You're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio 89.3.

You're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio 89.3.

And I have our next guest to thank for knowing the words to the song. Oh, where is my hairbrush and so many other classics from Veggie Tales. I mean, your kids kind of grew up on it, didn't they?

And I have our next guest to thank for knowing the words to the song. Oh, where is my hairbrush and so many other classics from Veggie Tales. I mean, your kids kind of grew up on it, didn't they?

They certainly did. In fact, we were just talking to Jill the other day about Cheese doodles, and I said, be careful, they bite back. I learned that from Veggie Tales. There's a lot of things my kids learn from Veggie Tales. One of my favorite movies of all time is Lyle the Kindly Viking. So I mean, there's just, you know, it was a lot of fun. There were lessons to be learned, and it was just something families could enjoy together and can continue. It's one of those crazy shows that jumps generations, I think, and that's really fun.

They certainly did. In fact, we were just talking to Jill the other day about Cheese doodles, and I said, be careful, they bite back. I learned that from Veggie Tales. There's a lot of things my kids learn from Veggie Tales. One of my favorite movies of all time is Lyle the Kindly Viking. So I mean, there's just, you know, it was a lot of fun. There were lessons to be learned, and it was just something families could enjoy together and can continue. It's one of those crazy shows that jumps generations, I think, and that's really fun.

So it is so much fun. Mike Nawrocki, thank you so much for being with us. And boy, that was probably bring back some memories for you doesn't it?

So it is so much fun. Mike Nawrocki, thank you so much for being with us. And boy, that was probably bring back some memories for you doesn't it?

Oh my goodness. Absolutely yeah. My business card read writer director cucumber for 23 years.

Oh my goodness. Absolutely yeah. My business card read writer director cucumber for 23 years.

All right. So things are a little different now though. What's it like? We're going to talk about the Dead Sea squirrels. What's it like to have a show where you actually have squirrels, at least with arms and legs?

All right. So things are a little different now though. What's it like? We're going to talk about the Dead Sea squirrels. What's it like to have a show where you actually have squirrels, at least with arms and legs?

I know right. Limbs are such wonderful things. You can pick things up. It's great. No, I've really, really enjoyed, you know, working first on the book series, which has been out for a number of years now. And then, of course, the new animated series, which just released a number of weeks ago. So just it's just been a huge blessing to be able to, to launch a new show.

I know right. Limbs are such wonderful things. You can pick things up. It's great. No, I've really, really enjoyed, you know, working first on the book series, which has been out for a number of years now. And then, of course, the new animated series, which just released a number of weeks ago. So just it's just been a huge blessing to be able to, to launch a new show.

Yeah, the Dead Sea Squirrels is that show set up the premise for us? I love that, I love that these squirrels are kind of in a new place and a new time.

Yeah, the Dead Sea Squirrels is that show set up the premise for us? I love that, I love that these squirrels are kind of in a new place and a new time.

You know, if I go back to my VeggieTales days, we drew a line in the sand early on to never depict Jesus as a vegetable. You know, for obvious reasons, it seems clear why not to do that? That limited the number of New Testament stories we could tell. And so I wanted a story vehicle to be able to tell more New Testament stories, more gospel stories. And so a bad pun came to mind. One day, the Dead Sea squirrels and I started sort of developing that idea when I left Big Idea in 2016 and sort of the, you know, the story in a nutshell is Merle and Pearl squirrel are an old Jewish couple from Galilee. Squirrels. Merle has always wanted to visit the Dead Sea because he heard you can't sink. They lived in the time of Christ. And so they take this raft, ride down the Jordan River to the Dead Sea, spend a day at the beach, and of course, it's super salty, super hot and dry. And they take shelter in a cave to get respite from the sun and, you know, get lost and spend, you know, the next 2000 years preserved in sea salt in a cave until they're found by a ten year old boy named Michael who is visiting with his dad. You know, during one summer, Michael sneaks him back home to Tennessee with him, sets him up on a windowsill. It rains that night. They rehydrate it, desalinate and reanimate. And he's got two friends who lived in the first century who can share stories of Jesus and the disciples, you know, with Michael and his friends. And you know, what they're going through in the modern day. So that's kind of how the story works. And it's just it's just so much fun.

You know, if I go back to my VeggieTales days, we drew a line in the sand early on to never depict Jesus as a vegetable. You know, for obvious reasons, it seems clear why not to do that? That limited the number of New Testament stories we could tell. And so I wanted a story vehicle to be able to tell more New Testament stories, more gospel stories. And so a bad pun came to mind. One day, the Dead Sea squirrels and I started sort of developing that idea when I left Big Idea in 2016 and sort of the, you know, the story in a nutshell is Merle and Pearl squirrel are an old Jewish couple from Galilee. Squirrels. Merle has always wanted to visit the Dead Sea because he heard you can't sink. They lived in the time of Christ. And so they take this raft, ride down the Jordan River to the Dead Sea, spend a day at the beach, and of course, it's super salty, super hot and dry. And they take shelter in a cave to get respite from the sun and, you know, get lost and spend, you know, the next 2000 years preserved in sea salt in a cave until they're found by a ten year old boy named Michael who is visiting with his dad. You know, during one summer, Michael sneaks him back home to Tennessee with him, sets him up on a windowsill. It rains that night. They rehydrate it, desalinate and reanimate. And he's got two friends who lived in the first century who can share stories of Jesus and the disciples, you know, with Michael and his friends. And you know, what they're going through in the modern day. So that's kind of how the story works. And it's just it's just so much fun.

So is this biographical from your life?

So is this biographical from your life?

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

It's all it's all true story. True story.

It's all it's all true story. True story.

Okay. Okay. But that's that's the fun part. But the stories are true that they're talking about. That's the that's the great thing, right?

Okay. Okay. But that's that's the fun part. But the stories are true that they're talking about. That's the that's the great thing, right?

Yeah. Yeah. Every episode.

Yeah. Yeah. Every episode.

So you know Michael it's all in the in the present day. So Michael and his fifth grade buddies, you know, have issues that they face in everyday life. And then Merle and Pearl answer their problems in the form of a song. So we flash back to the first century and it's Jesus on the sermon on the Mount, singing about do unto others what you want done to you. Paul writing a letter to the Thessalonians. You know, so all of these biblical accounts that are relevant to kids today that they can use in their lives. And so it's a great way for kids to, you know, get to know these stories in the Bible. You know, later in the series, we go back to modern day Israel, where Michael and his friends are retracing, you know, trying to find the squirrels. And we're kind of retracing the steps of the ministry of Jesus from, from birth to his death and resurrection. So it's just a really, um, great teaching tool as well as just a lot of humor, a lot of fun, and a lot of great music.

So you know Michael it's all in the in the present day. So Michael and his fifth grade buddies, you know, have issues that they face in everyday life. And then Merle and Pearl answer their problems in the form of a song. So we flash back to the first century and it's Jesus on the sermon on the Mount, singing about do unto others what you want done to you. Paul writing a letter to the Thessalonians. You know, so all of these biblical accounts that are relevant to kids today that they can use in their lives. And so it's a great way for kids to, you know, get to know these stories in the Bible. You know, later in the series, we go back to modern day Israel, where Michael and his friends are retracing, you know, trying to find the squirrels. And we're kind of retracing the steps of the ministry of Jesus from, from birth to his death and resurrection. So it's just a really, um, great teaching tool as well as just a lot of humor, a lot of fun, and a lot of great music.

We're talking with Mike Nawrocki, the co-creator of VeggieTales, and now bringing to our screen the Dead Sea Squirrels. And you talked about bringing these lessons to kids. I mean, back in the day was, you know, the flannelgraph, but now we have the technology to be able to really animate these stories. And how is that helping to to really help kids get a vision for what Jesus is teaching? I mean, it is fun and it's entertaining, but you have a deeper purpose and technology is helping convey that message.

We're talking with Mike Nawrocki, the co-creator of VeggieTales, and now bringing to our screen the Dead Sea Squirrels. And you talked about bringing these lessons to kids. I mean, back in the day was, you know, the flannelgraph, but now we have the technology to be able to really animate these stories. And how is that helping to to really help kids get a vision for what Jesus is teaching? I mean, it is fun and it's entertaining, but you have a deeper purpose and technology is helping convey that message.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, a story is so powerful for kids. I think for people in general to be able to use the art form of animation to create characters for for fun and relatable. And that really draw kids in. It was that way with Bob and Larry, you know, creating characters who who kids can form a relationship with, who care. They care about these characters, and so they care about what they have to say. And I think it's just a great way to relate biblical truth and biblical stories, and it helps kids form their idea and their view of the world at a young age. And so I think it's a super powerful tool.

