Who Smarted? - BONUS EPISODE: Big Emotions - Love and Sadness

Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Jerry Colbert (Trusty Narrator)
Featuring: Segments from "But Why?," "Past and the Curious," and "Newsy Paloozi"

Episode Overview

In this special mashup episode of "Who Smarted?," host Jerry Colbert guides kids and families on an exploration of two deeply human emotions: love and sadness. The episode, produced in collaboration with Kids Listen’s "Big Emotions" series, blends captivating stories, fun facts, and expert insights to help young listeners understand, navigate, and appreciate the many forms of love—and how sadness is often intertwined. Through engaging storytelling and memorable historical and real-life examples, the show encourages empathy, self-understanding, and meaningful conversations at home or in the classroom.

Main Discussion Points & Stories

1. Introduction to Love and Sadness

[03:53 – 05:37]

• Jerry Colbert welcomes listeners to episode six of "Big Emotions" and sets the stage: the powerful, interconnected feelings of love and sadness.
• Definition and breadth of love: "There are many kinds of love. We often think of love as something that happens between romantic partners. But there's also the love between a parent and a child, or between friends, or between a kid and a pet."
  (Jerry Colbert, 04:30)
• Understanding sadness: A feeling of loss and longing that helps us understand what truly matters and can bring people closer when shared.
• Core takeaway: "Just like love, sadness is part of being human... and both of these emotions help shape who we are..."
  (Jerry Colbert, 05:14)

2. Why is the Heart a Symbol of Love?

[06:17 – 09:51] | Segment from “But Why?”

• Kid’s question: Why do we draw hearts the way we do, and why is the heart (not the brain) considered the symbol of love?
• Expert guests: Tom & Steven Amadon explain historical theories:
  • The heart as a symbol of love dates back to Roman times and perhaps to Saint Valentine using the heart symbol as a secret marriage code.
  • Some believe the symbol’s shape may have come from the silphium plant, used as an ancient love potion, or from Aristotle’s guess at the heart’s shape (since examining the body was forbidden).
  • Ultimately: "No one really knows."
    (Tom or Steven Amadon, 08:43)
• Symbolism persists: Despite scientific knowledge, the "heart" remains central because "we want to hold on to an idea that we're just not machines..."
  (Tom or Steven Amadon, 09:13)
• Memorable moment: The hosts laugh about how some mysteries in history don’t have clear answers, which can be both funny and frustrating for curious minds.

3. Love Expressed Through History: Dr. William Key and Beautiful Jim Key

[11:57 – 14:32] | Segment from “Past and the Curious”

• Story: Dr. William Key, a formerly enslaved man and self-taught vet, demonstrates love and patience for his sickly, unlikely horse, Jim Key.
  • Others doubted Jim, but Dr. Key’s care and belief in him made all the difference.
  • Jim developed surprising talents, mimicking dogs, living like part of the family, and even opening doors and drawers.
• Notable moment: “Opening the drawer to get the apples was impressive, but not totally surprising... However, he was truly startled to see the horse close the drawer afterwards. The clever creature was covering his tracks.”
  (Past and the Curious Narrator, 14:16)
• Key insight: Love isn’t always loud or showy—it can be quiet, patient, and tenacious, and it fosters remarkable growth.

4. Unlikely Friendships: Lacey and Betty the Bumblebee

[15:53 – 18:53] | Segment from “Newsy Paloozi”

• Modern-day story: Lacey, a 13-year-old girl in England, rescues a bumblebee with a crumpled wing. Despite her attempts to place it with other bees, the bee clings to her and becomes her companion—buzzing on her glasses, joining her on walks, even to a bowling alley!
• Notable quote: “She tried again and again and again... Finally, she just headed home with the creature perched on her shoulder.”
  (Co-host/Child Voice, 17:41)
• Insight: This unexpected friendship highlights that love can be loyal, gentle, and not bound by species or words. “Sometimes love finds us in the most surprising ways. It doesn’t always look like hearts and roses. Sometimes it hums softly on your shoulder.”
  (Jerry Colbert, 18:53)
• Psychological concept introduced: Attachment—the bond formed through repeated and meaningful connection, even without shared language.

5. Connection Between Love and Sadness

[18:53 – 20:41]

• Emotional message: Love comes in many forms—kindness, patience, animal companionship, or even a moment of understanding.
  • Sadness follows when love changes, departs, or fades, but it also highlights what’s significant in our lives.
• Jerry Colbert’s reflection: “Sadness isn’t something to hide from. It’s something that shows us what mattered, what still matters.”
  (Jerry Colbert, 19:48)
• Encouragement: “Big emotions aren't something to fear, they're something to feel.”
  (Jerry Colbert, 20:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the persistence of the heart symbol:

  • “We like the idea that the heart is where love lives... we want to hold on to an idea that we're just not machines.”
    (But Why? segment, Tom or Steven Amadon, 09:13)

• On compassion and self-kindness:

  • “We can practice compassion with ourselves, too. By being kind and patient with our own feelings, we learn to accept who we are, even when things get tough. It takes courage to be gentle with yourself.”
    (Jerry Colbert, 14:32)

• The magic of small acts:

  • “This kind of love didn’t come from shared words or grand gestures. It came from presence, from simply being there every day with kindness and care.”
    (Jerry Colbert, 18:53)

• Invitation for reflection:

  • “Think about a time when you really, really, really loved something... How did that feel at the time? And how do you feel about it now?”
    (Jerry Colbert, 21:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:53–05:37| Introduction to love and sadness by Jerry Colbert | | 06:17–09:51| “But Why” segment: heart symbol origins | | 11:57–14:32| “Past and the Curious”: Beautiful Jim Key and Dr. Key | | 15:53–18:53| “Newsy Paloozi”: Lacey and Betty the bumblebee | | 18:53–20:41| Episode wrap-up: the lessons and connection of emotions | | 21:12 | Reflective question for listeners |

Final Thoughts

This episode of “Who Smarted?” transforms abstract ideas about love and sadness into relatable, kid-friendly stories and practical science, making big emotions accessible for young listeners. The tone is supportive,, playful, and empathetic throughout, emphasizing that everyone experiences these feelings—and that’s what helps us connect, grow, and understand ourselves and others. Cultural, historical, and everyday examples foster curiosity and compassion in kids, empowering them to embrace emotions rather than fear them.

Key takeaway:
Big emotions belong in all our lives. They are not problems to solve, but experiences to feel, understand, and share.

Call to Action

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on a time they experienced love or sadness, to discuss it with someone they care about, and—if they’d like—to share those stories or artwork with the show.
(See show notes for ways to contribute and for educational resources for teachers.)

Closing words:
“Stay curious, stay kind, and remember: big emotions aren't something to fear, they're something to feel.”
(Jerry Colbert, 20:30)