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Little Kids, Big Hearts

Sparkler Learning

Little Kids, Big Hearts

Little Kids, Big Hearts helps kids and their grown-ups grow social and emotional skills, a.k.a. Big Hearts, with a little help from the show's host, Todd Loyd, a longtime early childhood educator. It’s a space where kids LEAD the discussion and explore big ideas in social and emotional learning — from feelings to friendship to helping others.

Parent info: Little Kids, Big Hearts is recommended for ages under 5 and 6-10. It's an Episodic show that can be listened to in any order. Made in the USA, it's about Emotional Health and Life Skills for kids. Launched in 2021, it has 5 seasons.

There are 111 episodes

Episodes
The most recent appears first.

  • Mission: The Bedtime Brave Plan (Feeling Safe and Cozy When Someone is Away)

    19 min Season 5 Episode 28 10 July 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Mission episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Kidventure: When Someone You Love is Far Away

    31 min Season 5 Episode 27 3 July 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Kidventure episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Interview: "Lulu is a Rhinoceros" Author Answers Kids' Biggest Questions!

    35 min Season 5 Episode 26 26 June 2026

    Welcome friends! In this Interview episode, Todd is joined by writer, songwriter, and co-creator of Lulu is a Rhinoceros, Allison Flom, and seven-year-old kid interviewer Briar, who came prepared with thoughtful questions that kept everyone on their toes.…

  • Storytime: The Stars of Twinkle Top

    10 min Season 5 Episode 25 19 June 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Storytime episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Mission: What Makes You YOU?

    13 min Season 5 Episode 24 12 June 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Mission episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Kidventure: When Being Yourself Feels Hard (And What Helps!)

    29 min Season 5 Episode 23 5 June 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Kidventure episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Interview: Max & Ruby Author/Illustrator Answers Kids' Biggest Questions!

    21 min Season 5 Episode 22 29 May 2026

    Welcome friends! In this Interview episode, Todd chats with legendary author and illustrator Rosemary Wells, creator of the beloved Max & Ruby series — and two very special kid interviewers, Ripley, age eight, and Journey, age eleven — who you may remember fro…

  • Bonus Interview: Meet the Tiny T-Rex Children's Book Author!

    19 min Season 5 Episode 21 22 May 2026

    Welcome friends! In this special bonus Interview episode, Todd is joined by New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Stutzman and returning guest Bea, age 8, who you may remember from our Friendship Kidventure episode.…

  • Song 🎶: A Real Songwriter Talks & Sings About Siblings!

    26 min Season 5 Episode 20 15 May 2026

    Welcome friends! In this song 🎶 episode, Todd is joined by singer-songwriter Christopher Burkholder and returning guest Carmine, age seven, who you may remember from our episode about family.…

  • Mission: Little Siblings, Big Feelings

    12 min Season 5 Episode 19 8 May 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Mission episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Kidventure: Little Siblings Crash the Build Zone!

    33 min Season 5 Episode 18 1 May 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Kidventure episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Interview: A Real Farmer 🧑🏼‍🌾 Answers Kids' Biggest Questions!

    18 min Season 5 Episode 17 24 April 2026

    Welcome friends! In this Interview episode, Todd is joined by farmer Susan Mitchell, owner of Cloverleigh Farm in Connecticut, and returning guest Avery, age six, who you may remember from our episode at the beginning of April called "Can Kids Help Heal the La…

  • Storytime: Slow Down and Notice!

    8 min Season 5 Episode 16 17 April 2026

    Welcome friends! It's time for a Little Kids Big Hearts Storytime. This month's story comes from the Land of Qook-a-lackas and is all about what happens when you slow down just enough to notice what matters.…

  • Mission: Kids Can Help The Earth!

    13 min Season 5 Episode 15 10 April 2026

    Welcome friends! It's time for a Little Kids Big Hearts Mission, where kids help kids make the world a little kinder, a little braver, and a little better.…

  • Kidventure: Can Kids Help Heal The Land? 🍀💚

    27 min Season 5 Episode 14 3 April 2026

    Welcome friends! In this Kidventure episode, Todd is joined by Avery (age 6, Dallas TX), Rose (age 8, Alameda County CA), and Nicholas (almost 7, Columbia CT). Together they explore the environment and what worries them about the earth, before floating off on …

  • Interview: A 68-Year Friendship Story!

