Good Stuff Kids

I had a blast talking to Danny and Sarah from The Not-Its!  My family has been listening to their music ever since we desperately needed songs about taking a bath or helicopters.  The Not-Its had us covered. We talked about the formation of the band as well as their brand new record ‘Ready or Not’.  We also touched on why the Pacific Northwest is such a hot spot for kindie acts.  Stay tuned all the way until the end of the show to hear their new song ‘The Battle of Curriculum Night’. Continue reading Episode #184 – The Not-Its! on the site.

Environmental issues are at the forefront of a lot of parents list of concerns.  Martin and the Green Guitar is making music for families that will educate us on what we can do to lessen our environmental impact.  Martin and I had a great talk, I learned a lot.  Especially about the impact that plastic straws are having on our oceans.  Stay tuned all the way to the end to hear Martin's song 'Where Does Garbage Go' from his new album 'We Are All Connected'.   Continue reading Episode #183 – Martin and the Green Guitar on the site.

Prepare yourself for some sweet and soulful sounds.  Evan and Vanessa join me to talk all about their new album 'In Our World There Are No Strangers'.  This was a great talk and you'll want to hear a very beautiful and emotional (in a good way) story from Evan about how they believe in and are inspired by the those in their lives.  Be sure to listen all the way until the end to hear the song 'Sun Sun Sun'.  It's a beauty. Continue reading Episode #182 – Evan and Vanessa on the site.

This one's a double whammy!  It was a pleasure to welcome grammy nominee and returning guest Tim Kubart and new favorites, and also grammy nominees, Frank & Deane to a very special pre-grammy edition of the Good Stuff Kids Podcast.  Be sure to listen to Tim's full song 'Oopsie-Do' and Frank and Deane's 'I Blew My Kazoo At The Zoo' after their respective interviews.  Good luck to all of the nominees!  Be sure to check out my conversations with other nominees Lucy Kalantari and Falu.  And check out the 'Pop Ups'.  Future guests of the Good Stuff Kids Podcast. Continue reading Episode #181 – Tim Kubart Returns / Frank & Deane on the site.

Sukey Molloy is here for episode #180!  We talked a lot about child development, particularly brain development, and her brand new record 'Five Little Oysters."  It was fascinating to hear how Sukey uses different artistic mediums and her knowledge on other subjects to enhance her music.  "Sukey Molloy puts a big smile on traditional favorites and mixes them with original songs, poetry, and a story for the release of her fifth album, Five Little Oysters! Listeners are invited into a personal, intimate world of familiar old time favorites as Molloy changes up the lyrics with lots of special effects, creative rhythmic nuances, and colorful percussive textures, and highlights educational, learning fun with counting, farm animals, and cozy family listening for children of all ages!" Continue reading Episode #180 – Sukey Molloy on the site.

"Girl Tales is a podcast featuring reimagined fairytales. Damsels in distress? Princesses in need of protection? You won’t find those here. The girls in our stories take control of their own destinies, turning your favorite fairytales into exciting new adventures.  Written by women, non-binary, and trans male playwrights, Girl Tales offers a feminist twist on classic fairytales, fables, and myths. With energetic voice actors and professional sound design,  these radio plays burst to life at the touch of a button." Continue reading Episode #179 – Rebecca Cunningham (Girl Tales Podcast) on the site.

The Space Chums are "The Galactastic Rock Band For The Kids Of The Universe".  Galactastic indeed!  The Space Chums have the rock n' roll chops to appeal to both kids and families.  They go all out for their live shows with videos, lasers, fog, and robots!  Be sure to listen all the way to the end to hear their song 'Calling All Space Cadets'.  It's time to blast off! Continue reading Episode #178 – The Space Chums on the site.

Sometimes things don't work out the way we plan.  That's the case for EZ the main character in Bob Katz's "EZ And The Intangibles".  It's a basketball story, but more so it's a story of resilience that young athletes will relate to and learn from.  Bob and I talked about hoops, refereeing, youth sports, and about his book.  If you have a young athlete in your home they will enjoy this conversation and Bob's book. Continue reading Good Stuff Sports #21 – Bob Katz on the site.

Here she is!  Margot Bevington is a teacher and musician who makes joyful and gentle music that you and your family will enjoy.  This is her first podcast interview and she knocked it out of the park.  We talked music and about her studies which include Avante Garde music.  It blew my mind!  It was so cool that she took time out of her day job which is teaching music to high school students (and many other ages) to talk to me.   Continue reading Episode #177 – Margot Bevington on the site.

Mi Amigo Hamlet is here!  He's got energy and a passion for family music and teaching that will touch your heart immediately. Continue reading Episode #176 – Mi Amigo Hamlet on the site.

Joel did it!  He hiked the entire Wild West Trail. Continue reading Good Stuff Sports #20 – Joel Salvino Survived The Wild West Trail on the site.

