Talking About Kids

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My guest this episode is David Simmons. David is an actor, musician, director, playwright, composer, and educator, but I know him best as the founder of the UBU Project. The UBU Project is an arts education outreach organization specializing in social-emotional (SEL) arts integration. I first encountered David and the UBU Project when I was reviewing material for the Speak Up Stand Up Save a Life conference. I was and remain impressed. In his work, David is brave, honest, creative, and, most importantly, always himself. We discuss his approach and answer a listener’s question about hope. More information about David, including links to his social media, can be found at TalkingAboutKids.com.

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In this episode, I talk with Tyanna Buie. Tyanna is a visual artist whose work is exhibited nationally, including shows at the Haggerty Museum of Art, The Red Bull House of Art, and The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. She also is the Section Chair of Printmaking at the College for Creative Studies. Tyanna and I discuss how growing up in the foster care system shaped her approach to art and how she goes about inspiring young artists to find their own voices. Tyanna also answers a listener’s question about creating safe spaces for teaching art to children. More information about Tyanna, including a link to her artwork, can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.

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My guest for this episode is Tommy Snider, the writer, director, and star of the YouTube children’s series Fizzling’s Funhouse. Tommy has been a working actor for nearly 20 years, and, if you do not know him by name, I guarantee you have seen him in Grey’s Anatomy, Rules of Engagement, Bad Samaritans, I’m Dying Up Here, Baskets the Clown, Top Elf, or Doom Patrol. I think Tommy’s personal journey explains a lot about his current project and his approach to creatively engaging kids. We also answer a listener’s question about tips for making videos for young kids. More information about Tommy and a link to the Fizzling’s Funhouse can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.

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My guest for this episode is Aaron Kupchik, Professor of Sociology at the University of Delaware and the author of numerous articles and books, including the award-winning Judging Juveniles: Prosecuting Adolescents in Adult and Juvenile Courts and Homeroom Security: School Discipline in an Age of Fear. For the last two decades, Aaron has calmly and assertively promoted the research about what actually makes schools safer. Aaron and I discuss that research and answer a listener's question about mitigating anxiety when conducting safety drills in schools. Links to some of the research we cite, including an interview with Aaron from USA Today, can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. 

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In this episode, I talk with Iya Affo. Iya is a Culturalist, a Historical Trauma Specialist, and the founder of Heal Historical Trauma. When many of us were still gaining an understanding of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Iya was pushing past early childhood and calling attention to the consequences of intergenerational trauma. She and I discuss this and how understanding discrimination can help all kids succeed. We also answer a listener's question about critical race theory (CRT). More information about Iya and links to her work can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.

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In this episode, I talk with psychologist Andrew Lenartz about his research on how connecting with nature yields a variety of benefits to children and adolescents. Andy was nice enough to suggest some resources for parents, educators, and direct service providers who are looking to create outdoor experiences for the kids in their lives. Links to those and to Andy's book can be found at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. We also answer a listener's question about the Dutch tradition of "dropping."

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In this episode, I discuss the benefits and misconceptions of partnering with faith-based organizations with Maria Cristina Fuentes, Director of the Arizona Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family. We also answer a listener's question about how the Office of Youth, Faith and Family supports schools.

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In this episode, I talk with Patty Talahongva - documentary filmmaker, activist, and senior correspondent for Indian Country Today - about what does and does not work for Native kids. Native students have some of the worst education outcomes of any segment of the U.S. population, and Patty and I use her experience and the history of Indian boarding schools to give context to this issue. During our conversation, Patty mentions several resources for teachers, parents, and direct service providers, and links to those are available at www.TalkingAboutKids.com. We also answer a listener's question about honoring the land.    

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In this episode, I talk with Wendy Wolfersteig - Director of Evaluation and Partner Contracts at the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC) at Arizona State University - about what we know about kids from statewide surveys like the Arizona Youth Survey (AYS). Although the AYS is specific to Arizona, I believe that its findings are consistent with national trends. A link to the most recent AYS report is at www.TalkingAboutKids.com in case you want to follow along as Wendy and I discuss the data.  We also answer a listener's question about bullying prevention.    

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In this episode, I talk with Sarah Lindstrom Johnson - professor at Arizona State University and expert on prevention interventions for youth - about what we know about kids from national studies, like the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), Monitoring the Future, and the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey. If you want to follow along, links to data from those studies are at www.TalkingAboutKids.com.  We also answer a listener's question about the rise of cocaine use among teens.