The stories we told around campfires have been replaced by animated fairy
tales that frame our cultural values to kids and adults. Those stories live
inside us well beyond childhood. Not too long ago, they used to represent a
misogynistic, racist culture and told us that, for example, if you’re a
good girl, you’ll get married and live happily ever after. Today, they
approach more authentic and meatier issues like depression, loss, and
warnings on what could happen if we rely too much on technology. There are
people, like this week’s guest, the first academy-award winning director
for an animated feature, Brenda Chapman, who fought tooth and nail to stop
telling silly princess stories and finally show women who wanted something
beyond true love. That movie was Brave, and it was a movie she conceived
of, wrote, directed and then, at the last minute was forcibly removed from
the project. Brenda has led a new generation of creators who understand the
gravity of these stories and aren’t afraid to tackle tough subjects that
feel relevant and meaningful instead of idyllic fantasies.

She's has worked on legendary movies like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The
Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion
King, Prince of Egypt, Cars, and of course her baby, Brave. She remains the
only woman to have directed a feature length animated film.