You know, a story is so powerful for kids. I think for people in general to be able to use the art form of animation to create characters for for fun and relatable. And that really draw kids in. It was that way with Bob and Larry, you know, creating characters who who kids can form a relationship with, who care. They care about these characters, and so they care about what they have to say. And I think it's just a great way to relate biblical truth and biblical stories, and it helps kids form their idea and their view of the world at a young age. And so I think it's a super powerful tool.

You've mentioned music a couple times here. You've tapped into some rich resources there, haven't you?

You've mentioned music a couple times here. You've tapped into some rich resources there, haven't you?

Yes, yes. My producer on the show is Steve Taylor, who you may if you're an old timer like me, you may recognize him from back in the day meltdown. And I want to be a clone. Steve is just, you know, just has a just a rich musical legacy. Steve is our singing apostle Paul in the show. Matthew West has joined us as our. You know, when we flashback, he voices Jesus in the songs that Jesus sings. Mac Powell is John the Baptist and Ellie Holcomb is Mary. Just a number of just really fantastic artists have joined us on this, on this series as well, and we couldn't be more excited. You know, we're getting ready to release the soundtrack. You know, every episode has at least one original song, but then a number have a number of little ditties here and there as well. So we've got over 20 songs based on the first season that we're getting ready to release, and we're super excited about that as well.

Yes, yes. My producer on the show is Steve Taylor, who you may if you're an old timer like me, you may recognize him from back in the day meltdown. And I want to be a clone. Steve is just, you know, just has a just a rich musical legacy. Steve is our singing apostle Paul in the show. Matthew West has joined us as our. You know, when we flashback, he voices Jesus in the songs that Jesus sings. Mac Powell is John the Baptist and Ellie Holcomb is Mary. Just a number of just really fantastic artists have joined us on this, on this series as well, and we couldn't be more excited. You know, we're getting ready to release the soundtrack. You know, every episode has at least one original song, but then a number have a number of little ditties here and there as well. So we've got over 20 songs based on the first season that we're getting ready to release, and we're super excited about that as well.

And Bob the tomato, does he make an appearance?

And Bob the tomato, does he make an appearance?

Well, Phil Vischer actually helps to guest guest star. You know, when Merle and Pearl come back to Tennessee. There are three Tennessee squirrels. It's a Bob, Larry and Mary squirrel. And so, um, so, uh, Phil actually voices Larry Squirrel, and I voiced Bob squirrel. So we do each each other's best Bob and Larry impersonation on that. And then Mary Squirrel is voiced by Beth Moore. So it's, uh, it's great to to have her on board as well.

Well, Phil Vischer actually helps to guest guest star. You know, when Merle and Pearl come back to Tennessee. There are three Tennessee squirrels. It's a Bob, Larry and Mary squirrel. And so, um, so, uh, Phil actually voices Larry Squirrel, and I voiced Bob squirrel. So we do each each other's best Bob and Larry impersonation on that. And then Mary Squirrel is voiced by Beth Moore. So it's, uh, it's great to to have her on board as well.

Having said all of this, it sounds a lot of fun. It sounds like you really have a game plan to help kids better understand what these lessons are all about, but are you hearing from parents? Are you hearing from families who are saying this is really impacting my kids, or really teaching them lessons?

Having said all of this, it sounds a lot of fun. It sounds like you really have a game plan to help kids better understand what these lessons are all about, but are you hearing from parents? Are you hearing from families who are saying this is really impacting my kids, or really teaching them lessons?

Yes. Yeah. The response has been fantastic. You know, the books have been out for quite a while and we've got a lot of great feedback, a lot of great reviews just on kids who are normally reluctant readers getting into the fun and the lessons of the books. And now that episodes have been out for a number of weeks, you know, social media responses on, you know, how well those are being received. And just like I said, I think it's so exciting to be able to launch another series to help remind kids that God made them special. He loves them very much. He has a purpose for their lives. And, you know, these early years of of how they're forming their view of God and their view of the world. I think it's so important to have a resource for kids that is truly entertaining. And they they want to watch more than, you know, something else that doesn't have those things.