    15 min Season 5 Episode 13 27 March 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • SONGS: Friendship Songs That’ll Make You Dance!

    27 min Season 5 Episode 12 20 March 2026

    We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new episode. In this episode, Todd is joined by a Anthony, 8, for a dance-filled conversation. Together, they listen and talk about four songs from the new kids' album We're Friends Now by award-winning children's mu…

  • Mission: Be a Friend and Fight Loneliness With Kindness!

    14 min Season 5 Episode 11 13 March 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Mission episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Kidventure: Navigating Friendship

    25 min Season 5 Episode 10 6 March 2026

    Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for another Kidventure on the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast!…

  • Interview: Exploring Community with Matt de la Peña

    19 min Season 5 Episode 9 27 February 2026

    Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for this special interview episode of Little Kids, Big Hearts.…

  • Storytime: The Light of Loodle Loop

    7 min Season 5 Episode 8 20 February 2026

    In this magical stortime episode of Little Kids, Big Hearts, listeners travel to the Land of Qook-a-lakas for a fun, imaginative fictional story about community and belonging. The story is told by LKBH host Todd Loyd, along with two kid helpers: Rose and Leo!…

  • Mission: Build Community With Kindness

    13 min Season 5 Episode 7 13 February 2026

    Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for a brand new Mission episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Kidventure: Building Community Together!

    25 min Season 5 Episode 6 6 February 2026

    Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for another Kidventure on the Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast.…

  • Interview: Family, Belonging & Imagination with Author/Illustrator Jessica Love

    15 min Season 5 Episode 5 30 January 2026

    Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re here for this heart-filled episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.…

  • Song: "I've Got My Family" with Benjamin Weiner

    13 min Season 5 Episode 4 23 January 2026

    Welcome friends! This month on the Little Kids, Big Hearts 💕  podcast, we’ve been exploring the theme of family and all the ways families help us feel safe, loved, and strong.…

  • Mission: Let's Make a Family Quilt!

    7 min Season 5 Episode 3 16 January 2026

    Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for another Season 5 episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast.…

  • Get Ready for Season 5 of Little Kids, Big Hearts

    2 min Season 5 Episode 1 6 January 2026

    Season 5 of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast is coming on Friday, Jan. 9 — so rev up your imagination, and get ready to journey with us to the Land of Qook-a-lackas to explore big feelings and solve problems with our Qook-a-lacka friends.…

  • Camp Sparkler: Feeling Grateful!

    6 min Season 4 Episode 35 28 July 2025

    Week 4 of Camp Sparkler is focused on GRATITUDE — feelings of thankfulness and appreciation for the positive people, things, and experiences in your life. Gratitude can be a big, abstract idea for most young children — but it is important! Feeling grateful can…

  • Camp Sparkler: Calming Down

    7 min Season 4 Episode 34 21 July 2025

    Week 3 of Camp Sparkler is focused on CALMING DOWN — strategies people can use to regulate their big feelings.…

  • Camp Sparkler: Working Together

    4 min Season 4 Episode 33 18 July 2025

    This summer, Little Kids, Big Hearts is teaming up with Camp Sparkler, and we'd love for all of our listeners to join us for 8 FREE & FUN weeks of virtual summer camp. LKBH Host Todd Loyd is the head counselor at Camp Sparkler this year and each week, we'll  b…

  • Camp Sparkler: We Belong!

