Podcast Summary: But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Episode: What Would Your Superpower Be?
Release Date: December 27, 2024
Host/Author: Vermont Public
Hosts: Jane Lindholm and Melody Beaudet
Introduction
In the festive end-of-year episode titled "What Would Your Superpower Be?", hosts Jane Lindholm and Melody Beaudet invite young listeners to explore the exciting world of superheroes. Instead of the usual adult-driven discussions, this episode is uniquely led by children who share their imaginative ideas about superpowers and superhero identities.
Exploring Superheroes: Origins and Realities
Kids’ Curiosities About Superheroes
The episode kicks off with questions from young listeners curious about the origins of superheroes:
- Elena, 7, Connecticut: "Who invented the first superhero and what was the first superhero?" [01:25]
- Asher, 7, Michigan: "How did superheroes and books get started?" [01:25]
Hosts’ Insights on Superheroes
Jane and Melody delve into the history and essence of superheroes:
-
Jane Lindholm:
"There have always been stories of people with special powers... These kinds of stories have been around for as long as humans have been telling stories." [01:48] -
Melody Beaudet:
"The word superhero is really only about 100 years old... Superheroes got their start with the creation of comic books in the 1930s with the Phantom, Superman, and Batman." [02:06]
They underscore that while superheroes are fictional, the themes they embody—battles between good and evil, personal growth, and responsible use of power—are timeless and universally relatable.
Kids’ Superpower Choices and Superhero Names
The heart of the episode showcases a delightful array of superpower aspirations and creative superhero names submitted by children from various parts of the world. These submissions are categorized based on the type of superpower desired.
1. Invisibility and Camouflage
A significant number of children expressed a desire for invisibility or the ability to blend into surroundings:
-
Benjamin:
"My superhero name is Invisible Girl, and I'm going to be invisible for my superpower." [06:40] -
Hannah, 6, Istanbul:
"I want to be a superhero who can lift things that are so heavy." [04:56] -
Kendra, Almost 7, Vancouver, BC, Canada:
"My superhero name will be Chameleon Kendra, and my superpower will be blending in my surroundings." [07:00]
Notable Quote:
- Melody Beaudet:
"It seems like a lot of us want to find a way to disappear, but to also be able to know what's going on. I like that." [08:51]
2. Flight and Enhanced Mobility
Flying remains a popular choice among young listeners:
-
Emmett, 5.5, Super Baby:
"My superhero name is Super Baby, and I would get flying in seconds." [09:10] -
Zelda, 7, Norwalk, Connecticut:
"If I had a superpower, it would be flying with the birds in the clouds. My super name would be Supergirl." [09:10] -
Borna, from Iran:
"My superpower name is Karen, and my superpower is flying." [09:10]
Notable Quote:
- Jane Lindholm:
"I used to have daydreams about being able to fly... I would love to be able to fly, Melody." [10:25]
3. Animal Communication and Transformation
Several children expressed interest in communicating with animals or transforming into them:
-
Remy, 7, Auckland, New Zealand:
"My superpower would be talking to animals. My super name would be Pink Girl." [12:08] -
Kendra, Almost 7, Vancouver, BC, Canada:
"My superhero name will be Chameleon Kendra, and my superpower will be blending in my surroundings." [07:00] -
Nicole, 7, Bermuda:
"I want my superpower to be to communicate with animals, to turn into animals, and to ride on animals." [13:00]
Notable Quote:
- Jane Lindholm:
"Can you imagine... being able to talk to animals and understand everything they're saying or turn into one when you wanted to?" [12:00]
4. Time Manipulation and Teleportation
Time-related powers also fascinated young minds:
-
Adrian, 11, Colorado:
"My superhero name would be Time Stop. I have the ability to stop time and do whatever I want while time is frozen." [20:05] -
Maisley, 6, Redmond, Washington:
"I want to be able to time travel with the characters in Magic Treehouse." [20:05] -
Darun, Nearly 7, Brisbane, Australia:
"My superpower would be teleporting through space and time." [21:20]
Notable Quote:
- Melody Beaudet:
"Teleporting is when you disappear in one place and immediately appear in another." [21:12]
5. Unique and Creative Superpowers
A variety of unique superpowers were also proposed:
-
Asher, 9, Michigan:
"My superpower would be to draw anything I wanted perfectly the first time. My superhero name would be the Drawer." [10:51] -
Zinni, 4, Stevenson, Washington:
"My superpower would be to turn people into animals. And my super name would be Chicken Fingers." [14:49] -
Amir, 8, Limerick, Ireland:
"My superhero name would be the Imaginator, and my superpower would be to turn things that aren't real into reality." [27:50]
Notable Quote:
- Melody Beaudet:
"Turning things that aren't real into reality... That’s an opportunity." [28:00]
Hosts’ Reflections: From Fiction to Reality
Jane and Melody discuss the imaginative nature of superheroes and how elements of these fictional powers have become realities through technology and human ingenuity:
- Jane Lindholm:
"Some superpowers were magical back when people invented them, and now we've found ways to make them real." [28:27]
They ponder the future, speculating on advancements like living with robots or humans residing on Mars, emphasizing the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
Redefining Superheroes: Everyday Heroes
Concluding the episode, the hosts shift focus from fictional superpowers to real-life heroism:
-
Melody Beaudet:
"Kindness is a kind of superpower." [29:24] -
Jane Lindholm:
"Helping out someone in need might make you a superhero." [29:31]
They encourage listeners to find ways to be "real superheroes" within their communities and personal lives, highlighting that acts of kindness and curiosity are powerful in their own right.
Final Thought:
- Jane Lindholm:
"Think about a way that you could be a real superhero in your own community, family, or life." [29:31]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Jane Lindholm:
"There have always been stories of people with special powers..." [01:48] -
Melody Beaudet:
"The word superhero is really only about 100 years old..." [02:06] -
Melody Beaudet:
"It seems like a lot of us want to find a way to disappear..." [08:51] -
Jane Lindholm:
"I used to have daydreams about being able to fly..." [10:25] -
Jane Lindholm:
"Can you imagine... being able to talk to animals..." [12:00] -
Melody Beaudet:
"Teleporting is when you disappear in one place..." [21:12] -
Melody Beaudet:
"Turning things that aren't real into reality..." [28:00] -
Jane Lindholm:
"Some superpowers were magical back when people invented them..." [28:27] -
Melody Beaudet:
"Kindness is a kind of superpower." [29:24] -
Jane Lindholm:
"Think about a way that you could be a real superhero..." [29:31]
Conclusion
What Would Your Superpower Be? is a vibrant celebration of children's creativity and imagination. Through their diverse and inventive responses, young listeners showcase not only their fascination with fantastical abilities but also their understanding of heroism in everyday actions. Jane Lindholm and Melody Beaudet adeptly bridge the gap between fiction and reality, inspiring children to recognize and cultivate their own superpowers of kindness, curiosity, and community service.
Additional Information
To participate in future episodes, children are encouraged to record their questions or superpower ideas using a smartphone and send them to questions@butwhykids.org, including the child's first name, age, and town.
Produced by Jane Lindholm and Melody Beaudet at Vermont Public. Video series produced by Joey Pollution Colombo for YouTube. Theme music by Luke Reynolds. Distributed by PRX.