Coming of Age Stories

She rose to stardom as a teenager and has stayed at the top for almost twenty years. In this episode, I dive into the career trajectory of Taylor Swift and explore what her journey has to say about growing up as so many of us have watched her do so in the public eye. I also discuss why she appeals so much to teenage girls, and what's the potential dark side to such popularity.You can sign up for my Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling Some things I read:https://www.theswiftmuseum.com/life-and-career https://www.theteenmagazine.com/the-invalidation-of-the-interests-of-teenage-girls-and-young-women 

An incredibly special episode! I talk to the talented, intelligent and passionate Tom Christophersen about one of our seminal childhood films, the 1986 Jim Henson classic 'Labyrinth.' We really get INTO IT in this episode. We talk about the incredible technical achievements in this movie, the magic of puppetry and practical events, and the underrated genius that is Jim Henson. Beyond that, we talk about this film as a queer allegory, an extraordinary coming of age story, and an exploration of smashing the patriarchy. Topics of discussion also include the morbidity of kids movies from the 80s, David Bowie's clearly visible penis, and the alternative universe where this movie stars Sting and Jane Krakowski. You can find Tom's work at their website here, and also find them on social media at @_tompoly. You can watch The Making of the Labyrinth on YouTube here.My Patreon bonus episode this month is further discussion with Tom, where we get into our shared childhood memories, the importance of creative arts expression for children, and what their big influences were as a young person on who they are now. You can sign up for my Patreon here. 

In which I dig into the newest element of the Santa Claus story, and how a picture book and toy written by a mother/daughter team has become a global phenomenon. I discuss the history and origins of Elf on the Shelf, and explore some of the critcisms of it. Spoiler alert: this thing makes people MAD.If you want to support the podcast and get monthly bonus episodes, you can subscribe to my Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling References and further reading:Medium: Where Did This “Elf on the Shelf” Come From?HuffPost: The Strange And Sweet History Of The Elf On The ShelfTODAY: What's the Elf on the Shelf story?The Telegraph: The real story behind Elf on the ShelfWoman's Day: What Is The Elf on the Shelf and How Does It Work?The Atlantic: You're a Creepy One, Elf on the ShelfVox: The Elf on the Shelf is the greatest fraud ever pulled on childrenThe Washington Post: The Elf on the Shelf: It must be stopped!The New York Times: Beware the Elf on the Shelf, Privacy Watchdogs WarnThe Guardian: Elf on the Shelf is a fun and festive way to teach your child to submit to the surveillance stateHerFamily: Elf on the Shelf is actually pretty bad for your kids, according to an expertPsychologyToday: Will the Elf on the Shelf Improve Your Child's Behavior?The Sydney Morning Herald: Why the Elf on the Shelf is banned from my home

In 1999, one of the most authentic portrayals of adolescence to ever be depicted on television went to air. It was praised by critics for its realism and unique blend of comedy and drama. Its creators and stars would go on to become some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Yet at the time, no one watched it, and it was cancelled without all of its episodes going to air.Join me for a deep dive into the world of Freaks and Geeks, created by Paul Feig, produced by Judd Apatow, and starring Jason Segel, Seth Rogen and Linda Cardellini.Support the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarlingFurther Reading:The Washington Post: How ‘Freaks and Geeks’ went from misfit dramedy to cult classicVanity Fair: An Oral History of Freaks and GeeksThe A.V. Club: Paul Feig walks us through Freaks And Geeks

And we're back! At the moment just with a little mini episode, but full-length deep dives into all things growing up return next month! In the meantime, enjoy this little chat about the origins of Halloween in honour of this spooky season.You can also support me on Patreon if you like: https://patreon.com/WildeandDarlingPodcasts:You're Wrong About: Urban LegendsAmerican Hysteria: Poisoned Halloween CandyThings I Read:Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa MortonWorld History Encyclopaedia: The History of HalloweenThe Library of Congress: The Origins of Halloween TraditionsHistory.com: Halloween 2023

The story of Peter Pan has been around for over a hundred years, and is well known as one of the most beloved children's tales of our culture. But how did author James Barrie's greatest tragedies inspire him to write it? What does it really have to say about getting older? And why is Peter not the character we should be focusing on? The answers to these questions and more are all discussed in this episode about the boy who would not grow up...and the girl who would.YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLbpFRpa9TVPCFFoHTOW9XA References:Debunking the Myths about Boys and Emotions: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/debunking_myths_boys_emotions How the fantasy of Peter Pan turned sinister: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/7/27/16021572/peter-pan-became-evil-jm-barrie-llewelyn-davies Why J.M. Barrie Created Peter Pan: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/11/22/lost-boys 

