Napcast

Some plants demand attention. Yerba Buena isn't one of them. You might walk past it without noticing. You might smell it before you see it. You might overlook it entirely if you're moving too fast. And maybe that's exactly what it has to teach us. In this episode of #Napcast, Nick and Mike explore the quiet influence of Yerba Buena and what it can teach us about the people, practices,...

They call dandelions weeds. Plants that show up uninvited. Grow where they’re not supposed to. Crack through concrete. Return no matter how many times they’re pulled. And maybe that’s exactly why we needed to talk about them. In this episode of #Napcast, Nick and Mike turn toward the dandelion as teacher, mirror, and metaphor—asking what it means to grow in systems that were never designed to hold...

Some may steam it. Some may make it into tea. Some may simply sit with it and marvel. California poppy is known as an herb of relaxation—supporting the nervous system, inviting rest, and helping both children and adults settle into sleep. So we started wondering: what might this plant teach us about how we hold stress… and how we let it go? In this episode of #Napcast, Nick and Mike turn toward Ca...

What do strawberries and toddlers have in common? More than you think. In this episode of #Napcast, Nick and Mike head to the strawberry patch and come back with more than just fruit. Listening to the farmers talk about sun, soil, timing, and patience sparked a bigger question for us: What if children, like strawberries, can’t be rushed into ripeness? Using plant wisdom as a guide, we unpack the e...

Season 5 opens with a return to the land. In this debut episode of our Guided by Plants series, early childhood educators Nick (he/him) and Mike (he/him) center alder and big leaf maple as living teachers of nourishment, protection, and interdependence in early childhood spaces. Through shared reflection and conversation, we explore how these plants sustain the ecosystems around them and what that...

What happens when a learning story isn’t written about a child — but for another educator? In this conversation, Nick (he/him) and Mike (he/him) explore what it means to write across difference and through relationship. We talk about the power of story as a way of seeing, the tension between objectivity and subjectivity, and the shift from checking boxes to telling truths. Anchored in a learning s...

Is artificial intelligence reshaping childhood — for better or worse? Hosted by two passionate male educators of color, Nick Terrones (he/him) and Mike Browne (he/him), today's episode " AI and the ABCs " dives into the crossroads of artificial intelligence and early learning through a culturally conscious lens. In this episode, we unpack three key questions: What does AI mean to you? What hesitat...

Nick Terrones (he/him) and Mike Browne (he/him) are joined once again by special guest Toi Sing-Woo (she/her) for a conversation about what it means to plant seeds of liberation in the earliest years of learning. We talk about the daily work of unlearning white comfort in the classroom, the survival strategies BIPOC educators carry, and how we can reclaim the play we were meant to have—in our clas...

In the final episode of this 4 part micro-learning series, we’re rejoined by Napcast co-host, educator, and author Nick Terrones to reflect on what it truly means to move beyond white supremacy culture in early learning and nonprofit spaces. Building on the conversations from earlier episodes, Nick helps us explore the emotional, relational, and embodied aspects of organizational change. Together,...

What does white supremacy culture look like in everyday organizational life — and how do we move beyond surface-level DEI efforts to create real change? In this 4 part micro-learning series, we invite back in anti-racist facilitator and previous Napcast guest, Toi Sing-Woo (she/her) to discuss white supremacy culture and ways it shows up in nonprofits and early learning spaces. In part 3 we discus...

What does white supremacy culture look like in everyday organizational life — and how do we move beyond surface-level DEI efforts to create real change? In this 4 part micro-learning series, we invite back in anti-racist facilitator and previous Napcast guest, Toi Sing-Woo (she/her) to discuss white supremacy culture and ways it shows up in nonprofits and early learning spaces. In part 2 we trace...

What does white supremacy culture look like in everyday organizational life — and how do we move beyond surface-level DEI efforts to create real change? In this 4 part micro-learning series, we invite back in anti-racist facilitator and previous Napcast guest, Toi Sing-Woo (she/her) to discuss white supremacy culture and ways it shows up in nonprofits and early learning spaces. In part 1 we focus...