    6 min Season 4 Episode 32 13 July 2025

    This summer, Little Kids, Big Hearts is teaming up with Camp Sparkler, and we'd love for all of our listeners to join us for 8 FREE & FUN weeks of virtual summer camp. LKBH Host Todd Loyd is the head counselor at Camp Sparkler this year and each week, we'll  b…

  • Storytime: The Curious Case of the Quiet Tree

    6 min Season 4 Episode 31 10 July 2025

    Once, in  the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where the sky shimmers lavender in the mornings and the grass hums softly under your feet, there stood a tree that… didn’t do anything.  It didn’t blossom in spring.  It didn’t drop colorful leaves in the fall.  It didn’t b…

  • The Nature Detective Mission 🔍🌻

    3 min Season 4 Episode 30 9 July 2025

    This month, Little Kids, Big Hearts is focused on the natural world — and how it makes us feel!…

  • Camp Sparkler: Hopes & Dreams

    6 min Season 4 Episode 29 25 August 2025

    It's our eighth and final week of Little Kids, Big Hearts @ Camp Sparkler, and we're focused on our hopes and dreams: What are we looking forward to as the new school year approaches? What do we want to learn? What are we excited to experience?…

  • We 💚 Nature with Maulik Pancholy

    34 min Season 4 Episode 29 4 July 2025

    On this episode, three kids — Charlie from Brooklyn, Knox from Denver, and Sienna from Houston — join LKBH host Todd Loyd to discuss the great outdoors — and how nature makes them feel.…

  • Camp Sparkler: Feelings

    4 min Season 4 Episode 28 18 August 2025

    Week 7 of Little Kids, Big Hearts @ Camp Sparkler is focused on feelings. We all have them — and we all can learn to identify them and manage them!…

  • Judge Reinhold Interview: How to Leverage Nervous Energy to Fuel Your Best Work

    14 min Season 4 Episode 28 27 June 2025

    On this special episode of the Little Kids, Big hearts podcast, LKBH host Todd Loyd has a conversation with the actor and legend Judge Reinhold.…

  • Camp Sparkler: Helping Others!

    4 min Season 4 Episode 27 11 August 2025

    It’s week 6 of our summer learning program: Little Kids, Big Hearts @ Camp Sparkler, and we're back for another week of fun and learning. This week, we're focused on helping others! Podcast host/lead camp counselor, Todd Loyd, introduces the big idea and share…

  • Storytime: Quessa's Big Camp Out

    8 min Season 4 Episode 27 20 June 2025

    Welcome to Storytime!…

  • Camp Sparkler: Let's Imagine!

    6 min Season 4 Episode 26 4 August 2025

    Week 5 of Camp Sparkler is focused on using our imaginations. The host of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast and head counselor at Camp Sparkler, Todd Loyd, introduces the idea and shares some clips from a podcast episode focused on calming down — "Imaginatio…

  • Feeling Nervous? Sing Along With Us!

    2 min Season 4 Episode 26 25 June 2025

    Everyone feels nervous sometimes — whether you're a Grammy-winning performer or a kid who hasn't started Kindergarten yet!…

  • The I'm Brave Mission

    5 min Season 4 Episode 25 13 June 2025

    This month, the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast is focused on nervousness. The kids chatted about what makes them nervous and practiced some strategies to help them cope with nervousness, including a game called What If? ... But Then.…

  • Wobbly to Wow With Judge Reinhold

    28 min Season 4 Episode 24 6 June 2025

    On this episode, four kids — Miel, Kelly, Leo, and Sammy — join LKBH host Todd Loyd to discuss nervousness: What causes nervous? What can we do with nervous feelings?…

  • Brush! Whoosh! Pop! — The Sounds of Our Feelings

    16 min Season 4 Episode 23 30 May 2025

    This month, Little Kids, Big Hearts has focused on the power of music ... and we're excited to wrap up the month with a special interview with the person BEHIND the music on our podcast: Our audio engineer and sound designer, Ryan Marth.…

  • Storytime: The Day the Songbook Disappeared

    8 min Season 4 Episode 22 23 May 2025

    Welcome to Storytime!…

  • Original Song: Power of A Song

    3 min Season 4 Episode 21 21 May 2025

    This month, Little Kids, Big Hearts is focused on the power of music, and today we are thrilled to release an original song by the amazing educator/composer Benjamin Weiner called POWER OF A SONG.…

