Childhoods By Wonderschool
Chris Bennett
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In this series, we learn about pivotal childhood moments that shaped our guest’s life paths.Guests discuss early relationships, circumstances, and epiphanies in their early years that influence their successes and pursuits. There is a proverb, “hindsight is the best insight to foresight.” In hindsight, what did childhood teach them? How do they use their inner child to spark innovation? What are their views on the state of childhood today? We ask these questions and more to connect the dots between childhood, influence, and the future.
Available episodes
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Jul 3, 2023
022: A Love For Education: The Common Thread For Leadership with Mayor Rusty Brockman
In today’s episode of Childhoods by Wonderschool, former New Braunfels mayor Rusty Brockman joins the conversation to share insights from his upbringing that have shaped his outlook on the importance of creating a nurturing environment for children to thrive.
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Rusty moved to Baytown, Texas when he was two years old due to his father's search for better job opportunities. At his father’s urging, he attended college to get his degree so that he would not have to deal with the same trials his father did in his line of tradework.
As the eldest of three siblings, Rusty had a unique upbringing with lots of closeknit one-on-one time with his mother before his siblings were born. His mother's love for reading instilled in him a passion for learning and leadership despite not having the chance to attend preschool. Growing up in a family that valued hard work, respect, discipline, and community service, Rusty was inspired to pursue a life dedicated to helping others.
His experiences and upbringing led him to a distinguished 15-year career in education and coaching and eventually to the Mayor's office in New Braunfels, Texas. There, he continued to carry on the values and principles instilled in him during his childhood while making his lasting impact on his community.
In this episode you’ll hear:
* How Rusty’s parents’ experiences shaped his own view of the working world
* Where Rusty’s inspiration to work in public service arose from
* The importance of community, respect, and giving back to others
Resources from this episode:
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if you want to learn more about Mayor Brockman in New Braunfels, Texas, go to www.nbtexas.org
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
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EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Jun 21, 2023
021: A Path to Repairing the World with Julie Kashen
I am delighted to bring today’s guest, Julie Kashen, on the show to share how her early life experiences growing up in Queens and Long Island shaped her views on childhood and her life's purpose. Julie is the Director of Women's Economic Justice and Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation, an independent think tank that conducts research, develops solutions and drives policy change to improve people's lives. Julie has over two decades of experience advocating for issues around work and family and she played a key role in drafting national legislation including the first paid sick day bill and the Childcare for Working Families Act.
From an early age, Kashen was aware of gender dynamics and was determined not to let her gender hold her back. Her passion for social justice was ignited during her time in a Jewish youth group where she learned about the concept of "Tikkun olam" or repairing the world. This led her to pivot from her initial aspiration of being an actress to dedicating her time to social justice. Upon her parents' divorce, she saw the need to be financially independent and focused on a career that would allow her to make a difference in the world. Her journey took her to the White House and British Parliament, where she observed different mindsets about the role of government and the impact of policies such as the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 on low-income families in the US.
In our conversation, Julie discusses the importance of diversity and intentional parenting. She emphasizes the significance of being intentional when connecting with people from different backgrounds and the importance of children growing up with diversity. Kashen's unique perspective highlights the lasting impact of childhood experiences on our lives and the importance of advocating for social justice and equality.
In this episode you’ll hear:
* Julie's journey from aspiring actress to social justice advocate
* The importance of being intentional when connecting with people from different backgrounds.
* How to make childhood more fun and the impact that can have on parent-child relationships.
Resources from this episode:
* Learn more about Julie’s advocacy work at the website for The Century Foundation: www.tcf.org
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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May 16, 2023
020: From Natural Caregiver To Thriving Business Owner with Katie McLain
In today’s episode of Childhoods By Wonderschool, Katie McLain, an early childhood educator and founder of Thrive Early Family Childcare Center, joins me to explore just how powerful our childhood experiences can be. We'll take a walk down memory lane, uncovering how Katie's own childhood and her family's commitment to service have influenced her journey into the world of childcare.
Katie grew up in a small town in Louisiana as the youngest of three children in her own home and the youngest grandbaby on both sides of her family. Living within walking distance from her entire family meant she had a lot of people looking after her, both family and community members. Still, it was hard for her mother, an admissions clerk for a local hospital, to find consistent care for her when she was asked to work longer shifts. Her mother advocated for the hospital to open up a daycare, providing their small town with the first community daycare program. Katie always had a penchant for working with little kids from the time she was a child herself, so her own forays into directing a preschool program came naturally.
