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:

• if you want to learn more about Mayor Brockman in New Braunfels, Texas, go to www.nbtexas.org 

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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.

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.
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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.

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.

• 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

• 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.

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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.