March 19, 2025 • 14 mins
Welcome to How To Build A Universe, where stories build worlds!
In this episode, we're stepping into The Whispering Woods, an enchanted forest where magic lives in every tree and friendly creatures need your help. Join host Thom as he meets Nibbles the possum and helps him on a very special mission to find the magical Sparkleberry Tree.
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CREDITS:
Executive Producer: Courtney Ammenhauser
Writing, Sound Design and Songs: Thom Lion
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Mama Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on. Hello to all our
little builders and their grown ups. Welcome to how to
Build a Universe Where stories build worlds. This is a
show you listen to with your little one to connect
(00:35):
together through storytelling as we invite you to play along.
I'm Jen Muer. I'm a parent, educator, author and a
mum to four, and my co host is.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
I'm Tom Lyon. Mama Me is official chief of Fun. Hello.
I'm so sorry. I'm just gonna get these sparkles off
them everywhere in my socks. I don't think a tiny
unicorn might have nestled in my pocket. Thank you, Kevin,
how't you get Oh golly, look, I'm so excited for
today's adventure because I'm taking you into an enchanted forest
(01:07):
and there's a funny little possum called Nibbles waiting there
to meet Jap.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
I can't wait to meet Nibbles. And you know what
I love about magical forests, som as we adventure through
the rivers and meet all the animals. It offers a
beautiful opportunity for a deeper connection. We all want a
good relationship with our kids, and we want our kids
to know they are loved unconditionally. One of the best
ways to have our kids feel loved is through nine
to ten minutes of really focused playton. The world our
(01:33):
kids live in is part fantasy, and this podcast is
intended to help you with that creative imagination. My challenge
today as you enter the forest is to really become
aware of what your child is noticing. Join them without
leading and see the world through their eyes, just to
get a glimpse into their world.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Okay, kiddo, it's our time. We're going into an enchanted
forest called the Whispering Woods. That's right, the Whispering Woods.
The animals in the forest need your help to find
a magic sparkleberry tree. I'll see you after this quick break,
and we're heading in. Welcome little adventurers to the enchanted forest.
(02:21):
Do you know what an enchanted forest is? Well, it's
a bit like a regular forest, but enchanted forests are magical.
Are you ready for a magical journey? Great, let's start
by standing up and stretching our arms up high. Come on,
(02:45):
if you're sitting down or listening in the car. You
can reach up in your seat like we're reaching for
the tallest trees. Can you do that with me? Stretching
up and up up? That's it. Wiggle your fingers towards
the treetops. Great, good stretching. Now, let's tiptoe into our story.
(03:06):
Sh can you tiptoe to great? We are entering the
enchanted forest, and this forest is called the Whispering Woods.
The whispering woods. I want you to imagine big towering
(03:26):
gum trees and bright purple chaparandas. These trees have branches
that are perfect for climbing, and there are all sorts
of colorful wildflowers bursting up from the soil. The flowers
are all shapes and sizes, and all the colors of
the rainbow. What's your favorite color? Hey? I know you
(03:48):
want to go on bick a flower?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Go on?
Speaker 1 (03:53):
What color did you pick? Good choice? I might pop
one in my hair. Oh, I look fancy. So many
animals call this forest home. It's their happy place. Do
you know the feeling of when you're happy, when your
(04:15):
heart feels light and playful. For me, it's a nice
feeling in my face. I can feel it when I smile. Okay,
let's step further into the forest together. Are you ready?
Can you take another three steps forward? Go on, let's
count them one, two, three, fantastic. The forest floor is
(04:40):
soft and green. Can you feel the fuzzy moss under
your toes? H let's keep walking. I've fallen. Sough. Oh,
that moss can be very slippery. You gotta tread carefully
in here. Look around. If you listen carefully, you can
(05:04):
hear the leaves whispering and rustling in the breeze. Have
a listen. It almost sounds like they're singing a song
or a chant as the wind rustles in their branches.
Go on, listen in Oh, what's that up there in
(05:26):
the branches? Do you see that cheeky possible with the
very twitchy whiskers. His name is Nibbles. Oh, he looks
a bit worrying. Let's listen carefully to what Nibbles is
trying to tell us. M m oh, really, come on?
Are you sure? Oh? Good lord, Nibbles is squeaking quite
(05:49):
a lot, he says. The Yeah, the sparkleberry tree is
losing it sparkle. Oh no, the sparkleberry tree is the
queen tree. The mother of this whole enchanted forest. Now,
if she loses her sparkle, the whole forest could lose
its magic. We can't have that, can we, Possum says.
(06:14):
She wants us to help the sparkleberry tree get her
glow back, and we'll need to search the forest for clues.
What do you think, my mini explorers? Are you with me?
If I said, are you with me? Come on? Should
we help out? Well, it's a silly question. Of course.
We should put your hand in the air. If you
think we can help. Great, Let's put her now, pretend
(06:37):
explorer hat and follow that possum. Our first stop is
the bubbling creek. Can you hear that water?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Now?
Speaker 1 (06:52):
There's a frog guarding the crossing. Her name is Bella,
and she's got our first clue. Uh huh, okay, yep, yep,
I Bella, come on, I get it. Okay, she says.
To cross her creek, we'll need a bridge made of
things that float. Hmmm, can you tell me something that floats?
(07:16):
What could we use? It could be anything in your house, leaves,
your lunch box, grandpa's undies, anything else. What can we
use to float? Good? Those are splashtastic ideas. Now, let's
use our imaginary floating objects to cross the creek. Pick
(07:40):
them up, put them on the water. That's it. Pop
them down on the water and climb on. Wow, that
water feels so relaxing on my legs. Oh wil splash,
she floats to floatsy. I love the feeling. I love
the feeling of floating on the creek. We made it,
(08:03):
well done. What's that sound? Whoa? It sounds like someone snoring.
It's coming from those giant rocks over there. Look to
your right, can you hear it? Look ahead to see
(08:25):
those giant rocks there is because Mom and dad they're
sleeping so dreamily. But we will need to wake them
up to pass through. Do you know what we could
do to wake them up? What sound do you make
to wake up Mum or Dad in the morning? Great,
(08:47):
I'm sure they love that. I'm wondering how we could
wake up these rocks. I know we could sing a
special song. A song would surely wake them up. Do
you like singing? I love singing? La lah la lah me.
(09:07):
I'm sorry, I've gotta be carried away there. Do you
know what kind of music rocks like? Have a thing? Well,
it's rock music, of course. Whoa, let's rock on. We
can do this one together. Let's sing an easy song
to wake up those sleeping rocks. If you're standing up,
you can dance along too. Let's get moving. I'm gonna
(09:30):
sing it. It's easy. I'll let you know the bit
to join in.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
All these rocks sleeping on the ground, stay and quiet.
Not a single sounds. We'll tiptoes up take it. So
it's time to let them know.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
That's snousan. Oh no, they ain't moving.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
We're seeing our song to wake them up, we gotta
say smarkle berry tree.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
So cock its sing with me. Wake up brox Let's
rock and roll.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Wake up rocess, rock and roll, Wake up Rosa's rock
and roll, Wake up Rocks.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
That's rock and ro sing. Wake up rocks.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Let's rock and roll, Wake up rox U's rock and roll.
The sunshiny ear, It's time for us.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
And this is not a lullaby. Wake up. Great singing.
That was awesome. Oh look, their stony faces are smiling.
I think it worked. Okay. The giant rocks are pointing
(10:27):
towards a glowing tree that must be the Sparkleberry tree,
and nibbles. The possum is running towards it. But wait,
oh no, we've got one more thing to do, because
the sparkleberry is covered in tiny prickles. Yes, nibbles. Okay,
so these prickles are called grumble thorns, and they must
(10:51):
be why the tree is losing her sparkle. So what
can we do to remove those pesky prickles from the
poor sparkleberry tree? Have a think? What's gentle enough to
remove the prickles without hurting the berries? Okay, nibbles is
up there. Yeah, I can see her. She's trying to
(11:11):
whack the prickles off with her tail. She's she's using
a bit of a brushing motion. What could you use
a feather a soft paintbrush. I know this will sound crazy,
but what about some tickling? What if we tickle that tree?
Maybe with some tickle power, we can shake and jiggle
(11:34):
those pickles away. Are you ready, let's all tickle the
tree tickling fingers go. I can hear the tree laughing.
She's shaking those pickles everywhere. Yes, it's working. Great warrant, team, tickle,
(11:56):
we tickle those grumbles away. Oh yes, laughter is always
the best medicine. I say, oh, look, all the sparkleberries
are glowing again, and all the animals in the chanted
for us to whispering. Thank you. Our possum nibbles look
so happy. Now It's time for us to head home now,
(12:19):
but the magic of the whispering woods will always be
with us. Next time you're outside playing, what might you
find in the garden that could be magical? Maybe that
pebble over there is a sleeping rock. Well that flower
is a tiny sparkleberry tree waiting to glow. You know,
(12:43):
exploring this forest today reminded me of something. It felt
so good when we danced around and how to laugh
when I'm feeling a bit glum. I like to move
my body by running, dancing or even singing helps me
feel happy and ready to rock my day. Did you
like moving and dancing with us today?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I loved moving and dancing. And what I loved most
about the forest today was it In under ten minutes,
we've completely joined our kids in their world. This fills
their emotional cups to the brim while also supporting their creativity.
I have a tip for parents. As you tuck your
child into bed tonight, just let them know how much
you enjoyed going into the enchanted forest with them. This
(13:25):
makes kids feel amazing, and this connection often brings about
a deeper cooperation, which is a lovely bonus and for some,
a completely new phenomenon.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
While speaking of something new, next week, we're going on
a completely different adventure. I heard there might be some
splashing involved and maybe even some mermaids. Are you ready
to dive under the sea with me?
Speaker 2 (13:49):
And until then, remember stories build.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Universes, and your imagination is always ready for an adventure.
See you next time, builders.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Bye.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
The executive producer of How to Build a Universe is
Courtney Amenhauser, with story writing and sound designed by me
Tom Lyon. Thanks for listening to today's episode of How
to Build a Universe. We'd love to know what you
thought of it. You can fill out our survey and
go in the running to win one thousand dollars. There's
a link in the show notes.
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Mama Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on. Hello to all our
little builders and their grown ups. Welcome to how to
Build a Universe Where stories build worlds. This is a
show you listen to with your little one to connect
(00:35):
together through storytelling as we invite you to play along.
I'm Jen Muer. I'm a parent, educator, author and a
mum to four, and my co host is.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
I'm Tom Lyon. Mama Me is official chief of Fun. Hello.
I'm so sorry. I'm just gonna get these sparkles off
them everywhere in my socks. I don't think a tiny
unicorn might have nestled in my pocket. Thank you, Kevin,
how't you get Oh golly, look, I'm so excited for
today's adventure because I'm taking you into an enchanted forest
(01:07):
and there's a funny little possum called Nibbles waiting there
to meet Jap.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
I can't wait to meet Nibbles. And you know what
I love about magical forests, som as we adventure through
the rivers and meet all the animals. It offers a
beautiful opportunity for a deeper connection. We all want a
good relationship with our kids, and we want our kids
to know they are loved unconditionally. One of the best
ways to have our kids feel loved is through nine
to ten minutes of really focused playton. The world our
(01:33):
kids live in is part fantasy, and this podcast is
intended to help you with that creative imagination. My challenge
today as you enter the forest is to really become
aware of what your child is noticing. Join them without
leading and see the world through their eyes, just to
get a glimpse into their world.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Okay, kiddo, it's our time. We're going into an enchanted
forest called the Whispering Woods. That's right, the Whispering Woods.
The animals in the forest need your help to find
a magic sparkleberry tree. I'll see you after this quick break,
and we're heading in. Welcome little adventurers to the enchanted forest.
(02:21):
Do you know what an enchanted forest is? Well, it's
a bit like a regular forest, but enchanted forests are magical.
Are you ready for a magical journey? Great, let's start
by standing up and stretching our arms up high. Come on,
(02:45):
if you're sitting down or listening in the car. You
can reach up in your seat like we're reaching for
the tallest trees. Can you do that with me? Stretching
up and up up? That's it. Wiggle your fingers towards
the treetops. Great, good stretching. Now, let's tiptoe into our story.
(03:06):
Sh can you tiptoe to great? We are entering the
enchanted forest, and this forest is called the Whispering Woods.
The whispering woods. I want you to imagine big towering
(03:26):
gum trees and bright purple chaparandas. These trees have branches
that are perfect for climbing, and there are all sorts
of colorful wildflowers bursting up from the soil. The flowers
are all shapes and sizes, and all the colors of
the rainbow. What's your favorite color? Hey? I know you
(03:48):
want to go on bick a flower?
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Go on?
Speaker 1 (03:53):
What color did you pick? Good choice? I might pop
one in my hair. Oh, I look fancy. So many
animals call this forest home. It's their happy place. Do
you know the feeling of when you're happy, when your
(04:15):
heart feels light and playful. For me, it's a nice
feeling in my face. I can feel it when I smile. Okay,
let's step further into the forest together. Are you ready?
Can you take another three steps forward? Go on, let's
count them one, two, three, fantastic. The forest floor is
(04:40):
soft and green. Can you feel the fuzzy moss under
your toes? H let's keep walking. I've fallen. Sough. Oh,
that moss can be very slippery. You gotta tread carefully
in here. Look around. If you listen carefully, you can
(05:04):
hear the leaves whispering and rustling in the breeze. Have
a listen. It almost sounds like they're singing a song
or a chant as the wind rustles in their branches.
Go on, listen in Oh, what's that up there in
(05:26):
the branches? Do you see that cheeky possible with the
very twitchy whiskers. His name is Nibbles. Oh, he looks
a bit worrying. Let's listen carefully to what Nibbles is
trying to tell us. M m oh, really, come on?
Are you sure? Oh? Good lord, Nibbles is squeaking quite
(05:49):
a lot, he says. The Yeah, the sparkleberry tree is
losing it sparkle. Oh no, the sparkleberry tree is the
queen tree. The mother of this whole enchanted forest. Now,
if she loses her sparkle, the whole forest could lose
its magic. We can't have that, can we, Possum says.
(06:14):
She wants us to help the sparkleberry tree get her
glow back, and we'll need to search the forest for clues.
What do you think, my mini explorers? Are you with me?
If I said, are you with me? Come on? Should
we help out? Well, it's a silly question. Of course.
We should put your hand in the air. If you
think we can help. Great, Let's put her now, pretend
(06:37):
explorer hat and follow that possum. Our first stop is
the bubbling creek. Can you hear that water?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Now?
Speaker 1 (06:52):
There's a frog guarding the crossing. Her name is Bella,
and she's got our first clue. Uh huh, okay, yep, yep,
I Bella, come on, I get it. Okay, she says.
To cross her creek, we'll need a bridge made of
things that float. Hmmm, can you tell me something that floats?
(07:16):
What could we use? It could be anything in your house, leaves,
your lunch box, grandpa's undies, anything else. What can we
use to float? Good? Those are splashtastic ideas. Now, let's
use our imaginary floating objects to cross the creek. Pick
(07:40):
them up, put them on the water. That's it. Pop
them down on the water and climb on. Wow, that
water feels so relaxing on my legs. Oh wil splash,
she floats to floatsy. I love the feeling. I love
the feeling of floating on the creek. We made it,
(08:03):
well done. What's that sound? Whoa? It sounds like someone snoring.
It's coming from those giant rocks over there. Look to
your right, can you hear it? Look ahead to see
(08:25):
those giant rocks there is because Mom and dad they're
sleeping so dreamily. But we will need to wake them
up to pass through. Do you know what we could
do to wake them up? What sound do you make
to wake up Mum or Dad in the morning? Great,
(08:47):
I'm sure they love that. I'm wondering how we could
wake up these rocks. I know we could sing a
special song. A song would surely wake them up. Do
you like singing? I love singing? La lah la lah me.
