In this episode, hosted by Mike “Big Mic” Brooks of KRSM Radio, is joined by Jocelyn Pickreign of Simpson Housing Services discussing early childhood development and home visiting for families impacted by homelessness. Jocelyn explains Simpson’s mission to house, support, and empower people experiencinghomelessness and describes their team-based approach, including early childhood home visitors for children under five. She outlines why the first 1,000 days and early years are critical, how responsive interactions like talking and playing build brain connections, and how reducing isolation and boosting parental confidence can lower stress and support secure attachment. Jocelyn also describes the Family Spirit curriculum and how early intervention can reduce adverse childhood experiences by building positive, protective experiences, sharing a story of a mother gaining confidence in her parenting.

This episode was recorded live on the radio program For The Culture, which airs on KRSM Radio at 98.9 FM in Minneapolis. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts

In this episode, hosted by Mike “Big Mic” Brooks of KRSM Radio, is joined by Kindra McGee of Diva Moms, a Minnesota Community Care program created in 2018 to support pregnant and postpartum African American moms with advocacy,education, and care. Kindra explains Diva Moms (Dynamic Involved Valued African American Moms), shares her personal experience with pregnancy loss and postpartum depression, and describes her role as a doula/perinatal educator whotranslates medical language into plain English and encourages parents to ask questions and advocate for respectful care. The conversation highlights the importance of support during and after pregnancy, including fathers’ involvement, and why brain development from the womb through age five is critical, emphasizing daily interactions like reading and creating healthyenvironments. Kindra shares how to connect with Diva Moms and her wish for a fully stocked “diva mobile” for home visits.

This episode was recorded live on the radio program For The Culture, which airs on KRSM Radio at 98.9 FM in Minneapolis. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts

En este episodio de Little Moments Count, la presentadora Maya Santamaria de KMNV La Raza Radio da la bienvenida a Xavier Vasquez, director ejecutivo del Centro Tyrone Guzman, una agencia de servicios múltiples que atiende a la comunidadlatina en las Ciudades Gemelas. Xavier aborda cómo la salud mental de los padres moldea el desarrollo de los hijos durante sus primeros cinco años de vida. Explica de qué manera los niños absorben las emociones de sus cuidadores, comparte señales clave de estrés en los niños pequeños y alienta a las familias a buscar apoyo de manera temprana. La conversación destaca la importancia del autocuidado sencillo, la conexión comunitaria y la idea de que el amor, la presencia y los momentos cotidianos son lo que verdaderamente construye elfuturo de un niño y una comunidad más saludable.

Este episodio se transmitió en marzo de 2026 en La RazaRadio, a través de las frecuencias 95.7 FM y 1400 AM en las Ciudades Gemelas. Para más información, visite littlemomentscount.org/podcasts.

 Supporting Family Mental Health Early with guest Xavier Vasquez

On this episode of Little Moments Count, host Maya Santamaria of KMNV La Raza Radio welcomes Xavier Vasquez, Executive Director of Centro Tyrone Guzman, a multi-service agency serving the Latine community in the Twin Cities. Xavier discusses how a parent’s mental health shapes a child’sdevelopment in the first five years. He explains how children absorb caregivers’ emotions, shares key signs of stress in young kids, and encourages families to seek support early. The conversation highlights simple self-care, community connection, and the idea that love, presence, and everyday moments are what truly build a child’s future, and a healthier community.

This episode was aired in March of 2026, on La Raza Radio at 95.7 FM and 1400 AM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 

Hosted by Katey DeCelle of  WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, this conversation features Minnesota educator and literacy advocate Taylor Sorrells, founder of Read With Me Minnesota, a nonprofit that partners with local authors and illustrators to increase access to culturally relevant children’s literature through author visits, book donations, and community events. Sorrells explains culturally relevant texts and the “windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors” framework. She describes how representation boosts student engagement, literacy acquisition, and belonging, and offers practical ways busy caregivers can build language and connection in the first years through everyday routines, reading, and storytelling. Sorrells discusses starting the organization after teaching in Chicago schools with limited representation and highlights ways thenonprofit supports schools amid fears around DEI funding.

This episode was recorded live on the radio program So SaintPaul, which airs on WFNU at 94.1 FM in Saint Paul. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 

Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features Dr. Artika Tyner, a Rondo community native and leader in youth education. Tyner introduces Planting People Growing Justice, a local literacy nonprofit focused on helping young people read and lead, and announcestwo new books: She Before Me by local author Wisdom (released for Women’s History Month) and R Is for Rondo, which shares the city of Saint Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood history and Black excellence. She emphasizes caregivers as children’s first educators, encourages daily story time to buildvocabulary and inspiration, and stresses honoring Black history year-round. She shares ways to connect and invites families to the free Leaders Are Readers event at the Jimmy Lee Rec Center.

