Big feelings,
welcomed!
In every episode of In the Zone, feelings get too big for one of our friends at the Zone Center. Leon the chameleon and his friends learn to name the zone they're in, and their teacher, Miss Maya, shows a tool to get back in the Green Zone using brand new music, movement, and breath.
This is home base — the zone every episode is trying to get back to.
Where the episode endsWe didn't invent the Zones of Regulation — we just gave them a tail.
The Zones of Regulation is a framework, developed by an occupational therapist and used widely in preschools and homes, for naming how a body feels using four colors. It gives children (and the grown-ups raising them) shared language for big feelings, long before kids have the vocabulary to name them on their own.
- Blue Zone — slow, sad, tired, or bored.
- Green Zone — calm, focused, and ready. Home base.
- Yellow Zone — silly, wiggly, excited, or worried.
- Red Zone — big feelings. Mad, scared, or completely overwhelmed.
Six friends, four zones, and one goal: Find Your Green!
Leon
Leon feels everything and when he does, you can see it! His color changes with his emotions, making him the Zone Center's very own mood ring. Curious, sensitive, and sometimes a little impatient, Leon is learning that feelings can change just as quickly as his colors.
Switches Zone to ZoneZiggy
Why? Why? Why? Ziggy has approximately one million questions, and at least half as many inventions. Curious, clever, and wonderfully unpredictable, Ziggy is always building, testing, taking things apart, and occasionally shouting, "Oops!" His brain is almost always buzzing — his biggest challenge isn't slowing down, it's remembering that he can.
Often in the Yellow ZoneLulu
Lulu is confident, expressive, dramatic, and always ready to turn an ordinary moment into a production. She loves dancing, performing, and being part of the action. Lulu feels her feelings loudly — and when things don't go her way, those big feelings can get even bigger. Luckily, she knows how to turn almost anything into a performance.
Yellow Zone Red ZoneOllie
Ollie has a big voice, big ideas, and an even bigger heart. He loves dinosaurs, making his friends laugh, and jumping into whatever adventure is happening. His energy can go from zero to T. rex in seconds — and when his feelings get too big, he's learning how to slow his body down and get back to Green.
Often in the Red ZoneNia
Nia may be soft-spoken, but she notices everything. She loves animals, drawing, and helping her friends. Nia tends to stay grounded, but new situations or lots of noise can make her feel a little nervous — and when she finally speaks up, she usually has something important to say.
Often in the Yellow ZoneMs. Maya
Warm, funny, and always ready with a catchy tune, Ms. Maya is the heart of the Zone Center. She never tells the kids what they should feel — instead, she helps them notice what's happening, make sense of it, and find their way through. Whether the room is buzzing or everything has gone sideways, Ms. Maya knows how to bring everyone back together and find their green.
Calm, grounded, and steadyThe voices behind the crew.
Suzanne Jamieson
Suzanne Jamieson is a singer-songwriter, actor, yoga therapist/mindfulness coach, and writer. A graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, she spent years performing in theatre, film, and television before combining her passions for music, mindfulness, and storytelling into work that helps people of all ages thrive. After becoming a certified yoga therapist and later becoming a mom, Suzanne found her creative home creating music for families. Her songs blend catchy pop melodies with themes of resilience, gratitude, empathy, and emotional well-being. Her albums have received honors from organizations including NAPPA, Parents' Choice, Creative Child Magazine, Mom's Choice, Family Choice, Kids First!, and the International Songwriting Competition. Her music has topped SiriusXM Kids Place Live and is enjoyed by families around the world. Suzanne is the co-creator and composer of the In the Zone podcast, the author of the tween mindfulness journal You Got This (publishing early 2027), and creator of the Parenting Hacks Substack newsletter and frequent contributor to publications like LA Parent, Bold Journey, and Voyage LA. Whether she's on stage, in the classroom, or on the page, her goal is the same: to create meaningful experiences that spark joy, build connection, and remind people of the good in themselves and one another.
Voice of Miss Maya
Emmanuel Carter
Emmanuel Carter is a two-time Emmy Award-winning host, actor, and voice talent based in Indiana. He has hosted Nickelodeon's Noggin Knows (Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Host) and the Smithsonian/Paramount series Zoo-Qs, and has appeared in national commercial campaigns for brands including Take 5 Oil Change, Hilton, and Burger King, as well as Netflix's Soundtrack. Emmanuel is SAG-AFTRA eligible and was recently named Casting Society of America and IMDbPro's Actor of the Month. Off camera, he's a singer, songwriter, and dedicated husband and father.
