Introduction:

Intro Music Tasha – Welcome to the Little Shot Podcast where big dreams begin with little shots like you. I’m your host, Tasha Eizinger, author of The Little Shot picture book series, and I will be interviewing the main characters in The Little Shot books. They are all excited to share their stories with you, my friend! I have loved doing these interviews because youwill get to hear some of the back stories that couldn’t be shared in the books.

This is the place where we talk about big dreams, character values, and what it takes to shine bright in this world. Whether you’re a kid or a grown-up, this podcast is for you. So, bring us along on your car ride, snuggle up with your favorite blanket, or get comfy in your classroom as we dive in to today’s episode.

SOUND Tasha – This episode is brought to you by… well, it could be YOU! This episode is a sneak peak into the entire podcast series. The podcast is going to be aired weekly for a full year as I interview the main characters on the topics of each book. Plus, there will be a special interview of a character in the The Little Shot: Wisdom and extra episodes with Little Shot on important topics ranging from emotions to critical thinking skills. If you are interested in being a sponsor, email tasha@thelittleshot.comT-A-S-H-A@thelittleshot.com for more information. SOUND

Tasha – Today’s episode is based on the first book in The Little Shot series called The Little Shot: Courage. Courage is leading from your heart despite your fear. To learn more about living with courage, we have an incredible guest. She’s small yet mighty, she’s determined, and she shines bright in the night sky. Please welcome… Little Shot!

Little Shot (in awe) – Hi! Oh, wow! I’ve never been on a podcast before! Am I talking to the whole wide world?

Tasha – You are talking to all of our friends who are listening today. So, yes, they can be pretty much anywhere right now.

Little Shot (excited) – This is so exciting! Thank you for having me! I love making new friends. 

Interview: 

Tasha – Thank you for being here, and yes, making new friends is fun! So, Little Shot, for the kids who maybe haven’t read The Little Shot: Courage yet, can you tell us what made you want to become a Big Shot?

Little Shot (thoughtful) – Well, one night I was looking at the sky and I saw the Big Shots – they are the beautiful shooting stars racing across the night sky. People below make wishes on them, and I thought, “Whoa… they give people so much hope when they shine.” And I wondered… could I ever be a like them? Could I have give people hope, too.

Tasha – That’s such a wonderful dream. All of us need to keep hope in our hearts. 

• SOUND Tashainteractive – Hey, friends, that’s you… the one listening to this podcast. Have you ever had a dream like that? Something so big it felt almost impossible? Keep listening because Little Shot is going to share how to make it possible.* SOUND

Tasha –  Little Shot, what did you do next?

Little Shot – I asked my family for advice. My mom told me something I will never forget: “A Big Shot is a Little Shot that kept shooting.” That made me feel encouraged because I know I’m small. But, if I keep trying and learning, I can do big things.

Tasha – That’s such a great lesson for all of us to keep going even when it’s hard. 

Little Shot – Especially when it’s hard.

Tasha – Very true! After you spoke with your mom, your dad shared some powerful insights. What did he have to say?

Little Shot – My dad said I would have to make sacrifices and would have to be disciplined for a long time. I was like… “Whaaat? (Sigh) That sounds like a lot of work!”

Tasha – Yeah, it doesn’t sound like much fun. 

• SOUND Tashainteractive – Hey friends, sacrifices means giving up something now so you can reach a bigger goal later. Like maybe skipping a video game to practice something important. And discipline means sticking with it even when you don’t feel like it. Can you think of something you’ve worked hard at? Maybe learning how to ride a bike or practicing a sport or instrument? What did you have to give up to get better?* SOUND

Tasha –  Little Shot, even though it wasn’t a fun answer, why did you decide to become a Big Shot?

Little Shot – My dad asked me an important question. He said, “Won’t it be worth it?” I imagined how I would feel as a Big Shot. I imagined the people making a wish when they saw me shoot across the sky and the hope they would feel. I knew I had to try. Looking back, all of the hard work has been worth it even if it didn’t feel like it at the time.

Tasha – Yeah, hard work isn’t much fun most of the time, but the results are usually a lot of fun!  What about your grandma? I know she is really special to you.

Little Shot – She sure is! Grandma said she wanted to be a Big Shot when she my age. That shocked me because it’s hard to think of her being a kid like me. You know a really long time ago. She told me she didn’t become a Big Shot because she didn’t have courage. 

Tasha – That’s a big word! What does courage mean to you?