Yes. Yeah. The response has been fantastic. You know, the books have been out for quite a while and we've got a lot of great feedback, a lot of great reviews just on kids who are normally reluctant readers getting into the fun and the lessons of the books. And now that episodes have been out for a number of weeks, you know, social media responses on, you know, how well those are being received. And just like I said, I think it's so exciting to be able to launch another series to help remind kids that God made them special. He loves them very much. He has a purpose for their lives. And, you know, these early years of of how they're forming their view of God and their view of the world. I think it's so important to have a resource for kids that is truly entertaining. And they they want to watch more than, you know, something else that doesn't have those things.

And you can't get it everywhere, but you can get it on minnow. Tell us about where we can stream these episodes.

And you can't get it everywhere, but you can get it on minnow. Tell us about where we can stream these episodes.

Yeah. So minnow is number one Christian streaming service for kids. It's a fantastic resource. You know, it's an app that plays, you know, just like any other app like Netflix or Amazon Prime. You know, VeggieTales is on minnow. Squirrels is on minnow. They've got a lot of great content for kids. You know, the team there has been fantastic and super supportive of our project, and we couldn't be more excited to be on that platform.

Yeah. So minnow is number one Christian streaming service for kids. It's a fantastic resource. You know, it's an app that plays, you know, just like any other app like Netflix or Amazon Prime. You know, VeggieTales is on minnow. Squirrels is on minnow. They've got a lot of great content for kids. You know, the team there has been fantastic and super supportive of our project, and we couldn't be more excited to be on that platform.

Yeah, and there's a seven day free trial so you can check it out and, uh, watch some squirrels for seven days and see if you like it or something that you and your family would really, really enjoy. So that's something available for you for free. You can check that out and, uh, watch a few squirrels.

Yeah, and there's a seven day free trial so you can check it out and, uh, watch some squirrels for seven days and see if you like it or something that you and your family would really, really enjoy. So that's something available for you for free. You can check that out and, uh, watch a few squirrels.

Yeah. That's right. And there are 13 episodes in all in the first season. very soon. The whole first season will be available on minnow.

Yeah. That's right. And there are 13 episodes in all in the first season. very soon. The whole first season will be available on minnow.

Is there anything else in the reaches of your mind where you're like, oh, I'd like to do that. I mean, no one ever saw a dead sea squirrel coming out. So, uh, anything else that is kind of, uh, back there, you're like, boy, this is a good idea. Maybe.

Is there anything else in the reaches of your mind where you're like, oh, I'd like to do that. I mean, no one ever saw a dead sea squirrel coming out. So, uh, anything else that is kind of, uh, back there, you're like, boy, this is a good idea. Maybe.

Yeah. You know, always cooking on a few things. You know, the squirrels have been really popular. You know, I just signed a deal with Tyndale Publishers. They're my publishers to do 12 more books. There are 12 books out currently, so I'm. I'm hard at work on, um, you know, the next series of books. I'm always cooking on something. Phil and I have been kind of working on another project as well. So, you know, maybe we'll have something to say about that soon too. So I'm excited about telling stories for kids in creative ways and just introducing them to characters that they can fall in love with and care about what they have to say.

Yeah. You know, always cooking on a few things. You know, the squirrels have been really popular. You know, I just signed a deal with Tyndale Publishers. They're my publishers to do 12 more books. There are 12 books out currently, so I'm. I'm hard at work on, um, you know, the next series of books. I'm always cooking on something. Phil and I have been kind of working on another project as well. So, you know, maybe we'll have something to say about that soon too. So I'm excited about telling stories for kids in creative ways and just introducing them to characters that they can fall in love with and care about what they have to say.

Well, you can find out more about the Dead Sea squirrels. We'll link you to them at Eric and Bridget. Dot.

Well, you can find out more about the Dead Sea squirrels. We'll link you to them at Eric and Bridget. Dot.

All right. Thank you for your time this morning. It's been a lot of fun.

All right. Thank you for your time this morning. It's been a lot of fun.

Eric. Bridget, thank you so much. God bless you guys.

Eric. Bridget, thank you so much. God bless you guys.