The Midnight Rebellion

Million Bazillion is an award-winning podcast from Marketplace about money for kids and their families. In this episode, Bridget and Ryan are approached by a big film producer to write the next summer blockbuster — a movie all about the penny! The timing couldn’t be better because so many of you have been wanting to know: why did the U.S. stop making pennies? The answer comes down to dollars and cents. But will this be Million Bazillion ’s big break into Hollywood? Listen now to find out.

This is your friendly narrator with an important message. We want to hear your questions about the show! The Midnight Rebellion crew is hosting a livestreamed event with the show’s creators about the making of the podcast. And we want to see you there on Wednesday, August 12th. Join the podcast’s creators Ben Brock Johnson and Dean Russell , sound designer Emily Jankowski, and illustrator Sophie Morse as they reveal how Joule and Intertidal Sacrifice Zone #617 came to life. If you have questions like: How did you come up with all those storylines? How’d you make the sound effects? What went into the illustrations? Why choices? Why climate change? What happened to Captain Cutthroat ... ANY questions at all, you can ask the people behind the show! Get the story behind the story on Wednesday, August 12th at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 2:30 p.m. Pacific. The event will be live-streamed online, so you can attend from anywhere. Grab a grown-up and go to wbur.org/events to get your ticket. And email your questions to midnightrebellion@wbur.org . You can write them down or send a voice memo, which we’ll play during the event. Just make sure to get the okay from a parent or guardian. Ask us anything on August 12th. Tock tick!

As a storm rages, our heroes descend into Shark Lake. Farewell and adieu. This is the end. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Want more? Become a rebel: wbur.org/midnightclub . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Joule rejects the deal, keeps the pocket watch, and makes for the machine. What happens next? We’ll be honest with you. Things fall apart. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Sure, you chose to go after Nico. That doesn’t mean everyone has to agree. An argument splits the group, and the mission gets complicated in Sky Island’s carnival of delights. Squawk. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Joule trades her ride home to save her mom and friends. That might spell doom for the planet’s future, but you’ve got plenty of time to figure that out. It’s the future. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Want more? Become a rebel: wbur.org/midnightclub . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

With no idea how to find Nico, Joule sticks to the plan to save her mom. The funny thing about family reunions? They’re never as normal as you want them to be. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

After fleeing the Sac, the gang sails northeast into the vaster ocean. A nearing storm foretells destruction. Also, their boat sinks. Show notes: Script: R ead along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

A stroke of luck helps the group reach a new continent as they search for Sky Island. There’s a lot of sand, but oases are real, right? Right? Show notes: Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

On their quest for the elusive Sky Island, the trio follows a staticky signal to turbulent waters. They find a field of long-forgotten giants. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Joule and Cutthroat plan their rescue mission at the rebels’ home base. Nico tries to be positive. Buggy listens to the radio. P.S. Yes, tomatoes are fruits. Please do not send us angry mail. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Joule doesn’t trust Cap’n Cutthroat as far as she can throw him—which is not far. (He’s huge!) So she makes something up. The bad news? She’s not the best liar. The other bad news? Puzzles. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Listen to the next episode using the password at wbur.org/midnightcode . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Bright must not keep the machine! Joule continues the journey alone and slips inside Bright’s shipping vessel. But, squid suckers, it is hot, and she did not bring a water bottle. Can she borrow yours? Wait, that doesn’t make sense. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Shocked by the big news, Joule decides to trust Cap’n Cutthroat and tell him she lost the machine. (Twice.) Does he keep his cool? We’re going to let you figure that one out on your own. P.S. There’s something in the water. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Learn more and read about Fin at wbur.org/midnight . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Joule goes back for Buggy and Nico, Bright gets away with the machine, and the trio comes face-to-face with a tattooed pirate in desperate need of anger management classes. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Learn more and read about the characters at wbur.org/midnight . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

The mission is greater! The stakes are stakier! Joule and the others race to Black Marsh — but they are not the only ones searching for the machine. (There’s also a seagull.) Show notes : Script: Read along ! Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Joule and the others take a boat to the harbor in the dead of night. How are they supposed to find the machine in the dark? Don’t ask us, we didn’t choose this chapter. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Learn more and poke a gull at wbur.org/midnight . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Joule jumps into the slime pile to avoid getting speared. Smart. But unexpected news threatens her plans, and she seeks advice from a Scottish guy who reads a lot. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Learn more and poke a crab at wbur.org/midnight . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

We strongly discourage crossing rivers if you don’t know how to swim. Joule does not take our advice. Show notes: Script: Read along ! Learn more and poke crabs at wbur.org/midnight . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)

Chaos erupts at the Bunker Hill Work Camp for a Brighter Future, but Joule is on a mission. Finally, someone hears her out. Be Bright, be right! Show notes: Script: Read along ! Learn more and poke the crab at wbur.org/midnight . Take the listener survey here: wbur.org/midnightsurvey . (Just make sure to grab a parent or guardian if you are under 18)