I can’t believe it’s been 7 years since I wrote this post about the podcasts Frederick and I were listening to. Back then, we were exploring the joy of shared stories in audio form. Of course, we also watched shows like Yo Gabba Gabba (which came up as a trivia question the other day!) and others as he got older, and we read out loud to each other. Now, those stories have expanded across podcasts, books, and shows—threads that weave together our routines, our conversations, and even the way relate to one another.

Our current car-ride soundtrack depends on what’s happening in the news. Sometimes I start with The Daily or Up First because I think it’s important for him to know what’s going on and to have an opportunity to ask questions or discuss our thoughts before he hears about it or talks about it at school. I want him to have a safe space to be able to process his own thoughts and opinions and to have gentle pushback or validation or whatever else our conversations bring up.

If we have time or if I don’t prioritize the news or politics, our go to podcast right now is Six Minutes. It’s short, interesting, and just the right dose of suspense for our commutes (even though we definitely listen to multiple episodes at a time). Frederick has become a pro at anticipating the plot twists or figuring out the mysteries (just like my mama!), and we get to have “What would you do if that were you?” convos, and my hope is that we’re regularly building blocks for his critical thinking. Also, this morning, because of the plotline, I asked him if he thinks he’d be friends with me if he met me when I was a kid. We had an interesting exchange about that, and of course, I’m also thinking about what I’d think about my parents if I met them at my age (or as kids). Food for thought!

TV wise, we’re watching the How to Train Your Dragon animated series. After watching the live-action movie before school started, Frederick wanted to dive deeper, and here we are. Now it’s part of our evening unwind over dinner. This too has become a jumping point for conversations, and I love that for us.

Of course, books are still a large part of our lives, even though we’re no longer reading out loud to each other. We started listening to Dear Haiti, Love Alaine, and while the story pulled us in quickly, it also got a little heavy sooner than expected. We decided to press pause, a reminder that it’s okay to honor our own pace with stories—especially ones that carry real weight.

In the meantime, he’s deep in his reading list for his school’s Reading Bowl team. Right now, The School for Invisible Boys has his attention. It’s been so fun to see him stretch his imagination while also honing the discipline of reading with a purpose. The way he breaks down plot points with me—plus the sheer size of his vocabulary at 13—reminds me that all these years of bedtime stories and library trips are bearing fruit.

What I love most is that none of this is just passive consumption. Every book, every show, every podcast has the possibility of sparking a conversation. We talk about fairness, bravery, identity, tough situations, ethics, and so much more. Sometimes the conversations are lighthearted and fun, and sometimes they’re unexpectedly deep. Sometimes they are the gateway to sharing experiences or problems that maybe wouldn’t have been discussed otherwise. Sometimes hearing his general perspective is so insightful. Each one is a reminder that these shared stories are shaping him—and me too.

Parenting doesn’t come with scorecards, but when I hear him pull out a word that makes me pause (words or word combinations I know most adults wouldn’t reach for so easily) or get excited about choosing our next podcast or book, it feels like a quiet nudge from the universe: You’re doing alright. Keep going.

What are y’all reading and/or watching with your kiddos? Let me know!

Soundtrack of My Life: Reading Rainbow