This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, our hosts explore the latest issues affecting children and families across Texas. Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Brian Greene (Houston Food Bank) dive into education, mental health, early childhood, and community well-being with experts from Houston, Dallas, and statewide child-serving systems.

Featured guests include Megan Menchaca of the Houston Chronicle on Houston school updates, Dr. Valerie D. Jackson of Monarch Family Services on kinship care and mental health, Nakia Douglas of the Dallas Education Collective on North Texas education, and Elizabeth Carlson of YES Prep on early childhood readiness.

This week on Growing Up in America, hosts Dr. Chris Kulesza and Dr. Heidi Russell take a deep dive into the state of pediatrics in Texas — from child health policy and advocacy to firearm injury prevention and the pediatric workforce. Guests include Dr. Lauren Gambill of the Texas Pediatric Society, Dr. Sandra McKay and Dr. Veronica Gonzalez of UTHealth Houston, and Dr. Russell herself from Rice University’s Baker Institute. Plus, Briauna Derry’s Hip Speak and Data of the Day reveal that 75% of Texas children live over an hour from pediatric emergency or specialty care.

This week on Growing Up in America, hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Erica Gonzalez Hattery explore kids’ screen time, the power of a positive mindset, and how Houston students are preparing for life after high school with guests from CHILDREN AT RISK, UTHealth Houston, and the Kinder Institute.

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Luis Negreros explore how Texas communities can better support children.

Kicking off the show, Lyn Lucas discusses early childhood education and what families need most right now. Dr. Leon Battle addresses child hunger and trafficking, Jenny Jones talks child welfare, and Elizabeth Colvin shares ways to build financial security. Plus, Hip Speak with Bri Derry and our Data of the Day on Halloween candy trends. Tune in for real conversations about the issues shaping childhood in America.

This week on Growing Up in America, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Brian Greene dive into the issues shaping life for children and families across Texas — from the classroom to the kitchen table.

Megan Steckly, CEO of Compudopt, joins to discuss digital equity and how closing the technology gap changes children’s educational futures. Nadia Salibi, Chief Impact Officer at CHILDREN AT RISK, breaks down the federal government shutdown and what it means for families depending on SNAP, Medicaid, and CHIP. Megan Menchaca, Senior HISD Reporter at the Houston Chronicle, shares the latest on Houston ISD’s school rankings and where progress — and challenges — remain.

Plus, our regular features: Hip Speak with Bri Derry and the Data of the Day — 13%, the share of Texas children without health insurance.

Tune in for a fast-moving hour of insight, stories, and solutions for kids in Texas and beyond.

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Welcome, to Growing Up in America: The Way It Is.

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Dr. Christopher Kulesza, better known as Dr. Data and Reagan Schneckenburg, Media Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK, led a dynamic discussion centered around youth, health, and community well-being.

The show kicked off with our opening segment, Growing Pains, where Reagan shared thoughtful tips for college students spending the holidays away from home, offering advice on how to make the season feel special even when you’re celebrating solo.

Our first guest, Cristen Reat, Program Director at Easterseals Greater Houston, joined to discuss technology for households and how adaptive tools and digital resources are transforming accessibility for families and children with disabilities.

Next, Callie Bryant, Marketing Director at the YWCA of Lubbock, spoke about youth mentorship, highlighting the powerful impact of guiding young people toward confidence, education, and leadership.

After that, we turned to our Dr. Data of the Day, where Dr. Kulesza shared a revealing statistic: According to a KFF study, about one-third of schools reported they strongly (11%) or moderately (25%) disagreed that they could effectively provide mental health services. This data underscores the ongoing challenges schools face in supporting student well-being.

We then welcomed Rachel Elbert, Executive Director of the Lubbock Boys & Girls Club, joined by TJ Evans, President of the Lubbock Boys & Girls Club, who discussed youth empowerment and how structured programs and mentorship opportunities help shape the next generation of leaders.

Wrapping up the show, Lharissa Jacobs, Founder and Executive Director of FIT Houston, spoke about children’s health and the importance of building active, healthy lifestyles for families across the community.

From mental health to mentorship, technology to physical fitness, today’s episode offered powerful insights into how communities across Texas are working together to help children grow up stronger, smarter, and healthier.

This is Growing Up in America! Where data meets heart, and every conversation puts kids first.

