As PEANUTS marks its 75th anniversary, this episode goes inside how Charles M. Schulz’s work is preserved, extended, and reimagined — from museum archives to new stories for today’s audiences.
As the PEANUTS comic strip celebrates its 75th anniversary, this episode goes behind the scenes of one of the most influential works in cartoon history. We go inside the enduring legacy of PEANUTS — from Charles M. Schulz’s creative process to how Snoopy and Charlie Brown still connect with new generations.
Benjamin Clark, curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, joins the show to explore the lasting impact of Charles M. Schulz and why characters like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang continue to resonate decades later. Benjamin shares insights into preserving Schulz’s work, discovering personal artifacts, and honoring both Schulz’s artistic vision and his humanity.
The conversation then expands into the present day with Mary Valencia-Shyne, senior artist at the Schulz Studio, who discusses contemporary cartooning and what it takes to protect and extend the PEANUTS legacy. Mary offers a behind-the-scenes look at how new PEANUTS content is created — from product approvals to Apple TV+ projects like Camp Snoopy and One-of-a-Kind Marcie — while also sharing her journey as a modern cartoonist, educator, and graphic novelist.
From classic comic strips to today’s digital platforms, this episode explores how PEANUTS continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.
✏️ Perfect for PEANUTS fans, artists, cartoon lovers, and anyone curious about creativity, legacy, and pop culture history.
Featured Guests:
Benjamin Clark, Curator at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center
Mary Valencia-Shyne, senior artist at the Schulz Studio
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center: The central hub for all things “Peanuts,” located in Santa Rosa, California. Visitors can explore exhibitions, view original art, and learn about Schulz's life and work.
Peanuts Official Website: For character profiles, comic strip archives, and educational activities.
Rob Armstrong, Cartoonist
Broom-Hilda comic strip created by cartoonist Russell Myers
“Happiness is a Warm Puppy” Book
Warm Puppy Cafe, the cafe where Charles Schulz spent every morning
Craig Schulz
Beetle Bailey Comic Strip
Pogo Comic Strip
Shuntaro Tanikawa
Lee Mendelson
Bill Melendez
Vince Guaraldi
Apple TV+: A streaming service featuring new Peanuts content
You and Me on Repeat: A young adult graphic novel by Mary Valencia Shyne
Center for Cartoon Studies: An educational institution where Mary studied
Webtoons: An online platform for digital comics
TikTok: A social media platform that Mary plans to use for her book sales
Storygraph
Libraries: Mentioned as a key venue for discovering new graphic novels
Penguin Random House: Mary's former employer in digital publishing
Manga
