Monkey Lizards & Mini-Jedi: Keeping Star Wars Weird (and Wonderful!) with Your Kids

Ever wish you could recapture the pure joy you felt watching Star Wars as a kid? This week, we're joined by Cam Ray from "Star Wars and Smile!" to explore how to keep the Force fun for a new generation!

Cam shares his secrets to finding the humor in a galaxy far, far away (yes, even with Bub the Monkey Lizard!), and how he brings that infectious enthusiasm to platforms like Good Morning America. We dive into the heartwarming and surprising moments he’s experienced watching Star Wars with his children, and the challenges and rewards of introducing a beloved franchise to a new generation.

Discover practical tips for making Star Wars engaging for your kids, navigating the fandom with positivity, and keeping the magic alive. Plus, Cam reveals his favorite creations and offers invaluable advice for dads embarking on their own Star Wars journey with their younglings.

Get ready to reignite your own love for Star Wars and create lasting memories with your family!

Looking for more episodes? https://podfollow.com/tatooine-sons-a-pop-culture-podcast/home

Join our Facebook Community SPECIFICALLY for Star Wars Dads! > https://www.facebook.com/groups/starwarsdads

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Fay.

Speaker 2 (00:02):
There, Star Wars fans, it is David the bow tie
Jedi guy, and we have got something very special for
you today. Are you ready to share your Star Wars
love with your kids? But maybe feeling a little bit
lost about this? You're in luck because this week we
are joined by the ever enthusiastic Cam Ray from Star

(00:24):
Wars and Smile. Cam is here to remind us that
Star Wars is actually supposed to be a lot of fun,
and he's going to share some hilarious twists on some
classic scenes. He's going to talk about how he introduced
a Kulwaukee and monkey lizard named bub on Good Morning America,
and there's like this story with Dave Filoni and all
of that.

Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, you heard that right, It's crazy. You can't wait
to hear that.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
We're also going to let Cam share how he's discovered
the Galaxy Far far Away through his kid's eyes and
share some tips on how to make Star Wars an
unforgivable experience for the whole family. So, as Lanto Krasian
set in Solos a Star Wars story, buckle up, baby,
and let's get ready to ignite your Star Wars spark again.

(01:09):
Stay tuned because this episode is going to be an
absolute blast.

Speaker 3 (01:15):
Welcome to Tattowine Sons, a Star Wars podcast, the only
fan podcast to name a cannon Star Wars creature and
to be endorsed by the writer and director of The
Last Jedi, Ryan Johnson. Get ready to explore a galaxy far,
far away across the generations. Here is your host, David

(01:35):
the bow Tie Jedi Guy, along with his special guest,
the host of the Star Wars and Smile podcast, Cam Ray.

Speaker 2 (01:43):
Hey, tell me what has been the most bizarre or
fun Star Wars experience you've had with your kids?

Speaker 4 (01:54):
Okay, this bizarre fun? Well, I think something that was
cool with my son a few years back was we
got to go on Good Morning America. They did a
little twitter at the time, had a little you know, like, hey,
anybody have a question to ask Dave Filoni. And I
was coming home from driving my son home from school

(02:18):
and I saw that and I was like, hey, I
got to film something because maybe I could get on.
And so I'm like, and my pet monkey lizard bub
is always a good you know. I'm like, nobody cares
to see some old bald guy talk, but they love
to hear a you know, a monkey lizard have something
to say. So I still remember because we had to

(02:41):
run through and pick something up from a drive through.
And so I'm in there writing a little, a little
quick script. Come home, set up the camera, get Bub
on my shoulder and film the little call In response, he's,
you know, want to ask a question. I'm like, you're
a pet, not a pet. And then I asked a
question about the High Republic for Dave Filoni and send
it off, you know, ended in and I'm like, well,
we'll see, and sure enough, got a you know, a

(03:04):
thing back, like, hey, we want to have have you on,
you know, a bunch of different fans will be on.
You'll be on the jumbo tron and all of this,
and then they're gonna pick a few of the questions too,
a couple of the questions to ask Dave Filoni. But
we didn't know, you know, be on it or not yet.
So so Joe Noth we're visiting family at the time
at my sister's house, so we set set a little
studio up and you know, of course everybody's making fun

(03:27):
of me because I don't live in a family of
Star Wars nerds. You know, it's like it's me and
my two kids and then everybody else is really good
at eye rolling and so and I have to like
protect all of my stuff, Like the Wampa rug has
survived for years, and there's always the threat of the
Wampa rug's gotta go. Like, no, what are you talking
about the Wampa rug? Like to me, that sounds insane

(03:50):
that you would ever think the Wampa rug needed to go.
It's like, but anyway, pictures.

Speaker 1 (03:54):
Of your children when in kindergarten you go before the wamper.

