Kids Learn Consent: The Cat in the Hat
Ever wonder why “The Cat in the Hat” feels icky?
Category: OutThink the Classics
Witchy Wednesday #1: The Wicked Witch got the shaft
Given the WICKED: for Good trailer caused such excitement, we’re revisiting our own coverage of the Wicked Witch of the West- two years ago, I explored the concepts of evil and good in relation to pop culture and parenting. Continue reading Witchy Wednesday #1: The Wicked Witch got the shaft
What’s digital literacy & what does Shakespeare have to do with it?
With The Taming of the Screens premiering last weekend, it’s time to sit down and explain how Shakespeare ties into digital literacy. Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Orlando Kids Fringe Festival for activity tables and at our new workshop, performed for free in the Courtyard each day. Why use Shakespeare for digital literacy? If you can decode Shakespeare in 2025, you have … Continue reading What’s digital literacy & what does Shakespeare have to do with it?
How the Grinch Stole His Own Legacy: Dr Seuss (Exploring Evil episode 6)
March 2nd was the birthday of Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. In a way, we can thank The Cat in the Hat for starting me down this rabbit hole of dissecting kids media. Please enjoy a frank discussion with these intelligent people I am honored to know: “[Seuss] is only a reference. He has no impact on my artistry. He’s just a part … Continue reading How the Grinch Stole His Own Legacy: Dr Seuss (Exploring Evil episode 6)
Bandit Dads: The Good, The Bad, and the Pop Culture Dad (an Out Think the Classics Minisode)
We’re on to minisodes around Representation and Love in pop culture. We’re thrilled to begin with an exploration of Dads, with special guests Shannon Carpenter (Author and Stay-at-Home-Dad) and Dan Jenkins (Creative Director, themed entertainment). Continue reading Bandit Dads: The Good, The Bad, and the Pop Culture Dad (an Out Think the Classics Minisode)
Listen to OutThink the Classics EP 6: How The Grinch Stole His Own Legacy – Dr. Seuss
We conclude our first series, “Exploring Evil,” having walked down the yellow brick road, time jumped with The TVA, traveled between the world of the living and the dead, visited a chocolate factory, and now it’s time to visit Whoville. Continue reading Listen to OutThink the Classics EP 6: How The Grinch Stole His Own Legacy – Dr. Seuss
The Perils of Writing About Your Kids: A.A. Milne, Christopher Robin, and Family Vloggers
Let’s use Milne’s birthday as an opportunity to explore the whys, wherefores, and drawbacks of writing or filming about your family. Continue reading The Perils of Writing About Your Kids: A.A. Milne, Christopher Robin, and Family Vloggers
Listen to Out Think the Classics EP 5: Willy Wonka, Roald Dahl, and Separating the Art From the Artist
How can we enjoy Willy Wonka once we know that Roald Dahl was antisemitic? How can we separate the art from the artist, and when should we? Continue reading Listen to Out Think the Classics EP 5: Willy Wonka, Roald Dahl, and Separating the Art From the Artist
Listen to “Out Think the Classics” EP 4: Studio Ghibli’s ”The Boy and the Heron”, When a Master Paints Himself as the Villain
Now it’s time to explore the renowned Studio Ghibli, the man behind its success and impact on our culture, and why he cast himself as the villain for his last film. Continue reading Listen to “Out Think the Classics” EP 4: Studio Ghibli’s ”The Boy and the Heron”, When a Master Paints Himself as the Villain
Listen to “Out Think the Classics” EP 3: Loki Pt 2 with Dr. Drea Letamendi & Julia Washington
We continue our first series, “Exploring Evil,” exploring the concept of evil in classical stories and how it relates to parenting and kids. Part 2 of Loki welcomes Julia Washington & Dr. Drea Letamendi to our library to connect Loki to parenting, psychology, and pop culture. Continue reading Listen to “Out Think the Classics” EP 3: Loki Pt 2 with Dr. Drea Letamendi & Julia Washington
Listen to”Out Think the Classics” EP 2, Loki: Their Mythology, Comics Heritage, and Season 1
“What do you do when other people have a story about you in their head, and they won’t let you change? They won’t let you do something that doesn’t fit the idea they have. They’ve already made up their mind about you. What do you do about that?” – Ben “Books” Schwartz Welcome or welcome back to our podcast series called “Out Think the Classics,” … Continue reading Listen to”Out Think the Classics” EP 2, Loki: Their Mythology, Comics Heritage, and Season 1
“Out Think the Classics” Podcast Presents The Wicked Witch of the West (Exploring Evil, Ep 1)
We’re kicking off a podcast series called “OutThink the Classics,” part of my own personal quest to contextualize classic pop culture for modern families.
Our first series is “Exploring Evil,” where we will explore the concept of evil in classical kids’ stories. We start this journey with the Wicked Witch of the West– can’t you just hear her theme music now?
Please welcome Family Therapist Lauren Mazzarese and Freelance Arts Manager Lia Kozatch to dig into the iconography and cultural impact of our favorite green witch, and discover some surprising parenting advice along the yellow brick road. Continue reading “Out Think the Classics” Podcast Presents The Wicked Witch of the West (Exploring Evil, Ep 1)
Introducing our new podcast, OutThink the Classics!
OutThink the Classics is the podcast of OutThink Media, where we offer context and conversations to help you evaluate and curate movies, TV, YouTube, and more. Continue reading Introducing our new podcast, OutThink the Classics!
Musings on Miyazaki by a Parent Who Feels Seen
They had me at Soot Sprites; it was a lovely way to unwind from a hectic day of playdates and working from home, from setting up and cleaning up from painting adventures, and just from life in general. Continue reading Musings on Miyazaki by a Parent Who Feels Seen
Using Kids’ Media to Teach Emotional Language: Charlie Brown
Use different forms of media to get them to see what you mean. If you’re naming a feeling “disappointed,” that doesn’t mean anything to them. But if you can see Charlie Brown does not get invited to any Christmas parties, they can see that and empathize with him. Especially if they’re not getting invited on playdates Continue reading Using Kids’ Media to Teach Emotional Language: Charlie Brown
How “The Bad Guys” Teach Kids Empathy
Up until this point, villains had been pretty straightforward for him: the evil stepmother in “Cinderella,” Cruella DeVille and her penchant for puppy coats, and the mean guy Gaston. They’re all marked as “the bad guys” from the start, and we aren’t meant to empathize with them. So I found it very exciting to discuss how someone can be labeled “bad” and turned into a villain, even with no control. Continue reading How “The Bad Guys” Teach Kids Empathy