Jen Capra on Sesame Street, Woke Muppets, and the Politics of Playtime

Jen Capra, writer for Sesame Street and master of teaching kids the alphabet without losing her sanity, joins me for a conversation that’s anything but child’s play. From crafting stories that make puppets teach empathy to navigating the surreal world of children’s TV in a time when even Big Bird needs a crisis counselor, Jen pulls back the curtain on the magic — and madness — behind the scenes. We talk about the art of making kindness catchy, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) politics hidden in a Muppet’s song, and why writing for kids today means juggling innocence with a heavy dose of reality. A sharp, surprisingly deep dive into creativity, resilience, and why the best lessons come wrapped in a fuzzy, googly-eyed package.

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