Coming of Age Stories

Sarah Kwong

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SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED BIMONTHLY

In this podcast, Sarah Kwong digs into beloved childhood stories, the neurobiology of being a teenager, and interviews people about what it was like for them growing up, all in the quest to understand what it means to come of age.

11/14/2024

Jim Henson: Idea Man (with Tom Christophersen)

I welcome back the wonderful Tom Christophersen to talk about Ron Howard's documentary film 'Jim Henson: Idea Man'. We explore the life and career of Jim Henson, and along the way talk about what we sacrifice to make art, discuss the comparisons between Henson and David Lynch, and whether Disney+ and Ron Howard were the best people to tell this story. But also, how can you capture such a complex and creative man, a person who thought about opening a series of nightclubs, but then made Sesame Street instead? You can find Tom's work at their website here, and also find them on social media at @_tompoly. You can sign up for my Patreon here

2h 50m
04/01/2024

Taylor Swift

She rose to stardom as a teenager and has stayed at the top for almost twenty years. In this episode, I dive into the career trajectory of Taylor Swift and explore what her journey has to say about growing up as so many of us have watched her do so in the public eye. I also discuss why she appeals so much to teenage girls, and what's the potential dark side to such popularity. You can sign up for my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling Some things I read: https://www.theswiftmuseum.com/life-and-career https://www.theteenmagazine.com/the-invalidation-of-the-interests-of-teenage-girls-and-young-women

37 min
01/28/2024

Labyrinth (with Tom Christophersen)

An incredibly special episode! I talk to the talented, intelligent and passionate Tom Christophersen about one of our seminal childhood films, the 1986 Jim Henson classic 'Labyrinth.' We really get INTO IT in this episode. We talk about the incredible technical achievements in this movie, the magic of puppetry and practical events, and the underrated genius that is Jim Henson. Beyond that, we talk about this film as a queer allegory, an extraordinary coming of age story, and an exploration of smashing the patriarchy. Topics of discussion also include the morbidity of kids movies from the 80s, David Bowie's clearly visible penis, and the alternative universe where this movie stars Sting and Jane Krakowski. You can find Tom's work at their website here, and also find them on social media at @_tompoly. You can watch The Making of the Labyrinth on YouTube here. My Patreon bonus episode this month is further discussion with Tom, where we get into our shared childhood memories, the importance of creative arts expression for children, and what their big influences were as a young person on who they are now. You can sign up for my Patreon here.

2h 6m
12/23/2023

Elf on the Shelf

In which I dig into the newest element of the Santa Claus story, and how a picture book and toy written by a mother/daughter team has become a global phenomenon. I discuss the history and origins of Elf on the Shelf, and explore some of the critcisms of it. Spoiler alert: this thing makes people MAD. If you want to support the podcast and get monthly bonus episodes, you can subscribe to my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling References and further reading: Medium: Where Did This “Elf on the Shelf” Come From? HuffPost: The Strange And Sweet History Of The Elf On The Shelf TODAY: What's the Elf on the Shelf story? The Telegraph: The real story behind Elf on the Shelf Woman's Day: What Is The Elf on the Shelf and How Does It Work? The Atlantic: You're a Creepy One, Elf on the Shelf Vox: The Elf on the Shelf is the greatest fraud ever pulled on children The Washington Post: The Elf on the Shelf: It must be stopped! The New York Times: Beware the Elf on the Shelf, Privacy Watchdogs Warn The Guardian: Elf on the Shelf is a fun and festive way to teach your child to submit to the surveillance state HerFamily: Elf on the Shelf is actually pretty bad for your kids, according to an expert PsychologyToday: Will the Elf on the Shelf Improve Your Child's Behavior? The Sydney Morning Herald: Why the Elf on the Shelf is banned from my home

