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The Lil' Leaders Podcast

The Lil' Leaders Podcast

Written by: Tina Shepardson
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About this listen

 Lil' Leaders is a podcast for kids that celebrates the traits, experiences, and actions that make leaders effective. We'll hear from real school-age leaders nationwide that are making an impact in our world today and close our time with a picture book recommendation supporting, inspiring, and inviting children to lead in our ever-changing world. Join us as we explore and celebrate kids like you, who are growing into their best version of themselves while impacting others one step at a time. Hosted by a teacher, author, parent, and life-long learner just like you.2023 Literature & Fiction
Episodes
  • From the Field to the Stage: Mason Shows What's Possible

    From the Field to the Stage: Mason Shows What's Possible
    Jan 7 2026

    In our first 2026 episode, Mason shares how his love for acting, football, and basketball keeps him energized and motivated every day. He opens up about why treating others the way you want to be treated is the foundation of real leadership, and how staying active helps him stay confident. When life feels busy or overwhelming, Mason turns to deep breaths and drawing to calm his mind before jumping back into the activities he loves. His message to other kids is simple but powerful: anything you do can inspire someone else — so keep showing the world what's possible. Listen to Mason's episode and be reminded that leadership starts with kindness and inclusion.

    Picture Book Recommendations:

    a. Hurry Up!: A Book About Slowing Down

    Author: Kate Dopirak Illustrator: Christopher Silas Neal

    A busy boy and his dog learn to slow down and enjoy life together in this lyrical, rhyming picture book perfect for hurried families everywhere.

    For one busy boy, life is all hurry up, hurry down, hurry round and round and round! That is until he takes a big breath...and a big break...and slows down to see all the wonderful things in the world around him.

    b. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are

    Author: Maria Dismondy Illustrator: Kim Shaw

    Lucy has big hair, eats fun foods and is teased by a boy named Ralph at school because she is different. She tries to be brave but she wishes the teasing would stop. What should I do? she asks herself over and over.

    Lucy's Papa Gino reminds her to do the right thing and treat people with kindness. So when Ralph gets stuck on the playground and needs help, will Lucy use this chance to teach Ralph a lesson? Or will she have the courage to be true to herself and make the right choice with an act of kindness?

    Readers of all ages can empathize with Lucy's brave journey as she sets out to rise above Ralph's mean words, stay true to herself and build her self-esteem every step of the way.

    Cool Q's For Discussion:

    1. What helps you calm down when life feels busy or overwhelming?

    2. What's one way you showed kindness or fairness to someone this week?

    3. What activities make you feel energized and confident?

    4. Who inspires you, and how do you try to inspire others?

    5. Can you think of a time when you helped someone feel included? What happened?

    6. What is your main take away from today's episode with Mason?

    Have a great week everyone!

    Keep Leading and Keep Reading,

    Tina
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    13 mins
  • When Art Meets Heart: Allie's Story

    When Art Meets Heart: Allie's Story
    Dec 3 2025

    Meet Allie, a third grader whose love for dance, modeling, and the arts shines as bright as her smile! Whether she's learning new dance moves with friends or helping others master theirs, Allie's enthusiasm and kindness make her a true Lil' Leader. She embraces every challenge in her dance classes and believes in following big dreams—like one day becoming a doctor.

    Tune in to hear how Allie's creativity, confidence, and caring heart inspire everyone around her to keep learning and growing.

    Picture Book Recommendations:

    a. Most Marshmallows

    Author & Illustrator: Rowboat Watkins

    Most marshmallows are born into marshmallow families, play with marshmallow friends, and go to marshmallow school where they learn to be squishy. Most marshmallows read a book before bed and then fall asleep to dream ordinary marshmallow dreams.
    But, this book isn't about most marshamallows, is it? No. That's because author Rowboat Watkins knows that, just like you, some marshmallows have big dreams, and just like you, these marshmallows can do anything they set their minds to. This sweet and silly book is an inspiring reminder to everyone that by being true to ourselves, each of us has the power to be extraordinary. Whether for a new parent or a recent graduate, the message here will fit the bill.

    b. The Path

    Author & Illustrator: Bob Staake

    On this playfully illustrated journey with Bob Staake, children and adults alike will discover an encouraging truth: our path through life is not only challenging and beautiful—it is all our own to discover and invent.