  • The Song of YOU Mission

    4 min Season 4 Episode 20 16 May 2025

    This month, the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast is focused on the power of music! We shared some of our favorite songs from the LKBH podcast, and today, we're excited to share a brand new challenge for our listeners and their families: The Song of YOU Mission!…

  • Super Songs for Super Kids

    21 min Season 4 Episode 19 9 May 2025

    We're SO excited to share some of our favorite songs from the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast on this special episode about the power of music to help people express our feelings and become braver, kinder, and stronger! 🎶  🎹  🎸…

  • Unstoppable: How to Turn Limitations into Opportunities — With Ali Stroker

    22 min Season 4 Episode 18 2 May 2025

    Ali Stroker is a trailblazing actor and advocate who joined the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast as a guest Qook-a-lacka on our episode focused on inclusion. Today, Ali is back — out of character, as her amazing self — to talk with LKBH Host Todd Loyd about her…

  • Storytime: Quiggle's Wheels

    4 min Season 4 Episode 17 28 April 2025

    Welcome to storytime!…

  • Song & Interview: "Together" With Lance Horne

    13 min Season 4 Episode 16 25 April 2025

    On this special episode, Little Kids, Big Hearts host Todd Loyd chats with award-winning composer, lyricist & performer Lance Horne 🎶 about the disability he was born with and how he overcame his early challenges to become an Emmy Award winning songwriter and…

  • The You, Me, We Mission

    3 min Season 4 Episode 15 17 April 2025

    During the most recent "KidVenture" of Little Kids, Big Hearts, "Inclusion Matters with Ali Stroker," two kids — Zach and Scarlett — help to devise a brand new sport in the Land of Qook-a-lackas that EVERYONE can play TOGETHER called Quibble Launch.…

  • Inclusion Matters With Ali Stroker

    31 min Season 4 Episode 14 11 April 2025

    On this kidventure episode, two kids — Scarlett and Zach — talk about their disabilities and share their experiences with inclusion (on inclusive playgrounds and in other contexts). As Scarlett explains, inclusion "means that everybody can play, no matter your…

  • Interview: Making Music & Making Mistakes with Laurie Berkner

    32 min Season 4 Episode 13 28 March 2025

    Everyone — even the "queen of children's music" — makes mistakes on occasion!…

  • Storytime: A Mistake Takes Root

    9 min Season 4 Episode 12 21 March 2025

    In this original fictional story set in the Land of Qook-a-lackas, we learn the origin story of the qook-a-melos, one of the most popular treats in the Land.…

  • Mighty Mistakes Mission & Song

    6 min Season 4 Episode 11 14 March 2025

    During the most recent "kidventure" of Little Kids, Big Hearts, "The Magic of Mistakes with Terence Archie," three kids — Layla, Liam, and Ariel — talk about the mistakes they've made and visit the Land of Qook-a-lackas to visit with a friend there, Quippin, w…

  • The Magic of Mistakes with Terence Archie

    34 min Season 4 Episode 10 7 March 2025

    On this episode, three kids — Layla (11), Liam (11), and Ariel (10)— talk about mistakes and learn that mistakes aren't just problems to fix; they're moments that can actually help us learn and create!…

  • "Helping" Interview with Firefighter John Louthan

    14 min Season 4 Episode 9 28 February 2025

    In our recent episode "Big Hearts in Tough Times: LA Kids Discuss the Fires," we talked with four LA kids about their experiences and feelings during the fires in Los Angeles. Today, we're back with a special interview with a real-life firefighter, John Loutha…

  • Storytime: New Skies for Lyra

    11 min Season 4 Episode 8 21 February 2025

    In this original fictional story set in the Land of Qook-a-lackas, we learn the "history" of the Great Link-a-doo Flood, through the lens of Lyra — a little Link-a-deedle. In the story, Lyra and all the students at the Treetop School survive the Great Link-a-d…

  • Operation Help Out Mission and Song

    6 min Season 4 Episode 7 13 February 2025

    During the most recent "kidventure" of Little Kids, Big Hearts, "Big Hearts in Tough Times: LA Kids Discuss the Fires," four LA Kids — Amicko, Kiaan, Kaveer, and Cleo — share their experiences and feelings related to the wildfires. They talk about the family, …

