Toddler Meltdowns, Fighting AI Slop, and Raising Good Humans with Loryn Brantz

In this episode, Tara sits down with author, artist, and Emmy-winning animator Loryn Brantz for an honest conversation on creativity, modern parenting, and what’s really going on behind the scenes in children’s media. Loryn opens up about shifting from traditional animation on classic shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sesame Street to writing children’s books, sharing how a very relatable toddler meltdown inspired her new book, I Am a Spicy Nugget. She and Tara unpack practical strategies for co-regulation and handling big emotions, explaining why doing the inner self-work and reparenting ourselves beats relying on cookie-cutter parenting scripts every time. They also tackle the changing landscape of creative content, diving into Loryn’s advocacy for artist protection against AI after her public battle over The Good Advice Cupcake. From the rise of AI-generated slop in children’s shows to her behind-the-scenes work with powerhouses like Ms. Rachel and PBS, Loryn reminds us that human connection is at the heart of storytelling. This conversation is a candid look at the emotional work of raising good humans while fighting to protect genuine creative integrity for the next generation. Links: https://lorynbrantz.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lorynbrantz/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.