Celebrating Our Differences with Krys Marshall

In this episode, six- and seven-year-old kids of different races/ethnicities (Elliott, Finley, Landon, and Sky) join Todd and a special friend, Makeda Mays Green, to discuss identity, belonging, race, and racism. They share their observations and experiences — and then go on a journey to the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where they advise a Qook-a-leekie, Qwee-co, whose friends have been excluded from a Moon Day party because of their queckles.

The role of Qwee-co is played by Krys Marshall, an actress who is currently playing the role of Danielle Poole, a NASA engineer and the agency's first African-American astronaut, on the Apple TV+ series "For All Mankind." Krys can also be seen on the CW's "Supergirl," CBS's "Bull," Showtime's "Shameless," "Criminal Minds," "NCIS," and "How I Met Your Mother," and NBC's Emmy-winning series "This Is Us." 

The ukulele music in the episode is written and performed by Bill English. Bill is an actor, musician, and voiceover artist based in NYC.  

The original song in the episode, "Puzzle Pieces," is by Brooklyn, NY-based musician and longtime educator Benjamin Weiner. 

Find extras and educator resources at playsparkler.org/podcast.