The Good Life in Early Life

Walk down memory lane with us as we revisit this heartwarming episode featuring two Nebraska fathers: Troy Branch and Calvin DeVries. Their conversation focuses on parenting experiences and their perception of modern fatherhood. Troy and Calvin emphasize the importance of being present for their children and communicating effectively with them. They also speak about the real-life challenges of fat...

We revisit one of our most popular episodes in which Dr. Ciera Kirkpatrick shares her research on The Idealization of Motherhood in the Media. Dr. Kirkpatrick dives into social media and the negative outcomes it has on the well-being of mothers. Her study reveals that mothers can experience increased levels of envy and anxiety when viewing social media posts that idealize motherhood. Dr. Kirkpatri...

Co-parenting comes with unique challenges, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. In one of our most popular episodes on the podcast, we take on real questions from parents and listeners about the most common struggles they face when co-parenting. To provide expert insights, we’re joined by two distinguished guests from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Dr. Cody Hollist, associate professor...

What if science, math, and creativity didn’t feel intimidating—but instead looked like play, storytelling, and everyday moments? In this episode, host Emily Manning is joined by other members of the Nebraska Extension Early Childhood team to explore the 2026 STEAM Imagination Guides—free resources designed to make STEAM learning fun, accessible, and meaningful for young children. Together, they sh...

For many children, a pet isn’t just an animal, it’s a first friend, a quiet comfort, and a daily lesson in care and connection. In this episode, host Emily Manning sits down with veterinarian Dr. Kathleen Ritzmann of Madison County Veterinary Clinic to explore the powerful role companion animals can play in children’s lives. Together, they unpack the human–animal bond and how caring for pets can h...

Host Emily Manning welcomes Elizabeth Everett, Vice President of Early Futures Partnership and leader of First Five Nebraska’s policy work, for a conversation about how early childhood policy is shaped in Nebraska. Everett explains Nebraska’s unicameral legislative process and highlights major priorities affecting children, birth to age eight, especially childcare affordability, capacity, and work...

Starting a childcare business takes vision, commitment, and the right community of support. In this episode, Emily is joined by Dena Beck from 6 Regions One Nebraska, Central Region, to spotlight the Childcare Champions initiative and how it is strengthening child care across Central Nebraska. Together, they explore how Childcare Champions walk alongside current and prospective providers, offering...

Starting a childcare business begins with a passion for children — and often a lot of questions about licensing. Emily is joined by Gina Ewing from the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) to explore what it really takes to become a licensed childcare provider in Nebraska. Together, they discuss the benefits of licensure for providers and families, walk through key steps in the licensing...

When holidays arrive in early childhood settings, they bring more than decorations and traditions; they bring stories, identities, and learning opportunities. Emily explores thoughtful approaches to navigating holidays with the director of Ruth Staples Child Development Lab, Jennifer Leeper Miller. Together, they discuss ways to support children’s development while honoring the diverse traditions,...

Gratitude is a powerful tool for strengthening relationships, boosting well-being, and creating healthier workplaces. Emily Manning and guest Dr. Holly Hatton dive into what gratitude looks like in action, especially when it’s woven into a program at the system level rather than left to chance. Together, they discuss how gratitude can strengthen relationships, reduce stress, and create more positi...

In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, Emily is joined by returning guest and statewide Extension Educator Linda Reddish to explore how early childhood professionals can navigate conflict in the workplace with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Linda breaks down the four common types of conflict: task, process, interpersonal, and status. Then, she shares practical insights on why confli...

In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, host Emily Manning is joined by Dr. Jessica Mitchell-McCullough, Senior Director of Education at Nebraska Public Media, to explore how parents and educators can thoughtfully select and use media with young children. Jessica shares insights on media literacy, the developmental benefits of co-viewing, and how trusted, research-based programs like Danie...

In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, we examine the concept of “good enough” parenting and what is needed to support healthy child development. Shannon Carr joins us to discuss strategies for fostering independence, creativity, and exploration in young children without succumbing to unrealistic expectations or over-scheduling. The following music was used for this media project:  Music:...

In this episode, we sit down with Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Bryan, Dave Miers, to explore how adults can support children who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. From navigating difficult conversations to managing the impact of school shootings in the news, Dave offers practical guidance for helping kids feel safe, understood, and resilient. This episode provides thoughtf...

In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, we explore an innovative solution to one of early childhood education's most persistent challenges: finding qualified substitutes when educators and providers need time away from work. Host Emily Manning speaks with Jonathan Jank, President and CEO of the Seward County Chamber & Development Partnernship, and Tracy Gordon, Executive Director of the Ne...

In this episode, we sit down with a 4-H Educator, Ann Dobesh, to explore why valuing the process—rather than just the final product—is so important for youth and young children. We talk about how meaningful time spent with an adult can spark curiosity, build confidence, and support the development of lifelong learners. Our conversation highlights how both success and mistakes offer powerful learni...

Discover how every educator can confidently bring music into their classroom, regardless of musical background. With guests, Jentry Barrett (Nebraska Extension) and Mollie von Kampen (Ruth Staples Child Development Lab), this episode offers practical tips and heartfelt encouragement, reminding us that with a little practice and a lot of heart, your voice is more than enough to inspire young learne...

In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, we delve into the exciting world of STEAM education in early childhood, featuring insightful interviews with experts in the field. Join us as we sit down with Sarah Paulos, a former Nebraska Extension Early Childhood Educator turned lower elementary science teacher. Sarah shares her dissertation findings about incorporating local rural knowledge into...

This episode delves into the essentials of selecting quality childcare. Emily Manning is joined by Nebraska Extension colleagues Lisa Poppe and Katie Krause, as they explore what constitutes quality care, its importance in early childhood, and the challenges parents face in finding suitable options. The discussion includes insights into the Nebraska Step Up to Quality rating system and various res...

Co-parenting comes with unique challenges, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. In this episode, we take on real questions from parents and listeners about the most common struggles they face when co-parenting. To provide expert insights, we’re joined by two distinguished guests from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Dr. Cody Hollist, associate professor of Child, Youth, and Family Studies...

In this episode of The Good Life in the Early Life, Emily Manning interviews Dr. Julia Torquati, a professor in the Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies with 25 years of expertise in child development, childcare, and nature-based environmental education. Dr. Torquati discusses how research has shown that time spent in nature can significantly improve children's performance on assessments...

In this episode, Emily returns to Gothenburg to sit down with Nichole Hetz for an update on the Gothenburg Impact Center and its journey to opening an early childhood learning center. From navigating challenges to securing resources, Nichole shares the key steps that made this project a reality. We also explore the ongoing work to ensure sustainability, the lessons learned along the way, and what...

In this episode of The Good Life in the Early Life, Emily interviews Dr. Janice Sherman, a licensed mental health practitioner and play therapist with over a decade of experience of supporting youth mental health. Dr. Sherman, who runs a private practice in rural Nebraska, discusses the challenges of providing mental health services to youth in the state. She also highlights key warning signs that...

Nebraska Extension Educators Tasha Wulf and Katie Krause share their personal experiences preparing for a baby in this episode, offering a mix of humorous and heartfelt stories. They also explore research on marketing to new parents and how to identify reputable sources of information. Tune in for valuable insights into the emotional journey of parenthood, the influence of marketing on new parents...

In this episode, we dive into the listener requested topic of family style dining and feeding young children. Extension Educator Carly Applegarth discusses the research around effective mealtime strategies and Nebraska parents, Adam and Carli, share the everyday struggles and laughter of teaching young children healthy mealtime habits. References & Resources: Eat Family Style at Home- https://eata...