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Koala Moon: Kids Bedtime Stories & Sleep Stories for Kids Podcast
Daytime Bonus ☀️ Belonging & Independence Part 1 with Kelly from Koala Shine 💜 Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings
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- [00:05]
A
Hello everyone. Abby here. Tonight we're sharing something a little different. I recorded this special bonus episode with Kelly from Koala Shine as part of Big Emotions. Kids Listen Mash Ups About Feelings It's a lovely seven week series where more than 40 kids podcasts come together to explore big feelings through stories. This is part one of Belonging and Independence, part with stories From Noodle Loaf, Dr. Frantastic and Power Dog Adventures. As there are lots of clips from other less sleepy shows, these are best enjoyed in the daytime, perhaps on your way to school or while you're out and about. So if you're all snuggled up in bed right now, you might want to let this one wait until tomorrow. Rest well, sweet dreams and when the time is right, I hope you enjoy this very special episode. The link to the entire series can be found in the show notes. Before we begin, a quick message for the Grown ups. If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad free listening, unlock four bonus stories per month and much, much more. You can join Koko Club. Subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show notes. But now here's a quick word from our sponsors Grown Ups. If you're looking for a fun new way to bring a little Bluey magic into your children's playtime, here's something I think you'll love. It's the Bluey Supermarket Playset. Made for kids who love imagining and playing. Just like Bluey, just like in the show, this three level supermarket is full of imaginative fun with a real working escalator, rooftop cafe and shelves to explore. It includes exclusive figures, Supermarket Bluey and bingo with her lollipop plus 5015 plus play pieces and 24 sound effects. Even including a working supermarket intercom, little ones can decorate the store, ride the escalator and make their own Bluey inspired adventures. And the best part? It works with all their other Bluey figures too. Bluey Supermarket Playset is available at all major retailers. If you love winding down with Koala Moon, you might enjoy adding another cosy listen to your bedtime routine, Nickelodeon's Goodnight Bedtime Stories. It's a podcast filled with relaxing tales, calming moments and much loved characters, all designed to help little ones drift off to sleep. In the episode Boots Birthday Party Sleepover, Boots heads to Dora's house after a truly unforgettable birthday bash. As the evening winds down, Mammy helps him get ready for bed with songs, stretches and gentle affirmations. It's a lovely reminder that bedtime can be a calm, happy time to look forward to every episode features favourite Nickelodeon friends like Dora, Blue Blaze and the Paw Patrol. Blending playful storytelling with a slow, relaxing pace, making it a great option for before bed. It's a lovely one to add to your sleepy routine for another night. You can find Nickelodeon's Goodnight Bedtime stories wherever you get your podcasts. Hello and a warm welcome. I'm Abi Offer from Koala Moon and Koala Tots.
- [03:33]
B
And I'm Kelly McBride from Koala Shine.
- [03:36]
A
We're so glad you're here. This is part one of Big Emotions Kids Listen mash ups about belonging and independence.
- [03:44]
B
In this series, we'll be exploring those big feelings because they can be really powerful and so can we. Emotions are really useful. They're kind of like a source of information. They are our connection to the world. So let's get to know them a bit better, invite them in and create space to choose how we respond to them. We can't control the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
- [04:13]
A
Today's journey is all about belonging and independence, two powerful ideas that seem different but are actually deeply connected. Because we had so many amazing thoughts on these feelings to share, we decided to split this adventure into two episodes, so be sure to tune back in for the second instalment on Thursday.
- [04:38]
B
Belonging and independence are two ideas I really think a lot about. To me, belonging is about being with my tribe, the people who love me and let me be myself, like my family or closest friends. And I've always had a really fiercely independent streak. As a kid, my catchphrase was I do it. Whether dressing myself, usually backwards or cutting my own hair, not recommended that do it myself. Spirit stayed with me from selling handmade crafts as a kid all the way to achieving my dream job as a voice actor.
