"The Ten News" Podcast: News You Can Trust For Your Children

 Somehow, people believe that children's programming is easy. They're kids. "How hard can it be to inform and educate kids?" After all, Sesame Street has done it for more than 50 years. Mr. Rogers had his show for over 30 years.

It's turns out that children's programming in any medium is exceedingly difficult. It's like threading a needle blindfolded. 

That's why The Ten News podcast is simply so good. It is terrific children's programming. This is how The Ten News describes their podcast: "The Ten News podcast explores topics that kids care about most including events, sports, science, gaming, pop culture, entertainment, and more! With new episodes every Wednesday, it’s a great way for you and your family to stay connected with what’s going on in the world."

In its first two seasons, the podcast has produced and released an amazing 129 episodes. In its first two seasons, the podcast has welcomed notable guests such as LEGO Masters Judge Amy Corbett, America’s top doctor Dr. Anthony Fauci, Sarah Natochenny, the voice of Ash Ketchum for Pokemon fans.

The Ten News podcast just launched its third season with a brand-new logo, format, and co-hosts.  The Ten News delivers quality news content to kids 8-12. The third season started with a back-to-school special and a helpful explainer of the terms used during Hispanic Heritage Month. Do you know why Hispanic Heritage month starts on the 15th rather than the first? 

I didn't. Well, tune into the episode to find out.

Season three will include a breakdown of the midterm elections featuring a sit down with Shaniqua McClendon, Crooked Media's VP of Politics; a look at why Serena Williams is the GOAT, and regular updates on the war in Ukraine, something the listeners of the show are regularly requesting in the show's apple reviews.

 

The mad scientist for The Ten News is Tracy Leeds Kaplan, who founded Small But Mighty Media, which is a development and production agency focused on creating non-fiction audio and video programs that inform and inspire audiences of all ages. Small But Mighty Media aims to address underserved audiences with bespoke content and tell stories that need to be told. It’s an admirable goal, and she and her team are passionate about achieving it.

With strong production values, great writing, and a finely tuned narrative style for its ages 8-12 year-old target audience, The Ten News doesn't miss a beat. But it's the co-hosts that truly excel at connecting with their audience. 

Ryan Willard is an award-winning filmmaker and writer based in NYC. A fellow of the Sesame Street Writers’ Room in 2019, wrote for their upcoming animated series, Bea’s Block, and was proud to help bring Ji-Young, Sesame’s first Asian muppet, to the screen. In his free time, Ryan enjoys hosting professional table tennis events, and MC’d the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships.

 

 Pamela Kirkland is an award-winning journalist based in Atlanta. As a field producer for CNN, she's covered breaking news events around the country, ranging from hurricanes to elections. Before that, Pamela worked for The PBS NewsHour, reporting on stories looking at the opioid crisis, immigration, education, and more. She's traveled the country covering four presidential campaigns, Congress, and the White House.

 

The co-hosts have chemistry that seems developed in a lab because it's so good. Willard can be silly like an eight-year-old child and still deliver relevant information. Kirkland balances journalistic heft with juvenile attitude, which plays perfectly for the audience.

 

The podcast also has an experienced cadre of correspondents,  ranging from a romance novelist to a human rights activist. It's an eclectic group that talks "kid" like pros.

In today's culture war society, parents seem hyper-vigilant on what information their children are exposed to. The Ten News is a suitable format and venue for children 8-12 regardless of parents' political beliefs. 

In episode two of season three, here is a summary of the topics covered:

Ten things that you need to know right now. Ryan's great big list of things that he is grateful for this World Gratitude Day. The world is short on supplies, and even teachers. Laine Farber shares drought discoveries from dinosaurs to big cities. Tessa's Trivia: do you know which famous chocolate maker was supposed to be on the Titanic?

 

Check out The Ten News podcast. Your child will thank you. And you, Mom and Dad, should listen, too. It's fun and even you can learn.

NOTE: Check out the Q&A with The Ten News co-hosts on this blog.