From pursuing a daycare management program in high school to launching her own program in the midst of the pandemic, Katie's passion and dedication to providing exceptional care have been unwavering. Listen in as we discuss how she strives to bring a touch of the close-knit Louisiana community in which she grew up into her approach to her own childcare. Katie shares with me the lessons she's encountered throughout her career, how her experience as a parent has shaped her approach to childcare, and how the Wonder School platform has become an invaluable resource for managing her thriving program. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an educator who has turned her childhood experiences into a life of service and impact. In this episode you’ll hear:
* The lessons Katie learned in her time working for other daycare providers
* How sometimes the simplest pleasures bring the most excitement to children
* How Katie got the idea to start a childcare program in the midst of the global pandemic Resources from this episode:
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If you want to learn more about Katie and Thrive Early Childhood Center, visit her website at https://www.wonderschool.com/la/west-monroe/thrive-early-childhood-fcc-8124
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Apr 12, 2023
019: Closing the Opportunity Gap Early with Regen Horchow
Our guest on the podcast today is Regen Horchow, an advocate for early childhood education in Dallas and across Texas. Regen chairs the Dallas County initiative called Early Matters Dallas. This ambitious and broad-based coalition aims to reach new heights in kindergarten readiness and children's literacy around the state.
Growing up in Dallas, Regen’s childhood was pleasant and lively. Her parents, both involved in retail and marketing, were also big on entertaining. Regen remembers her sprawling childhood backyard filled with lively poolside conversation and the variety of guests always seated around the dinner table. Regen and her sisters were always expected to sit at the table and make conversation with her parents’ guests, which instilled an early curiosity for learning about others' stories and hearing from a variety of different viewpoints.
By high school, Regen had already begun to explore her passion for education. In our conversation, she recalls her parents’ straightforward but warm parenting style that emphasized progress over perfection and how it has helped her take both successes and failures in stride. Now a mother to three grown children herself, Regen shares how her parent’s love for people and positivity has shaped her outlook on parenting, education, and philanthropy.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* The influence of Regan’s upbringing on her outlook and approach to education
* Why fostering conversation around the dinner table is an important skill for young, developing minds
* How helping children to appreciate progress over perfection can have a lasting impact
Supporting Resources:
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You can learn more about Regen’s initiative at EarlyMattersDallas.org
Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Jan 11, 2023
018: Making Learning Accessible and Purposeful at Any Age With Guest Ruben Harris
I am thrilled to bring you today's guest, Ruben Harris. Ruben is the CEO of Career Karma, which recently raised a $40 million Series B round, and co-host of the Breaking Into Start-Up podcast which reaches 3 million listeners and counting. Ruben is a lifelong learner, dedicated to connecting people to jobs in technology and sharing his personal insights.
Ruben comes from a Seventh-Day Adventist family from Atlanta, Georgia. His faith played a strong role in his upbringing, attending an Adventist school, and his parents especially helped to grow Ruben’s early love for learning, music, and language. Ruben was brought up understanding that everyone is born with a gift and that it's your duty to use what you've been given to put out into the world. This philosophy has influenced his worldview, understanding that you cannot force someone into a path, they have to take their own journey with their own discoveries to get there.
In my discussion with Ruben, we talk about how his Adventist upbringing has shaped his mindset and approach to entrepreneurialism and the importance of following your own path to what you define as success.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* The ways that Ruben’s Adventist upbringing has influenced his perspective and priorities as an adult
* How your own inner conflict can hold you back from growth and when to trust your instincts instead
* The importance of seeing learning as a lifelong process
Supporting Resources:
* You can connect with Ruben Harris on Twitter at @RubenHarris and on Linkedin
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Jan 4, 2023
017: A Value-Driven Vision for Early Childhood Education with Guest Isabelle Hau
Isabelle Hau, the first executive director of the Stanford Transforming Learning Accelerator, joins us on the podcast today. Isabelle founded and led the U.S. education practice at Omidyar Network and, in 2020, spun off Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm that supports organizations across public, private, and social sectors in Brazil, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the United States.
