Toon My Heart

1978's Watership Down-- based on the novel of the same name by Richard Adams-- is an animated film famous for its darker moments, from harrowing prophetic visions to scenes of bloodshed and death. But can we find moments of light within this film as well? On this episode of Toon My Heart, host Tracy Herold is joined by regular listener Patti Warren to discuss Watership Down the movie, as well as Watership Down the book-- from the impact that the story had on us as children, to the spiritual themes we see within it now as adults. Within this epic story of a group of rabbits seeking a new home, we find reflections of Abraham-- and later Moses and the Israelites-- leaving behind what they know to seek God's promised land. And in the character of Hazel, we identify a picture of servant leadership and sacrificial love that points us toward the greatest servant leader of all, Jesus Christ.***Referenced on this episode:"Guillermo del Toro on Watership Down": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sN-crgRXV0"Watership Down: 'Take Me with You, Stream, on Your Dark Journey'” by Gerard Jones: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/3475-watership-down-take-me-with-you-stream-on-your-dark-journey"Structo talks to Richard Adams": https://structomagazine.co.uk/interviews/richard-adams/"Interview: Richard Adams": https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2007/03/16/richard_adams_interview_feature.shtml"Up Close with Watership Down" by Cathy Smith: https://www.christiancourier.ca/up-close-with-watership-down/***Sign up to be a guest on Toon My Heart: https://form.jotform.com/251838540152152Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart: https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheartInterested in sponsoring an episode, or have any questions or comments to share? Email [email protected]!Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com

Happy Father's Day! To celebrate, this special episode of Toon My Heart features two special guests (and dads): Matt Williams, aka Rockin Mr Magic of Jeek Nation, home of the best conversations combining sports and geek; and pastor and comedian Bobby Benavides, host of the "Taking Up Your Time" comedy special and podcast. Matt and Bobby join host Tracy Herold to talk about some of our favorite animated dads: Goofy from Disney's A Goofy Movie, Chief Benja from Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon, and Marlin from Finding Nemo. We discuss the challenges of fatherhood that we see reflected in each of these characters' journeys, from Goofy's struggle to connect with his teenage son, to Chief Benja's preparing his daughter for trials while also encouraging her to strive to be a peacemaker, to Marlin's learning to overcome his anxiety and let his son go and grow. Bringing in both personal experience and Biblical wisdom, Matt and Bobby use these characters as a springboard to share their thoughts and advice for fellow dads.Find Matt Williams and Jeek Nation at https://linktr.ee/JeekNationFind Bobby Benavides and "Taking Up Your Time" at https://bobbybcomedy.comThank you to the following people on X for sharing some of their favorite animated dads for inclusion in this episode: @myne_ehrenwood, @CookiesThin, @DeniseKT052951, @TorYHarbin, @King__Julian7, @animetanglesMake a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheartInterested in sponsoring an episode, or have any questions or comments to share? Email [email protected]!Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com

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.Find Shayla Huber at shaylamariehuber.comFollow Shayla on TikTok @shaylahuber30, Instagram @shaylamariehuber, and Facebook @shaylamariehuberFind Shayla's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Shayla-Huber/author/B0D2P3BR61Find Katie Leigh at katieleigh.comFollow Katie on Instagram @katieleighvo, Facebook @katieleighvo Watch the Tell Ya Later podcast on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcastsFind Katie's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Katie-Leigh/author/B01CYX2E36Also mentioned in this episode: AdventuresInOdyssey.comThank 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, @MilesRi80520690Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheartInterested in sponsoring an episode, or have any questions or comments to share? Email [email protected]!Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com

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.Referenced in this episode: 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/Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheartInterested in sponsoring an episode, or have any questions or comments to share? Email [email protected]!Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com

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.Make a donation of any amount to support Toon My Heart podcast at https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheartInterested in sponsoring an episode, being a guest, or just have any questions or comments to share? Email [email protected]!Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com