We’re back with Part 2 of our deep dive into how racism shows up in early childhood education, and trust us, the conversation’s only gets richer! In this episode, Nick, Mike, and anti-racist facilitator Toi Sing-Woo dig even deeper, exploring what accountability really looks like in classrooms, staff meetings, and systems built to serve our youngest learners. From dismantling white-centered norms...

Racism isn’t just a social issue…it’s a classroom issue. And yup, you guessed it! It starts early. In part 1 of this 2 part series, co-hosts Nick and Mike are joined by anti-racist facilitator, Toi Sing-Woo, as we tackle the uncomfortable truths about how anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, and anti-Asian racism show up in early childhood education. With personal stories from our time as and with childre...

We have an announcement! Yes, the title sorta gives it away, but where exactly are we? Join us as we celebrate another milestone on our journey and stay as we round out this episode with one quick question - Should your program be on social media too? Join Nick and Mike as we kick it in our shortest episode ever and share our thoughts on what social media can do for you! Tune in now! Interested in...

Welcome to Part 2 of our series focusing on Black and Indigenous boys! Today, we continue our conversation by exploring actionable strategies and approaches to creating culturally affirming, supportive environments for Black and Indigenous boys from the very start of their educational journey. This episode will challenge you to reflect on your own practice and consider how you can make a lasting i...

If you wanted to create a school that is powerful, charming, dynamic and more, why wouldn't you focus on Black and Indigenous boys? In this thought-provoking first part of our two-part series, we dive deep into the importance of focusing on Black and Indigenous boys within education and beyond. Why is it crucial to center these young lives? What unique challenges do they face, and how do we su...

Back for part 2 of this 2 part series, Napcast co-hosts, Nick and Mike, along with Indigenous Social Worker, Early Childhood Educator, and our friend Jane Boldrey-Mendoza, continue where we left off... conversating about things that states, cities, systems, organizations, programs, and individuals can do to "Trump-Proof" themselves against the intentional dismantling of our educational system. Mis...

Change is scary. And with what we are hearing and seeing with the change of administration, you have a right to be terrified. In this Napcast episode, Nick and Mike sits down with Jane Boldrey-Mendoza, an Indigenous Social Worker, Early Childhood Educator, and our friend, to discuss what early childhood education might look like over the next 4 years. Whether you’re sad, tired, numb to it all, wit...

In part 2 of this conversation we continue to hear from our expert guest about her experience raising a multilingual and multiracial son. Filled with laughs, tips, and knowledge, join us for more insights that we as educators, school leaders, and advocates can implement to support the diverse needs of our multilingual learners. Interested in bringing Nick and Mike to your community? Got an idea fo...

Supporting multilingual learners isn't just about language aquisition. It's about supporting them in making meaning of their lives and complex worlds. In part 1 of 2, Nick and Mike sit down with coach, mother, and preschool educator, Stephanie, to discuss how culture and language are inseparable and how multilingual learners' identities are shaped by both. Join us as we continue to improve our pra...

Back for part 2! Here we pick up our conversation on children as spiritual beings including how that relates to their souls, how we can reconnect ourselves to our inner child and our own spiritual energies, and what role does spirituality play in Indigenous, Black, and Brown liberation movements. If you haven't listened to part 1 yet, go and listen! We'll be here waiting as we continue to dialogue...

There's an energy, an empathic connection, a strong soul that resides in children. An awakening or perhaps a part of them that grounds them during troubling time, grows their inner wisdom, and brings them on pathways of wonder. But what do we mean when we say children are spiritual beings? How do we begin to understand their sacred play? What about that thing between separation of church and state...

Traumatic events affect people in all kinds of ways and there is nothing wrong with you if you find yourself struggling to heal from the impact of past abuse. In today's episode, we put our mental health first, and we talk about how each of us are healing through the use of art and play and what that could look like in our work with children and families. Join us as we cultivate curiosity and crea...

Mike: "Nick?" Nick: "Yeah, Mike?" Mike: "What would it look like if we created a school from scratch? Ya know, one that is Pro-Indigenous and Pro-Black?" Nick: "Well, we'd have a lot of things, but most importantly, we'd have a Napcast episode to discuss it." Join us as we hit record and think about what would our school include, what would we have to give up, and how we can combine a pro-BIPOC cu...