Stories Podcast: Podchats – Catching Up!
Episode Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Amanda Weldon, Daniel Hines
Episode Type: Special “Podchats” episode – conversational catch-up and announcements
Overview
This Podchats episode of Stories Podcast is a warm, conversational catch-up between hosts Amanda Weldon and Daniel Hines. Taking a break from their usual story format, they announce exciting updates—most notably, new YouTube story videos and Amanda taking over the "Sleep Series." The episode blends show updates, discussions on kids’ favorites, parenting anecdotes, book recommendations, and listener engagement.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Host Updates and Podcast Mood (00:01 – 00:48)
- Amanda and Daniel comment on the gloomy, rainy weather and how it sets a sleepy mood for the episode.
- Amanda muses about losing track of time while working:
“I was just sitting in a pitch black room alone... like 4:30 in the evening. It was the worst.”
— Daniel [00:29]
2. Major Announcements
YouTube Launch (00:53 – 02:48)
- The podcast is launching original content on YouTube.
- New videos feature Amanda reading stories in costume, using minimal, kid-friendly graphics and illustrations. Not full cartoons—just Amanda reading, with some fun visuals.
- Daniel clarifies:
“We’re not pivoting to screen time… It’s just more of Amanda reading stories. But now you get to see her, which has been requested for a long time.”
— Daniel [02:09] - Amanda describes wearing a big floral crown she made herself:
“It did get taller than I thought it was going to. So, you know, it's pretty big.”
— Amanda [01:46] - First three stories are available now; audience feedback will shape future uploads.
Sleep Series Update (02:53 – 05:43)
- Amanda is taking over the Sleep Series, formerly narrated by Kelsey Lee (who left to run her successful floral business, “Floralune”).
- Amanda describes it as “a softer version of the same stories… supposed to lull you to sleep and be something you can fall asleep to without any kind of big sounds that will wake you up.” [04:13]
- Emphasis on gentle readings with no loud intros or ads:
“It’s all of the Amanda with none of the ‘hello.’”
— Daniel [04:39]
3. Inviting Listener Feedback & Show Evolution (05:47 – 06:53)
- Daniel and Amanda note podcasting is changing; they want to hear from listeners about what content they enjoy (classic stories, more “Podchats,” holiday brackets, classic novels, etc.).
- Daniel:
“Just… hit us up at dan at storiespodcast.com. Amanda sees them all too. And we'll take a look. Any feedback you have, we're happy to take right now.”
[06:29]
4. Nostalgic and Seasonal Fun: Holiday Brackets (06:53 – 11:02)
- Past holiday movie brackets generated listener responses, especially disappointment that Home Alone didn’t win.
- Amanda’s favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story (“the one with the leg lamp and the bunny suit”), with personal anecdotes about visiting the filming location.
- Discussion of Christmas movie marathons and “legacy sequels” like the recent A Christmas Story sequel and Freaky Friday.
- Amanda on legacy sequels:
“I want there to be enough references to the original without feeling like they’re just trying to stick in every reference… for fan service.” [09:18]
5. Kids’ Media Recommendations & Parenting Anecdotes (15:01 – 21:50)
Amanda’s Daughter, Birdie (age 2):
- Loves Brown Bear, Brown Bear (“all of the animals do have distinct voices that are consistent each time”) [15:17]
- Currently obsessed with Frozen—especially Elsa and “Let It Go.”
- Big fan of Britney Spears, especially the song “Lucky,” which Amanda sang as a lullaby.
Amanda:“That was really funny to sing to like a crying baby.” [19:03]
- Birdie refers to blonde women as "Lucky," Britney Spears’ character from the song.
- Amanda muses on parental influence in shaping kids’ tastes, reflecting on her own dad’s impact and wondering how nostalgia will play out for Birdie with early 2000s pop.
Daniel’s Parenting Reflections:
- Kids’ sense of music is shaped by whatever is played at home—everything from the Rolling Stones and Beatles to indie bands shows up as equally important to his daughter.
6. Middle Grade & Family Book Recommendations (22:29 – 26:13)
- Daniel is writing a new fantasy-in book for “middle grade” readers, inspired by Brandon Sanderson’s kid novels and classics like Gary Paulsen’s The Rifle and Loch.
