Welcome to Power to the Parents, a podcast from ParentsTogether connecting parents and caregivers to the incredible power they have to create a better world for their children. Hosted by ParentsTogether's Executive Director Ailen Arreaza, we'll meet regular parents who've done amazing things to ensure a safer, brighter future for their kids. And all kids.
In this podcast, we'll explore significant issues that demand c ...
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In the podcast episode "The Childcare Challenge: Parents, Policy, and the Power of Community," host Ailen Arreaza interviews three mothers—Kelly, Angela, and RiAnna—who share their journey in the grassroots Campaign for Childcare. They recount how they connected on Reddit, formed a supportive community, and began advocating for affordable, high-quality childcare. Their discussion delves into the challenges faced by families, the impact of childcare costs on their lives, and the need for systemic change. The mothers share personal stories, highlight examples of successful policies like New Mexico's universal childcare program, and encourage parents to join their movement to bring about change for future generations.
In this episode, host Ailen Arreaza interviews Robyn Welling, the director of content at ParentsTogether, discussing the creation of the popular social media series 'Scripts for Parents' and how it helps parents navigate difficult conversations with their children. They also talk about the importance of providing support and resources for parents. Robyn shares personal experiences and examples of how the scripts have helped her in her own parenting journey.
In this conversation, Winona Bateman, the founder and executive director of Families for a Livable Climate, discusses her inspiration to be vocal about climate change and the anxiety and paralysis that many parents feel about the future. She emphasizes the role of stories in climate action and how they can help engage and empower parents to take action. Winona also shares her approach to talking to kids about climate change and offers advice for parents who are unsure how to approach the topic. She highlights the importance of holding corporations accountable and taking action as families. Despite the challenges, Winona finds hope in nature and life, and encourages others to join the community and work towards a thriving and just world.
In this episode, host Ailen Arreaza interviews Jessica Stamen, an activist and co-founder of Momtivist and Democrashe. Jessica shares her journey into activism, which was sparked by the Sandy Hook tragedy. She discusses her involvement with Moms Demand Action, an organization fighting for sensible gun legislation and gun safety education. Jessica emphasizes the importance of asking about gun safety and shares tips for parents on how to approach the topic. She also highlights the power of using humor in advocacy and shares examples of her videos that tackle serious issues in a lighthearted way. Jessica talks about her work with Momtivist, a group that empowers parents to fight for what they believe in, and her current focus on Democrashe, a program that empowers high school girls to become leaders and future elected officials. She envisions a future where families and kids are actively engaged in advocacy and making positive change in their communities. You can find out more about Jessica Stamen and her work at: www.democrashe.org @democrasheorg @momtivist @jstamen Follow us for more @parentstogether or find us online at parents-together.org
This conversation explores the challenges and experiences of a parent advocating for her dyslexic children in the public school system. The discussion highlights the struggles faced by students with dyslexia, the importance of early intervention and support, and the impact of school environments on a child's self-esteem and academic progress. This conversation also touches on the difficulties faced by parents in navigating the education system and the need for systemic change to ensure all children have access to appropriate educational resources and support. Naomi Pena shares her journey of opening the South Bronx Literacy Academy, a New York City Public School that supports students struggling with reading. She discusses the training of teachers and the remarkable outcomes they have achieved. Naomi also emphasizes the need to expand the vision and open schools in every borough of New York City and beyond. She addresses the guilt parents may feel when their children struggle with reading and offers advice on setting expectations and persisting in finding solutions. Naomi highlights the importance of teacher training and the efforts of the Literacy Academy Collective to improve literacy education.