I know many ways to get you or your kids laughing, being silly, and enjoying quality time.
But there are few better – and more reliable – ways than literally listening to Chris and Sarah Wehkamp.
They are the husband and wife duo behind Imagining Aloud, a series of high-quality, all-original, entertaining audio stories for children and families. You want warmth, humor, and universal human values, without the preachiness, delivered by memorable characters every single week?
They gotcha covered.
They created Imagining Aloud for their website, Parents Who, because, like me, they want families to have a screen-free, ad-free, guilt-free way to charge their kids' creativity.
I know of nothing else like this. Exhausted parents, curious grandparents, eager educators, and diligent home-schoolers are already cranking their stories up … not to mention a four-year-old named Grant Zaslofsky and his papa.
Even if you're not a parent of young ones or a parent at all, there are great lessons for everyone in this episode. ‘Cause Chris and Sarah are insightful simple living enthusiasts and just generally make people smile.
I'm proud to call them friends and jazzed to introduce you to this clever couple. Here's just one golden nugget you're going to get:
Get out of your kids' way. There's a thing happening now where nobody's quite sure what parents should [or should not] be involved in … so we'll just be involved with everything. But for me and my kids, we've seen great benefit in going the other direction. – Chris Wehkamp
I can't say enough about the fun and quality of Imagining Aloud and I hope you get in on their launch promo like I did for a 50% discount. It's only good for the first 100 subscribers, so the bargain might be gone depending on when you listen to this SASM episode.
(Side note: Don't miss the special guest appearance from Mr. B toward the end.)
You're about to Learn …
- Some simple ways to hand your kids more – and better – quality time.
- Why highly interactive media may be limiting your kid's creativity.
- How to get out of your kids' way so they can make their own fun.
- The talent that landed Chris in the principal's office and an anime series starring role.
- Why forced simplicity can be beautiful (even when it's via identical twins).
- The invisible gifts that travel gives your kids.
- How to elegantly avoid the mommy Pinterest competition.
- Why planned spontaneity is essential for kids and parents.
- How you can help bring Imagining Aloud the success it deserves.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe Now and Never Miss an Episode: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | Email | RSS
Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode:
- Websites:
- Resources:
- Books:
- Cartoons:
- Laughing Under the Clouds (Chris' anime show)
- Social Media:
- Etc.:
Topics
- [05:41] Chris' seeds of awesomeness
- [07:30] Sarah's seeds of awesomeness
- [11:49] Leap-frogging from one travel experience to another
- [13:58] What simple living means to Chris and Sarah
- [19:59] What's Imagining Aloud and who's behind it
- [25:51] The impact that Imagining Aloud is already having
- [32:37] Vintage parenting practices that need to be revived
- [43:11] Reviving the “How crazy is Joel?” segment
- [45:08] The Imagining Aloud launch hookup (time sensitive)
- [47:04] A special guest appearance from Mr. B
Awesome Ways to Subscribe to the Show
If you're not already subscribed for automatic notifications of a new show, please do so with one of the links below.
- Click here to subscribe with iTunes
- Click here to subscribe via RSS
- Click here to subscribe via Stitcher
Transcript
The transcript will not be available until I find a new transcriptionist (if you know someone good, let me know).
I'm Grateful for Your iTunes Reviews!
If you enjoyed this specific episode or the Smart and Simple Matters show in general, I always appreciate when people go to the iTunes page and leave an honest review. Every single review is a huge help and received with gratitude!
If you want to make me incredibly thankful, like the people who have recently left an iTunes review, here are the four quick steps (assuming iTunes is already installed):
- Visit the Smart and Simple Matters iTunes page here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/value-simple-podcast-joel/id545208089
- Click the blue button on the left labeled “View in iTunes” below the cover art of the show
- When iTunes loads, scroll down below the “Customer Reviews” section and click the link labeled “Write a Review”
- Write a review with whatever title you like, whatever length you have time for, and give the show an honest rating. If you don't think it deserves five stars, don't rate it as a five star show.
And if you have someone or something you'd like us to cover on an upcoming show, tell us in the comments below.
Joel, I just found your podcast and this is the first one I have listened to. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not a parent but I work for an elementary school and plan to share the wonderful information on Sarah & Chris’s work with all the teachers/parents. They could enjoy these stories at home or maybe even in the classroom! I’m excited to listen to many more of your podcasts! Thanks to you, and Sarah & Chris for spreading the word on simplicity!
You got it, Melanie. And thanks for leaving a note after just your first episode. I can recommend some other SASM episodes if you let me know what your interests or passions are these days.
Hi Joel,
Wow at first I couldn’t believe you replied to my comment, but after listening to a few more of your pod-casts I realized your enjoyment in connecting with people! I will do my best to keep this “minimal”! My passion is running long distances (some would say ultra) on trails. It does not matter how bad my day has gone as soon as I hit the trail out in nature I am good. My mom asked if I wanted to move into my grandma’s home in Santa Cruz for extremely low rent. I thought yes the trails are gorgeous there. I ended up taking a huge pay cut at my new job there and thought as long as I am happy on the trails the income doesn’t matter. I ended up not feeling safe running alone on these trails. So I spent a year miserable. So I got a new job back where I grew up in Santa Clara, but the commute was killing my husband and me. I just got a new apartment and I move in today, I’m so excited to be able to get back to my daily runs! My husband is working insane hours to pay off his student loans, I plan to save as much as possible to build a tiny home. My dream is to build the tiny home and find exactly what outdoorsy town suits us best and live meaningful minimalist lives. The other part of that dream is to quit my “real job” and make my living doing something I would love, being a part of a team that builds tiny homes and to be part of a community with this lifestyle. I have no background in building anything but I know it is my calling! I loved Dee Williams’ book and The Minimalists’. We even got to meet them! Next I want to read your book and make it to Simple Rev 2015!
Joel I made a minimalist decision to quit face book quite a while back, my worry was that I would lose out on simple living events. I’m pretty sure I have. I think if I had Facebook I would have found you and all these great people you have interviewed long ago and maybe could have made it to Simple Rev this year. What is your thought on my idea to create a minimalist only name where family and “friends” can’t flood me with info that is not positive or meaningful to my life?
I would love your pointers on which SASM podcast would interest me, but I just want you to know I am listening to all of them. No matter the topic you have a way of piquing my interest and brightening my day!
Thank you.