Leading Inspired Learning

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she shares our professional learning update for November 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Jessica Karpathios, founder of the Curious Educator Collective, to explore what pedagogical leadership looks like within early childhood education and why reflective, relationship-driven practice matters more than ever. Drawing from her work through the Curious Educator Collective, Jessica shares i...

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Andrew Fleet, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Growing Chefs! Ontario, to discuss the importance of food literacy for children, educators, and the community. They examine how the words we use influence children’s views of food as they grow, how the connections we have with food have changed ove...

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she shares our professional learning update for October 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Chiya Hassan & Natassia Rees-Evans, our 2026 ECL student interns. This split episode allows Chiya and Natassia to set goals and expectations for their summer and then reflect on their time as our interns. They explore the role of the ECL placement, the importance of student mentorship, and how thei...

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Carla Ward, RECE, to explore how professional learning is evolving, why lifelong learning is essential in early childhood education, and how tools like podcasts, books, mentorship, online communities, and reflective practice are reshaping the way educators grow. Join the conversation as we explore...

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Kerry Drake, RECE, MEd, to explore the mentor/mentee relationship, the role of leadership in mentorship, and the ways that mentorship builds confidence. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she shares our professional learning update for September 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Jamie Wagler, RECE, OCT, to explore the unique world of school-age programs and the educators who help bring them to life. School-age care is shaped by relationships, transitions, routines, play, and the many professionals who work together to support children before school, after school, and durin...

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, once again hosts Marcia Nicole, RECE, OCT, MPED, PhD (Student) of Ispyr to Educate, in a follow-up to Ep: 61 - In Conversation with a Black Educator. They discuss Marcia’s research on the experiences of Black educators and leadership, how her perspectives on professional learning continue to evolve, and...

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she shares our professional learning update for August 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, sits down with Kayla Bartlett, Strive Professional Learning Lead, to chat about “quality”. They examine how the word “quality” is used in the early childhood care and education sector and break down the nuances of “quality” for licensing, professional practice, care, and more. Listen, learn, reflect, enj...

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Mary Hewitt, MPEd (ECE), RECE, BEd, BA (Psychology), to explore the question: what if one small pivot could redefine your entire career? Mary shares the 'missing piece' of the Well-Being puzzle and moves beyond the surface-level talk of educator, child, and family wellness to explore a deep, life-a...

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for July 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Strive’s Resource Centre Specialists, Liz Gannon and Lena Haider, to discuss using food in sensory play. They reflect on our Food for Thought professional learning session, things they’ve learned about using food and natural materials in sensory play for child care, and share tips for creating sust...

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Nicole Van Beers, WILD CHILD Program Lead at Childreach, to talk all about getting outside this summer, summer day camp programming, and the unique ways WILD CHILD melds the two! Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for June 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Erika Murray, RECE, to share her perspective on how professional learning can be meaningfully supported in early childhood settings. They explore the role of leadership in ensuring professional learning truly counts through aligned systems, including intentional planning, protected time, and fair c...

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Jessie Collins and Vanessa Eastmure from the London Children's Museum to reflect on what it means to create a museum built for children, by children. They share how children and their caregivers were consulted throughout the museum design process and how children’s feedback continues to shape exhib...

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for May 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Sara Hassan to discuss Sara’s master's thesis, which examines how stress affects power dynamics between OCTs and RECEs in kindergarten classrooms and how this impacts collaboration between educators. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Carolyn Little, Program Manager from All Kids Belong (AKB). They myth-bust some common misconceptions about AKB’s role, explore how Special Needs Resourcing works, and discuss the true value of relationship-building among community partners, educators, and families. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Michelle Marks, a home childcare provider based in London. They discuss the misconceptions around home childcare, its unique challenges, and Michelle’s journey to finding her home in home childcare. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!

In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for April 2026. Check out all of our current events: striveswo.ca/our-events/

Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Lena Haider, Strive Resource Centre Specialist, and Nyiel Nhial, Strive Community Animator, to explore their experiences learning English as a second language. Alongside this, they discuss how they're navigating teaching multiple languages to their children, and ways educators can support children...