Isabelle was born and raised in the South of France to a deeply loving family. Coming from humble beginnings, she benefitted greatly from France’s universal preschool system. In her early years, Isabelle gained confidence in her own vision when a kindergarten teacher encouraged her to take on a leadership role in a school play. Looking back, Isabelle fondly remembers her early childhood educators for their support and belief in her abilities which helped her grow into herself. Their nurturing outlook has inspired Isabelle in her adult career, prioritizing a value-driven vision in her own investment enterprises.
In my discussion with Isabelle today, she brings us through her journey from southern France to Silicon Valley and how she achieved her goal of blending the scale of a for-profit company with the heart and values of a non-profit in order to make a mission-driven impact in the education sphere.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* Isabelle’s experience with the education system in France compared to the U.S.
* What inspired Isabelle to seek out investment opportunities
* The benefits of allowing children to be children for as long as developmentally necessary
Supporting Resources:
You can connect with Isabelle Hau on Twitter at @Volcoucou and on Linkedin
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Dec 28, 2022
016: The Vitality of the First Five Years with Guest Sarah Rittling
On today’s episode, Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund, joins us to discuss her dedication to using innovative early childhood policy as a way of tackling childhood poverty. Sarah is widely regarded as a national leader in the field of children's advocacy due to her years of expertise in politics and legislation. From brain development to political analysis, the work she is leading at First Five Years Fund is among the most comprehensive and up-to-date on all aspects of the lives of young children today.
Born to a family of educators in a very small town in Upstate New York, Sarah has not only her background in education to thank for her passion in childcare reform, but also the inspirational family dynamic of having a working mother and supportive father. From an early age, her parents instilled in her the need to do good and be of service to others, particularly those who didn't have what her family had. Now with a family of her own, Sarah has continued that thread of service in her own career, working to solve the childcare crisis by raising funds for childcare programs throughout the country.
In my discussion with Sarah, we talk about the ways that she continues to pursue this thread of service in government and how she is raising her own children with the integrity of small-town upbringing that she had while in the much different environment of Capitol Hill.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* Where Sarah’s inspiration to do good in the world began
* What the First Five Years Fund’s vision and mission is
* How the pandemic brought light to the issues that Sarah and the First Five Years Fund have been working to solve in childcare
Supporting Resources:
If you would like to learn more about Sarah’s work at First Five Years Fund, check out www.ffyf.org
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Dec 22, 2022
015: Encouraging Autonomy And Exploration In New York City Family Child Care
In today’s episode, we are talking to Socorro Cordova, the director of Art & Wonder preschool in New York. Socorro was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has degrees in Women’s Studies and Eary Childhood Education. Now, Socorro resides in New York City, which is very different from the tropical climate of San Juan. However, her experiences have taught her the importance of not taking your surroundings for granted and finding beauty all around.
A firm believer in the Emilia Reggio approach, Socorro has applied her own learning from these experiences to her educational philosophy. Socorro knows that all children have potential and it is the educator's job to meet them at their own level and allow them autonomy and exploration. As a result, Socorro makes it her mission to ensure all the children that enter into her care understand first and foremost that they are capable and respected.
In our conversation today, Socorro discusses the importance of establishing a foundation for openness through creating routine and security for children and why centering children’s voices in the classroom can create a comforting and safe space for growth.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* The experiences that have shaped Socorro’s educational philosophy
* How teaching into routine and security in the classroom build foundational skills for future learning
* Why a child-centered classroom is crucial in helping children to feel more confident in their own abilities
Supporting Resources:
Check out the website for Socorroi’s Art & Wonder School on Wonderschool: https://www.wonderschool.com/ny/new-york/art-&-wonder-preschool-758
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Dec 14, 2022
014: Building a Strong Foundation at an Early Age with Guest Nini Diouf
I am super excited to bring today’s guest, Nini Diouf, onto the show. Nini is a Wonderschool director who runs an incredible French program called Nini’s Jolie Jardin in Alameda, California.
Nini was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, which she describes as a beautiful, welcoming, and communal place to grow up. However, preschool is not a requirement in Senegal and most are privately owned. Nini was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend preschool but recalls how the less fortunate children were ostracized for needing extra help in school or for their inability to speak French properly.
