the madness—and maybe even make peace with it.

In this episode of Disney Junkie, we take a closer look at Disney’s 1950 animated classic Cinderella—a film that not only saved the studio from financial peril, but also redefined the princess genre for generations to come.

Host Jennifer Miller peels back the layers of this iconic tale to reveal its global and often unsettling roots. From ancient Chinese folklore to the brutal twists of the Brothers Grimm, Cinderella’s story has evolved through centuries of cultural storytelling. We explore how Disney softened and shaped that history into a sparkling rags-to-riches fantasy filled with music, magic, and mice.

Jennifer also reflects on the animation breakthroughs, the iconic transformation scene Walt Disney personally loved, and how Cinderella became a symbol of hope in a postwar world. Beyond the ballgowns and glass slippers, we examine what the story continues to say about gender, power, and identity today.

Whether you grew up dreaming of fairy godmothers or questioning happily ever afters, this episode invites you to see Cinderella with new eyes.