36 min
11/27/2023

Freaks and Geeks

In 1999, one of the most authentic portrayals of adolescence to ever be depicted on television went to air. It was praised by critics for its realism and unique blend of comedy and drama. Its creators and stars would go on to become some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Yet at the time, no one watched it, and it was cancelled without all of its episodes going to air. Join me for a deep dive into the world of Freaks and Geeks, created by Paul Feig, produced by Judd Apatow, and starring Jason Segel, Seth Rogen and Linda Cardellini. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling Further Reading: The Washington Post: How ‘Freaks and Geeks’ went from misfit dramedy to cult classic Vanity Fair: An Oral History of Freaks and Geeks The A.V. Club: Paul Feig walks us through Freaks And Geeks

40 min
10/31/2023

Minisode - The origins of Halloween, and the return of this podcast

And we're back! At the moment just with a little mini episode, but full-length deep dives into all things growing up return next month! In the meantime, enjoy this little chat about the origins of Halloween in honour of this spooky season. You can also support me on Patreon if you like: https://patreon.com/WildeandDarling Podcasts: You're Wrong About: Urban Legends American Hysteria: Poisoned Halloween Candy Things I Read: Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton World History Encyclopaedia: The History of Halloween The Library of Congress: The Origins of Halloween Traditions History.com: Halloween 2023

13 min
01/04/2022

Peter Pan and Wendy

The story of Peter Pan has been around for over a hundred years, and is well known as one of the most beloved children's tales of our culture. But how did author James Barrie's greatest tragedies inspire him to write it? What does it really have to say about getting older? And why is Peter not the character we should be focusing on? The answers to these questions and more are all discussed in this episode about the boy who would not grow up...and the girl who would. YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLbpFRpa9TVPCFFoHTOW9XA References: Debunking the Myths about Boys and Emotions: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/debunking_myths_boys_emotions How the fantasy of Peter Pan turned sinister: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/7/27/16021572/peter-pan-became-evil-jm-barrie-llewelyn-davies Why J.M. Barrie Created Peter Pan: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/11/22/lost-boys

35 min
06/05/2021

Being an illustrator (with Sylvia Morris)

In this episode, I interview Sylvia Morris, a freelance children's illustrator from Adelaide, currently working in Melbourne. You can find her work in the NSW Dept of Education School Magazine, and on the covers of the middle grade books The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor, and The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg - both published by Melbourne publisher Affirm Press. Sylvia's portfolio: https://sylviamorris.com.au/ Instagram: @sylvia_morris Tumblr: https://sylvia-morris.tumblr.com/ Harry Potter project: https://sylviamorris-illustrates-hp3.tumblr.com/ The School Magazine: https://theschoolmagazine.com.au/ The Grandest Bookshop in the World: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/the-grandest-bookshop-in-the-world/ The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/the-detectives-guide-to-ocean-travel/

54 min
12/23/2020

Santa Claus

How did a Greek bishop from the third century become the jolly North Pole dwelling Christmas icon? Did Coca Cola really design his modern appearance? And is it okay to lie to kids about him? In this episode I tell the history of Saint Nicholas and how collective cultural traditions came together to give us the contemporary Santa Claus. I also discuss whether telling the Santa story to children can be considered a lie, and if so, is it doing harm? (Sorry that the audio is a little janky in places.) Music featured is Seikilos Epitaph with the Lyre of Apollo by Lina Palera Sources: Nicholas: The Epic Journey From Saint to Santa Claus by Jeremy Seal Christian Encounters: Saint Nicholas by Joe L. Wheeler National Geographic: From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus: the surprising origins of Kris Kringle Coca Cola: The Definitive History of Santa Claus St Nicholas Centre: Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus Snopes: Did Coca-Cola Invent the Modern Image of Santa Claus? Livius: Nicholas of Myra National Geographic: Could the Remains of Santa Claus Be in This Turkish Church? The Conversation: This Christmas tell your children the real Santa Claus story Knickerbocker's History of New York by Washington Irving Smithsonian Magazine: A Civil War Cartoonist Created the Modern Image of Santa Claus as Union Propaganda Time Magazine: Should You Be Lying To Your Kids About Santa? Happy Family: 7 Reasons To Tell Your Kids The Truth About Santa (And Still Keep The Magic In Christmas) The Atlantic: Santa Is Nothing but Stress for Families Who Don’t Believe in Him Psychology Today: Should You Lie to Kids About Santa? The Washington Post: What psychologists really think about you lying to your kids about Santa npr: Is It OK To Lie About Santa And The Tooth Fairy? BBC/The Conversation: What should I tell my kids about Santa? USA Today: Why parents, not Santa, should give the expensive gifts The Guardian: 'Santa, can I have money for the bills?'

