Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive

Bryn MacKinnon joins us for a hilarious Grogu Tortilla Chip Fan Foods taste test, sampling Grogu, Darth Vader, Stitch, and Olaf-inspired flavors. Sarah recaps her visit to Universal Studios Hollywood's Passholder Night, including the new Fast & Furious-themed Drift & Dine, nighttime tram tour adventures, KPop Demon Hunters merchandise, and more.

Then we wrap up the night with a round of totally tubular 80s Disney trivia!

Join us live every Monday at 6pm PT and share your thoughts, stories, and favorite summer adventures.

About Things We Want To Share
Join Richard and Sarah every...

What does it take to bring Grogu to life?

This week on Skywalking Through Neverland, Richard and Sarah Woloski welcome Creature Effects artist, fabricator, puppeteer, stunt performer, and Star Wars performer Dawn Dininger. Dawn has worked on The Mandalorian and Grogu, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, Captain Marvel, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Jurassic Park III.

As one of the five puppeteers responsible for Grogu's performance, Dawn reveals how the team coordinates his movements, what new technology was developed for The Mandalorian and Grogu, and...

6/4/2026: Richard and Sarah go over The Mandalorian & Grogu box office, and ask Skywalkers to share what merchandise they've picked up at the movie theaters.

Episode Topics

Join us every Monday at 6pm PT on YouTube and Facebook for Things We Want To Share - a weekly livestream filled with stories, trivia, and fun.

In this episode, we're diving into Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #59: "Bazarre." Originally released in February 1982, Bazarre features a Luke and Lando buddy story! The two meet with a shifty administrator, aptly named Orion Ferret, to secure four TIE Fighters. After receiving payment, he sends them off to a trash planet, Patch-4, to pick them up. Along the way, they may meet yet another Star Wars snake!!

Richard and Sarah compare this Classic Marvel Star Wars comics to the larger Star Wars galaxy, all while unpacking the story, art and legacy of this issue. It's...BAZARRE!<...

Star Wars is all about community, and for Episode 559 of Skywalking Through Neverland, we gathered reactions from friends and fans across an entire week of screenings for The Mandalorian & Grogu.

First up are Julie and James Gildersleeve, proud members of the Skywalking Force and our wonderful "tauntauns" from the LiningUp Charity Bash. Then Peter Genovese and Ryan Wiltberger from LiningUp.net share their immediate HOT TAKES on the film, followed by Jeff Caffrey of the Virtual Cantina Network, who *might* rank the movie among his top Star Wars films.

Skywalking Force member Bryn McKinnon offered...

Richard and Sarah recap an epic Disney Day on May 22 spent almost entirely in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge! Along with friends Bryn, Julie, James, and Dave, they experienced the new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adventures featuring Coruscant, Endor, and Bespin.

Also in this episode:

Learn all about The Mandalorian & Grogu from the creatives that worked on the film! Thanks to Fangirls Going Rogue, Sarah and Richard had the opportunity to visit the Adelphi Base set and Mandoverse prop-house, speak with creatives including Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, AND attend the World Premiere. We bring it all to you with special guest Tricia Barr (Fangirls Going Rogue).

Hear fun behind-the-scenes stories about Grogu, Sigourney Weaver, runaway mouse droids, giant jungle sets, and how the filmmakers are continuing George Lucas' vision of a lived-in Star Wars galaxy. Composer Ludwig Göransson, production designers D...

This episode is a mashup of Mando Monday Merch (specifically the Bath & Body Works collab) and a recap of our Universal FanFest Nights experience with our whole Skywalking crew. We round it off with Star Wars Trivia charades featuring Dee Tails (Star Wars performance artist/creature performer). Enjoy this fun episode as we lead into THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU release week!!

The second annual Universal FanFest Nights was a blast. Universal is knocking it out of the park with their after-hours ticketed event. Courtney and Kelly Turckel, Julie and James Gildersleeve joined us to share their favorite...

