Raising Innovators

Door slams are not "little accidents." Each year, an estimated 300,000 children visit the ER due to door-related injuries. In this episode of Raising Innovators, host Marnie Forestieri talks with Tim Boundy, Co-Founder & CEO of Moshun, about a smart, mechanical way to stop slams without permanently closing a door. Why this matters (for schools & families) Classrooms and childcare centers need safe...

Early childhood is changing fast — and so is the world our children are growing up in. 🌎✨  In this episode of Raising Innovators, Marnie Forestieri sits down with Lenita Flores, Director of School Success at Illumine, to explore what it truly means to prepare young children for the future. From hands-on learning and child development milestones to AI-powered tools that support teachers, this con...

What if a simple clapping game could make your child better at math and reading? 💡 In this super hands-on workshop episode of Raising Innovators, Marnie Forestieri sits down with kinesthetic learning specialist and author, Dr. Debby Mitchell, to unpack the power of "Steady Beat." Discover the powerful, research-backed correlation between a child's ability to keep a simple beat and their future ac...

What if education wasn't about control  but confidence, independence, and joy? 💡 In this powerful episode of Raising Innovators, Marnie Forestieri sits down with Tim Seldin, author, consultant, and President of the Montessori Society, to unpack the timeless wisdom of the Montessori philosophy. Discover how this 120-year-old approach continues to shape today's most creative, compassionate, and ind...

Parenting in the age of uncertainty can feel overwhelming. 🌎 We're raising kids in a world that changes faster than we can keep up  new technologies, new expectations, new fears. In this episode of Raising Innovators, Marnie Forestieri unpacks the Future-Ready Parent Mindset: how to replace control with curiosity, fear with adaptability, and anxiety with confidence. Learn how to model lifelong le...

  Are you worried your child can't focus or spends too much time on screens? 🧠 Discover how movement and play can build your child's brain connections and focus. Join Dr. Debby Mitchell and Marnie Forestieri as they reveal The Movement Chart — a simple framework to boost learning through play. Why this matters Future-ready abilities focus, problem-solving, and pre-writing don't start at a desk; t...

Busy between work, school, and chores? You don't need extra hours or complicated projects to raise creative, confident kids. In this episode of Raising Innovators, Marnie Forestieri shows you how to transform routines you already have—meals, chores, and bedtime—into "mini innovation labs" that build real-world skills in minutes a day.   Why this matters Future-ready skills—creativity, problem-solv...

😱 How do we find the right balance between technology and parenting? A mother asked the one question we ALL have. We want our kids to be ready for a digital future, but we worry about too much screen time. Is more tech the answer? In this episode, Marnie Forestieri reveals why preparing kids for the future DOESN'T mean more hours on a tablet. The key is to turn them into CREATORS, not passive con...

Are you wrestling with the screen time dilemma? You're not alone! So many parents wonder if educational apps or YouTube videos are better than a simple, made-up story. In this episode, we're diving deep into the science behind what truly ignites a child's brain. You'll discover why five minutes of storytelling can be more powerful than an hour of passive screen time and learn simple, fun games to...

Feeling overwhelmed after an autism diagnosis or concerned about your child's development? You are not alone! In this powerful episode, we sit down with the incredible team from ABA Alliance to demystify early intervention and share some truly exciting news. We're diving deep into what ABA therapy really is, the crucial first steps for parents, and how a family-centered approach creates amazing su...

Feeling like you're constantly running on empty and missing out on quality time with your kids? You're not alone! In this episode, Marnie Forestieri reveals why you can STOP stressing about grand gestures and discover three incredibly simple, powerful ways to spark deep connection and curiosity with your children in the small moments you already have. Get ready for practical hacks you can start us...

Feeling stressed when your child has a meltdown over a small setback? You're not alone! In this episode, Marnie shares three simple but powerful strategies to help your child develop emotional resilience—the crucial skill they need to bounce back from challenges, manage stress, and thrive. Let's turn those tough moments into powerful teaching moments!   About Raising Innovators: The Raising Innova...

