EdsUp! talks with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, the educational director of the Targeted Parenting™ Institute. Targeted Parenting™ is a parenting system that uses empirically validated techniques to train parents and children to overcome various disorders of childhood in a preventative fashion, in order to minimize or avoid later expensive psychotherapy. View resources at https://www.drrobynkoslowitz.com/

EdsUp! talks with Mississippi delta native and recording artist, Steve Azar. Steve's album MY MISSISSIPPI REUNION, winner of a Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters award, features the track "One Mississippi" which became the new official state song in 2022. The success of this led to Azar authoring the #1 Best Selling children's book, "One Mississippi". Steve & his wife Gwen founded the Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation, which raises funds for arts and educational organizations. After enjoying the podcast, learn more about Steve at www.steveazar.com

Listen to or download our conversation with Michelle Kang, the Chief Executive Officer for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Michelle is committed to creating belonging within organizations, and developing inclusive leadership and mentoring opportunities. A wealth of information on early education lives here: https://www.naeyc.org/

EdsUp! talks with Fred Jones, Sr. Director of Public Policy and Advocacy - Fred Jones serves as the senior director of public policy and advocacy for the Southern Education Foundation (SEF). His core responsibilities include creating and advancing equitable birth through 16 state and federal public policy solutions aligned with the mission and values of SEF.

Learn more about the SEF here: https://southerneducation.org/what-we-do/

Episode 60 features Ellen Galinsky, the President of Families and Work Institute and the Chief Science Officer for the Bezos Family Foundation. A trailblazer in the work-family and early childhood fields, she is a prolific writer with more than 100 books and reports and 300 articles, which include the best-selling Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, and the upcoming release The Breakthrough Years.

This episode, we talk with Tom "Teacher Tom" Hobson, an early childhood educator, international speaker, education consultant, teacher of teachers, parent educator, and author. Best known for Teacher Tom's Blog (https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/) and his courses for teachers and parents (https://courses.teachertomsworld.com), Teacher Tom brings his wisdom to EdsUp! Search for his podcast online to hear more from Teacher Tom!

In our final episode of 2023, we talk with children’s author and educator, Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson, the author of 22 children’s books. Kimberly received her Doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and also holds a Master’s Degree from Clemson University, in Youth Development and Leadership. Kimberly has an Early Childhood Education Degree and a Communications Degree from UNC - Chapel Hill. Kimberly is an Ambassador for The King Center in Atlanta and a program collaborator for Dr. Bernice A. King, the last living daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She is a Curriculum Design Specialist for the King Center in Atlanta and is a team member with their nonviolence camps and trainings.

This episode, we speak with Dr. Shirley Raines, President Emeritus of the University of Memphis. She was the first female president and served for 12 years and was described as “Personable, Powerful and Prepared” at her induction into the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame. Shirley was a faculty member for five years at the Harvard Institute for New Presidents and Chancellors. Find her books mentioned in our podcast at https://amzn.to/3ryhcDx

We interview Dr. Diane Bales and Stephanie Whitten. Dr. Bales is a Professor in Human Development and Family Science, a Human Development Specialist with UGA Extension, and director of UGA’s Child Life program. Her outreach focuses on stress and mental health, healthy child development and brain development, healthy eating in preschoolers. Stephanie is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Child Life Clinical Coordinator at the University of Georgia. She has been a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) for ten years with a clinical background in emergency care, neurology/neurosurgery, and oncology.

Resources discussed in the podcast:

Simply Sayin’ Medical Jargon for Kids https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simply-sayin-medical-jargon/id645810680

Child Life On Call https://childlifeoncall.com/

Hearts Connected https://www.heartsconnected.org/about-us

Children’s of Mississippi Surgery Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pipAEDS7GE

ACLP: Becoming Certified https://www.childlife.org/certification/becoming-certified

ACLP Resources for Parents and Caregivers https://www.childlife.org/resources/for-parents-and-caregivers

EdsUP! Talks with Matt Karlsen and Susan Harris MacKay, who direct the Center for Playful Inquiry to catalyze greater beauty and democracy in the partnership of children and adults. Susan and Matt began the Center for Playful Inquiry following the pandemic-related collapse of Portland Children’s Museum and Opal School, where they were longtime members of collaborative teams initiating and sustaining innovative experiences for children and educators. As teachers, pedagogical companions, and facilitators who hold a strong image of children and the adults who live and learn alongside them, Matt and Susan host The Studio for Playful Inquiry (www.storyworkshop.studio), an online community dedicated to companionship and growth of professional educators seeking greater joy and meaning in their work.

Learn more at www.centerforplayfulinquiry.com and join their mailing list at bit.ly/CPIMail.