🎉 This episode marks a special milestone for our podcast, because it is our 100th episode! We’ll take a look back and a look forward as we think about how ideas grow over time, just like a tree, or even like a person. 🌱🌳 👶🧓
Show Notes
Like You is listener supported. Learn how you can support the show by becoming a patron on Patreon. You can also support the show by shopping in our online store or purchasing songs from the show on our Bandcamp page.
Please send us a voice memo, drawing, or letter at hello@likeyoupodcast.com. We play a voice memos from listeners either at the beginning of an episode or during the affirmation segment of the episode. If your child wants to be included, record a voice memo and send it to us. Your child can introduce themself and then say a favorite affirmation, sing a line from a Like You song, say what they like about the show, or share whatever they feel! Keep it short (10-20 seconds). For more info on how to record and send a voice memo, see this post.
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. The show is written and produced by Noah Glenn. The show’s artwork was illustrated by Mia Saine. Episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn.
This episode features original music by Noah Glenn.
Find us here:
Transcript
Noah: Hey everyone! We’ve just launched a new way for you to support Like You. You can now become a Like You subscriber on Apple Podcasts to receive access to special bonus episodes we’ll be releasing a couple times a month. This will include music playlists, interviews, miniature affirmation episodes, and more! Visit our show page in Apple Podcasts and tap Subscribe to sign up for a small monthly contribution. This new bonus content will also be available to Patreon supporters in addition to their existing Patreon benefits like early access, merch, and special updates. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing through Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks! And here’s today’s show.
[intro music]
Noah: Hello! I’m Noah and this is Like You, a mindfulness podcast for kids. I’m so glad you’re here! Guess what. Today’s episode marks a special milestone for our podcast, because it is our 100th episode! We’ll take a look back and a look forward as we think about how ideas grow over time, just like a tree, or even like a person. So listeners of all ages, find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. As I ask questions and invite you to say affirmations, you’re welcome to speak out loud, or as always, you can just think your responses quietly in your mind.
Let’s kick things off with a breathing exercise that looks toward the past and the future. Start by imagining time as an invisible line running from left to right. Turn your head to the left. If this invisible line of time was your life, way down there to your left would be when you were a baby – before you could talk or walk, back when you wore a diaper and cried any time you needed something. Now turn you head to the center, looking straight forward. This spot on the invisible line is right now, however old you are at this moment. Now turn your head to the right. Way off in the distance to your right is the future when you will be an old person, perhaps with white hair, maybe with kids or grandkids of your own.
Or if you prefer to think about this invisible timeline as everything in the history of the world, look back to your left and that’s we’re you would see dinosaurs, and ancient human civilizations. Now look forward. This still represents you right here and now in this very moment. Then look to the right, in that direction will be spaceships, flying cars, cities on the moon, intergalactic teleportation, and whatever else you imagine when you think of the future.
Now that you’ve got something to visualize on this invisible line of time, let’s add some deep breathing. Look to your left. Slow breathe in deep, imagining that you are breathing in the past. Hold that breath as you turn forward to this present moment. Then look to your right and blow a long slow gust of air into the future. We’ll do this a few more times. Look left to the past and breathe in deep. Turn forward as you hold your breath in the present, then look right and blow your breath into the future.
Again, turn left and breathe deep, breathing in that prehistoric air. Hold your breath as you turn to the center of today, then look right and blow your breath toward the infinite possibilities of the future.
Again turn left, and breathe deep, perhaps imagining yourself as a baby. Hold it as you turn to the center, thinking of yourself today. Then turn right and exhale your breath, picturing yourself when you’ve grown old.
One last time. Turn left, and breathe in deep from the past. Look forward in the present, then turn right and blow your breath to the future.
Wonderful job! It’s amazing to think of all the things that have happened in the past, and all that may come in the future, and then return to the present moment where you spend all your time, perhaps with a bit of a new perspective.
Now on the count of three let’s all say I like me. 1-2-3. I like me.
I like you too. In all the history of the world and in all the possibility of the future, there has never been and will never be, anyone exactly like you. You are special and you make a difference in the world, just by being you.
Well, as I said earlier, this is the 100th episode of Like You! I feel very proud of all the mindful moments of imagination we’ve shared together over these 100 episodes. And I’m very grateful to each one of you listeners for joining me, whether you’ve listened to every episode twice, or whether this is your very first time to listen. Either way, welcome. I’m glad you are here. And you are always welcome here.
As I’ve reflected back on 100 episodes of Like You, one metaphor keeps coming to mind. The idea of a giant tree that grows from a tiny seed. In fact a few of our earliest episodes focused on this idea of seeds growing into plants. When I first had the idea to create Like You, it was just a tiny seed of an idea. Just like a seed, I had to plant that idea, and water it, and care for it so it would grow. Once I posted the first episode, that was a bit like a tiny sprout peeking up out of the dirt. And over time, episode after episode, week after week, it has grown. After 2 years, it’s still a rather small tree that has a lot more growing to do. I look forward to everything it could be as it continues to grow. But no matter how big this tree grows, I will always look back and remember that it started as a tiny seed.
Every big idea starts as a tiny seed. What kind of seeds of ideas do you have? Maybe you have an idea for a story, or a drawing, or a game. Maybe an idea about what kind of work you’d like to do when you grow up, or what kind of family you’ll have one day. Each of us is full of lots of little seeds of ideas. You can choose which of those ideas you’d like to plant. And if you give them good care with time and attention, they can grow into big beautiful trees.
Now let’s do a quick movement exercise. Stand up on your feet if you’re able to. Imagine you are a small tree. You’ve already grown from a seed, but you’re still quite young. Your roots are not very deep, your trunk is thin and flexible. Now raise your arms over your head like two tree branches, and imagine a strong wind blows. Lean to your left, stretching your arms and waving them in the wind. Then lean to the right, bending to the side as the hard wind blows. Those big gusts of wind are like the challenges you may face along the way. Sometimes the wind might feel so strong you’re worried it could blow your tree over. But with each challenge, we grow stronger. So next, imagine that you travel 100 years into the future, and now you are an enormous towering tree casting shadows all around. Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Imagine deep strong roots growing down from your feet. Imagine your body as a solid and sturdy tree trunk. Hold out your arms and flex all your muscles like the strongest tree branches in the world. Now imagine that strong wind blowing again. But this time you stand tall and firm and you barely even notice the wind.
Great job. Now relax and get comfy once again. It’s time for affirmations. Affirmations are words you can say about yourself to remind yourself how wonderful you are. You can say them out loud or inside your head. I’ll say each affirmation twice. So you can listen the first time, then say it together with me the second time.
I am growing inside and outside.
I am powerful.
My challenges help me grow.
I believe in my goals and dreams.
My tiny seeds will grow into mighty trees.
There is no one else quite like me.
I choose to be proud of myself.
Now let’s smile and take a few slow, deep breaths as we wind down our time together. If any of those affirmations stood out to you, feel free to write them down, or just store them safely in your mind to say when you need it. If you have an affirmation that is special to you, I would love to hear it! You can even send a recording of an affirmation to play on the show. Have a grownup check our website or show notes for more information.
I’d like to end with a song. Our 100th episode is not exactly like a birthday, but it is a big milestone that is worth celebrating. So I’d like to sing a birthday song I wrote, and you can dance and celebrate as if it’s your birthday.
Before you were born
We waited for you
We all knew the world needed
Someone like you
Now it’s your birthday
And everyone’s so glad you’re here
It’s let us tell you what you’re worth day
Just think of how you grew this year
So happy happy birthday
I hope you don’t mind if we cheer
For today, which is the first day
Of another special year
We’re all so glad you’re here
We’re all so glad you’re you
We all can’t wait to see
All the things that you will do
We’re glad that you were born
We love to see you grow
We’re proud of who you are
Impressed by what you know
And all around the world
There’s no one quite like you
So you say “I like me”
And we’ll say “I like you”
Before you were born
We waited for you
We all knew the world needed
Someone like you
Thank you for listening to our 100th episode. If you’re a long time listener, I’d love to hear what some of your favorite episodes have been. Have a grown up check our website for ways you can get in touch and send us an email to share your thoughts. Or leave your comments as a 5 star review on your favorite podcasting platform.
I can’t wait to spend some time together again soon. Until then, I like you, I’m proud of you, and I’m glad we are friends. Have a happy and peaceful day.
Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. It is made possible by our subscribers on Apple Podcasts and Patreon. Become a supporter by tapping “subscribe” on our show page in Apple Podcasts, or by visiting Patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. Like You is written and hosted by me, Noah Glenn. I also composed and performed the Like You theme music and other music that appeared in the episode. Our podcast cover art was illustrated by Mia Saine. Our episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn. If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, I hope you’ll tell your friends, and leave us a 5 star review wherever you listen to podcasts. Grownups can find more information about Like You by visiting our website at likeyoupodcast.com. Thanks for listening.
