A Mean Show: New video podcast delves into children's mental health

(Center) Host Aman Chotani with the participants of the show

Tweens (pre-teenage years) are known to be a transformative phase when adorable, innocent children turn into mini monsters. They run around the neighbourhood ringing doorbells for sheer fun, mimic angry adults until they give up, or even swear to hate a certain vegetable and every one of the opposite sex for life. Tweens, as experts suggest, are when children start shaping their opinions, dreams, likes and preferences. It is only natural then, filmmaker and photographer Aman Chotani says, for them to be wary of anyone who doesn't fit into the box of their newly formed ideals and values. "No matter what you do, children will pull another child's leg," Chotani shares. But where does one draw the line? "When they start becoming mean," he responds.

The video podcast is a game show that aims to shed light on children's mental health

Chotani's new venture into his passion for filmmaking is a video podcast, A Mean Show. Here, he invites children to have candid conversations with him and play games. The underlying aim, however, is to create a mental health show. "As a child, I would stammer. And even though it made me strong, I was subject to intense bullying from children my age. Now that we are in the podcast era, I want to use this power of storytelling to spread awareness, and subtly ask kids to be kind to each other," the host, who also recently became a parent, reveals.

The seven-episode series is directed by Chetan Kumar and produced by Pallavi Arora. Each episode features one child. They are introduced as awesome Ashvik, amazing Aarna, rocking Ranveer or magical Myra, among others. The children begin by talking about their dreams - Yajat Kumar, for instance, wants to become an astronaut. He loves the movie Interstellar, and firmly believes that Neil Armstrong's first-ever spaceship to land on the moon was created because he stole a surefire idea from the Russians. The sixth grader wishes to visit Japan, a tech-advanced country which is also home to anime. Chotani expresses his will to do the same, and hopes the two meet again in the future in Japan.

Shivanika Raghav explains concepts like anxiety, multiple intelligence and screen time; (right) Yajat Kumar

After a round of rapid fire, where Kumar associates the word wars with guns and siblings with wars, Chotani asks if the science enthusiast has ever been bullied. "Yes, sometimes," Kumar admits. It has to do with the kid's changing physique; his friends call him fat, a dog who barks when he defends himself and how one day, his big brain will explode. Kumar's response to these comments that wins over Chotani and this writer. "I feel that I should be quiet because if I do that, they will get bored, and eventually stop talking about me," he says. The episodes also feature special educator and art therapist Shivanika Raghav, who explains in two minutes concepts like anxiety, multiple intelligence and screen time.

With each episode nearly 10-minutes-long, the podcast is a fun mix of games, banter and heartfelt conversations. It sheds light on the various interests of Gen Alpha, and how they are coping with the harsh, digital world they were born into. An insightful watch for both parents and children, this podcast promises to drive the message home through visual storytelling
and entertainment.

Log on to: ameanshow.com

In tune with mental health

Also check out these podcasts:

>> The right source
The channel provides mental health and social emotional learning resources for kids and teens. They explain through visual storytelling concepts like anger management for kids, grounding techniques, emotions and feelings vocabulary, relaxation skills, and more.
Log on to: Mental Health Center Kids on YouTube

>> The onus is on parents
This podcast by author and parenting expert Mark Gregston shows how parents can start being more mindful about a teenager's mental health. He explores themes like why teens lie, intimacy, effective communication, online safety and the art of letting go.
Log on to: Parenting Today's Teens on Spotify

PICS COURTESY/YOUTUBE

>> Mental power with yoga
Explore relaxation and enter the world of cartoons through relaxing yoga poses for kids. The host will tell you about the Little Mermaid Yoga pose, or why Kevin the koala can't sleep. You can jump into (above)Rapunzel's adventurous world and even get flexible with the Little Red Riding Hood.
Log on to: Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube

>> Listen up, girls
These episodes directly speak to girls (both teens and tweens). Host and girl power instructor Stephanie Valdez shares guidance on personal development, physical and mental health, media literacy, and how to better handle friendships, relationships and family.
Log on to: 10 for Teens + Tweens on Spotify