This episode of Like You was created to coincide with Bravery Magazine Issue 13: Eugenie Clark. If you would like a special discount for Bravery Magazine, you can get one by joining our Like You Patreon group at patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. When you join our Patreon group you also get early access to every episode along with other special perks.

Please send us a voice memo, drawing, or letter at likeyoupod@gmail.com. We play a voice memo from a listener at the beginning of most episodes. If your child wants to be included, record a voice memo on your phone and email 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), send it to our email, and then wait patiently. It is our goal to share every recording eventually!

Like You 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, as well as additional music by Ian Post.

This episode’s affirmations were read by Ashley Aikele, and adapted from Issue 13 of Bravery Magazine.

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Noah: Hello! I’m Noah, and this is Like You, a mindfulness podcast for kids. I’m very glad you’re here. I always look forward to the time we get to spend together during this podcast. Today we are going to imagine going on an underwater adventure.  So strap on your goggles and swim fins and get ready to take some deep breaths. But first, a quick word for the grownups. Like You is listener supported, so if you’d like to help us continue making new episodes, join us atpatreon.com/likeyoupodcast. We also appreciate it when you help others find our show by telling your friends, or writing a review on Apple podcasts.

Now, we’re ready to start the podcast, so find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. I invite you to be a part of the podcast. You can speak out loud, answer my questions, and repeat affirmations. Of course, if you’d rather just say things quietly in your head, that’s ok too. 

Let’s begin our underwater adventure. Imagine you have boarded a boat and you are sailing across the ocean. [ocean sounds] The air is cool and as you breathe in you can smell the ocean. Take a deep breath with me. Breathe in… and out. You can close your eyes, if that helps you imagine. You can feel the boat gently swaying side to side. Now take another deep breath in… and out. It’s relaxing bobbing up and down in this boat. But as I said, today we’re imagining an underwater adventure.

We’re going scuba diving. Have you ever seen a scuba diver? They wear a wet suit, goggles, swim fins, and most importantly, a tank of oxygen strapped on their back like a backpack. Oxygen is what’s in the air we breathe. So thanks to a scuba diver’s oxygen tank, they can breathe oxygen while swimming underwater. Isn’t that cool?

Imagine you are suiting up to go scuba diving. Pull on some swim fins over your feet. Slide a pair of goggles over your eyes. Now strap an oxygen tank onto your back. What color do you imagine your oxygen tank to be? It can be any color you like. Mine is bright yellow. 

Let’s practice breathing with the oxygen tank. Put a mouthpiece in your mouth. Take a deep breath in through your mouth, and breathe out through your nose. Great job! Now we’re almost ready to dive underwater. First, on the count of three, we’ll say “I like me.” 1, 2, 3 “I like me!”

I like you too! There’s no one else quite like you. You are brave, adventurous, and kind.

Now let’s dive into the water. When I count to three yell, “splash!” 1, 2, 3 Splash!

Here we are underwater in the ocean, surrounded by blue water. Fish of all shapes and sizes float by. Do you think they are surprised to see you swimming here? We’ll get to explore and see the fish up close in a moment. First let’s take a moment to adjust to our new surroundings. 

What do you do when you’re in a new and unfamiliar situation? If you’re feeling a little nervous, it helps to take some deep breaths. Good thing we have this oxygen tank! Take a deep breath of oxygen… now blow bubbles in the water! Blub, blub, blub. Once again. Deep breath in… blow bubbles out. Let’s do that once more. Breathe the oxygen in… and blow the bubbles out.

Now let’s explore. Swim down deep. Deeper and deeper. Floating here underwater, we almost feel weightless. The sunlight cuts through the water, surrounding you with warmth. Everywhere you look are beautiful fish, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. 

You swim over to get a closer look at the most wonderful fish of all, but it darts away! It’s never seen a person like you up close before. I think it might be a little scared. We need to let it know we’re friendly. Smile at the fish and hold your hand out to invite it closer. I think it is warming up to us. Imagine this fish swimming up close to you. It is a brand new species of fish that no one has ever seen before. What color do you imagine the fish being? Does it have stripes or spots or shiny scales? Imagine what you want the fish to look like.

Let’s imagine we can talk to this fish. Imagine asking the fish what it is feeling right now. The fish says

Fish: At first I was scared when I saw a person swimming nearby, but then I could see you were kind, so I felt curious. Now I feel glad that we met. How do you feel right now?

Noah: Can you tell the fish how you’re feeling right now?

It’s been fun exploring underwater with you and making a new fish friend. It’s time to swim back up to the surface to say some affirmations. Let’s swim up, up, up! You reach the surface and burst back above the water. Now take one last deep breath of the ocean air. Breathe in, and out. Ahhhhh!

Now it’s time to say affirmations. Affirmations are short sentences you can say to yourself to remind you how wonderful you are. Today I’ve invited a special guest to say affirmations with us. Ashley Aikele is the co-founder and creative director of Bravery Magazine, which is a quarterly print publication for girls and boys that features a brave woman in each issue. Some of you may have even found this podcast in their Eugenie Clark issue. I’ve been a big fan of Bravery Magazine for years, so I’m excited to have Ashley on the podcast. Can you all say hello to Ashley?

Ashley: Hello! I’m Ashley. Will you repeat these affirmations with me? I will say each affirmation twice, so you can listen to it the first time, then say it with me the second time.

I like me. I like me.

There’s no one better to be than myself. There’s no one better to be than myself.

I can be as fearless as a stingray. I can be as fearless as a stingray.

I feel as powerful as a wave. I feel as powerful as a wave.

My body is calm like a starfish. My body is calm like a starfish.

I am my own kind of brave. I am my own kind of brave.

Noah: Thank you Ashley. We can say affirmations like these any time we need to remember how incredible we are. These particular affirmations were adapted from a create-your-own-affirmation page in the newest issue of Bravery Magazine. Check our show notes for more information.

Now let’s smile, and take a few slow, deep breaths as we wind down our time together while listening to a song.

I can’t wait to spend some time together again soon! Until next time, I like you, I’m proud of you, and I’m glad we are friends. Have a happy and peaceful day.

If you would like a special discount for Bravery Magazine, you can get one by joining our Like You Patreon group at patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. When you join our Patreon group you get early access to every episode along with other special perks.

Like You is written and produced by me, Noah Glenn. I also composed and performed the Like You theme music. Additional music for this episode came from Ian Post. The podcast cover art was illustrated by Mia Saine, and our episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn. Today’s episode featured 2 special guests. My six year old daughter made her first appearance on the podcast as the voice of the fish, and our affirmations were read by Ashley Aikele. These affirmations were adapted from Bravery Magazine’s Eugenie Clark issue. Learn more about Bravery Magazine by visiting braverymag.com. If you enjoy our podcast show us some love by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and by telling your friends about the show. You can find show notes on our website, likeyoupodcast.com. You can also send us voice memos, drawings and pictures by emailing likeyoupod@gmail.com. Be sure to follow us on instagram, Facebook, and twitter @likeyoupod. Thanks for listening!