Little Shot – Courage is leading from your heart despite your fear. That means if there is something in your heart you know is the right thing to do or it’s something that’s important to you, as long as it’s safe, you should do it… even if you’re afraid. 

Tasha – That is great advice and is probably easier said than done.

• SOUND Tashainteractive – Hey friends, courage isn’t big and loud. It’s small, and it’s quiet. It’s the moments you see a friend playing alone and ask if they want to join your friends. It’s asking a question even if it might not make you sound smart. It’s standing up to a bully by letting a safe adult know what’s happening. It’s being who you are without trying to look cool. * SOUND

Tasha – Little Shot, it’s easier to be courageous when you have the support like your family showed you, but not everyone was encouraging. Can you share with our friends about your experience?

Little Shot (sadly) – Some of my classmates made fun of me. They told me I couldn’t do it. It hurt my feelings and made me doubt myself. I thought maybe they were right. Maybe I was being silly thinking I could ever be a Big Shot.

Tasha – That had to have been so hard. Unfortunately, there will be people in our lives who either make fun of us or can make us start doubting ourselves. That doesn’t mean we should give up or believe their hurtful words though. 

Little Shot (animated, excited) – Exactly! We need to keep the ones who encourage us close. Like my friend! She reminded me that I’m hardworking and if I learn the steps, I could make my dream come true. 

Tasha – I like your friend! Our words matter. They can either break down and destroy or they can uplift and encourage. I hope our friends choose to use words that uplift and encourage. We will always need more kindness in this world. Little Shot, what did you do next?

Little Shot (thoughtful) – I remembered that my grandma told me she should have asked a mentor for guidance. So, I chose to live courageously and ask for help from someone who was already a Big Shot. I was so nervous… even my sparkles were shaking! (Giggles)… But, I did it anyways.

• SOUND Tashainteractive – Hey friend, a mentor is someone who has accomplished what you’re wanting to accomplish. Like if you want to be a teacher, you could ask a teacher how to become a teacher and learn from that person. This mentor helps you learn the steps, but you have to do the hard work. * SOUND

Tasha – Little Shot, what did the mentor say?

Little Shot –  The mentor let me know that they were all little shots when they started and someone helped them learn. My mentor wanted me to learn how to become a Big Shot and help someone else someday. This is called paying it forward. I was excited to learn and wanted help another little shot someday!

Tasha – How wonderful! I love paying forward kindness. So, you found a great mentor. You practiced. You became a Big Shot. The end. Right?

Little Shot – (giggles)I wish it was that easy! 

I practiced a lot and thought I was ready to soar across the sky. 

So, I lined up with the other Big shots. We counted down… 

I hope my new friends count down with me now… 3…. 2… 1… 

I jumped as hard as I could, but instead of soaring across the sky, I started falling! I felt so embarrassed and frustrated. I even felt like the stars who told me I couldn’t become a Big Shot were right. 

(Sadly, quietly) I… was a failure. 

Tasha – Oh, Little Shot, those are big, hard feelings. However, your mentor didn’t see you as a failure though, right? 

Little Shot – Nope. I was surprised that my mentor didn’t think I was a failure. My mentor said, “Failure is an event not your identity.” That means messing up doesn’t make me a mess-up. 

(Surprised) THEN!…

My mentor wanted me to share something I did well.

Tasha – What did you say?

Little Shot – It was hard to think of something, but I decided I was glad I tried even though I was afraid. I was practicing courage! That’s something to feel good about even if I didn’t accomplish my goal.

Tasha – Practicing courage is a great thing to feel good about!

Little Shot (happily) – Thanks! 

(Thoughtful) Then, my mentor asked me to share only 1 thing I could do better. This was even harder to think of because I had a whole list of things I did wrong! So, I decided that I needed to get stronger so I could keep soaring across the sky next time.

Tasha – That makes sense since you had a strong start but needed to keep the strong start going longer and it gave you something to work on for next time!

• SOUND Tashainteractive – Hey friends, what is something you tried recently that didn’t go exactly the way you wanted? … What is 1 thing you did well? … What is 1 thing you could work on so it goes better next time? Keep trying friend! Little Shot and I believe in you! * SOUND

Tasha – Little Shot, what happened next?

Little Shot – I kept going! Some days I did better, some days I did worse, but every time I learned something new. Finally, I got to have my big night! Will you count down with me? 

Tasha – Of course!

Little Shot – I hope our friends listening count down with us, too! Here we go…

Little Shot AND Tasha– 3… 2… 1… WISHHHH!

