Meet Marc Vibbert

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marc Vibbert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Marc, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Lately, a lot of my optimism has stemmed from going through therapy—it’s helped shift the way I view things. I’ve learned that when you constantly worry or focus on the negative, you can end up inviting more of that negativity into your life. Another big influence for me has been the series “Ted Lasso.” It does such a great job of normalizing therapy, encouraging personal growth, and reminding us it’s okay to feel things and talk openly about them with others.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My journey with film—especially animation—really began in childhood. My grandmother would buy each new Disney film on VHS for my sister and me, and those tapes quickly became a big part of our lives. Around that same time, I fell in love with the films of Steven Spielberg, which deepened my passion for movies. Then came Pixar’s “Toy Story” in 1995, which completely blew my mind (though I’ll forever argue “A Bug’s Life” is criminally underrated—Flik is still my favorite Pixar character!).

Growing up, I also spent a lot of time watching movies with my grandpa and my mom & dad. Whether we were at the theater or gathered around the TV at home, those moments became core memories—especially the conversations we’d have afterward, breaking down what we just saw. Years later, when my son was born, one of the greatest joys of fatherhood has been sharing movies with him and watching as he forms his own connection with them, just like I did.

In 2011, I launched the podcast “Animation Fascination” through a now-defunct website. When the site shut down, we kept the podcast alive by building our own platform. I’m incredibly proud of the interviews we’ve done over the years with professionals from across the animation, film, television, and gaming industries.

Some of our standout guests have included:

• Actors & Voice Talent: Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, Drake Bell, Tara Platt, Yuri Lowenthal

• Animators & Filmmakers: Hal Hickel (ILM), Arik Ehle (Pixar), Darrin Butters (Disney), Jason Schleifer (Weta/DreamWorks), Michael Amos (DreamWorks), Chris Chua (Pixar), Peter Lord (Aardman)

• Storyboard Artists & Directors: Austin Madison (Pixar), Cal Brunker (“Escape From Planet Earth,” “The Nut Job 2”)

Composers & VFX Artists: Alex Mandel (Pixar), Farhan Qureshi (“Batman Begins,” “Harry Potter” series)

• Producers & Writers: Greg Weisman (“Young Justice,” “Gargoyles,” “Spectacular Spider-Man”)

Many of these guests have become close friends, including Stanford Clark—who wrote for the site and now co-hosts the current version of the podcast. He’s become a lifelong friend and an essential part of everything “Animation Fascination” has become.

More recently, I started “The Holdo Maneuver,” a Star Wars-themed podcast I co-host with my childhood friend Michael J. Sawran. We also team up with our good friend Bonnie Marie Williams (aka The Voiceover Superhero) for “The Richmond Way: A ‘Ted Lasso’ Rewatch Podcast.” That show has led to some incredible conversations with guests like:

• Mary Roscoe (Ted Lasso’s Julie Higgins)

• Paul Cripps (Production Designer, “Ted Lasso”)

• Kip Smedley (Sound Designer, “Spider-Verse” series, “Ted Lasso”)

• Adam “Chip” Hamilton (“Ted Lasso” Production Coordinator)

• Jed Hathaway (Animation Director, “The Missing Christmas Mustache”)

• Billy Brimblecom Jr. (CEO, Steps of Faith Foundation)

Honestly, I couldn’t do these shows without Michael, Bonnie, and Stanford. They’re more than co-hosts—they’re chosen family. These podcasts have become such a meaningful way for me to celebrate the things I love and, in some small way, give back by sharing those passions with the world. I’m especially proud of the live recordings we’ve done for all three shows at Phoenix Fan Fusion over the past few years.

But above everything, the biggest gift podcasting has given me is the people. The connections I’ve made—whether they started as strangers, listeners, guests, or co-hosts—have become friendships I cherish deeply. Some of those relationships, like the one with my partner Kayla, wouldn’t exist without these communities, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

Thank you to anyone who’s ever listened, watched, shared, or supported the podcasts. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you can find everything at www.MarcVibbert.com.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Initiative and Ambition One of the most important qualities I’ve developed is the willingness to simply reach out and ask potential guests—whether industry professionals or creators—if they’d like to join the podcast. That drive to connect has led to some of the most meaningful and insightful conversations I’ve had.

2. Creative and Technical Skills
Through podcasting, I’ve honed my graphic design, audio editing, and video editing skills. From designing episode thumbnails to mixing clean, engaging audio, these skills have been essential in creating content that’s both professional and appealing.

3. Deepening Industry Knowledge
Over time, I’ve expanded my understanding of film, television, and especially the animation process. Whether it’s through research, interviews, or discussions, I’m constantly learning more about the craft, the people behind it, and the stories being told.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Honestly, as stated earlier, I couldn’t have overcome many of the challenges or developed the skills I have without the support of my co-hosts, Michael, Bonnie, and Stanford. They’re far more than podcast collaborators—they’re chosen family. Each of them has brought their own strengths, encouragement, and creative energy to our shows, pushing me to grow in areas like content creation, interviewing, and production.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the broader podcasting community. The guests, listeners, and fellow creators I’ve connected with along the way have helped me expand my knowledge, build confidence, and stay inspired.

At the end of the day, the people I’ve met through podcasting have been the most important part of this journey. Their support, collaboration, and friendship have helped me grow, stay motivated, and continue doing what I love.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Marc Vibbert, Alice Lin, Bonnie Marie Williams, Michael J. Sawran, Stanford Clark

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