  • Big Hearts in Tough Times: LA Kids Discuss the Fires

    35 min Season 4 Episode 6 7 February 2025

    Starting the second week of January 2025, Los Angeles, CA has been grappling with unprecedented wildfires, which roared through the city, powered by strong winds and dry conditions. Hundreds of thousands of people had to evacuate their homes as firefighters ba…

  • Interview: Fairness with Judge Gabriel Sanchez

    18 min Season 4 Episode 5 31 January 2025

    On our episode about fairness — "Fairness with Vella Lovell and Meredith Holzman" — three kids (Bodhi, Aubrey, and Will) helped two arguing Qook-a-lackas through a process of “qook-a-lation.” They listened to both sides of the argument, asked some questions, a…

  • Storytime: The Qook-a-lackas' Absolutely Exactly Everything Equal Day

    6 min Season 4 Episode 5 24 January 2025

    During the most recent adventure of Little Kids, Big Hearts, "Fairness with Vella Lovell and Meredith Holzman," three kids — Bodhi, Aubrey, and Will — travel with LKBH host Todd Loyd to the Land of Qook-a-lackas to help two Qook-a-lacka friends "qook-a-late" t…

  • The Fairness Quest Mission & Song

    5 min Season 4 Episode 4 22 January 2025

    During the most recent adventure of Little Kids, Big Hearts, "Fairness with Vella Lovell and Meredith Holzman," three kids — Bodhi, Aubrey, and Will — travel with LKBH host Todd Loyd to the Land of Qook-a-lackas to help two Qook-a-lacka friends "qook-a-late" t…

  • Fairness with Vella Lovell and Meredith Holzman

    25 min Season 4 Episode 3 10 January 2025

    Fairness has played a pivotal role throughout history, with the pursuit of equality and justice helping to shape the world that we live in today. Fairness also plays out in our everyday lives and in the lives of children as they grapple with real-life moments …

  • Song & Interview: I’m Grateful by Benjamin Weiner

    14 min Season 4 Episode 2 15 November 2024

    Last week, we joined with three kids — Roxy, Everly, and Charlie — who helped us explore the big idea of gratitude.…

  • Gratitude PowerUp with Lauren Blumenfeld

    25 min Season 4 Episode 1 8 November 2024

    Gratitude can be a big, abstract idea for most young children — but it is important! Feeling grateful can help to foster emotional wellbeing and resilience; it can reduce stress and anxiety, improve relationships, and promote a sense of belonging.…

  • Interview: Telling Stories that Matter with Author/Illustrator Todd Parr

    37 min Season 3 Episode 14 19 August 2024

    In this special interview episode, host Todd Loyd interviews another Todd — the legendary author/illustrator of more than 50 children's books TODD PARR.…

  • The Magic of Stories with Nick Blaemire

    28 min Season 3 Episode 13 9 August 2024

    Stories are magical! They are gateways to new people, places, and ideas ... and they help children to build empathy and understanding — allowing them to see the world from different perspectives. As kids step into the roles of different characters, they gain i…

  • Building Resilience with Marc Grapey

    32 min Season 3 Episode 12 12 July 2024

    In this episode three children, Donovan, Layla, and Ruby, explore the idea of resilience — being able to move through the hard things we face and bounce back or recover afterward. They share times they have had to practice resilience, and then they help a Link…

  • Interview: Exploring "Learning Differences" with Oliver, 12, and Caesar Samayoa from "How to Dance in Ohio"

    22 min Season 3 Episode 11 5 July 2024

    During the most recent episode of Little Kids, Big Hearts, "Celebrating Learning Differences with Q. Smith," one of our kid guests, Oliver, mentioned how meaningful it was to him to see How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway. How to Dance in Ohio is a new musical ba…

  • Celebrating Learning Differences with Q. Smith

    40 min Season 3 Episode 10 14 June 2024

    In the United States, about 15% of students receive special education or related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Learning differences aren’t all alike, but they can all affect how people process, store, and retrieve infor…

  • Let's Take Responsibility with Natalie Gold

    31 min Season 3 Episode 9 10 May 2024

    Taking responsibility is an important part of social and emotional learning. When children take responsibility for their words and actions, acknowledge their mistakes, and help others in their community, they are building empathy, independence, and other impor…

  • Special Reimagined Episode: What Can You Do With Big Feelings?

