Electoral Elementary: Recent Episodes
Jessica Marshall
Electoral Elementary is a podcast that teaches US civics through storytelling and song. This short six-episode podcast series follows a sometimes meddlesome 10-year-old named Gloria Martinez as she tries to fix a glaring problem at her elementary school -- they currently lack a properly protected crosswalk. After realizing the only way to bring about real world change is to take democracy into her own hands, Gloria decides to make a run for student body president. To accompany her on her legislative voyage, the soon-to-be candidate’s civic gurus are a politically -cartooned elephant and donkey who emerge from her textbook. These hammy characters turn stale statecraft into dazzling song and dance as they explore the ins and outs of public policy. The journey will follow Gloria through a 5th-grade primary, a general school-wide election, setting up a trustworthy administration, trying to pass new rules and programs, and a few bureaucratic hiccups along the way.
Gloria‘s town has been stuck in a rainstorm for days. The wet weather has not only threatened recess for the kids of GME, but also damaged a neighboring school’s playground. The mess has caused Haichiko Elementary to cancel their field day activities. While planning their own field day event without a hiccup, Gloria proposes they send some of their resources to Haichiko. The student council does not seem so keen on the idea as they have a lot to do in a short amount of time. Gloria goes around the council and tries to get the school to empathize and volunteer to help out their neighbors.
Credits-
Series produced by Jessica Marshall
Story by Jessica Marshall and Kelly Farrell
Artwork by Steven Wells
Episode written by Jessica Marshall
Sound Editing, Design, and Mixing by Alex Button
SONG: Helping can be helpful
Lyrics by Libby Ward
Composition by Andrew Weiss
Episode score by Andrew Weiss
Theme song written by Andrew Weiss and Libby Ward Produced and performed by Andrew Weiss
Story Advisors and Extra hands: Lauren Gauthier, Yasir Malik, and Daniel Dinh, Sam Kestin, and Ally Kloster
Cast:
Gloria Martinez: Leslie Martinez
Elephant: David Pinion
Donkey: Ratana
Clyde Turner: Corey Gaddis
Ellie Meng: Heather Muriel Nguyen
Principal Pinkney: Kevin G
Arash Taheri: Manny Cristobal
Marie: Isa Ghaffari
Mimi Tran: Allishia Claressa Knotts
Fred Tomlinson: Jonathan Reiger
Rickie Wall: Ally Kloster
Nestor/Sally: Jessica Marshall
The students of Gouverneur Morris Elementary: Toshi, Naima, Carter, Evelyn, Nathaniel, Eniye, Nia, and Alistair
Our Sponsors: Ian Mutchler, Jackson Stanford, Marcelo Silva, Ericka Stewart, Alison Anthony, Randall Smith, Toby Kreitzer, Matthew Bazar, Ben Chuang, Brendan Hay, Eithne Johnson, Eric Schaefer, Erin Lacey Field, Betty Kennedy, Katie and Ava Tangeman, Sunil Hall, Raniyah Copeland, Maria Cobian Alvarado, Ben Bury, Danica Amstadt, Carly Zhang, Rodney Brown, Daisy Schofield, Ben Haist, Nick Bachman, Michelle Wong, Kevin Noel, Jihane Jeanty, Rhiannon O'Harra, Jessica Smialek, Holly Carr, Teri Farrell, Elizabeth Epps, John W. O'Neal, Emily Brown, Deanne Koehn, Wendy Sullivan, Lis Savic, Leslie Terbeek
Gloria meets Harriet Woodsworth, the student body “president” of a neighboring private school, at a dodgeball tournament. She observes that Harriet is able to make new rules at Whitehall Academy with just a verbal order. Gloria turns to Donkey and Elephant for suggestions as to how she could make new rules without the approval of the student council. They present her with the possibility of making an executive order for smaller changes. Listen in, as Gloria’s desire to appease the students of GME and make changes quickly gets her and her new power in a lot of trouble.
Credits-
Series produced by Jessica Marshall
Story by Jessica Marshall and Kelly Farrell
Artwork by Steven Wells
Episode written by Jessica Marshall
Sound Editing, Design, and Mixing by Alex Button
SONG: They chose democracy
Lyrics by Libby Ward
Composition by Andrew Weiss
Episode score by Andrew Weiss
Theme song written by Andrew Weiss and Libby Ward Produced and performed by Andrew Weiss
Story Advisors and Extra hands: Lauren Gauthier, Yasir Malik, and Daniel Dinh, Sam Kestin, and Ally Kloster
Cast:
Gloria Martinez: Leslie Martinez
Elephant: David Pinion
Donkey: Ratana
Clyde Turner: Corey Gaddis
Ellie Meng: Heather Muriel Nguyen
Pete Blathers: Manny Cristobal
Principal Pinckney: Kevin G
Harriet Woodsworth/Mimi Tran: Allishia Claressa Knotts
Genevieve: Lauren Gauthier
Marshall: Grady Welch
Lunch Lady: Victoria Scaramucci
Fred Tomlinson: Jonathan Reiger
Rickie Wall: Ally Kloster
Nestor/Sally: Jessica Marshall
The students of Gouverneur Morris Elementary: Toshi, Naima, Carter, Evelyn, Nathaniel, Eniye, Nia, and Alistair
Our Sponsors: Ian Mutchler, Jackson Stanford, Marcelo Silva, Ericka Stewart, Alison Anthony, Randall Smith, Toby Kreitzer, Matthew Bazar, Ben Chuang, Brendan Hay, Eithne Johnson, Eric Schaefer, Erin Lacey Field, Betty Kennedy, Katie and Ava Tangeman, Sunil Hall, Raniyah Copeland, Maria Cobian Alvarado, Ben Bury, Danica Amstadt, Carly Zhang, Rodney Brown, Daisy Schofield, Ben Haist, Nick Bachman, Michelle Wong, Kevin Noel, Jihane Jeanty, Rhiannon O'Harra, Jessica Smialek, Holly Carr, Teri Farrell, Elizabeth Epps, John W. O'Neal, Emily Brown, Deanne Koehn, Wendy Sullivan, Lis Savic, Leslie Terbeek
After winning the general election, Gloria is encouraged by Donkey and Elephant to write a new school rule with the student council. Gloria runs into Jared and Sophia, GME’s LARPers, and she remembers their desire to wear their costumes to school. She pitches the idea of allowing kids to wear hats in class to the student council. Gloria believes passing this new rule will prove that she can get things done as student body president, unlike Fred. Of course, Gloria needs to learn how to pass a rule first.
Credits-
Series produced by Jessica Marshall
Story by Jessica Marshall and Kelly Farrell
Artwork by Steven Wells
Episode written by Lauren Gauthier
Sound Editing, Design, and Mixing by Alex Button
SONG: This Bill is Comin’ Up
Lyrics by Libby Ward
Composition by Libby Ward
Episode score by Andrew Weiss
Theme song written by Andrew Weiss and Libby Ward Produced and performed by Andrew Weiss
Story Advisors and Extra hands: Lauren Gauthier, Yasir Malik, and Daniel Dinh, Sam Kestin, and Ally Kloster
Cast:
Gloria Martinez: Leslie Martinez
Elephant: David Pinion
Donkey/GC Solis: Ratana
Clyde Turner: Corey Gaddis
Ellie Meng: Heather Muriel Nguyen
Fred Tomlinson: Jonathan Reiger
Jared: Grady Welch
Sophia: Lauren Gauthier
Principal Pinckney: Kevin G
VP Ross: Victoria Scaramucci
Mr Rutledge: Tanner Worth
Mimi Tran: Allishia Claressa Knotts
Rickie Wall: Ally Kloster
Nestor/Sally: Jessica Marshall
The students of Gouverneur Morris Elementary: Toshi, Naima, Carter, Evelyn, Nathaniel, Eniye, Nia, and Alistair
Our Sponsors: Ian Mutchler, Jackson Stanford, Marcelo Silva, Ericka Stewart, Alison Anthony, Randall Smith, Toby Kreitzer, Matthew Bazar, Ben Chuang, Brendan Hay, Eithne Johnson, Eric Schaefer, Erin Lacey Field, Betty Kennedy, Katie and Ava Tangeman, Sunil Hall, Raniyah Copeland, Maria Cobian Alvarado, Ben Bury, Danica Amstadt, Carly Zhang, Rodney Brown, Daisy Schofield, Ben Haist, Nick Bachman, Michelle Wong, Kevin Noel, Jihane Jeanty, Rhiannon O'Harra, Jessica Smialek, Holly Carr, Teri Farrell, Elizabeth Epps, John W. O'Neal, Emily Brown, Deanne Koehn, Wendy Sullivan, Lis Savic, Leslie Terbeek
Gloria’s triumph over Fred Tomlinson has rattled the school. Arash Taheri, the school’s news man, interviews Gloria on his podcast to find out more about this miracle candidate. She introduces herself as someone with a real “drive” to bring change. Unfortunately, her performance is quickly forgotten when rumors swirl through the halls that she is a bedwetter. Gloria is thrown for a loop. She and her campaign team quickly see that she is losing support amongst the student body. And by the end of the week, it seems the race is extremely close between Gloria and the 2nd-grade candidate, Rickie Wall. Donkey and Elephant advise Gloria to use the principles of Freedom of Speech to her advantage.
