When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, John Ludlow, MD, FACEP — an emergency physician and father — noticed that his young children were spending most of their screen time on YouTube. Although the platform offered endless videos, he often found the content unsuitable. “There’s definitely a need for something,” he thought. “What can I contribute?”

At first, Dr. Ludlow experimented for fun. He produced family-friendly music videos — covers of “Ghostbusters” and “Monster Mash” — learning how to record songs, film on a green screen, and edit videos. But soon, he realized that he wanted to create something that reflected who he was as both a physician and a dad.

Out of that desire came “The Dr. John Show,” a colorful YouTube series that takes children on imaginative journeys inside the human body.

The inspiration was rooted in Dr. Ludlow’s childhood

love for “The Magic School Bus” animated TV series. His first episode of “The Dr. John Show,” which focused on the heart, shrunk children until they were tiny enough to float through chambers of blood. Later episodes explored the brain, eyes, and other parts of the body, blending science with adventure.

Each show ends with a catchy original song that Dr. Ludlow wrote and produced himself. Targeting viewers ages 4-7, Dr. Ludlow carefully balances education with entertainment. For the younger ones, the show sparks curiosity about the body; for older ones, it introduces real medical concepts.

“A 7-year-old can understand where their teeth come from,” Dr. Ludlow said. “For a 4-year-old, it’s more about realizing that the body isn’t just a mystery. It’s something you can learn about.”

His own children are now a vital part of the series’ production. Dr. Ludlow admits he was cautious about putting them online at first, but with YouTube’s kid protections, he said he feels it is a safe, creative outlet. “They love it,” he said proudly.

The show has reached beyond YouTube. In local Kaiser Permanente pediatric physician waiting rooms, children watch “The Dr. John Show” before appointments. Families in Dr. Ludlow’s community often stop to tell him how much they enjoy it.

“That’s been the coolest thing,” he reflected, “seeing the local interaction.”

Dr. Ludlow’s passion for education runs parallel to his work in emergency medicine. Drawn to the field for its variety, urgency, and social mission, he values caring for patients regardless of insurance or background. He notes that emergency physicians are often the first to confront society’s greatest health challenges, from opioid overdoses to immigrant care.