The Season 1 finale of STAR WARS: MAUL - SHADOW LORD delivered everything we hoped for: emotional betrayals, jaw-dropping visuals, terrifying horror vibes, and the long-awaited confrontation between Maul and Darth Vader. Richard and Sarah break down Chapters 9 and 10, from Dryden Vos and Crimson Dawn connections to Devon's tragic fall toward the dark side, and the MANY deaths along the way. Did Brander Lawson survive? We want your opinion, because Richard and Sarah are split!

MAUL - SHADOW LORD composers Kevin, Deana, and Sean Kiner sneak in many musical references to "Duel of the Fates," "Battle of the...

5/5/2026: Richard and Sarah celebrate May the 4th with stories from Burger King and Disneyland before diving into the final two episodes of Maul: Shadow Lord Season 1 with our Skywalkers leading the discussion. Dan Boris and Glenn Stein join the livestream, while others join the chat to share reactions, theories, and favorite moments. We follow this up with a round of Burger King trivia. How well do you know your fast food facts?

Join us every Monday at 6pm PT on YouTube and Facebook for Things We Want to Share — a weekly livestream filled with stories, trivia, and co...

What's the real story behind Marrok from Ahsoka and Maul: Shadow Lord? Actor and stunt performer Paul Darnell joins Richard and Sarah for a behind-the-scenes look at bringing the mysterious Inquisitor to life. A master of storytelling through movement, Paul shares fascinating insights into performing as Marrok — including the surprising detail that Marrok's mask had a removable face-plate so he could better see while filming.

Paul also talks about other key scenes in Ahsoka, like portraying the Night Troopers falling down stairs for multiple takes as they battled Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka and Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Ha...

There is no shortage of Star Wars content in 2026, and right now all eyes are on Maul: Shadow Lord. In this episode, we dive into the midpoint of the season (Episodes 1–6) and explore how the story is unfolding, especially through the insights we learned from our recent roundtable with voice actors Sam Witwer and Gideon Adlon. We explore Devon's internal struggle, Maul's influence, and whether he's manipulating her into becoming something far more dangerous.

We've had so many YouTube comments, and one of the main questions we want to address is the connection between Devon Izara and Da...

After months of planning, our LiningUp.net Mandalorian and Grogu Charity Kick-Off Bash brought our Star Wars community together for one unforgettable day at Scum & Villainy Cantina! The goal - to raise $2,500 for Starlight Children's Foundation, helping kids in need. Did we do it??

With trivia, charity raffles, a silent auction, and games like Force Feud and Draw Wars, our friends and fans showed up in full force to support the Starlight Children's Foundation and LiningUp.net. From tauntaun escorts and Mandalorian cosplayers to an animatronic Grogu and incredible Star Wars prizes, the event was packed with...

We go behind the scenes (spoiler-free!) of Maul: Shadow Lord with voice actors Sam Witwer (Darth Maul) and Gideon Adlon (Devon), along with executive producers Athena Yvette Portillo and Matt Michnovetz (writer), and supervising director Brad Rau as they break down how this bold new Star Wars series came together. 

Sam Witwer get candid about evolving Darth Maul, while Gideon Adlon shares what it's like stepping into Star Wars for (almost) the first time. Plus, the creative team dives into the story, themes, and the painterly, cinematic animation style that sets this series apart.

Maul: S...

On this daring episode, we break down DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Season 2, starting with a quick refresher on Season 1—because let's face it, these Marvel Disney+ shows can be dense. We revisit where the key characters left off and where they stand as this new season begins.

From there, we share a spoiler-free review of the full season, focusing on the character dynamics that drive the story—from Matt and Karen's renewed partnership to the unsettling relationships within Fisk's inner circle. We dig into Buck's influence over the young and impressionable Daniel, and the tension Bullseye brings into the...

All your upcoming events—in one place. From conventions and charity fundraisers to Star Wars gatherings, 2026 is already shaping up to be incrediblel. We've announced things here and there, but now we have more details and more specifics, so much that we needed to devote an entire episode so we can keep track as well.

Ready? Let's go Skywalking into the future…

WonderCon — March 27–29 (Anaheim)
We're excited to officially announce our "Star Wars After Dark Trivia Party" happening Friday, March 27 from 9–10 PM in Room 209 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Come test your knowledge, hang out with f...

March is here, which means The Mandalorian and Grogu is getting closer to its big May 22nd release! In this episode, we're joined by Peter Genovese from LiningUp.net for some major reveals you won't want to miss.

The tradition of fans lining up for a new Star Wars film stretches back decades. In 1980, Terri Hardin camped outside the Egyptian Theatre for The Empire Strikes Back. The practice grew even bigger during the prequel era and continued through 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the sequel trilogy.

Now, as The Mandalorian and Grogu prepares...

In this episode, we're diving into Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #58: "Sundown." Originally released in January 1982, Sundown is a great episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation! It's more science than fantasy, as Princess Leia teams up with R2-D2 and C-3PO to launch a daring experiment designed to hide the Rebel fleet inside the chromosphere of a star. Yes, you heard that right.

While the fleet faces potential incineration, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca travel to the ominously named world of Bazarre in search of a shadowy contact.

Will the Rebel...

It's another HUGE week for The Mandalorian & Grogu! Did the new trailer deliver everything you were hoping for?

James Burns (Jedi News) joins us to break down the biggest moments, including surprise character reveals, Sigourney Weaver's role as Colonel Ward, and a "revenge" storyline that has us wondering.

At the time of recording, James had just wrapped all four days at Toy Fair in New York. This isn't your typical fan convention, it's an industry-only showcase offering an exclusive first-look (and some they were sworn to secrecy) at the year's biggest merchandise launches. James shares...

By now you've probably seen the Mandalorian and Grogu Super Bowl "Big Game" commercial, and you have an opinion. In this episode, we break down our reactions, explore what may have led Lucasfilm and Disney to make such a bold creative choice, read listener comments, and deliver a detailed deep-dive analysis. In the weeks leading up to Super Bowl 60, fans expected a traditional trailer packed with story clues. Instead, we got something completely unexpected: a cinematic parody inspired by the legendary Budweiser commercials.

The 36-second spot, narrated by the iconic Sam Elliott and directed by Jon Favreau...

This episode is a celebration of film and TV milestone anniversaries with special guest Kevin Reitzel, co-founder of the Fandom Podcast Network. Together, we reflect on the films, TV shows, and music that shaped our fandoms and continue to inspire audiences decades later.

Sarah reflects on classics like West Side Story (65 years), An American Tail (40 years), and Hook (35 years), sharing personal memories surrounding each film.

Kevin reveals how Aliens (40 years) and Highlander (40 years) brought him and his wife together! He also shares his love of Independence Day (30 years) and The Muppet Show (50 years).

...

Are you wondering whether Wonder Man is worth your time? In this episode, we break down Marvel's latest Disney+ series, give you the essential background on the character, and explain what you actually need to know before diving in. From Simon Williams' comic book origins to his surprising connections with Vision, Scarlet Witch, and the Avengers, we cover the fun facts, controversies, and powers that shaped Wonder Man long before his MCU debut.

We also dig into how Wonder Man fits into the MCU under the Marvel Spotlight banner—designed to be more grounded, character-driven, and accessible wi...

We usually avoid covering breaking news to keep our shows evergreen—but holy purrgil, major changes are coming to the Star Wars and Lucasfilm, and we had to dive in. Tricia Barr (Fangirls Going Rogue / Fangirl Blog) and BJ Priester (Fangirl Blog) join us to unpack two huge developments: the evolution of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and the major Lucasfilm leadership restructuring.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland is officially expanding beyond a single timeline, with all changes set to debut April 29th. New storylines on Batuu will span multiple eras—from the Galactic Civil War to the...

In this episode, we're diving into Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #57: "Battle on Bespin" with Mark Newbold (Fantha Tracks) - who has a special attachment to this issue. Originally released on December 15, 1981, Battle on Bespin follows Lando Calrissian as he faaaaaaallls rapidly towards the planet Bespin, having been thrown off Cloud City by Imperial Captain Treece in the last issue. Lobot and Lando find themselves among a village of disgruntled, excitable Ugnaughts hell-bent on getting the best possible camera footage for their "Action Tidings" live news program. Later Luke Skywalker and Shira Brie look for their friend on...