(09:07):
I'm sorry, I've gotta be carried away there. Do you
know what kind of music rocks like? Have a thing? Well,
it's rock music, of course. Whoa, let's rock on. We
can do this one together. Let's sing an easy song
to wake up those sleeping rocks. If you're standing up,
you can dance along too. Let's get moving. I'm gonna
(09:30):
sing it. It's easy. I'll let you know the bit
to join in.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
All these rocks sleeping on the ground, stay and quiet.
Not a single sounds. We'll tiptoes up take it. So
it's time to let them know.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
That's snousan. Oh no, they ain't moving.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
We're seeing our song to wake them up, we gotta
say smarkle berry tree.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
So cock its sing with me. Wake up brox Let's
rock and roll.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Wake up rocess, rock and roll, Wake up Rosa's rock
and roll, Wake up Rocks.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
That's rock and ro sing. Wake up rocks.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Let's rock and roll, Wake up rox U's rock and roll.
The sunshiny ear, It's time for us.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
And this is not a lullaby. Wake up. Great singing.
That was awesome. Oh look, their stony faces are smiling.
I think it worked. Okay. The giant rocks are pointing
(10:27):
towards a glowing tree that must be the Sparkleberry tree,
and nibbles. The possum is running towards it. But wait,
oh no, we've got one more thing to do, because
the sparkleberry is covered in tiny prickles. Yes, nibbles. Okay,
so these prickles are called grumble thorns, and they must
(10:51):
be why the tree is losing her sparkle. So what
can we do to remove those pesky prickles from the
poor sparkleberry tree? Have a think? What's gentle enough to
remove the prickles without hurting the berries? Okay, nibbles is
up there. Yeah, I can see her. She's trying to
(11:11):
whack the prickles off with her tail. She's she's using
a bit of a brushing motion. What could you use
a feather a soft paintbrush. I know this will sound crazy,
but what about some tickling? What if we tickle that tree?
Maybe with some tickle power, we can shake and jiggle
(11:34):
those pickles away. Are you ready, let's all tickle the
tree tickling fingers go. I can hear the tree laughing.
She's shaking those pickles everywhere. Yes, it's working. Great warrant, team, tickle,
(11:56):
we tickle those grumbles away. Oh yes, laughter is always
the best medicine. I say, oh, look, all the sparkleberries
are glowing again, and all the animals in the chanted
for us to whispering. Thank you. Our possum nibbles look
so happy. Now It's time for us to head home now,
(12:19):
but the magic of the whispering woods will always be
with us. Next time you're outside playing, what might you
find in the garden that could be magical? Maybe that
pebble over there is a sleeping rock. Well that flower
is a tiny sparkleberry tree waiting to glow. You know,
(12:43):
exploring this forest today reminded me of something. It felt
so good when we danced around and how to laugh
when I'm feeling a bit glum. I like to move
my body by running, dancing or even singing helps me
feel happy and ready to rock my day. Did you
like moving and dancing with us today?
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I loved moving and dancing. And what I loved most
about the forest today was it In under ten minutes,
we've completely joined our kids in their world. This fills
their emotional cups to the brim while also supporting their creativity.
I have a tip for parents. As you tuck your
child into bed tonight, just let them know how much
you enjoyed going into the enchanted forest with them. This
(13:25):
makes kids feel amazing, and this connection often brings about
a deeper cooperation, which is a lovely bonus and for some,
a completely new phenomenon.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
While speaking of something new, next week, we're going on
a completely different adventure. I heard there might be some
splashing involved and maybe even some mermaids. Are you ready
to dive under the sea with me?
Speaker 2 (13:49):
And until then, remember stories build.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Universes, and your imagination is always ready for an adventure.
See you next time, builders.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Bye.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
The executive producer of How to Build a Universe is
Courtney Amenhauser, with story writing and sound designed by me
Tom Lyon. Thanks for listening to today's episode of How
to Build a Universe. We'd love to know what you
thought of it. You can fill out our survey and
go in the running to win one thousand dollars. There's
a link in the show notes.
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