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It’s not that hard to start a podcast, but doing one regularly for 14 years is another matter. When a passion project becomes a business, the pressure increases to put out a consistent show. Back in the mid-2000s when Lou Mongello started WDW Radio, podcasting was still in its infancy. The idea of making it a full-time career was rare, especially with a niche focus like Walt Disney World. I still can’t imagine the hustling needed to expand a successful podcast into a career.
On the latest episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast, Mongello talks with me about what inspired him to make those bold choices. Plenty of us have Disney podcasts and are dedicated to them, but few have taken that next step. Mongello describes the moments of fear after his choice and what aspects of his personality drove him to make that happen.
Mongello also talks about podcasting and where he believes it’s heading. Despite the growth of hits like Serial, a majority of people still know little about podcasts. His up-close perspective going back to the early days gives Mongello an interesting take on what growth we may see in the future. Podcasting is just getting started despite the greater attention.
I’ve listened to Mongello since his time co-hosting Mouse Tunes and ultimately starting WDW Radio as a solo project. It was refreshing to hear his candid take on his background and the world of podcasts. Mongello is also a big Disney fan, and we close the show by talking about what excites him from the many upcoming projects at Disney’s theme parks.
Show Notes: Lou Mongello
Learn more about WDW Radio and listen to the latest episodes at wdwradio.com.
Follow everything that Mongello is doing, including motivational speaking and life coaching, at loumongello.com.
I must be weird, because I go back to the beginning of people’s blogs and work towards the present. Also, perspective and the parks have changed a lot in the past 10-15 years. I find it interesting to see what people wrote back then.
Jim, I don’t think it’s that crazy to go back through blogs. Some just have a lot of posts, so it’s not so easy. I have done that more frequently with podcasts, especially those with interviews that age well. Regardless, it’s great that all those old blogs and episodes are still out there to enjoy.
I don’t read every post, but would pull some things out. I do the same with podcasts. It’s easier to binge listen. I didn’t listen to my first WDW podcast until the summer of 2016, so there was a lot to go back through! I really like the podcasts from way back to hear about the beginnings of the medium.
WDW has some great old articles and maps too. I enjoy the retro and vintage maps and video too.
That makes sense. Some of the early podcasts are fun to hear because everyone was still figuring out what they wanted to do. It’s still kind of this way, but overall the shows across the board are more polished. There are definitely some great old blogs back there from a wide range of sites, especially on WDW history.
I’d need to re-listen, but did you ask him about equipment and difficulty of doing the live shows on facebook? There’s a discussion on the /r/cfb subreddit on doing a live show every Saturday during the college football season. The mechanics of what Lou does would be a great start.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to ask specifics about his live shows on Facebook. We had about 45 minutes available, and there definitely were a lot of questions that I would have enjoyed asking.
Enjoyed listening to this episode with Lou Mongello. I’m an occasional listener of his podcast too. Interesting to hear him on the other side of the mic for change.
I’ll always download the episodes where he talks about historical topics, or things related to classic attractions. His deep knowledge of Disney trivia is unmatched. As he veers more into modern Disney, star wars & marvel… My interest fades. I’ve come to realize I’m more of a fan of what Disney WAS than where it is going.
I was a little surprised at your opening comment about Lou being controversial sometimes. I wondered what you meant but nothing more was said about it. After a little digging, I figured perhaps you were alluding to some allegations that he is a paid Disney shill. I don’t personally think it’s true, but I suppose we can’t blame the guy for not wanting to bite the hand that feeds him… even if is indirectly and by association.
Still, It would be refreshing if he broke ranks with Disney and criticized them when such criticism is due. Many people are outraged over the extreme price increases of the past couple years. Yes of course Disney is building lots of new stuff, but they did the same… and to a much greater scale in the 80s & 90s. Disneys no longer willing to forego any profit to invest in the future. Every dollar they are spending is passed directly to the consumer, and then some more on top of that.
Sorry for the rant, but I think it’s important that influential people like Lou start calling out Disney on this. Disney will never improve until we the guests start demanding more.
Thanks Chris. I felt like it was important to at least point out that he has some detractors. I’m not in that camp because I know how much Lou knows about Disney history (and his enthusiasm for it). What he’s built from the early days of the Mouse Tunes podcast is really impressive.
Your point about calling out Disney is a tricky one. I think that change won’t happen until guests stop going (or spending as much money) to the parks. It’s an interesting time right now with Galaxy’s Edge opening. I recently heard on The Disney Dish about hotel occupancy and attendance being soft in Florida this summer. It’s probably due to guests waiting for Galaxy’s Edge, but it makes me wonder what would happen if the numbers don’t ramp up in the fall.