    24 min Season 3 Episode 8 3 May 2024

    What do you do when you're feeling angry or sad, or when you're facing something new and scary? In this special episode — which is reimagined and reworked from a Season 1 episode of Little Kids, Big Hearts — Todd and his puppet friend Rainbow join four kids (A…

  • Grandparent Relationships

    38 min Season 3 Episode 7 1 March 2024

    Grandparents, or older friends and family members, can play pivotal roles in children's lives, acting as caregivers, mentors, and friends. Whether grandparents live in a child’s neighborhood or far away, the love and emotional support they provide can signific…

  • Bonus: Boundaries Interview with Ana Cruz Kayne and Michael Cruz Kayne

    12 min Season 3 Episode 7 9 February 2024

    Last week, we released an episode about BOUNDARIES — the limits and rules we set for ourselves within relationships. Today, we're excited to release a bonus interview with the guest stars of the episode, Ana Cruz Kayne and Michael Cruz Kayne. Ana and Michael a…

  • Boundaries with Michael Cruz Kayne and Ana Cruz Kayne

    37 min Season 3 Episode 6 2 February 2024

    Helping children establish boundaries is important for developing friendships and maintaining positive social interactions. Boundaries help people set limits for themselves and honor limits set by others.…

  • Hopes & Dreams With Jolly Abraham

    32 min Season 3 Episode 5 5 January 2024

    In "Hopes & Dreams," three kids (Levi, Christine, and Ariel) reflect on the new things we have learned, the friendships we have formed, and the challenges we have faced in the past year — and what we are excited to learn and do in the year ahead. The children …

  • Bonus: Belonging Interview with Hip-Hop Pioneer Darryl "DMC" McDaniels

    33 min Season 3 Episode 4 8 December 2023

    On last week's episode, we explored "Belonging" — being who you are and being accepted and embraced for who you are.…

  • We Belong — With Alexis Michelle

    35 min Season 3 Episode 3 1 December 2023

    Belonging — being who you are and being accepted and embraced for who you are — is important for children and for all people.…

  • Bonus: Imagination Interview with "Not a Box" Author/Illustrator, Antoinette Portis

    25 min Season 3 Episode 2 10 November 2023

    On last week's episode, "Imagination Time!," we flexed our imagination muscles with three kids — Shaelan, Sameia and Hunter. After recording, our host — Todd Loyd — was lucky to explore the power of imagination with Antoinette Portis, the award winning author/…

  • Imagination Time! — With Nadiyah Dorsey

    32 min Season 3 Episode 1 3 November 2023

    Using our imaginations might seem like a basic part of childhood, but imagination plays an important role in childhood and in life: it builds creativity and independence, social and problem-solving skills, teamwork and empathy.…

  • Calm Down at Camp Quinder-Calm (World Mental Health Day)

    5 min Season 2 Episode 14 10 October 2023

    In honor of World Mental Health Day, we wanted to share the visualization and song that Quinlan shared in the Land of Qook-a-lackas during our August episode, "The Key to Calming Down." Research shows that techniques like what we practiced in the Land help to …

  • Trying New Things (2023 Signal Awards Finalist)

    26 min Season 2 Episode 13 30 September 2023

    Little Kids, Big Hearts just became a finalist in the Signal Awards! Before Oct. 5, you — OUR LISTENERS — can do us a BIG (and big hearted ❤️) favor by voting for us in the Signal Listener's Choice Awards. It's easy: Just click here and vote for Little Kids, B…

  • The Key to Calming Down With Rebecca Naomi Jones

    36 min Season 2 Episode 12 4 August 2023

    In "The Key to Calming Down," three kids (Charlie, Katrina, and Sienna) join Todd to share tips and tricks they use to calm down — which come in handy when they're experiencing big feelings. The kids and Todd then take a journey to the Land of Qook-a-lakcas to…

