Draw It Out with Justin Ward and CallJimboFirst

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Justin Ward to discuss how his puppet show, Draw It Out, is helping kids learn to read. CallJimboFirst also joined to discuss his album, Weight of the World! Justin, a 17-year-old puppeteer and creator of Draw It Out, breaks down the mechanics of teaching reading on screen. Together, they talk about how puppets, music, animation, and live action can turn literacy into something kids choose, not something they avoid. They also get honest about what creators face behind the scenes: distribution, engagement, and the constant fight for funding which leads us into a timely debate about AI generated media. Then Detroit rapper and environmental educator Call Jimbo First gives a live sample of his single “Window Streets” and joins the conversation to unpack what he thinks is missing from the current rap moment. They talk about the Detroit sound, authenticity, innovation, and why storytelling matters across generations. Finally, they close with a sharp look at politics, including why campaigns obsess over Black Detroit voters and how the conversation shifts when we focus on policy instead of personality.