Listen Now: Once Upon a Beat

Summary

Wow in the World: Episode Summary - "Listen Now: Once Upon a Beat"

Podcast Information

• Title: Wow in the World
• Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
• Episode: Listen Now: Once Upon a Beat
• Release Date: April 14, 2025
• Description: The #1 science podcast for kids and their grown-ups. Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz share stories about the latest news in science, technology, and innovation. Stories that give kids hope, agency and make us all say "WOW"!

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Introduction

In the April 14, 2025, episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz introduce listeners to a unique blend of classic fairy tales and modern hip hop through the podcast "Once Upon a Beat." This episode serves as both an announcement and a glimpse into the innovative storytelling format that merges traditional narratives with contemporary music elements to engage young audiences and their families.

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Overview of "Once Upon a Beat"

Host Introduction
Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz enthusiastically present "Once Upon a Beat," highlighting its creative fusion of fairy tales and hip hop. Mindy Kaling, joining as a guest, emphasizes the partnership between Tinkercast and Wondery to revitalizethe beloved stories for today's children.

Key Features:

• Host: DJ Fuch
• Musical Contributions: Original hip hop tracks by Grammy Award-winning artist Secret Agent 23's Cadoo.
• Format: A melding of storytelling with rhythmic and rhyming elements to create an engaging auditory experience for kids and families.

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Story Highlight: "Lil Chicken’s Chicken Shack"

Plot Summary:

The episode delves into the tale of Little Chicken, the owner of "Lil Chicken's Chicken Shack," a popular restaurant known for its delicious corn nuggets. As lunch rush begins, Little Chicken maintains a calm demeanor—until Glenda, a regular customer, informs her about a renowned restaurant critic planning to evaluate her establishment.

Key Moments:

1. Introduction of the Conflict ([05:12]-[05:34]):
   Glenda alerts Little Chicken to the upcoming visit of a strict critic whose reviews can make or break her business.

   • Glenda: "A restaurant critic of great renown is in town and he's making his rounds."

2. Rise of Anxiety ([06:04]-[07:01]):
   The pressure mounts as Little Chicken begins to panic, misinterpreting minor incidents as signs of impending disaster.

   • Little Chicken: "Somebody make it stop. Chicky."

3. Encouragement from the Head Chef ([07:35]-[10:17]):
   The Head Chef, a calming presence, advises Little Chicken to relax and trust her team, emphasizing teamwork and composure under pressure.

   • Head Chef: "You're not alone. You got a whole team."

4. Resolution and Self-Realization ([10:17]-[11:19]):
   Through rhythmic interludes and reflective lyrics by Baby Scratch, Little Chicken begins to manage her anxiety, recognizing that her team's support and her own leadership can overcome challenges.

   • Little Chicken: "If I don't get five stars, then I'm just a zero."

Notable Quotes:

• DJ Fuch ([04:32]): "Once Upon a Beat is where hip hop and fairy tales meet."
• Little Chicken ([07:01]): "If I don't try hard, I'll always be a weirdo."
• Head Chef ([10:03]): "With all hands on deck, the mess gets handled."

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Themes and Insights

1. Managing Anxiety and Stress:
The story of Little Chicken underscores the importance of maintaining composure in stressful situations. Her initial overreaction to minor setbacks serves as a relatable lesson for children learning to handle anxiety.

2. Leadership and Teamwork:
Little Chicken's journey highlights effective leadership. The Head Chef's advice to rely on her team teaches the value of collaboration and trust in achieving success.

3. Perspective and Resilience:
By reframing her fears and focusing on her strengths, Little Chicken demonstrates resilience. This theme encourages listeners to adopt positive perspectives when facing challenges.

4. Integration of Music and Storytelling:
The incorporation of hip hop elements not only modernizes the fairy tale but also makes the narrative more engaging and relatable for the contemporary young audience.

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Musical Elements and Engagement

The episode features original hip hop tracks by Secret Agent 23's Cadoo, seamlessly integrated into the storytelling. These musical interludes, performed by Baby Scratch, enhance the emotional depth of the narrative and provide a rhythmic backdrop that keeps listeners engaged. The music serves as both a narrative device and an educational tool, illustrating how different art forms can intersect to create compelling stories.

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Conclusion

"Once Upon a Beat" offers a fresh take on traditional fairy tales, making them accessible and entertaining for today's children and families through the vibrant medium of hip hop. The story of Little Chicken not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons on managing stress, leading with confidence, and the importance of teamwork. By blending storytelling with music, the podcast fosters a dynamic and interactive learning environment, encouraging kids to explore their creativity and resilience.

Listeners of Wow in the World can look forward to engaging and educational content that inspires both children and their grown-ups. "Once Upon a Beat" exemplifies the podcast's mission to ignite curiosity and wonder, making the world of science, technology, and innovation accessible and fun.

