🧙‍♀️ A Wicked voice with a wildly good podcast

Presented by Alitu

🧸 The Veneer of Adulthood

Most of us are just kids in grown-up clothes with better email etiquette. We call it adulthood, though a lot of it’s just a practiced performance. But under the veneer? We’re still winging it.

Podcasting cuts through that. The mic doesn’t care how adult you sound, it cares how human you are.

Your listeners aren’t looking for perfection; they’re seeking realness. So take off the armor and speak from the unpolished parts. Memorable moments often come from the version of you that forgot to sound grown-up.

🎙️ Signal Flow: Melissa Victor

Industry game changers and valiant minds share their wisdom, adversities, and paths to innovation.

Melissa Victor, aka Melly, is a dynamic storyteller who brings joy to kids’ ears and hearts. By day, she’s the creator of the hit podcast Stoopkid Stories—a fan-favorite show loved by families everywhere for its fun, heartfelt stories about seven Black kids growing up in the city and learning meaningful life lessons along the way. By night, she lights up stages across the country in the Broadway National Tour of Wicked. With a background in music and theater, Melly creates stories that spark imagination, build confidence, and inspire meaningful conversations between kids and grown-ups. She’s also written for beloved kids’ podcasts like Dorktales Storytime, Girl Tales, and The Imagine Neighborhood, and proudly serves as Board President of Kids Listen.

If I could wave a wand and change one thing about kids podcasting, it’s this: I want investors to take us seriously. The numbers are there. Kids re-listen, which multiplies reach. Many kids’ podcasts have more engagement than adult shows. But we’re often overlooked. That needs to change.

I describe Stoopkid Stories as “Hey Arnold! with all Black kids on a podcast.” It’s about Black kids being Black, full of fun, heartfelt stories with real-life lessons, told in a way that lets kids hear themselves and others. I want kids who look like me to feel seen and celebrated. And I want kids who don’t look like me to get a window into someone else’s world and realize it’s not so different after all.

When I started podcasting in 2020, I joined Kids Listen early on. I looked around and realized I was the only Black creator in the group. That year was heavy for all of us, but especially for Black communities. Educators and parents were searching for resources. Non-Black creators helped amplify my show, and I’m grateful. But I also wanted more. So I joined the board, and now serve as president.

We’ve worked hard to grow a true diversity initiative, amplifying underrepresented voices year-round, not just during heritage months. We make playlists for Autism Awareness Month, Queer History Month, Native American Heritage Month. We reach out to creators and say, “Come on in. You belong here.”

Audio has a special power for young minds. It lets kids create the world in their heads. I’ve never described exactly what my characters look like, they just know the kids are Black. The rest, they imagine. That’s important. It builds empathy, connection, and creativity in a way screen time just can’t.

The beauty of audio is that it fits into a kid’s day, no screens needed. In the bath, on the way to school, while they’re brushing their teeth. It meets them where they are.

When I started, I didn’t even know what a download was. No one told me I’d be closing in on a million downloads five years later. I was just trying to tell stories that mattered.

People think success should come fast. Sponsorships in six months, brand deals right away. But the truth? You have to be in it for the long haul. If I had given up in the first year, I wouldn’t be here now, with kids sprinting across parks just to meet me. That’s the real return.

These days, I do an episode about once a month. I used to feel guilty about that. But the kids are still here. They’re still listening. They remind me that consistency doesn’t have to mean “constant.” It just means showing up with intention.

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Theater gave me my storytelling instincts. I know how to build a character arc. I know when the pacing’s off, when the music helps, and when it doesn’t. I don’t outsource anything—writing, recording, sound design, performance. Not because I don’t want to, but because I want to pay people what they’re worth. Until I can, I’ll keep wearing all the hats. That’s why I’m in season 10 and still going strong.

So many shows burn out because they rely on big teams and big funding. I built this from a mic and a laptop. Nothing fancy.

I don’t use AI for anything creative. It’s tempting, but I believe creativity is a muscle, and I want to keep mine strong. I’ll use AI to help me schedule my week. That’s it. The art? That comes from me.

The dream is for Stoopkid Stories to become a cartoon. A Proud Family or Hey Arnold! for this generation. I’ve pitched it before, but the timing wasn’t right. I know it will be. I’m not funding a cartoon myself, but when a big platform is ready, so am I.

To any podcaster reading this: my advice is to stay consistent. If you believe in your show, figure out a way to keep going. I’m proof that it’s possible. You don’t need fancy gear or a full studio. Just your voice, your stories, and a reason to keep showing up.

🎧 Podcast of the Week: Scamanda

What happens when a devoted Christian blogger captures hearts with her cancer journey, only for everything to unravel? Scamanda is a true crime rollercoaster about faith, deception, and the lies we believe when we want to believe the best in people.

🥾 Further Exploration: 12 Smart Strategies for Remote Interviews

This article from Descript covers gear, workflow, and editing tips to ensure your audio stays tight, even when you can’t be in the same room.

ICYMI:

🎉 A family, a microphone, and a podcast that stuck

🥼 Inside a podcast Mayo Clinic trusts with its name

🙌 She started a podcast with $5K and a mission

💡 The Quiet Spark

A weekly question to ignite fresh thinking, stir self-reflection, and fuel your creative process behind the mic.

What are you afraid of losing?