Crocs, Figment, and the Book That Made Disney Take Control (Ep. 94)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 9 April 2026

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim and Lauren dig into a surprisingly packed week of Disney merch and history, from Crocs-inspired Minnie ears to rare Figment throwbacks and a new Little Golden Book celebrating Jim Henson. Along the way, they explore the shrinking footprint of Disney Stores - and the possibility of their return. Then Jim dives deep into the moment Disney stopped trusting outside publishers, revealing how one controversial biography changed the company’s approach to storytelling forever. NEWS • Disney and Crocs expand their partnership with customizable Mickey and Minnie ear headbands, featuring classic Crocs styling and interchangeable charms • A rare Disney Store outlet sighting sparks discussion about the future of retail - including rumors of immersive store experiences returning in select markets • New retro Figment and Dreamfinder shirts celebrate the original Journey Into Imagination attraction with vintage-inspired designs • A Little Golden Book biography of Jim Henson arrives May 5, introducing younger readers to the creator of the Muppets and his legacy FEATURE • How Disney originally relied on outside publishers like Western Publishing to tell its stories • The 1968 release of a controversial Walt Disney biography that damaged trust and reshaped the company’s publishing strategy • Why Disney shifted to in-house publishing under Michael Eisner to control its narrative and protect Walt’s legacy • The ongoing tension between historical accuracy and corporate storytelling, and how it still impacts Disney books today HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2 FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Unlock Magic - your go-to source for discounted Disney and Universal tickets. Whether you're planning ahead for 2026 or heading to a major event like D23, Unlock Magic helps you save money and skip the stress. Visit UnlockMagic.com to start planning your next trip. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Isn't life grande?
0:01.9	And making it better just got easier with Starbucks new protein cold foam.
0:06.7	A little something, something to take your favorite drinks up a notch with 15 grams of extra protein.
0:13.2	Turn your usual iced caramel latte into a smooth iced caramel protein latte.
0:18.5	Add a delicious swirl on top of your drink, just like that.
0:23.3	Protein never tasted so good with Starbucks new protein cold foam.
0:27.7	Subject to availability while stocks last.
0:30.0	Welcome back to I want that to the podcast where Disney merch meets Disney history.
0:35.4	I'm entertained writer Jim Hill, and and as always I'm joined by the lovely
0:39.3	and generous Lauren Hersey who just sent me a very cool cars collectible. Yeah, I saw this and I was
0:50.2	like, Mater, this is a weird version of Mader. Jim, love it.
0:54.6	So I said it to you, but, like, I had no idea.
0:58.0	It looks like Mater in a spaceship or something.
1:01.7	Like, what did I actually send you?
1:03.4	Well, this keys off of, I want to say this is a series of shorts that showed up on Disney
1:10.5	Plus in 2022.
1:15.4	It's kind of, if the stories, I've heard are correct,
1:19.3	it's kind of the remains of a Cars 4 that didn't quite pan out.
1:27.5	That's basically the conceit of the series of shorts is that Maider's sister is getting
1:33.4	married on the East Coast.
1:35.0	So Lightning McQueen and Mater go on a road trip across the United States.
1:40.0	And one of the places they stop as part of this adventure is the Bonneville Salt Flats, where, of course, high-speed cars are tested all the time.
	...

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