Please give a warm welcome to Laura Cady!

You may recognize Laura from our handoff episode with Colleen, but now she officially steps in as your new host. In this episode, Laura shares her journey—from studying and teaching abroad to her deep-rooted passion for service—and how these experiences shaped her career. Get to know what inspires her and why she’s excited to lead the conversations on this podcast. Enjoy!

(Originally released April 23, 2025)

We're excited to introduce our new Quality Time host, Laura Cady! Colleen passes the torch to Laura, who brings over 15 years of experience in the education field, with a focus on early literacy, dual language support and family engagement. She's worked in diverse settings, (including Colombia!), and brings a passion for international-mindedness to the table.

Join us as Colleen and Laura sit down for a conversation during this special handoff episode.

A huge thank you to Colleen for her incredible work over the past three seasons. Laura has big shoes to fill, but we’re thrilled for what’s ahead!

This week, we're excited to introduce our new Quality Time host, Laura Cady! Colleen passes the torch to Laura, who brings over 15 years of experience in the education field, with a focus on early literacy, dual language support and family engagement. She's worked in diverse settings, (including Colombia!), and brings a passion for international-mindedness to the table.

Join us as Colleen and Laura sit down for a conversation during this special handoff episode.

A huge thank you to Colleen for her incredible work over the past three seasons. Laura has big shoes to fill, but we’re thrilled for what’s ahead!

To close out Season 3 of the podcast, we've invited Step Up to Quality Director, Lauri Cimino, for a conversation about the power of advocacy. Lauri shares what advocacy means to her while she and Colleen take a moment to celebrate the great work providers do for Nebraska's communities. Lauri leaves us with some final tips and tools from Step Up to Quality providers can use and share with their own communities.

This week, Lynne guides us through a breathwork exercise while reflecting on the tapestry of life. She invites us to recognize the interconnected threads that bind us all together, reminding us that we are never truly alone, we are part of something greater than ourselves. Take a few moments to center yourself and embrace the power of connection.

In this Mindful Moment, our coaching specialist Lynne leads us through a guided meditation, visualizing the gentle glow of a candle. Take a few minutes to focus on the flickering warmth, the soft patterns of light, and the way the candle melts away stress and tension, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation to your day.

How can we, as advocates, shape policy? Jodi-Renee (JR) Girón, Grassroots and Advocacy Advisor at First Five Nebraska, shares how collective community voices can drive real change. She joins the podcast this week to remind us that advocacy is a long game and shares her own journey of persistence in unlocking a community's potential.

We’re joined by two special guests this week to chat about instilling a love of literacy during early childhood. Laura Cady and Olivia Alberts join the podcast this week to discuss strategies for making reading inclusive and meaningful for children in their early years. The key: don’t overcomplicate things. Listen at the link in our bio to hear more about bringing joy to early literacy.

Dr. Walter Gilliam, Executive Director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, joins the Quality Time podcast this week to discuss the often-overlooked care given to caregivers. Drawing from his extensive background in education and psychology, Walter explores how society values, or undervalues, the vital work of caregivers. He highlights the ripple effects this has on children, families, and even the broader economy. Gilliam also offers advice on how to band together to ensure our voices are heard when advocating for meaningful change.

Author and early childhood expert Rae Pica returns to discuss her newest book, Why Play? Rae explores the importance of play in early childhood education and how it directly supports children’s growth and learning. You’ll hear how play is at the heart of both advocacy and education, with Rae’s passion amplifying this season’s theme by emphasizing how these two elements work together to shape child development and well-being.