Voice of Leon
Patti Murin
Patti Murin is a versatile and captivating performer best known for her work on Broadway, television, and as a prolific audiobook narrator. On stage, Patti originated the role of Princess Anna in Disney's Frozen on Broadway, winning over audiences with her charm, humor, and powerful vocals. Her other notable stage credits include Wicked, Lysistrata Jones, and Xanadu, where she showcased her comedic brilliance and musical talent. In television, Patti has become a familiar face in Hallmark Channel movies, starring in fan favorites such as In Merry Measure, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, Love on Iceland, Holiday for Heroes, and Mystic Christmas. She has also built a thriving career as an audiobook narrator, lending her voice to bestselling novels by authors including Christina Lauren, Jodi Picoult, Rachel Hawkins, and Katherine Center. Patti is a devoted mom to two young daughters and a passionate mental health advocate, using her platform to speak openly about her own experiences with anxiety and depression and to encourage honest conversations around mental health.
Voice of Lulu Voice of Nia
Jason Rabinowitz
Jason Rabinowitz is a 3x GRAMMY-nominated composer, producer, musician, and voice director from New York City. He is a co-founder of The Pop Ups, a multi-award-winning musical, puppet, and comedy duo for children and families. He's created award-winning content for Sesame Studios, Nickelodeon, Amazon Studios, Audible, Noggin, The Red Cross, ABCmouse, and many more. When not making music for this, that, or the other, he can be found "Dad"ing it up with his wonderful family.
Voice of Ollie Voice of Ziggy
Alexandria deGuzman
Alexandria deGuzman is a Los Angeles-based writer, comedian, and performer creating original stories across television, film, podcasts, and live entertainment. She has developed scripted content for FOX's Meet Cute and was selected for NBCUniversal's Thousand Miles Project. Her work combines strong character development, grounded emotion, and comedy that feels both smart and accessible. As a performer, she brings the same authentic voice to the stage, connecting with audiences through sharp observations and relatable storytelling.
Co-CreatorKids catch on fast!
Every episode starts with something pretty simple. Someone gets frustrated. Someone gets nervous. A game doesn't go as planned, somebody gets a little too excited, then the feeling grows.
We figure out what Zone we're in, take a breath, get our bodies moving, and let Ms. Maya sing us through it. By the end, we've found our way back to Green. And there you have the rhythm of In The Zone.
The stories are always changing, but that rhythm stays the same. And for preschoolers, that's a good thing! Once they know what happens next, they start getting involved. They call out the Zones, engage with the activity, move along with the characters, and even sing along with Ms. Maya. A few episodes in, you might hear your kid say, "I think I'm in the Yellow Zone."
Something happens.
A kid-sized problem gets the story moving.
A feeling grows.
Things get a little bigger. Sometimes a lot bigger.
We name the Zone.
Ms. Maya helps them notice the Zone changing color.
Breath and movement.
Time to help the body out. Ms. Maya helps them breathe, stretch, or shake out the feeling.
Ms. Maya sings.
Because sometimes a song works better than a lecture. An original song turns the technique into something little bodies will remember.
We Find Your Green.
The feeling shifts. Everyone reconnects. And off we go!
Made for tiny nervous systems. Built by people who think about yours, too.
- ✓No "good" or "bad" feelings. Every zone is a valid place to be — the goal is awareness, not suppression.
- ✓Grown-ups co-regulate on screen too. Miss Maya models the same breathing she asks of the kids, so you can do the moves alongside your own child.
- ✓Techniques you can reuse anywhere. Every breath and movement is simple enough for a grocery-store meltdown, not just the podcast.
- ✓Original music, not jingles. Every song is written and produced from scratch — melodic enough that you won't mind the hundredth replay.
- ✓Grounded in a real framework. Inspired by the Zones of Regulation, already used in classrooms and homes for emotional literacy.
"My daughter asked me what zone I was in during a traffic jam. I was today years old when my toddler co-regulated me."
— Early listener, mother of a 3-year-old"It's the first kids' show I've let play in the car without wincing at the music. Genuinely lovely songs."
— Early listener, mother of twins, age 4"We use 'dragon breath' at bedtime now. Didn't expect a podcast to become part of our routine."
— Early listener, mother of a 2-year-oldA sneak peek at the first episodes.
Too Much Noise
Hide and Seek with too much noise gets overwhelming. Some breathing helps everyone get back to green.
Rainy Day Blues
A rainy day means no outside play and some sad feelings. Cozy Cloud Hugs help everyone feel better.
Leon's Rocket Gets Smashed
Ollie accidentally stomps on Leon's homemade rocket. Volcano breathing helps everyone let the lava out.
Wiggly Worms
Too much attention makes Leon nervous. Foot slides help get the wiggles out!
It's My Toy!
When someone grabs a toy, feelings get big. Friends learn to "Ask, Wait, Trade" to work it out together.
A Long Goodbye
Saying goodbye can be sad. Friends learn to send Heart Notes to each other.
Be the first to hear it.
Join the list for launch updates, a free printable breathing card for your fridge, and the occasional grown-up note on gentle parenting and mindful routines.
Get In Touch
To contact the team of In the Zone, please email contact@inthezonepod.com.