All Episodes

January 27, 2025 15 mins

When Ella overhears her parents making ambitious New Year plans, she sets out to create her own list of goals, placing too much pressure on herself to achieve them all. With her mom’s guidance, Ella learns that life isn’t about rushing to complete a checklist—it’s about enjoying the journey along the way.


Pre-order Tika Sumpter’s children book “I Got It From My Mama” below:


https://fort-sumpter.com/pages/projects

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Consul to paper, sketching you art on this page. What
kind of journey will this draw and bring to life?

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Today?

Speaker 1 (00:21):
Another adventure waits for you, ro Scout and Layla.

Speaker 2 (00:27):
My comment wong to.

Speaker 1 (00:29):
It's imagination time.

Speaker 3 (00:34):
And Curiosity Cold Curiosity cal It's a magical place.

Speaker 4 (00:44):
Come troup, Welcome to Adventures of Curiosity Cold.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Hello, it's me Ella the Curious. Whether you're joining us
for the first time or coming back for more adventures,
I'm thrilled to have you here. Welcome back to season
two of the Adventures of Curiosity Cove, where each episode
we dive into one of my own Ella the Curious
adventures or listen to an original story right here in
my cozy treehouse. Picture this. We're nestled among the trees,

(01:24):
surrounded by comfy bean bags, piles of fluffy pillows, and yes,
my favorite stuffy Roe is here too. It's like we've
stepped into a peaceful world, almost as if my mom
used her relaxing dream spray to set the tone. It's
just peace and quiet, perfect for story time. So what
are we waiting for? Let's dive into today's tale called

(01:47):
New Year, New e. Are you ready to listen? I sure, Am,
all right, let's do it. On the morning of New
Year's Day, Ella the Curious woke up feeling more than
excitable and refreshed. Maybe re excitable, not that that's even

(02:09):
a word. New Year knew, Ella, Ella said as she
wore her comfy, rollly colored PJS to bed after what
she knew as the party of the century the night before.
I can't believe I got to have sparkling cider last
night with my bestie Scout and Layla, have a dance
party and watch the adults do something called dream boards
while us kids painted and drew our own dreams and

(02:32):
goals for the New Year. It was one heck of
a night as we all watched the ball drop, well,
at least the parents did. Roe was just as excited
to hear all the details because Roe passed out at
nine pm. Oh I know, Roe, you were sleepy, but
so was I. Nine pm was way past my bedtime.

(02:53):
I passed out too. Did I miss anything else? Nope?
I mean except the chocolate covered Sundays that we made
before passing out. Oh man, no worries, Roe, I saved
you some in the freezer for later. You're the best, Ella,
and so are you row row? Okay, let's get our
day started and catch up with Scout and Laila. New Day,

(03:16):
New Year. Ella and Roe went to the bathroom, washed up,
brushed their teeth, got dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Good morning, miss Ella, Good morning, sweet Mama, Good morning e,
Good morning dead dah. What a wonderful morning it is.
Huh New day, New Year. I'm ready to jump start

(03:37):
right now. Joy and her husband giggled at Ella's excitement
to Ella's ambitious new year. They've seen this before from
their own past behavior. Ella, no need to sprint towards
your goals. The new year just started. It's better to
be a tortoise rather than a hare.

Speaker 1 (03:53):
Mom.

Speaker 2 (03:54):
You adults were so inspiring last night. Time is of
the essence, and there is no time like now. We
can't wait to make things happen for us, and we
have to make them happen ourselves.

Speaker 5 (04:04):
Whoa slow down? Ee, You're only eight years old. What
plans do you have that can't seem to wait?

Speaker 2 (04:11):
Well? First, I have to finish designing my treehouse, Finish
sewing my pillow case for my bean bag, draw some
fresh pictures for my art portfolio, make the swim team
once we're back in school, of course, So practice swim
every day at Cove Swim School, Finish the rest of
my book Prancy Chancy, and paint my shoes before the
break is over. What are you talking about, dead Da,
I've got to get started before the new year rules around.

(04:33):
There is no rest for the weary. I've gotta go
grab Scout and Layla so we can start right away.
Almost out of breath, Ella swiftly left out of the
front door and headed to pick up her besties. Two
doors down, Ella picked up Laila, and two more doors
down from Layla, they picked up Scout. Okay, guys, how
awesome was last night?

Speaker 5 (04:53):
Oh? I'm still thinking about that delicious chocolate covered Sunday.

Speaker 2 (04:58):
Ella.

Speaker 5 (04:58):
I always want to celebrate New Year's Eve at your house.
Your mom always has the best treats.

Speaker 2 (05:05):
It's true. And watching all the adults cut up magazines
and plan for their new year was so cool. Who
new parents still like to do arts and crafts? Right?
It's got me to thinking we should start right away
on our plans for the year. Uh plans, yes, plans, Scout.
Remember we drew and painted ours as well.

Speaker 5 (05:27):
Oh, I just painted a picture of us. It made
me happy, But I didn't draw any new year plans, Layla,
did you well?

Speaker 2 (05:37):
Sort of? I painted a picture of a new gadget
I want to work on. It helps me pick up
my clothes off the floor while also finding coins, but
nothing else. I'll get to it when I get to it.
Do you guys want to head to Cove Castle to
jump in the bouncy house? Guys, that's all you both painted.
I have so much on my list to complete. Didn't

(05:57):
you hear our parents? They sounded like their plates for
the future is so full that it's going to take
them years to complete all of their hopes and dreams.
We've got to start now. We don't want to be
like them putting the things we never completed back on
the list for the next year. That sounds exhausting.

Speaker 5 (06:13):
Uh, Ella, you sound exhausting. Who cares if we don't
get a list done?

Speaker 2 (06:20):
Well, it's a new year and a new US. Ella,
I liked the US from last year and the year
before that. Why do we need to be new? Because
it's a fresh start. At least that's what the adults say. Now,
come on, let's go to the treehouse.

Speaker 5 (06:36):
But only if you promise that we get to go
to Cove Castle today and have some fun.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
Promise, Scout, Layla, Ella and Scout climbed the treehouse. It
was a bit of a mess from the night before,
and because Ella has been doing a bit of rearranging. Okay,
should the beanbag go here or there? Anywhere's fine, Scout.
Anywhere is not fine. We move them anyway, so anywhere

(07:02):
is perfect. Right by the window so the sunlight hits
us just right, is perfect. Do you mind helping me
finish sewing the pillowcases for the bean bags? Scout, go
to the drawer and grab the needle and thread.

Speaker 5 (07:13):
Ella, Cove Castle sounds way more fun, Scout.

Speaker 2 (07:17):
Being with your friends anywhere should be fun. Right if
you say Soey, Scout grab the needle and thread out
of the drawer. Ellen and Laila started the threading and
sewing while Scout tried his best to thread the needle.
An hour later, the Bestie's finished with the small pillowcase. Wow,
it's so beautiful a pillowcase with row on the front,

(07:41):
isn't it lovely? Yes, Roe is lovely, Ella, But couldn't
you have finished this on your own? I thought we
all agreed last night to help each other with our
dreams and goals New Year knew us, Yes, Ella, but
we're only on day one and Scout and I just
want to have fun.

Speaker 5 (08:01):
Goals and dreams.

Speaker 2 (08:02):
Ella, playing's my only goal and dream right now, agreed.
Ella was a bit disappointed by her besties lack of
go get herness at the start of the New Year,
but she kind of understood. Okay, that's kind of understandable.
How about I'll finish up here and meet you guys
at Cove Castle in a few sounds epic, Ella, Are

(08:24):
you sure as sure as I can be? Scout and
Laila headed out of the treehouse while Ella got her
crayons and brushes out. Ella was like a mad scientist
as she painted and drue collages of new drawings for
the walls of her treehouse, and by the time she finished,
it felt like she had over twenty new prints all
over the place. Ella looked around, exhausted. Geez, this goal

(08:48):
thing is tiring. How is anyone supposed to do this
all in such a short span of time. The adults
made it sound like there's no time like the present. Jeez, Louise,
I need a nap. Ella headed down her treehouse steps
and back in the house, but before she got there,
she tripped on a rock and fell on the ground.

(09:10):
This whole New Year Knew Me is kind of a
new disaster. As Ella headed into the kitchen, she smelled
her mama's homemade chocolate chip cookies. Ella, you want a
warm cookie? Oh no, thanks, Mama, I need a nap,
a nap? Where's my daughter? And what did you do
with her? Ella giggled, and so did Joy. Mama, it's

(09:33):
me Ella. I'm right here. I'm just exhausted from the
new year. Already, New Year Knew Me? Remember, Oh boy, Ella,
were you listening to grown folks talk again? Always? Mama,
I have so much to get done before the next year,
and I'm already exhausted. How do adults do this every day? Ella?

(09:57):
When adults say New Year Knew Me, it's a simple
way of saying it's a fresh start for us. Adults
have a lot of adult things to take care of,
and it's a way of starting a new masterpiece or
finishing the one we didn't finish before. But Mama, you
only have three hundred and sixty four days to do it.
You gotta get a move on. Everyone seems so motivated

(10:19):
and in a rush to get going, Ella, we were
just excited, not rushed. The point of goals are to
complete them, not to rush through them. The journey is
actually the fun part. The result is the product of
completing the journey. I don't want to rush that. So
you're saying, have fun while you're on the yellow brick road. Exactly,

(10:42):
So my timeline doesn't need to be as fast as
a furry hair, not at all. The fun is in
the moment you get to share with your friends on
the journey, as well as taking your time with each goal,
enjoying it. So I do have time to go with
Scout and Leila to Cove Castle. Yes, of course, everything
else can wait. The most important piece for you is

(11:04):
to go play and have fun. Your list can wait.
I love your ambition, but girl, leave the list to
me and go. Ella ran out of the house and
headed down the road to Cove Castle, where Scout and
Laila were bouncing on the beautiful, big bouncy castles, laughing
and not having a care in the world. Ella ran
to them, Ella, you made it. I did. My mama

(11:29):
told me to leave the list to her, and my
only job is to play and have fun.

Speaker 5 (11:34):
Now that's the New Year, New Me list that I love.

Speaker 2 (11:39):
Sorry that I thought I needed to somehow get a
bunch of things done in order to feel like the
new year felt like something new. It's okay, Ella, The
new year is just the continuation of a new day
for me, saying me, new Day. I like that. It
seems like adults put so much pressure on themselves because
they do the best sieson looked at each other. Let's

(12:01):
try our best to live in each moment, have fun,
and complete the things we want at a tortoise pace
so we can really enjoy it.

Speaker 5 (12:09):
Now, that's a promise I can keep.

Speaker 2 (12:11):
The besties laugh.

Speaker 5 (12:14):
All right, enough with this list.

Speaker 2 (12:16):
Scout tagged Ella. Tag You're in Ella. Layla AND's Scout
ran as fast as they could away from Ella, but
they all fell into the bouncy house together. Gotcha both.
You sure do, Ella, You sure do Forever. The four
friends laughed and enjoyed the moment together, minus the lists,

(12:37):
and only the fun New day, Old friends forever. The end. Boy,
oh boy, do I love my besties Scout and Leila.
I love the new Year. It's a fresh start, but
it's the same me. That moment reminded me of what's
most important, which is being in the moment and not

(12:57):
worrying about what's next, but what's right now. I'm so
glad my friends and parents reminded me. I hope you
loved our story today, and I hope your new year
is as incredible and snail pace like as possible. I
hope you enjoyed our podcast story as much as I did.
Oh boy, was I comfy and cozy and all tuned in.

(13:17):
If you loved what you listened to, please leave us
a five star review, but only if you really mean it.
We love hearing your feedback. It helps us grow so
we can continue to bring stories to you in all
our curious listeners. You never know you might even get
a shout out from me here in the cove. All right,
I need a snack, so I'm headed back home. Until

(13:39):
next time. Friends, we never say goodbye. It's always see
you later. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, The
Adventures of Curiosity Cove, on your favorite podcast platform and
on our Instagram page at Love Fort Sumter. Remind your
parents to subscribe to our newsletter at Fort Hyphensumter dot

(13:59):
com they'll get early updates on what's going on around
here for them and for you. Adventures of Curiosity Cove
was created by Tika Sumter and Nicholas Muscarella. Today's story
was written by Tika Sumter. Adventures of Curiosity Cove's theme
song was written and composed by Mattie Limb and sung
by Laura Saraphine. Engineered by Robert Aultchuler, sound effects by

(14:25):
Command Creative Studios. Ella the Curious is an original story
series created by Tika Sumter.

Speaker 3 (14:32):
At Curiosity Come, Curiosity, Come.

Speaker 2 (14:40):
Yet some magical place.

Speaker 3 (14:43):
Come.

Speaker 4 (14:45):
Welcome to a dentures up. Curiosity Come.

Speaker 2 (14:58):
This is a four Sumter production.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.