Little Minds Big Talks

Mrs. Brazil's 4th Grade Class

Our mission is for this fourth grade class to empower young voices, inspire change and promote understanding among students nationwide.

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20 episodes
Avg 9 min
English

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S3 · E14
June 26 · 7 min
Ep. 14 Flow State with Levi
Send us Fan Mail Join us for our season finale as we talk to one of the coolest, most creative 2nd graders we know! Flow state is when everything else just seems to disappear and you don't even notice the time passing. Who better to walk us through this topic than a second grader at our school!? You won't want to miss us wrap up the season, and we hope you'll join us in a few months for season 4!
S3 · E13
June 2 · 10 min
Ep. 13 49ers Player Carver Willis on Purpose!
Send us Fan Mail Fresh off being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, Carver Willis sits down with our student hosts to talk about purpose! This is what it means to find your why, stay committed when things get hard, and show up for your teammates even when nobody's watching. Science says people with purpose live longer and happier lives. Carver Willis is living proof.
S3 · E12
May 21 · 5 min
Ep. 12: Talking Art & Purpose with a 1st Grader
Send us Fan Mail Join us as we interview our art auction winner and discuss how art plays a role in our happiness!! We loved interviewing Fox and talking comics together!
S3 · E11
April 1 · 9 min
Ep. 11 Optimism with Holly Gibbs from The Happy Pod
Send us Fan Mail This week on Little Minds Big Talks, we continue our exploration of optimism by zooming out and looking at stories from around the world. Our fourth- and fifth-grade hosts sit down with Holly Gibbs, the host of The Happy Pod, who shares real stories of happiness, resilience, and hope from people across the globe. We talk about how focusing on positive stories can help our brains feel more hopeful, and how optimism is something we can practice every day. This episode reminds us that even in a big world full of challenges, there is always good to be found, and we can choose to look for it! And remember, little hearts can make a big difference.
S3 · E10
March 25 · 11 min
Ep. 10 Optimism with Bryn Imagire from Pixar
Send us Fan Mail Listen with us as we explore the power of optimism, and how the way we think can shape how we feel and respond to challenges. Our fourth- and fifth-grade hosts sit down with Bryn Imagire from Pixar to talk about how optimism plays a role in storytelling, creativity, and real life. At Pixar, stories often begin with problems, mistakes, or setbacks, but they don’t end there. Bryn shares how staying hopeful, working through challenges, and believing things can get better are all part of creating meaningful stories. This episode reminds us that optimism doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means choosing to look for possibilities, even during difficult moments. Keep your mind open, your heart hopeful, and listen in as we continue our Happiness Project journey. And remember, little hearts can make a big difference!
S3 · E9
February 28 · 11 min
Ep. 9 Big Feelings, Strong Brains: Emotional Regulation with Dr. Thao
Send us Fan Mail This month on Little Minds Big Talks, we’re diving into emotional regulation and how understanding our brains can actually make us happier. Our fourth- and fifth-grade hosts interview Dr. Thao, a local child psychologist, to learn why we have big emotions and what’s happening in our brains when we feel overwhelmed, angry, nervous or sad. Dr. Thao shares practical strategies kids (and adults!) can use in the moment to calm down, think clearly and build emotional intelligence at home and at school. This episode reminds us that emotional regulation isn’t about stopping feelings it’s about learning what to do with them. Take a deep breath and listen in as we continue our Happiness Project journey. And remember, little hearts can make a big difference.
S3 · E8
January 28 · 12 min
Ep. 8 Growth Mindset with Marty Dodson
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Little Minds Big Talks, our fourth- and fifth-grade hosts dive into the idea of growth mindset. This means learning how our brains grow when we try, make mistakes, and keep going. We’re joined by songwriter Marty Dodson, who shares his journey of creativity, persistence, and learning through challenges. Marty talks about how his early work wasn’t perfect, how feedback helped him improve, and why mistakes are an important part of success. This conversation helps us understand that talent isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build through effort, practice, and believing in yourself. Whether you’re learning in school, sports, music, or life, this episode reminds us that “not yet” is more powerful than “I can’t.” Thanks for listening, and remember: little hearts can make a big difference, so spread kindness, stay curious, and strive to make the world a better place, one conversation at a time.
S3 · E7
January 21 · 11 min
Ep. 7 Social Connections with the Mastick Senior Center
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Little Minds Big Talks, our fourth- and fifth-grade hosts explore the power of social connections and why relationships matter at every age. Scientists say strong social connections can help people feel happier, healthier, and less lonely, and we wanted to see what that looks like in real life. This conversation reminds us that feeling connected helps everyone thrive and that little moments of connection can make a big difference. Thanks for listening, and remember: little hearts can make a big difference, so spread kindness, stay curious, and strive to make the world a better place, one conversation at a time.
S3 · E6
Nov 21, 2025 · 19 min
Ep. 6 Gratitude, Peace, and Purpose with Dr. Jeni ‘Mama Peace’ Stepanek
Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Little Minds Big Talks, our 4th and 5th grade hosts continue exploring the theme of gratitude with an extraordinary guest Dr. Jeni “Mama Peace” Stepanek. Jeni shares the powerful lessons of gratitude, peace, and purpose she learned with her son, poet and peace-builder Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Together, they inspired millions around the world through their message of hope and “Heartsongs.” In this heartfelt conversation, Jeni helps us understand how gratitude can guide us through hard times, how kids can practice thankfulness every day, and how small actions can create big waves of peace in our communities. http://www.mattiespeacefoundation.org/ Join us for one of our most inspiring interviews yet, and stay tuned, because next month we begin our new theme: Social Connections!
S3 · E5
Nov 5, 2025 · 11 min
Ep. 5 Gratitude in Action: Serving the Community with Firefighter Kyle Garcia
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Little Minds Big Talks, our 4th and 5th grade hosts explore the power of gratitude and how giving back can make us happier. We sit down with Kyle Garcia, a local firefighter, to learn how gratitude shows up in his work, his team, and his daily life. From helping others to finding joy in service, Kyle shares how being thankful connects to courage, kindness, and community. Tune in to hear how gratitude can spark happiness one good deed at a time.
S3 · E4
Oct 22, 2025 · 10 min
Ep. 4 Finding Focus and Calm with Illustrator Tyler Jacobson
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Little Minds Big Talks, our 4th and 5th grade hosts explore how art connects to mindfulness and happiness. We sit down with award-winning illustrator Tyler Jacobson to learn how creativity can help us slow down, focus, and express our emotions. Tyler shares what it’s like to get lost in the flow of drawing, how mistakes can lead to growth, and why making art can be a powerful way to find calm in a busy world. Tune in to discover how mindfulness and creativity work hand in hand!
S3 · E3
Oct 8, 2025 · 12 min
Ep. 3 Mindfulness with Yoga Instructor Shawnte
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Little Minds Big Talks, our 4th and 5th grade hosts explore the power of mindfulness and how it connects to happiness. After reflecting on last month’s theme of kindness, we welcome special guest Shawnte, a local yoga instructor and parent at our school. She helps us understand what mindfulness really means, how it can calm our minds, and simple ways kids can practice it every day. Tune in to discover how slowing down can actually bring more joy to our lives!
S3 · E2
Sep 24, 2025 · 10 min
Ep. 2 Kindness on and off the Field with Camden Riley
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Little Minds Big Talks, our 4th and 5th grade hosts sit down with Camden Riley from the Oakland Roots soccer team to talk all about kindness. Camden shares how kindness shapes teamwork, builds stronger connections, and makes a difference both on and off the field. His stories remind us that even in competitive sports, leading with kindness can change the game and the world around us. Tune in for inspiration on how to spread kindness in your own life!
S3 · E1
Sep 17, 2025 · 10 min
Ep. 1: Spreading Kindness: A Conversation with the Kindness Coalition
Send us Fan Mail In the first episode of Season 3 of Little Minds Big Talks, our fourth & fifth-grade hosts sit down with a special member of our community who founded the Kindness Coalition. Together, they explore the power of kindness, why it matters, and practical ways we can all spread kindness in our schools and communities. This episode is just the first stop on our journey to discovering the science and joy of happiness, so tune in and get inspired to make the world a brighter place!
Sep 15, 2025 · 1 min
Season 3 Trailer
Send us Fan Mail We are off for season 3 of Little Minds Big Talks! We hope you join us as we discuss happiness and all the ways we can achieve it together!
S2 · E5
Mar 21, 2025 · 6 min
Ep. 5: Boost Confidence One Self-Five at a Time
Send us Fan Mail Join us in this heartwarming episode of ‘Little Minds Big Talks’ as we dive into the surprising power of giving high fives to ourselves. Discover why something as simple as a high five in the mirror each morning can set the tone for a positive and empowered day. Our hosts share personal insights and science-backed reasons that explain how these self-high fives can boost your mood and self-esteem. We'll tackle common hesitations like feeling awkward and offer easy ways to make self-encouragement a fun part of your daily routine. Don't miss our challenge at the end of the episode—it might just transform your approach to everyday challenges and successes. Tune in to learn how to cheer for yourself and why your support matters most!
S2 · E4
Mar 14, 2025 · 7 min
Ep. 4 High 5's All Around: The Science Behind High 5's
Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why high fives feel so good? Dive into the fascinating world of high fives with us! In this episode, we explore the science behind why giving a high five can make you and your teammates feel happier, more connected, and even perform better. Discover how a simple act like a high five can release dopamine, boost morale, and strengthen team bonds. Plus, don't miss our High Five Challenge at the end of the episode—join us in spreading joy and positivity one high five at a time. Whether you're with friends, family, or classmates, it's time to slap those hands and see the magic unfold. Tune in now and become a high five champion!
S2 · E3
Jan 28, 2025 · 8 min
Ep. 3 Trash Talk vs. Bullying
Send us Fan Mail Listen in as we discuss the difference between having fun with friends and bullying someone. We'' talk about when joking around can cross the line and when adults should get involved.
S2 · E2
Dec 6, 2024 · 6 min
Ep. 2: Tattling Vs. Telling: Recess Problems!!
Send us Fan Mail Listen in as we discuss the difference between tattling and telling and how to deal with other kids when adults aren't around!
S2 · E1
Nov 15, 2024 · 5 min
Ep. 1: What is Student Voice?
Send us Fan Mail Come along with us for season 2 of Little Minds Big Talks as we explore topics that matter to us! We are going to dive in and help your voice be heard. We are better when we work together!

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