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.

In this special song and conversation episode, Todd is joined by longtime collaborator, educator, and composer Benjamin Weiner. Together, they revisit what kids shared in our family Kidventure episode — "Who's in My Family?" — about who is in their family, what they do together, and what they learn from their family.

Benjamin reflects on listening closely to kids’ words and transforming their ideas, rhythms, and feelings into music. He shares how children’s language naturally lends itself to songwriting and how family memories and storytelling shaped his own creative path.

The episode culminates in the debut of I’ve Got My Family, an original song inspired directly by the voices of kids on the podcast. The song celebrates families of all shapes and sizes and reminds listeners that love, care, and connection are what truly make a family.

This episode supports social and emotional learning by affirming belonging, inclusion, and safety, while encouraging kids to reflect on the people who make up their own families. Perfect for kids ages 2–11 and for listening together as a family.

In This Episode, Kids Will:

• Hear their words transformed into music
• Learn that families can look many different ways
• Reflect on traditions, routines, and shared moments
• Feel affirmed that their family is “just right”

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Conversation By Asking:

• Who are the people that make up our family?
• What are some things we love doing together?
• What helps our family feel safe and connected?

About Our Guest:
Benjamin Weiner is a composer, educator, and longtime collaborator on Little Kids, Big Hearts. A former New York City school teacher, Benjamin creates music inspired directly by children’s voices, ideas, and lived experiences, transforming everyday moments into songs that support connection and emotional growth.

About Little Kids, Big Hearts:
Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast where kids lead the conversation. Through real discussions, imaginative stories, songs, and Kidventures, children explore feelings, relationships, kindness, and what it means to care for others.

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Little Kids, Big Hearts.

🎧 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@littlekidsbighearts
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Credits:
Little Kids, Big Hearts is hosted by Todd Loyd and produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Meaghan Penrod, also at Sparkler.
Sound design and mixing by Ryan Marth, with original music by Bill English.

Special thanks to Noggin for their support and the song “Like Nobody Else” from the Big Heart Beats album.

🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:
https://playsparkler.org/podcast