# Why Kids Need Stories About Belonging and Friendship Right Now | Jasmine Warga

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439/why-kids-need-stories-about-belonging-and-friendship-right-now-jasmine-warga
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439/why-kids-need-stories-about-belonging-and-friendship-right-now-jasmine-warga.md
Podcast: [Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators](https://stenobird.com/podcast/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439)
Published: 2026-03-16T07:33:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pod.shiftingschools.com/
Audio file: https://pdrl.fm/f0d9c7/pdcn.co/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shiftingourschools/16th_March_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=621226
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/shifting-schools-conversations-for-k12-educators-721439/episodes/why-kids-need-stories-about-belonging-and-friendship-right-now-jasmine-warga
Duration seconds: 1181

## Resource

What can a cheetah and a rescue dog teach us about trust, friendship, and belonging? In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Jasmine Warga to talk about her newest book and the powerful themes at its heart: vulnerability, unlikely friendships, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you. Inspired by a real program in zoos where rescue dogs are paired with anxious cheetahs , Warga's story explores how connection can help both animals—and humans—feel less alone. Through the voices of a cheetah and a dog, the book opens up conversations about anxiety, trust, identity, and the universal desire to belong. Together, Tricia and Jasmine explore how storytelling helps young readers navigate big emotions, why animals can sometimes say things humans cannot, and how asking questions—rather than providing answers—is often the most powerful way to write for young people. They also go behind the scenes of Warga's writing process, from messy notebooks and long walks to the surprising freedom of writing a "zero draft." This conversation is a powerful reminder that the stories we share with young readers can help build empathy, connection, and community. 🎧 Podcast Chapters 00:00 — Welcome + Why This Story Matters Right Now Tricia introduces Jasmine Warga and shares why the new book immediately resonated with her. 01:20 — Why Trust and Vulnerability Sit at the Heart of the Story Jasmine explains how the book explores the courage it takes to let someone see your "soft parts." 02:00 — Why the Story Is Told Through a Cheetah and a Dog How animal characters help young readers open their hearts to difficult conversations. 03:30 — The Real Zoo Program Behind the Book The fascinating practice of pairing rescue dogs with anxious cheetahs. 05:00 — How Jasmine…

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