Re-air from wayyy back: May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day! 🤖

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Ten News — May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day!
Date: May 4, 2026
Host: Bethany Van Delft
Guest Correspondent: Bridget Todd
Special Guest: Mike

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Overview

This Star Wars Day-themed episode of The Ten News, a podcast for curious kids and their families, delves into the enduring appeal and real-world inspiration of the Star Wars universe. Host Bethany Van Delft and correspondent Bridget Todd explore connections between Star Wars technology and current science, interview superfans, test Star Wars knowledge with a fun trivia round, and uncover the unexpected historical origin of "May the 4th Be With You." The episode is filled with engaging anecdotes, fun facts, and lessons for kids, all in a lighthearted and accessible tone.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Magic and Influence of Star Wars Technology

• Host Introduction (00:06–02:39):
  • The iconic phrase "May the Force be with you" inspired Star Wars Day on May 4th.
  • Although set in a faraway galaxy, many Star Wars technologies have analogues today:
    • Robots in Real Life: From delivery bots to surgical aids—robots are helping in hospitals, including those in China assisting with COVID-19 patients.
    • Bionic Inspiration: Researchers in Singapore were inspired by Luke Skywalker’s bionic arm to develop electronic skin for prosthetics that can sense touch and read Braille.
    • Hover Bikes: A California company (Hoverser) now offers a flying motorcycle, much like Star Wars speeder bikes ($150,000!).
    • Holograms: Holographic technology, reminiscent of Princess Leia’s SOS, is emerging in concerts and meetings, suggesting personal hologram calls may be near.
  • Notable Quote:

    "Even though the Star Wars saga takes place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, some of its amazing sci-fi technology can actually be found in our world." — Bethany Van Delft (00:19)

2. Fan Stories and Star Wars Community

• Bridget Todd’s Segment (02:39–06:01):
  • Bridget admits she’s a newer Star Wars fan (thanks, Mandalorian and Baby Yoda) but wants to understand deeper fan passion.
  • On her way to a friend’s house in D.C., Bridget spots an impressively Star Wars-decorated home and chats with the owner.
    • Memorable Moment:

      "I jumped off my moped I was riding on, ran two blocks, rang the doorbell to find out whether the person who set out those decorations was from the light side or the dark side." — Bridget Todd (03:32)

  • The homeowner explains his display:

    "I created a display in my front yard that says ‘May 4th be with you.’ And next to that is R2D2 and Baby Yoda." — D.C. Resident (04:15)

  • Bridget visits her friend Mike, a lifelong fan since the 1980s.

3. Why Star Wars Matters: An Interview with Superfan Mike

• Nostalgia and Life Lessons (04:39–06:20):
  • Mike reflects on childhood heroes:

    "Luke Skywalker was just the coolest guy. Like, I wanted to be him... Han Solo was the man that I aspired to be. Luke Skywalker was the boy that I was." — Mike (04:39)

  • Childhood play: "Me and my friends, I can remember just like sitting around, like, trying to use the Force... but that never worked for me." — Mike (05:25)
  • Lessons from Star Wars:

    "Ultimately, Star Wars, it’s about doing the right thing and listening to that voice inside that tells you what the right thing is... when you go with it, you get power from that." — Mike (06:01)

4. Star Wars Trivia Challenge

• Interactive Trivia (06:20–09:41):
  • Mike nails questions about the Emperor’s view of Luke’s weakness, Finn’s job in sanitation, who freed Leia, and Yoda’s species (final answer: "Nobody knows.").
  • Fun reflection on humility and teamwork in Star Wars heroes.
  • Lightning round favorite:
    • "Is Baby Yoda actually Yoda?"

      "Its name is Grogu, and I'm not sure." — Mike (09:23)

5. Star Wars Values and Lasting Message

• Parting Words:

  "The Force is always with them." — Mike (09:41)

  • Bethany and Mike encourage kids to feel the hope and positivity embodied by Star Wars—especially on May 4th!

