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Pod Meets World

Ruby Bridges

02 Jun 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What is the significance of Ruby Bridges' story?

0.031 - 3.763 Will Friedle

This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.

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5.228 - 21.809 The Jonas Brothers

Hey guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

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22.09 - 43.396 The Jonas Brothers

Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but you know. Tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. I am the Therapy Gecko. I am an unlicensed lizard therapist who takes phone calls from real anonymous humans about their problems, such as this.

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43.857 - 51.712 Unknown

Sometimes I'll have my girlfriend pre-chew spicy food and kind of baby bird it into my mouth. Is that weird?

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51.992 - 75.738 The Jonas Brothers

This week on Therapy Gecko, we're hearing all real, authentic human stories about anything from relationships to family drama to serendipitous encounters with unexpected people and things. If real people pique your interest, this is the podcast for you. Listen to Therapy Gecko on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

76.579 - 83.626 Unknown

Your husband is not who you think he is. Your body is not what you thought it was. Your identity is formed by a secret history.

84.067 - 91.62 The Jonas Brothers

I'm Dani Shapiro, and these are just a few of the stunning stories I'll be exploring on the 14th season of Family Secrets.

92.201 - 97.691 Will Friedle

He kind of shoved me out of the way and said, move. And he went out the front door and he jumped in a car and drove off.

97.731 - 105.925 Unknown

And that was the last time I saw him. Listen to season 14 of Family Secrets on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Chapter 2: How did the film portray Ruby's first day at school?

253.325 - 272.835 The Jonas Brothers

the wave tsunamis in the high school's musical. I'm Will Friedle. And I'm Sabrina Bryan. Guys, it's true. Most of the DCOMs we review here on Magical Rewind involve talent agent aliens or rollerblades or talent agent aliens on rollerblades. But every once in a while, we get a well-deserved break to watch something of actual cultural significance. And that's where we are today.

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273.068 - 295.212 The Jonas Brothers

Yeah, I mean, we've talked about this. The other ones we've really watched kind of in this vein are Color of Friendship, Selma, Lord Selma, even Tiger Cruise, which are, you know, based on true events, but then through the lens of a child. But this one was a little different. This was through the lens of a child, kind of.

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295.428 - 320.146 The Jonas Brothers

It was more through the eyes of the adults watching the child, which made it a little more difficult for me to watch because it was just like we were talking about. I mean, again, Selma, Lord Selma, you're watching everything happen through her eyes, whereas this is you're kind of watching these things happen to this little girl. And it was. As Sabrina said, it was difficult, but it was hard.

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320.507 - 339.643 The Jonas Brothers

The movie originally aired on January 18th, 1998 as part of their Wonderful World of Disney series. And here's something we haven't seen often. It premiered in the UK much later in 2005 as part of the Black Women Film Festival. It is a rare occurrence when a DCOM can also be included in a film festival. So that is very, very cool.

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339.927 - 353.124 The Jonas Brothers

Also rare, the movie was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, which doubles as New Orleans here. And it was very well received, obviously, nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and it won the 1998 Humanities Prize for the screenplay.

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Now, this movie was in the news back in 2023 when a Florida parent filed a complaint with their school district saying the film was not appropriate for second graders to watch because it might teach them that, quote, white people hate black people, unquote.

364.919 - 377.613 The Jonas Brothers

And properly, the suggestion to ban the film was not approved by a committee of teachers, parents, community members, and a library and media technology specialist, which I don't know anything about that job, but it sounds like a job I'd like, after watching the movie with the parents' objection in mind.

377.873 - 392.749 The Jonas Brothers

So thankfully, some people understand that history should be taught so it doesn't repeat itself. But it is true that the film includes racially sensitive language and themes, so I could definitely see some discretion being advised, but movies like these are important and factually correct.

393.387 - 411.354 The Jonas Brothers

Beyond just the movie, Ruby Bridges is forever immortalized in the Norman Rockwell painting, The Problem We All Live In, an iconic and startling image of the civil rights movement that at one time was displayed in the White House. She's also the subject of the Laurie McKenna song, Ruby's Shoes. Bridges is 71 years old and still lives in New Orleans with her husband and four sons.

Chapter 3: What challenges did Ruby face during integration?

660.57 - 677.309 The Jonas Brothers

Again, it's tough. I'm also, I'm one of those people where I, movies like this are hard for me for a number of reasons, but one of the reasons is I genuinely, I don't understand the hate. I don't understand people that hate that much or have that much hate directed towards them.

