Kid Nation Nation: The Pioneer Podcast

Daniel Kyri, best known to Kid Nation fans as DK, joins us on an amazing Pioneer Chat this week! Now a successful actor who stars on NBC’s Chicago Fire, the Chicago native rolls back the clock to discuss his time as a 14 year old in Bonanza City. Daniel dishes about the children’s gospel choir performance that got him cast, what Guylan told him on the night he threatened to leave town, and what REALLY went down with the whole “bleach drinking” incident you’ve probably read about online. Let’s just say we were VERY wrong about it being overblown.

Follow Daniel Kyri on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok! And make sure to watch him on Chicago Fire. 

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

All good things must come to an end. And to an end they must come in “We’ve All Decided to Go Mad!” The kids are woken up by a Moses-like image of a burning bush, only its the job board/caste system! And that ain’t the only iconic Bonanza City item going up in flames. This episode has it all. Parents! Pasta! Four gold stars! That’s right, FOUR, and three of them are a lot heavier than usual if you catch my drift. Take a listen and join Pablo and Stevie as they say goodbye to Kid Nation.

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

In “Where’s Bonanza, Dude,” arguably the most beloved Kid Nation kid finally wins a gold star. But hold up, partner! Before that revelation, this episode is jam packed with some cool ideas that show what a season 2 could’ve been like. Newly elected Sheriff Sophia takes charge of the town and is a big step up from the Town Council. Speaking of the Big Boys, they are sent by the journal out into the wilderness where they meet a Native American tribe who teaches them about leadership. Back in town, the Big Boy-less teams struggle with the most strength-dependent Showdown yet. And when it comes to the prizes, there’s a controversial (to Stevie and Pablo) choice that has us becoming believers of The Mandela Effect!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

True Kid Nation heads know that the answer to “Remember the chicken killing episode?” is “Which one?!” In “I Just Like the Recess Part,” the kids of Bonanza City are roped into yet another chicken killing controversy, although this one has a bigger focus on eugenics. After Jonathan Karsh drops a hint about the Showdown being a quiz, the kids (except Taylor) hit the books and we get some of the most adorable scenes yet. This is a jam packed episode featuring Dance Dance Revolution, Taylor doing dishes, Sophia being elected Sheriff, and we meet Hunter’s dad, the chillest dad in America. Better listen to this episode quick before Sophia padlocks your favorite podcast app of choice!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

Fascism comes to Bonanza City in “Let Me Talk,” one of the darker episodes of Kid Nation. Now that Greg and his crew of Big Boys have taken power in Bonanza City, things take a turn as they lead the Nation in a weird game of introductions (despite knowing each other for over a month) with dire consequences for laughing. After Greg and Blaine spend an afternoon catcalling the girls of Bonanza City, Michael realizes he has to take a stand against his fellow council leaders. On the lighter side, we get a fun, if predictably convoluted, Showdown involving pies and one of the best Gold Star phone calls yet involving a fan favorite!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

In this week’s Pioneer Chat, we have one of the green team’s standout kids, MORGAN ANITA WOOD! Now a member of the Los Angeles production of Hamilton, Morgan joined us for an incredible chat about her time as a 12 year old in Bonanza City. Did you know that the show’s producers edited Hunter out of the religion episode in order to give her the gold star? Or that she had a crush on Greg? Or that she went to Jared’s Bar Mitzvah with other members of Kid Nation?! If you’re dying to find out what Jared’s Bar Mitzvah theme was, click that play button!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

For this week’s Pioneer Chat, we talked with Executive Producer MICHELLE KONGKASUWAN! Michelle worked in post as a story producer on Kid Nation and we had a blast chatting with her and getting an adult’s perspective of Bonanza City. If you’re a Bonanza nerd, this behind the scenes interview with someone who turned raw footage into television gold is just what you’ve been dying to hear!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

Fans of the 2014 Kevin Costner/Jennifer Garner NFL film “Draft Day,” rejoice! In this week's episode “Not Even Close to Fair,” the Town Council leaders are drafting new kids to join their team. Well, all of them except Laurel, who causes a huge controversy by choosing to keep her team intact. Then we have one of the most arduous showdowns in Kid Nation history featuring wheelbarrows full of rocks. Can little kids get hernias? Were the show’s PAs up all night spray painting rocks? We ponder these questions and more in episode 9!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

It’s the talent show episode!!! In “Starved for Entertainment,” the Town Council tries to raise morale by putting on a show. But first, we meet Natasha and Migle, the “Paris and Nicole of Bonanza City,” and learn, sort of, about a homesick Savannah’s Kentucky Dinner. After a Showdown featuring THE biggest missed prize opportunity in the show’s run, it’s time for the talent show. We got piano performances, a Shakespearean monologue, a drag show, and not one but TWO stand-up performances with strong Flappers Burbank energy. You know an episode is good when Blaine crip walks to a fake version of “Freak-A-Leek” and it isn’t even part of the talent show!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)

“The Root of All Evil” is all about MONEY. If you love cash, dough, bread, moolah, Benjamins, simoleons, smackers, and guap, then this episode is for you. Controversy arises early in the episode when Divad starts a peach cobbler business using supplies in the town’s pantry. This leads to one of Kid Nation Nation’s biggest arguments as Pablo and Stevie debate whether Divad is a savvy businesswoman or a bloodthirsty capitalist. Meanwhile, Sophia briefly turns into Jigsaw from the Saw movies with yet another twisted social experiment. Jared uses the profits from his woodcarving enterprise to dress like a pimp. And we meet Nathan, the most homeschooled boy in the world!

Your adult hosts are Pablo Goldstein (Vulture) & Stevie Anderson (What's Your Sign?, The Shiterion Collection)