I really wrote it in one night. It just came to me this idea of a sad chinchilla and I started writing the rhymes and it just all came together.

And so for me I often struggle with that like how do I teach someone else to do this when I feel like

the story was kind of a gift that was given to me? The Hello and welcome to the future podcast. My name is Greg Gunn and I'm not only the

producer of the show but also your temporary intro reader during these strange

pandemic times. Chris and I usually talk about the

episode up front together but today it's just me. You're stuck with me. I know I

don't I don't like it either. Now we've got two guests on the show today, a team if you will, and together they've written, illustrated, and published two successful children's books that shine a light on the importance of teaching empathy to both parents and their kids. These two solopreners share how their

truly collaborative spirit works, the perks and perils of social media,

and the unintended benefits of pursuing that side project

that you just can't stop thinking about.

If you're a parent, a teacher,

or just curious about how publishing works,

then you are in for a wonderful treat.

And if you're none of those things, don't worry about it.

Stick around anyway, because there's always something to learn. Please enjoy our conversation with Beth Stafford and Jeremy Slagel.

The first thing I'm going to just ask is for you guys to introduce yourself and give us a little background as to who you are.

I'm Beth Stafford. I am a graphic

designer professionally but I also have written some children's books on the

side and so those books are called Chinup Chin chinchilla and Hippere Hippo.

I'm Jeremy Slagel. I'm a graphic designer and illustrator. I do a lot of work in branding.

I always wanted to do a children's book, illustrated children's book.

I had trouble reading when I was little,

...