It's our annual year-end wrap-up spectacular!! We take a look back at 2025 - this year's conversation is packed with personal fandom highlights, expectations that were met (and wildly exceeded), and a few things that didn't quite live up to the hype. As always, the real joy of these episodes is revisiting the moments that made the year special—and it was even better doing it with friends. We were thrilled to welcome Bobby Robertson from Rebel Scum Con and Jenn Diz from the Disneyholics Podcast to share their own 2025 standouts and pop-culture takeaways.

From conventions to theme pa...

Join us as we continue celebrating the 10-year anniversary of The Force Awakens with a holiday-themed trip back to December 2015! In this episode, we dig into the audio archives to relive THE FORCE AWAKENS Global Press Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center, featuring cast and filmmakers including Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Kathleen Kennedy, and J.J. Abrams, with standout moments moderated by Mindy Kaling.

We also revisit the Chinese Theatre forecourt, sharing original audio recorded straight from the line with friends like Matt Baird, Emelia Lindgren, Obi-Shawn Crosby, and highlights...

"There has been an awakening - have you felt it?" We kick off our 10th anniversary celebration of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by traveling back 10 years to the excitement and anticipation of 2015. We're joined by TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX line-organizer Ric Peralta of LiningUp.net and actor Dee Tails, who appeared in the film as the always-smiling Cratinus in Maz Kanata's castle. Together, we reminisce about the anticipation surrounding Disney's first Star Wars sequel and how The Force Awakens became a defining moment for modern Star Wars fandom and forged lifelong friendships along the way. This is Part 1...

We take a nostalgic trip back to the Walt Disney Company Investor Day in December 2020—one of the biggest reveal events in recent Star Wars history. That day, Lucasfilm unveiled a galaxy's worth of upcoming Star Wars projects, from new series to feature films. Now that a few years have passed, it's time to look back with clear eyes and ask: What actually happened to all those announcements?

In this episode, we break down every Star Wars project revealed that day and explore which ones successfully launched, which ones quietly faded away, and which are still somewhere in...

It's time to embrace our witchy obsession as we review Wicked: For Good, the long-awaited second chapter of Elphaba and Glinda's story! Sarah is joined by Julie Gildersleeve, Courtney Turckel, and Kelly Turckel; we head to Oz together for a spoiler-filled discussion of how this film expands on the stage musical while weaving more tightly into the events of The Wizard of Oz. With Elphaba in exile and Glinda rising as the "Good" face of the Wizard's regime, the story explores friendship, perception, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be seen as "wicked" or "good."

We...

Happy Life Day! A Celebration of the Star Wars Holiday Special

It's that time of year again — Life Day is here! We're giving thanks to Lucasfilm and CBS for blessing us with the wonderful Star Wars Holiday Special.

This episode, we're celebrating in true Life Day fashion — by diving into the Holiday Special and exploring how it connects to the larger Star Wars universe in our own creative and humorous way. How did Mermeia influence the Clone Wars? How did Ackmena go from Naboo handmaiden to Halcyon bartender and end up working at the Cantina?

The Creature From the Black Lagoon trilogy just celebrated its 70th Anniversary, so what better time to dive into this influential classic horror series than Halloween? Our guest, Gary Gerani—Topps trading cards editor and co-writer of Pumpkinhead—joins us to share his memories of seeing The Creature from the Black Lagoon for the first time, his insights into the enduring appeal of the Gill Man, and why this Universal monster continues to captivate audiences seven decades later.

We kick things off with an overview of the Universal Horror legacy, then explore each film in the Creature from...

In this episode, we're diving into Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #56: "Coffin in the Clouds" — and we've been saving this one for the Halloween season for more than one reason. Originally released on November 24, 1981, Coffin in the Clouds follows Lando Calrissian as he returns to a mysteriously deserted Cloud City after the events of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Joining us for this eerie adventure is Star Wars artist and our good friend Jason W. Christman, who helps us unpack the story, art, and legacy of this issue.
Issue 56: Coffin in the Clouds

We've been looking forward to experiencing Universal Orlando's brand-new Epic Universe: Dark Universe for well over a year, and finally we made it! Walking through the fog into Darkmoor Village felt like stepping inside a classic monster movie. We rode Curse of the Werewolf and were blown away by Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. There's a reason all the vloggers keep praising this attraction. We also share our thoughts on food, merchandise, characters, and atmosphere. Meeting the NEW Bride and Frankenstein in person was the perfect ending to an unforgettable visit.

