✨ Behind the Scenes: How I Come Up With TJKidz Stories

By TJKidz • Super Fun Stories

When kids and parents listen to TJKidz Super Fun Stories, they hear the finished product — the polished narration, the characters, the humor, the heart. But behind every story is a creative process that’s a little messy, a little magical, and very much rooted in real life. Today, I wanted to pull back the curtain and share how these stories actually come to life.

It All Started With 20 Stories… and No Microphone

Before I ever recorded a single episode, I wrote about twenty stories. It took me a long time — longer than I expected. I was still finding my voice, figuring out what felt natural, and learning how to balance humor, adventure, and heart. Some stories came quickly. Others… not so much.

The very first story I ever tried to write was The Magic Seed. I knew how it began and how it ended, but everything in the middle felt tangled. I got stuck, frustrated, and eventually stopped writing it altogether. I stepped away and wrote thirty other stories before I finally came back to it. By then, I had grown as a writer. I understood pacing better. I knew how to simplify without losing the magic. And when I finally finished The Magic Seed, it felt like a milestone — a reminder that sometimes stories need time, and so do storytellers.

The Chatter: A Character Born From Pure Play

Some of my favorite characters come from the most unexpected moments. The Chatter, for example, wasn’t planned at all. One day I was joking around with my daughter, using a silly voice that rambled on about random things. She thought he was hilarious — like she wasn’t talking to me anymore, but to this strange little creature with endless energy.

Her reaction stuck with me. I knew I wanted to build a whole magical universe around him. That playful moment became the seed of a character who now sits at the center of an entire world in the TJKidz universe. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best ideas come from simply being present with the people you love.

An Unorthodox Creative Process

My writing process isn’t linear. It’s not even predictable. Sometimes a character pops into my head first. Sometimes I start with a funny situation. Sometimes I think of a moral or lesson I want to explore. And sometimes a story grows out of a single joke.

The Pickle Bros, for example, were born while playing with my nephew. We were goofing around with toy pickles, calling ourselves “pickle bros,” and plotting how we were going to take over the world. It was ridiculous — and perfect. That moment of play turned into a whole series.

Other stories come from real life. My knee surgery. My wife’s New Year’s Eve birthday. Childhood memories. Moments with my daughter. Little frustrations, big feelings, and everything in between.

And then there’s Leaping Leopard. I wanted to create a brand‑new superhero — something original, something fun. My daughter insisted he needed a partner, and that’s how Hazel was born. She shaped the character as much as I did.

Humor, Adventure, Heart — and a Lesson That Matters

Every TJKidz story blends a few key ingredients:

• Humor — because kids love to laugh

• Adventure — because imagination should feel exciting

• Heart — because stories should mean something

• A moral or message — because kids learn best through connection

Some stories lean more into the comedy. Some lean more into the adventure. Some lean more into the emotional lesson.

But all of them are designed to be relatable — not just for kids, but for parents too.

As a parent and former special education teacher, I value stories that help kids navigate real‑life situations with humor, bravery, and integrity. Whether it’s dealing with frustration, learning patience, facing fears, or understanding gratitude, I want every story to offer something meaningful.

Inspiration Is Everywhere

A silly voice. A family moment. A childhood memory. A real‑life challenge. A random “what if” thought. A conversation with my daughter. A joke that spirals into a whole universe.

That’s the magic of storytelling — you never know where the next idea will come from.

And that’s what makes TJKidz so special to me. It’s not just a collection of stories. It’s a living, growing world shaped by family, imagination, and the joy of creating something kids can connect with.

Thanks for being part of this adventure. Now grab a comfy spot, get cozy, and let’s keep imagining together.