As mentioned in the episode, here’s a look at the view of the yellow tree out my window from where I record the podcast.

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 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 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, as well as additional music by IMAKEMADBEATS.

This episode’s affirmations were read by Mia Saine. 

Find us here:

• Website
• Patreon
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Bandcamp
• Online Shop

Noah:  Remember to subscribe to Like You on your favorite podcast app, so you never miss an episode. If you’re a fan of the show, please consider supporting the podcast with a small monthly donation by visiting Patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. And if you want to help others find out about us, you can tell your friends about the show or leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts. Now let’s start the show!

[intro music]

Hello! I’m Noah and this is Like You, a mindfulness podcast for kids. Today’s episode is all about thinking thankful thoughts. Hmm… that’s a tongue twister. I wonder if I can say it 3 times fast. Maybe you can try too. First a deep breath and then… go. Thinking thankful thoughts. Thinking thankful thoughts. Thinking thankful thoughts. Anyway, listeners of all ages, find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. You’re a part of this podcast too! If I ask questions or invite you to play along, your can speak out loud or move around as you’re able. Of course,  if you’d rather just think your responses quietly in your mind, that’s ok too.

From where I sit while I write and record this podcast, I can look out my window at a maple tree in my front yard. For the past few weeks I’ve watched day after day as its leaves have slowly changed from green to yellow. It’s one of the prettiest shades of yellow I’ve ever seen. Can you think of any pretty fall leaves you may have seen recently? If you’d like to see my view of the tree out my window, find this episode on our website, and I’ll include a photo in the show notes. As soon as all the leaves on the tree out my window have turned yellow, they begin to blow off the tree and fall to the ground. Today happens to be a windy day, so every time I look up there are beautiful yellow leaves twirling in the wind as they fall. I want to to take a moment to picture some of the trees where you live. If you’re in the United States like me, or really anywhere in the northern hemisphere, I bet the trees around you have been turning wonderful shades of red and orange and yellow as fall takes hold. So I thought today we could try a falling leaves breathing exercise. Close your eyes and picture your favorite autumn tree color. Imagine a tall tree covered with colorful leaves that are yellow, red, or orange. Now imagine that each leaf represents a happy moment from the past year. Maybe one leaf is when you met a new friend, one leaf is a joke that made you laugh, another leaf is an especially good hug, each leaf is a different happy moment. I’d love to share all these happy moments with other people who are special to me. Who is a special person that you like sharing happy moments with? In this breathing exercise, we’ll blow these leaves off the tree and make a leaf pile full of happy moments that your friends or family can jump into. So first take a deep breath in and imagine your chest filling up with those happy thoughts, then blow your breath like the wind and imagine several leaves floating gently down to the ground, twisting and twirling on their way. Maybe as the leaves are falling you could imagine a neighbor or a friend walking by and smiling at the sight. Let’s continue pretending we’re the wind blowing these happy leaves to the ground. Take a deep breath in 1-2-3. Then blow your wind and watch more happy leaves floating down to the ground. Now another deep breath in, filling up with happy thoughts. And blow your wind as you imagine more leaves twirling to the ground. One last time. Deep breath in. And blow your wind into the tree, letting more leaves float down. Now picture a pile of colorful leaves on the ground, each leaf full of a happy memory. Now picture a friend or a neighbor jumping into the pile of leaves. The colorful happy leaves cushion their fall, catching them and filling them up with your happy thoughts. Now smile wide, take one last breath, and then let out a long satisfied sigh.  Great job

Now on the count of three we’ll say I like me. 1-2-3. I like me.

I like you too. You have many things to be thankful for, and many happy thoughts to share with the world.

Let’s take some time to reflect on what we are thankful for. It could be big things or little things. You might be thankful for friends, for family, for health. You could be thankful for something you did today, or last week, or last year. You might be thankful for something you have – a toy, a notebook, a comfy chair, your bed, your favorite sweater.

Take a few moments to just think about what you’re thankful for. I’ll let the music play, while you sit with your thoughts and see what comes to mind. [music]

I’m thankful for you, all my podcast friends who spend time with me each week. I’m glad you’re here, and I’m proud of you for all the ways you’re growing and learning and trying your best.

Now I want you to continue to think your thankful thoughts. If you can find some paper and something to write with, I’d like you to write down something you’re thankful for. Or you could choose to draw a picture of something you’re thankful for instead. Feel free to  pause the podcast if you need a moment to find some paper. I’ll still be here when you press play.

While you write or draw, I’m going to sing a song about being thankful. When you’re done you can sit and listen, dance, or sing along.

For beauty and for wonder

Thank you thank you

For my sister and my brother

Thank you thank you

For my food and the things I drink

Thank you thank you

For my mind and the things I think

Thank you thank you

Thank you thank you

For my family and my friends

Thank you thank you

For the courage that grows within

Thank you thank you

For a heart that helps me love

Thank you thank you

For the sun that shines above

Thank you thank you

Thank you thank you

For the people that I get to help

Thank you thank you

For my body and for my health

Thank you thank you

For the energy as I play

Thank you thank you

For the rest at the end of the day

Thank you thank you

Thank you thank you

Remember that you carry your thankful thoughts inside you all the time. You can reflect on the things that you’re thankful for any time. Just keep thinking thankful thoughts thinking thankful thoughts thinking thankful thoughts.

Now it’s time for today’s affirmations. Affirmations are words you can say about yourself to help you remember how wonderful you are. I’ll say each affirmation twice. You can listen the first time, then say it with me the second time, either out loud or inside your mind.

Today is going to be a great day.

I am thankful for this moment.

I have people who love and respect me.

I deserve good things.

I am proud of who I am.

I am grateful for all that I have.

There’s no one better to be than myself.

Now smile and take a few slow, deep breaths as we wind down our time together. 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 supporters on Patreon. Become a supporter 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. Additional music in this episode came from IMAKEMADBEATS. 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 a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts. We love hearing from listeners. You can send us voice memos, drawings, and pictures by having a grownup send an email to hello@likeyoupodcast.com or if you follow us on instagram, send us a direct message there. Visit our website at likeyoupodcast.com to find show notes, which have a transcript for each episode, an online shop, and other info about the show. Be sure to follow us on instagram, Facebook, and twitter @likeyoupod. Thanks for listening!