Good Stuff Kids

When my kids need to chill, and they often need to chill, we put on Little Stories for Tiny People.  When they don't want to sleep we put on Little Stories for Tiny People.  On long car rides?  Yep, Little Stories for Tiny People.  It was so good to talk to Rhea Pechter, fellow podcaster and member of Kids Listen about her show and what inspires her to do the things she does.  Rhea has one of the most creative shows out there.  She's 100% original.  Her show is "perfect for bleary-eyed parents, innovative teachers, and at-wits'-end babysitters looking for an alternative and non-annoying way to engage the toddlers and young kids they love at bedtime or any time!" Continue reading Episode #203 – Rhea Pechter (Little Stories for Tiny People) on the site.

Uncle Ty-Rone is a ventriloquist, puppeteer, and comedian who found his passion when he was young.  He was so interested in being a ventriloquist that it even helped him learn how to read.  Uncle Ty-Rone also does not forget where he came from and all of the people that helped him along the way.  "A professional since 1994, comedian and ventriloquist Uncle Ty-Rone got his big break at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he learned how to attract and entertain large crowds.  Ever since, the Virginia native has been sharing his love for entertaining where ever he can find people who want to laugh and enjoy good clean fun. He has appeared at comedy clubs, fairs, festivals, libraries, corporate events, educational venues all across the country to well satisfied audiences." Continue reading Episode #202 – Uncle Ty-Rone on the site.

It's the first crossover episode between the Good Stuff Kids Podcast and Menschite: Modern Jewish Dadding.  Menschite is a collection of many different authors sharing their authentic stories of fatherhood.  It's for a new generation of Jewish dads who are writing new rules and re-writing some old ones… for lots of different reasons.  On that note it was great to talk to KB Whirly, himself a Jewish Dad, about his brand new record 'Now That We're Home'.  The record is a collection of lullabies and love songs written by a father for his family.  You can hear the love flowing from the song 'Place Called Home', which you can hear at the end of the episode.   Continue reading Episode #201 – KB Whirly Returns (A Menschite Crossover Episode) on the site.

200 episodes. I’ve talked to so many incredible people who are using their talents to create art - music/books/movies/games/podcasts - for families. It’s been an honor and a genuine joy to create so many relationships with people around the world. Truly. The Good Stuff Kids Podcast has gone global. From All over the United States, to England, to Australia and New Zealand.Episode 200 features Marsha Goodman-Wood from Marsha and the Positrons. We talk science, and so much more. Marsha is the perfect example of why I do this podcast. She’s making good stuff for kids and families and more people should know about it!  Listen to her song ‘Positrons’ and I guarantee you’ll learn something and you'll want to know what else she's cooking up in the lab! Continue reading Episode #200 – Marsha and the Positrons on the site.

Want to be a happier parent? Luckily I had a chance to talk to KJ Dell’Antonia about her book, “How To Be A Happier Parent”. I’d really like to be a happier parent, wouldn’t we all? I was so grateful for KJ’s insights and advice. “KJ Dell’Antonia is a writer and a regular contributor to the New York Times, where she wrote and edited the Motherlode blog from 2011 until 2016 and was a contributing editor to the Well Family section from 2016-2017. Continue reading Episode #199 – KJ Dell’Antonia on the site.

I had the amazing opportunity to talk to Ben Rudnick.  We talked about family music, the Grateful Dead, and musicals.  Some of my favorite stuff!  "The award-winning music of Ben Rudnick and Friends, Boston-based pioneers of the kindie music scene, has delighted families nationwide for nearly two decades.  Propelled by a sonic boom of critical praise crowned by seven Parents' Choice® Awards and a John Lennon Songwriting Award."  You can hear Ben's song 'A Frog Named Sam' at the end of the show.  Find all of the past episodes at www.goodstuffpod.com !!! Continue reading Episode #198 – Ben Rudnick on the site.