Speaker 4 (03:57):
Yeah, it's like you're hitting me anyway. So so yeah,
so we're on and we you know, we're on the
jumbo tron waving with a whole bunch of different fans
with the little chat room and all with them, and
it's like, oh, that's cool. And so we're watching the
Star Wars Day it's on May fourth, and and they're
like and here's you know, we have a question. And
the first question comes up and it's it's Pete, who

(04:18):
who we both know. And I'm like, wow, that's crazy.
I was like, that's all the people like I know
this guy personally. It's not you know Pete from around
the galaxy anyway, and then and so, oh that's cool.
I was I in this. So in my mind I'm like, well,
now I know I won't be on there because I
know this person. What are the chances odds? Right?

Speaker 1 (04:35):
You know?

Speaker 4 (04:35):
And then he's like, and here's another question from a
fan duo, and I'm like, duo, And then there we
are bubbing bubbing me up on there and ask the question.
Dave Filony answers it all, Oh, no, it's kind of cool.
It wasn't like it was a question I asked, uh
because at the time, Uh, The High Republic had just
come out. I was reading it and enjoining the the books,
and I was just asking if it would ever make
its way into live action or animation because at the time, yeah,

(04:59):
And so he he kind of gave a pop political answer.
He's like, oh, you never know, but you know, it's like,
I mean, anything can happen. It's it's a big galaxy,
you know. And he kind of laughed at bub when
we did the whole stick. So then I did a
thing with bub later. You know how He's like, Dave Filony,
I'm cannon now because Dave Flony laughed at me. And
if he laughed at me. Then he confirmed then he's
like approving of me. Anyway, he did this whole crazy

(05:21):
monkey lizard math thing, and I don't know, it was
just kind of cool because you know, son got to
be a part of it. Fun and so yeah, and
now he's he's sixteen now, and so we we still
you know, he loves Star Wars and all. And my
daughter's eight, so we haven't had a specific thing like that,
but she she loves Star Wars and we enjoy it
together and she's she's on well I guess I say that,

(05:42):
but she have a new podcast, Star Wars and Smile
that started and before about a year ago, we actually
the idea was to do a daddy Daughter Discussions from
Dagobap podcast and and we had recorded the episode and
but then it's you know, as you know, it's like
there's a lot involved, life's happening. It's like, man, I

(06:03):
can't keep up with this. I you know, do some
comedy stuff here and there, but it's kind of just random.
It's not I don't have like a production facility, you know, Yeah,
you got to put this out daily. So anyway, so
it just sat on the back burner. Then I flash
forward started the podcast and so one of the episodes,
I you know, incorporated that into there. She didn't have

(06:24):
her rs in yet. They were still w's at the time,
so it was really cute. You know, it's great that
we got it recorded. Oh my gosh, it's yeah, it's
just storm tupa and and all of that. It's it's great.
And so she actually does a little monkey We came
up with a little monkey lizard cousin named Bibby, and
so she does because she does the little bubb voice.
It's hilarious. And so anyway, so we're about to record

(06:47):
our second one. We just watched the The Tales of
the Underworld, so we're gonna do a Daddy Dollar discussion
on the the oh what's her name? I can't even
come up Massage Ventures arc. Yeah, So anyway, so I'll
be coming out in a few weeks. But so that's
something that we're now getting to do together, and so
not that it's like a big like, oh, we're meeting

(07:07):
someone famous or this and that, but I don't, you know,
I think it's so cool that we can talk about
Star Wars and I can see it through the eyes
of you know, an eight year old or a sixteen
year old even so.

Speaker 2 (07:19):
Yeah, that's something obviously, it's very near and dear to
my heart as well. So your podcast is called Star
Wars and Smile, and that's such a great title. What
inspired you to focus on the joyful side of Star
Wars fandom. Was there a specific moment or a realization

(07:41):
to spark this.

Speaker 4 (07:42):
Well, David, I'm not a smart man, but I know
what law is, so which honestly, it's like I feel
like I want to have a voice and I want
to participate in the community and do what I do.
But I've always just gravitated to comedy. I'm a musician professionally,
and so anything combining comedy and acting and and graphic

(08:05):
like video editing and all of that. I just love
making people laugh and smile from a creative standpoint. But
just in life in general, I think I'm always the
one to you know, It's like in a meeting and
like I've got I've got to throw in a joke
or something. It's like this thing is dragging on, you know.
It's like and I feel like I'm a kid in
some instances because I feel like I don't fit in

(08:25):
with the other adults because I'm like, like, I gotta say,
I gotta break the eye. This is boring, you know.
It's like I'm bored, and so I feel like I
just I love to see people smile. I just I
like that. And so and as you know, there's a
lot of negativity and anywhere, not just Star Everybody likes
to call out Star Wars for that, but.

Speaker 2 (08:46):
It's I think it's Star Wars that's the most right.
But I think it's just a fandom. It's your fandom
that's the worst.

Speaker 4 (08:53):
Yeah, it's the human you know, it's just human nature.
It's like we can, you know, we can choose how
we're gonna you know, we have that free will to
be happy about something or mad or sad or snarky
about something. And and so the only time I am
mad or upset about something is when I'm pretending to
be that way, you.

Speaker 1 (09:10):
Know, and which.

