Awaiting Approval. Season 1, Episode 5 : Dave Zaboski

Jul 10, 2025

Dave Zaboski, a former Disney animator behind classics like The Lion King, shares his artistic journey and insights on creative leadership. He discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and collaboration, inspired by Disney’s 'plussing' concept. Zaboski emphasizes that genuine care fosters successful creative outcomes and warns against the perils of AI overshadowing human intention in art. He reflects on leaving Disney for a deeper calling, highlighting how personal values influence creative paths and relationships.

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INSIGHT

Museums as Cultural Conversations

Museums are cultural examples of excellent societal choices for our future.
Art enables conversations across time, connecting us with creativity and intention from the past.

INSIGHT

Art as Consciousness Transmission

Art captures the intentionality and consciousness of the creator, which resonates with viewers.
Standing where the artist stood can create a felt connection that transcends time and mental states.

ADVICE

Embed Feelings in Creativity

Feelings must remain integral to the creative process for art to move people.
Use supportive practices like plussing to nurture care and emotional health while creating.

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Dave Zaboski - Artist & Former Animator at Disney, Warner Bros. and Sony (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Fantasia 2000)

From animating some of the most iconic films of all time to painting for the Dalai Lama and co-founding a tech startup, Dave Zaboski has spent a lifetime turning thoughts into things - and teaching others to do the same.

In this episode, Dave reflects on his time inside Disney’s second golden age, what it means to “solve for the light,” and why culture matters more than process when building high-performing creative teams. We talk about plussing, power, and presence - and how real collaboration needs care as much as skill. Dave shares lessons from leaving Disney to follow a deeper calling, and why he believes AI must be guided by human intention, not simulation. A conversation full of warmth, wisdom, and creative truth.

You can connect with Dave on LinkedIn here

This is Awaiting Approval. A podcast about the messy, human side of creative leadership.

Hosted by Adam Jennings - a creative leader with three decades of experience leading teams and projects for global brands including Microsoft, Salesforce, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Ancestry, Dolby, BBC and many more - this show features honest, unscripted conversations with the leaders shaping design, storytelling, and innovation today.

These are the conversations you don’t hear in keynotes. The ones about imposter syndrome, trust, failure, confidence, and finding your voice as a leader.

Whether you’re just stepping into creative leadership or you’ve been at it for years, Awaiting Approval is your place to feel seen, challenged, and encouraged.

Awaiting Approval is a Cordial Fox production.Hosted by Adam JenningsProduced by Adam Jennings & Jasmin Egner© Cordial Fox Limited, 2025.

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