Why Arts?

In this episode, I am in conversation with Jada Wooten —educator, choreographer, and founding dance teacher at City Arts and Sciences Academy (CASA ), a STEAM middle and high school where she is building the school's inaugural dance programme. Outside of teaching, Jada continues to deepen her artistry by training and performing with Urbanity 2, Dancing Legacy, and Modern Connections. She did h...

In this episode, I am in conversation with Sarah Browne — Atelierista, presenter, and Social Media Curator for the Africa Reggio Emilia Alliance (AREA) , whose work explores the role of the atelier, creativity, and children's rights through the Reggio Emilia approach. Sarah has worked in education for nearly three decades across a range of contexts in South Africa, teaching children from birth...

In this episode, I am in conversation with Nisha Nair — educator, researcher, designer, and founder of ArtSparks Foundation , whose work explores the transformative role of visual art in education. Nisha has taught graduate courses at Teachers College, Columbia University and Azim Premji University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University, researching transfo...

In this episode, I am in conversation with Yvette Kong — Olympian, founder, and transdisciplinary creator working at the intersection of human potential, creativity, and systems change. Yvette is the Founder and CEO of Arelyx, a human capacity intelligence company for the AI age, and Founder and Director of Transversal Lab, a cultural innovation studio working across art, design, technology, and s...

In this episode, I am in conversation with Dr. Louisa Penfold - educator, artist, researcher, Lecturer and Co-Chair of Arts and Learning at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and co-director of Project Zero’s ArtPlay. In our conversation, we talk about Louisa’s journey from Australia to the UK and the US, her work in museum education with children and families, contemporary arts in early childh...

In this episode, I am in conversation with Cristian Fabbi, an international early childhood education expert working with UNICEF on curriculum reform and teacher education programmes. Cristian is the Director of Fondazione Reggio Children and previously served as President of Reggio Children and the municipal preschool system in Reggio Emilia. With a background in psychology, early childhood educa...

In this episode, I’m in conversation with Eloisa - Remida project coordinator, Atelierista and Researcher in Reggio Childhood Studies. She has been working with the Reggio Children Foundation since 2012. In 2025, she completed her PhD in Reggio Childhood Studies. We talk about materials and our relationship with them—how materials are not just things we use, but something we listen to, respond to,...

In this episode, I’m in conversation with Ron Grady —an early childhood educator, researcher, and storyteller whose work centers the voices and lived experiences of young children. Currently a PhD researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Project Zero doctoral fellow , Ron explores preschoolers’ peer cultures through art, photography, play, and conversation. Drawing from his exper...

In this episode, I’m joined by Peter H. Reynolds —an award-winning author and illustrator known for beloved books like The Dot, Ish, and The Word Collector . Through his work, Peter has inspired millions of children and educators to see themselves as creators. He is also the co-founder of FableVision and The Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & Creativity, where he continues to champion cr...

In Episode 14 of Why Arts?, I’m in conversation with Jean Appolon and Meghan McGrath , who are reimagining what dance can be as a space for expression, identity, and community. Jean Appolon, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Jean Appolon Expressions, is a choreographer and master teacher whose work bridges Haitian folkloric traditions and contemporary dance. Meghan McGrath, Executive Director, h...

In this conversation, I’m in conversation with Coco Allred , a visual artist and educator whose work explores the intersections of public space, aesthetics, and experimental pedagogy. From sculpture and printmaking to participatory environments, Coco creates experiences that invite people to engage, question, and learn with one another—activating space as a site for collective learning and resista...

In this episode, I’m in conversation with  Stacy Davidson Minicucci, M.Ed. , an Arts Educator at Nurtury Early Education whose work is rooted in early childhood, expressive arts, and mental health. Over more than two decades, Stacy has created art experiences that support young children’s emotional development, resilience, and self-expression. Stacy reflects on what it means to create a  “yes” env...

