Toon My Heart

Tracy Herold
  • 5.0 (7)
  • CHRISTIANITY

In Toon My Heart, we'll dive into your favorite animated movies to see if we can discover redeeming themes, traces of eternal truth, and ideas that are relevant to the Christian faith.

  1. MAR 15

    First Impressions: Arco, Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, and Forevergreen

    A review of some of the animated films nominated for the 2026 Academy Awards Shownotes coming soon!

    16 min

  2. JAN 1

    Forgotten Christmas Specials: The Little Troll Prince, with Tim Ingle

    Special guest Tim Ingle, creator of the Bearly Biblical animated series on Loor.tv-- and coming soon, the Bearly Biblical trading card game-- returns to Toon My Heart to talk about The Little Troll Prince: A Christmas Parable. This 1987 Christmas television special with a very explicitly Christian message, produced by Hanna-Barbera and backed by the International Lutheran Laymen's League, carries a lot of nostalgia for host Tracy Herold. But despite airing on Cartoon Network for many years in the '90s, many people today have never even heard of The Little Troll Prince-- and Tim was one of them! Without nostalgia goggles, will he still find things to appreciate in this traditionally animated musical holiday special? In this final "Forgotten Christmas Specials" episode for 2025, we discuss the history of Hanna-Barbera, including the role that faith played in some of Joseph Barbera's pet projects; the uniqueness of a Christmas special that doesn't mention Santa once but does mention the Savior; how the themes of love, faith, heart transformation, and God's sovereignty are presented in story of the troll prince Bu; and our pros and cons and how we might choose to tell the story differently. Please follow @bearlybiblical on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok; follow @intellectric on X and @intellectricanimation on Instagram; and visit BearlyBiblical.com Mentioned or referenced in this episode: The Gospel According to Hanna-Barbera on YowpThe Little Troll Prince on archive.orgCabbage Patch Kids First Christmas/The Little Troll Prince DVD on AmazonThank you to soundeffectfactory.com for the sleigh bell sound effects used in this episode.

    55 min

  3. 12/24/2025

    Forgotten Christmas Specials: Arnold's Christmas, with Kevin T. Rodriguez (iCritic)

    Despite first airing in 1996, "Arnold's Christmas," also known as the "Hey Arnold! Christmas Special," was a new watch this year for Toon My Heart host Tracy Herold, suggested by this episode's special guest, Kevin T. Rodriguez, also known as iCritic. What starts out as a pretty typical Christmas episode for a kids' TV show turns out to be something deeper and much more special by the end. And the story behind it is just as compelling. Find out why this episode almost didn't make it to air on Nickelodeon thanks to story elements dealing with the Vietnam War; what Arnold, Helga, and Gerald all think the "true meaning of Christmas" is; how we think this secular Christmas special still conveys some deeply Christian themes about miracles, love, empathy, and bearing one another's burdens; and why-- whether you grew up watching this Nicktoon or not-- we think "Arnold's Christmas" is worth a watch. Mentioned in this episode: https://www.icritic.nethttps://www.youtube.com/@KevinTRodHey Arnold claymation shorts"Hey Arnold! Christmas Special" adBuy Me A Coffee (Donate)Toon My Heart TeePublic StoreThank you to soundeffectfactory.com for the sleigh bell sound effects used in this episode.

    53 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    Forgotten Christmas Specials: The Small One, with Monica Theiler

    When you think of Disney and Christmas specials, the first one that comes to mind is likely Mickey's Christmas Carol, and for good reason. But five years before that short came out, Disney released another Christmas special called The Small One, directed by none other than Don Bluth, shortly before he left the company to form his own animation studio. Although it seems to have largely been forgotten by Disney, Toon My Heart host Tracy Herold and special guest, artist and animator Monica Theiler both have fond childhood memories of watching this story of a boy seeking a new home for his beloved donkey and finding one more special than he could have ever imagined. And in this episode, we talk about what it shows us about true friendship, how to love like God does, and God's perfect plan and purpose for every "small one." Visit Monica Theiler and buy her books at artistmonica.com Find Monica's books on Amazon Follow Monica on Instagram @artistmonica, and Youtube @artistanimatormonica Also mentioned in this episode: Watch The Small One on Disney+The Small One: A Story for Those Who Like Christmas and Small Donkeys by Charles TazewellSomewhere Out There: My Animated Life by Don BluthThe Small One: A Good Samaritan by Katherine Brown Thank you to soundeffectfactory.com for the sleigh bell sound effects used in this episode.

