Pantsuit Politics

When the news is scary (and that’s...a lot more often than we’d prefer), we’re often asked how to discuss it with kids. Today, Tracy Kaplan is here to share her thinking, which she’s developed over 6 years as the creator of The 10 News, a podcast for kids and families ages 8-12. Tracy talks about how the fear for kids often lies in what they don’t understand. Today’s conversation between Tracy and Sarah gives us a roadmap for figuring out when and how much to explain.

Today’s episode began as a conversation for More to Say, but the story is so extraordinary we wanted more people to hear it. Gwyn Ridenhour, like many of us, watched in horror as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine turned into a full-scale land war. She decided to act in a very specific way: by getting books in the hands of teachers and children who are living through this war. Gwyn moved to Ukraine and talked with Beth from Lviv about her experience, her project, and how we can all help.

Substack Notes has gotten good at knowing what I like: takes from people who aren’t consumed with politics about what constitutes a good civic life. That’s how I found Angie Schmitt’s work. I was excited to talk to her today about designing communities that include and engage kids and families. We also talk about taking the news in with a little more removal in the summer, which feels hard and complicated and privileged and necessary.