57 min
09/12/2020

Tough love

Under what conditions do we learn best? In both fiction and real life, there is an argument to be made that greatness thrives under pressure, fear and adversity. I make the case for the ineffectiveness of such teaching methods, and reject the notion that sacrificing kindness is worth it to create a genius. This episode really serves as an introduction of a number of different concepts I want to explore in more depth later, including conditioning, corporal punishment, the emotional education of boys, and the myth of the tortured genius. It also serves as a summary of my philosophy of learning. .. Further reading: The Uncomfortable Message in Whiplash's Dazzling Finale: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/10/the-ethics-of-whiplash/381636/ Corporal Punishment of Children Should Be Banned: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-18/corporal-punishment-of-children-should-be-banned/11025096 The State of Research on the Effects of Physical Punishment: https://bit.ly/2ZvJYDK Punishment in Psychology: Negative Effects of Punishment: https://veronikatait.com/posts/2018-10-21-punishment-in-psychology-negative-effects-of-punishment.html The Study of Punishment in Psychology: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-punishment-2795413

23 min
07/14/2020

Sesame Street

I talk about the development of 'Sesame Street', an iconic television show for preschoolers based on research by teachers and child psychologists. But how did it come about in the first place? Why is it set on a normal looking street? Why were there no female Muppets initially? And did it really sell its soul to HBO? I attempt to answer all these questions, as well as examining the show's evolution and legacy over the past 50 years. Clips: Ernie as a banana in his ear. Snuffy is revealed. Goodbye Mr Hooper. Herry and John John count to 20. Christopher Reeve talks about his wheelchair. Abby has two homes. What is incarceration? Sesame Street covers the Black Lives Matter protests. Sesame Street Gets Through A Storm. Sources: Interview with Joan Ganz Cooney for the Archive of American Television. The Unmistakable Black Roots of Sesame Street. How We Got to Sesame Street. What is behind the magic of Sesame Street? 'We know we're more than a TV show': how Sesame Street made it to 50. Study: Kids can learn as much from ‘Sesame Street’ as from preschool. The Sesame Street Effect. B Is for Broke: Why 'Sesame Street' Is Moving to HBO. Sesame Street's move to HBO, explained. Sesame Street Goes Global: Let's All Count the Revenue. On The Set With: Zoe; This Monster Is a Girl. A Girly-Girl Joins the ‘Sesame’ Boys. On Sesame Street, It’s All Show.

1h 7m
06/29/2020

Kids these days

In my first episode, I talk about the history of children's rights, the dismissive attitudes we often hold about the youth of today, and how a teenager's brain is doing some wild stuff. Content warning: discussing of child abuse. Twitter and Instagram: @comingofagecast Sources: History of child rights: https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/history-child-rights Adolescent development: https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/adolescence/development/en/ Adolescence as a unique developmental period: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4543091/

35 min

12 Episodes

In this podcast, Sarah Kwong digs into beloved childhood stories, the neurobiology of being a teenager, and interviews people about what it was like for them growing up, all in the quest to understand what it means to come of age.

Creator

Sarah Kwong
Years Active

2020 - 2024
Episodes

12
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Coming of Age Stories
Show Website

Coming of Age Stories