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Additional Resources:

• Listen to "Once Upon a Beat": Available on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.
• Exclusive Access: Enjoy early and ad-free episodes by joining Wondery+ through Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.
• Follow the Story: Stay updated with new episodes every Monday, featuring more remixed fairy tales and original hip hop tunes.

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This summary captures the essence of the "Listen Now: Once Upon a Beat" episode, providing an engaging and comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Hey grown ups. This spring, take some time for personal growth by listening to inspiring and motivational audio titles from audible. Explore over 1 million audiobooks and exclusive originals to help you set and reach goals for your well being. There are titles to help you establish new fitness and nutrition habits, prioritize relaxation, improve relationships in your work and personal lives, and and more. At Tinkercast, we're tapping into our latent talents and listening to insights from Adam Grant and a long list of impressive guests in the audiobook, Hidden the Science of Achieving Greater Things. Feed your curiosity and learn about the areas of self improvement that matter most to you. There's something for everyone in Audible's growing list of titles. See for yourself. You can sign up for a free 30 day [e-mail] wow. So what are you waiting for? Sign Start listening today. Sign up for your free 30 day trial at audible.com wow.

[Mindy Kaling]

Hey wowzer fams. Mindy and Guy Raz here. And guess what?

[Guy Raz]

What's the good news? Mindy?

[Mindy Kaling]

Once Upon A Beat is back with brand new Episodes.

[Guy Raz]

Oh I love that podcast.

[Mindy Kaling]

Grownups. Do you ever think some of those fairy tales and fables from back in the day are just a little bit dusty? Well, we here at Tinkercast have partnered with our friends at Wondery to bring your family new episodes of Once Upon A Beat.

[Guy Raz]

Once Upon A Beat remixes fairy tales and fables as old as time, giving them a fresh spin with some rhythm and rhyme.

[Mindy Kaling]

This podcast is hosted by the amazing DJ Fuch and features original hip hop songs from Grammy Award winning artist Secret Agent 23's Cadoo.

[Guy Raz]

Once upon a Beat is where hip hop and fairy tales meet and you can listen to new episodes right now.

[Mindy Kaling]

Once Upon a Beat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Once Upon a Beat early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app in Apple Podcasts. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[DJ Fuch]

Remember those stories and fables that would capture your imagination and you couldn't wait to see how they would unfold. And now when you read them as an adult, you think some of these old tales could use a fresh spin. We have a perfect podcast to bring you the stories you remember, remixed and reimagined for the kids in your life today. Join me, DJ Fuch and my trusty turntable baby Scratch as we spin up new tales in the kids and family podcast Once Upon a Beat. Wondry and Tinkercast are bringing you a jam packed music filled weekly party where hip hop and fables meet. It's Once Upon a Beat. I'm about to play a clip from Once Upon a Beat. Follow Once Upon a Beat on the Wondry app or wherever you get your podcast. What up, what up, what up? Hey everybody, it's your main man DJ Fuch here with Baby Scratch, my amazing turntable. Hit em up Baby Scratch. You know what it is. I'm the fairy godfather of hip hop, fairy tales and fables. And today we're going way back to remix a classic fairy tale about Lil Chicken. Or as she's otherwise known, Chicken Little. A little chicken who's prone to getting overly worked up and eggs cited at the drop of a. Well, anything. This story has me kinda not nervous. Give me a wicked, wicked, wicked baby scratch if you've heard about Lil Chicken. Bet. See, Lil Chicken is the owner of Lil Chicken's Chicken Shack, home of the best corn nuggets in the kingdom. They're super tasty and that's just a fact. It does sound yummy. But first we gotta go where hip hop and fairy tales meet. Once Upon a Beat. The story begins in Little Chicken's Chicken Shack. A cheery restaurant with bright blue walls and a picture of Little Chicken on the wall in the back.

[Little Chicken]

Order up. Two orders of nuggets, a fried fritter sauce on the side and an iced coffee with no ice. And a slice of lemon pie. Hold the lemon.

[DJ Fuch]

It was lunchtime and the cooking crew was slicing and dicing doing what they do in the dining room. Happy customers filled the seats enjoying the meals they'd stopped by to eat. Little chickens was moving like a well oiled machine and Little Chicken herself was as calm as she'd ever been. She was laid back and chill. At least until a regular customer named Glenda came in with a little tea to spill.

[Glenda]

Hey, Little Chicken, I have some news for you.

[Little Chicken]

Hi, Glenda. Okay, tell me the news like you always do.

[Glenda]

Okay. A restaurant critic of great renown is in town and he's making his rounds. He's judging all the restaurants to see if they're good or bad. Five stars for the best meals and zero for the worst. That he's had.

