Cookies for Breakfast with Danny LaBrecque Danny LaBrecque

On this episode of Cookies for Breakfast, recorded early in 2022, I am joined by my friend and mentor, Eliot Daley. Eliot played a significant role in the early development of the classic children’s television series, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As friend and partner to Fred Rogers, Eliot served as president of Small World Enterprises, Inc. and Executive Vice President of Family Communications, Inc. (the precursors to Fred Rogers Productions.) He co-wrote several scripts with Fred Rogers under the guidance of Dr. Margaret McFarland. We talk in great detail about that process from concept, to refinement and delivery.

We also reflect upon the importance of friendship and mentorship, bridging generational knowledge to meet the social-emotional needs of the day. We also discuss parallels between the challenges of early television communication, present-day interactive screens and the potential futures of communication in the daily lives of children and adults.

His time working on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in the early 1970s, dramatically deepened his understanding of what it means to bring out the best in others. Consequently, he has adopted a favorite definition of love: “to yearn for the fulfillment of another person on their own terms”. We can see this reflected in his regular essays, which can be found through his website, The Daley Almanac.

I’m deeply thankful to have Eliot Daley in my life. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Today's show has a unofficial soundtrack. Be sure to listen to the full episode to fully understand the significance. "I'd rather be nine people's favorite thing than a hundred people's ninth favorite thing." - "Nine People's Favorite Thing" from the musical, Title of Show.

Did you go to the Kidscreen Summit from February 12 to 15, 2023 in Miami? If so, I'm sure you heard from today's guest, David Kleeman, an individual who wears many hats. David is known as a strategist, an analyst, a speaker, a thought-leader, a forward-thinker and even a guru! He truly is all of the above, and so much more, while remaining incredibly humble.

David's story in the world of children's media can, in part, be traced back to his days at the Harvard Ed School, when a lecture by Gerald S. Lesser, a Harvard psychologist who was the longtime chief adviser to Sesame Street, inspired David to pursue teaching through television. The specifics, he would learn along the way, and he continues to evolve and adapt to the moment.

Our definitions of media change, and many of us, myself included, might sometimes fear that change. But if we remain true to ourselves, there really is no reason to dread the "horseless carriage" a.k.a. the metaverse. As it approaches, we have the time to get under the hood and "get it right this time." And most importantly, we can create a safe space for our kids to drive the creativity. 

If you are like me, you weren't in the position to attend the Kidscreen Summit. But fear not! We are represented through voices like David Kleeman's, and many others who understand that time + consistency = not only recognition, but also a lasting place in the history of serving children and families authentically through the screen. 

I'm truly proud of Cookies for Breakfast and the conversations we've documented with some of the pioneers of early children television like Eliot Daley of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, innovators like Howard Blumenthal of Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, and the new generation of creators and hosts pushing against marketable trends like Lindz Amer of Queer Kids Stuff and Stan Tucker of The Very Airy Library, by simply being true to themselves and the children they serve. I hope these conversations might inspire you on the days you feel like you're just too tired to compete with, or conform to, what sells. I truly believe that children have never needed fearless authenticity through their screens more than today. If you're ready to dig deeper and offer kids what they deserve, I hope you enjoy my conversation with David Kleeman.

Related links:

David Kleeman is the Senior Vice President of Global Trends for Dubit, a strategy and research consultancy based in Leeds, England, that also creates digital games, apps and virtual worlds.

Learn more about Danny "Danny Joe" LaBrecque and his preschool series, Danny Joe's Tree House here.

Danny Joe's Tree House content has been recognized for its capacity to spark curiosity, inspire learning and build self-esteem with a SENSICALSELECT™ badge. We are deeply honored by this recognition from our colleagues at sensical.tv from Common Sense Networks, backed by Common Sense Media. Start streaming Danny Joe's Tree House today for FREE in the 2-4 year-old section.

Recorded in April, 2021, join my second guest, Lindz Amer, and me as we talk about LGBTQ+ representation in children's media, discrimination, cyberharassment, and creating safe spaces for all children to be seen, heard, and accepted exactly as they are. We also discuss the then-recent announcement of a version of Instagram, in early development, for children under the age of 13, called Instagram For Kids.

Lindz Amer makes queer stuff for kids, families, educators, their loved ones, and allies! They created their beloved LGBTQ+ family webseries Queer Kid Stuff in 2016 which now has 4M lifetime views and counting! They are the author of “Rainbow Parenting: Raising Queer Kids and Their Allies” and host of the Rainbow Parenting podcast. Their debut picture book, “Hooray for She, He, Ze, and They!” is slated for publication with Simon & Schuster in fall 2024. To learn more about Lindz Amer visit www.lindzamer.com

To learn more about Danny LaBrecque visit dannyjoestreehouse.com.

Join my first guest, Howard Blumenthal, and me in this conversation from 2021 as we discussed the announcement of a version of Instagram, in early development, for children under the age of 13, called Instagram For Kids. We have a larger conversation about young children and pervasive technology, today and beyond.

Howard Blumenthal's current area of interest is in the intersection of human progress, future-mindedness, technology, media, and the future of learning in the 21st century.

Howard has a long history in the world of children's media. He might be best known for creating and producing the Peabody and Emmy Award winning PBS children's series, "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" His current projects include Kids on Earth (www.kidsonearth.org), which features hundreds of interviews with children and teenagers around the world. Its goal is to foster a connected society where children and teenagers can make friends, study, and communicate with peers globally.

www.hblumenthal.com
www.kidsonearth.org
www.vimeo.com/kidsonearth
www.reinventing.school

*Bio credit from the Positive Psychology Center at University of Pennsylvania

To learn more about Danny LaBrecque, visit dannyjoestreehouse.com

You know that feeling when you refuse a cup of Wilkin’s Coffee and things blow up in your face? (POOF!) In this episode of Cookies for Breakfast, I trip over my own feet by mispronouncing my guest’s last name right off the bat! Thankfully, he didn’t blast me with a cannon. In fact, with grace, thoughtfulness and an abundance of experience as a creative collaborator, Craig Shemin kept us on track and pulled the story together at the end. Writers are good at that! 

Our conversation starts off in the early days of television. Specifically, a few key moments as a young Jim and Jane Henson change the game with Sam and Friends, a puppet series that aired nearly 15 years before another game-changer called Sesame Street! Craig explores this period in his book, Sam and Friends: The Story of Jim Henson’s First Television Show. The book's foreword was written by Jim Henson's longtime collaborator and esteemed film director, Frank Oz. Order your copy here.

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From his website: Craig Shemin began his writing career with the Muppets and when not creating scripts for television and other media, he is a Henson historian and serves as President of The Jim Henson Legacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating Jim Henson's artistry. He is the author of The Muppets Character Encyclopedia, and produced and directed an award-winning documentary about the making of Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

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Craig has also had so many other experiences in the world of children’s media! He and I discuss the ongoing struggles of creatives from yesterday, today and, most probably, in the near future, as they find ways to financially sustain their work through the art of compromise.

We also talk about certain lines that we shouldn’t cross when creating for children. We take the time to honor the memories of other pioneers in children’s television, including Bob McGrath and Fred Rogers, by sharing personal stories featuring their deep and authentic goodness that was consistent on and off the TV screen. 

Finally, we share an exciting announcement about our mutual connection to the Maryland Center for History and Culture, which will host The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited starting on May 26th, 2023. Craig and I will both attend the Henson Homecoming for The Jim Henson Exhibition Opening Festival on Saturday, June 3rd. Craig will present on Jim and Jane Henson’s early Washington, D.C. work, including a screening of surviving footage from the early Henson series Sam and Friends, as well as newly restored transfers of Henson’s Wilkins Coffee commercials. A newly uncovered Sam and Friends episode, hidden from public view for more than 60 years, is included. This will be followed by a book signing of Sam and Friends: The Story of Jim Henson’s First Television Show. 

As part of the Henson Homecoming Festival, I will have the honor, as Maryland’s current local kids’ show creator, puppeteer and host, of performing two live Danny Joe’s Tree House episodes earlier that day and throughout the run of the exhibition. More information on the events at MCHC here! We hope to see you there as we all celebrate the legacy of Jim Henson!

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Cookies for Breakfast and Danny Joe’s Tree House supports the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. It takes a lot of hard work to make dreams into reality. The human beings that do that work should be acknowledged with respect, protected and fairly compensated.