Speaker 4 (09:13):
I gravitate towards that character because it's I think it's
not mean necessarily in real life. And so I think
it's funny. I love Michael Scott in the office, not
that he's always angry, but I love that kind of
like dumb kind of cocky, arrogant, he's kind of has
some authority, but nobody really respects it character, and so
I do play that a lot. And I was doing

(09:35):
the that's a load of Star Wars series for a
while and I realized where I just played an angry
fan and but I would get all the facts wrong,
but just complain about Star Wars. But I realized ninety
percent of my audience thought I was for real.

Speaker 2 (09:50):
Because it's so on the nose with the way that
some of the fandom is.

Speaker 4 (09:54):
And I'm thinking, I'm so over the top. Nobody's gonna
believe this guy screaming. My blood vessels are popping out
of my head and I'm screaming, but I'm calling like,
you know, it's like I'm getting it totally wrong, you know,
whatever I'm saying about it, you know. And and but
you know, I'm like, oh, man, like I'm spending most
of my time in the comment section continuing this character,

(10:16):
right yeah, yeah. And so I'm like, I really just
want people to laugh, honestly, And so I'm like and
so I started thinking, well, what I like Star Wars
and I like making people smile. So, like I said,
I'm not a smart man. So I was like, hey,
I like the Star Wars and smile, and so I
was like, I think that covers it all. I can
interview people, I can share, you know, I want to
you know, like kind of like you do, you know,

(10:38):
just I want to like promote other people and what
I like and and good things and positive things and
and there's so many other podcasts that I kind of
want to do it kind of maybe weren't a variety show,
silly kind of comedy segment kind of way.

Speaker 1 (10:51):
That's awesome good morning for a thought, right, like from
andor right?

Speaker 4 (10:54):
Yeah, yeah, exactly, yes, Yes.

Speaker 2 (10:57):
So you obvious bring a lot of humor into the
way that you you viewed Star Wars, and you obviously
and all the Star Wars content that you that you
put out in all the different platforms that you've been
a part of. What's your approach to finding the funny
side of a galaxy far far away without diminishing the
story's impact.

Speaker 4 (11:18):
Yeah, that's a great question, because I do I like
to watch these things and I like to think deeply
about them and whatnot. But then I also, you know,
I think a lot of people do that well kind
of like I'm saying there's so many out there that
that really dig it, and I love I love to
have those discussions, you know. I'd love to be on
like your show and other things and talk about that.
But I feel like so many people do that better

(11:40):
than me. I feel like I'm not maybe the best
spoken person, but I do feel like I can. I
can do comedy pretty well. And it's not really I
guess it's just I try to find something that and
I am intentional not to I don't want to push
buttons or like, you know, and you could spend all
day trying not to offend someone, and so it's that

(12:00):
I'm like just trying, because then I wouldn't produce anything,
you know, because it's like you can produce the most
pure content in the world and someone's gonna be mad.
Not necessarily that, but I try to find something that
maybe this this topic could be a little or I
see like, oh, there's some tension here, and then I
think that's the purpose of comedy anyway, is like you know,
it's we can laugh at ourselves, even our faults or

(12:23):
things that we disagree with. So I try to find
something like that, and then like, what's an angle that
isn't necessarily picking a side or saying you know you're
right or this is too much this or too much
that it maybe seem like you're you're going in a
certain direction, like oh boy, he's about to take this
stance with this side of the fandom. And then I
then just flip it on its head, which is what
comedy does? You think you're going one way and it's

(12:45):
like no, no, no, We're going this way. And it's
like then it ends up. I've got a little pink
elephant that I'm talking baby talk to to, you know,
address the pink elephants, or is.

Speaker 1 (12:55):
Making an idiot? How did that come about? How did
you come up with the idea of bub the monkey Liz?

Speaker 4 (13:00):
Well, honestly, there's a guy, Silacious Rum. He's a talking
He's a guy has a monkey lizard, and I was
interacting with him a little bit and he he does
like toy reviews and different things like that, and so
that was kind of cool. I like that. I like,
I've always liked the monkey lizard, just him laughed, the
puppetry and all that. Jim Henson in general, all the
characters in Star Wars and just I think it's just

(13:23):
you know, it's just that goofy character. So I like that.
Went to Galaxy's Edge. They were selling monkey lizards and
they had like the colorful ones. I'm like, oh, okay,
I've seen you know, Slesia's rum doing the like the
salacious crumb one, and he has his own little character
and and we kind of interacted and I got that,
and so we did a little few back and forth
things or whatnot, and so it was kind of just

(13:45):
started out that way. So it wasn't like my brilliant idea,
you know. I guess, you know, like most of my ideas,
I just copy somebody else's ideas. So to take their
podcast ideas, I've done that to the way.

Speaker 1 (13:55):
I think starting a podcast with your child, you know.

