In today’s episode of Parent Tech, we sit down with Kristen Kim, creator of the award-winning podcast Culture Kids, to explore how sound, storytelling, and imagination can transform the way children learn about the world.

Kristen shares how immersive audio adventures help kids develop empathy, focus, and creativity, while also giving parents a meaningful alternative to screen time. From building safe creative spaces to navigating extracurricular chaos, collaborating with an 8-year-old, and creating a neighborhood “village,” this conversation is packed with practical advice for families.

We also dig into:

•  Why audio learning activates a child’s brain like reading
•  How to introduce cultural diversity through stories
•  Simple language shifts that spark curiosity instead of judgment
•  Using sound and music to regulate emotions at home

📌 Subscribe for more conversations helping parents navigate tech, creativity, and raising kids in a fast-changing world.

Get more from Culture Kids at https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/

In this episode: 
00:00 — What is Culture Kids?
05:38 — Weekly production + managing creativity with a child
07:00 — Respecting kids as creative partners
10:08 — Cultural gateways: Pokémon, Totoro, Bluey, and beyond
11:13 — Cultivating awe, wonder & curiosity in kids
15:14 — The role of sound design in emotional learning
16:55 — Using music to build connection at the end of episodes 
17:40 — How audio learning strengthens imagination & attention spans
20:17 — Audio vs. reading: what brain science says
24:00 — Should parents make a podcast with their kids?
26:12 — Screen time philosophy: intentionality over restriction
29:40 — When kids surprise you with what they learned
31:00 — Extracurriculars, hobbies & shaping identity
38:40 — You don’t have to do it alone: building your own village
39:20 — What parents want most—and how to start
40:00 — What Kristen is excited about in kids’ tech