Thriving isn’t a solo act. In this closing conversation, host Matt Biel looks back on 11 episodes that help shape how Thrive Center pursues its mission.

Anchored in Dr. Jack Shonkoff’s insight that thriving is “the match (or mismatch) between what’s unique about each child and the environment that child is living in,” Matt revisits the season’s most resonant lessons on collective transformation.

From Maria Vasquez on communities forging resilience before systems catch up, to Jen Drake Croft’s philosophy of walking alongside rather than leading from above, and Jason Lembeck’s call to “shrink that time to community,” the episode traces a clear through-line: relationships are our greatest asset when resources are tight and systems are strained.

Listen in as Thrive Center recommits to its role as a connective tissue that honors local expertise, resists scarcity thinking, and creates intentional spaces for collaboration and mutual support. The closing question for every listener: in times of disruption, how do we build something better together?

There’s no impact without funding. This week. Thrive Dispatches Podcast explores the family-centered approaches to mental health through the lens of impact investing.

Our guest is Louise Langheier, founder of Luminary Impact Fund, the first venture capital philanthropy fund dedicated exclusively to family mental health. Louise brings a unique perspective shaped by personal experiences and decades of social impact work, including co-founding Peer Health Exchange, which now serves over half a million young people annually.

When most of the industry prioritizes individual-focused models, Louise's work makes a strong case for family-centered approaches to mental health care.

This conversation reveals why family-centered approaches to mental health remain surprisingly scarce despite their obvious importance, examining the structural obstacles in payment systems, the cultural individualism that shapes American healthcare, and the innovative leaders who are breaking through these barriers with creative new models of care.

🎧 Building Community Through Culture: A Conversation with the Navajo Nation
In this special extended episode of Thrive Dispatches, we explore how culturally grounded partnerships can drive sustainable change in early childhood mental health. Host Matt is joined by Thrive Center’s Jen Drake-Croft, who introduces a powerful conversation with Kim Kee and Charnielle Desiderio—two inspiring leaders from the Navajo Nation who helped guide the transformative work of Project I-LAUNCH.

Together, they reflect on building trust with Indigenous communities, adapting evidence-based practices through cultural lenses (including Positive Diné Parenting), and how traditional practices like cradleboarding support infant wellness. You’ll also hear how these efforts continue today through community collaboration, storytelling, and systems change—long after the original grant ended.

🧠 Themes include:

• Indigenous-led approaches to mental health

• Culturally adapted parenting programs

• Cradleboard practices and early development

• Long-term sustainability through relationships and respect

Whether you're a parent, educator, or advocate for culturally responsive care, this episode offers deep insight into the power of partnership and cultural humility.