The Leading for Children Podcast

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Jill Gunderman, mother, wife, community member, and Associate Director for Strategic Alliance, and Julia Connolly, daughter, sister, friend, and LFC’s Development and Communications Associate, for a conversation about what it can look and feel like to have and cultivate meaningful learning experiences, and how this helps to create thriving communities for children. Show notes: LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. A quote to take away: Julia shared, “When I think about the word meaningful, it feels like the why of living - the core of everything. It’s very physiological. You could feel vibrations in your body. You could feel warm and fuzzy. It could feel like a deep breath.” Thanks for listening!

In this episode, hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks welcome partners and co-parents, Beth Brett, an architect and project manager, and Meghan Kelley, a psychologist, for a conversation about what it can look and feel like to cultivate respectful emotional and physical environments, and how this helps create thriving communities for children. Show notes: LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. A quote to take away: Beth shared, “It has taken many years to change that messaging in myself [that asking questions is disrespecting authority]. And I think it was actually having a child and seeing his development and wanting and encouraging him to ask questions; having dialogue where I may not have the answer - but let's talk about it. I want to know what you're thinking.” Thanks for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by fellow LFC Team Members Shannon Newman, also a mother, grandmother, and wife, and Serene Stevens, also a mother and wife, for a conversation about what it can look and feel like to cultivate organized emotional and physical environments, and how this helps create thriving communities for children. Show notes: LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. A quote to take away: Serene shared, “If we are becoming tripped up trying to keep a certain [organization system] going and finding that we are tense or having intense feelings, maybe it's time to look at that system. Maybe it's not serving, and we can let it go.” Thanks for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Joelle Wheatley, member of LFC’s Humanity First Community and mother of four and six-year old children, and Maria Rosado, Montessori Teacher and LFC Facilitator, for a conversation about what it means to cultivate and be in calm emotional and physical environments, and how this helps create thriving communities for children. Show notes: LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. A quote to take away: Maria shared, “Sometimes it is not about you. It is about [the child] and what they're feeling and what they're going through - and just taking it step by step, moment by moment, and just slowing down and taking that pause to kind of just think for a moment, how do I want to react to this? What do I want the outcome to be? And how am I going to do that for myself?” Thanks for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks sit down for a conversation about what it means to cultivate and be in safe emotional and physical environments, and how this helps create thriving communities for children. Show notes: LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. Nichole shared a quote that she holds onto from one of LFC’s partners in Alabama: “Safety is not the absence of threat -- it is the presence of connection.” Thanks for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Beverly Erdmann, Former Administrator at Department of Defense Education Activity, for a conversation about what it means to be in two-way relationships and interactions and how this helps create thriving communities for children. Show notes: LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. Use code Fall10 for a 10% discount. A quote to take away: Beverly shared, “I know I've been guilty in the past of thinking that I'm listening to someone, and I'm forming a response that may or may not really be in the moment. So, I think that the challenge sometimes is to, as Shannon said, be present, be actively present.” Thanks for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Casey Sims, Former Learning Network Member and Teacher at Jubilee Co-operative Preschool in Bluffton, South Carolina for a conversation about what it means to be trusting in our relationships and interactions and how this helps create thriving communities for children. Show notes: LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. Use code Fall10 for a 10% discount. A quote to take away: Nichole shared, “The more children see us in trusting relationships with each other, and the more they experience us as being trustworthy and trusting, then we create this generation that because they've experienced trust and they've seen it in action, they are more likely and able to go out into the world and themselves be trusting and trustworthy.” Thanks for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Leading for Children Senior Program Leader Jonathan Fribley and Marneshia Cathey, LFC Board Member and Director and Founder of the West Point Christian Preschool in Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a conversation about what it means to be open in our relationships and interactions and how this helps create thriving communities for children.Show notes:LFC's book 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children is available for purchase here. Use code Fall10 for a 10% discount.A quote to take away: Jonathan shared a quote from one of LFC's learning partners: “Being more open to hearing others’ opinions and approaches to situations has led to constructive idea building and saving the team a lot of time.”Thank you for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Carol Barton and Tanya Taylor, Project Director and Project Coordinator for the Early Childhood Program at the Marin County Office of Education, for a conversation about what it means to be honest in our relationships and interactions.Show notesHonest is the first of LFC’s 11 Simple Rules to Create Thriving Communities for Children. LFC's book outlining this groundbreaking approach is available here. Use code MAY23 for a 10% discount.LinksMarin County Office of Education Early Childhood ProgramNichole mentions Conscious DisciplineCarol mentions that her team has engaged in journal studies with LFC. To learn more about this mutual learning program, reach out to us at info@leadingforchildren.orgA quote to take away.Tanya shared: It is so enriching when I am able to hear other people’s perspectives. It makes my life fuller, and it helps me a better person.

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Leigh Sargent, Executive Director for the Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance in the Mississippi Delta, for a conversation about Leading for Children’s Humanity First model. Show notes The words we use to talk about people and describe their circumstances can center or diminish their humanity. In this episode we mention “homeless people”. While preferred over “the homeless”, we understand that when people hear this term they might unintentionally associate with negative and harmful stereotypes that promote stigma. To emphasize the people at the center of this crisis and underline their humanity, the phrase “people experiencing homelessness” is preferred. Some resources to learn more about the importance of the language we use: https://thehomemoreproject.org/blog/changing-the-way-we-talk-about-homelessnesshttps://archive.curbed.com/2020/6/11/21273455/homeless-people-definition-copy-editinghttps://blanchethouse.org/homeless-houseless-unhoused-glossary-about-homelessness/#:~:text=In%20recent%20years%20advocates%20and,experiencing%20homelessness%20or%20housing%20insecurity. A quote to take away Judy shared, At LFC we talk about what Leadership means. It doesn’t mean being “the boss” it doesn’t mean you’re top dog. It means you own the impact you have." Links:Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Leading for Children's Senior Program Manager Jonathan Fribley for a conversation about commitment – what it means to us and why it matters that we model it for children. Show Notes Judy mentions LFC's Link and Weave technique. This practice allows us to deepen individual and group learning by integrating ideas that have been presented in conversation. We listen and take notes as our conversation partners share thoughts and then weave ideas together, highlighting connections. This practice cultivates our listening skills and models respect for the wisdom of others. Judy describes The Five Commitments of Optimistic Leaders for Children. This LFC framework identifies five core commitments for everyone within the early childhood ecosystem Think impact Cultivate self-awareness Nurture relationships Refine communication Activate curiosity LFC's book outlining this groundbreaking approach is available here. Use code MAY23 for a 10% discount. A quote to take away: "It is hard to get up when you are kicking yourself because your legs are too busy." - Nichole Parks Thank you for listening!

In this episode, your hosts Judy Jablon and Nichole Parks are joined by Leading for Children Program Leaders Serene Stevens and Jonathan Fribley to discuss the impact of modeling behavior for children and the way children can thrive in relationships with the important adults in their lives.