When I first sat down to write the very first episode of What’s Poppin’ Penny?, I never could have imagined the journey this little show would take. What began as a love letter to my granddaughters has grown into something far bigger—a way to entertain, support, and empower children and families all over the world through the power of story and social-emotional learning.

Every Monday morning, my inbox greets me with an email from Buzzsprout, our podcast host, showing how many downloads we’ve had in the past week. I’ve always been told that my numbers were strong—especially for an indie production—but this week’s update stopped me in my tracks:

Over 5,200 listens in just seven days!

That brings us to another exciting milestone—over 25,000 total downloads to date! Knowing that so many Brownstone Buddies and Trusted Adults have welcomed Penny, T.A., Penelepaw, and the whole family into their hearts and homes is deeply humbling.

This moment is even sweeter because it comes on the heels of joining the Yoto family, a partnership that makes it possible for What’s Poppin’ Penny? to reach even more listeners around the world. With Yoto’s safe, screen-free platform, kids can explore our episodes free from ads and content made for adults, while parents can rest easy knowing their children are engaging with stories that spark imagination, build empathy, and nurture emotional resilience.

And that’s not the only exciting news—our very first book, Bear Hugs, is coming soon! We can’t wait to share more details in the weeks ahead, including sneak peeks and special ways you can be part of this next chapter in Penny’s journey.

I’m beyond grateful to everyone who has supported this journey—our loyal listeners, teachers, homeschool groups, parents, and of course, my beloved granddaughters, who continue to inspire every episode.

Here’s to many more weeks filled with stories, giggles, and the kind of heart-to-heart moments that make What’s Poppin’ Penny? so special. Thank you for helping us grow and for proving that big dreams really can start with small beginnings.

If you haven’t joined the adventure yet, you can listen for free on Yoto or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you’re already part of our Brownstone Buddy family—thank you. You mean the world to me.