Let's get to know Ants Ants Ants!  "With stylistic nods to 1970’s era Sesame Street, School House Rock, and "The Point" by Harry Nilsson, Ants Ants Ants recalls the best elements of a fun and fanciful childhood – the thrill of knocking down a tower of blocks; the fun of imagining what your dog is thinking; a make believe world where nocturnal animals meet in the park at night to play games. Continue reading Episode #197 – Ants Ants Ants on the site.

Do you know what Toddlerbilly is?  You're about to, Matt Heaton is on the show and he's got some great music to share with you and your family.  Matt believes that "Music for kids can be entertaining and enjoyable for both children and their parents. This is the mandate behind Matt Heaton's kid music, a style he calls "toddlerbilly." His songs are a mix of Rockabilly, Surf, American Roots, and Irish traditional music, delivered with a wry sense of humor and a serious sense of fun."  You can hear Matt's song 'Hop, Wiggle, Waddle' at the end of the show.  It gives you a real sense of what Toddlerbilly is.  You'll be so glad to have Matt and his music as part of your life! Continue reading Episode #196 – Matt Heaton on the site.

I talked to Claudia Gunn while she was on vacation and watching the ocean in orNew Zealand.  I was immensly jealous for two reasons:  1.  She lives in New Zealand and 2.  She was on vacation... IN NEW ZEALAND.  Then it got even better.  We got into talking about the music she makes for families.  Her Little Wild Music project "is a little creative endeavour with a big mission: to celebrate the magic in every extraordinary day of childhood. Stay tuned all the way to the end to hear Claudia's song 'Everywhere Stars'. Continue reading Episode #195 – Claudia Gunn on the site.

It's a double whammy!  Welcome back to Mister G as well as Sonshine and Broccoli!  Mister G gave me the scoop on his new album 'Fireflies' and Sonshine and Broccoli filled me in on 'It's Cool To Be Kind'.  I also was able to meet Mister and Mrs. G when they came to visit Houston.  They're the best!  And so are Sonshine and Broccoli! Continue reading Episode #194 – Mister G / Sonshine and Broccoli on the site.

This is the coolest. I talked to Jonathan Horton who is an author, speaker, ninja warrior, and medal winning Olympic gymnast. It was amazing to hear Jonathan’s story and talk about his athletic achievements. We talked about his book, ‘If I Had Known: Life Lessons From An Olympic Pro Athlete’, his experiences at the Olympics, his training, risk taking, and his time as a competitor on American Ninja Warrior. Jonathan’s openness and honesty when talking about what it takes to be an elite athlete was eye opening for me as I have never gotten the chance to hear the details that go into the life of a world class gymnast. Continue reading Good Stuff Sports #22 – Jonathan Horton on the site.

Carly Ciarrocchi is here!  We covered all of the ground (s) from coffee to her time on various TV shows and other projects that will delight your whole family. Continue reading Episode #193 – Carly Ciarrocchi on the site.

This interview with Mr. Jon has been a long time coming!  I originally emailed with Mr. Jon in the summer of 2017 - and finally... finally we were able to connect and make it happen.  Mr. Jon and Carrie shared their musical story and what inspires them to create music for kids and families.  That awesome song you heard?  It's called 'Play My Drum' and it's on the new record 'Rock and Rhyme'.Mr. Jon & Friends is Parents’ Choice Award winning music for kids and their families.This energetic family music is all about fun, movement, and laughter! Mr. Jon & Friends makes music for kids and their families that inspire fun, laughter, and dancing. Continue reading Episode #192 – Mr Jon and Friends (Jon and Carrie Lewis) on the site.

"One of the brightest stars to come out of the DC metro area kids' music scene is Parents' Choice Award-winning Rainbow Rock Band, which performs more than 120 live shows each year. Kids and families around the country await the appearance of the band's second album".  Kate Moran came on the show and we had a blast talking about all things Rainbow Rock!  Be sure to listen all the way until the end of the show to hear the song "Lee Lee the Lizard" from the brand new record 'Total Eclipse of the Rainbow'.  Rainbow Rock Band Foreva!!!!!!!!! Continue reading Episode #191 – Kate Moran from the Rainbow Rock Band on the site.