Unlock Your Child's Potential with 3 Simple Dinnertime Questions | Raising Innovators Are your family dinners filled with one-word answers? What if you could turn that short, disconnected time into a powerhouse for developing your child's innovative mindset? In this episode of Raising Innovators, Marnie Forestieri shares three simple yet powerful questions you can ask at the dinner table to go bey...

Curiosity made her feel different. Now it's the reason she's making a difference. Dr. Karen Davidowitz Corbin didn't grow up knowing scientists.  She grew up in Puerto Rico watching Wonder Woman reruns, playing with a toy microscope, and asking questions no one around her could answer.  That curiosity led her into nutrition research and eventually to founding Geeks That Speak, helping kids and sci...

The first school bell signals more than a new day. It sparks excitement, discovery, and the first steps of a child's learning adventure. In this episode, Lucas Wilson and Emma Wilson, graduates of Young Innovators Academy, share their honest and adorable memories of what starting school felt like.  From making new friends to building forts out of cardboard, and even facing those big first-day jitt...

With a little prep, structure, and the right mindset, the first day can feel like a confident step forward for both you and your child. In this episode, Erika Seger, VP of Operations and Compliance at Young Innovators Academy, offers practical, heart-centered advice to help families prepare for the transition from summer to school.  From creating consistent morning routines to giving kids choices...

As young children step into preschool for the first time, they need the right tools and support so those first steps can be full of confidence, not fear. In this episode, Chelsie Smyth, PsyD, neuropsychologist at AdventHealth, explains how early cognitive exercises can help ease the shift from home to school.  From peek-a-boo to matching games, Dr. Chelsie outlines age-appropriate brain-building a...

Is your energetic child bouncing around while others sit quietly at storytime? If so, this episode is for you!  Join Dr. Debby Mitchell, a retired educator from the University of Central Florida, as she shares practical strategies for channeling high energy into joyful learning experiences. Learn how to turn your child's vibrant energy into their greatest strength and transform everyday moments in...

The current education system needs to see children NOT as mere numbers, but as boundless possibilities.  In this episode, Tanisha Taylor, an inspiring educator, opens up about what's broken in education and what we can do to fix it. She offers practical strategies that spark curiosity and honor each child's unique gifts. Tanisha shares real stories of students struggling under testing stress, the...

Big dreams often start small. In this special episode, Valerie Trapp interviews her mom, Marnie Forestieri, uncovering her journey from child performer to global journalist to education innovator. Marnie shares how creativity, resilience, and bold vision led to the Young Innovators Academy and the CAPE framework, a superhero-inspired approach to raising future-ready kids. Tune in and be inspired t...

The most powerful ideas often begin in the curious minds of children.   In this episode, early childhood expert Lesbiliz Dixon takes us inside her classroom to share how everyday sounds can turn into full-on learning adventures.  Children's curiosity becomes the heartbeat of innovation. Learn how to turn everyday questions like "why is the grass green?" into rich investigations at home using three...

Little children are natural language learners, so why wait? In this episode, language immersion specialist Luisa Weinstein discusses how her trilingual home inspired LuluTom, a multilingual program that is transforming classrooms across Florida. Luisa debunks common myths about language learning and offers simple, enjoyable methods for introducing new languages, even for parents who may not speak...

Helping young children manage their emotional outbursts can feel challenging, but as parents, it's also our chance to build lifelong emotional skills. In this episode, Sammy Canabal, an experienced instructional coach at Young Innovators, shares valuable insights to guide your child through their emotional highs and lows and offers strategies for calmly addressing meltdowns. Learn practical, easy-...

Before kids speak, they sing. Before they count, they clap. Music fuels brain growth, emotional expression, and joyful learning from the very start. In this episode of Raising Innovators, Mariangel Cestari joins us to explore how music shapes children's lives, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Her journey from infant teacher to performer brings a unique lens on how musical instruction suppor...

As parents, we desire a nurturing environment where our children feel safe, loved, and inspired.  In this episode, childcare expert Misti Castner shares insights into what constitutes a high-quality early learning center and provides guidance for parents in selecting the best environment for their child. She discusses essential factors such as security measures, teacher qualifications, and the dev...