This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 

Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features children’s book author, Justice Bell Bey.Justice discusses his work in Minneapolis through boxing programs, block parties, and prison ministries, and his children’s book “Bey Overcomes Bullying,” inspired by his niece’sexperience being bullied at a new school and learning to believe in herself. He explains how books help parents and caregivers teach lessons through tone and visuals, shares how to find him on social media and justicebellbeybooks.org,and encourages Minneapolis to keep faith, persevere, and watch their children.

This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 

In this episode, hosted by Mike “Big Mic” Brooks of KRSM Radio, is joined by educator, storyteller, and champion for culturally grounded literacy,  Keenan Jones. Keenan discusses his path from basketball to writing, his Loft Literary Center Mirrors & Windows Fellowship, and the need for more children’s books that offer “mirrors” through Black cultural spaces. He shares formative books like Walter Dean Myers’ “Hoops,” reflects on how affirming representation impacts students, and explains why his debut picture book “Saturday Morning at the Shop” centers Black boy joy and the barbershop as a community hub, inspired after George Floyd and COVID-19. He also describes his mentorship nonprofit Literacy for Freedom and encourages families to useeveryday moments for literacy.

This episode was recorded live on the radio program For The Culture, which airs onKRSM Radio at 98.9 FM in Minneapolis. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts

In this episode, Native Roots Radio host Robert Pilot speaks with Rachel Smith and Kateri DeShaw from the MontessoriAmerican Indian Childcare Center, (MAICC) and the Economic Mobility Hub. They discuss MAICC as an Indigenous Montessori program blending the Montessori method with American Indian child-rearing practices, including language learning andcommunity connection for Native families. Rachel highlights routines, boundaries, communication, and building children’s security through parenting programs like Positive Indian Parenting and Circle of Security, noting the benefits of mixed-age classrooms. Kateri explains how the Economic Mobility Hubprovides wraparound family coaching, culturally relevant goal-setting through the Seven Generations Plan, and a guaranteed basic income cohort offering $500 monthly to support stability and long-term planning. They share how these programs reduce isolation, connect families to resources, and strengthencommunity.

This episode was recorded live in March of 2026, on the radio program Native Roots Radio: I’m Awake, which airs on multiple stations throughout the Midwest. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts 

Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features Dr. Artika Tyner, CEO of Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore. Tyner explains that learning to read is foundational to imagination, problem-solving, and communication, and says her organization equips families and communities with tools to build literacy,especially where that “building block” is missing. She emphasizes publishing nearly 50 books that connect readers—particularly Black children—to history and culture, and describes global work including a partnership in Ghana supportingeducation and public health initiatives. Tyner encourages caregivers to make reading interactive and weave Black History learning into everyday life, and invites listeners to ppgjli.org and a free Leaders or Readers program on first Saturdays at Jimmy Lee Rec Center in Saint Paul.

This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 

En este episodio de Little Moments Count, la presentadora Maya Santamaría de KMNV La Raza Radio da la bienvenida al Dr. Francisco Ramírez de M Health Fairview para explorarcómo los hábitos diarios sencillos, como leer juntos, pueden moldear el futuro de un niño. Dado que casi el 80% del desarrollo cerebral ocurre durante los primeros 1000 días, la lectura compartida se convierte en algo más que unarutina; es una forma poderosa de cultivar vínculos emocionales, fortalecer las habilidades lingüísticas y apoyar el crecimiento cognitivo. El Dr. Ramírez también destaca la importancia de la exposición bilingüe, animando a las familias a adoptar tanto el español como el inglés como herramientas valiosaspara desarrollar la confianza, la empatía y la conexión. Esta conversación recuerda a los cuidadores de niños que incluso unos pocos minutos de concentración al día pueden ayudar a desarrollar cerebros fuertes, relaciones afectivas y comunidades prósperas.

Este episodio se transmitió en La Raza Radio en 95.7 FM y 1400 AM en las Ciudades Gemelas. Para más información, visitelittlemomentscount.org/podcasts

Why Reading Matters From Day One, with guest Francisco Ramirez

On this episode of Little Moments Count, host Maya Santamaria of KMNV La Raza Radio welcomes Dr. Francisco Ramirez of M Health Fairview to explore how simple daily habits—like reading together—can shape a child’s future. With nearly 80%of brain development happening within the first 1,000 days, shared reading becomes more than a routine; it is a powerful way to nurture emotional bonds, strengthen language skills, and support cognitive growth. Dr. Ramirez also highlights the importance of bilingual exposure, encouraging families toembrace both Spanish and English as valuable tools for building confidence, empathy, and connection. This conversation reminds caregivers that even a few focused minutes each day can help create strong brains, loving relationships, and thriving communities.

This episode was aired on La Raza Radio at 95.7 FM and 1400 AM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts