March 21, 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 Mother mea podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Mamma Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Hello, this glorious mess family, just dropping into your feed
to let you know about a great new podcast for
your kids called How to Build a Universe Where Stories
Build Worlds.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
So this podcast is.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
For your little one to go on magical adventures that
strengthen your connection through the power of play. Kids get
to hear rich soundscapes and stories as they explore enchanted forests,
underwater kingdoms, and prehistoric lands with hosts Jen Muir and
friend of the show Tom Lyon. It's perfect for those
trips in the car, or maybe if you're at home
(00:54):
and you don't want to plump them on a screen
and you can keep them entertained and listen to stories
together through the power of play. So enjoy.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Hello to all our little builders and the 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 together through storytelling as we invite you
to play along.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
I'm Jen Muer.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
I'm a parent, educator, author and a mum to four
and My co host is.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
I'm Tom Lyon. Momammy 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
out you get Oh golly, look, I'm so excited for
today's adventure because I'm taking you into an enchanted forest
(01:49):
and there's a funny little possum called Nibbles waiting there
to meet.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Jab I can't wait to meet Nibbles.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
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 playtime.
The world our kids live in is part fantasy, and
(02:18):
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 4 (02:34):
Okay, kid, 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.
(03:04):
Do you know what an enchanted forest is? Well, it's
a bit irregular 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,
(03:27):
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.
(03:49):
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
(04:09):
gum trees and bright purple chacarandas. These trees have branches
that are perfect for climbing, And there are all sorts
of colorful wild flowers bursting up from the soil. The
flowers are all shapes and sizes, and all the colors
of the rainbow. What's your favorite color?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (04:30):
I know you want to go on? Pick a flower?
Go on? What color did you pick? Good choice? I
might pop one in my hair. Ooh, I look fancy.
So many animals call this forest home. It's their happy place.
(04:55):
Do you know the feeling of when you're happy, when
your 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
(05:21):
forest floor is soft and green. Can you feel the
fuzzy moss under your toes? Hm? Let's keep walking. I've fallender.
Oh so oh, that moss can be very slippery. You
gotta traade carefully in here. Look around. If you listen carefully,
(05:46):
you can 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
(06:09):
the bra Do you see that cheeky possum 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 hm, oh, really, come on,
are you sure? Oh? Good lord, Nibbles is squeaking quite
(06:31):
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't we. Possum says.
(06:57):
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?
But 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 on our pretend explorer
(07:21):
hats and follow that possum. Our first stop is the
bubbling creek. Can you hear that water? Now? There's a
frog guarding the crossing. Her name is Bella, and she's
(07:41):
got our first clue. Uh huh, okay, yep, yep I Gella,
come on, I get it, because she says to cross
her creek, we'll need a bridge made of things that floats. Hmmm,
can you tell me something that floats? What could we use?
It could be anything in your house, leaves, your lunch box,
(08:06):
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 them up, put them
on the water. That's it. Pop them down on the
(08:27):
water and climb on. Wow, that water feels so relaxing
on my legs. Oh whisp, smash, she float to floaty.
I love the feeling. I love the feeling of floating
on the creek. We made it, well done. What's that sound? Whoa?
(08:55):
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 those giant rocks. There is big aus.
Mom and dad. They're sleeping so dreamily, but we will
(09:16):
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, I'm sure they love that. I'm
wondering how we could wake up these rocks.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
I know.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
We could sing a special song. A song would surely
wake them up. Do you like singing? I love singing?
La lah blah me. I'm sorry, I've gotta be carried
away there. Do you know what kind of music rocks like?
Have a think? Well, it's rock music, of course. WHOA.
(10:01):
Let's walk 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 sing it. It's easy. I'll let
you know the bit to join in.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
All these rocks sleeping on the ground, still and quiet,
not a single sounds. We'll tiptoes up take it. So
it's time to let them know they're snoopsan oh no,
they ain't moving. We're seeing our song to wake them up.
We gotta save sparkle berry trees. So cock kids sing
with me. Wake up brox that's rock and roll. Wake
up Rocess rock and roll. Wake up Rosa's rock and roll.
(10:40):
Wake up Rocks. That's rock and ro sing.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Wake up Rocks. Let's rock and roll, Wake up rox Us,
rock and roll.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
The sunshines here, it's time's rise and this is not
a lullaby.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Wake up. Great singing. That was awesome. Oh look, the
stony faces are smiling. I think it worked. Okay, The
giant rocks are pointing towards a glowing tree that must
(11:13):
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
(11:33):
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. I can see her. She's trying to whack
(11:54):
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 it with some tickle power we can shake and
(12:16):
jiggle those pickles away. Are you ready, let's all tickle
the tree tickling fingers go. I could hear the tree laughing.
She's shaking those prickles everywhere. Yes, it's working. Great warrant,
(12:37):
team tickle, we tickle those grumbles away. Oh yes, laughter
is always the best medicine. I say, oh oh, look
all the sparkleberries are glowing again, and all the animals
in the chanted forest are whispering. Thank you. Hang out
our possom. Nibbles look so happy. Now it's time for
(13:00):
us to head home now, but the magic of the
whispering woods will always be with us. Next time you
were 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. Exploring this forest today
(13:28):
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 (13:47):
I loved moving and dancing. And what I loved most
about the forest today was that 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
(14:08):
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 4 (14:18):
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 (14:32):
And until then, remember, stories build.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Universes and your imagination is always ready for an adventure.
See you next time, builders.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Bye.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
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 Mother mea podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Mamma Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters
that this podcast is recorded on.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Hello, this glorious mess family, just dropping into your feed
to let you know about a great new podcast for
your kids called How to Build a Universe Where Stories
Build Worlds.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
So this podcast is.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
For your little one to go on magical adventures that
strengthen your connection through the power of play. Kids get
to hear rich soundscapes and stories as they explore enchanted forests,
underwater kingdoms, and prehistoric lands with hosts Jen Muir and
friend of the show Tom Lyon. It's perfect for those
trips in the car, or maybe if you're at home
(00:54):
and you don't want to plump them on a screen
and you can keep them entertained and listen to stories
together through the power of play. So enjoy.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Hello to all our little builders and the 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 together through storytelling as we invite you
to play along.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
I'm Jen Muer.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
I'm a parent, educator, author and a mum to four
and My co host is.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
I'm Tom Lyon. Momammy 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
out you get Oh golly, look, I'm so excited for
today's adventure because I'm taking you into an enchanted forest
(01:49):
and there's a funny little possum called Nibbles waiting there
to meet.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Jab I can't wait to meet Nibbles.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
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 playtime.
The world our kids live in is part fantasy, and
(02:18):
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 4 (02:34):
Okay, kid, 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.
(03:04):
Do you know what an enchanted forest is? Well, it's
a bit irregular 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,
(03:27):
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.
(03:49):
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
(04:09):
gum trees and bright purple chacarandas. These trees have branches
that are perfect for climbing, And there are all sorts
of colorful wild flowers bursting up from the soil. The
flowers are all shapes and sizes, and all the colors
of the rainbow. What's your favorite color?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (04:30):
I know you want to go on? Pick a flower?
Go on? What color did you pick? Good choice? I
might pop one in my hair. Ooh, I look fancy.
So many animals call this forest home. It's their happy place.
(04:55):
Do you know the feeling of when you're happy, when
your 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
(05:21):
forest floor is soft and green. Can you feel the
fuzzy moss under your toes? Hm? Let's keep walking. I've fallender.
Oh so oh, that moss can be very slippery. You
gotta traade carefully in here. Look around. If you listen carefully,
(05:46):
you can 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
(06:09):
the bra Do you see that cheeky possum 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 hm, oh, really, come on,
are you sure? Oh? Good lord, Nibbles is squeaking quite
(06:31):
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't we. Possum says.
(06:57):
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?
But 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 on our pretend explorer
(07:21):
hats and follow that possum. Our first stop is the
bubbling creek. Can you hear that water? Now? There's a
frog guarding the crossing. Her name is Bella, and she's
(07:41):
got our first clue. Uh huh, okay, yep, yep I Gella,
come on, I get it, because she says to cross
her creek, we'll need a bridge made of things that floats. Hmmm,
can you tell me something that floats? What could we use?
It could be anything in your house, leaves, your lunch box,
(08:06):
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 them up, put them
on the water. That's it. Pop them down on the
(08:27):
water and climb on. Wow, that water feels so relaxing
on my legs. Oh whisp, smash, she float to floaty.
I love the feeling. I love the feeling of floating
on the creek. We made it, well done. What's that sound? Whoa?
(08:55):
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 those giant rocks. There is big aus.
Mom and dad. They're sleeping so dreamily, but we will
(09:16):
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, I'm sure they love that. I'm
wondering how we could wake up these rocks.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
I know.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
We could sing a special song. A song would surely
wake them up. Do you like singing? I love singing?
La lah blah me. I'm sorry, I've gotta be carried
away there. Do you know what kind of music rocks like?
Have a think? Well, it's rock music, of course. WHOA.
(10:01):
Let's walk 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 sing it. It's easy. I'll let
you know the bit to join in.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
All these rocks sleeping on the ground, still and quiet,
not a single sounds. We'll tiptoes up take it. So
it's time to let them know they're snoopsan oh no,
they ain't moving. We're seeing our song to wake them up.
We gotta save sparkle berry trees. So cock kids sing
with me. Wake up brox that's rock and roll. Wake
up Rocess rock and roll. Wake up Rosa's rock and roll.
(10:40):
Wake up Rocks. That's rock and ro sing.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Wake up Rocks. Let's rock and roll, Wake up rox Us,
rock and roll.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
The sunshines here, it's time's rise and this is not
a lullaby.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
Wake up. Great singing. That was awesome. Oh look, the
stony faces are smiling. I think it worked. Okay, The
giant rocks are pointing towards a glowing tree that must
(11:13):
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
(11:33):
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. I can see her. She's trying to whack
(11:54):
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 it with some tickle power we can shake and
(12:16):
jiggle those pickles away. Are you ready, let's all tickle
the tree tickling fingers go. I could hear the tree laughing.
She's shaking those prickles everywhere. Yes, it's working. Great warrant,
(12:37):
team tickle, we tickle those grumbles away. Oh yes, laughter
is always the best medicine. I say, oh oh, look
all the sparkleberries are glowing again, and all the animals
in the chanted forest are whispering. Thank you. Hang out
our possom. Nibbles look so happy. Now it's time for
(13:00):
us to head home now, but the magic of the
whispering woods will always be with us. Next time you
were 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. Exploring this forest today
(13:28):
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 (13:47):
I loved moving and dancing. And what I loved most
about the forest today was that 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
(14:08):
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 4 (14:18):
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 (14:32):
And until then, remember, stories build.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Universes and your imagination is always ready for an adventure.
See you next time, builders.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Bye.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
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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