  • Moving Time With Amir Arison

    32 min Season 2 Episode 11 7 July 2023

    In "Moving Time," three kids with significant experience moving from country to country and home to home — Aurelia, Cris, and Henry — join host Todd Loyd to discuss their moves and to share some of the feelings they had before, during, and after moving. The ki…

  • Winning & Losing With Bridget Regan

    28 min Season 2 Episode 10 2 June 2023

    In "Winning & Losing," three kids who know a lot about winning and losing — Aiden (a chess player), Eliza (a soccer player), and Willa (a gymnast) — join host Todd Loyd to discuss winning and losing and to go on a journey to the Land of Qook-a-lackas to help a…

  • Everything PETS! — With Ashlie Atkinson

    32 min Season 2 Episode 9 8 May 2023

    In this episode, four seven- and eight-year-old kids ( Evelyn, Ella, Chelsea, and Eliot) join Todd to discuss their best fur-riends: their pets! How do we care for our pets? How do pets make us feel? What do we learn from our pets? They then go on a journey to…

  • Bonus: Interview About the Research & Guide that Inspired the "Celebrating Our Differences" Episode With Dr. Colleen Russo Johnson and Makeda Mays Green

    28 min Season 2 Episode 8 14 April 2023

    In our episode "Celebrating Our Differences," Todd joined with Makeda Mays Green to chat about identity, belonging, and race with four big-hearted kids.  After the episode recording, Makeda and her colleague Dr. Colleen Russo Johnson stuck around to talk about…

  • Celebrating Our Differences with Krys Marshall

    31 min Season 2 Episode 7 5 April 2023

    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 —…

  • Feeling Angry! — With Marjan Neshat

    31 min Season 2 Episode 6 3 March 2023

    In this episode, three kids (Lauren, Esther, and Sam) join Todd to explore the feeling of anger — what it is, how it makes us feel, and what we can do about it! They share their experiences with anger and go on a journey to the Land of Qook-a-lackas where they…

  • Let's Talk Siblings With Jenn Lyon and Henry Vick

    33 min Season 2 Episode 5 3 February 2023

    There’s a good chance that a sibling relationship will last longer than most other relationships in life. Many times, siblings can help children to define what they value and look for in other relationships. Siblings can also help each other to develop self-re…

  • Bonus: Interview About Transforming Anger Into Advocacy with Marjan Neshat

    14 min Season 2 Episode 4 16 January 2023

    This weekend, Little Kids, Big Hearts recorded a new episode about one feeling that ALL of us have — anger! The guest Qook-a-leekie in our episode was played by a friend, Marjan Neshat, an amazing actress who has recently been channeling her own anger by ampli…

  • Cultivating Sweet Kindness — With Meredith Holzman, Matt Malloy, Pablo Castelblanco, and Nadiyah Dorsey

    29 min Season 2 Episode 3 13 January 2023

    In this special fictional episode we learn how one small act of kindness can spread through a whole community. The story is the origin story of gummy bears in the Land of Qook-a-Lackas. But it is also about community and inclusiveness! Every single person in a…

  • Trying New Things With Christine Pedi

    25 min Season 2 Episode 2 4 November 2022

    When was the last time you tried something new? Was it hard? Was it scary? Was it fun? Trying new things can take us outside of our comfort zones and into places of uncertainty, which can be a bit scary ... for kids AND grown-ups. Trying new things requires a …

  • Dreams & Nightmares with Christy Pusz Decatur

    26 min Season 2 Episode 1 7 October 2022

    We all have dreams and nightmares, but they remain mysterious to most of us: Where do they come from? Why do we have them? How do they make us feel? How do we cope with the bad ones? In this episode, three of our friends — Isla, James, and Riya — share their d…

  • Seeking Little Kids With Big Hearts

    1 min Season 2 7 August 2022

    As we put together season two of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast, we're looking for kids who have big questions and big ideas about the topics we KNOW are on little kids’ minds. If you have a child — aged 4 to 10 — who has a lot to say about trying new thi…

  • Bonus Episode: The Dragon Among Us

    22 min Season 1 Episode 13 22 July 2022

    The team at Little Kids, Big Hearts wrote this special fictional story, The Dragon Among Us, for our friends at Stories Podcast. They initially published it on their podcast feed, and we're sharing it here on our feed with their permission.…

  • How to Be a Global Citizen, Part II

    26 min Season 1 Episode 12 11 March 2022

    Each neighborhood, family, and child is unique, but there is so much that we share — and so much that kids across the world can do together to connect across oceans and borders! In Part II of our global citizenship episode, Marcus from Japan, Gaurav from India…

  • How to be a Global Citizen, Part I

    24 min Season 1 Episode 11 25 February 2022

    Some kids eat quesadillas for breakfast, some eat iddli, and some eat cereal — but there is SO MUCH that kids around the globe share in common! Meet Marcus from Japan, Gaurav from India, Ella from Australia, Nils Jr. from Norway/USA, Eva from Venezuela, Sophia…

  • How to Stand Up

    21 min Season 1 Episode 10 18 December 2021

    What would YOU do if someone was picking on a friend?  Join Todd, Cora, Riya, and Simon to explore what you can do to become an upstander in your school and community.  We all have the power to use our voices for good and to stand up for ourselves and others!

  • How to Help

    26 min Season 1 Episode 9 4 November 2021

    "How to Help" highlights Orion, Zohaib, and Katelynn — three kids who are dong BIG things to help in their communities. Everyone, even little kids, can make a big difference. Listen to get inspired: Imagine ways YOU can be a helper in your family, school, and …

  • A Back to School Like No Other: Bonus Episode

    18 min Season 1 Episode 8 13 October 2021

    Kids around the world had a BIG transition back to school this year, filled with big feelings! The last school year was challenging and disrupted due to COVID-19. As we dive into a new school year, Todd chats with four big hearted kids from past episodes — bef…

  • Let's Work It Out!

    20 min Season 1 Episode 7 14 September 2021

    “Let’s Work it Out” is about interpersonal problems — and how to solve them together! Todd and three kids (all big siblings with lots of problem-solving know-how) draw on their experience and problem-solving skills to help Mango and the Qook-a-Lackas to resolv…

  • What IS empathy?

    19 min Season 1 Episode 6 19 August 2021

    Have you ever looked for clues to find out how someone else is feeling? Todd, Roxy, and three empathetic children discuss how they notice and share others' feelings and how they show that they care.

  • What Makes a Good Friend?

    23 min Season 1 Episode 5 19 July 2021

    Have you ever made a new friend on Zoom or tried to stay connected to a friend who moved far away? In this episode, Todd, Ringo, and four insightful children discuss the magic of friendship. They explore how to make new friends and maintain friendships — plus …

  • What Can You Do With Big Feelings?

    21 min Season 1 Episode 4 21 June 2021

    What do you do when you're feeling angry or sad, or when you're facing something new and scary like COVID-19? In this episode, Todd, Rainbow, and four kids discuss big feelings, where they come from, and what to do with with them.

  • What Makes YOU Special?

    21 min Season 1 Episode 3 18 May 2021

    Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast that helps parents, caregivers, and educators explore "heart skills" with their children. In this episode, our host, Todd, and his four- and five-year-old guests discuss the qualities and skill…

  • Kidventure: Who's in My Family?

    29 min Season 1 Episode 2 9 January 2026

    Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for the Season 5 premiere of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast!…

  • What's in Your Heart?

    20 min Season 1 Episode 2 14 April 2021

    Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast that helps parents, caregivers and educators explore "heart skills" with their children. In the first episode, Todd and four kids discuss what it means to have a "big heart" and what it feels l…

  • Little Kids, Big Hearts Trailer

    1 min Season 1 Episode 1 26 March 2021

    Welcome to Little Kids, Big Hearts, a new podcast that helps kids and their grown-ups explore what it means to have a BIG HEART with a little help from the show's host, Todd Loyd, a longtime early childhood educator. It’s a space where kids LEAD the discussion…

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