The Imagine Neighborhood

Latest Episodes:

Rerun: Hastabee Proud Jan 08, 2023

Show notes

Hello, you little throw rugs. It’s me! Your very favorite supervillain, Queen Hastabee!

You remember me, right? Of course you do. I’m the one who tried to teach Scotty and his rusty robot pal a lesson about the way a pillow fort HAStabee, but they escaped and instead I just got buried in fluffy blankets! Then I tried to make those two cornflakes understand the way a bowl of cereal hastabee, and they still got away from me!

So today, we are listening to this episode again, because it is clear to me that none of you understood it the first time!

You and your friend Scotty seem to think this story is all about being proud of your identity, when obviously it is all about the extremely demanding work I do to keep everything the way it hastabee!

I know that you’ll enjoy re-listening to this episode because it stars me, and anything starring me hastabee amazing. And just ignore the part where that pillow-fort fraud Scotty says that we all have a superhero inside us—what does he know? He’s the sort of person who puts two different kinds of cereal together in the same bowl!

Farewell for now, fringe fleas! And don’t forget to keep things the way they hastabee, or . . .

I’llbee back!

This episode is supported by a generous grant from the Allstate Foundation. The Allstate Foundation works to empower youth to reach their full potential and build the just, equitable, and healthy world we all deserve. To learn more, visit allstatefoundation.org.

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

Rerun: The Trials of Vacstradamus Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

Hello, listeners. It is I, Count Vacula's Great-uncle Vacstradamus. But because existence is a delicate gift whose every fleeting if meaningless second we must cherish and not squander on unnecessary verbosity, you may call me Gruncle Vaxie.

I hope you all enjoyed your winter holiday celebrations. The season of mirth is now past. Now is the time for learning all about the inexorable march of time. And laundry.

Today we will be re-listening to the episode "The Trials Of Vacstradamus." It is about the time my Great-nephew Count Vacula turned one thousand years old. That is a big birthday. And big birthdays can also bring big responsibilities. Like laundry.

When we are little vacuums, we are not expected to help our family with chores. But as we become bigger vacuums, we can learn to be kind and help out so that our grown-ups don't have to do everything by themselves. And as we have discussed, grown-ups' lives are already very hard and they do not even have light-up shoes.

But they do have laundry.

I do not want to spoil the story for you, but I will tell you that I am very proud of my Great-nephew Count Vacula. Sometimes the most important thing is that we try our best, even if in the process we accidentally open an interdimensional portal through time and space. It is all part of growing up.

Enjoy this episode, listeners. If you are bothered that it is a re-run, just remember that there is no such thing as past or present in an indifferent and chaotic universe, and that the only thing that really matters is kindness. And clean laundry.

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

Rerun: Cardboard Boxing Day 2 Dec 25, 2022

Show notes

Yes! Cardboard Boxing Day is finally here!

The day the Neighborhood waits for all the year!

But we want our friends to enjoy their holiday fun,

So today, we’re sharing a CBDay re-run!

Do you remember the story of CBDay Two?

When Scotty was tense and had too much to do?

He tried to make sure all his friends were okay

And he forgot to take time to enjoy the day!

And though the holidays sometimes can make folks feel stressed

From working so very hard to deliver their best—

What makes a day great isn’t because it’s grandiose,

It’s spending time with the people who matter the most!

So come revisit last year’s Boxing Day Eve

With its cardboard creations you just won’t believe!

And by the end, you too will opine—

“Right in this moment, everything’s fine!”

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

Cardboard Boxing Day 3 Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

‘Tis holiday season across the land,

And the best celebration of all is at hand!

Cardboard Boxing Day’s here, so we get to play—

Building cardboard creations all through the day!

But not everyone’s ready for when this day ends . . .

Macho wants to keep making creations for friends!

He’s constructing a whole Cardboard Neighborhood

And he’s taking a lot more time than he should.

He won’t stop pasting and painting and priming!

He won’t stop drawing and cutting and rhyming!

He won’t listen when friends say the holiday’s through!

He won’t even stop for the Cardboard Kaiju!

The Kaiju has come for her annual dinner—

She can’t wait to get all that old cardboard in her!

She loves to bite boxes, crunch cartons galore,

Degustation of corrugation makes her heart soar!

But Macho won’t give her his cardboard to gobble

And the hungry Kaiju is starting to squabble!

Her tummy’s growling, she’s feeling frustrations—

It’s her job to munch up all the creations!

So what do we do when it’s time to be done,

But we aren’t ready to stop having fun?

Can Macho be macho enough to let go

So the Kaiju can have a good time, also?

It’ll take being brave, and grateful, and kind,

But if Macho can do it, soon he will find

Though happy things ending can give you the blues

It feels good to share things with friends—and Kaijus!

Happy Holidays, everyone—enjoy the show!

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

No Filter with Ray Porter Dec 11, 2022

Show notes

In this week's No Filter with Count Vacula you'll meet the amazing actor and voice artist, Ray Porter! Ray has been in movies like Argo, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League—and he’s been in kids' TV shows like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. We talked about cardboard creations, and how penguins don’t like cheese, and how he likes to ask new people to tell him whatever they know the most about. I learned a lot of cool things about Ray, especially that he’s super fun to talk to and a really kind person. I think you’ll think he’s fun and kind, too!

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

A Very Macho Q and A Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

I’m really excited about today’s show, because Macho is here with me and we get to snack on his delicious “Macho Nachos” while we answer more of the cool questions listeners like you sent in this season!

Special thanks to Brookson, Alma, Levi, Miles, Penny, and Jori for sending in today’s terrific questions—and hey Jori, here is the “Goodbye Giganticus” episode I mention in today’s show. I bet someone else out there might want to hear it too, so thank you for asking your question!

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

Gruncle Vaxie's Grown-up Corner Nov 26, 2022

Show notes

Greetings, listeners. It is I, Count Vacula's Great-uncle Vacstradamus. Also known as Gruncle Vaxie. Isn't that amusing?

You know what else is amusing?

No, I am asking you. Please tell me.

Today, my young friends, I welcome you to “Gruncle Vaxie’s Grown-Up Corner.” Do not worry. This is not an episode for grown-ups. This is an episode about grown-ups.

Poor grown-ups. Poor, poor grown-ups. Their lives are very hard. They work boring jobs. They never get to play tag. And they have hardly any stickers.

It is very easy to forget how much your grown-up could use some kindness. But today I will share with you some of the terrible things that grown-ups have to endure, and when the episode is over, perhaps you will feel like giving your grown-up a hug.

You can also tell them, "I am very sorry that a creeping awareness of the purposelessness of the universe haunts your waking hours." But maybe just a hug would be best.

Well, children. That is all. I have enjoyed speaking with you today. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I even considered smiling. I look forward to considering smiling with you again. Until then, please remember to be kind and take good care of your grown-up. If you want, you could even give them a sticker.

Your acquaintance,

Gruncle Vaxie

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

Reckless Ricardo Nov 20, 2022

Show notes

A big crowd has gathered to watch Cap’n Marion perform the three difficult stunts that only the legendary pirate Reckless Ricardo has ever accomplished! She completes two, but when the time comes to lava-ski down the side of boiling hot Mt. Infernus on just a pair of boat paddles, Cap’n Marion isn’t so sure she wants to keep going. Her sailor-sense tells her that it’s not a good idea, but everyone is watching and waiting! When we get dared to do something, is it okay to say “no”? And what if we already said "yes," but then we change our minds? For the answers to these questions plus a high seas adventure that’s sure to shiver yer timbers, hoist the anchor and set sail with The Imagine Neighborhood!

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

Feelin' Groovy Nov 13, 2022

Show notes

Today Scotty and Princess Donnasaurus are playing a game called “Feeling Groovy!” The game starts by having all the players listen to a song together. Then, they talk about the different emotions it made them feel, and the different things it made them think about. And the best part about playing “Feeling Groovy” is that there are no wrong answers and everybody wins! Ready to play? . . .

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

November Q&A Nov 06, 2022

Show notes

Today Vac and I get to go answer some of your letters right here on the show! You asked some really interesting questions about us, and about Cap’n Marion and Princess Donnasaurus, too—wanting to know about our favorite animals, our friends, and even what we do to help ourselves calm down when we feel worried!

Special thanks to Florence, Travis, Harper, and Kobe for being part of today’s show. We loved getting your letters and being able to answer your questions, and most of all, we loved when you told us—how were you kind today?

Have a great week, everybody, and watch out for those draggers! - Scotty

Get more at: IMAGINENEIGHBORHOOD.org

Friend and follow us!

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected