This is one of my all time favorite quotes by one of my all time favorite characters.
I think The Muppet Show and Muppet Movies are pure genius. But, like many people, I first fell in love with Kermit and the gang watching Sesame Street on PBS.
Looking back, I realize shows like Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and Mr. Rogers taught me about more than just the alphabet and being kind to the people in my neighborhood. They showed me that great children’s television can be educational, inspiring, and milk-through-the-nose funny. Mahna Mahna? Hilarious. Morgan Freeman as Easy Reader? Brilliant. The gentle wisdom of Mr. Rogers? Unforgettable. The humor and heart of these shows, along with the incredible writing that never talked down to kids, has inspired me throughout my career.
Here’s a not-so-secret secret, working with PBS has always been a dream of mine.
So, I surprised myself when I got a call from the Education Director at South Florida PBS asking if I would be interested in becoming their KidVision Producer…and I hesitated!
I was honored to be asked, of course, but I was also worried. I had just started developing Seven-Way Stories and I was super excited about sharing this new idea with the world. What would it mean for this program and Page Turner Adventures if I took the job?
After giving it a lot of thought, I realized something. Sure, I was nervous that I would lose focus on my own projects. But the truth was, I was scared to try something new. Yikes!
I’ve had my own business for years and haven’t worked for a television station (or a boss!) for quite some time. The Worry Monster I tell kids about crawled out from under my own bed, gnashing its teeth and growling…”What if you can’t do it? What if you fail? What if… what if…”
Then I decided to take my own advice.
I told the monster to zip it and re-wrote the story I was telling myself. Instead of a disempowering tale of self doubt, I reframed it as an adventure. After all, adventures are kind of my thing and by their very nature, filled with uncertainty. That’s what makes them interesting.
I took the job.
I’m proud to say that I am now the KidVision Producer for South Florida PBS. I started last week and I love it! And, rather than taking my focus away from Page Turner Adventures, working with a team of talented people dedicated to creating high-quality educational content for kids has energized me. I’m more excited than ever to create my own work and share it with you.
Saying yes to this new challenge has given me a ZING I didn’t know I was missing. I’m excited to see what 2024 brings as I produce content for Seven-Way Stories AND my new job.
What new adventures do you have planned (or unplanned 🤣) for this coming year? What opportunities and challenges are peeking around the corner just waiting for you to say yes? I want to hear about them! Reply to this message, or email me, or reach out on the socials. I’m inspired by your stories and I’m lucky that my orbit is filled with so many people who give their time, energy, and talent to teaching and nurturing children. Thank you for all you do and for joining me on this new adventure.
Or, as Kermit sings at the end of The Muppet Movie… Thanks to the lovers…the dreamers…
and YOU!!
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