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "That's incredible." — Bethany Van Delft on real-life prosthetic tech inspired by Star Wars (01:48)
• "I love eating eggs, so I could really relate [to Baby Yoda]." — Bridget Todd (02:51)
• "When Luke threw off his targeting system and just used the Force. That’s how I'm answering these questions." — Mike (08:26)
• "Lightning Round: Is Baby Yoda, Yoda? ... Its name is Grogu and I'm not sure." — Mike (09:23)
• "May the fourth be with you." — Multiple speakers throughout

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Important Timestamps

• 00:06–01:02: Introduction to Star Wars Day and sci-fi technology in real life
• 01:02–02:39: Real-world inspiration from the Star Wars universe (robots, bionics, holograms)
• 02:39–04:39: Bridget Todd’s Star Wars fan adventure in D.C. and meeting Mike
• 04:39–06:20: Mike explains his love for Star Wars and key lessons
• 06:20–09:41: Star Wars trivia challenge
• 09:41–09:56: Closing thoughts on the Force and May 4th
• 10:57–12:26: Bonus trivia: Origin of “May the 4th Be With You” (Margaret Thatcher’s 1979 election)

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Star Wars Day Origins

• Trivia (11:07–12:26):
  • The phrase “May the fourth be with you” was first used in a political ad for Margaret Thatcher’s 1979 election victory—not by Star Wars fans, but by her party congratulating their new Prime Minister.

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Tone and Style

The episode is upbeat, friendly, and interactive—perfect for families with kids. The hosts use playful banter, curiosity, and encouragement, stressing the importance of hope, kindness, and believing in yourself, much like the spirit of Star Wars itself.

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Takeaways

• Star Wars’ technological vision is becoming reality in robotics, medical tech, and even transportation.
• The community spirit—fans celebrating and sharing Star Wars—brings hope and connection even in everyday life.
• At its core, Star Wars teaches lessons about doing the right thing, listening to your conscience, and relying on friends.
• “May the 4th Be With You” started as a political pun, but has become a day of celebration for fans everywhere.

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May the 4th be with you!

(And don’t forget, tomorrow is “Revenge of the Fifth!”)

Transcript

[Bethany Van Delft]

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

It's May 4th. I'm Bethany Van Delft and this is the 10 News where we get the lowdown on what's up in the world. Today has Jedi's everywhere saying may the 4th be with you. In the next 10 minutes, we'll find out more about Star Wars Day. Let's get into the 10. Whether you've seen all the Star wars movies or not, you've surely heard the famous phrase, may the Force be with you. It's a Jedi thing. It's also the origin of the fan driven phenomenon known as Star Wars Day, which for obvious reasons is celebrated on May 4. Even though the Star wars saga takes place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, some of its amazing sci fi technology can actually be found in our world.

No way.

While most of us don't have our own personal joys like R2D2, C3PO or BB8, scientists have developed robots to help with all kinds of things, from delivering packages to performing surgical procedures. There's even a hospital in China staffed with robots that help take care of COVID 19 patients. Then there are the researchers in Singapore who developed a type of electronic skin used for prosthetics. They said that they were partially inspired by Luke Skywalker's bionic arm. The scientists created a kind of artificial nervous system that can sense touch, identify textures and shapes, feel temperature, and can even read Braille.

That's incredible.

If you've ever dreamed of speeding across the galaxy on a hover bike, you may be closer than you think. A California based company called Hoverser has developed a flying motorcycle that's already available for purchase if you've got $150,000 to spend. And if you think being able to see friends and family through zoom is cool, imagine having them pop up as a hologram in your living room, Princess Leia style. What holographic technology is already being used for things like concerts and virtual meetings. Seems like only a matter of time until you could beam a projection of yourself to a friend and say, help

[Bridget Todd]

me, Obi Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.

[Bethany Van Delft]

Next, let's go to our correspondent Bridget Todd.

It's May 4, which is pretty much unofficial Star wars day, because the saying may the Force be with you kinda sounds like the date May the fourth today. But I have to admit, as much as I'm so excited to talk about Star Wars, I haven't actually seen a lot of Star wars content. I watched the Mandalorian, which I loved and I loved baby Yoda. He was the cutest. And I loved how he couldn't stop eating frog eggs. I love eating eggs. So I could really relate. But I wanted to talk to people who loved Star Wars. So I decided to hang out with my good friend Mike, who has loved all things Star wars since he was a little kid. He first got hooked on Star wars back in the 1980s, watching Luke Skywalker and Han Solo take on the evil forces of the Galactic Empire. Yup, he's a grown up, y'. All. So I got on my speeder bike, AKA my little moped, and jetted over to his place. But on the way, I saw something amazing. I don't know what it is that brought us together. Maybe it was the Force. On the way to talk to Mike and friends about Star wars for this very podcast, in honor of May 4, I passed a house in Washington, D.C. decorated with Yoda and Darth Vader, and at ATS and Death Stars and all kinds of Star wars stuff. I jumped off my moped I was riding on, ran two blocks, rang the doorbell to find out whether the person who set out those decorations was from the light side or the dark side. Here's what he had to say.

