Kid Nation Nation: The Pioneer Podcast

Daniel Kyri, best known to Kid Nation fans as DK, joins us on an amazing Pioneer Chat this week! Now a successful actor who stars on NBC’s Chicago Fire, the Chicago native rolls back the clock to discuss his time as a 14 year old in Bonanza City. Daniel dishes about the children’s gospel choir performance that got him cast, what Guylan told him on the night he threatened to leave town, and what REALLY went down with the whole “bleach drinking” incident you’ve probably read about online. Let’s just say we were VERY wrong about it being overblown.

All good things must come to an end. And to an end they must come in “We’ve All Decided to Go Mad!” The kids are woken up by a Moses-like image of a burning bush, only its the job board/caste system! And that ain’t the only iconic Bonanza City item going up in flames. This episode has it all. Parents! Pasta! Four gold stars! That’s right, FOUR, and three of them are a lot heavier than usual if you catch my drift. Take a listen and join Pablo and Stevie as they say goodbye to Kid Nation.

In “Where’s Bonanza, Dude,” arguably the most beloved Kid Nation kid finally wins a gold star. But hold up, partner! Before that revelation, this episode is jam packed with some cool ideas that show what a season 2 could’ve been like. Newly elected Sheriff Sophia takes charge of the town and is a big step up from the Town Council. Speaking of the Big Boys, they are sent by the journal out into the wilderness where they meet a Native American tribe who teaches them about leadership. Back in town, the Big Boy-less teams struggle with the most strength-dependent Showdown yet. And when it comes to the prizes, there’s a controversial (to Stevie and Pablo) choice that has us becoming believers of The Mandela Effect!

True Kid Nation heads know that the answer to “Remember the chicken killing episode?” is “Which one?!” In “I Just Like the Recess Part,” the kids of Bonanza City are roped into yet another chicken killing controversy, although this one has a bigger focus on eugenics. After Jonathan Karsh drops a hint about the Showdown being a quiz, the kids (except Taylor) hit the books and we get some of the most adorable scenes yet. This is a jam packed episode featuring Dance Dance Revolution, Taylor doing dishes, Sophia being elected Sheriff, and we meet Hunter’s dad, the chillest dad in America. Better listen to this episode quick before Sophia padlocks your favorite podcast app of choice!

Fascism comes to Bonanza City in “Let Me Talk,” one of the darker episodes of Kid Nation. Now that Greg and his crew of Big Boys have taken power in Bonanza City, things take a turn as they lead the Nation in a weird game of introductions (despite knowing each other for over a month) with dire consequences for laughing. After Greg and Blaine spend an afternoon catcalling the girls of Bonanza City, Michael realizes he has to take a stand against his fellow council leaders. On the lighter side, we get a fun, if predictably convoluted, Showdown involving pies and one of the best Gold Star phone calls yet involving a fan favorite!