YUP! the Podcast for Young Parents

***Trigger Warning: Foster Care***

Many young parents across the United States have experienced foster care in one way or another. This experience brings up many thoughts, feelings, and stories that shape their lives and the lives of their children. On this episode we are honoring the resilience and amplifying the voices of two young parents who have previously been in foster care. They share about their experiences, resources, challenges navigating the system, and parenting past adversity and into advocacy.

On this episode we sat down with Hannah Crow, Program Manager at the New Mexico. Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission on the Status of Women educates the public, advocates for supportive policies, and collaborates with community partners to create a more equitable future for the women of New Mexico. To ensure that our work is responsive and reflects the intersecting needs and priorities of New Mexican women, the Commission commits to engaging, uplifting, and prioritizing the voices and leadership of women around the state to ensure their equitable access to health, safety, and the ability to thrive.

With a focus on financial stability, we discussed the history making bill that made free universal childcare a reality for the residents of New Mexico. Watch as Hannah shares the barriers young parents face when it comes to childcare, how they made free childcare possible, opportunities to become a childcare provider, and what's next for New Mexico!

On this episode, we sat down with the President of NFI, Christopher Brown, and discussed all things fatherhood from dispelling myths about father involvement to the emergence of "Daddy Podcasts" and the role of AI in parenting. Christopher shares nuggets of wisdom and resources for young fathers and organizations who work with young fathers!

National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI) was founded in 1994 to reverse our nation’s destructive trend toward father absence. Today, more than 18 million American children, or 1 in 4, live in homes without a biological, step, or adoptive father. Yet, the fact remains that millions of families interact with human- service organizations every year that are primarily mother-focused. Therefore, NFI’s mission is to increase father involvement by equipping human service organizations and communities with the father engagement training, programs, and resources they need to be father inclusive. Our vision is that all human service organizations and communities are proactively father-inclusive so that every child has an involved, responsible, and committed father.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalfatherhoodinitiative
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-fatherhood-initiative
• Book: The 24:7 Dad: 12 Habits of Confident Fathers; confidentfathers.com 

Resources for young fathers:

1. Navigating the Fatherhood Lane: A Driver’s Guide for Young Dads A practical guide on becoming a good dad, building healthy habits, and learning effective parenting practices. https://peerta.acf.hhs.gov/content/navigating-fatherhood-lane-drivers-guide-young-dads
2. Tips for Young Dads. A short tip sheet with practical encouragement and guidance, including staying involved, building parenting skills, co-parenting, and finding support. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-HE25-PURL-gpo238706/pdf/GOVPUB-HE25-PURL-gpo238706.pdf
3. Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Tips for Young Fathers. This is an 8-page downloadable PDF that focuses on mental health, emotional adjustment, stress, depression/anxiety, co-parenting, education, employment, housing decisions, time management, and self-care. https://www.poppauniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Mental-Health-Tips-for-Young-Dads-tagge.pdf
4. Lost and Found: Young Fathers in the Age of Unwed Parenthood by Paul Florsheim and David Moore:.This book chronicles the real journeys of young men navigating early fatherhood. It explores relationship dynamics, co-parenting structures, and navigating romantic support and strain while overcoming tough structural barriers (Florsheim & Moore, 2020). https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Young-Fathers-Parenthood/dp/0190865016

At YUP! we celebrate young fatherhood everyday! On this episode we are uplifting stories of resilience, strength, and the joys of fatherhood! With Father's Day around the corner we thought it was only fitting to sit down with some amazing young fathers to discuss all things FATHERHOOD. From dealing with judgement and stigma to navigating manhood and mental health, young dads Ethan and Ron give a candid look at their fatherhood journeys so far!

SisterSong is a Southern-based, national membership organization; their purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities.

SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective was formed in 1997 by 16 organizations of women of color from four mini-communities (Native American, African American, Latina, and Asian American) who recognized that we have the right and responsibility to represent ourselves and our communities, and the equally compelling need to advance the perspectives and needs of women of color.

On this episode we sat down with Bahja Jordan and discussed all things reproductive justice. She shared tips for young parents on how to navigate advocating for yourself to peers and providers, how to communicate your needs postpartum, the importance of intimacy and pleasure, and finally how reproductive justice goes beyond just reproductive health. Join us for an informative and compelling conversation!

The snow may melt, leaves may change, and flowers may bloom, but no matter how the seasons change, there is beauty in the journey. Parenting is no different! On this episode, we sat down with Keona and discussed the ebbs and flows of parenting. Reflecting on different seasons in our parenting and the lessons learned, we explore what legacy, growth, and healing look like. Check out this episode and more content from Keona on our website, YoungUnitedParents.org!

On this episode we sat down with the founder of Talk More, Lauren Barineau! We discussed navigating conversations about consent, bodies, boundaries and relationships with children. What is developmentally normal? Can talking about these topics lead kids to engaging in sexual behaviors? Is it too late to start the discussion? Lauren shares her expertise on it all and provides tips on establishing family values and becoming a trusted adult. In addition to YoungUnitedParents.org, check out these resources for more on having developmentally appropriate conversations with children:

• Talk More Parent Planners: Divided by age and topic, this resource specifically outlines resources for parents to review first, suggested books and videos for adults and kids to view together, and recommended conversation starters. You can find them all free to download here.
• Healthychildren.org: from the American Academy of Pediatrics, great articles for adults to learn more about various topics to support healthy growth and development conversations. 
• Kids Health: Great site for parents, kids, and teens to learn medically accurate information about a variety of topics including puberty and body systems. 
• AMAZE.org: videos for parents and littles that talk about the importance of starting conversations early (and how to share your values when you do talk with kids). You can find their parent page here, just keep scrolling down to find more information.

On this episode we sit down with young parents Keona and Ron. They share how they balance parenting their four young children, life's responsibilities, and their relationship. We love healthy relationships at YUP!, and hearing their story from sharing responsibilities to communication, Keona and Ron have many nuggets of wisdom to share with other young parents. Join us on the journey!

As a young parent, sometimes it can feel overwhelming to find the right birth control for you. What are the safest options? What's the difference between hormonal and non-hormonal? What if I'm breastfeeding or want to have another baby in the future? Dr. Mays joins us for a candid conversation on birth control, STIs, and all things vaginal and sexual health. We are answering your questions, debunking myths, discussing stigma around STIs, and diving into what vaginas really need to be healthy!

El Nido was founded in 1925 and has been doing work in Los Angeles, CA ever since! They build healthy families by providing community-based social services in some of the most underserved communities in Los Angeles County. On this episode we are joined by Eduardo, a case manager for teen parents at El Nido. He discusses ways to use arts and creativity for healing as well as what self care looks like for him as a youth serving professional. Stick around to hear Eduardo share one of his poems!