[Mike]

I created a display in my front yard that says May 4th be with you. And next to that is a R2D2 and Baby Yoda.

[Bethany Van Delft]

I couldn't believe it. Someone wanting to use Star wars to spread hope amongst the galaxy. And when I got to Mike's, he could really relate. So why do you love Star wars so much? What is it about Star Wars? Why do you love it so much?

[Mike]

When I was a little boy, I grew up in the 1980s, shortly after Star wars came out. And Luke Skywalker was just the coolest guy. Like, I wanted to be him. He was. He was the aspirational version of myself. He was the guy that I could be. And he was in this movie with Han Solo, who was the coolest older guy I could ever imagine, right? Like, Han Solo was the man that I aspired to be. Luke Skywalker was the boy that I was.

[Bethany Van Delft]

Did you ever play any Star wars games when you were a kid?

[Mike]

Oh, I totally did. I mean, me and my friends, I can remember just like sitting around, like, trying to use the Force, right? Like looking at a thing, looking at a spoon and trying to move the spoon using the Force. Like, Luke could lift a whole X wing. I ought to be able to lift a spoon, you know, but that never worked for me.

[Bethany Van Delft]

You were not able to Use the Force. I was.

[Mike]

I've never been able to use the Force. Maybe I don't have enough midi chlorians. I don't know.

[Bethany Van Delft]

So are there lessons that you think that kids can take away from Star wars today?

[Mike]

Totally. Ultimately, Star wars, it's about doing the right thing and listening to that voice inside that tells you what the right thing is and tells you that when you go with it, you get power from that.

[Bethany Van Delft]

It really felt like the Force was trying to put me where I needed to be. But before we get to that galaxy far, far away, let's do a little trivia. Mike, young Jedi, will you play a little Star wars trivia with me today?

[Mike]

I'll give it my best shot.

[Bethany Van Delft]

Okay, from a galaxy far, far away, here are some questions.

[Mike]

I'm ready. Bring it on.

[Bethany Van Delft]

According to the Emperor, what was Luke Skywalker's weakness? A. His faith in the light side of the Force. B, his faith in his friends. C, his lack of vision. D, his resistance to the dark side of the Force.

[Mike]

B, his faith in his friends. That's what the Emperor said was his weakness. And you know what? His friends came through for him.

[Bethany Van Delft]

When you're right, you're right. Correct. Question two. What was the first job that Finn told Han Solo he had at the Starkiller base? A. Pilot. B. Sanitation. C, guard. D. Chef.

[Mike]

B. Sanitation.

[Bethany Van Delft]

Is that your final answer?

[Mike]

Yes, it is.

[Bethany Van Delft]

You are right.

[Mike]

Yes.

[Bridget Todd]

Sanitation.

[Mike]

It's so consistent with the humility that runs through the Star wars heroes.

[Bethany Van Delft]

Next question. Who freed Princess Leia from her chains at Jabba's palace? A. C. 3PO. B, Chewbacca. C. Luke Skywalker. D, R2. D2.

[Mike]

Well, this is a complicated one because Luke orchestrated the escape, but technically, it was R2 who removed the chains.

[Bethany Van Delft]

Is that your final answer?

[Mike]

My final answer is R2.

[Bethany Van Delft]

You are right. Good job zeroing in on that nuance like a.

[Mike]

Like a pilot with a targeting system.

[Bethany Van Delft]

There you go. There you go.

[Mike]

I mean, it's more like. I'm more like when Luke threw off his targeting system and just used the Force. That's how I'm answering these questions.

[Bethany Van Delft]

From the hip. Okay, let's ask one last question about my number one dude. You know him. You love him. Yoda. What was Yoda's species? A, a trilith, B, a yolar, C, Gangor, gangrel, D, Nobody knows.