For Nini, these memories cemented the importance of learning at an early age and making preschool more accessible to all children, especially those in her birthplace of Senegal. As an educator, she is focused on positive redirection and social-emotional learning to ensure that no child is made to feel discriminated against as a result of their level of education. In my conversation with Nini today, she shares her journey of becoming a mom and a business owner and her insights into early childhood development, gained from her experiences working as a celebrated preschool director.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* How Nini’s school-age experiences in Senegal informed her outlook on early childhood education
* Why opportunities for learning are so important at a young age to ensure children have a strong foundation for growth
* The value of positive redirection and social-emotional learning in the classroom
Supporting Resources:
Check out the website for Nini’s Jolie Jardin on Wonderschool: https://www.wonderschool.com/ca/alameda/nini's-jolie-jardin-986
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Nov 30, 2022
013: Cultivating Core Values at a Young Age with Guest Jane Swift
I am thrilled to share my conversation with today’s guest, Governor Jane Swift. From 1999 to 2003, she was the 69th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. She was 36 when she became acting governor of Massachusetts, making her the first woman to perform the duties of governor in Massachusetts as well as the youngest governor or acting governor in the United States.
Though she went on to break many barriers in her adult career, Jane considers her childhood to be rather traditional. Growing up in a close-knit family, Jane’s mother was involved in education and her father was involved in politics. Through engaging with her parents in each of their fields, Jane saw first-hand the importance that education and civic duty hold in one’s life. From an early age, her parents instilled loving, family-oriented values in their children that Jane still carries on to this day through her relationships with her own children.
Having faced the scrutiny that being a high-profile working mother can bring, Jane has worked hard throughout her career to dismantle the barriers that women face when engaging in public service. In our conversation, Jane shares with me the source of her tenacious and hardworking drive to succeed, how her parents cultivated core values for success in their family routines, and why the privilege of growing up in a loving community is so important for a child’s future.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* How Jane’s childhood of growing up in a close-knit family was an inspiration to her
* The importance of persistence, hard work, and tenacity when working to achieve your goals
* Why being a great leader isn’t just about doing everything yourself but instead learning to delegate and embrace community
Supporting Resources:
Check out Jane’s website for the Farm Education and Rescue Center she has recently started at www.CHFarm.org
***
EPISODE CREDITS:
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com.
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Nov 23, 2022
012: The Before And After Journey Of Starting A Forest School With Guest David Calabrese
My guest today is well-known in our Wonderschool community: founder of Little Earthlings Forest School in San Francisco, David Calabrese. David founded Little Earthlings, an outdoor preschool program, as a passion project to instill agency, choice, and guided risk-taking in early childhood education.
Growing up, the wilderness outside David’s family home became his school and playground. To this day, he can recount the many lessons he learned while fending for himself in the woods with an abundance of cousins and no adult supervision. With the other neighborhood kids in tow, David would spend hours outside making forts and playing in the nearby creek until the sound of his aunt’s cowbell called the children home for dinner. It was here that David learned the impact that autonomy and choice have on a child’s sense of identity and self-esteem.
Though he initially found his calling in art and philosophy, David’s need for inquiry and exploration eventually led him to create his…
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Nov 16, 2022
011: The Benefits of Long-Term Thinking with Ryder Pearce
On today’s episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ryder Pearce, the founder of Skip, a mission-driven company based in California that has helped over a million people get easier access to government-related services since 2016.
As a child, Ryder and his twin sister spent their days split evenly between their mother's and father’s houses, as their parents had separated early in their lives. Learning how to plan ahead for each day–what supplies they’d need, which books for school they would have to bring, what not to forget at one parent’s house that they might need at the other’s–instilled in Ryder an early appreciation for the importance of long-term thinking. His involvement in sports throughout his childhood and teenage years further emphasized the benefits of being consistent and accountable in planning for the future. Through these early experiences, Ryder learned lessons that would become the foundation for his success as an entrepreneur in his adulthood.
In…
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Nov 9, 2022
010: Approaching Early Childhood Education Holistically with Rachel Schumacher
On today’s episode, we are joined by Rachel Schumacher, a nationally recognized strategic thinker and specialist in early childhood policy with over 25 years of experience at the national, state, and local levels. From government to philanthropy to grassroots, Rachel has focused on increasing equity in child care for children, families, and early educators who are typically not invited to the tables where policy decisions are made.