Little Shot – I was so excited because I finally became a shooting star! I became a Big Shot!

Tasha – Yay Little Shot! I’m so happy for you!

Little Shot – Thank you! After that night, I started to keep a Big Shot journal so I could write down 5 key things I learned about living courageously. 

Tasha – Yes, your journal is at the back of each book. If our friends listening doesn’t have a book, that’s okay. They can get your journal page at www.thelittleshot.com/kids to print it off and color it.

Little Shot – They can also create their own page with a blank piece of paper and whatever they want to write with.  There will be journal ideas at the end of this episode.

Tasha – Great idea! I’m sure our friends are creative. Thank you so much for being here today, Little Shot! I am certain you have inspired whoever is listening wherever they are.

Little Shot (excited) – Thank you for having me! I had fun! 

(Thoughtful and encouraging) Remember friends, if I can go for my dreams while living courageously, so can you! 

Oh… and Tasha, can I come back again?

Tasha – Of course! I’m going to be interviewing some of your family members and friends, but you will definitely be back frequently. I enjoyed learning from you today, Little Shot, thank you, again, for being here.  

Closing:

Tasha –

SOUND And thank you, friends, for joining us today! Remember, every Big Shot started out as a Little Shot. Keep believing, keep practicing, and keep shining your light. Stay tuned after the brief ad to get your Big Shot journal questions and to hear tips for grown-ups. 

SOUND Tasha – This episode is brought to you by… well, it could be YOU! This episode is a sneak peak into the entire podcast series. The podcast is going to be aired weekly for a full year as I interview the main characters on the topics of each book. Plus, there will be a special interview a character in the The Little Shot: Wisdom and extra episodes with Little Shot on important topics ranging from emotions to critical thinking skills. If you are interested in being a sponsor, email tasha@thelittleshot.comT-A-S-H-A@thelittleshot.com for more information. SOUND

Did you know at the back of every Little Shot book there is a Big Shot journal page? It’s a coloring page for the copy you have at home. Please don’t color the one at your local library! If you can’t write down the Journal questions right now, you can access them at thelittleshot.com/kids. If you’re not able to write answers, that’s okay! Draw a picture instead.

What is one thing you learned today that you want to try this week? You could journal about one or all 3 of these things: 

1. How do you want to live with courage?  Is it asking a friend to play or trying something new?

2. What is something you tried recently? What is 1 thing you did well? What is 1 thing you could do better next time?

3. How could you pay forward kindness this week? If someone isn’t kind to you first, you need to be the first one to show kindness! Kindness begins in our own hearts. 

You can answer 1 or all of 3 of those in your journal by writing about it or drawing a picture. Don’t want to put it on paper? You can talk about it with someone you trust. Every small step takes you closer to becoming a Big Shot!

SOUND Tasha – Hey, grown-ups! Here are 2 quick thoughts for you whether you are a parent, grandparent, or educator: 

Number 1: Little Shot’s grandma in The Little Shot Courage shared that her greatest regrets were not the times she tried and failed rather the times she lacked the courage to try. People in nursing homes have shared a similar sentiment. We do not want to live a life of regret ourselves, and we certainly want the children in our lives to have the confidence to live courageously. Set the example first by practicing what you preach and remember to be a source of encouragement for others, especially kids, in your life. 

Number 2: You could start a pay it forward movement in your home or classroom. Start recognizing kindness received, thank the person – you might need to teach the kids how to give a quality thank you, and pass along kindness to someone else. Talk about these moments for a few minutes every day. You could even write them down or create a chart to track them. We will always need more acts of kindness, and it starts with us!

SOUND Tasha – This episode is brought to you by… well, it could be YOU! This episode is a sneak peak into the entire podcast series. The podcast is going to be aired weekly for a full year as I interview the main characters on the topics of each book. Plus, there will be a special interview of a character in the The Little Shot: Wisdom and extra episodes with Little Shot on important topics ranging from emotions to critical thinking skills. If you are interested in being a sponsor, email tasha@thelittleshot.comT-A-S-H-A@thelittleshot.com for more information. SOUND

Tasha – Thank you for listening to today’s episode! To access more free resources, please go to thelittleshot.com/kids. If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend, family member, teacher, or someone who needs some hope. 

Until next time, I’m Tasha Eizinger, author of The Little Shot series, keep your chin up, your heart open, and your dreams soaring. 3… 2… 1… WISHHHH   Outro Music