[DJ Fuch]

Five stars will mean she's a success. Everyone will come to the Chicken Shack because they'll know it's the best. Little Chicken gets five stars. She'll be a hero, but she'll lose all of her business if she gets zero.

[Little Chicken]

That sounds awesome. So he'll be eating everywhere. I better step outside to get a little air.

[DJ Fuch]

Suddenly, on Little Chicken's brow appeared a bead of sweat. But she wiped it off, trying to remain cool and not become upset. She said to herself, chicken, relax.

[Little Chicken]

You've got this. Nobody in this kingdom has a better nugget dish.

[DJ Fuch]

Suddenly, on her head, she felt an unexpected plop. She looked up, and on her face fell another big, white, gooey glop. She ran back inside as she wiped off the slop, yelling, the sky is falling.

[Little Chicken]

Somebody make it stop. Chicky.

[Glenda]

That looks like bird poop.

[Little Chicken]

But brighten up.

[Glenda]

Bird poop is supposed to mean, I mean, good luck.

[Little Chicken]

Bird poop is disgusting. I think I got some in my eye. If I had to choose between the two, I might prefer a falling sky.

[DJ Fuch]

If I was Little Chicken, I might also be filled with dread. I mean, for real, though, who wants to be known as a poopy head? Little Chicken's brow furrowed with worry, her hands begin to shake, her toes begin to curl, and she got a tummy ache. Little Chicken cleaned off the poo, then frantically started checking on every table. She went into the kitchen to see if the staff was ready and able. She was making the staff feel so nervous, the head chef had to say.

[Head Chef]

The kitchen crew is gonna make mistakes today if you keep stressing us out this way, Little Chicken, how about you see if you can mellow out?

[DJ Fuch]

Little Chicken was a chicken, and the head chef was a bear. They had a lot of crazy critters working there. But he wasn't a mean bear. He was a very chill fellow. And all he wanted from the chicken was for her to be mellow, mellow, mellow.

[Little Chicken]

Can't you see the sky is falling? Or at least there's a chance of bird droppings. Poop is falling from the sky, and it may not be stopping. Any minute, the restaurant critic could walk into this room, and we'd be doomed. Chef, what is it that you don't get? A restaurant critic is coming here to judge this place, and we're not ready yet.

[DJ Fuch]

Little Chicken was so nervous, and you won't believe this, but suddenly she said, that's it.

[Little Chicken]

We're closed for business.

[DJ Fuch]

That's right, baby scratch. She said, clothes for business.

[Head Chef]

Little Chicken, you don't really mean this. You said it too many times before. Last month when the stoves wouldn't work, and last week when your foot got caught in a hole in the floor.

[DJ Fuch]

Then the chef reminded her about the time the water spouted up from the kitchen sink and Little Chicken jumped in a raft, saying the restaurant was about to sink. Chicken Laughed, agreeing. Things are never as bad as she thinks. Yes, baby scratch. Lil Chicken's restaurant needs work, but so does Lil Chicken. She was a bundle of nerves.

[Baby Scratch]

Got the falling feeling? I'm staring at the ceiling Waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't know what is reeling? What's just the fun I'm feeling What's the start? I don't know how to stop? Hey, yay. Yo.

[Little Chicken]

Yo, I'm trippin Feeling like I'm gonna slip badly? Gravity pushing me down like it's mad at me. My strategy's not working out. I felt pitiful, cynical trying to please the critic. And it's critical. If I don't get five stars, then I'm just a zero. If I don't try hard, I'll always be a weirdo. I guess I'm messed up like these mismatched plates? Cause I'm always scared of coming in last place.

[Head Chef]

Hey, chicken Little. You walking on eggshells? You're thinking too hard. It's making your head swell. You just got the jitters. You know what? This chef smells the best. Fritt critics gonna be fed well, so let's chill. Come on. Take a deep breath. Focus on the moment. Notice each step.

[Little Chicken]

Yo, I know you're trying to set me straight, But I'm too hard to meditate. And if I start breathing deep, I'll just start refilling.

[Head Chef]

Yo, I know that it's stressful. I know that you wrestle with yourself trying to be successful. But look from a fresh angle that's less tangled. With all hands on deck, the mess gets handled. You're not alone. See, you got a whole team. This kitchen's so clean, we make the chrome gleam. And every recipe's the best yet. We run a tight shift. Right, kids? Yes.

[Baby Scratch]

Yeah, I got that falling feel. Staring at the ceiling, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't know what is reeling was just a falling feeling. What's the start? I don't know how to stop. Hey. Yay. O. Hey, o.

[DJ Fuch]

You can listen to Once Upon a Beat early and ad free right now on Wondry plus. Join Wondri plus in the Wondry app or on Apple podcasts.