Looking back, Rachel can remember how invested her preschool educators were in her well-being and growth as a student and a child. These warm and fuzzy feelings have followed her through her adult life and informed her passion for creating early childhood education policy that involves students, educators, and parents–those with the most investment in the system but often the least amount of input. Rachel advocates for approaching education holistically and viewing parents and teachers as part of a whole rather than opposing barriers in a child’s life…
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Nov 2, 2022
009: The Power Of Interest Led Parenting With Brett Hurt
I am beyond excited to share my conversation with today’s guest, ground-breaking entrepreneur, founder, and author Brett Hurt. Brett’s incredible career path includes being CEO and co-founder of data.world, a platform for modern data teamwork with the world's largest collaborative data community. Through collaboration with David Judson, Brett released the second, expanded edition of his book, The Entrepreneur's Essentials: Lessons for Startup & Leadership Excellence, on Mother's Day 2022 in honor of his mother and his wife.
Brett was fortunate to have a mother who supported him in his passion for programming at a young age. She recognized his potential and even defended him against friends and family that felt he was not taking the more socially accepted career path. To this day, he considers her support to be one of the best advantages that helped him to succeed as an entrepreneur in the tech world. Now raising his own children, he has drawn inspiration from his mother’s influe…
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Oct 26, 2022
008: Breaking Free from Status Quo Education with Rich McDonald
Today’s guest, Rich McDonald, lives life at the cutting edge. Hall of Famer, author, and former executive vice president of Fender, Rich has taken on many roles. Now retired with young children, Rich has made it his new mission to break from the current and redefine what success looks like.
After struggling to find a balance between his family and his career, first as a musician and later as a global executive, Rich and his wife Lisa came to an epiphany. It was up to them to take their childrens’ education into their own hands by unplugging themselves from the status quo that they had become immersed within. Through deprogramming from the pursuit of material things, Rich has now found a greater sense of harmony in the rhythm of life.
In my conversation with Rich, he shares the trajectory that took him out of the rat race and into a balanced family routine. We discuss the importance of questioning the accepted truths about the world and how to embrace ownership and accountability…
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Oct 19, 2022
007: Investing in the Present and the Future With Lee Jacobs
Curiosity and inquiry are born during our early childhood experiences. Just ask today’s guest, Lee Jacobs. As an adult, Lee has gone on to become a founder and partner of venture capital firms, Long Journey Ventures, and Edelweis.vc. Lee has a penchant for helping new startups and businesses that were deemed ‘weird’ in their infant years, such as Fitbit, Blue Bottle, Space X, and Uber.
Lee’s inquisitive nature can be traced back to his formative years. Since both of his parents worked throughout his childhood, Lee spent much of his childhood in the care of his Trinidadian nanny, Suzanne, before entering a small Jewish preschool. After preschool, Lee’s parents were able to place him in a small, progressive K-8 private school. The close-knit nature of these formative years allowed Lee’s curiosity to blossom, while his grade school’s hands-on, student-paced approach furthered his love for learning and questioning.
In my interview with Lee, we discuss the skills he learned…
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Sep 21, 2022
006: Connecting Early Relationships To Leadership With Guest Carole Robin
An expert in interpersonal dynamics, today’s guest, Carole Robin, understands the importance of ensuring children grow up in loving, supportive, and non-judgmental surroundings. Carole is best known for her legendary Stanford Business class, Interpersonal Dynamics (aka “Touchy Feely”). Along with collaborator David Bradford, with whom she co-authored the book Connect, Carole has helped thousands of business leaders deepen their personal relationships while elevating their career trajectories.
Carole’s experience of being raised by a judgmental mother and an optimistic father directly impacted the way she experienced the world at a young age: while her father was unquestioningly supportive of her capabilities, her mother was much more reserved in her encouragement. Through navigating these relationships in her formative years, Carole learned to become competitive and resourceful–but as an adult, also found the need to unlearn some of the protections she had built around her f…
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Sep 14, 2022
005: Raising The Bar For Black Financial Literacy with Derreck Johnson
Having a strong support system during our formative years can be crucial to our successes later in life. Today’s guest, former mayoral candidate of Oakland, California and entrepreneur, Derreck Johnson, is a prime example of just how important support systems in early childhood can be.
