The podcast embarks on a brand-new chapter, as we begin the journey of exploring the beloved animated show, Steven Universe!

Steven is a joyful, curious, and lovable half-human, half-Gem boy who is raised by three female Crystal Gem mentors: Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl. We’re introduced to Steven during a critical period in his development: He’s not yet mastered his gemstone power. The concept of “fusion” is key to managing the power of a gemstone. A Crystal Gem merges their body and their abilities to form a new, more powerful persona. The outcome is an embodiment of one’s strongest assets. Though Steven struggles to understand and has yet to discover his individual purpose, he maintains a positive and hopeful outlook about his future. At about 12 years old, his personality traits are already well-formed and become pivotal to his emerging role as a young protector of Beach City.

Using the Big 5 Personality Traits as a model, we discuss Steven’s strengths and features, taking into account how much of his personality may have been shaped by his environment and past life events. Given his eagerness to help others, his consistently positive outlook–even in the face of danger, his emotional expressiveness, and his active imagination, Steven’s strongest personality traits include agreeableness, openness, and social dominance (extraversion). Nothing seems too threatening to Steven’s carefree mind.

Is such optimism learned? And will Steven become jaded and worrisome as he grows older and faces more threats and losses? We discuss the malleability of personality and the possibility that we could all get to be just like Steven Universe.