Good Stuff Kids

I was so happy to hear that Animal Farm was putting out a brand new record 'We Are One'.  They are great musicians who write great and very fun songs.  Full disclosure, I've known Dave for many years, and you can hear our first conversation from July, 2016.   I'm also proud to say that the band has received a NAPPA (National Parenting Product Award) for their new record. It's a must listen!  Congratulations Animal Farm!  You can hear the full song 'We Are One' at the end of this episode.   Continue reading Episode #148 – Animal Farm Returns! on the site.

The Good Stuff Family are now officially residents of Houston, Texas!  We eat bbq, swim a lot, watch football, and do other Texas stuff!  To mark the occasion you can hear a great, low key, and fun conversation I had with 2017 Austinite of the Year, Saul Paul.  He free styled (I tried to help) and we talked about all of the work that he's done to make the world a better place.  You can hear his song 'Rise', which was #1 on Sirius XM's Kid Place Live, at the end of the show. He's a musician with a message that you need to hear!  From his website:  "Part rapper/part singer songwriter, SaulPaul is an entertaining artist who blends his voice, his guitar and his loop pedal to create a live show that is nothing less than an EXPERIENCE." Continue reading Episode #147 – SaulPaul on the site.

This talk is beautiful.  Papa Siama and Auntie Dallas are beautiful people.  I could tell through the phone.  I loved hearing about how Papa Siama got his start playing guitar and coming to America.  I really love the song, 'Ko Yimbi Ko' that you hear a clip of at the beginning of the show.  Listen closely for the thumb piano!  You can hear the whole song at the end of the episode.  There was a lot of love going both ways during this chat and I think that you'll feel the authenticity coming from Papa Siama and Auntie Dallas and that you'll feel the love too!  Be sure to check out their new album 'The Land of Yangalele'. Continue reading Episode #146 – Papa Siama and Auntie Dallas on the site.

I was honored to welcome Elizabeth Mitchell to the podcast for a chat about her career in kids music and her brand new collaboration with Suni Paz, 'Tu Eres Mi Flor'.  It was great to hear about her roots playing with Dan Zanes as well as working with Suni.  This record is beautiful.  Listen with headphones if you can!  You can hear the full song 'Tu Eres Mi Sol'. Continue reading Episode #145 – Elizabeth Mitchell on the site.

I had the greatest time hanging out with Gunnar Madsen at his home and hearing all about his career and his brand new record 'I Am Your Food'.  It's a great one.  You'll hear about Gunnar's beginnings as an acapella musician to writing "off center" songs for families.   Continue reading Episode #144 – Gunnar Madsen on the site.

Lee Sings4kids is a chip off the good ol' fashioned rockin' for kids block.  Lee and I hit it off right away and you'll see that his enthusiasm for music and kids is contagious.  Please support him by checking out his brand new record Sing, Share, Grow.  You'll be happy that you did!  You can hear the full song 'Let's be Brave' at the end of this episode. Continue reading Episode #143 – Lee Sings4Kids on the site.

When I started this podcast in April of 2016, I had a goal of spending a little time talking with Raffi.  I didn't know if it would ever happen, but thanks to the great and incredibly kind Beth Benz-Clucas from Sugar Mountain PR it actually did!  Raffi and I spoke on the phone and covered a variety of topics like Beluga Grads, starting off in family music, child honouring, and his awesome new record 'Dog on the Floor'.  The conversation went just as I imagined it would.  It was comfortable and fun.  I hope that you enjoy this episode with one of the best to ever do it.  You can hear Raffi's brand new song 'Luna's Song' at the end of the episode. Continue reading Episode #142 – Raffi on the site.

Stephanie Mayers has just reached the three year anniversary of having her own publicity firm for Kids/Family musicians.  She represents several past guests of this very podcast like Bears and Lions, Vered, Gustafer Yellowgold, and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (with more to come).  I really liked getting to know Stephanie hearing the reasons behind why she does and loves the work that she does.  Please join me in wishing her a happy 3 year anniversary as well as best wishes for many many more! Continue reading Episode #141 – Stephanie Mayers on the site.

Talking to Jessie Baylin was just like talking to an old friend.  Listening to the music from her new record 'Strawberry Wind', has the same kind of welcome familiarity while also being something new and different.  I loved hearing the story of how Jessie came to create a kids record.  I am especially grateful to her for taking the time to talk to me just a few short weeks after her baby was born!  Be sure to listen to the song 'In the Summer Time' at the end of this episode.  You also have to check out the short film on prime video that goes along with this record. Continue reading Episode #140 – Jessie Baylin on the site.

When I talked to Bear and Lion from Bears and Lions I learned all about the significance of pancakes and whales and so much more.  They escaped from the circus to start a club in the woods, and they want triple stacks.  Of cash.  And pancakes.  It's all here in this mega-fun talk with Bear and Lion.  You can also hear the song 'Hercules' from their brand new album 'Navigate'.   Please pardon any car "beepy" sounds as the good stuff mobile studio was not entirely cooperative. Continue reading Episode #139 – Bears and Lions on the site.

