Speaking for Kids, the podcast from Michigan’s Children

In this episode of Speaking for Kids , Michigan’s Children celebrates fatherhood with special guest John Miles , Coordinator of the Wayne County Fatherhood Initiative at The Children's Center , recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award, and father of Michigan’s Children’s Child Welfare & Education Policy Associate, Bianca Miles. Together, they discuss why one of the best Father's Day gifts we c...

In this episode of Speaking for Kids, host Bianca Miles sits down with a representative from the Ruth Ellis Center to honor the legacy of Ruth Ellis and explore the challenges LGBTQ+ youth continue to face today. Recorded during Pride Month, this conversation highlights the importance of creating safe, affirming spaces for young people and the critical role families play in supporting their well-b...

In this episode of 'Speaking for Kids', we explore the power of after-school programming and the difference innovative community-based programs are making for children and families across Michigan. Featuring guests from Detroit, Grand Rapids, and the Michigan Afterschool Partnership, the conversation highlights how after-school programs support academic success, mental health, confidence, creativi...

In this episode of Speaking for Kids , we explore how investing in prevention can reduce child abuse and strengthen families before crises occur. Joined by experts from Children's Trust Michigan and Prevent Child Abuse America , the conversation breaks down what prevention really means and why it must be a priority. Our guests share how shifting resources upstream, toward family supports, communit...

In this episode of Speaking for Kids , we examine Michigan’s early literacy crisis and what it will take to improve reading outcomes for students. With fewer than 40% of third graders reading proficiently, we explore why Michigan is falling behind while states like Mississippi are making gains. The conversation highlights the Science of Reading, how teachers are being trained and supported, and wh...

In this urgent episode of Speaking for Kids, we examine how increased immigration enforcement is impacting children and families across Michigan. According to Bridge Michigan, more than 2,349 people were detained in the state between January and October 2025, nearly three times the number detained during the same period in 2024, with the vast majority having no criminal record. At the same time, l...

In this episode of Speaking for Kids , we take a deep dive into Michigan’s teacher shortage through the lens of equity and opportunity. Joined by Dr. Curtis Lewis, President and Founder of Boldly Moving Education Ahead, and Charlotte Pierce, Senior Policy Analyst at EdTrust Midwest, the conversation explores new research on why Michigan continues to struggle to recruit, prepare, and retain teacher...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Michigan State Representative Gina Rigas and Heather Morey-Pols, the mother of Rowan Morey-Pols, to discuss the tragic loss that inspired the Rowan Act (HB 4517 and 4518). Together, they walk us through what happened to Rowan, why Michigan families need stronger seat belt laws for children, and how this legislation aims to prevent future tragedies. We exp...

Michigan’s maternal and infant health outcomes reveal deep inequities that continue to harm families, especially families of color. Voices for Birth was created to change that. In this episode, we talk with leaders from the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health (MCMCH) about their groundbreaking Voices for Birth initiative, the second edition of the 2021 Birth Equity Education Project , d...

This episode of Speaking for Kids honors Kinship Care Awareness Month with guest BeAnka Masefiade , Executive Director of Osofomaame , a Black-founded and led organization addressing systemic disparities facing Black youth in Michigan’s child welfare system. Black children make up 16% of Michigan children, but are overrepresented in the child welfare population, making up 29% of children in foster...

This episode features a conversation with Ov’Var’Shia “Shay” Gray-Woods, who participated in the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute internship program, where she was able to intern for Senator Elissa Slotkin. We explore the day-to-day experience of working on Capitol Hill, the process of developing a federal policy proposal, and the vision behind “ Reforming Workforce Development and Yo...

In this episode, Michigan’s Children President & CEO Matt Gillard sits down with Suzanne Greenberg of Children Trust Michigan and regional leaders Stephanie and Heather to explore the life-changing work happening across the state to prevent child abuse and neglect. From mobile resource centers delivering support to rural communities, to proven prevention programs that reduce maltreatment rates...