In this episode, I interview Sylvia Morris, a freelance children's illustrator from Adelaide, currently working in Melbourne. You can find her work in the NSW Dept of Education School Magazine, and on the covers of the middle grade books The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor, and The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel by Nicki Greenberg - both published by Melbourne publisher Affirm Press. Sylvia's portfolio: https://sylviamorris.com.au/Instagram: @sylvia_morrisTumblr: https://sylvia-morris.tumblr.com/Harry Potter project: https://sylviamorris-illustrates-hp3.tumblr.com/ The School Magazine: https://theschoolmagazine.com.au/The Grandest Bookshop in the World: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/the-grandest-bookshop-in-the-world/The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel: https://affirmpress.com.au/publishing/the-detectives-guide-to-ocean-travel/ 

How did a Greek bishop from the third century become the jolly North Pole dwelling Christmas icon?  Did Coca Cola really design his modern appearance? And is it okay to lie to kids about him? In this episode I tell the history of Saint Nicholas and how collective cultural traditions came together to give us the contemporary Santa Claus. I also discuss whether telling the Santa story to children can be considered a lie, and if so, is it doing harm?(Sorry that the audio is a little janky in places.)Music featured is Seikilos Epitaph with the Lyre of Apollo by Lina PaleraSources:Nicholas: The Epic Journey From Saint to Santa Claus by Jeremy SealChristian Encounters: Saint Nicholas by Joe L. WheelerNational Geographic: From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus: the surprising origins of Kris KringleCoca Cola: The Definitive History of Santa ClausSt Nicholas Centre: Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa ClausSnopes: Did Coca-Cola Invent the Modern Image of Santa Claus?Livius: Nicholas of MyraNational Geographic: Could the Remains of Santa Claus Be in This Turkish Church?The Conversation: This Christmas tell your children the real Santa Claus storyKnickerbocker's History of New York by Washington IrvingSmithsonian Magazine: A Civil War Cartoonist Created the Modern Image of Santa Claus as Union PropagandaTime Magazine: Should You Be Lying To Your Kids About Santa? Happy Family: 7 Reasons To Tell Your Kids The Truth About Santa (And Still Keep The Magic In Christmas)The Atlantic: Santa Is Nothing but Stress for Families Who Don’t Believe in HimPsychology Today: Should You Lie to Kids About Santa?The Washington Post: What psychologists really think about you lying to your kids about Santanpr: Is It OK To Lie About Santa And The Tooth Fairy?BBC/The Conversation: What should I tell my kids about Santa?USA Today: Why parents, not Santa, should give the expensive giftsThe Guardian: 'Santa, can I have money for the bills?'

Under what conditions do we learn best? In both fiction and real life, there is an argument to be made that greatness thrives under pressure, fear and adversity. I make the case for the ineffectiveness of such teaching methods, and reject the notion that sacrificing kindness is worth it to create a genius. This episode really serves as an introduction of a number of different concepts I want to explore in more depth later, including conditioning, corporal punishment, the emotional education of boys, and the myth of the tortured genius. It also serves as a summary of my philosophy of learning. .. Further reading:The Uncomfortable Message in Whiplash's Dazzling Finale: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/10/the-ethics-of-whiplash/381636/  Corporal Punishment of Children Should Be Banned: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-18/corporal-punishment-of-children-should-be-banned/11025096  The State of Research on the Effects of Physical Punishment: https://bit.ly/2ZvJYDK  Punishment in Psychology: Negative Effects of Punishment: https://veronikatait.com/posts/2018-10-21-punishment-in-psychology-negative-effects-of-punishment.html  The Study of Punishment in Psychology: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-punishment-2795413 

I talk about the development of 'Sesame Street', an iconic television show for preschoolers based on research by teachers and child psychologists. But how did it come about in the first place? Why is it set on a normal looking street? Why were there no female Muppets initially? And did it really sell its soul to HBO? I attempt to answer all these questions, as well as examining the show's evolution and legacy over the past 50 years.      Clips:    Ernie as a banana in his ear.  Snuffy is revealed.  Goodbye Mr Hooper.  Herry and John John count to 20.  Christopher Reeve talks about his wheelchair.  Abby has two homes.  What is incarceration?    Sesame Street covers the Black Lives Matter     protests.  Sesame Street Gets Through A Storm.  Sources:   Interview with Joan Ganz Cooney for the Archive of American Television.  The Unmistakable Black Roots of Sesame Street.     How We Got to Sesame Street.    What is behind the magic of Sesame Street?    'We know we're more than a TV show': how Sesame Street made it to 50.    Study: Kids can learn as much from ‘Sesame Street’ as from preschool.    The Sesame Street Effect.     B Is for Broke: Why 'Sesame Street' Is Moving to HBO.     Sesame Street's move to HBO, explained.      Sesame Street Goes Global: Let's All Count the Revenue.     On The Set With: Zoe; This Monster Is a Girl.    A Girly-Girl Joins the ‘Sesame’ Boys.   On Sesame Street, It’s All Show.     

In my first episode, I talk about the history of children's rights, the dismissive attitudes we often hold about the youth of today, and how a teenager's brain is doing some wild stuff.Content warning: discussing of child abuse.Twitter and Instagram: @comingofagecastSources:History of child rights: https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/history-child-rightsAdolescent development: https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/topics/adolescence/development/en/ Adolescence as a unique developmental period: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4543091/