A third generation resident of Oakland, Derreck began his life growing up in the projects. At an early age, he realized he had a gift for swimming—a talent that his emphatic, but protective, mother championed. Through her encouragement, Derreck was able to integrate into the city’s competitive swim community, taking part in social gatherings and activities that may have otherwise been out of reach. His mother fought vocally for equal opportunities for her son and ensured that he was treated to the same privileges as the other boys in the swim meets. From this rich childhood experience, Derreck grew to appreciate the importance of having someone in your corner to fight for your best interests. Sinc…
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Sep 7, 2022
004: Leading the Future of Your Childhood City With Mayor Michael Nutter
Our guest today is former Mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter. After growing up in Philadelphia, Mike has spent his adult life giving back to the community that raised him. Between his education initiative, Running Start, to joining Wonderschool as a senior advisor in 2021, he has been a consistent advocate for high-quality learning for all children from birth to age five.
In our conversation, we discuss Mike’s experience growing up in West Philadelphia during a time of rapid change in the city. Without many daycare options, his mother took almost ten years off from work to raise him and his siblings. For Mike, this meant being engaged in an enriching and nurturing environment of play and learning every day with those closest to him. Experiencing this in his early years helped him to understand the importance of close-knit childcare options and has informed his approach to public policy ever since.
Now, as a grown adult with children of his own, Mike advocates for individualizing…
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Aug 29, 2022
003: Sparking Change In Early Education Policies With Dan Wuori
For today’s episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Dan Wuori, a father, former kindergarten teacher, and Senior Director of Early Learning at the Hunt Institute. Dan is responsible for tremendous work with policymakers in education policy, advocating for greater accessibility to early childhood education. As a former kindergarten teacher, he has first-hand experience of the variety of developmental variation in children attributed to differing early childhood experiences. He has made it his life’s mission to help close the achievement gap by preventing it from opening in the first place.
Dan’s major inspiration down this pathway came from his father, a former pediatrician specializing in developmental disabilities. Dan’s father was a highly regarded figure in the various communities that he was called into for work and brought his family along with him each step of the way. While this made for a nomadic childhood, Dan found comfort in the tight-knight bond he shared with hi…
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Aug 29, 2022
002: Alternative Childhood and Alternative Leadership With Guest Shane Metcalf
We know that having an early educational foundation rooted in social-emotional intelligence helps children to grow and develop in their early stages. However, we cannot under-estimate the impact that a robust early childhood education can have on our ability to problem solve and build solutions for ourselves later on in life, as well.
Take today’s episode guest, for example. Shane Metcalf is the founder of 15Five, an HR platform aligned to the latest positive psychology research. Though he is now the founder of a multimillion dollar tech company, life was not always easy for Shane. His experience of growing up in an uprooted, impoverished family inspired his drive for helping others to develop beyond their immediate means in order to achieve their full potential.
However, were it not for his parents’ commitment to quality early education, he may have found this pathway much more difficult to navigate. Despite a tumultuous upbringing, Shane’s mother, a social worker highly inves…
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Aug 24, 2022
001: Sustainable Financial Practices in Early Childhood Education with Louise Stoney
One of the most important factors of financial stability and growth in a community is ensuring access to affordable child care. However, simply funneling money into the child care system has not led to greater accessibility and, in fact, has forced many small-scale mom-and-pop centers out of the market, leaving caregivers with fewer options and higher costs.
Instead, Louise Stoney, a pioneering child care advocate, suggests that a more sustainable answer lies in how individual child care practices are managed.
For today’s episode, I sat down with Louise to discuss the importance of sustainable financial practices in early childhood education. Louise has spent her career working with local governments, private foundations and policy organizations in over 40 states to ensure a robust and enduring child care system. Louise understands the importance of making child care accessible in order to promote equality for women, especially in underserved communities. Through her problem solvin…
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Aug 8, 2022
Welcome to Childhoods by Wonderschool!
In this podcast, we learn about pivotal childhood moments that shaped our guest’s life paths. Guests discuss early relationships, circumstances, and epiphanies in their early years that influence their successes and pursuits. There is a proverb, “hindsight is the best insight to foresight.” In hindsight, what did childhood teach them? How do they use their inner child to spark innovation? What are their views on the state of childhood today? We ask these questions and more to connect the dots between childhood, influence, and the future.
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