- Middle grade recommendations: “Firefly”, “Max Goodname”, Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King (kid-friendly despite the author), Skyward by Brandon Sanderson, Andy Weir’s The Martian and Project Hail Mary (slight language, suitable for older kids).
- Daniel shares fondness for “magical” stories and unique character names from childhood.
7. Building Library Memories & Book Collecting (26:48 – 32:34)
-
Amanda’s Project: Collecting her favorite childhood books in original covers for her daughter, inspired by nostalgia and disappointment over modernized/new book covers.
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Extensive discussion of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and its cultural significance.
-
Daniel supports the idea; having books available at home fosters a love of reading:
“If you have books there, kids are more likely to read. And… they can't read them if you don’t have them.” [30:23]
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Amanda reflects on growing up in a home with “13 floor to ceiling bookcases,” thanks to her bibliophile father—“a personal library as big as some actual libraries.” [30:46]
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Amanda installed a "Little Free Library" at her house to share books with the community, in her father’s honor.
8. Little Free Libraries: Community Impact (32:11 – 33:19)
- Amanda describes how robustly used her Little Free Library is—books circulate, and the box stays full via community contributions.
- Amanda:
“Sometimes it was some books that I had put in there, somebody took them, and then a couple weeks later… they showed back up again and… are gone again. So it’s just… it’s cool.” [33:10]
Notable Quotes & Fun Moments
-
Daniel, on the new YouTube format:
“We’re not pivoting to screen time. That’s the important thing.” [02:00] -
Amanda, about her floral crown:
“I did make it and it did get taller than I thought it was going to. So, you know, it’s pretty big.” [01:46] -
Amanda, on adapting her reading style for Sleep Series:
“I do read her the stories really loud, actually… there’s a lot of horses and I do like a really, like… big neigh. And then I’m like, maybe I should take it down a notch.” [05:15] -
On the power of curating their kids’ musical taste:
“It was weird to me to be like, oh, I have this… power that I can be like, here’s Britney Spears and now… you’re going to love Britney Spears.” — Amanda [19:54] -
Amanda, on building a book collection for her daughter:
“I started doing that for a bunch of books… to build a library for Birdie of all of the books that I loved in the editions that I remember reading…” [28:39] -
Daniel, encouraging book collecting:
“Just having… books that have like different interests and they’re just on the shelf. Like, it’s just… they can’t read them if you don’t have them.” [30:23] -
On “Little Free Libraries”:
“You don’t have to leave a book to take a book. That’s right. You can just take a book and read it.” — Daniel [32:36]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |:-----------:|:-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:53–02:48 | YouTube channel announcement and descriptions | | 02:53–05:43 | Amanda takes over the Sleep Series | | 05:47–06:53 | Invitations for listener feedback | | 06:53–11:02 | Holiday movie brackets & Christmas movie nostalgia | | 15:01–21:50 | Amanda’s parenting stories & Birdie’s favorites | | 22:29–26:13 | Book and audiobook recommendations for families | | 26:48–32:34 | Book collecting project & Amanda’s family libraries | | 32:11–33:19 | Little Free Libraries & promoting book access | | 33:19–34:52 | Recap & encouragement to share the podcast |
Listener Engagement & Sign-off
- Hosts encourage listeners to send episode topic ideas, bracket suggestions, or just general feedback.
- Daniel notes: “Podcast reach is kind of way down across the board... if you have an episode you like, just send it to a couple friends with kids. It goes a long way.” [34:13]
- Amanda and Daniel close by reaffirming their excitement to create content fans love, whether it’s new stories, chats, or brackets.
Summary
This Podchats episode is an inviting, cozy catch-up for Stories Podcast fans. Amanda and Daniel share life and parenting updates, meaningful podcast projects (including a YouTube launch and new Sleep Series), and passionate encouragement for reading and community. Their playful banter, book recommendations, and willingness to listen to their audience make it a warm invitation for families and fans to shape what’s next for the show.
For more:
- YouTube stories: YouTube.com/storiespodcast
- Sleep Series & other info: StarglowMedia.com
- Send feedback: dan@storiespodcast.com
Ideal for: Fans seeking updates, book and media recommendations, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Stories Podcast team!