Congratulations on the launch of your new podcast! Can you tell us about “In the Zone Podcast: Understanding Big Feelings for Kids”?
Thank you so much! “In the Zone” is a scripted musical podcast for early learning listeners where big feelings become big adventures. At the heart of the series is Leon, a lovable chameleon. His emotions change color with The Zone, a magical color-changing clubhouse.
Guided by the warm and playful Ms. Maya, Leon and his friends navigate the everyday highs and lows of early learning through imaginative stories, irresistible original songs, and laugh-out-loud comedy.
The voice cast includes award-winning children’s musician and mindfulness coach Suzanne Jamieson, Broadway’s Patti Murin, Emmy Award-winner Emmanuel Carter, and 3x Grammy nominee Jason Rabinowitz. Created by and featuring original songs by me, Suzanne Jamieson. It’s co-created and written by Ali de Guzman.
Built from the ground up for audio by Little Loud Studios, “In the Zone!” combines cinematic sound design, original music, and lively storytelling to create a listening experience children will ask for again and again, all while learning important tools for self-regulation.
What is the companion Parent Podcast?
We created the “In the Zone Parent Podcast” to really dive into the parenting perspective for each episode of “In the Zone.” I, along with a parenting expert and a parent friend and our Fun Auntie/Producer Ali de Guzman, discuss what happened in the corresponding episode of the kids’ podcast, and then talk about parenting in those situations and wherever that discussion takes us. They’re a lot of fun, refreshingly honest, always a lot of laughs, and for sure parents will get great nuggets of wisdom and actionable advice every episode.
Why is it so important to get this message out to both kids and parents?
We tell kids to “calm down” a lot, but we don’t always tell them how to do that. A lot of the world’s problems would be solved if we adults could just feel our feelings and have a toolbox full of tools to calm down and self-regulate. It is our intention to get kids practicing these skills early. Life throws a lot at kids, and their brains are highly emotional and not yet highly rational. So, in our podcast, we introduce a new tool for self-regulation (or co-regulation) and an original song to support that tool. The more kids understand themselves and are able to name what they’re feeling and then know what to do to feel better, the easier time they’ll have in all their relationships, at school, and beyond.
The hardest aspect of parenting is the same challenge: staying regulated when it’s not easy. We all need to hear that our feelings are valid and normal….and we all need lots of ways to ‘find our green’ which is just another way of saying ‘find our way back to calm and centered.’ In the parent pod, we normalize all the crazy swings of emotion and challenges of parenting our kids. We have experts on who explain what’s happening on a developmental level with our kids (for all ages) and then we discuss what works for our own self-regulation and what kids need to see and hear from us.
How did parenthood change you?
I love this question. Parenthood has changed my heart and the way in which I see just about everyone else. I see adults now as grown children, and I find myself much more curious about their stories, their experiences, and their challenges. I recognize neurodiversity more often, and lead with more empathy than in the past. I think I also am so much more grateful for things big and small. I notice more. I am also a sort of crazed mess a lot more—so many balls in the air all the time! I am less organized, and less well-rested. I worry more. I also feel a depth of love and joy that seems to grow every day. I see a lot of more “gray” versus black and white, and I embrace paradox more readily, as we just live with it every day. It’s a jumble of so many feelings and it is really a beautiful mess. I’m very grateful to be a mother.
What is the best life advice you received growing up? Best advice on parenting you’ve received?
The best life advice I received growing up is that you are only as good as your word. That’s perhaps a harsh way of putting it, but the idea that your integrity is everything has been a North Star in my life, and I think it has served me and my relationships. I don’t always live up to my own standards, but I try my best….which is perhaps the other piece of advice that has served me well. I just keep trying my best, and so far that’s worked out pretty well.
The best parenting advice I have received is to listen. We so often are so immersed in our worry and concern for our kids, and our own good intentions of wanting what we believe is best for them, that we don’t really listen to them. I for sure am guilty of this. But the more I actively listen, ask follow-up questions, and repeat back to them what they’ve said, the better our relationships seem to be.
What are your plans for the podcast and Leon the chameleon in the future?
We are already working on Season 2 and very excited about it! Leon and his friends will get deep into sensory work in Season 2, and we may be introducing some new friends as well! If you subscribe to the podcast (anywhere you listen), you’ll never miss an episode!
Favorite places or things to do in L.A.?
I am a music and theatre girl at heart, so going to see a show—a play, a musical, or a concert, is my favorite thing to do. Hollywood Bowl is my #1. I just discovered The Ford which is also an amazing music venue. The kids love climbing, so Sender One or Cliffs of Id are favorites for that. We also love to hike as a family, especially the lesser-known shaded hikes off Mandeville. And of course, eat. I don’t think I could ever leave LA. I’d miss the food too much.