- [05:13]
A
I love that, Kelly. For me, belonging has meant realising I don't have to change who I am to fit in. At school, I often felt out of place and tried hard to make people like me. But as I got older, I learned that feeling comfortable with myself was the real key to belonging. I've also always cherished my independence, like traveling through southern Africa alone as a teenager or moving countries in my 20s. But independence doesn't always mean big adventures. It can also be small things like reading by yourself or making your own lunch.
- [05:53]
B
That's so true, Abby. In today's episode, we'll hear some amazing stories about belonging and independence with kids and maybe a few magical creatures finding their own way to fit in and stand out.
- [06:08]
A
This collaboration brings together our community of creators, each offering their own unique perspective on Emotions. Through a morsel from each show we we introduce you to a new creative style. We hope you discover your new favorite podcast here. In this episode you'll hear from six different kids Listen shows. We begin with Noodle Loaf. I can't wait to get started.
- [06:33]
B
Me too. Alright, let's find a comfy spot then settle in and let's dive into these inspiring stories about belonging and independence.
- [06:50]
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Emotions. Have you noticed the intro music throughout our miniseries? It was composed and performed for us by our kids Listen friends at Noodle Loaf.
- [07:11]
B
Noodle Loaf is an interactive podcast created by music editor, music therapist, best selling children's book author and father Dan Sachs. For our Big Emotions mashup series Intro Dan created a little sound bite to represent each of the emotions we tackle. Here's the sound he made for fear. And here comes bravery. What do you think envy would sound like? How was that? And openness. Oh, I love that one. What do you think these sounds could be for? They are belonging and independence. The topics of this episode. Isn't it funny how sounds can touch our emotional heart?
- [08:08]
A
Sounds can be powerful helpers. And music is a great tool in our magical emotions toolbox. And it's not just music. Our other senses can support us too. So stop and smell the flowers. Crunch a leaf underfoot. Or cuddle your fluffy pet when you need a little boost. I'm so excited for what's ahead Kelly. But before we jump in, let's visit Dan Sachs and his podcast Noodle Loaf. If you haven't listened before, you're in for a treat. This echo song reminds us that our communities are filled with unique people and everyone belongs. Lets listen.
- [08:50]
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This is Dan Sachs from the music podcast for kids Noodle Loaf. When I'm not singing, I am writing books for kids. And the song you are about to hear is based on three picture books I wrote about communities called we share this School, We Share this neighborhood, and we share this earth. This song and those books show how each of you, with all of the wonderful things that make you unique, belong in your communities. And that's true for the other people in your communities too, with all their wonderful uniqueities.
- [09:22]
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Pretty sure that's not a word.
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You're not a word.
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Say what?
- [09:26]
C
Sorry, I lost my temper. This is an echo song so all you need to do is sing what I sing after I sing it. Joanie and Shiloh are in there to show you how that works. Ready? Here we go.
- [09:37]
E
Each of us is so unique. Each of us is so unique. Different elbows, different feet. Different elbows, different feet. When the music fills the room when the music fills the room Everybody starts to move Everybody starts to move Tell your stories Tell your stories Sing your songs Sing your songs we share this place we share this place we all belong we all belong we all belong we all belong we all belong.
- [10:17]
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Each.
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Of us has different tastes she likes scooters, he likes skates Scooters he likes skates down the sidewalk slow or fast say hello when you pass Tell your story Tell your story Sing your songs, sing your song we share this place we all belong we all belong.
- [10:53]
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We.
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All belong we all belong we all belong each of us thinking thoughts each of us making thoughts in our heads Connecting dots when we listen when we.
- [11:15]
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Share.
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Community fills the air.
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Tell your.
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Stories, sing your song we share this place we share this place we all belong we all belong we all belong we all belong we all belong we all, we all belong we all belong we all belong we all belong we all belong we, we all belong we all belong we, we all belong we, we all belong we belong we all belong we, we all belong.
