Some people spend their whole lives searching for what they’re meant to do.
Kira Lehtomaki knew at five years old.
In this archive conversation, Brian McDonald talks with Kira — lead animator on Judy Hopps (Zootopia) and animation supervisor on Zootopia 2 — about passion, discipline, and the lifelong drive to get better at your craft.
They revisit her path from a determined UW student to rising through the ranks at Disney, the power of mentorship, and the rare joy of doing exactly what you dreamed of, exactly where you dreamed of doing it.
It’s a heartfelt episode about obsession, gratitude, and never losing the curiosity that started it all.
Let’s get started.
