Big Little Lessons

Endings are never just endings. Whether it’s the last day of school, saying goodbye to a season of life, watching children grow, or stepping into something new, transitions often hold both grief and gratitude. In this episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine reflect on the bittersweet nature of goodbyes and new beginnings. Drawing from years in the classroom and life beyond it, they talk...

In this inspiring episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with Lucy Martin, Director of Development for the Children's Literacy Project, to discuss the life-changing impact of literacy and why reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give a child. Lucy shares how her organization is working to address America's literacy crisis through storytelling, advocacy, volunteer engagement, and community par...

In this heartfelt and humorous conversation, Jenny and Kristine sit down with author, podcaster, and creator of Modern Mom Probs, Tara Clark, to talk about the realities of modern motherhood. Through honest stories, relatable parenting moments, and plenty of laughter, Tara shares how a simple Instagram account grew into a thriving community that reminds parents they are not alone. Together, they e...

Amelie Redivo joins Jenny and Kristine for a heartfelt conversation about healing, identity, faith, and redefining what it truly means to be strong. As a professional dancer, fitness instructor, holistic health coach, and model, Amelie shares her deeply personal journey through an eating disorder and exercise compulsion—and the turning point that helped her move from striving and self-punishment t...

Episode Summary: What if the way children learn about food in their earliest years quietly shapes their health for a lifetime? In this thoughtful and informative conversation, Jenny and Kristine sit down with Dr. Mona Misra, a nationally recognized bariatric and metabolic surgeon, to explore how families can build healthier relationships with food, movement, and overall wellness—without shame, per...

After their powerful first conversation with Amanda Feldman, Jenny and Kristine realized there was still more to unpack about empathy, accountability, and human connection. In this thoughtful bonus episode, Amanda returns to share deeper reflections from her work as a therapist inside a maximum security men’s prison—including why she describes parts of her work as “fun,” what true healing and pers...

What if empathy begins when we stop asking, “What’s wrong with this person?” and start asking, “What happened to them?” In this powerful Part 1 conversation, Jenny and Kristine sit down with licensed clinical social worker Amanda Feldman, who works inside a men’s maximum security prison counseling individuals navigating trauma, addiction, and healing. Amanda shares what drew her to this deeply cha...

What if some of the struggles we carry into adulthood began in childhood relationships that never felt emotionally safe or steady? In this deeply meaningful episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine sit down with licensed marriage and family therapist Torie Wiksell to explore the lasting impact of emotionally immature parenting—and the hope that healing is possible. Drawing from both her...

In this episode of Big Little Lessons , veteran kindergarten teachers and co-hosts Jenny and Kristine answer the top 10 questions incoming kindergarten parents ask year after year — and the deeper worries behind them. From readiness and academics to big emotions, independence, attention spans, friendships, and separation anxiety, they offer practical guidance, reassurance, and honest insight drawn...

In this episode of Big Little Lessons , we sit down with returning guest Catherine Siphron to explore the often-overlooked topic of financial wellness —and how small, consistent habits can shape our sense of security, confidence, and freedom over time. Catherine, a financial advisor and fiduciary, also brings her experience as a high school English teacher and mindfulness coach to this conversatio...

What if the encouragement you needed most came from a child? In this uplifting and meaningful episode, we sit down with artists and educators Asherah Weiss and Jessica Martin, the co-creators of Peptoc —a creative project that began with student-made posters and expanded into a global movement of hope, including a hotline featuring encouraging messages from children. From a simple classroom idea i...

What does it really look like to raise independent, capable children? In this episode of Big Little Lessons , we sit down with Carolyn LaGaly, an educator of over 35 years, and her daughter Margaret—who now teaches at the very same school where she once grew up as a student. Together, they offer a rare, full-circle perspective on parenting, education, and what it means to help children grow into c...