- [12:12]
B
Oh, what a beautiful way to celebrate the idea of belonging and independence with this song. I love how it showcases the individual traits a child might have while showing how they still belong in the collective.
- [12:26]
A
It really illustrates beautifully how a song brings together different unique traits and personalities like instruments and tones to harmonize, balance each other out and create a unified sound that together feels like all parts belong.
- [12:45]
B
Right? You can really feel that in Dan's song, in his special intro. For us and throughout this whole series, each kids listen show brings its own unique voice. But together we share stories about our collective values. We hope this series helps you to pause, reflect, and understand your emotions a bit better. And maybe even yourself too.
- [13:10]
A
That's such a cool idea, Kelly. Let's pause and think about belonging. Can you picture a place where you feel totally yourself? Comfortable, accepted, Connected? That's belonging. It's knowing you matter. Now let's flip it. What makes you you? It might seem simple. You know yourself best, right? But philosophers have been puzzling over this for centuries. Are we just our bodies and minds? Or are we made up of all our experiences? Here's another one. Are you the same at 11 as you were at 7? Probably not. We grow and change all the time. And that's what makes discovering who we are so fascinating.
- [14:01]
B
Abby, did you know that some philosophers also believe our sense of self is always changing? With each episode, we invite you to explore different sides of yourself. And belonging is a big part of this. It's how we connect with the people, animals and nature all around us. Have you ever thought about your friendships or where you fit in? We all want to feel seen, heard and valued. Our very own Dr. Eileen Kennedy Moore answers questions like these on her podcast Kids Ask Dr. Frantastic, and her clip is up next. Belonging often ties into the choices we make with friends. And sometimes those choices are shaped by peer pressure. Peer pressure happens when our peers, people our age, influence how we act. And sometimes that's really good, like when friends help us stay focused on homework. But sometimes it pushes us into choices that might make us feel uncomfortable. In this next clip, nine year old Anne asks Dr. Frantastic an important question about peer pressure. Let's take a listen to her thoughtful advice. Hi, my name is Anne. I'm nine years old. How do we avoid being dragged along by friends to do something we're not supposed to?
- [15:23]
F
Hi Anne. Peer pressure or peer influence is when other kids, your peers, directly or indirectly urge you to do or not do something. Sometimes peer pressure can be positive. If you hang out with kids who care a lot about doing well in school, you're probably going to care a lot about doing well in school too. If all of your friends are trying out for the play or joining the soccer team, you're probably going to want to try those activities too. So peer influence can pull you toward doing things that are helpful, interesting, or enjoyable. Sometimes peer pressure is just neutral. If your friends like to wear a certain style of clothes or listen to a certain kind of music, you'll probably want to do those things too, just so you feel part of the group. This can be fun, but it probably doesn't have a big impact on your life or your future. But sometimes peer influence can be negative. Your friends or other kids might deliberately or accidentally influence you to do things that are not smart or kind. You mentioned being dragged along. Now, I'm pretty sure your friends didn't tie you up with a rope to drag you into mischief. Peer pressure usually is not aggressive. If someone is being mean to you, that's going to make you less likely to do what that person wants. Instead, kids are more likely to influence each other by teasing, laughing, begging, or asking again and again. Peer influence is at least as much about what you think or feel as it is about what other kids say or do. If you believe that other kids will get mad at you or won't like you, or will think you're a wimp or a scaredy cat or a goody goody. If you say no and you think you can't handle that, then you're more likely to go along with what they want, even if it's not what you want. So how can you handle negative peer pressure? You need to start by recognizing that real friends want the best for you. They don't want you to get in trouble. They also care about your feelings, so they wouldn't want you to do things that make you very uncomfortable. If kids are strongly urging you to do something bad, dangerous, scary, or super uncomfortable for you, they either have poor judgment themselves, they don't know you very well, or they're not real friends to you. In those situations, it's important to be able to say no. You don't have to be mean or angry about it, but you should be firm. You could say, no thanks, I'm not comfortable doing that, or no, my mom would be so mad if I did that. It's okay to blame your grown ups if it helps you make a good choice. Or no, I really don't want to do that. Let's do something else instead. That way of saying no turns your no into a yes because you say what you are willing to do. Saying no gets easier with practice. You may have to say no a bunch of times to show you mean it. That's okay. Stay anchored in what you know is right for you. Your real friends will hear and understand, even if they don't agree.
