CLEO's Birthday Bonanza!

This special presentation of The Social Contract is an especially sweet treat for all you budding history buffs out there: a Bastille Day special!I cannot think of a better occasion than this French-themed podcast special to celebrate the legendary warrior, Joan of Arc.It was during the Middle Ages, when France and England were locked in the Hundred Years War, that Joan -- just a teenager -- came to prominence for her role in the Siege of Orléans.To this day she is known as “The Maid of Orléans,” recognized as a principled defender and great savior of the French people.Saint Joan of Arc is the patron saint of France…and of New Orleans!Which brings us to the final installment of The New Orleans Trilogy, called The Missing Maid of Orléans.In this adventure The Artist Cleo summons Georgie and GiGi (along with Sister Elaine and Grandmother Marie, of course) to New Orleans to help her solve the case of the missing Joan of Arc statue -- adorably nicknamed “Joanie on the Pony.”Published on the new Gistikidz imprint, The Missing Maid of Orléans is another incredibly imaginative adventure (thanks to author George S. Corey) that is stunningly illustrated (thanks to Cleo). And like the other titles in the series, it is a hybrid storybook/artbook that was created especially for kiddos.

It’s The Artist Cleo’s birthday, and we wanted to throw a little podcast party to honor our beloved artist-in-residence and fan favorite, the one and only Cleo!As she embarks on her next journey around the sun, there is so much to celebrate!

We’re back with our first holiday special—and so are Georgie and GiGi with an all-new adventure, and this one may just be the best one yet!Get comfy, snuggle up in something cozy, maybe even enjoy a cup of hot coco with marshmallows—or candy cane—because The Social Contract Holiday Special, “A Very Cleo Christmas,” starts now.

In our last episode, during my conversation with CLEO, I mentioned the paperback release of George and CLEO’s Presidential Conversations for Kids.That book was released earlier this year and contains George’s reflections on the November 2024 election. For this episode, George kindly granted us permission to share the book’s updated Author Afterword. I think we’d be remiss not to include it here, since we’re learning about Voting Rights and the superpower that is voting.And later, we hear Stephen perform Voting is R Superpower, Pt 1.

In our first episode, Baby T, Part One, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a baseball diamond. How fitting since we’re right in the middle of baseball season.  You may be wondering how baseball came to be known as “the great American pastime.” Well, you could say that baseball was invented right here in the U.S. of A, with the first official game being played in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1846. But it was during the American Civil War that baseball really caught on, with soldiers from different states playing baseball to pass the time. So, the game became something of a unifying symbol during a period when our country was so divided—something to reflect on in these times.Now, batter up! Let’s play ball as Stephen performs Baby T, Part One…

What a way to celebrate the Fourth! I’m thinking we ought to make The Social Contract an Independence Day tradition—along with fireworks and cookouts, of course.Now, if you thought Donnie’s cake shenanigans at the OLPQ Pee Wee baseball game in Part One were something, just wait until you find out what he’s up to Part Two.And a little later in the episode, I’ll be talking with The Artist CLEO about a subject that’s near and dear to my heart – one of my absolute favorite things in world – flowers!

For many of you listening today, this may be the first time you’re hearing about Shirley Chisholm. I cannot think of a better introduction to this giant. You’re in for a real treat! Let’s listen to Kiddos R Groundbreakers, Part One…

At the end of last episode, Yael the Cake Pop Baker had just pulled up to CLEO’s Halloween Party.I can’t wait to find out what happens next. I’m sure you can’t either. So, here it is, the conclusion of Voting is R Superpower…

We’re back for Season Four – and so are Georgie and GiGi – for more fun adventures!And Georgie and GiGi are now second graders! So this season is geared towards kiddos—and, of course, their parents.And just as they did last season, Georgie and GiGi will comeface to face with accomplished women both past and present – Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer, and our very own CLEO – from whom they’ll learn important lessons in Civil Rights and Voting Rights.So, buckle your seatbelts, kiddos, because it’s going to be a jam-packed, fun-filled fourth season.

I cannot believe we’ve already come to the season finale. I’ve been having so much fun. I hope you have too!Now, before we get to the conclusion of Kiddos R Groundbreakers, I am so excited to finally share my big announcement. Ready, kiddos?We’re getting a new Georgie and GiGi book!I think all those Fourth of July fireworks you’ll be seeing may just be in celebration of this very special news.Details, including the title, are being kept under wraps. We do know it’s a Halloween release, and we’ve been told that there will be an official announcement hitting around Labor Day.Here’s how it’s being described:Georgie and GiGi, the pint-size protagonists from Presidential Conversations for Kids and The Social Contract podcast, are back!When a Code Purple is called, the two Gs—along with Sister Elaine, Sister Mary Catherine, and Grandma Marie—are magically transported to The Artist CLEO’s house in New Orleans’ French Quarter for some ghostly fun.Oooh. Sounds spooky! Can’t wait to talk to George and CLEO about it later in the episode.But first, let’s listen as Stephen performs Kiddos R Groundbreakers, Part Two!