The Branch

The National Parents Union Podcast

Education EN ↓ 56 episodes

What happens when families are at the center of policy and politics? Sh*t gets done! Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier—moms and battle-tested organizers—tackle the news of the day in this weekly podcast from The Branch. They'll share their struggles and successes as they channel the power of parents to break down barriers, flip the script on economic and education justice, and improve the lives of all families. The NPU Podcast isn’t just talk; it’s a rallying cry for parents nationwide to transform their frustration into tangible victories for our kids and our future.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: thebranchmedia.org

Author

The Branch

Episodes

Ep 55 | The Big Ugly Bill 09.07.2025 38:40

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”, and what it means for kids and families. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 54 | Tax Raises & Program Cuts 26.06.2025 53:36

This week on NPU Live, the moms dive into the impacts of potential tax hikes and program cuts — especially those affecting working families. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 53 | School’s Out! 18.06.2025 25:11

This week on NPU Live, the moms wrap up the school year, dive into how parents can make the most of summer break, and shout out the activism around Trump's potential budget cuts. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 52 | Job Corps Cuts 04.06.2025 45:53

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the cuts to Job Corps, and their implications for our kids and country. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 51 | Budget Cuts 27.05.2025 52:26

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the potential budget cuts to the Department of Education, and how they could impact kids and parents. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 50 | An AI Assistant for Parents (with Sheila Lirio Marcelo) 14.05.2025 37:09

This week on NPU Live, the moms sat down with Sheila Lirio Marcelo, founder and CEO of their favorite AI-powered household assistant, Ohai.ai. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 49 | What Trump’s New Budget Means for Education 07.05.2025 53:30

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed what Trump’s new budget means for education. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 48 | A Hard Time to Have Kids 02.05.2025 57:56

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed how Trump’s chaos is discouraging parents from having more children. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 47 | Autism, Misinformation, and RFK Jr. 18.04.2025 57:55

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed RFK Jr.’s controversial comments about autism. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 46 | Trump Tariff Chaos 09.04.2025 54:10

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed Trump’s tariff chaos, and what we can do to take action. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 45 | The Moms Talk Foreign Policy 02.04.2025 51:52

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed that controversial Signal chat, Trump’s pursuit of Greenland, and tariffs. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 44 | Measles is Back 26.03.2025 52:04

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the resurgence of measles and the dismantling of the department of Education. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 43 | Shade for Senator Schumer 20.03.2025 43:00

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the Democrats who voted for Trump’s controversial continuing resolution to keep the government open. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 42 | Education Funding Cuts 12.03.2025 56:39

This week on NPU Live, the moms are joined by their very first guest - Christy Moreno, Chief Advocacy & Impact Officer at Revolución Educativa to discuss the recent cuts to education funding Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 41 | Hard Times, Good Trouble 05.03.2025 50:48

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed how we can take action to make positive change in these confusing times. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 40 | NAEP Canceled: What It Means and Why It Matters 27.02.2025 44:36

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the cancelling of NAEP - the nation’s report card. After Declaring NAEP Off-Limits, Education Department Cancels Upcoming Test (The 74, 2/20/25) Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 39 | Federal Funding Freezes & Layoffs 19.02.2025 1:03:47

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the federal funding freezes and layoffs causing chaos nationwide and around the world. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 38 | The “Musk Rats” Dismantling the Government 12.02.2025 50:54

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the rapid dismantling of our government, and the specific ways it will hurt students and working families. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 37 | The Trump Tariffs 03.02.2025 37:26

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed Trump’s new tariffs and the costly consequences for working families. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 36 | ICE Raids & Egg Prices 29.01.2025 49:13

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the state of our beleaguered immigrant communities, and the fact that egg prices remain conspicuously high… Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 35 | Protecting Immigrant Children in Schools 23.01.2025 1:05:56

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed Trump’s recent action on immigration, its impact on schools, and what we can do to help immigrant children and families. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 34 | The TikTok Ban 15.01.2025 55:57

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the implications and possible motivations behind the upcoming TikTok ban. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 33 | Committing to Action Under Trump 07.01.2025 55:40

This week on NPU Live, the moms made the case that the second Trump presidency is no time for activists to back down from making progress for our kids. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 32 | 2024 Recap 18.12.2024 46:49

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed the ups and downs of 2024, and the progress made from advancements in literacy to passing impactful legislation. Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.

Ep 31 | The Literacy Lawsuit 11.12.2024 1:03:50

This week on NPU Live, the moms discussed a recent lawsuit whereby parents sued the creators of a flawed literacy curriculum. Two Mass. Families Sue Famed Literacy Specialists, Claiming Reading Curriculums Were Intentionally Flawed (WSJ, 12/4/24) Want to hear more from Keri, Ariel, and Tafshier? Visit the NPU website at www.nationalparentsunion.org.