Next, we joined our friend Tati...

We're joined by legendary author Barbara Hambly, whom we met at Legacy Expo: A Star Wars Expanded Universe convention in Burbank (Sept 13–14). After seeing her on a panel hosted by Star Warsologies' Melissa Miller, we couldn't resist inviting her on—what was meant to be a quick chat turned into a full conversation.

Barbara shares stories from writing Children of the Jedi, Planet of Twilight, and her beloved short stories in Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina and Tales from Jabba's Palace—and even answers fan-favorite questions about Luke Skywalker's love life.

👉 Sponsor: SpiritJersey now has their...

We're thrilled to welcome author (and good friend) Thomas Riddle to the podcast as he shares insights from his inspiring new book, Imagineering Education: A Guide to Creating the Most Magical Schools on Earth.

What happens when teachers borrow imagineering principles—immersive storytelling, worldbuilding, and design—and bring them into the classroom? Could this be the key to unlocking deeper engagement and curiosity in students? Thomas makes a compelling case that this approach is tantalizingly possible.

Blending lessons from both classroom practice and immersive design, Imagineering Education offers educators a practical framework for transforming schools into...

Just when we thought we found all the actors who've played Darth Vader, another emerges. Tom Bewley was the first actor to portray the Dark Lord of the Sith on screen after Return of the Jedi. He appeared in the Frank Oz-directed 1985 film, The Indian in the Cupboard.

In his very first podcast interview, Tom opens up with never-before-heard stories from behind the mask. He shares what it was like stepping into Vader's boots for The Indian in the Cupboard, his duel with the Energizer Bunny in a now-legendary commercial, memories from the Star Wars 10th Anniversary...

Have you, like us, been eagerly awaiting the Star Wars Marvel comics issue that introduces the telepathic, energy-eating Hoojibs?Join us and our special guests in a breakdown of Marvel's 1981 comic Star Wars #55: "Plif!" — one of the most beloved issues from the original Marvel Star Wars run. You can also listen and read along in 1983's read-along record Planet of the Hoojibs Read Along Storybook.

Recorded live from Rebel Scum Con, this special presentation features special guests Anna Graves (voice of Duchess Satine Kryze in The Clone Wars) and Jeff Caffrey (VCN Network), who bring the story to...

In Part 4 of our Rebel Scum Con experience, we go behind the scenes with MORE talented artists who gave life to a few of our favorite Star Wars characters.

We sat down with Toby Philpott, one of the puppeteers behind the massive Jabba the Hutt. From controlling Jabba's grotesque expressions to (maybe?) licking Princess Leia, his stories from the set are not only fascinating but filled with tips and tricks for any aspiring puppeteers out there.

Next up, Femi Taylor, who played the ill-fated (but always fabulous) Oola, shares her experience on the set of...

The Rebel Scum Con fun continues! In this episode, we're serving up double Wedge and a dash of Watto for your Star Wars enjoyment.

First up, we're honored to be joined by Denis Lawson, the legendary actor who portrayed Wedge Antilles in the original trilogy and returned in The Rise of Skywalker. He shares stories from set and reflects on Mark Hamill's hug in the galaxy far, far away.

But wait—there's more Wedge to go around! We're also joined by David Ankrum, the voice of Wedge in A New Hope, wh...

Are you ready to hear from some great Star Wars artists? At Rebel Scum Con, we had the amazing opportunity to connect with four talented artists who are not only passionate about Star Wars, but also masters of their craft. These creators opened up about their inspirations, creative journeys, and the unique processes behind their work. Each artist also gave us a personal tour of their booth, offering a closer look at the artwork that brings the galaxy far, far away to life. You'll hear directly from: