What if your child created and consumed media that shaped their character?
In this episode of Humankindness at Work, you’ll meet Daniel Badi Rinaldi, a professional media producer and the founder and executive director of Shiny Gems, a media education organization helping students in grades four through eight navigate their digital lives with wisdom, creativity, and integrity.
Daniel’s grandparents worked on beloved Disney films during the golden age like Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Dumbo. Growing up surrounded by storytelling, Daniel developed a deep love for media from an early age. Alongside that came another influence: his mother, who facilitated a virtues-based character development program in the neighborhoods of Cali, Colombia – teaching children values like kindness, generosity, patience, and humility.
Decades later, Daniel brought both worlds together. After a career spanning PBS Kids, NPR, iHeart Radio, documentary production, journalism, and podcasting, he founded Shiny Gems — a curriculum now reaching classrooms across the United States and Canada.
Shiny Gems uses media itself to teach media literacy and digital citizenship, weaving virtues into every module. Students learn practical skills that help them become active, thoughtful participants in their digital lives rather than passive consumers.
In this conversation, Daniel shares:
- How childhood media experiences shape identity and imagination, and why that matters for the content kids consume today
- What “better content” really means, and why it isn’t about producing feel-good fluff
- How virtues like moderation, patience, and generosity apply directly to digital citizenship
- Why even posting a photo or an emoji is a creative act, and an opportunity to reflect your values
- A simple, powerful question every parent and educator can ask to spark media literacy at home
- Daniel’s hopeful vision for a society built on trust, purposeful storytelling, and communities that look out for one another
Whether you’re a parent trying to guide your child through the noise of screens and social media, an educator looking for character-based curriculum tools, or someone who simply believes that the stories we tell matter – this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to make a difference in your corner of the digital world.
✨ Shiny Gems is currently in one of its pilot phases, and the pilot modules are available at no charge. Visit ShinyGems.com to learn more and get started.
🎤 THIS EPISODE’S SPONSOR PARTNER: JENNIFER’S VOICE
Jennifer Clark is a multi-award nominated female voice over talent who specializes in TV/radio/digital commercials, web videos, corporate training, eLearning, TV narration and documentaries. She has voiced projects for brands like Apple, Walmart, Pinterest, Walgreens, Advent Health, NASA, PBS, Sam’s Club, Hilton, LEGO, and Starbucks. Jennifer is a trusted and seasoned voice talent, who brings the sound of humankindness® to everything she voices. Need professional voice over for your media projects? Let the sound of humankindness share your story!
Check out her work and get in touch at https://jennifersvoice.com.
🎧 PRODUCER: Melanie Scroggins of Scroggins Creative
Scroggins Creative is a content studio run by husband-and-wife duo, Jeremy and Melanie Scroggins, helping founders and teams create thoughtful, high-quality podcasts and videos for heart-led brands.
🎵 Original music written and produced by Brent Johnson.