    "You will walk. You will walk along a well-worn path that many people have taken—and long before you." So begins this inspirational journey over gentle, grassy hills, through fields of wildflowers, over raging rivers, up steep mountains, and even through a dark, chilly cave. When it splits in two, you will have to decide what to do next—and you'll create a path that's unique to you.

    Cool Q's For Discussion:

    1. What's something creative you love to do, just like Allie?

    2. How do you feel when you try a new skill or hobby?

    3. Who's someone you've helped learn something new recently?

    4. What big dream do you have for your future?

    5. Why do you think helping others can make you a stronger leader?

    6. What is your main take away from today's episode with Allie?

    Have a great week everyone!

    Keep Leading and Keep Reading,

    Tina
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    14 mins
  • We Either Win or Learn: Myra on the Spark of Failure

    We Either Win or Learn: Myra on the Spark of Failure
    Nov 19 2025
    In this inspiring follow-up episode, Myra returns to the Lil' Leaders Podcast to share her powerful essay on failure in honor of National Failure Day. You might remember Myra from her first visit, when she told us how she created her nonprofit, Sparklez.org, to help raise money for a girls' school in India and reminded us that we're never too young to make a difference. This time, Myra opens up about how failure isn't the opposite of success—it's part of it. She shares how losing at nationals for her health app invention and in dance competitions taught her to focus not on what she didn't achieve, but on how much she grew simply by trying. Her favorite quote by Maya Angelou—"I never lose. I either win or I learn."—reminds her that failing helps us think creatively, build resilience, and grow stronger. Join us as Myra dives into what it means to learn from mistakes, why creativity often begins when things go wrong, and how failure can be one of the most powerful teachers in life. Picture Book Recommendations: a. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes Authors: Mark Pett & Gary Rubenstein Illustrator: Mark Pett Being perfect is overrated. Beatrice Bottomwell has NEVER (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, the entire town calls her The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes! One day, the inevitable happens: Beatrice makes a huge mistake in front of everyone! But in the end, readers (and perfectionists) will realize that life is more fun when you enjoy everything—even the mistakes. b. Yay! You Failed! Author & Illustrator: Shannon Anderson Illustrator: Steve Mark Celebrate mistakes and setbacks! In Yay! You Failed!, young readers learn how to set goals, overcome challenges, build resilience, and believe in themselves. Simple "you-can-do-it" strategies in this book can help kids learn: why practice makes progress, not perfectways to keep going when the going gets toughhow to set and achieve goalstips for looking on the bright side and staying positive Yay! You Failed! is a growth mindset chapter book that will appeal to kids beginning to read independently. With its humorous and light-hearted tone, kids are encouraged to develop the life skills needed to set goals and overcome challenges. Includes a glossary of terms to support children's vocabulary growth. Cool Q's For Discussion: Myra says that failing teaches us things we wouldn't learn otherwise. Can you think of a time when something didn't go as planned but ended up teaching you something valuable? 2. Her favorite quote is "I never lose, I either win or I learn." What does that mean to you? 3.Myra learned to focus on growth instead of what she didn't achieve. What's one way you could do the same next time something doesn't go perfectly? 4. She says creativity often starts when something has gone wrong. Can you think of an example where a mistake led to a great idea? 5. Myra reminds us that our real strength is how we handle disappointment. How do you handle it when you feel disappointed, and what helps you move forward? 6. What is your main takeaway from today's episode with Myra? Have a great week everyone! Keep Leading and Keep Reading, Tina
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    19 mins
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