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677.389 - 699.974 The Jonas Brothers

I've been lucky in both aspects in that I don't hate that much and I've never had that kind of hate directed towards me. And I'm just, I'm woefully ignorant when it comes to this type of hate, this level of where, where does this come from? This pure visceral hatred of a child, a child. I don't, I just don't understand it.

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700.175 - 712.21 The Jonas Brothers

And so of anyone, of anyone in that respect, but also like a child, like I'm looking, I think that was what I'm saying. Like it was hard. Like I have an almost six year old who, you know,

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713.253 - 735.981 The Jonas Brothers

in so many aspects, like is just starting her life, you know, and like, has not been unkind to, to anyone, you know, like just doesn't have the deserving of someone to be that hateful, regardless of the color of her skin, where she comes from, the amount of money, the not much, like any of that, like trying to put that. I just, I have no understanding. No, I don't either. I just don't get it.

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736.242 - 745.833 The Jonas Brothers

So there, it was a tough, it was a tough watch or necessary one, but definitely tough. Some of the, I mean, it was, you know, background actors that got these roles.

745.933 - 753.963 Sabrina Bryan

I couldn't even think of doing the roles that were done. I know. Of saying the things. I know. It would be too hard. It's tough.

753.983 - 765.776 The Jonas Brothers

It would be too hard. Ruby Bridges was directed by, and I'm hoping I get the name right, Uzan Palsy, a new name to the podcast. The female director originally from Martinique. dealt in a much deeper universe than your normal DCOM.

765.836 - 785.514 The Jonas Brothers

She often explored the ideas of race, gender, and politics in her films, most notably in Sugarcane Alley when she became the first Black director to win the Caesar Award and the Venice Film Festival's Silver Lion. Then she directed A Dry White Season in 1999, which was the first film produced by major Hollywood studios directed by a Black female director. Pretty amazing stuff.

786.134 - 801.908 The Jonas Brothers

In 2022, she was given the Academy Honor Award at the Oscars for her contributions to cinema. And with something like this, with such an acclaimed director, they've got a very impressive cast, as we were talking about, especially for A Wonderful World of Disney or DCOM. We have Penelope Ann Miller, plays Barbara Henry.

Chapter 4: How did Ruby's family react to the protests?

977.889 - 990.424 The Jonas Brothers

What's the news, Nate? Huge news. We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Yeah, a pretty wide range of podcasts.

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990.464 - 991.165 Unknown

We're starting a trend.

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991.506 - 1013.673 The Jonas Brothers

But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with the name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it, and... Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this.

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1014.033 - 1033.458 The Jonas Brothers

We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, hey, Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

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1034.299 - 1053.085 The Jonas Brothers

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source.

1053.065 - 1071.423 The Jonas Brothers

the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear, the laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight reel. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

1071.443 - 1080.912 The Jonas Brothers

Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

1080.892 - 1085.4 Unknown

And for more, follow Timbo Slice Life 12 and the TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

1085.901 - 1095.397 The Jonas Brothers

I am the therapy gecko. I am an unlicensed lizard therapist who takes phone calls from real anonymous humans about their problems, such as this.

Chapter 5: What role did Dr. Coles play in Ruby's life?

1290.299 - 1307.4 The Jonas Brothers

They have a lot to be proud of. Inside Ruby's house, Ruby and her siblings are now jumping on the bed, acting like kids. When Mrs. Bridges walks in, they need to stop playing and start their nighttime prayers. Mr. Bridges is sitting on the couch watching a news report about the proposed racial mixing in the New Orleans public schools, which is set to begin on Monday.

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1307.801 - 1322.82 The Jonas Brothers

The attorney general has warned the governor, James Davis, not to interfere with the federal court's order to desegregate the schools. Davis, however, is vowing to preserve segregation despite the warning. Mr. Bridges shuts off the TV and tells his wife that he isn't sure about all this. She's not going to let it scare her, though.

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1322.86 - 1336.56 The Jonas Brothers

The federal government means more than the state and stuff like this. But Mr. Bridges questions why they'd send Ruby somewhere she isn't even wanted. If she did so good in that test, that means she's doing just fine where she is. Mrs. Bridges argues that black schools just aren't as good as the white ones.

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Dr. Broyard said Ruby has what it takes to go far, and this could make things better for all children of color. Now in a crowded church, everyone is singing and celebrating. Then the preacher starts a sermon. And the one little boy who is singing in this choir is crushing it.

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1351.915 - 1355.603 Sabrina Bryan

Oh, my gosh. So, so good.

1355.883 - 1373.979 The Jonas Brothers

It was just amazing hearing this little kid sing. It was like, man, it was really remarkable. The preacher talks about how every day there is something new to keep them oppressed, but they will rise up and persevere. Church then lets out, and now Ruby and Allison are walking home, talking about how she's going to a new school tomorrow and even gets to ride in a car.