Credits-
Series produced by Jessica Marshall
Story by Jessica Marshall and Kelly Farrell
Artwork by Steven Wells
Episode written by Jessica Marshall
Sound Editing, Design, and Mixing by Alex Button
SONG: Amendment One
Lyrics by Libby Ward
Composition by Andrew Weiss
Episode score by Andrew Weiss
Theme song written by Andrew Weiss and Libby Ward Produced and performed by Andrew Weiss
Story Advisors and Extra hands: Lauren Gauthier, Yasir Malik, and Daniel Dinh, Sam Kestin, and Ally Kloster
Cast:
Gloria Martinez: Leslie Martinez
Elephant: David Pinion
Donkey: Ratana
Clyde Turner: Corey Gaddis
Ellie Meng: Heather Muriel Nguyen
Arash Taheri: Manny Cristobal
Stevie B: Isa Ghaffari
Rickie Wall: Ally Kloster
The students of Gouverneur Morris Elementary: Toshi, Naima, Carter, Evelyn, Nathaniel, Eniye, Nia, and Alistair
Our Sponsors: Ian Mutchler, Jackson Stanford, Marcelo Silva, Ericka Stewart, Alison Anthony, Randall Smith, Toby Kreitzer, Matthew Bazar, Ben Chuang, Brendan Hay, Eithne Johnson, Eric Schaefer, Erin Lacey Field, Betty Kennedy, Katie and Ava Tangeman, Sunil Hall, Raniyah Copeland, Maria Cobian Alvarado, Ben Bury, Danica Amstadt, Carly Zhang, Rodney Brown, Daisy Schofield, Ben Haist, Nick Bachman, Michelle Wong, Kevin Noel, Jihane Jeanty, Rhiannon O'Harra, Jessica Smialek, Holly Carr, Teri Farrell, Elizabeth Epps, John W. O'Neal, Emily Brown, Deanne Koehn, Wendy Sullivan, Lis Savic, Leslie Terbeek
Gloria is overwhelmed by the idea of running for student body president. She learns from Donkey and Elephant that she needs to canvas the students of Gouverneur Morris Elementary and convince them she has tons of ideas to make their experience at school better. Gloria will have to win the 5th grade nomination by debating the incumbent, Fred Tomlinson, who is shoo-in to win the presidential race again. Power-hungry Fred has held the office since 1st grade and no one has ever dared or cared to challenge him. Gloria struggles to wrap her head around the many stages of an election, so Donkey and Elephant harmonize the differences between a primary and caucus. But is it enough to inspire an apathetic electorate who is just looking for “pizza day, everyday?”
Credits-
Series produced by Jessica Marshall
Story by Jessica Marshall and Kelly Farrell
Artwork by Steven Wells
Episode written by Lauren Gauthier
Sound Editing, Design, and Mixing by Alex Button
SONG: A Caucus is a Raucous
Lyrics by Libby Ward
Composition by Libby Ward
Episode score by Andrew Weiss
Theme song written by Andrew Weiss and Libby Ward Produced and performed by Andrew Weiss
Story Advisors and Extra hands: Lauren Gauthier, Yasir Malik, and Daniel Dinh, Sam Kestin, and Ally Kloster
Cast:
Gloria Martinez: Leslie Martinez
Elephant: David Pinion
Donkey: Ratana
Clyde Turner: Corey Gaddis
Ellie Meng: Heather Muriel Nguyen
Ms. Carroll: Victoria Scaramucci
Fred Tomlinson: Jonathan Reiger
Jared: Grady Welch
Sophia: Lauren Gauthier
Mr Rutledge: Tanner Worth
Coach Blount: Manny Cristobal
The students of Gouverneur Morris Elementary: Toshi, Naima, Carter, Evelyn, Nathaniel, Eniye, Nia, and Alistair
Our Sponsors: Ian Mutchler, Jackson Stanford, Marcelo Silva, Ericka Stewart, Alison Anthony, Randall Smith, Toby Kreitzer, Matthew Bazar, Ben Chuang, Brendan Hay, Eithne Johnson, Eric Schaefer, Erin Lacey Field, Betty Kennedy, Katie and Ava Tangeman, Sunil Hall, Raniyah Copeland, Maria Cobian Alvarado, Ben Bury, Danica Amstadt, Carly Zhang, Rodney Brown, Daisy Schofield, Ben Haist, Nick Bachman, Michelle Wong, Kevin Noel, Jihane Jeanty, Rhiannon O'Harra, Jessica Smialek, Holly Carr, Teri Farrell, Elizabeth Epps, John W. O'Neal, Emily Brown, Deanne Koehn, Wendy Sullivan, Lis Savic, Leslie Terbeek
Gloria is personally troubled by the school’s poorly managed crosswalk and has ideas to fix it. After she fails to get the principal’s interest, her new imaginary friends, Elephant and Donkey, convince her to write an initiative and collect signatures. Unfortunately, the students don’t share her urgency regarding campus safety issues and are primarily concerned with dodgeball games and hide-n-seek. Next, she attempts to lobby the student government, but she quickly realizes this group is dysfunctional and inundated with special interests (e.g., video games and painted fingernails). In a final musical number, Elephant and Donkey inspire Gloria to throw her hat in the ring for the student body presidential race.
Credits-
Series produced by Jessica Marshall
Story by Jessica Marshall and Kelly Farrell
Artwork by Steven Wells
Episode written by Jessica Marshall
Sound Editing, Design, and Mixing by Alex Button
SONG: What does the government do?
Lyrics by Libby Ward
Composition by Andrew Weiss
Episode score by Andrew Weiss
Theme song written by Andrew Weiss and Libby Ward Produced and performed by Andrew Weiss
Story Advisors and Extra hands: Lauren Gauthier, Yasir Malik, and Daniel Dinh, Sam Kestin, and Ally Kloster
Cast-
Gloria Martinez: Leslie Martinez
Elephant: David Pinion
Donkey: Ratana
Clyde Turner: Corey Gaddis
Ellie Meng: Heather Muriel Nguyen
Louis: Grady Welch
Mrs. Tinkerbaum/ Ms. Carroll: Victoria Scaramucci
Principal Pinkney: Kevin G
Fred Tomlinson: Jonathan Reiger
Mimi Tran: Allishia Claressa Knotts
Rickie Wall: Ally Kloster
Nestor/Sally: Jessica Marshall
Gloria’s Dad: Manny Cristobal
Extras: Tanner Worth
The students of Gouverneur Morris Elementary: Toshi, Naima, Carter, Evelyn, Nathaniel, Eniye, Nia, and Alistair
Our Sponsors: Ian Mutchler, Jackson Stanford, Marcelo Silva, Ericka Stewart, Alison Anthony, Randall Smith, Toby Kreitzer, Matthew Bazar, Ben Chuang, Brendan Hay, Eithne Johnson, Eric Schaefer, Erin Lacey Field, Betty Kennedy, Katie and Ava Tangeman, Sunil Hall, Raniyah Copeland, Maria Cobian Alvarado, Ben Bury, Danica Amstadt, Carly Zhang, Rodney Brown, Daisy Schofield, Ben Haist, Nick Bachman, Michelle Wong, Kevin Noel, Jihane Jeanty, Rhiannon O'Harra, Jessica Smialek, Holly Carr, Teri Farrell, Elizabeth Epps, John W. O'Neal, Emily Brown, Deanne Koehn, Wendy Sullivan, Lis Savic, Leslie Terbeek
A quick teaser of Episode 1 which debuts September 8, 2020.
Credits- Produced by Jessica Marshall
Theme Song written by Libby Ward and Andrew Weiss Performed and Produced by Andrew Weiss
Sound edit and Design by Alex Button
Cast-
Gloria Martinez: Leslie Martinez
Elephant: David Pinion
Donkey: Ratana
Our Lil’ Poli-Sci Guy hosts a Zoom Listening Party for our last episode on October 16th @ 5:30 pm Pacific. Go to https://www.electoralelementary.com/blog/listeningparty for more details. See you then.
All the songs from the six episodes of the podcast in one spot.
Theme song written by Andrew Weiss and Libby Ward Produced and performed by Andrew Weiss
SONG: What does the government do? Lyrics by Libby Ward Composition by Andrew Weiss
SONG: A Caucus is a Raucous Lyrics by Libby Ward Composition by Libby Ward
SONG: Amendment One Lyrics by Libby Ward Composition by Andrew Weiss
SONG: This Bill is Comin’ Up Lyrics by Libby Ward Composition by Libby Ward
SONG: They chose democracy Lyrics by Libby Ward Composition by Andrew Weiss
SONG: Helping can be helpful Lyrics by Libby Ward Composition by Andrew Weiss