Awesome Kids Doing Inspiring Things, The Lil’ Leaders Podcast

Tina Shepardson, the host of The Lil’ Leaders Podcast, describes the show like this. The Lil’ Leaders Podcast is a podcast for kids that celebrate the traits, experiences, and actions that make leaders effective. We hear from real school age leaders nationwide that are making an impact on our world today. The podcast ends with a picture book recommendation supporting, inspiring, and inviting children to lead in our ever changing world.

The Lil’ Leaders Podcast is a podcast for kids that celebrates the traits, experiences, and actions that make leaders effective. Each episode is around 15 minutes long. 

Kid Podcast Guide 

This episode is all about the kid podcast The Lil’ Leaders. If you’ve never heard of kid podcasts or you don’t really know what they can do for you as a mom, let me tell you, I use them all the time and you can too.

You can use podcasts when you’re running errands with the kiddos to keep them from complaining the whole time. When you need a mom break, you can grab an easy activity like coloring pages or magnet tiles, turn on a kid podcast and your kids will be entertained for at least half an hour. That’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of ways you can use kid podcasts. 

To help you figure out which one is best for your kids, I made a guide to kid podcasts. There are eight categories on this guide, ranging from science to mindfulness, to audio drama, with at least three podcasts in each category. There are 28 podcasts in total on the guide. After listening to each of the podcasts, I can attest to them being kid friendly.

My email is at the bottom of the guide so that if you try a couple with your kids and none of them are a good fit, you can email me. I will personally help you find a kid podcast that works for your family. You can grab this guide at the link at the top of this blog. 

Meet The Host

I am a newly retired teacher in 2021 where I taught for 33 years. primarily in grades five and six. I loved it. Every job has its ups and downs, but I knew I would miss the kids when I left. I live in upstate New York, land of the snow. My husband and I have a daughter and two Akitas, and so they keep us busy.

I’m a children’s author and creating an online course for kids. I say that I transitioned more than I retired because I knew when I left school, I wanted to add value to kids’ lives. Contributing to kids lives and being around them is something I still want to do, just in a different way.

Starting The Lil’ Leaders Podcast 

When the pandemic happened, kids, teachers, and parents were thrown into Google classroom overnight.

I had never done anything like that before and I was scared out of my mind. Over time, we got into an online routine. I was so impressed with the ability to have a safe space for kids online. In this space we could still share and learn from one another.

At that same time, I started listening to more podcasts. I had more time and I took an online course to learn more about it. Between learning how to create a podcast and wanting to add value to kids, I fell in love with the process. When school was officially finished and I had more time about a year and a half ago I got started. 

Spreading Joy & Inspiration

My hope is that with each episode kids and parents listen to, that there’s a sense of joy. I want listeners to be inspired and gain understanding from others. There are unique perspectives that all kids have about their own experiences that they share with other kids that are just like them.

I think our news sometimes makes it sound like there’s always bad things happening everywhere. If you listen to these young leaders that I interview, you’ll hear something different. There is genuine goodness and kindness in all of them. The different things that they are doing like helping kids that are not being included at recess or fundraising for cancer research. I love the children I’m able to have conversations with. These are genuinely awesome kids. 

A Place of Authenticity

I consider the vibe really to be warm and a place of authenticity. These awesome kids come on the podcast and they are themselves. They share experiences that all kids have at some point to some varying degree.

The conversations give you a glimpse into that child’s life and their personality. I’m so grateful that they want to share their experience with others. These children are able to make an impact on anyone who listens. Sometimes we, as kids, feel like we’re the only ones going through something. We don’t think anyone else is doing it, so we’re not sure about it. 

When you hear someone share their knowledge or their experience it is eye opening to the listener. I hope listeners can walk away with a better feeling or perspective on what they are going through. Hopefully they can have a conversation with their family and friends about it.  

Keep in Touch with Lil’ Leaders

You can find me on my website, www.tinashepardson.com under the podcast tab.  The podcast also has a separate website. I’m on Instagram, very active there at the The Lil’ Leaders Podcast.

You can message me or email me, and I always get back to people within a day or two at the most.  

The First & Favorite Episode

I was thinking about this because as a teacher, you never should have favorites.  Every single guest that I’ve had in the short time I’ve been online has added tremendous value. If there was one that I would have to highlight, it’d have to be my first one.

The young man that I had on was a former student of mine. His name is Bode Centaur. I had him in grade six. I taught grade six for 18 years. I asked him if he would be the first guest. The reason I chose him was because as a ten year old, he was a humble and hardworking kid.  At that point he had been fundraising with the help of his family for St. Baldrick’s  He’d had a stay there with pneumonia in first grade. He wanted to help those kids that he saw that were sicker than he was. 

I thought it was a way for listeners to see that he started when he was a child and now he’s going to college. He’s a really good person. It can inspire them to do that or find another passion. He has a great way of uniting people. I think as we all grow and mature, it’s just great for kids to have that food for thought. We had a great conversation and I admire him for everything that he’s done. 

For Awesome Kids 5-12

The Lil’ Leaders Podcast is targeted for ages five to 12. Hopefully it’s more of a family experience and parents listen as well. We gently encourage good conversations about the things that the guests are sharing. It’s really inclusive of everyone, but generally targeted for ages five to 12. 

Awesome Books and Courses 

I have a middle grade book called Canines Unleashed releasing in April. It’s about a dog who wakes up one day to find out he’s going to doggie daycare. His owner is going to kindergarten and they don’t want him home alone all day. His name’s Hank. 

I also have a picture book coming out in the fall called The Sorry Seeds. It’s about a girl who lives on the same street as her teacher. She has the most beautiful apple tree and she’s always wanted to try an apple. She gets caught taking one and it’s about how she’s going to face her teacher the next day and how to apologize authentically. 

I’m creating an online course that will be released in late May. It is designed  to help kids ages five through 12. It is designed to work on confidence and connection in our ever changing world through fun activities.