Happy April Fool’s Day!  This year I pranked myself by skipping episode #189 and going straight from episode #188 to episode #190.  Absent mindedness in episode numbering aside it was a pleasure to welcome Sonia De Los Santos to the Good Stuff Kids podcast.  “Sonia was born with a smile on her face (that’s what her mom always says) and she can easily find the things in the world that bring her joy. On ¡Alegría!, a bilingual album for families, Sonia thought deeply about the elements of her life that bring her joy and tried to capture them in her songs to share with others as she believes that these days it is more important than ever to find reasons to smile and stay grateful.”  Sonia taught me all about the Jarana - which you'll need to hear her explain!  Check out her song, ‘Los Pajaritos’ from her new album ‘Alegria!’ At the end of this episode.   Continue reading Episode #189 – Sonia De Los Santos on the site.

It's a lot of work to be a pirate.  And I had no idea!  Luckily I got to talk to Captain Tom Mason who taught me a lot about what is needed to swab the decks and hoist the sails and keelhaul.  I've never had an opportunity to get to know a pirate before and Captain Tom was very willing to share because his pirate wisdom is as vast as the seven seas!  Stay tuned all the way until the end of the show to hear the song 'It's A Lot Of Work To Be A Pirate' from Captain Tom and the Blue Buccaneers album 'If You Want To Be A Pirate: Songs for Young Buccaneers'.  Arrrrrrrrrr! Continue reading Episode #190 – Captain Tom Mason on the site.

"The Secret Mountain, is a Montréal based, multilingual international publisher of high-quality award-winning books for children, has also published The Hummingbird Sings and Dances and We Were Made for Each Other this fall."  I got a chance to talk to Roland Stringer, the Publisher of the Secret Mountain company, about two new book/music projects from the Classic Folk Sing-Along Songs series that include beautiful illustrations and equally great sounding music by artists like Sin and Swoon.  Stay tuned all the way until the end to hear 'She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain'. Continue reading Episode #188 – Roland Stringer (The Secret Mountain) on the site.

Let’s get into it with Danny Weinkauf!  We talked a ton of tunes, especially about his new record ‘Inside I Shine’.  We talked about Danny’s ongoing time as a member of They Might Be Giants as well as what it’s like to strike out on his own with Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band to make music for kids and families!  You can hear the whole title track from the album, ‘Inside I Shine’, at the end of the episode.”Grammy Award-winning artist and longtime bassist for They Might Be Giants Danny Weinkauf is back with his 4th album for children and families, Inside I Shine. Like the previous critically acclaimed albums from Weinkauf and his Red Pants Band, there is something on this album for everyone in the family. This time around, the tunes are focused on the interest of the band’s smallest fans.” Continue reading Episode #187 – Danny Weinkauf on the site.

Yee haw!  It's rodeo time here at the Good Stuff Kids Podcast.  Hopalong Andrew, the urban cowpoke, stopped by to talk all things New York City and his new album 'Howdy Do! Songs of the Urban Cowpoke'.  We talked about why Cowboys talk the way they do, where does the language of yee haw come from?  Where are the best spots in New York to do your wrangling, and if Hopalong Andrew is any good with a lasso.  Yipee aye oh!  Be sure to listen all the way to the end to hear Hopalong Andrew's song 'Howdy Do!' Continue reading Episode #186 – Hopalong Andrew on the site.

Mr. Ben Bowen is a prolific (4 records last year!) and very well rounded musician.  His records sound unique and appeal to music fans of all ages (even the music snobbiest Dads).  He runs his own music school for families too!  What doesn't he do?  Play in an instrumental Post-Rock Trio?  Nope, he does that too."Mr. Ben has been working with children for over 25 years, and since 2011 has been sharing music and songs with little ones of preschool age as both an early childhood music educator and an engaging children's entertainer." Continue reading Episode #185 – Mr Ben Bowen on the site.