Pocahontas and Powerful Stories | Irene Bedard

Pocahontas and Powerful Stories | Irene Bedard

From Toon'd In! with Jim Cummings by James Cummings

May 23, 2026 · 1h 10m

About this episode

Jim Cummings interviews Irene Bedard about her career and the impact of her role as Pocahontas.

This week on Toon’d In!, Jim Cummings welcomes acclaimed actress and voice performer Irene Bedard for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation celebrating a remarkable career across animation, film, and television! Known for her unforgettable performance as Pocahontas in Disney’s Pocahontas, as well as acclaimed roles in Smoke Signals, Into the West, and numerous film and television projects, Irene Bedard has become a powerful and respected presence whose work has resonated with audiences across generations. Blending emotional depth, cultural authenticity, and memorable performances, Irene has built a career defined by meaningful storytelling and enduring impact. In this engaging and wide-ranging episode, Jim and Irene explore her journey into acting, the experiences that shaped her career, and the lasting legacy of bringing one of Disney’s most iconic heroines to life. Irene shares behind-the-scenes memories from Pocahontas, reflects on the emotional connection audiences continue to have with the character, and discusses the responsibility and significance of portraying stories rooted in culture, identity, and history. The conversation also highlights her work across film and…

People in this episode

Host: Jim Cummings

Guest: Irene Bedard

Topics covered

  • animation
  • film
  • voice acting
  • cultural representation
  • storytelling
  • career journey

Keywords

  • Irene Bedard
  • Pocahontas
  • voice performance
  • cultural authenticity
  • storytelling
  • animation
  • film
  • television

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Disney

Books & works: Pocahontas, Smoke Signals, Into the West

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