[Mike]

Nobody knows the name of Yoda's species. Nobody even knows if there are multiple individuals within that species. I'd love to know if you do, but I guess I'm gonna have to go with D. Nobody knows.

[Bethany Van Delft]

You are correct. Lightning Round is Baby Yoda. Yoda.

[Mike]

Its name is Grogu and I'm not sure.

[Bethany Van Delft]

All right, fair enough. Mike, any last parting words for our listeners today about Star wars or the Force and how it may be with them?

[Mike]

I appreciate that they listened to this segment and the Force is always with them.

[Bethany Van Delft]

The Force is always with you and I hope you feel it this May 4th.

Now that we've charged our lightsabers, let's check in on what else is going on in the world. The US has pledged to send medical aid to India as the country experiences a dramatic spread spike in COVID 19 cases. A federal judge has dismissed a case aimed at keeping transgender athletes from competing in girls high school Sports. In Connecticut, four year old Josh Vinson Jr. Was the big winner in the Josh Fight, an event in Lincoln, Nebraska that drew hundreds of people all named Josh to battle each other with pool noodles. And this week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Make sure to thank a teacher in your life and check out our social media accounts for our week long appreciation of great educators. A big, big, big heartfelt thank you to all the hard working, committed, creative teachers that made these crazy 13 months a little bit better. We thank you.

When I left you, I was button learning. Now I am the master.

And now for your what, what?

[Mike]

What's the big idea?

[Bethany Van Delft]

Trivia on the 10/ what event inspired the first mainstream use of the phrase May the fourth be with you? Was it A Astronaut Sally Ride becoming the first American woman to go to space? B Deepak Chopra setting the Guinness World Record for the largest meditation gathering or C Margaret Thatcher getting elected Prime Minister of the uk. Did you guess it? The answer is C. Margaret Thatcher became the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of the UK on May 4, 1979. To celebrate, her political party ran a newspaper ad that said May the fourth be with you. Maggie. Congratulations. Considering she went on to become the longest serving British prime minister of the 20th century, I'd say the Force was strong with this one. Time's up.

[Bridget Todd]

Hey ten news listeners. As the school year starts wrapping up, a lot of families, especially homeschool families, are thinking about how to finish strong and maybe even keep learning going into the summer. And that's where IXL comes in. IXL is an award winning learning platform with interactive practice in math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K all the way through 12th grade. It's designed to fit right into your routine whether you're wrapping up end of year projects or just trying to keep your brain sharp over the summer break, and it's super flexible. You can practice a little each day, review tricky topics, or even get ahead for next year. No pressure. So whether you're finishing strong or trying to beat the summer slide, iexcel makes it easy to keep learning going. So make an impact on your child's learning and get Iexcel now. And TenU's listeners can get an exclusive 20% off Iexcel membership when they sign up today at Iexcel.com 10 Visit Iexcel.com 10 to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

[Marshall]

Are you looking for a podcast that your whole family can enjoy that asks the deep philosophical questions like do trees fart?

[Bethany Van Delft]

If you are, then you'll love Tumble A Science Podcast for Kids. I'm Lindsay.

[Marshall]

And I'm Marshall. Join us as we explore stories of science discovery from butts to animals, dinosaurs, astronomy, and everything in between.

[Bethany Van Delft]

You'll love these things stories and you'll learn something new.

[Marshall]

Find and follow Tumble Science Podcast for Kids wherever you get your podcasts or at sciencepodcastforkids.com.

[Bethany Van Delft]

Thanks for listening to the ten News. Look out for new episodes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and extras on Saturdays. You can go deeper into today's stories by visiting the 10news.com. The 10News is a co production of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter podcasts and is distributed distributed by iHeartradio. The 10News creative team has no joshes but includes Tracy Crooks, Pete Musto, Jenna Pasqua, Stephen Tompkins and Sarah Olander. Bridget Todd contributed to today's episode. Our production director is Jeremiah Tittle and our executive producers are Donald Albright and show creator Tracey Leeds Kaplan. I'm Bethany Van Delt and thanks for listening to the ten News. May the fourth be with you and watch out tomorrow for Revenge of the fifth.

Get it.