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Reagan Schneckenburg, Media Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK, and Briauna Derry, Director of Media Activism at CHILDREN AT RISK, delivered another full program of insights, data, and advocacy for children and families.

We kicked off the show with our opening segment, "Growing Pains," where Reagan shared tips for finding a job after graduation. Reagan offers practical advice for young adults navigating this significant life transition.

From there, Nirjhor Rahman, CEO, and Shellyn Shoenthal, Director of Development & Partnerships at Plant It Forward, joined us to discuss their educational programs that empower communities through urban farming and their mission.

Next, Kaylee Henry, Development and Public Relations Director at Girls’ Haven, highlighted the importance of youth advocacy and how their programs are creating safe spaces where young women can grow, thrive, and lead.

After that, we turned to our Dr. Data of the Day with Dr. Christopher Kulesza, who shared a sobering statistic: 1 in 4 children lived with at least one parent or primary caregiver who had a substance use disorder in 2023. This is a hard reminder of the challenges so many families face today.

Then, Lyn Lucas, Associate Director of Early Childhood Education at CHILDREN AT RISK, talked about the organization’s Texas Tours, where she and her team travel to surrounding cities to raise awareness about early childhood education and advocate for stronger investments in young learners across the state.

Closing out the show, Dr. Leon Battle, VP of Strategic Partnerships at One More Child, shone a light on the urgent issue of child hunger and how collective action can ensure kids have the nutrition they need to grow and learn.

From finding a first job to tackling hunger, substance use, and early education, today’s show connected the dots between real-life struggles and the solutions that help children and families thrive.

This is Growing Up in America! Where kids are always at the center of the conversation.

On this week’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Briauna Derry and Reagan Schneckenburg brought listeners a rich conversation on civic engagement, children’s health, education, and the power of positive parenting.

• We kicked things off with Michael Mireles, Director of Civic Engagement at La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), who spoke about social change and civic engagement. Michael highlights how communities can come together to create a stronger voice for children and families in this transformative interview.
• Next, Arturo Brito, President and CEO of the Children’s Health Fund, joined the conversation to address the biggest health challenges facing kids today, especially during this depression and mental health crisis, which remain urgent concerns across the country.
• Our Dr. Data of the Day with Dr. Christopher Kulesza brought a surprising insight: 35% of Americans now think a college degree is not important, down from 75% last year. Dr. Data teaches us the sharp shift in how higher education is being valued.
• Then, Dr. B. Glenn Wilkerson, President of the ARKGroup, offered guidance for parents through foster care training and the impact of sharing what positive self-esteem really looks like for children, and why it’s essential for healthy development.
• Finally, Megan Menchaca, Senior HISD Reporter at the Houston Chronicle, closed out the show with critical updates on TEA accountability ratings and STAAR testing, giving families and educators the latest on what’s happening in Houston schools.

From civic action to child health, self-esteem to school policy, this episode proved once again that the future of our children depends on how we invest, listen, and lead today.

This is Growing Up in America! Where kids remain at the center of every conversation.

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Brian Greene from the Houston Food Bank brought listeners an important conversation on poverty, health, equity, and the future of child welfare across Texas.

We began with Tre Maxie, Executive Director of Friends of the Children – Houston, who spoke on the realities of generational poverty and the long-term investments needed to break cycles and create brighter futures for kids.

Robin Mansur, CEO and President of the Houston Health Foundation, followed with a powerful reminder of how children’s dental and vision, can directly impact education. When untreated, these issues can lead to serious declines in learning and opportunity.

Our Dr. Data of the Day with Chris Kulesza highlighted the number 506. 506 is the total number of Texas schools that have moved to four-day school weeks, raising critical questions about the impact on students, families, and communities.

Cherry Steinwender, Executive Director of the Center for the Healing of Racism, then shared her wisdom on the barriers that often prevent open conversations about racism, and why listening and dialogue are essential to progress.

Closing the show, Christian Salas, Associate Professor of Social Work at El Paso Community College, discussed the state of child welfare in Texas and the El Paso area, emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities for supporting vulnerable children.

From poverty to health and equity education, today’s episode is a reminder that children’s futures are shaped by every layer of the systems around them.

This is Growing Up in America! Where data meets dialogue, and kids remain at the center of it all.