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to talk with Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza.  Dan is a grammy winning musician and bandleader who has teamed up with Yuriana Sobrino and his wife, Claudia Eliaza, to create a "Sensory Friendly Comic Folk Opera" called Night Train 57.  We talked about how why creating sensory friendly live music experiences for families are so important and what inspired them to move in this direction. Continue reading Episode #175 – Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza on the site.

It's winter break!  That means lots and lots of family togetherness.  Which means lots and lots of opportunities to get frustrated with all kinds of behavior.  Luckily I talked to an expert on how to handle these times as parents.  Carla Naumburg is a clinical Social Worker, Parent Coach, and Author.  Her latest, 'How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids', will be released soon and it is guaranteed to help.  Carla took the time to help me out with some pointers that will be beneficial to you as well.  She's also really really funny.  Fair warning - there is mild adult language in this episode. Continue reading Episode #174 – Carla Naumburg on the site.

The Nik Naks originally caught my eye on Instagram.  I saw that they were working on a book and plush toy to go along with one of their songs.  I’m always curious about the direction that music takes people, so I reached out.  We exchanged a few emails and set up a time to talk.  Sam and JF are incredible musicians who are making it work on the Las Vegas scene.  I love Las Vegas and it was interesting to hear from Sam and JF about what their lives as working musicians was like.  Of course, I also had to get the scoop on what led them to music for kids and families.  I was also really excited to talk to them about their music.  Stay tuned all the way to the end of the show to hear their song ‘Get Up And Go’.  “ Continue reading Episode #173 – The Nik Naks on the site.

It was a total pleasure to welcome newly-minted Grammy nominee Lucy Kalantari to the show.  Talking to her was so joyful and fun.  We talked about her artistic journey from "adult contemporary" (you've got to hear her say it) to her upbeat jazz-age inspired music for kids and families.   Continue reading Episode #172 – Lucy Kalantari on the site.

Tim Seston is a master storyteller and family musician.  His brand new record 'On A Roll' is filled with witty wordplay and upbeat fun songwriting.  Tim and I talked about a wide breadth of topics from where he lives, to stories he tells, to the music he makes.  Be sure to check out his website and facebook page for tons of content your family will love!  "Tim’s friendly vocals make some of the tougher concepts he sings about more accessible.  “Bright Red Truck” explores several emergency situations and how quickly the fireman, who he turns into a friend by naming him Peter, is on the scene to help.  “Bring on the Thunder” makes what could be a scary storm into an opportunity to create new memories.  “Canker Sore” is a catch-all term to describe a day where nothing goes right.  And “Charlie’s Monsters” come straight from a child’s thoughts."   Be sure to stay tuned all the way through the end of the show to hear the title track 'On A Roll'.   *Note from Mike* - Tim and I had a great conversation.  Unfortunate

It was an honor to have Frances England back on the show to talk about her brand new record, 'Blue Skies and Sunny Days'.  We really got into the music.  Frances recently won the top Fids and Kamily award for album of the year.  It's that good!  Frances' music is in high rotation in our house, and I know that many other people love her music.  She's an excellent person as well.  Be sure to stay tuned through the end of the show to hear her brand new song 'Carefree'.   Continue reading Episode #170 – Frances England Returns on the site.

Lee Overtree and the Story Pirates Podcast were critical to the creation of the Good Stuff Kids Podcast.  I vividly remember my son and I listening to the Story Pirate's podcast as we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco to Marin.  We loved it from first listen.  I was so happy to have a chance to talk to Lee about all aspects of the Story Pirates.  It's more than a podcast, it's a program that goes into schools and teaches writing and creative fun.  You will not believe how many Story Pirates there are working around the country!  Lee finds the meaning behind the stories and honors the kid authors throughout this conversation. There are two Story Pirates books as well as a brand new record called 'Nothing Is Impossible'.  What I loved the most about this conversation with Lee is how much he loves the stories that kids write and he values and honors the writers with such authenticity. Continue reading Episode #169 – Lee Overtree (Story Pirates) on the site.

What a treat to get to talk to mother and daughter team Ruth and Emilia!  Can you imagine making music with your daughter or mom?  That would be amazingly fun!  Ruth and Emilia love each other's company and really love working together.  Of course, they love each other too!  They have a brand new award winning record out called 'The Spaceship That Fell In My Backyard."  The concept is so fun.  You're going to want to check Ruth and Emilia out with your family!  It sounds like a show that you don't want to miss, and that your family will love!  You can also hear the brand new song 'Dancing in my PJ's' at the end of this episode. Continue reading Episode #168 – Ruth and Emilia on the site.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm thankful for bands like The Green Orbs who are making certified and bonafied awesome music for kids and families.  It's extra special because Eddie and Heather are brother and sister!  Their brand new record, 'Thumb Wrestling Champions', is awesome in every way and not just because Abraham Lincoln shows up.  You can hear the full title track at the end of this episode.  The Green Orbs are truly pushing their digits to the limit (maybe the best line in recorded music, you'll hear it). Continue reading Episode #167 – The Green Orbs on the site.