Growing Up In America: The Way It Is

Welcome back to another impactful edition of Growing Up in America, where this week’s episode was packed with powerful voices and real talk about the urgent challenges facing kids, families, and communities today.

Your hosts Briauna Derry and Brian Greene took us on a journey through the frontlines of education and crisis support—bringing together advocates and experts who are doing the work and sounding the alarm.

Anna Hardaway and Militza Mezquita both zeroed in on the need for stronger crisis response systems in schools and neighborhoods. They broke down how community-centered strategies can save...

You're tuned in to another powerful edition of "Growing Up in America", hosted by the dynamic duo Brian Greene and Dr. Bob Sanborn—where the voices of children’s issues take center stage, and the conversations are as timely as they are vital.

This week’s episode was a deep dive into the real-world challenges shaping the lives of our youth today—from the classroom to the border, and everything in between.

Kicking things off, Dr. Ruth López Turley brought some eye-opening data to the table, sharing groundbreaking research on school district funding gaps. She broke...

Joining us at the roundtable are experts who bring bold perspectives and heartfelt stories to the mic. Together, they unpack everything from mental health and education access to community safety and equity in care. Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or just passionate about the next generation, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. So lean in — the future is listening.

You're tuned into another powerful episode of GUIA: Growing Up in America, the podcast where childhood meets policy, and voices young and old come together for change. In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the heart of today’s most pressing children’s issues — from current events shaking the lives of our youth, to the programs and policies shaping their future.

Featuring:

Dana Sheridan, Counselor, The Village School

o Summer Learning Loss

Jacob Newsome, Founder & CEO, Power of the Narrative; Founder, Sinclair Scholars

o Education & Health Equity

Sydney Zuiker, Director of Safe Community Institute at Crime Stoppers of Houston

o Gun Violence Awareness Month

Cherry Steinwender, Executive Director, The Center for the Healing of Racism

o Racial Healing

Featuring

Dana Sheridan, Counselor, The Village School

o Summer Learning Loss

Jacob Newsome, Founder & CEO, Power of the Narrative; Founder, Sinclair Scholars

o Education & Health Equity

Sydney Zuiker, Director of Safe Community Institute at Crime Stoppers of Houston

o Gun Violence Awareness Month

Cherry Steinwender, Executive Director, The Center for the Healing of Racism

o Racial Healing

This is a rebroadcast of our May 28, 2025 episode that aired live on 90.1 FM KPFT.

This is a rebroadcast of our May 21, 2025 episode that aired live on 90.1 FM KPFT.

This is a rebroadcast of our May 14, 2025 episode that aired live on 90.1 FM KPFT.

This is a rebroadcast from our original episode aired on May 7, 2025 on 90.1 FM KPFT Pacifica Radio

This week, it’s a Dr. Data Takeover—and we’re hungry for solutions.

Co-hosts Dr. Chris Kulesza (Rice University) and Dr. Shreela Sharma (UTHealth School of Public Health) lead a special episode dedicated to one of the most urgent issues facing Texas families: food insecurity. From pediatric clinics to City Hall, we spotlight the people and policies working to feed children and families in crisis.

First, Dr. Sandy McKay shares how pediatricians are screening for food insecurity and supporting families through clinical care. Then we dive into community solutions with Mike Pomeroy from Brighter Bites...

From budget cuts to baby shots—this week on Growing Up in America, we explore what Texas kids are up against and who's fighting for their future.

We kick off with Houston Chronicle’s Megan Menchaca, breaking down the looming HISD cuts and the latest on school vouchers and accountability ratings. Then Kim Kofron from CHILDREN AT RISK joins us to sound the alarm on Texas' deepening child care crisis—including a staggering loss of nearly 75,000 seats and the sharp drop in family care homes.

Our Data of the Day reveals a sugary truth about Americ...

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is, we spotlight the systems shaping children’s lives in Texas and beyond. Dr. Cathy Horn of the University of Houston unpacks barriers to educational equity and the future of college access. Christian Salas, LMSW, explores the realities of child welfare and how we can truly protect vulnerable kids. Wendolyn Ward from the Texas Immunization Project shares critical insights on vaccine access for aging adults, and Dr. Michael Chang of UTHealth Houston returns to discuss pediatric health and the latest on measles outbreaks.

Plus, don’t miss this...

In this special Dr. Data takeover episode of Growing Up in America, Dr. Chris Kulesza is joined by co-host Dr. Katie Harris for an insightful hour focused on youth substance use and public policy.

🎙️ Featured guests include:

📊 Plus, Data of the Day with Katarina Reyes reveals a striking statistic: 28.9% of HISD stude...

This week: child abuse prevention with TexProtects, parenting insights from a data expert, Texas legislative updates, and a 14% fertility shift you need to know. Plus: Gen Z slang and childhood favorites in the speed round.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Dive into this week’s episode of 'Growing Up in America: The Way it Is' as Dr. Bob Sanborn and Bri Derry delve deep into the transformative power of education and advocacy for Texas' children.

Discover the groundbreaking work of Kara Branch with 'Black Girls Do Engineer' in STEM education, learn about the critical importance of sleep health from Dr. Christine Spadola, and explore early childhood education advocacy with Kim Kofron. Tune in to hear the essential conversations about what it's like to Grow Up in America, and enjoy special bonus segments like 'Hip Speak' an...

Join us this week on 'Growing Up in America' as Megan Menchaca, Sylvia Mintz, and Angelica Perez discuss the latest on education trends and immigration. Get expert insights into how local policies are supporting immigrant students. Tune in live every Wednesday at 9 AM or catch the podcast every Monday at noon!

"🎧 If you missed this week’s live broadcast of 'Growing Up in America: The Way it Is,' it’s not too late to catch up! Dive into our discussions on the Texas measles outbreak, empowering Houston’s high school girls, and the latest updates from the Early Learning Quality Network. Listen now on 90.1 FM KPFT or wherever you get your podcasts! 🌟

Missed our live show? Catch the latest episode of 'Growing Up in America: The Way it Is' on your favorite podcast platform. This week, we discuss the social determinants of health with Dr. Michelle Lopez, explore economic drivers of health with Dr. Geoff Gusoff, and dive into the challenges and opportunities for youth with Aleah Martin and Christian Salas. Plus, don't miss our Hip Speak segment and the revealing Data of the Day. Tune in now to join the conversation on how we, as a community, can better support the youth of Texas.

How do the places we live shape the lives of children? In this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, Dr. Bob Sanborn and Bri Derry explore how the built environment, food security, and mental health impact kids and families. Dr. Zoabe Hafeez breaks down why fewer children walk or bike to school—and what cities can do about it. Dr. Craig Gundersen discusses how SNAP reduces food insecurity and health disparities. Becky Quintanilla shares insights from her trip to Lima, Peru, and Diana Castillo of The Self Love Clinic highlights the importance of mental health an...

From the healing power of nature to the fight against food insecurity and expanding access to college, this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is dives into critical issues affecting children and families. Hosts Nadia Salibi and Alicia Ramos welcome Gabriela Lopez of the Charles Roundtree Bloom Project to explore outdoor healing for families impacted by incarceration. Cathy Chen-Arriaga of Tech Frontier shares insights on hands-on STEAM education, and Beth Harp of Kids Meals discusses the fight against childhood hunger. Plus, Dr. Brian Holzman breaks down barriers to college access, and Dr. Christopher Kulesza unpacks a...

From school closures to child care costs, immigration challenges, and community advocacy—this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is covers it all! Join Dr. Bob Sanborn, Becky Quintanilla, and Susannah Young as they dive into the latest education news with Brooke Kashawa of Houston Landing, discuss early learning quality with Jenn Meier, explore advocacy with Miranda Johnson, and tackle immigration policy with Linda Corchado. Plus, Dr. Christopher Kulesza breaks down our Data of the Day—20% of Texas parents report going into debt for child care. Tune in for expert insights, lively discussion, and a few fun...

📢 This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is, we’re diving deep into the challenges and victories shaping kids’ lives across Texas. From grassroots immigration advocacy with César Espinosa to the latest on education policy with Diana Del Pilar, and a powerful discussion on literacy with Melissa Williams Murphy, this episode is packed with insights and action.

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, we’re tackling critical issues affecting young people today with top experts and reporters.

🔹 Opportunity Youth & Teen Pregnancy with Miranda Johnson

🔹 HISD’s Latest Challenges with Megan Menchaca, Houston Chronicle

🔹 Internships & Career Exploration with Rebecca George, C@R Fellow

Plus, our Hip Speak segment deciphers the latest Gen Z slang, and Data of the Day breaks down a critical stat: 40% of students report persistent sadness or hopelessness—what does this mean for our kids?

Tune in on 90.1 FM KPFT, Pacifica...

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is, we’re diving into the issues shaping the lives of our children, featuring insights on education equity, creative learning, youth development, and human trafficking awareness.

Join Dr. Bob Sanborn, co-host Bri Derry, and an incredible lineup of guests:

Starting next week, we’re moving to a new time slot: 9-10 AM CT on 90.1 FM KPFT and wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t miss this engaging and impactful discus...

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way it Is, we’re diving into the issues shaping the lives of our children, featuring insights on education equity, creative learning, youth development, and human trafficking awareness.

