Children's programming has evolved significantly since Sesame Street first debuted on PBS in 1969. On this week's Disrupted, we revisit our conversation with actor Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on Sesame Street for more than 40 years. And we talk to a child psychologist who consulted on the creation of kids shows like Bear in the Big Blue Houseand Gullah Gullah Island.

GUESTS:
Sonia Manzano: Actress, best known for work as Maria on Sesame Street. She’s also the creator of the animated kids show Alma’s Way and author of the book,Coming Up Cuban: Rising Past Castro’s Shadow
Daniel R. Anderson: Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a former consultant for Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop

Disrupted is produced by J. Carlisle Larsen, Kevin Chang Barnum, and Catie Talarski.

This episode of Disrupted was produced by James Szkobel-Wolff and Zshekinah Collier.

Children's programming has evolved significantly since Sesame Street first debuted on PBS in 1969. On this week's Disrupted, we revisit our conversation with actor Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on Sesame Street for more than 40 years. And we talk to a child psychologist who consulted on the creation of kids shows like <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173664/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0">Bear in the Big Blue House</a> and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0177444/">Gullah Gullah Island</a>.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Sonia Manzano: Actress, best known for work as Maria on Sesame Street. She’s also the creator of the animated kids show <a href="https://pbskids.org/almasway">Alma’s Way</a> and author of the book, <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/coming-up-cuban-rising-past-castro-s-shadow-9781669609117/9781338065152">Coming Up Cuban: Rising Past Castro’s Shadow</a></li>
<li>Daniel R. Anderson: Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a former consultant for Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop</li>
</ul>
Disrupted is produced by J. Carlisle Larsen, Kevin Chang Barnum, and Catie Talarski.
This episode of Disrupted was produced by James Szkobel-Wolff and Zshekinah Collier.

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.

Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! 

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.
Visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">ctpublic.org/disrupted</a> for more!

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