    40 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    First Impressions: Light of the World

    Light of the World is the second animated film released in 2025 about the life of Jesus, so how does this traditionally animated project compare to the 3D-animated The King of Kings that came out earlier in the year? Produced by The Salvation Poem Project and with the talent of former Disney animators and directors and unique storybook-style animation provided by Lighthouse Studios, a joint venture between Cartoon Saloon and Mercury Filmworks, Light of the World tells the gospel story from the point of view of the Apostle John as a young teenager. Find out host Tracy Herold's initial thoughts upon seeing this film in theaters. Mentioned in this episode: The Salvation Poem Project: https://salvationpoem.comGavin Ortlund, "These A.I. Videos Raise a Theology Question": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiLDeIFqw2sThe Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast: https://bancroftbros.libsyn.comLighthouse Studios: https://lighthousestudios.ieLight of the World on Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/light-of-the-world-blu-ray/pd/044399?srsltid=AfmBOoqbNaHy2ec5a0wdJldsjdKRgBQUCjZVjT-_RmO3TnqpCP2_nFjPBuy Toon My Heart merch at teepublic.com/user/toon-my-heart Donate to Toon My Heart at https://buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart Follow @toonmyheart on Instagram, X, and Facebook Other links at linktr.ee/toonmyheart Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com Questions, comments, or suggestions? Email toonmyheartpodcast@gmail.com

    17 min

  6. 08/01/2025

    How to Train Your Dragon and Love Your Enemy, with Monica Theiler of Moonglow Animation

    On this episode of Toon My Heart, host Tracy Herold is joined by animator Monica Theiler, founder of Moonglow Animation, to talk about Dreamworks' 2010 animated film How to Train Your Dragon. Based on the book by Cressida Cowell and brought to life by the writing/directing team of Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, who previously collaborated on Disney's Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon launched an incredibly long-lived franchise, encompassing sequels, TV shows, comics, an arena show, a theme park, and of course, Dreamworks' first live-action remake. But at its heart is a simple message about overcoming fear with love, and learning to love your enemies, just as Jesus Christ taught his followers in the Sermon on the Mount. We discuss how that message is brought to life through the story of Hiccup and Toothless' blossoming friendship on the Isle of Berk, as well as lots of other fun topics, including: the live-action remake trend; what the Bible says about dragons; the symbolism around weaponry in the film; how Hiccup reminds us of Jesus; and more! Find Monica Theiler at www.artistmonica.com, on Instagram @artistmonica, and on YouTube @artistanimatormonica Visit MoonglowAnimation.com Also mentioned in this episode: G.K. Chesterton on dragons and fairy tales"How to Train Your Dragon: Behind the Scenes" by Tim Nasson"How to Train Your Dragon" by Matt Risley"Even How To Train Your Dragon's Live-Action Director Has Found The Movie Trend 'Disappointing.' Why He Made The Movie Anyway" by Sarah El-Mahmoud"How to Train Your Dragon Review: A Pointless Shot-for-Shot Remake" by Jonathan SimThe Plausible Impossible on Disney+"Tannin" entry from Strong's Concordance"Spurgeon Verse Expositions - Isaiah 43:18-43:28""BibleProject Guide: Dragons in the Bible"Thanks to the following folks on X for sharing their comments for this episode's discussion: @realpopchrissy, @KevinTRod, @_rockinmrmagic, @KerryStapp, @desertofreelpod Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com

    1h 29m

  7. 07/02/2025

    First Impressions: Elio

    Disney and Pixar's newest original animated film Elio hasn't had much success in getting audiences into the theater. But does that mean it's not worth watching? Find out why Toon My Heart host Tracy Herold believes this outer space adventure about loneliness, family, and finding a place to belong is worth seeing on the big screen, and how it even reminded her of the Biblical prophet Elijah and his encounter with God in 1 Kings 19. In this episode she also discusses elements of the animated sci-fi film that Christian parents might be concerned about or at least want to know of in advance, and offers some suggestions for discussions to have with your kids after watching the film. Buy Toon My Heart merch at teepublic.com/user/toon-my-heart Donate to Toon My Heart at buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart Follow Toon My Heart on social media: @toonmyheart on Instagram, X, and Facebook Other links at linktr.ee/toonmyheart Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com Questions, comments, or suggestions? Email toonmyheartpodcast@gmail.com

    16 min

  8. 06/17/2025

    Showtune My Heart: "So This Is Love" with Faith Moore, host of "Storytime for Grownups"

    It's time for another special "Showtune My Heart" episode, in which "Toon My Heart" host Tracy and a guest discuss a song from an animated film, analyzing it through a Christian lens. Today's guest is writer, editor, and podcaster Faith Moore, host of the "Storytime for Grownups" podcast and author of the book Saving Cinderella: What Feminists Get Wrong About Disney Princesses and How to Set it Right. Faith's song choice is "So This Is Love" from Walt Disney's Cinderella, and she and Tracy discuss how to understand fairy tale symbolism, why princess stories still matter, some interesting parallels between the Cinderella story and the Biblical account of the life of Jesus, the importance of love in both fairy tales and in the Christian life, and how to become your true self. Find Faith Moore at faithkmoore.com and @faithkmoore on X.com Buy Toon My Heart merch at teepublic.com/user/toon-my-heart Donate to Toon My Heart at buymeacoffee.com/toonmyheart Follow Toon My Heart on social media: @toonmyheart on Instagram, X, and Facebook Other links at linktr.ee/toonmyheart Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com Questions, comments, or suggestions? Email toonmyheartpodcast@gmail.com

    50 min
See All (25)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In Toon My Heart, we'll dive into your favorite animated movies to see if we can discover redeeming themes, traces of eternal truth, and ideas that are relevant to the Christian faith.

Information

  • Creator
    Tracy Herold
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Tracy Herold
  • Show Website
    Toon My Heart

You Might Also Like