Speaker 4 (13:57):
Yeah, yeah, call it camu weeen sons. Yeah, but yeah no.
But also there's nothing new under the sun, you know,
as far as ideas go. So it's like I can
spend all day because I because part of me wants to, like, oh,
I want to be completely creative and just come up
with my own thing that nobody's ever thought of, you know.
And I guess, you know, as you get older and wiser,
you're much older and wiser than me. So no, just kidding,

(14:21):
but it's true, the wise part, you know, and and
also the older part. Yeah so okay, yeah it's true.
It's true all of it. But uh yeah. So so
I just kind of tell myself, you know, it's like, Okay,
I want to make it my own, but you can't
just like say I'm not going to do this. So
I was like, well, I'm going to do this, but
I want to do my own thing with it, and

(14:43):
you know, so just you know, the other the other side,
it's like kind of like that the monkey Lizard's the
main thing, and with mine, I thought, well, bub can
be kind of like a little psych kind of the
Dwight to my Michael Scott. So we're both kind of
bumbling idiots, but he's a little more of a bumbling idiot,
but then sometimes it reverses and he the voice of
reason and it's just fun. And I love the whole
puppetry thing and then the the creativity trying to figure

(15:06):
out how to do that. And Bub's got a a
bubber Shop quartet. He's working on their first release right now.
It's called the yub Nub bubber Shop Quartet. They'll be
releasing their first hit in a few weeks, so it's
gonna be pretty fun. So we'll do musical numbers and
things like that and the little silly antics and so

(15:26):
then you know, we've got another. I agreed on our
last podcast to let Bub adopt pet loath Cat, So
spoiler alert, Bub's about to get his own pet. So
now it's gonna be me and then he's gonna be
like the Dwight And I don't know what the loath
Cat would be in the office analogy, but he'll be

(15:50):
like the next one down. I guess the Toby. I
guess to the group, but you.

Speaker 1 (15:56):
Know, let's it's it's Andy.

Speaker 4 (15:58):
Yeah, oh yeah, yeah right right. So anyway, it's just fun.
I love that, and I think it keeps it when
you have like a puppet or some kind of a
character like that, it keeps I mean, you can only
be so serious and so even yeah, but then you know,
I just I just think it adds to the comedic element.
And I kind of like the old just old school comedy.

Speaker 1 (16:15):
You know, grew up enough of that anymore.

Speaker 4 (16:17):
Well that's the thing. Yeah, the Variety show, Dick Van
Dyke Show, like like the old just like I love
Lucy and just those kind of shows that just they're funny.
Anybody can watch them, you know, family friendly, but like
you know, you can still have you know, a variety
of topics.

Speaker 2 (16:33):
Speaking of family, you know, obviously you mentioned that in
your family, it's you and fortunately for you now your
kids that are into Star Wars, which is I mean,
it's a story that I relate to as well, because
the only reason that Tattoomine Sons exists in the first
place is because my wife banned Star Wars conversation from

(16:53):
our kitchen table because Sam and Nate and I were
talking about it too much. You've got to find another
place to do this. We're not allowed to talk about it.

Speaker 4 (17:00):
That's awesome in here.

Speaker 1 (17:01):
Anymore with it.

Speaker 2 (17:02):
What's been the most surprising or maybe heartwarming thing that
you have discovered about Star Wars while watching it with
your kids? Oh?

Speaker 4 (17:13):
Wow, you know what this is just recently it's on
my mind. I'm a little brain dead sometimes, so I'll
just come up with the most recent thing and it
kind of relates to all of it. But like when
we were actually watching the Sage Ventriss arc with my daughter,
like you know, when it gets towards the end spoiler
alert if you haven't watched Tales of the Underworld. But
when she the kind of the old I don't know,

(17:36):
he was the military guy and he's like, I can't change,
you know, I don't like you know, you guys are
enemies or whatever, and there that whole moment where she's like,
let's try, we can try or whatever, and like I
look at her. My daughter's tearing up, and she's like
really like taking it in that whole like man like,
like he can he's done all this bad stuff and
they can forgive each other and like people can change
and become friends. And I don't know, just she's she's

(17:58):
very like just a emotional like that she really like
cares about people.

Speaker 1 (18:02):
But to watch.

Speaker 4 (18:03):
Something like to you know, it's an animated series on
Star Wars, little shorts about these pretend characters. I mean
it's you know, you could just roll your eyes about
it all day, you know, especially if you're not, but
it's so impactful. You know, that's like that kind of
a lesson and that we can now now we get
to talk about it for a for a podcast episode
and just but you know, and relate it to real life,

(18:25):
and so I think those kind of moments. Uh. And
and even with my son, you know, a teenager sometimes
can be closed off and kind of they're you know,
they're in their own world. But like as soon as
we start talking star Wars or Marvel, it's like that's
got that's like our like, you know, you can sit
for hours and talk about it, but then it leads
into other things too, you know, actual serious conversations and

(18:46):
so and that's what you guys do on your podcast,
so you totally I know understand. But it's like I
think it does. It opens up it's that illustration. Not
to get too spiritual, but uh, you know, like I mean,
Jesus taught in parables, and so there's a reason that
you know, like teaching in stories and pictures, and it's
because we relate, We see ourselves in those characters, and

(19:07):
then it opens up a real dialogue, you know, about
our real relationships.

Speaker 2 (19:11):
So one of the challenges of and actually not even
a challenge, maybe the unexpected blessings of watching a franchise
that you and I grew up with, that we loved
so much that has now there will be so much

(19:34):
new content and our kids are experiencing this franchise through
their perspectives and this new content.

Speaker 1 (19:40):
One of the exciting things about that.

Speaker 2 (19:43):
Is seeing the way they view these stories differently sometimes
than we view them, and we've learned things from them.
Have you your kids ever kind of challenged your own
interpretations of our opinions about Star Wars in anyway?

Speaker 4 (20:00):
I think, gosh, that's a good question. I have to
think on that, because I'm just I'm blinking right now,
honestly that we're just trying to think what what would
have been something we're kind of where that would be
the case. Well, and I don't know if this necessarily

(20:23):
challenges it, because you know how there's a whole old,
old you know, the original trilogy versus the prequels, sequels,
all this mess. I like, I like all of it.
But obviously I grew up on the original trilogy, so
it's like there's there's a bit of nostalgia there, and
and I feel like, like, well, actually, just the day
talking to my son and then my daughter's what, well,
we went to Revenge of the Sith the Three of Us,

(20:44):
I guess a few weeks ago, you know, and and
watched that. But like, I feel like they definitely not
that they were even they weren't even here when the
prequels came out, you know, they but that seems like
more what they gravitate towards and even as so far
to say, like Jonah said, Revenge of the Cysts is
one of his all time favorite movies, you know, and
to me, I like it. I would say it's probably

(21:06):
my favorite of the prequels, but I wouldn't put it
as my favorite of the Star Wars films, although I
you know, I don't necessarily like ranking them anyway, but
I think, you know, they just for whatever reason, they
relate to those you know, and and I guess, if
anything not that I've ever been to the point of like,
oh that's you know, my view on Star Wars is

(21:28):
better than yours, because I but it does reiterate the
whole thing that there's something for each of us, and
each generation has their Star Wars and it might be
the original trilogy for a five year old right now,
or it might be the sequels, or it might be
you know, Rebels or you know, Clone Wars, which, oh man,

(21:48):
that's some of the best Star Wars in my opinion,
but it I think it just shows that man, there
is something for everybody, and it's okay because that you know,
we all enjoy it. It gives us something to talk
about and then you can kind of see their perspective,
you know, on what they like and why they like it.

Speaker 2 (22:06):
So, so, what do you think it is about Star
Wars that allows it to resonate so strongly across generations?
What maybe core themes or elements do you think are
so timeless about it?

Speaker 4 (22:22):
I think part of it similar to the you know,
the discussion about humor. How you know, we find a
place where we can meet and and kind of make
fun of these things. But then you can also kind
of you know, you can address certain topics without like
being heavy handed with it. And I think with Star
Wars is I don't think it's necessarily it doesn't have
to be this deep like, oh, there's so many onion

(22:45):
layers to this. It can be which I think that's
one aspect, which is great, but it can also it
can be just an escape where you just you know, hey,
I just want to watch some silly characters fly around
and some light sabers or you know the case of
and ors, Like, man, I want to a really deep
like political thriller drama, the intricacies of how in the

(23:05):
world did this empire become? You know, it's like stuff
that you never saw somebody say yesterday. You know, they're like, man,
they're like, I've never been so scared of the Empire
as I have been now after watching and or you know,
because it really it's like even though we know it's
like I mean way to yeah, I.

Speaker 1 (23:23):
Mean its oppression that you're seeing in this Yeah.

Speaker 4 (23:26):
Yeah, I mean we literally see and the First Star
Wars them blow up a planet of people. But it's like,
for some reason, I feel.

Speaker 2 (23:35):
Awful face, like you're nameless, They're just they're just a
massive peoples. And or and we experience that, especially with
like the Gorman massacre, Oh my gosh, or four episodes
of experiencing those people before this moment happens.

Speaker 4 (23:50):
Yeah, and then you're like, wait, that's tarking. That's the
same dude who is now doing that. But he's already
done all of this and he is like you know,
and and then you know, beating into row one like
oh my gosh, look at critic like man, like when
he booked dead draw on the head, It's like, dude,
is you know, he's a he anyway, it's just yeah,

(24:12):
So but anyways, getting a little off track, but I
think you know, the whole point of Star Wars, even
when George Lucas created it's, you know, it's a long
time ago galaxy, far far away, but with like we've
got real people and you know, human like characters who

(24:32):
are experiencing the same emotions, relationships, issues may be done
in a more fantastical way, and but honestly, it all
it's it's just you know, it's just an analogy for
you know, our real life. You know, that's where if
you want to escape, you can just escape and enjoy
the story, or you can go further, you know, like

(24:55):
talking with our kids about you know, follow up with
a movie, it's like, man, why did we feel that way?
Or you know what if someone acted like that in
real life? Or how does that? How have we experienced that?
So I think it's just it's it's got something for everybody,
and you can experience what you need to need to
or want to experience from it.

Speaker 1 (25:12):
So that's awesome.

Speaker 2 (25:13):
You know, when when Sam and Nate were little, before
the sequel trilogy came out, we they would they weren't
really into Star Wars the way that that I was.
You know, we'd have these marathons. They wanted to have
a marathon for my birthday one year, and we watched
all six of the Star Wars movies and they were

(25:36):
pretty pretty zoned out by the time we got to
eat in.

Speaker 1 (25:38):
The Ewoks and returned the Jedi with it.

Speaker 2 (25:41):
What are some ways that you've been able to see
or work with at helping Star Wars be a fun
and engaging experience for your kids. Any tips or tricks
for other dads that are out there trying to look
at ways to introduce a galaxy far far away to
us an year old or something like that.

Speaker 4 (26:01):
I think the fact that we have a monkey lizard
that goes on all of our vacations with us. Sometimes
he has to sneak in the car because we don't
have room for bub and but he always makes it
there and and through the thick, the thick concrete wall
of eye rollage, he still lightens up the mood. As

(26:21):
we're driving through the mountains of Tennessee and he's singing
some favorite Alabama country song driving the car while we're
looking at Elk and not Elk but whatever, whatever they've
got in the mountains of Tennessee and so no, but
but but all kidding aside, I think just you know,
I mean our house, I mean, everywhere you go, we've
got you know, they're Star Wars, and so I think

(26:44):
just the yeah, it's kind of you know, it's I think,
I mean, I like to make it fun. So I
think we you know, it's it's kind of silly, and
we have fun with it. And then it's like I
think that leads to wanting to watch some of it,
maybe because because I have because of my passion for it,
or because I have fun with it, and then they
have fun with it, or maybe just they've never not

(27:06):
known kind of like with me growing up, there's they've
always been surrounded by Star Wars. But like you said, younger,
younger ages, it's like you'd be like, hey, let's watch
this whole whatever. Like I tried watching Clone Wars with
my daughter a few years ago. I was say, oh,
it's cartoon. She'll like yeah about an episode in She's like, ah,
she's doing something. Yeah. But the other day when we
watch the Tales of the Underworld, you know, she's locked

(27:29):
in the whole time. And like taking. So I think
it's you know, some of it, it's you know, just
let them take in what they want to take in.
Don't don't force it, I think, like with anything, you know,
but uh, if they like it, they like it. If
they don't, they don't. But I feel like, at least
in my experience, they both really enjoy it and have

(27:50):
you know, have come to really get excited about it,
like if there's a movie coming out or you know,
re release or any of this, like they're they're on it.

Speaker 2 (27:59):
So that's all you know, as a content creator and
as you know obviously a fan, being involved in this
online community, this fandom can be really really great.

Speaker 1 (28:12):
I mean amazing connections. You meet people. I mean, this is.

Speaker 2 (28:14):
How we got we met each other was through Star Wars, right,
and other people that we've we've connected with and that's awesome.
But it's also a pretty intense world in the Star
Wars fandom. And you guys, have you and I have
talked about that multiple times. How do you maintain positivity
without getting bogged down and all the negativity?

Speaker 4 (28:38):
I think I remind myself that most people roll their
eyes at me when I talk about Star Wars and
so when you get in this online world, you feel like,
you know, I mean, it's like whatever fandom or niche
you're in online on social media, it's like it feels
like that's the world. That is everyone in this world

(28:59):
of the whatever it's up to now people, you know,
It's like, no, it's not. It's even when you hear celebration,
when you're talking hundreds of thousands of people like into
Star Wars going to Star Wars celebration, it's like, if
you do the math, that's not a whole lot of people, right,
like compared to the you know, the the population. So

(29:19):
I think first of all is keeping a keeping like
all of like nine of your toes in reality, and
then just dipping your pinky in the world of Star
Wars social media is one of it. The other is
finding those people that are like minded. And maybe I
don't want to say the people that get into all
of that are not wise, because I think, I mean,

(29:40):
we all can get passionate. I mean, I think it's
just they're passionate and there be they feel like maybe
they're being you know, being attacked or being you know,
being told that their opinion doesn't matter. Isn't whatever, So
I think keeping a dose in reality. But also I mean,
I'm very blessed to have family and friends surrounding me
who are positive and uplifting and like safe. Like I've

(30:04):
never I've never known a feeling of like feeling unsafe
or unloved or you know, So I try to also
remind myself that some people on you know, a lot
of people just in general don't have that experience, and
so like you got to also handle it, like if
someone is like responding in like I you know, in
the past, I was part of a little cancel thing

(30:26):
because someone thought that I had was something did something
that I didn't do. But it's you know how and
it's like and it's like, well, I don't even know
what you're talking about.

Speaker 2 (30:36):
You haven't been on Star Wars on a online community
long and if you haven't gotten canceled.

Speaker 4 (30:39):
Right, And but it's like even though even though it
wasn't even something that I mean, it was like, wasn't
even something i'd said where someone took the wrong away.
It was completely like that's not even I'm not even
a part of that at all, but it was I
guess I had I was following some account that did
something bad that I was like, I didn't even know
I was following them because I at the time was
just following everyone back, like who followed me? Why not?

(31:03):
So anyway, it sounds so silly, you know, but it
still was hurtful because it was there were people that
I had interacted with and considered to be pretty decent friends,
you know, that I'd met online and had interacted with,
and and it's like from that day forward, it's like
done that. It's like I am like, like I just
in the devil, you know, it's like wow, and so

(31:23):
but I have to just you know, it was hurtful,
and you know, because it's you know, that's just I'm human.
But I also had to tell myself, you know what
it's like, you know, the fact that they did that.
You know, first of all, it's kind of like, I
don't know, you know, it's like we're you know, maybe
I just felt like there was a little more of
a friendship there than there was, or just they you know,

(31:43):
they responded differently than I would have or if they
totally believed whatever that was, you know, then you know
it's I just have to you know, be loving and
you know, try to reach out here and there or
just let them go peacefully and just you know, pray
that you know that they live their best life and
that you know, I just I can't can't hold that in.

(32:04):
So I think just letting that stuff go and then
finally taking a break. I did that a while back.
After that, I took a little break. Last year. I
took it, took a little break, just you know, and
now and when I came back, decided to get back
on there. I just decided I'm not gonna put this
when we talked about this too, just put this pressure
on myself. I've got to release something every week. I've

(32:25):
got a Tuesday has to be this series and Wednesday
has to be this short that it's like, I can't
do it. It just you know, it'll stress me out.

Speaker 2 (32:32):
If this is your full time job that was supporting
your family, well then you could do that.

Speaker 1 (32:36):
That's not what this is.

Speaker 4 (32:37):
But it's not. And so I'm just gonna enjoy it.
If something makes me laugh and I have time to
create a little funny thing, I will, But if not,
I'm not gonna put that pressure which I had done
in the past, you know, to try to have this
big online presence and all of this. It's like, no,
I'm not gonna do that. It's it's more.

Speaker 1 (32:53):
Favorite pieces of content that you've created. And why was
it a specialty you?

Speaker 4 (32:58):
Well, on the one song I did, remember SMI it's
based on the Disney song remember Me from Coco? Uh
or is it Pixar? I don't I forge anyway, it's
Disney okay, but anyway. Uh So, I was just you know,
I love that song, remember Me. I love that movie Coco.
And I was in the car and like, you know,

(33:20):
most of my brain storming happens with my kids on
the way to or from school, and at the time
they were in the car, I was like, man, I
love remember Me. I need to come up with a
thing for Star Wars. And my son immediately was like
remember SMI like like, why don't you know? It's like,
oh my gosh, that's it. And so I was like,
so just an example of you know, the kids helping
out and I love it and so and so I

(33:42):
love doing the song, either song parodies or just writing
original songs. And what's funny is my my kids, both
of them, especially my daughter because she's a little younger,
and a lot of her introduction to like popular songs
from the past or whatever would be my Star Wars
parody version, and so like it did one it had
to be Luke instead of it had to be you,

(34:02):
like the Hairy Conic kind of version. But I wrote
the lyrics. So but she knows the lyrics to it
had to be Luke, she doesn't know, she didn't know
about it had to be. She's going around singing it
my Life's like, no, it's new, what are you talking about.
She's like, no, it's had to be Luke. It's like,
what have you done to her? But uh, So, I
think that's it. That one just got a lot of

(34:23):
It seems to be one that people really like. I
think it's just I enjoyed that. And I film myself
singing it with little ukulelean all and and so I
enjoyed that. I did a parody of the Key and
Peel skit with the substitute teacher who gets the names wrong,
and so I did it where all the students are
original Trilogy characters that are all in their desks and
I'm pronouncing their names wrong. And so that was a

(34:45):
fun one to do. Anyway, I don't know. I enjoy
doing them all. Uh, it seems like sometimes the ones
I put a whole lot of work into. Sometimes they
they get you know, they get a good reception. Sometimes
they don't. And then sometimes I'll just be in the
car like I'm gonna feel myself crying and that I
didn't get to go to Star Wars celebration. And then

(35:05):
it gets like all this, you know, like more attention.
Like so it's just Peter miss But and.

Speaker 2 (35:13):
You could have one Star Wars character over for family dinner,
who would it be?

Speaker 1 (35:19):
And what would you serve for dinner?

Speaker 4 (35:22):
Oh? Boy, one Star Wars character? What would I serve
for dinner? Probably just have Chewbacco over and we'd have
fried pork. He kind of got he kind of got jipped.

Speaker 1 (35:37):
And the end of this conversation and up too, he
got a little jip.

Speaker 4 (35:41):
Kind of feel bad for the guy. You know, Wookie
just gotta eat some eat some barbecue. So sore.

Speaker 1 (35:51):
Looking forward, that's okay. You know, Turvis is canon.

Speaker 4 (35:56):
Tervis has a name, so he's yeah, he's.

Speaker 1 (36:00):
Yeah, looking ahead.

Speaker 2 (36:03):
What are you, uh, what are you most excited about
for the future of Star Wars? Both maybe maybe it's
something that's coming out. Maybe it's just the idea. Maybe
just as a fan who shares it with children.

