Good Stuff Kids

Little Miss Ann from Chicago is in the house!  We talked about her music and what inspires her to make music for families.  She has taught at the Old Town School of Folk Music and has gone on to make several award winning albums.  "Little Miss Ann plays upbeat,down to earth interactive music in several different music styles. Little Miss Ann has performed extensively for diverse audiences throughout Chicago and beyond."  Be sure to check out her song 'Ube' at the end of the show! Continue reading Episode #236 – Little Miss Ann on the site.

It's a mega return pod from some of the Good Stuff Kids Podcasts favorite musicians.  Ginalina has just released a brand new full length album, Super Stolie has a brand new bilingual EP, and Alison Faith Levy has just released a brand new Channukah instant classic called 'All I Want For Chanukah Is A Ukelele'.  It was great talking to all three of these amazing musicians again.  At the end of each artists segment you will hear their songs. Gina Lina's 'Save The Mighty River' Super Stolie's 'Fuerte Sin Parar' Alison Faith Levy's 'All I Want For Chanukah Is A Ukelele' Continue reading Episode #235 – Ginalina, Super Stolie, and Alison Faith Levy on the site.

My buddy, The Forest Feast herself, Erin Gleeson returns to the Good Stuff Kids Podcast to talk about her family trip to the Mediterranean which inspired her brand new book.  The Forest Feast Mediterranean features tasty vegetarian dishes that your whole family will love.  It was especially cool to talk to Erin, and her husband Jon about what it was like travelling abroad with two very little kids.  They shared lot's of interesting insights!  This new book is a perfect holiday gift for anyone who likes beautiful photos and very healthy and tasty eating!  **Editors Note** Sorry for the robotronic vocals on my end!  Technical Difficulties.  You can still hear the important part... that's Erin! Continue reading Episode #234 – Erin Gleeson’s The Forest Feast Mediterranean on the site.

Want to be a Tower of Royal Power?  Then check out this conversation with Culture Queen.  She's all about positivity and helping kids feel good about who they are!  Check out her song 'I Like The Me I See' at the end of the episode, and you'll be feeling good and funky for hours afterwards. Continue reading Episode #233 – Culture Queen on the site.

Have you ever had an awesome conversation with a singing principal?  A real life school principal?  Like a get sent to the principal's office principal?  Well, Al deCant, the Singing Principal stopped by to talk about education, and his incredible music for families!  Have you ever learned about numeracy?  Me either!  Luckily the Singing Principal was there to teach me all about it.  He also shares some real stats about why movement and music go so well together.  Al will flip your idea of what a principal is onto it's head.  Be sure to listen to the song 'My Best Friend' at the end of the show. Continue reading Episode #232 – The Singing Principal (Al deCant) on the site.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Getting the opportunity to speak to the ground breaking and barrier smashing Dr. Jen Welter was a privilege.  We talked about football, and never letting an obstacle stand in the way of our dreams.  Dr. Jen was the first female coach to work on an NFL sideline.  She played tackle football, and we got into a fairly in depth conversation about the difference between having football instinct and being coachable.  It was so interesting to hear about how her education has helped her to be a successful coach.  Make sure you check out when Dr. Jen is coming to your town to lead a football clinic. Continue reading Good Stuff Sports #24 – Dr. Jen Welter on the site.

Let's get funky with Micah from Dadada and the Dinos!  In his words "Dad-centric funk describes my life pretty well".  If you know anything about the Good Stuff Kids Podcast then you know that Dad-centric funk also describes... me!  "Dadada and the Dinos combine Funk and Soul from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s into something new. From their Philadelphia home the Dinos make music to get the whole family moving! When they’re not jamming out the Dinos enjoy not being extinct, ice cream, and evolving. Kids deserve real music and parents do too. Dadada and the Dinos will bring the funk!" Continue reading Episode #231 – Dadada and the Dinos on the site.

I had the pleasure of talking with Dennis Scott, who produced the incredible 'Thank You, Mister Rogers' album.  It's a star studded affair with Mister Rogers compositions performed by Mickey Dolenz, The Cowills, Rita Wilson, Tom Bergeron, Kellie Pickler, and many more.  Dennis Scott and I covered a lot of territory during this conversation, and I learned a lot about him, and his wide ranging career as well as a lot about Mister Rogers that I did not know.  Make sure you listen to Kellie Pickler's version of 'It's Such A Good Feeling' which you can hear at the end of this episode. Continue reading Episode #230 – Thank You, Mister Rogers (Dennis Scott) on the site.