1374.64 - 1392.887 The Jonas Brothers

Allison is going to a Catholic school soon, and she isn't even Catholic. Ruby promises she'll still see Allison and jokes she'll still whoop her butt in baseball. The next morning at Ruby's house, Abon is eating breakfast and Ruby is just adorably staring at him. He asks if she's nervous and she just shrugs her shoulders. He wishes he could go with her, but she can tell him all about it later.

1393.327 - 1410.769 The Jonas Brothers

He calls her his brave little girl and she smiles. Abon walks outside to go to work and sees police blocking off the road. He walks over to ask what's going on and the officer says they're only letting residents come and go. Mr. Bridges may need ID to come home later in case he runs into the next shift or Startled, Mr. Bridges shakes his head and continues his walk to work.

1411.39 - 1428.334 The Jonas Brothers

We're now back inside the house, thanks to their neighbor, Mrs. Taylor. Ruby's dressed in a pink dress with a pink bow in her hair, ready for her first day at her new school. Mrs. Bridges reminds Ruby to answer her teacher with, yes, ma'am. We're outside now, and an official-looking car arrives with Deputy U.S. Marshal Al Butler and his team, ready to escort Ruby to school.

Chapter 6: How did Ruby's experiences impact her mental health?

1616.027 - 1635.207 The Jonas Brothers

Absolutely. Just because somebody is in a profession doesn't make them good people. The Marshalls are with Ruby and her mother in the main office when parents start barging into rooms and removing their children. One mother uses a horrible slur on her way out. Ruby asks her mom. There's a lot of those in this movie, so I'm skipping over all of them, obviously. They're there and were of the time.

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1635.828 - 1644.722 Unknown

The one thing I did put in, like, Sabrina was just like, that was so jarring and hard to hear in a Disney Channel movie. Yeah.

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1644.702 - 1651.554 Will Friedle

Some of the slang that was used, even things, things that were written on the posters. Yeah.

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1652.496 - 1656.402 Unknown

I mean, it was obviously what was, you know what I mean? Like it was.

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1656.603 - 1678.07 The Jonas Brothers

Well, that's why I'm glad I hate to put it this way, but I'm glad they did it, meaning I'm glad they kept it in. Because you don't want him to soften it for the fact that it's Disney because that's what it was going through. It's like, we're not going to change the words that were hurled at this little girl because it might offend people nowadays watching the movie or it might upset kids.

1678.09 - 1684.139 The Jonas Brothers

It's like, no, you needed to hear that. the actual vile things that were being thrown at this six-year-old.

1684.279 - 1685.2 Will Friedle

And how horrible they sound.

1685.22 - 1700.276 The Jonas Brothers

As she's trying to go to kindergarten or first grade. And so I'm glad that they said, no, we're not going to cut these out because they're horrible words. We're keeping them in. Specifically because they're horrible words. That's why we're keeping them in.

1700.456 - 1708.104 Will Friedle

It's part of what makes it as a hard watch. I'm telling you, my skin crawled every time. Every time, yes.

Chapter 7: What lessons can we learn from Ruby's story?

1879.315 - 1895.19 The Jonas Brothers

We're now in the school hallway. Mrs. Henry is looking for the lounge and another teacher, Ms. Spencer, at first ignores her, but eventually and very reluctantly shows her the way, commenting she must have really needed a job to take this one. We're now in the teacher's lounge. Mrs. Henry tells Spencer she doesn't need consolation.

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She's taught children from many different backgrounds and she's enjoyed them all. Another teacher says the school is ruined and Mrs. Henry is partly to blame. Then she leaves. Mrs. Henry thinks it's silly for the whole school to empty out because of one little girl. Obviously, she was offered this position and didn't know that she'd be teaching only one student.

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Miss Spencer reveals she told the principal she wouldn't teach Ruby using another slur in the process. Yikes. She then ironically transitioned into prayer before eating. So horrible racial slur. You're ruining this school. Everything's awful. Now I'm going to pray to Jesus because this seems like exactly the type of thing God would.

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1934.938 - 1937.503 Unknown

Yeah. Oh, it's just like it kept getting worse.

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1937.523 - 1955.031 The Jonas Brothers

It's just very, very difficult. Yeah. Miss Henry is obviously dumbfounded by all of her new coworkers. We're now outside the school. Another day has come to a close. Ruby and her mom are again leaving, walking through the protest. Lucille covers her daughter's ears this time. We're now at Ruby's house. Eben is reading the paper and tells his wife that things are getting very dangerous.

1955.212 - 1969.933 The Jonas Brothers

It's not too late to take her out of the school. He knows that Ruby's supposed to go alone tomorrow. and can't imagine putting her through that. Lucille is sick of people telling her what she can and can't do. They can't be afraid any longer. Mr. Bridges barks back that he was in the war. He's not afraid and she better watch out who she's talking to.

1970.514 - 1986.043 The Jonas Brothers

She apologizes and argues that the school is cleaner and nicer and that her teacher, Mrs. Henry, is smart and kind. We're now in the kids' rooms. Lucille says goodnight and tells Ruby that she has to go back to work tomorrow. She asks if Ruby can be a brave girl and go to school by herself with the big men. Ruby thinks it over and says okay.

1986.424 - 2004.116 The Jonas Brothers

Lucille reminds her that Jesus also fought the mob and even prayed for them. She gives Ruby one last kiss, knowing tomorrow might be tough. And so we're now at school. The next day, Ruby arrives with just the deputy marshals and the crowd has gotten even bigger. Dr. Coles is there, still very concerned. The deputy marshal tells Ruby to remember what he said. Just keep looking straight ahead.

2004.477 - 2023.32 The Jonas Brothers

And then they make their way to the front door when one woman yells, I'm going to hang you until you choke to death to a six year old girl. Amongst the hatred, Ruby looks straight ahead, hearing her mom and dad's voice in her head. She's a brave little girl and God loves her. She sees KKK and the N-word written on the wall, mimicking the famous Norman Rockwell painting as well.

Chapter 8: How has Ruby Bridges' legacy influenced education today?

2124.466 - 2143.186 The Jonas Brothers

Every single angle. I mean, especially when you're, you know, your neighbor, your friend, these kids were playing baseball just a few days ago together, you know, and, and they're obviously a very tight knit community. They hang out all the time. And then for that to happen and you can see both sides of the coin, right?

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2143.266 - 2164.048 The Jonas Brothers

Like them having a hard time because of someone else's decisions, you know, just it's, Yeah, it was tough. It's all hard. Yep, it really is. He says white folks were fine when he was willing to die for this country, but you try to give your beautiful little daughter what they have and they'll remind you how it's actually their country. Yes, man was a soldier. Yes.

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Lucille knows it's tough right now and he probably blames her for everything, but they're going to get through this. He leaves for the bedroom while she stays back and cries in the kitchen. The next morning, Eben walks out of the house with Ruby. He's going to go with her to school today. But the deputy marshal says he's sorry. It's just too dangerous. Eben can't believe this. He's her father.

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The deputy thinks that since he is her father, he might not be able to restrain himself. Yup. Eben kisses Ruby goodbye and she drives off with the officers. At school, the day is over once again. Oh, my God. I couldn't even imagine being a dad and walking your kid through that. You'd be like, I'm going to. No. Couldn't even imagine.

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2196.616 - 2208.501 Will Friedle

I mean, so it's like you're basically saying it's safer to go with these strange stranger men, these men that are strangers to her than it is for me to take my own. It's safer for them to her to go with you.

2208.841 - 2228.635 The Jonas Brothers

Yeah. Well, with at the time, it's safer to go with armed white protectors than it is for her black father to walk her into school. Right. Crazy. That is, I mean, that is so heavy. Yep. So heavy. At school, the day's over once again. Mrs. Henry is chasing after Miss Woodmere to point out that Ruby isn't taking phys ed and should have some type of music class.

2229.135 - 2245.995 The Jonas Brothers

But instead of concern, Miss Woodmere just walks away. She's now forced to vacate school property expeditiously just because of Ruby. Mrs. Henry points out that it's not Ruby's fault. It's because of people's attitudes towards Ruby. Miss Woodmere claims she's caught in the middle. What does Mrs. Henry expect her to do? Then she gets in her car and she leaves.

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Back in the classroom, we get a montage. Ruby is studying and now Mrs. Henry is even teaching phys ed. They're doing jumping jacks as people still protest outside, yelling slurs and things like, I'm going to poison you. Ruby asks her when all the other kids are coming back so things can just get back to normal. Mrs. Henry says the students will come back eventually. Their parents are just angry.

2263.836 - 2282.749 The Jonas Brothers

They'll get over it. But for now, she has her very own school. The bell rings and Mrs. Henry tells Ruby she'll be back in 30 minutes after lunch. And I thought this was weird that now she sits alone in silence. It seemed like I was waiting for something to happen while she was by herself. Like I was just on edge thinking something was going to happen with this little girl by herself.

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