Growing Up In America: The Way It Is

You're tuned into another powerful episode of GUIA: Growing Up in America , the podcast where childhood meets policy, and voices young and old come together for change. In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the heart of today’s most pressing children’s issues — from current events shaking the lives of our youth, to the programs and policies shaping their future.

Featuring: Dana Sheridan, Counselor, The Village School o Summer Learning Loss Jacob Newsome, Founder & CEO, Power of the Narrative; Founder, Sinclair Scholars o Education & Health Equity Sydney Zuiker, Director of Safe Community Institute at Crime Stoppers of Houston o Gun Violence Awareness Month Cherry Steinwender, Executive Director, The Center for the Healing of Racism o Racial Healin...

Featuring Dana Sheridan, Counselor, The Village School o Summer Learning Loss Jacob Newsome, Founder & CEO, Power of the Narrative; Founder, Sinclair Scholars o Education & Health Equity Sydney Zuiker, Director of Safe Community Institute at Crime Stoppers of Houston o Gun Violence Awareness Month Cherry Steinwender, Executive Director, The Center for the Healing of Racism o Racial Healing

This is a rebroadcast of our May 28, 2025 episode that aired live on 90.1 FM KPFT.

This is a rebroadcast of our May 21, 2025 episode that aired live on 90.1 FM KPFT.

This is a rebroadcast of our May 14, 2025 episode that aired live on 90.1 FM KPFT.

This is a rebroadcast from our original episode aired on May 7, 2025 on 90.1 FM KPFT Pacifica Radio

This week, it’s a Dr. Data Takeover —and we’re hungry for solutions. Co-hosts Dr. Chris Kulesza (Rice University) and Dr. Shreela Sharma (UTHealth School of Public Health) lead a special episode dedicated to one of the most urgent issues facing Texas families: food insecurity . From pediatric clinics to City Hall, we spotlight the people and policies working to feed children and families in crisis...

From budget cuts to baby shots—this week on Growing Up in America , we explore what Texas kids are up against and who's fighting for their future. We kick off with Houston Chronicle’s Megan Menchaca , breaking down the looming HISD cuts and the latest on school vouchers and accountability ratings. Then Kim Kofron from CHILDREN AT RISK joins us to sound the alarm on Texas' deepening child care cris...

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is , we spotlight the systems shaping children’s lives in Texas and beyond. Dr. Cathy Horn of the University of Houston unpacks barriers to educational equity and the future of college access. Christian Salas, LMSW, explores the realities of child welfare and how we can truly protect vulnerable kids. Wendolyn Ward from the Texas Immunization Project s...

In this special Dr. Data takeover episode of Growing Up in America , Dr. Chris Kulesza is joined by co-host Dr. Katie Harris for an insightful hour focused on youth substance use and public policy . 🎙️ Featured guests include: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of Harris County, discussing law enforcement’s role in prevention and response. Tracey Burnett-Greenup , Chief Impact Officer at the Council on Recovery,...

This week: child abuse prevention with TexProtects, parenting insights from a data expert, Texas legislative updates, and a 14% fertility shift you need to know. Plus: Gen Z slang and childhood favorites in the speed round. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Dive into this week’s episode of 'Growing Up in America: The Way it Is' as Dr. Bob Sanborn and Bri Derry delve deep into the transformative power of education and advocacy for Texas' children. Discover the groundbreaking work of Kara Branch with 'Black Girls Do Engineer' in STEM education, learn about the critical importance of sleep health from Dr. Christine Spadola, and explore early childhood e...

Join us this week on 'Growing Up in America' as Megan Menchaca, Sylvia Mintz, and Angelica Perez discuss the latest on education trends and immigration. Get expert insights into how local policies are supporting immigrant students. Tune in live every Wednesday at 9 AM or catch the podcast every Monday at noon!

"🎧 If you missed this week’s live broadcast of 'Growing Up in America: The Way it Is,' it’s not too late to catch up! Dive into our discussions on the Texas measles outbreak, empowering Houston’s high school girls, and the latest updates from the Early Learning Quality Network. Listen now on 90.1 FM KPFT or wherever you get your podcasts! 🌟

Missed our live show? Catch the latest episode of 'Growing Up in America: The Way it Is' on your favorite podcast platform. This week, we discuss the social determinants of health with Dr. Michelle Lopez, explore economic drivers of health with Dr. Geoff Gusoff, and dive into the challenges and opportunities for youth with Aleah Martin and Christian Salas. Plus, don't miss our Hip Speak segment an...

How do the places we live shape the lives of children? In this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is , Dr. Bob Sanborn and Bri Derry explore how the built environment, food security, and mental health impact kids and families. Dr. Zoabe Hafeez breaks down why fewer children walk or bike to school—and what cities can do about it. Dr. Craig Gundersen discusses how SNAP reduces food insecur...

From the healing power of nature to the fight against food insecurity and expanding access to college, this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is dives into critical issues affecting children and families. Hosts Nadia Salibi and Alicia Ramos welcome Gabriela Lopez of the Charles Roundtree Bloom Project to explore outdoor healing for families impacted by incarceration. Cathy Chen-Arriaga...

From school closures to child care costs, immigration challenges, and community advocacy—this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is covers it all! Join Dr. Bob Sanborn, Becky Quintanilla, and Susannah Young as they dive into the latest education news with Brooke Kashawa of Houston Landing , discuss early learning quality with Jenn Meier, explore advocacy with Miranda Johnson, and tackle...

📢 This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is , we’re diving deep into the challenges and victories shaping kids’ lives across Texas. From grassroots immigration advocacy with César Espinosa to the latest on education policy with Diana Del Pilar, and a powerful discussion on literacy with Melissa Williams Murphy, this episode is packed with insights and action.

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is , we’re tackling critical issues affecting young people today with top experts and reporters. 🔹 Opportunity Youth & Teen Pregnancy with Miranda Johnson 🔹 HISD’s Latest Challenges with Megan Menchaca, Houston Chronicle 🔹 Internships & Career Exploration with Rebecca George, C@R Fellow Plus, our Hip Speak segment deciphers the latest Gen Z...

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is , we’re diving into the issues shaping the lives of our children, featuring insights on education equity, creative learning, youth development, and human trafficking awareness. Join Dr. Bob Sanborn, co-host Bri Derry, and an incredible lineup of guests: Raj Salhotra, Momentum Education Roderick "Bass" Tillman, Workshop Houston Brandi Brown, HYPE Fr...

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is , we’re diving into the issues shaping the lives of our children, featuring insights on education equity, creative learning, youth development, and human trafficking awareness. Join Dr. Bob Sanborn, co-host Bri Derry, and an incredible lineup of guests: Raj Salhotra, Momentum Education Roderick "Bass" Tillman, Workshop Houston Brandi Brown, HYPE Fr...

🎙️ Growing Up in America kicks off the year with bold predictions and engaging conversations! In this special episode, we discuss what's ahead in 2025 with incredible guests like Nadia Salibi, Lyn Lucas, Mandi Kimball, and Jason Sabo. From cultural debates and tech trends to Texas politics and child advocacy, we explore the pivotal issues shaping the future for our children. Don’t miss our “Data o...

Kick off 2025 with thought-provoking conversations about the year behind us and what’s to come: Megan Menchaca on education, Dr. Michael Chang on health, Dr. Chris Kulesza with a fascinating “Data of the Day,” Kevin Hattery on youth empowerment, and Becky Quintanilla on community service.