Ooooh yeah.  I loved talking to Dan Elliott from Pointed Man Band about his music and specifically the brand new record 'Amongst the Tall Trees'.  You've got to hear the song 'Go!'.  It's awesome.  A blast of energy and fun that will make you want to get outside and play.  It's just an appetizer too.  The whole album is awesome.  Enjoy this convo with Dan!   Continue reading Episode #229 – Pointed Man Band on the site.

Dave Kinnoin returns to talk about his new project with his band Grin Brigade.  This is a supremely catchy 29 song album, and you'll love Good Stuff Kids record holder Dave talking about his group's excellent new album.  Parents, if you're looking for music that is witty, clever, fun, and catchy then you need to check this one out.  Check out the title song 'All I Do Is Hop', and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Editors note * I say at the beginning of this episode that it's #227.  It's actually #228.  I haven't had any coffee yet.  Please forgive... Continue reading Episode #228 – Grin Brigade on the site.

It's time to get jazzy with Camille Harris!  Have you ever seen the baby on the subway that brings joy and smiles to everyone?  Camille has, and she's written an instant classic song about the subject and it's on her brand new record 'Baby On The Subway'. This is also definitely the first episode of the podcast where the I got to talk about Snarky Puppy!  Jams Galore!  Make sure you listen to the whole episode to hear Camille's song 'Baby On the Subway'. Continue reading Episode #227 – Camille Harris on the site.

Happy Halloween!  Celebrate with you little monsters by getting to know Stephanie Leavell!  She's a board certified music therapist and a mom, so she has a pretty good read on what very young kids want to hear.  From her website:  "Stephanie is the creator of Music for Kiddos, a website to help parents and educators find the music that's right for their kiddo. She's mom to a spunky young daughter, a seasoned performer, an experienced music educator, and a board certified music therapist. Stephanie is a Berklee College of Music graduate and is passionate about using music to help kids succeed. She has started multiple thriving music therapy programs and specializes in working with babies and kids through age 6.   Stephanie jokes that she has a low tolerance for cheesy music. She carefully selects (or writes) music for her own daughter to improve their nightly routine, ease transitions, help her get her energy out and to encourage her to share her feelings. Music cannot be "prescribed", because the effectiveness of music is largely due to a child's preference. But this is a starting point... some tried and true music that you might find helpful, too. Music from her family, to yours." Make sure to listen to her song 'Shy Little Monster', which is a perfect halloween song for little ones. Continue reading Episode #226 – Stephanie Leavell on the site.

Narwhals and Waterfalls are here to teach us about SEL or Social and Emotional Learning through music.  Both Paige and Adrien are classroom teachers who take their expertise and put it to music to help kids understand and manage their emotions.  They were helpful to me during the course of this interview.  You'll notice that it is just Paige and Adrien that you hear.  That's because my side of the conversation didn't record.  Good thing Paige and Adrien taught me a valuable lesson so that I knew to breathe deeply when I realized this issue. Narwhals and Waterfalls also keep on giving good stuff!   If you enter "GoodStuffPod" at checkout of their online store you will get 30% off your purchase!  Get that Narwhals and Waterfalls merch.  Go go go!  I recommend the Tshirt. Be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode to hear 'The Mood Song'. Continue reading Episode #225 – Narwhals and Waterfalls on the site.

It's time for a lesson in GaGa!  The sport of champions that so many grew up playing at summer camps.  Talon Athletics is going to bring the joy and competition of GaGa to you.  It's time to get in the pit for some rage in the cage!  Talon Athletics hosts GaGa tournaments and camps, so check them out.  Armond and Scott know what they're talking about and they'll make you a GaGa believer! Continue reading Good Stuff Sports #23 – Talon Athletics on the site.

From the 716, to the Talking Heads, to Frozen Fractals, to the Pacific Northwest, to musical surprises I had an amazing time getting to know Jessa Campbell.  She's also amazingly patient, knowledgeable, and fun.  Her project Jessa Campbell & the Saplings brand new record 'Can You Feel It' is educational and well crafted with a thematic hat tip to the Pacific Northwest in every song.  Be sure to listen to her song 'Can You Feel It' at the end of the episode.   Continue reading Episode #224 – Jessa Campbell on the site.