Why did we make this podcast about animals for kids? And is it really the happiest podcast on Planet Earth?
Hosts Laura Sams and Robert Sams casually smiling in a tide pool with their underwater camera.
There’s a lot going on in the world, and not all of it is happy. We believe that by creating a happy space where kids and grownups can share the ways animals make them happy, we are building an inspired community of listeners who have empathy and joy for nature, and those are the building blocks for caring for our planet.
For parents, we also wanted to make a podcast that you won’t mind listening to in the car with your kids on the way to grab more cheese crackers at the store. We hope the question “What animal is making you happy today?” is one you can ask around the dinner table, on long car rides or while you’re waiting in line to buy those same cheese crackers.
For teachers, we wanted to make a podcast that provides opportunities for different levels of critical thinking, reading and writing skills. The question “What animal is making you happy today?” is a great prompt to write, draw and share kids’ answers.
What animal is making you happy today? We love thinking about all the different animals that make different kinds of people happy. We live on a beautiful planet. Go out and find what makes you happy.
And yes, we believe this is the happiest podcast for kids on Planet Earth.
Tell me more about the hosts. Why should I trust Laura and Rob with a microphone?
Laura and Rob have produced, directed and filmed original content for PBS KIDS, the Jim Henson Company, the Smithsonian Channel, NBC Universal, Animal Planet, CNN’s Great Big Story and more. They directed and produced the short documentary series Get Your Feet Wet, for the Jim Henson Company, which is now available on the PBS KIDS series on Amazon Prime. They also directed and produced the series Mega Wow for PBS KIDS, designed to inspire children to try mind-blowing (and funny) science at home.
Their work has been honored with over 75 international awards, including a Parents’ Choice Gold Award, a National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Gold Award, a KIDS FIRST! Best of the Year Award, a Mom’s Choice Award, a Wildscreen Panda Award (often called the “Green Oscars®”), Best Children’s Program at the BLUE Ocean Film Festival and Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and more. Their children’s book, A Pirate’s Quest, won the Midwest Book Award for Best Children’s Picture Book.
Laura and Robert are accomplished songwriters who have written songs for Teletubbies, as well as original music for Sesame Street Studios, Hero Elementary, Elinor Wonders Why, Dinosaur Train and The Riddle Solvers.
Most importantly, they’re a sister and brother who get along. Learn more about them at www.sisbro.com.