Join Dr. Bob Sanborn, co-host Bri Derry, and an incredible lineup of guests:

Starting next week, we’re moving to a new time slot: 9-10 AM CT on 90.1 FM KPFT and wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t miss this engaging and impactful discus...

🎙️ Growing Up in America kicks off the year with bold predictions and engaging conversations! In this special episode, we discuss what's ahead in 2025 with incredible guests like Nadia Salibi, Lyn Lucas, Mandi Kimball, and Jason Sabo. From cultural debates and tech trends to Texas politics and child advocacy, we explore the pivotal issues shaping the future for our children.

Don’t miss our “Data of the Day” with Dr. Christopher Kulesza, unpacking the staggering statistic: 49% of teenagers globally struggle with reading comprehension.

Stream the latest episode on RSS.com or your favorite podcast platform to hear what e...

Kick off 2025 with thought-provoking conversations about the year behind us and what’s to come: Megan Menchaca on education, Dr. Michael Chang on health, Dr. Chris Kulesza with a fascinating “Data of the Day,” Kevin Hattery on youth empowerment, and Becky Quintanilla on community service.

In this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, Dr. Chris Kulesza (Dr. Data) and Dr. Sandy McKay explore the critical issue of firearm injury prevention and its impact on children and families. From trends in child firearm injuries to strategies for creating safer communities, this episode features insights from key experts and policymakers.

Special guests include:

In this episode of Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, Dr. Chris Kulesza (Dr. Data) is joined by guest co-host Dr. Zoabe Hafeez to discuss how community infrastructure impacts children’s well-being. From walkability and safety to equitable access, this conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in building environments that support kids.

Special guests include:

Join us for an insightful discussion on...

This week, co-hosts Kevin Hattery (Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston) and Dr. Chris Kulesza discuss all things Thanksgiving, youth-driven policy advocacy, early learning investments and more.

Special Guests include:

Susannah Young, Associate Director, PreK-12 Education, CHILDREN AT RISK

· Texas Coaching Collaborative

Santrice Jones, Director, Early Childhood Initiatives Division, Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity

· Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) Update

Alex Critin, Senior Associate, Center for the Study of Social Policy

· Engaging Youth in Policy Decisions

Join co-hosts Bri Derry and Susannah Young for a dynamic conversation with Marta Palaez, President & CEO, Family Violence Prevention Services, Linda Corchado, Senior Director of Immigration, CHILDREN AT RISK, and Megan Menchaca, Education Reporter, Houston Chronicle.

Join Growing Up in America cohosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Dr. Christopher Kulesza for a special post-election conversation with Jason Sabo of Frontera Strategies and Mandi Kimball of CHILDREN AT RISK.

Star co-hosts Kevin Hattery (Boys & Girls Club of Greater America) and Dr. Christopher Kulesza (Rice University) discuss book bans (Marti Bier, Texas Freedom Network), naturalized voter engagement (Nancy Flores, Deputy Director, Partnership for New Americans, AND Angie Dupree, Citizenship Coordinator for the Naturalize Now, Houston! Initiative, Partnership for New Americans), parental leave policies (Dr. David Kulesza, Rice University), new hunger data (Mia Medina, Senior Program Manager, No Kid Hungry), and the voting power of young latines (Marla López, Texas Communications Director, Mi Familia Vota).

This week, Dr. Bob Sanborn and Briauna Derry speak with Gen-Z Correspondent Raegan Roylance and well as Cesar Espinosa, Executive Director, FIEL Houston, Melanie McGuire, Senior Director of Programs, Houston Food Bank, Shirvonti Keller, Program Manager, Cherish our Children, and Ryan Fountain, Board Secretary and Director of Fundraising, Out for Education.

Cohosts Briauna Derry and Susannah Young speak with Dr. Kevin Lanza (UT Health), Mary Garr (Family Service San Antonio), Sarah Crockett (Texas CASA), and Megan Menchaca (Houston Chronicle).

On this week's episode, cohosts Briauna Derry and Susannah Young speak with Dr. Kevin Lanza (UTHealth), Mary Garr (Family Service San Antonio), Sarah Crockett (Texas CASA), and Megan Menchaca (Houston Chronicle).

Tune into this special BakerRipley takeover of Growing Up in America! Co-hosts Claudia Aguirre and Ernest Lewis speak with leading advocates in various fields of expertise.

This week, co-hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Mandi Kimball spoke with Dr. Cathy Horn, Beth, Beth Harp, Kaelly Pandley, and Kimberly Brathwaite.

This week on Growing Up in America, Dr. Bob Sanborn and Mandi Kimball discuss the issues most impacting American children with Dr. Cathy Horn (University of Houston), Beth Harp (KidsMeals'), Kaelly Pandley (3Strands), and Kimberly Brathwaite (Houston Public Library).