When a Grammy-winning musician and a stadium announcer sit down to talk about parenting, the conversation goes far beyond stagecraft. That’s exactly what happened on TOOTRiS Talks, the parenting podcast that just earned two national honors for episodes exploring how music and self-expression help children grow.
One voice fills concert venues. The other brings stadiums to life. On TOOTRiS Talks, both became part of a conversation closer to home: helping children discover their own potential.
The podcast, produced by TOOTRiS, took home silver and bronze awards in the Individual Episodes division at the 5th Annual Signal Awards. The winning episodes feature GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz and legendary public address announcer Alan Roach, with both conversations centering on how music and self-expression can guide children toward understanding who they are and who they might become.
Also worth a look: Track Review: Doechii “Denial Is a River” Is a Lyrical Tour de Force and Track Review: Rosalia “Abismo” Merges Flamenco and Industrial Electronics.
TOOTRiS Talks now sits alongside a 2026 Signal Awards class that includes Amy Poehler, Anderson Cooper, and Kevin Hart, as well as productions from NPR and Audible.
The show is hosted by Jeff McAdam, a two-time Emmy Award-winning television reporter and father of two. Through each episode, McAdam connects parents with experts, artists, and unexpected voices, offering perspectives that make everyday parenting challenges feel more manageable.
Mraz, best known for hits like “I’m Yours,” shifts the conversation from concert stages to classrooms and living rooms. He discusses which instrument is easiest for children to start playing and why music belongs in our schools, giving parents both a practical starting point and a compelling reason to prioritize music at home.
Roach shares how he discovered the legendary voice that became his calling card, opening a conversation about how children can find their own voices. His story encourages parents to rethink what makes their children unique and how those qualities can influence the people they grow into.
“Every parent wants their child to dream big and have every opportunity to make those dreams come true,” said Alessandra Lezama, CEO of TOOTRiS. “We want to put the resources to nurture every possibility at parents’ fingertips. From finding Child Care to building a child’s confidence or choosing a first instrument, TOOTRiS brings parents trusted support in one place. Raising a child comes with endless questions. Finding guidance should be easy.”
The podcast extends TOOTRiS commitment to supporting working families beyond helping them find and afford Child Care. Through practical guidance and honest conversations, the series gives parents another place to turn for support, without adding guilt or judgment.
Winners are selected by The Signal Awards Judging Academy, a collective of leaders across podcasting, journalism, and entertainment.
“Podcasting is no longer defined by a single format, platform or approach to storytelling, and this year’s submissions make that evolution impossible to ignore,” said Jemma Brown, GM of The Signal Awards. “Charts and download counts can only tell us what’s popular. At Signal, our role is to notice the creative risks that are quietly changing what everyone else makes next. This year’s Winners offer a first look at podcasting’s next chapter.”
Watch and listen to TOOTRiS Talks at info.tootris.com/tootris-talks.
About TOOTRiS
TOOTRiS is the nation’s largest Child Care platform, connecting families with more than 270,000 vetted Child Care options nationwide. Through its technology and personalized support, TOOTRiS brings parents, providers, employers, and agencies together to make Child Care more accessible and affordable. TOOTRiS helps employers offer Child Care Benefits that support working families while strengthening recruitment, retention, and productivity. Learn more at TOOTRiS.com.
About The Signal Awards
The Signal Awards recognizes the podcasts that define culture. The awards body is mission-focused on uplifting the podcast medium by recognizing the most potent, meaningful and unprecedented audio projects being made today as decided by The Signal Awards Judging Academy.
Jeff McAdam
TOOTRiS
+1 720-988-0984
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
X
Jason Mraz On Music in Our Schools, and Which Instruments are Key to Learn First
Why it matters: As parenting resources multiply online, this award recognition signals that practical, judgment-free guidance — especially around creativity and self-expression — is resonating with families. The podcast’s growth alongside major media names suggests that accessible parenting support is becoming as essential as childcare itself.
