Blue’s Clues Co-Creator Angela Santomero on Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids, Building Confidence & Why Slow Childhood Matters

What if the shows our children watch could help them become more resilient, emotionally intelligent, and confident?

This week on EmotionAL Support, Alessandra Torresani sits down with Angela Santomero, the Emmy Award-winning creator behind Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Super Why!, and Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things.

Angela shares the intentional philosophy behind creating some of the most beloved children’s programs of all time and why slowing things down, encouraging imagination, and treating children with respect became the foundation for programming that continues to resonate with families decades later.

Together, Angela and Alessandra explore how children’s media shapes emotional development, self-esteem, resilience, and critical thinking—and why kindness should never be underestimated as a superpower.

They discuss the importance of diverse representation, fostering creativity in a screen-saturated world, the emotional impact of Steve’s viral Blue’s Clues farewell message, and practical ways parents can nurture confidence, curiosity, and emotional intelligence in everyday life.

Angela also shares insights from her newest franchise, Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things, a whimsical series designed to help children build empathy, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills through imaginative storytelling.

Whether you’re raising young children, creating content, or simply interested in how we shape the next generation, this conversation is a powerful reminder that what we teach our children today becomes who they are tomorrow.

In This Episode:

• The surprising philosophy behind the success of Blue’s Clues

• Why slower-paced content supports emotional development

• How children’s media influences confidence, resilience, and self-esteem

• The importance of diverse representation and inclusive storytelling

• Why emotional intelligence is one of the most valuable skills a child can develop

• How parents can foster critical thinking and curiosity at home

• The lasting impact of Steve’s farewell message on an entire generation

• Angela’s newest project, Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things

• Simple ways parents can raise kind, creative, resilient kids

• Why community, collaboration, and creativity matter more than ever

About Angela Santomero

Angela Santomero is a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning creator, producer, and author whose work has helped shape generations of children through educational and emotionally intelligent storytelling. She is the co-creator of Blue’s Clues, creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Super Why!, and the creator of Princess Penelope’s Purse of Preposterous Things. Her work focuses on helping children develop empathy, resilience, creativity, curiosity, and confidence through research-backed media and storytelling.

Connect with Angela Santomero

Website: https://www.angelasclues.com

Princess Penelope: https://princesspenelope.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelasclues

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasantomero

Connect with Alessandra Torresani

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandratorresani

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamalessandratorresani

Podcast: EmotionAL Support

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