The Midnight Rebellion

Introducing Million Bazillion, a podcast about money for kids & families from Marketplace

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.

26 | Into the Lake

As a storm rages, our heroes descend into Shark Lake Farewell and adieu This is the end

25 | Refuse

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

24 | Across the City

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

23 | Accept

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

22 | Bright Tower

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

21 | Gulf of Maine

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 !

20 | Nakambe River

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?

19 | Cape Cod Bay

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

Part III: 18 | Rebel

Joule and Cutthroat plan their rescue mission at the rebels’ home base Nico tries to be positive Buggy listens to the radio Yes, tomatoes are fruits Please do not send us angry mail

16 | Lies

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?

15 | Joule, Aboard

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

14 | Truth

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 There’s something in the water

13 | Jump Ship

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

Part II: 12 | Smoke and Sails

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 !

11 | Seek the Seawall

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

10 | Hide

Joule jumps into the slime pile to avoid getting speared But unexpected news threatens her plans, and she seeks advice from a Scottish guy who reads a lot

9 | Swim for It

We strongly discourage crossing rivers if you don’t know how to swim Joule does not take our advice

8 | Find the Warden

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!

7 | Get to the Copter

She haz to get to zee copter! Joule ditches the kid and goes after the flying thing with chrome tentacles She meets someone without a head, and then gets herself in a bind

6 | Make for the Marsh

Electricity never felt so scary With Bright’s shockbolting tins in hot pursuit, Joule and the others flee Mud Market, but will they make it to the marsh in time? More importantly, is it pronounced “marsh” or “mahsh”?

5 | Stand Up

Joule introduces herself to Buggy’s sibling, who is .. Then an old lady gives a math quiz

4 | Chase the Kid

The weird boy disappears into the fog, an epic chase ensues, and Joule gets a tour of Intertidal Sacrifice Zone #617 She spots a duck

3 | Into the Machine

Joule steps inside the vessel to retrieve her mom’s watch Then she gets a good night’s rest, and everything is peachy Just kidding

2 | Get Hart

Joule calls for Hartree to show him the machine, but surprise strikes when she wakes up far from home Also, there’s dessert Show notes: Script : Read along ! Learn more and “play” the show at wbur.org/midnight

Part I: 1 | Almost Midnight

The adventure begins As a storm rages, Joule Watts-Green and her brother sneak into their mom’s laboratory, where she finds a mysterious machine containing a lost treasure What will Joule do?

Trailer: The Midnight Rebellion

When Joule steps into her mom’s mysterious machine, she’s thrown into a strange and polluted city of tides. The sea has risen, turning streets into rivers. The air is thick and smelly. The sun feels like hot iron. And the place crawls with energy-hungry robots that shoot lightning. It’s not great! But who said danger can’t be fun? To find her way home, Joule must be brave and smart, she’ll need friends, and she’ll need you. That’s right. YOU! The person reading this right now! Every chapter ends with a choice, and your choices shape the story . 26 episodes. 82 possible paths. You can save Joule. You might even save the world. The clock’s ticking. What will you do? Part 1 launches on Earth Day, April 22. Follow The Midnight Rebellion in your podcast app now to get notified when episodes drop.