Interviews, Expert Commentary, and Media Inquiries
Lou Mongello is a Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, author, speaker, entrepreneur, Disney historian, and the creator and host of WDW Radio, one of the original and longest-running Disney podcasts in the world.
For more than 20 years, Lou has shared the stories, history, people, places, and experiences that make Disney meaningful. He is available for television, radio, podcast, print, digital, documentary, and live-event interviews.
Working on a deadline?
Email Lou directly at lou@wdwradio.com
A Trusted Voice in Disney, Podcasting, and Community
Podcast Hall of Fame Inductee
Creating, Podcasting, and Building Community
Podcast Hall of Fame inductee
Best Travel Podcast
Meet Lou Mongello
Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice of law to pursue his lifelong passion for Disney. What began in 2003 with a self-published Walt Disney World trivia book grew into WDW Radio, an award-winning podcast, live video show, community, events platform, and trusted source for Disney stories, history, interviews, and experiences.
Since launching his podcast in 2005, Lou has produced more than 1000 episodes and interviewed Disney Legends, Imagineers, executives, actors, artists, filmmakers, musicians, authors, and other people who have helped create and preserve Disney history.
His guests have included Dame Julie Andrews, Richard M. Sherman, Alan Menken, Tony Baxter, Marty Sklar, Joe Rohde, Bob Gurr, Don Hahn, Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, Thomas Mazloum, and many others.
Lou combines the perspective of a historian and longtime journalist with the experience of an entrepreneur, speaker, author, interviewer, community builder, and lifelong Disney fan. His conversational style makes complex stories approachable, relevant, and engaging for audiences ranging from casual visitors to industry professionals.
Interview
Lou About
Twenty-plus years of covering a single beat, and the business of building an audience around it. He is comfortable on live television, taped segments, and podcasts, and can go deep or keep it light.
Disney Parks, News, History, and Experiences
- Helping to support the show
- Monthly digital and physical rewards
- Care packages from the Disney Parks
- Exclusive opportunities
- Early access to events
- Special discounts
- Private Facebook group
- Acknowledgement, thanks and welcome on the WDW Radio podcast
- My sincerest gratitude and the warm and fuzzies of knowing that you are an important part of keeping WDW Radio going and growing
Podcasting and the Creator Economy
Lessons from more than two decades of building an independent media business and podcasting, content creation ,the economics of a niche audience, audience development, monetization, and adapting to constant changes in technology and media.
- The evolution of podcasting since 2005
- What has changed and what has remained essential
- Building a sustainable independent media brand
- Why downloads alone do not define success
- Developing trust with an audience
- Avoiding creator burnout
- Staying relevant without chasing every trend
- Turning content into a business and community
Entrepreneurship and Reinvention
Lou’s journey from attorney and IT business owner to author, podcaster, speaker, coach, and entrepreneur, along with the lessons he has learned about risk, identity, purpose, and turning passion into a profession.
- Turning a passion into a profession - Leaving law for an unproven medium, and the case for building slowly. Suited to business, career, and entrepreneurship segments.
- Leaving a traditional career to pursue a new path
- Starting before you feel ready
- Building a business one relationship at a time
- Finding opportunity in change
- Balancing passion, purpose, and profitability
- Reinventing yourself personally and professionally
Disney Leadership, Service, and Storytelling
The leadership philosophies of Walt Disney, Disney’s approach to customer and guest experience, the importance of storytelling, and the business lessons that creators and organizations can learn from the company’s history.
- Leadership lessons from Walt Disney
- How story shapes customer experience
- What creates loyalty and emotional connection
- The role of details in building a memorable brand
- Innovation, risk, failure, and reinvention
- How Disney turns customers into lifelong advocates
Disney Legends and the People Behind the Magic
Stories and lessons from Lou’s conversations with the artists, Imagineers, performers, filmmakers, executives, and visionaries who helped shape Disney history.
- Preserving the voices and stories of Disney Legends
- Lessons learned from interviewing creative icons
- The people and personalities behind famous Disney experiences
- How Disney culture and creativity have evolved
- What decades of interviews have revealed about leadership, creativity, and legacy
- Using business and media to make a positive impact
Community Building
How authentic relationships can grow into engaged communities, live events, memberships, charitable initiatives, products, and long-term brand advocacy.
- Creating connection before conversion
- Turning an audience into a community
- Building loyalty through service and trust
- Creating meaningful online and in-person experiences
- The difference between followers, customers, and community members
- Using business and media to make a positive impact
Why Interview Lou?
Lou brings more than two decades of experience covering Disney and speaking with the people who helped shape its history. His background as a former attorney, author, entrepreneur, historian, speaker, and longtime broadcaster allows him to offer informed commentary, historical context, compelling stories, and an accessible perspective.
He is equally comfortable discussing the history of a beloved Disney attraction, the business lessons behind Walt Disney’s leadership, the evolution of podcasting, or the importance of building a genuine community.
- More than 20 years of podcasting and digital media experience
- Experienced television, radio, podcast, print, and live-event guest
- Comfortable with live, recorded, remote, and in-person interviews
- Available for prepared features, breaking news, documentaries, and expert commentary
- Based in the Orlando area near Walt Disney World
- Experienced interviewer with hundreds of conversations across entertainment, business, and Disney history
- Warm, conversational, audience-friendly delivery
- Able to make detailed subjects understandable and engaging
Selected Media Appearances
Lou Mongello and WDW Radio have been featured by national and international television, radio, print, podcast, and digital media outlets.
The Wall Street Journal
The New York Times
USA Today
People
Bloomberg
BBC
CBS News
Associated Press
Fox
Reader’s Digest
Parenting
StarWars.com
From the Courtroom to the Kingdom
Watch Lou discuss leaving the practice of law to pursue his passion for Disney and build WDW Radio.
BIOGRAPHY
Lou Mongello is a Podcast Hall of Fame inductee, author, speaker, entrepreneur, Disney historian, and the creator and host of WDW Radio, one of the original and longest-running Disney podcasts in the world.
A former attorney in New Jersey, Lou left the practice of law and moved his family to Florida to turn his lifelong love of Disney into his life’s work. Since launching his podcast in 2005, he has produced more than 1000 episodes and interviewed Disney Legends, Imagineers, executives, actors, artists, filmmakers, musicians, authors, and other people who have helped create and preserve Disney history.
Lou is also a keynote speaker, coach, consultant, and founder of the Momentum events and workshops. Through the WDW Radio Dream Team Project, his community has raised more than $550,000 for Make-A-Wish.
Quick Facts
Request an Interview or Media Appearance
For interviews, expert commentary, television and radio appearances, podcast guest requests, documentaries, articles, and other media inquiries, please complete the form below.
If you are working on an immediate deadline, email lou@wdwradio.com directly and include your deadline in the subject line.
Looking for Something Else?
Lou delivers customized keynotes, workshops, and presentations about leadership, customer experience, storytelling, community, entrepreneurship, and lessons from Walt Disney.
Partner With WDW Radio
Explore sponsorships, advertising, custom content, event partnerships, product features, and other opportunities to connect with the WDW Radio audience and community.
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