What if one simple act—like writing a letter—could change the lives of countless families? In this episode, we talk with longtime kindergarten teacher and advocate Tricia Zarro, whose curiosity and compassion helped open the door to autism service dogs for children and their families. As we recognize National Autism Acceptance Month , Tricia shares how advocacy, kindness, and a commitment to equit...

What happens when teaching becomes more than what happens inside a classroom? In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with educator Lindsey Kaufman, whose 40+ year journey in education has taken her far beyond traditional school walls—and into communities around the world, including her work in the Dominican Republic with Strength for the Journey . Lindsey shares how her early love of teaching grew...

What if creativity isn’t just an activity—but a language? In this episode, Jenny and Kristine talk with art educator Kusum Harchandrai Nairi about how creativity helps children express themselves and make sense of the world. From her childhood in Bombay to her path into art education, Kusum shares why open-ended time, simple materials, and less direction from adults can spark deeper imagination an...

Summer is coming—and with it, the question every family asks: How do we make it meaningful without overcomplicating it? In this episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine explore how to thoughtfully design a summer that balances structure and freedom. Drawing from years in the classroom (and real life), they share how creating a simple vision can help guide decisions around camps, downtime...

This week on Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine welcome Nikki DeLoach, parent, advocate, actor, writer, producer, and co-host of the Mind What Matters podcast, for a thoughtful conversation about how families can build emotionally strong homes in today’s fast-changing world. Together, they explore what Nikki is seeing through her work advocating for children’s mental health and supporting fami...

What if the very thing that makes learning harder for a child… is also the thing that makes them extraordinary? In this episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with educator and student advocate Dr. Courtney Behrenhausen to demystify neurodiversity and help families better understand how children learn differently. Together, they explore common neurodiverse profiles, why early intervention matters, w...

What if one of the most loving decisions we can make for a child… is giving them more time? In this episode, Jenny and Kristine — with more than 50 years of combined classroom experience — explore how to thoughtfully consider whether a child might benefit from an extra year in Pre-K, Kindergarten, or First Grade. Using a whole-child lens, they discuss academic readiness, social-emotional developme...

What if one of the greatest gifts a child can receive is simply more people to love them? In this warm and meaningful conversation, Jenny and Kristine sit down with devoted father, proud grandfather, and beloved school volunteer Peter Palmer to explore the powerful role that grandparents and other caring adults play in children’s lives. Together, they reflect on family, legacy, and the research-ba...

What if the behaviors we struggle with most are actually the body asking for support? In this episode of Big Little Lessons , we sit down with occupational therapist Dani Leon, M.S., OTR/L, founder of Sprout Children’s Therapy Center, to explore how regulation, sensory experiences, and nervous system support impact how children (and adults) learn, connect, and function in everyday life. Dani helps...

What if parenting felt more intentional — not perfect, not rigid, but calmer and more grounded? In this episode, we’re joined by parent coach and former classroom teacher Andrea Scopp-Robbins to explore what intentional parenting really looks like in everyday moments — and how clear, compassionate boundaries actually help children feel safe, confident, and supported as they grow. Andrea shares ins...

What does it really mean to find your voice — and why does it matter at every stage of life? In this episode of Big Little Lessons , kindergarten teachers Jenny and Kristine sit down with speech-language pathologist Amy Wachsberger, M.S., CCC-SLP, for a thoughtful, reassuring conversation about communication, confidence, and connection. Together, they explore how speech therapy is not about labels...

February in the classroom is magical… and completely exhausting. From Groundhog Day and Lunar New Year to Valentine’s Day, the 100th Day of School, Presidents’ Day, curriculum pacing, assessments, conferences, and everyday teaching — February somehow manages to pack twelve mini-months into twenty-eight days. In this episode, Jenny and Kristine explore why February feels like so much , what researc...

In this episode of Big Little Lessons , Jenny and Kristine sit down with Dr. Toya Holiday for a rich and thoughtful conversation about identity, belonging, and the wisdom that shapes who we become. Together, they explore how identity is formed through personal experience, family foundations, and community connections , and how learning to “see through someone else’s eyes” deepens empathy, understa...