We recently connected with Jeffrey Barnes and have shared our conversation below.

Jeffrey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Walt Disney wanted to be remembered as a storyteller. Every great story, however, requires conflict—and too often, we avoid conflict at all costs. This avoidance leaves us stuck, bored, and disconnected from the vibrant story our lives could be.

As a professor of humanities and dean of student success, I created a college course called The History of Disneyland. My goal was to use Walt’s remarkable story—and the stories we experience in his parks—to inspire students to overcome their fears, embrace challenges, and pursue their dreams.

But life had its own lesson in store for me. The day after delivering the very first lecture of this dream course, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. I made the decision to delay surgery for 2.5 months, determined to finish teaching the course. I wanted to live out the very principles I was teaching—facing conflict head-on, overcoming obstacles, and refusing to give up on your dreams.

That life-changing experience ignited a mission. Since then, I’ve authored two best-selling Disney leadership books and now travel the world as a speaker and teacher. Through the wisdom of Walt Disney, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World, I help people unlock their potential, face their fears, and transform their own lives into extraordinary stories.

Jeffrey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Dr. Jeff Barnes, a storyteller at heart and a lifelong admirer of Walt Disney’s incredible vision and legacy. My journey has been anything but conventional. I started as a professor of humanities and dean of student success, where I created a unique college course called The History of Disneyland. This course wasn’t just about Disney trivia; it was designed to inspire students to pursue their dreams by learning from Walt Disney’s story—his triumphs, failures, and relentless perseverance.

The day after giving the first lecture for this course, my life took an unexpected turn. I was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. Instead of letting fear take over, I chose to delay surgery for 2.5 months so I could finish teaching the course. I wanted to live the lesson I was teaching: that great stories come from embracing conflict, overcoming obstacles, and staying true to your dreams.

That experience reshaped my life and career. Since then, I’ve written two best-selling books, The Wisdom of Walt and Beyond the Wisdom of Walt, which use Walt Disney’s story and the Disney parks to teach leadership, personal growth, and success. Today, I travel the world as a professional speaker, sharing the lessons of Walt Disney, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World to help individuals and organizations create extraordinary stories of their own.

What I Offer:

Speaking Engagements: I deliver dynamic keynote presentations and workshops for businesses, organizations, and events. My talks focus on leadership, overcoming adversity, innovation, and storytelling.

Books and Content: My books inspire readers to apply Disney’s principles to their own lives. I also share motivational stories, insights, and lessons through my blog, newsletter, and YouTube channel.

Consulting and Coaching: I work with leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs to help them leverage storytelling and Walt Disney’s wisdom to build successful, creative, and resilient organizations.

Problems I Solve:

Leadership and Team Building: I help leaders and organizations embrace creativity, overcome challenges, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Inspiration and Motivation: Many people feel stuck or uninspired in their lives and careers. I provide actionable lessons from Walt Disney’s story to help them rediscover their purpose and passions.

Storytelling as a Business Tool: I teach individuals and companies how to use storytelling to communicate more effectively, connect with their audience, and drive results.

What Sets Me Apart:

What makes my work unique is how I connect Walt Disney’s life and legacy to timeless principles of leadership, resilience, and creativity. Walt’s story is about far more than cartoons or theme parks; it’s about dreaming big, persisting through failure, and building something meaningful. I bring those lessons to life with authenticity, passion, and a deep understanding of both Disney history and human potential.

What I’m Most Proud Of:

I’m most proud of the lives I’ve touched through my books, talks, and teaching. Whether it’s a student realizing their dreams, a leader finding new inspiration, or an audience member gaining the courage to face their own challenges, seeing others transform is the greatest reward.

What I Want People to Know:

My mission is simple: to help you create your own extraordinary story. Whether you’re a business leader, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking motivation, the lessons of Walt Disney and his creations can empower you to achieve your dreams and overcome any obstacle. Life is meant to be a great adventure, and I’m here to help you live it fully.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the pandemic, my world turned upside down. Virtually all of my speaking engagements were canceled overnight, taking away the primary avenue for sharing my message and earning a living. At the same time, I was diagnosed with a second brain tumor and underwent another difficult surgery. As if that weren’t enough, while I was still recovering, my wife left, leading to a painful divorce.

It was one of the darkest periods of my life. I felt the weight of everything telling me to give up—to quit my mission and walk away from the message I had worked so hard to share. But deep down, I knew that what I was doing wasn’t just for me. It was bigger than my personal struggles. My mission is to inspire others to face their own challenges and create extraordinary stories, and I realized I had an opportunity to live out the very lessons I teach.

So, I pivoted. With in-person events off the table, I doubled down on writing, virtual speaking, and creating online content. I leaned into the power of connection, building relationships through my blog, newsletter, and social media. Every step forward was hard, but it reminded me that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about finding the strength to keep going despite them.

Today, I’m proud to say I’ve come through that storm stronger, more focused, and more committed than ever to helping others overcome their own obstacles. That period of adversity reinforced my belief that every great story has moments of conflict—and it’s how we respond that defines the ending.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by a simple yet powerful mission: to inspire people to get up off their proverbial park benches and take action toward their dreams.

Walt Disney famously dreamed of Disneyland while sitting on a park bench at Griffith Park, watching his young daughters ride the merry-go-round. He envisioned a place where “parents and children could have fun together.” But what made Walt different wasn’t just the dream—it was his willingness to stand up, face resistance, and take bold, decisive action to turn that dream into a reality.

I believe everyone has their own dreams, ideas, and crazy “what if” moments. The difference is that too many of us stay seated, held back by fear, doubt, or the weight of everyday life. What separates us from Walt is his courage to take the first step, to face challenges head-on, and to keep moving forward even when the odds seemed insurmountable.

Through my work as an author, speaker, and storyteller, my mission is to empower others to stop waiting, to rise above fear and resistance, and to take that first step toward their dreams. Whether it’s building a business, writing a book, or creating a life of meaning, my goal is to help people realize that their extraordinary story is waiting—if only they’re willing to get up and start living it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thewisdomofwalt.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdisneyland/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1221615711
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewisdomofwalt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewisdomofwalt