On this episode of Cookies for Breakfast, recorded early in 2022, I am joined by my friend and mentor, Eliot Daley. Eliot played a significant role in the early development of the classic children’s television series, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As friend and partner to Fred Rogers, Eliot served as president of Small World Enterprises, Inc. and Executive Vice President of Family Communications, Inc. (the precursors to Fred Rogers Productions.) He co-wrote several scripts with Fred Rogers under the guidance of Dr. Margaret McFarland. We talk in great detail about that process from concept, to refinement and delivery. We also reflect upon the importance of friendship and mentorship, bridging generational knowledge to meet the social-emotional needs of the day. We also discuss parallels between the challenges of early television communication, present-day interactive screens and the potential futures of communication in the daily lives of children and adults. His time working on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in the early 1970s, dramatically deepened his understanding of what it means to bring out the best in others. Consequently, he has adopted a favorite definition of love: “to yearn for the fulfillment of another person on their own terms”. We can see this reflected in his regular essays, which can be found through his website, The Daley Almanac. I’m deeply thankful to have Eliot Daley in my life. I hope you enjoy our conversation.