Growing Up In America: The Way It Is

Immigration policy, public education, and childcare stability take center stage this week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is . Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Holly Durham (Texas A+ Challenge, CHILDREN AT RISK) start off the new year with a conversation on how Texas laws, education systems, and early childhood infrastructure are shaping the lives of children and families across t...

Co-hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Brian Greene are joined on this special holiday episode by some of our favorite 'friends of the pod'! Tune in for holiday jingles, memories, and surprise guests.

On this episode of Growing Up in America, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Brian Greene, President & CEO of the Houston Food Bank, explore Texas immigration policy and loneliness as a public health crisis. Krystal Gomez, Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Legal Council, breaks down major immigration law developments and how ICE activities are impacting children and families. Stephen Ives, P...

On this episode of Growing Up in America, Dr. Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK and Owala discuss mental health, education, and child welfare in Texas. Guests include Naomi Madrid, Executive Director of Crisis Intervention Houston, Caroline Roberts, General Counsel and Senior Director of Public Policy, CHILDREN AT RISK, Dr. Valerie Jackson, Founder and CEO, Monarch Family Services...

Flu season, the future of U.S. healthcare, and rising food insecurity. This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is , our hosts unpack the most pressing issues facing children and families. Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Brian Greene (Houston Food Bank) speak with experts from Houston and New York City about how policy shifts, public health trends, and community challenges are s...

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, our hosts explore the latest issues affecting children and families across Texas. Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Brian Greene (Houston Food Bank) dive into education, mental health, early childhood, and community well-being with experts from Houston, Dallas, and statewide child-serving systems. Featured guests include Megan Menchaca...

This week on Growing Up in America , hosts Dr. Chris Kulesza and Dr. Heidi Russell take a deep dive into the state of pediatrics in Texas — from child health policy and advocacy to firearm injury prevention and the pediatric workforce. Guests include Dr. Lauren Gambill of the Texas Pediatric Society, Dr. Sandra McKay and Dr. Veronica Gonzalez of UTHealth Houston, and Dr. Russell herself from Rice...

This week on Growing Up in America , hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Erica Gonzalez Hattery explore kids’ screen time, the power of a positive mindset, and how Houston students are preparing for life after high school with guests from CHILDREN AT RISK, UTHealth Houston, and the Kinder Institute.

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is , Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Luis Negreros explore how Texas communities can better support children. Kicking off the show, Lyn Lucas discusses early childhood education and what families need most right now. Dr. Leon Battle addresses child hunger and trafficking, Jenny Jones talks child welfare, and Elizabeth Colvin shares ways to build financial...

This week on Growing Up in America , Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Brian Greene dive into the issues shaping life for children and families across Texas — from the classroom to the kitchen table. Megan Steckly , CEO of Compudopt, joins to discuss digital equity and how closing the technology gap changes children’s educational futures. Nadia Salibi , Chief Impact Officer at CHILDREN AT RISK, breaks d...

Welcome, to Growing Up in America: The Way It Is.

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Dr. Christopher Kulesza, better known as Dr. Data and Reagan Schneckenburg, Media Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK, led a dynamic discussion centered around youth, health, and community well-being. The show kicked off with our opening segment, Growing Pains, where Reagan shared thoughtful tips for college students spending the holidays away from ho...

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Reagan Schneckenburg, Media Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK, and Briauna Derry, Director of Media Activism at CHILDREN AT RISK, delivered another full program of insights, data, and advocacy for children and families. We kicked off the show with our opening segment, "Growing Pains," where Reagan shared tips for finding a job after graduation. Reag...

On this week’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Briauna Derry and Reagan Schneckenburg brought listeners a rich conversation on civic engagement, children’s health, education, and the power of positive parenting. We kicked things off with Michael Mireles, Director of Civic Engagement at La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), who spoke about social change and civic engagement. Michael highlights...

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Brian Greene from the Houston Food Bank brought listeners an important conversation on poverty, health, equity, and the future of child welfare across Texas. We began with Tre Maxie, Executive Director of Friends of the Children – Houston, who spoke on the realities of generational poverty and the long-term investments needed t...

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Reagan Schneckenburg led a thought-provoking conversation on community leadership, civic engagement, racial healing, and the power of early education. We began with Katie Doyle, President of the Junior League of Houston, and Susan Barnes, board member of DePelchin, who shared how volunteer leadership and community partnerships...

Welcome to today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosted by Dr. Bob Sanborn and Dr. Chris Kulesza—the voice behind our much-anticipated Dr. Data segment. Today’s show took listeners on a powerful journey across safety, justice, healing, and wellness—all with children and families at the center. We kicked things off with our opening segment, Growing Pains, led by Reagan Schneckenburg, Media Coor...

Here’s your polished radio-style summary for today’s episode: Welcome to another engaging episode of Growing Up in America , hosted by the ever-insightful Dr. Bob Sanborn and Mandi Kimball, diving deep into the policies, programs, and stories shaping the future of our children. Today’s show featured something extra special, introducing our brand-new segment, Growing Pains with Reagan Schneckenburg...

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America , co-hosts Briauna Derry and Becky Quintanilla brought together an incredible lineup of guests for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on the emotional, educational, and societal challenges our children face in time for the back-to-school season. Taylor Medlin , Media Relations Specialist at UTHealth Houston , focuses first on youth mental health , s...

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America , hosts Brian Greene and Kevin Hattery led an inspiring and informative conversation centered on breaking cycles of poverty and boosting early childhood success, one of our most vital missions. First up, Nadia Salibi , Chief Impact Officer at CHILDREN AT RISK , kicked off the show with a deep dive into anti-poverty strategies . She shared powerful insigh...

Today’s episode of Growing Up in America was a special edition you won’t want to miss—Rice University Baker Institute Data Takeover , hosted by data experts Dr. Christopher Kulesza and Dr. Andrea Ramirez Varela, MD, PhD, MPH . This dynamic duo took the reins for an eye-opening conversation focused entirely on the data behind one of the most pressing issues in education today: teacher stress and bu...

Welcome to this week’s powerful episode of Growing Up in America , co-hosted by Briauna Derry , Director of Media Activism at CHILDREN AT RISK, and Reagan Schneckenburg , Media Coordinator—bringing you the voices and stories shaping the future of our children and communities. This episode dove into the intersections of environment, data, and the foster care system, with a lineup of passionate and...

Welcome back to another impactful edition of Growing Up in America , where this week’s episode was packed with powerful voices and real talk about the urgent challenges facing kids, families, and communities today. Your hosts Briauna Derry and Brian Greene took us on a journey through the frontlines of education and crisis support—bringing together advocates and experts who are doing the work and...

You're tuned in to another powerful edition of "Growing Up in America" , hosted by the dynamic duo Brian Greene and Dr. Bob Sanborn — where the voices of children’s issues take center stage, and the conversations are as timely as they are vital. This week’s episode was a deep dive into the real-world challenges shaping the lives of our youth today—from the classroom to the border, and everything i...

Joining us at the roundtable are experts who bring bold perspectives and heartfelt stories to the mic. Together, they unpack everything from mental health and education access to community safety and equity in care. Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or just passionate about the next generation, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. So lean in — the future is listening.