Behind the scenes of Morning Praise with Kids Alive!

In February 2023, Salvationist Radio launched with Morning Praise with Kids Alive! as part of its Sunday programming line-up. As it becomes available for the first time as a podcast and playlist, Audio Content Editor Sam Davidson and Kids Alive! Editor Cara Mott take us behind the scenes.

How did Morning Praise with Kids Alive! first come about?

Sam We wanted to cater for all ages on Salvationist Radio. We knew adults were catered for but we had no children’s songs in the catalogue of music being played. So we took the format that already worked in Kids Alive! and offered it in a different medium.

What’s the format of the show?

Sam Each show has songs, a Giggle in the Middle with jokes, and a thought from the Kids Alive! editor. We have a chat about what’s in Kids Alive! That week. We also have a prayer and part of that is the same every week, so that listeners can join in.

Three years on, how’s it going?

Sam Really well! We started with Justin Reeves, then editor of Kids Alive!, as co-host. Now Cara is the co-presenter. It’s a joy to put the programme together. We’ve not missed a week and we’ve had some really lovely messages from people who enjoy it.

Cara When I took over as editor, it was one of the things I wasn’t looking forward to, because it wasn’t something I’d ever done before! But I really enjoy doing it every week. Sam’s got so much energy and joy!

Do you have favourite songs you’ve played so far?

Sam ‘Graves into Gardens’ and ‘I Speak Jesus’ are really good.

Cara ‘I’m a Child of God’ is good, with a nice, simple message. It’s one that gets stuck in my head! I think songs are a nice way to take things in. When kids listen to the radio, it also tends to be as a family, so it’s multi-generational, and I think the songs are a big part of that.

Sam Some of the songs will be in my Spotify Wrapped this year!

Giggle in the Middle is a key part of the magazine and the show. Do you have any favourite jokes?

Sam I love any animal joke, but I also like the punny ones!

Cara Any kind of pirate jokes ‘arrr’ my favourites!

What led to the new podcast version of the show?

Sam We broadcast the show at 7.30am on Saturdays, 9.30am on Sundays and 7.30am on Mondays. Sunday mornings tend to be most popular, but not everyone can listen live. A podcast version means it’s available to anyone.

Cara It’ll also help people use it as a resource in different ways. That could be listening in the car or at a Sunday school or after-school club.

How can people listen?

Sam You can listen live and access the podcast at tsa.link/morningpraise. It’s also on all major audio platforms, including Amazon Music, Spotify and Apple Music. And there’s a playlist on Spotify, so you can listen to the songs we play.

How does the show get made?

Sam If we’re in the building at the same time, we record in the studio. Then I pick the songs, which are based on what’s in Kids Alive! that week and Cara’s thought.

Cara Even when we’re not able to be together to record, we’ve got into a good rhythm and still find a way to bounce off each other!

Cara, how do you come up with your Ed’s Bit each week?

Cara It’s inspired by what’s in Kids Alive! that week. Sometimes it’s tough, sometimes it’s easy. If I can’t think of how to begin, I just start writing, even if I haven’t worked out what I’m going to say!

Do you have any highlights so far?

Cara The International Day of Children and Young People last April, when Michelle wrote the Ed’s Bit and read it for the radio! She did really well!

Sam Any time we have input from kids, it’s great, including when people send in their jokes.

Is Giggle in the Middle still open for submissions?

Cara Always!

Sam Absolutely! Just record a joke and send it to radio@salvationarmy.org.uk!