Breaking Barriers: Sonido Reyes on Queer, Latinx, and Mental Health Representation in YA in Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige

Breaking Barriers: Sonido Reyes on Queer, Latinx, and Mental Health Representation in YA in Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige

Author: Elisabeth June 10, 2026 Duration: 47:48
In this powerful episode, Sonido Reyes joins Elisabeth Paige to discuss his journey as an acclaimed author bringing vital representation to young adult literature. Sonido shares his late-blooming love for writing, sparked through fan fiction and a journey from shame to joy in self-expression. The episode delves deep into Sonido’s award-winning novels, including The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School and The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar. Sonido unpacks how these works weave in complex issues...

Hosted by Elisabeth, Mindful, Happy Kids offers a gentle space for families to explore mindfulness together. The core of this podcast is built around unique "Petitations," which are guided meditations centered on the comforting presence of pets, helping young listeners find calm and focus. These audio experiences are complemented by engaging stories and conversations. Elisabeth speaks with a wide range of creative and thoughtful guests, including children's book authors and illustrators, musicians, educators, and practitioners of mindfulness and yoga. Their interviews provide practical insights and inspiration for weaving these concepts into daily life. While initially crafted for children, the content has resonated with parents and adults, making it a shared family resource. The discussions often touch on themes of gratitude, compassion, and emotional awareness, extending the learning beyond the meditation cushion. For those looking to deepen the experience, additional materials like musical Petitations and children's book PDFs are referenced, all tied to the work of Dr. Paige. This podcast quietly supports emotional well-being through creative, pet-friendly meditations and thoughtful dialogue, making mindfulness accessible and enjoyable for listeners of all ages.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Mindful, Happy Kids
Podcast Episodes
Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo: Creators of Latinx Graphic Novels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:07
Julio and Jacoby created Latinx awesome graphic novels focusing on immigration, border crossing, bullying, and radicalization of white supremacies. They are both interviewed in this engaging conversation with Elisabeth P…
Happy Day of Thanks! The Gratitude Petitation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:07
In our house, we start the year with a day of thanks. And, with Bobbie reaching a healthy and happy two and us in good health with meaningful jobs and podcast/writing and great people in our lives, we've got a lot to be…
Dan Gutman: Over 200 Children's Books Published All Ages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Dan Gutman author of over 200 children's books for all ages talks with Dr. Elisabeth Paige about his writing process, his newest book, "The Picasso Curse" (particularly relevant given the recent heist in Paris), and his…
Bobbie's Debut with the Petting Petitation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:43
In our busy world, finding moments of calm can be a challenge—especially for children. But what if mindfulness could be as simple as spending time with a beloved pet in a structured way set to relaxing music? Enter the P…