Ready for some fun?  Janet Schreiner from the Cat's Pajamas joined me for a lively conversation about her career in the kids/family music industry.  She has been making spreading joy through music and musical theater and her enthusiasm is completely infectious.  Be sure to listen until the end of the show to hear her version of the classic 'Jellyman Kelly' from her new record 'Kitten Kaboodle'.  It's available wherever you get your music!   Continue reading Episode #138 – Janet Schreiner on the site.

Team Handball!  It's an Olympic Sport and it is so fun to play.  I talked to Mila Manevska from the DC Diplomats who taught me all about this incredible sport.  You'll really understand how this is a global sport and why so many people really love to play the game! Continue reading Good Stuff Sports #18 – Mila Manevska on the site.

Tobi (Ashley Tobias) wants you and your family to accept yourselves and stand up to bullying!  Her new project Be True To You is all about helping kids through difficult situations.  Tobi has had an interesting and varied career and it was great to hear her talk about this new project and how personal it was to her.  You'll definitely want to check out her music, you will find her song 'Bitty, the Bee' if you listen all the way through this episdoe.  And be sure to check out the video below which is an introduction to the project.   Continue reading Episode #137 – Tobi (Ashley Tobias) on the site.

Imagine having the most incredible workplace in the world and it was just steps from your home!  That's the amazing life that Mr. Singer leads.  He's also got a band, Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies, and they just put out an awesome new record called, 'Going to a Party'.  Don't miss this really fun talk as well as Mr. Singer's song 'Your Sunny Smile'.   Continue reading Episode #136 – Mr. Singer on the site.

It was an incredible honor to be able to sit down for a conversation with Kenji Lopez-Alt.  We covered a lot of ground including food, science, and music!  Kenji wrote an incredible book 'The Food Lab' that will help you think about your food and cooking in a whole new way.  I hope you enjoy this one!  It's dedicated to Josh the Lawyer who is Kenji's biggest fan.  Big thanks to Sister Good Stuff for letting us use her office! Continue reading Episode #135 – Kenji Lopez-Alt on the site.

I got a chance to speak to Molly Stinson from Kids Obstacle Challenge. It was awesome. We talked about what Kids Obstacle Challenge is and how much fun kids have participating and getting ultra muddy. She also assured me that it wouldn’t be too difficult for a fella like me (out of shape dad-type). Give it a listen and if you’re in the Bay Area you can sign up using discount code GOODSTUFF15 for their upcoming event on September 15 and 16. Continue reading Good Stuff Sports #17 – Kids Obstacle Challenge on the site.

Lou and Frank Gallo have both been making music for kids and families separately for many years.  You can even that kids and family music is the family business!  They've finally come together to make a record and it's awesome!  You may know Lou from Lou Gallo and the Very Hungry Band, and you may know Frank from Rolie Polie Guacamole You may not know that, just in time for Father's Day, that Lou and Frank teamed up to form a band called Like Father Like Son, and they just put out a brand new record called 'Sun is a Star'.  It was so great to talk to Lou and Frank about their relationship and what it was like to make music together.  It was nice to hear a father and son who worked together and seemed to learn a lot about each other through the experience of making music.  Happy Father's Day to all the Good Stuff Dad's! Continue reading Episode #134 – Like Father Like Son (Lou and Frank Gallo) on the site.

Falu recently released her first family record called 'Falu's Bazaar' and it is a treat!  Falu and I dug into the music a bit as well as the significance of the languages she sings in.  This record is rooted in tradition and I was so happy that Falu was willing to share so much with me.  I think that you will agree that it was a great and educational experience and conversation.  Passing tradition on is so important.  Stay tuned all the way until the end of the show to hear Falu's song 'Hulululu Bus'. Continue reading Episode #133 – Falu on the site.

Scott Weaver has created a replica of San Francisco that is as large as 5 refrigerators.  What makes his creation spectacular is that it is made entirely out of toothpicks and has tracks on which ping pong balls can travel through his city.  My family had the pleasure of meeting Scott at the Exploratorium in San Francisco where he told us about his work.  We then continued the conversation for the podcast.  You're going to find Scott's story incredible.  From toothpicks to massive Christmas light displays, Scott has lived a life in which he has followed his passions and creativity.  He is an inspiration and a really really good guy! Continue reading Episode #132 – Scott Weaver on the site.

Get the scoop behind the podcast with the greatest name and it's creator, Mick Sullivan!  Mick produces the outstanding The Past and The Curious podcast which is all about history and is designed for kids.  We talked about music, the podcast, and Louisville among other subjects.  Be sure to check out Mick's podcast and our other friends at kidslisten.org  Follow the Hashtag #kidslistensummer to see what all of your favorite family friendly shows are up to! It was great to catch up with Steve Denyes from Hullabaloo who has recently released a new record called '20 songs in 20 Days'.  Steve wrote a new song based on suggestions from his fans and then enlisted some of his friends (many of whom have been on the Good Stuff Kids Podcast) to create their own versions.  These songs were written as a fundraiser for Happy Star Melodies.  Want to hear this collection of songs?  Click here! Continue reading Episode #131 – Mick Sullivan (The Past and The Curious) / Steve Denyes Returns! on the site.