Speaker 4 (36:14):
Man, I'm I am excited about Mandalo, Mandalorian and Grogu
just because you know, I still I feel like when
The Mandalorian came out on Disney Plus, it was that hole,
that that resurgence, you know, kind of like the feel
when when uh episode when Force Awakens came out, just
like it's back, you know, and it was different, you know,

(36:35):
the the soundtracks a little different, the but even with
the the intro that they're still doing the Star Wars
intro on Disney Plus. We all the helmets and the
lights going over, the different the different droid helmets and all.
It's just it. It gives me that same feeling that
I get when a long time ago, you know, Gox
far far far away comes on the screen in a

(36:56):
in a movie released, And so I think I just
I really have attached to the world of the Mandalorian
kind of missed it, honestly, it's been a little while,
and so I feel like and bringing some of these
other series together, I'm looking forward to and just having
Star Wars New Star Wars in the theater. I just
feel like, man, there's there's not a better way to
experience Star Wars. So any any re releases that come out,

(37:20):
glad to check those out as well.

Speaker 1 (37:22):
So that's awesome.

Speaker 2 (37:23):
So working listeners of Tadwine, Sun's Fine, Star Wars and
Smile and all the other projects.

Speaker 1 (37:30):
The things you guys are doing, you're doing online.

Speaker 4 (37:32):
Well, the quickest way is to either go to Camra
Semi Productions dot com or Star Wars and Smile dot com.
That take you to the same place. Right now, I'm
still working on building a big network of I want
to put all my stuff on a website because I've
done a whole lot of graphic design and stuff like that.
But if you go there, it'll have kind of links
to the podcast, it'll have links to all my social media.
I'm on x YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and Facebook, so

(37:59):
you can find me there mostly either at cam Ray
or at Camray Semi Productions. But like I said, if
you just go to Camra Semi Productions dot com, you
can link from there.

Speaker 2 (38:09):
And then finally, what's one piece of advice that you
would give to dad's who are just starting their Star
Wars journey with their kids.

Speaker 4 (38:19):
I would say, let them lead you, and don't you know,
think of them as the master and you're the paddawan.
In the sense of what medium media they take in.
It might be an Ewok's Golden Book, or it might
be you know, an original trilogy prequel, might be a
you know, there's a Kelly Knox has Star Wars Dad

(38:41):
Jokes book out. It's kind of funny for older kids.
You know, It's that I enjoy. You know, look up,
there's a lot of good books. Maybe just know your
kid and let them kind of lead what interests them.
You know, I think, kind of give them the palette
and then let them see what what they're interested in
and and I think it'll it'll develop up and I
think you'll enjoy it together. That's the biggest point.

Speaker 1 (39:04):
I want to go home and rethink in my life. Man,
what a blast that is.

Speaker 2 (39:08):
Let me tell you that was so much fun chatting
with Cam from Star Wars and Smile. Seriously, what a
great conversation. We really got to explore some relatable stuff
for us dads and for.

Speaker 1 (39:24):
All of us moms and dads.

Speaker 2 (39:26):
Anybody who grew up obsessed with Star Wars and are
now experiencing it through the eyes of the next generation.
I mean, first off, we talked about what that feels like,
that pure, unadulterated joy of seeing Star Wars through our
kids' eyes. It's like experiencing it all over again for

(39:47):
the first time. They pick up on things that we
totally missed. They challenge our old school interpretations and honestly
just remind us of that original magic that hooked us
in the first place. It's pretty awesome. And then we
got into something I think that is really important keeping
Star Wars fun and light. Cam Scott a great philosophy

(40:10):
about steering clear of the super dark corners of the fandom,
and I totally agree. It is all about laughter and
excitement and creating those joyful memories with our kids. Let's
face it, sometimes the Internet can get a little intense,
so it's so important to keep that front and center

(40:30):
and remember that. And then finally, Cam shared some seriously
cool and practical tips for making Star Wars an unforgettable
adventure for our younglings. Whether it's making up silly stories
or just having those awesome, geeky discussions, there are a
million ways to ignite that same passion we have for
that galaxy far far away in our kids. So if

(40:53):
you enjoyed this episode as much as we did, please
give us a follow on all of our social media channels.
It's always at Tattooing Sons. We'd love to hear from you.
Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts
or Spotify or wherever you get your podcast fixed and again,
for even more Star Wars goodness, check out our Tattooing
Son's Substack newsletter.

Speaker 1 (41:15):
We're always sharing updates and exclusive content there.

Speaker 2 (41:19):
Thanks for hanging out with us today everyone, and remember,
may the Force be with you and with your kids
as you explore the galaxy together.

Speaker 3 (41:31):
Thank you for listening to Tattoine Suns, a Star Wars podcast.
Please subscribe and follow Tatooine Suns on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube,
or your favorite podcast app. Tatooine Sons regularly publishes thoughtful
articles intended to provoke conversation about the larger themes in
Star Wars. Go to Tattooinsuns dot com to explore further,

(41:53):
and may the Force be with you always.

Speaker 1 (41:57):
This podcast, website and social mediaccounts are not endorsed by
the Walt Disney Compny or Lucasfilm Limited, and is intended
for entertainment purposes only. Star Wars, all names and sounds,
and any other Star Wars related items and properties are
trademarks of Lucasfilm Limited and its affiliates. All original contents
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Tattooing Suns unless otherwise indicated.