Good Stuff Kids

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.

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.