In this special Pride Month episode, we’re focusing on the urgent challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth in Michigan — and what it will take to protect and uplift them. Matt is joined by Representative Emily Dievendorf (D-77) and Emme Zanotti, Senior Director of Movement Building & Political Affairs at Equality Michigan. Together, they break down the real impact of harmful legislation, the rising thre...

In this episode, we explore what mental health looks like across the early years and into adolescence — and what adults need to understand to truly support kids. Matt is joined by an expert in infant and early childhood mental health (ages 0–3) and a professional working closely with middle and high school youth. Together, they unpack the signs of struggle, the systems that help (or hurt), and wha...

In this episode, we dive into the real-life consequences of proposed U.S. Department of Education budget cuts, specifically their impact on children with disabilities in Michigan. With guests from an Intermediate School District (ISD), the Autism Alliance of Michigan, and an agency serving people with developmental disabilities, we explore how federal education dollars currently support essential...

In this episode, we reflect on the 2023 Michele Corey Child Advocacy Summit and the powerful moments that reminded us why youth voices must be at the center of our work. Advocacy is most effective when it’s inclusive, and we explore what it truly means to uplift the voices of those we serve.

Our Host and CEO Matt Gillard is joined by special guests from the Michigan Immigrants Rights Center and Centro Multicultural to discuss the recent changes in Immigration Enforcement and their impacts on Michigan kids and families. Tune in to hear a very timely episode from experts on the matter.

Special Guest Brian Jordan sits down with our President and CEO, Matt Gillard, to discuss the policy of reading. You might remember Brian from his days of playing for the Falcons and Braves, but since retiring, Brian has become a champion for children. Listen to this episode to learn about his foundation, living with dyslexia, and why advocating for children is important to him.

Following our recent Lunch and Learn on key child and family advocacy issues in this election, join Matt Gillard as he sits down with Charles Bruner, the director of InCK Marks and a leading voice in child policy. Together, they discuss critical issues on the ballot and explore what advocates need to prepare for—no matter the outcome in November.

On the latest episode of the Speaking for Kids podcast, host Matt Gillard interviews Dennis Niemiec, the Executive Producer of the documentary "Kiss the Babies," and India Williams, an advocate against gun violence and the inspiration behind the film. Gun violence has become the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., often only gaining attention after mass shootings. "Kiss the Babies" ai...

Speaking for Kids host Matt Gillard, president and CEO of Michigan’s Children, welcomes participants from Peckham - Flint’s recent “Exchange for Change” program, the multi-week roundtable between law enforcement officers and court-involved youths. Over four weeks, seven officers from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and Flint Police sat down with seven youths enrolled in Peckham’s Youth Ser...

Michigan's Children Speaking for Kids podcast host Matt Gillard welcomes Schools Superintendent John M. Searles, head of the Midland County Educational Service Agency, to discuss the expansion of Pre-K for All. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss the expansion in light of a contentious House budget plan that would negatively impact funding to community-based child care providers in favor...

Join Matt Gillard, President and CEO of Michigan's Children, as he engages in a candid conversation with Jeff Cobb, Director of Government Affairs at Education Trust-Midwest, on the pressing need for equity in education funding. Delving into the Opportunity Index—a proposed funding formula inspired by successful models like Massachusetts—the discussion highlights the importance of prioritizing res...

Michigan’s Children’s Matt Gillard sits down with Jeff Capizzano, President of the Policy Equity Group, to talk frankly about Governor Whitmer’s “PreK for All” plan now that expanding free 4-year-old preschool is moving closer to becoming reality with major state funding outlined in Whitmer’s proposed FY2025 budget recommendations. They discuss the plan’s “roadmap” for quickly expanding the state-...

To debrief Governor Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State address, Michigan’s Children’s Speaking for Kids Podcast Host Matt Gillard welcomes back two veteran Lansing lobbyists who have spent their careers working on children’s issues in Michigan. Specifically, they look at what she plans to champion on behalf of kids & families in the second year of her second term in office. Listen in and learn...