In Episode 11 of Why Arts?, I’m in conversation with Steve Seidel — educator, researcher, and the Bauman & Bryant Chair in Arts in Education , Emeritus at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Many of us know Steve for his long-standing contributions to the field of arts education and his work with Project Zero . But in this conversation, he takes us on a more personal journey — reflecting...

In Episode 10 of Why Arts?, I’m in conversation with Sarah Lieberman — museum educator, thoughtful listener, and someone who deeply believes that art belongs to everyone. As a child, Sarah made outfits for her dolls out of napkins and scraps — experimenting, imagining, redesigning. That early instinct to transform everyday materials into something meaningful never really left her. Today, Sarah is...

In this episode, Exa Kutler shares their journey exploring creativity, community, and hands-on learning. Exa’s work often involves designing simple structures for people to think, make, and learn together — whether through drawing, conversation, or shared experience. They are interested in how creativity functions as a practical tool for connection, reflection, and collective understanding. Exa lo...

In this episode with Rosario Ubiera-Minaya — Executive Director of Raw Art Works , cultural strategist, and antiracist advocate — we explore how arts can become a force for healing, leadership, and systemic change. We talk about how creativity can become a tool for healing, leadership, and social change through the work and journey of Rosario Ubiera-Minaya, and how her leadership at Raw Art Works...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Baynes , a dance educator, choreographer, and performer whose work spans classrooms, stages, and communities. A TEDx speaker and Harvard Graduate School of Education alum, Jessica brings over a decade of teaching experience with learners of all ages—from toddlers to older adults—and a deep belief in the transformative power of movement. We talk about how danc...

In this episode, I’m joined by Rasheen Jamison-Richardson , founder of Legacy School of Performing Arts Training Institute, Inc. and alum of Harvard Graduate School of Education, to explore what it really means to build through adversity. We talk about how arts access builds confidence, identity, and even life-saving awareness in young people. Rasheen shares how integrating the arts strengthens ma...

In this episode, I’m joined by  Rick Westerkamp, an educator and theater artist I had the joy of graduating alongside at Harvard Graduate School of Education. I was constantly inspired by Rick’s care, clarity, and deep commitment to arts-centered learning—so this conversation feels especially meaningful. Rick brings experience from classrooms, leadership roles, and professional stages. From his wo...

In episode 4 of Why Arts?, I’m joined by Nicola Wallis , who spent 19 years as a Practitioner Research Associate in Early Childhood and Collections at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and has recently transitioned into her new role as Early Years Program Manager at the National Portrait Gallery, London. With a background in primary and nursery education, Nicola specialises in understanding how...

In the third episode of Why Arts?, I’m joined by Ryan Jenkins—co-founder of Wonderful Idea Co. and a longtime educator, tinkerer, and designer working at the intersection of art, science, and making. Ryan’s work grows out of years spent at places like the Exploratorium and Tinkering 0School in San Francisco, where curiosity, experimentation, and hands-on learning are at the center. He has designed...

In the second episode of  Why Arts? , I’m joined by Linda Nathan—educator, author, artist, and Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Linda’s work centers on designing democratic schools, organizational change, and learning environments that place equity, creativity, and relationships at the core. She brings decades of experience founding and leading schools within the Boston Public...

In the first episode of Why Arts?, I’m joined by Lisa Goddard, a PhD Fellow in Reggio Childhood Studies at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia / Fondazione Reggio Children. Lisa’s work explores children’s play and pedagogical approaches that support deeper relationships between humans and more-than-human worlds. She brings experience as a preschool teacher, pedagogista, curriculum developer...

A child who rarely spoke found their voice through clay. That moment didn’t show up in test scores—but it changed everything. Why Arts? grew from moments like these. Not just visual arts—and not just art as a subject—but the arts as process, inquiry, relationship, and meaning-making. This podcast explores the arts not as an “extra,” but as a way of thinking, relating, and learning—across classroom...