- [19:01]
A
Like Dr. Frantastic says, the pressure to fit in can be really strong, especially when it goes against what you believe is right. But here's the good news. There's also a special pull towards people who truly get you. You can always find connections with those who share your values and make you feel like you. These days, it's easier than ever to find something that speaks to your heart. A song, a book, a movie. Maybe you've shared it with friends and felt even closer because of it. Did a moment just pop into your mind that's belonging? Feelings can come up inside us like a tiny whisper or a surging wave. Some gnaw at us, eroding our peace of mind. Bit by bit, some flood in so powerfully they take over, making it hard to think straight or be ourselves. Either way, they can affect our bodies, our relationships, and even the way we see the world. So it's important that we listen to them. So the next time you feel that wave of emotions grow, maybe give yourself some room to pay attention. We hope we gave you some good stuff to work with. Because how we express our emotions through words, actions, or even a glance ripples out into the world.
- [20:36]
B
Next, let's explore independence and how embracing our unique selves shapes who we are, even if it doesn't always mean we fit right in. Our next clip is from Power Dog Adventures, a podcast featuring sweet dogs on the planet Dogland who take on big adventures. These imaginative stories, created by a mother and kid duo, help listeners build self esteem, handle big feelings, and find true belonging through the adventures of dogs. And who doesn't love dogs, right?
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And in this clip, Power Dog's journey takes him to a magical place called the Elysium.
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There he meets Flibberty Jibbit, the great tiger cat king, and Flip Flop, his playful cousin. They encourage him to try being someone he's not, and while it seems harmless at first, Power Dog learns that pretending just doesn't feel right. Let's dive in.
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Although it felt very strange to be undercover as a cat, it was also thrilling to suddenly be a teacher of dancing. For Power Dog, it was only just days ago that he had been a struggling student himself, but the way his powers were enhanced here in the Elysium made him feel powerful, capable, strong and confident. He worked his tail off to show the cats how to count beats and sync up with each other until they very nearly had it. Sadly, the competition was soon to begin and they didn't have it quite locked yet. Hey Power Cat, how about a walk and talk real quick? Power Dog nodded and they popped outside of the tent. It seems to be you who falls out of sight. Sink. Power Dog looked down at his front paws. He really didn't want to disappoint them. Okay, here goes. He thought to himself. And then he just blurted out, I am so sorry, but I am. Well, I am just not a cat. I can't move like a cat and I cannot pretend to be a cat. If I can't be myself, Power Dog, then I'll just never be able to stick the landing. Power Dog closed one eye and asked, are you disappointed? Flip Flop sighed, oh, Power Dog, I never even really asked you if you wanted to be a cat, even for a day. I am so sorry. Flibberty Jibbit smiled proudly at his cousin and nodded. Then Power Dog the optimist perked up and offered, we still have a little time and it is okay for me to cut coach the cool cats. There has to be another way to stick the landing and have a perfect finale. The cool Cats entered the arena. It was their turn to compete, and Power Dog felt that everyone in the stadium was holding their breath. Flip Flop was standing in front of the troop. He waved his paws and said, ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Cool cats before nodding to cue the music and scooting out of the dance floor area. The Cool cats smiled and nodded, then crouched down and curled up into complete balls of adorable fluff. The two tiny kittens rolled out in front of the troupe, bouncing up and down out of their ball form and high fiving each other. Power Dog was in awe and Flibbertigibbit clapped and cheered as the Cool cats completely brought it.
- [24:20]
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Wow, that gave me gladiator vibes. Except, you know, instead of are you not entertained? It's more like are you feline good about yourself? Power Dog's adventure as a Power Cat shows how tempting it can be to fit in by trying to pretend you're someone else. But in the end, he realizes that staying true to who you are is what makes you belong.
- [24:42]
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Yep, exactly. The connection between who you are, your sense of self and belonging is deeply intertwined. It's like a feedback loop. How we see ourselves influences how we fit into the world, and our sense of belonging can shape how we understand who we are.
- [25:02]
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Is that a bit confusing, guys? Well, try and think of a time when you felt like you were seen for who you truly are. Who are you with? It's kind of a dance. Your sense of who you are helps guide where and how you seek belonging, and where and how you belong helps clarify and strengthen your sense of self.
- [25:20]
A
Exactly. Power Dog's choice to be himself, even if it means taking a big risk, shows real independence. It's not easy to stay true to yourself, especially when you're worried about disappointing others. But seriously, pretending to be a cat in a galactic dance competition? That's next level pressure, right?
- [25:43]
B
And what's cool is how his new friends like Flibbity, Jibbit, and Flip Flop grow to accept him for who he really is. Even if he's not a cat. They realize it's his doggy awesomeness that makes him special. It's a great reminder that real belonging happens when everybody celebrates each other's true selves.
- [26:03]
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Yes, Powerdog teaches us that being yourself is the best way to find your place in the world and to help others find theirs too.
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We've explored a lot about belonging and being true to yourself in this first part of our journey. Before we say goodbye. For now, take a gentle breath and tune into how those feelings land with you. Belonging isn't just about being part of a group. It's about feeling seen, valued, and accepted just as you are.
- [26:36]
A
Keep these feelings of belonging and independence close over the next few days. Notice the moments when you feel connected to friends, to family, or even just to yourself. And when you don't feel like you fit in, remember your uniqueness is what makes you shine. We'll be right here on Thursday, ready to explore more in Part two, where we dive into independence and how growing your own path helps you feel even more grounded in who you are. Before you go, stick around after the credits for a special question. We hope it sparks a great conversation with someone you love. Thanks so much for listening and being part of this special Kids Listen mashup. Until next time. Stay curious, stay kind, and remember Big emotions aren't something to fear, they're something to feel. This episode has been a Kids Listen collaboration created by Tal Kelly, Jenna Clark and Dr. Eileen Kennedy Moore. Hosted by me, Abi Offa and me Kelly McBride, this Big Emotions Kids Listen Mash ups about feelings is produced by Tal Kelly, Executive Writer Jenna Clark, Content Director at Sleepiest and Koala Kids, in consultation with eileen Kennedy Moore, Ph.D. an author and clinical psychologist based in Princeton, New Jersey. A special thanks goes out to all of our contributors. We place links to our featured podcasts in this episode's Show Notes. Our intro music was created and generously provided by the wonderful Dan Sachs of Noodle Loaf. You can find full music credits in the show notes. If you'd like to share your artwork Another powerful way to express emotions is through art. Email a photo to kidslistenmashupsmail.com and we'll proudly share it on social media. Educators interested in applying this as an SEL resource in their classroom can find a PDF guide in the show Notes. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a nice review or share the show with someone you love. Thanks for tuning in to your emotions as well as our mash up. And now for our question.
- [29:05]
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Imagine you walk into a room full of people you don't know. Some kids look for someone friendly to talk to right away. Other kids hang back and watch for a while. How do you begin to connect when you meet people for the first time? If this question got you thinking, let us know in the Spotify comments or in a review. We'd love to hear how it made you feel. And if you have any of your own thoughts or questions about this topic, our very own doctor Fantastic will be joining the conversation in the Spotify comments too.
- [29:37]
A
See you soon.