Growing Up In America: The Way It Is

HISD Under Dept, of Ed Investigation, Gen Z Offline, SNAP & Hunger in Texas

On this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Brian Greene, President & CEO of the Houston Food Bank, tackle some of the biggest issues affecting children and families. HISD Under Dept. of Ed Civil Rights Investigation: Megan Menchaca [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmenchaca/], Senior Education Reporter at the Houston Chronicle, joins the show to discuss the latest developments in Houston Independent School District, including the federal civil rights investigation into special education changes. Gen Z Offline: Lucy Lusk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-lusk/], Media Activism Intern (CHILDREN AT RISK) shares why more members of Gen Z are intentionally unplugging from screens and embracing offline hobbies, analog habits, and healthier relationships with technology. SNAP & Hunger in Texas: Jamie Olson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-olson-5b0282a9/], Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Feeding Texas, breaks down major conversations around SNAP benefits, federal policy changes, food insecurity, inflation, and the growing strain on food banks across Texas. Tune in every Wednesday, live on kpft.org [https://kpft.org/listen-live-hd1/]!

The State of Immigrant Families, the Learning Recession & Texas School Vouchers

In this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn is joined by co-host Brian Greene, President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, to discuss some of the most urgent issues impacting children and families in Texas and across the US. We’re diving into: * State of Immigrant Families: Krystal Gomez [https://txilc.org/meet-our-team/], Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Law Council, discusses the growing emotional and mental health toll immigration enforcement is having on children, mixed-status families, and DACA recipients across Texas. * The Learning Recession: Christine Thomas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/csaenzthomas/], Director of the Center for Social Measurement and Evaluation at CHILDREN AT RISK, breaks down alarming new data showing long-term declines in student achievement across the US. * Texas School Voucher Update: Dr. David DeMatthews [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dematthews-phd-072b3760/], Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at UT Austin, examines how Texas’ expanding voucher program is affecting public schools, special education services, and low-income families. Support community radio by donating to Pacifica Radio at kpft.org [http://kpft.org]!

Dr. Data Takeover! AI, Technology & Child Development

In this special episode, Dr. Chris Kulesza (aka "Dr. Data") is joined by co-host Owala Maima, Media Communications Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK, to dive into the massive opportunities and challenges surrounding children’s wellbeing in the age of rapid technological change and Artificial Intelligence. We’re diving into: * HB 1481 & School Cell Phone Bans: Texas House [https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-house-of-representatives/] Representative Caroline Fairly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-fairly-1b4284147/] (District 87) discusses the breadth of the new law, student and parent reactions, and its intended impact on academic success and student health. * AI & Precision Policies: Dr. Suresh Bhavnani [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sureshbhavnani/], Professor of Biostatistics & Data Science at UTMB [https://www.linkedin.com/school/utmb/], explains how interpretable AI methods can be used to create more precise policy design that directly benefits and protects American families. * Thriving in the Age of Gen AI: Miguel Guhlin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mguhlin/], Director of Professional Development at the Texas Computer Education Association [https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-computer-education-association/] (TCEA), breaks down why outright banning ChatGPT is a missed opportunity. We discuss the SOLO Taxonomy, critical thinking skills, and how using new frameworks helps learners thrive. * Human-First Higher Ed AI: Austin Community College [https://www.linkedin.com/school/accdistrict/] Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellloweryhart/] details ACC’s new human-centered AI initiative, supporting at-risk students and empowering small businesses in Central Texas. Support community radio and independent youth advocacy by tuning in to 90.1 KPFT Houston [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kpfthoustontx/posts/?feedView=all] and at kpft.org [http://kpft.org]!

Growing Up Abroad, Harris County ELQN & Gen Z's Obsession with Y2K

In this episode, Owala is joined by co-host Natalie Gonzalez, Development Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK, to discuss the latest issues impacting children from the global stage to local neighborhoods. We’re diving into: * Growing Up Around the World: Dr. Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK, calls in from Europe to discuss the Iranian crisis, the impact of the Trump administration on global politics, and what Americans can learn from how children are treated abroad. * ELQN & Home-Based Child Care: Martha Gonzales [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-gonzales-m-ed-731876369/], Associate Director of the Early Learning Quality Network, breaks down how home-based providers are helping solve the child care crisis in Harris County and why this model is trending in Texas. * Nostalgia Core & Y2K: Media Culture Correspondent Anya Osundwa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anya-osundwa-250741270/] unpacks why Gen Z is obsessed with the late 90s/early 2000s and what this cultural obsession says about modern technology and anxiety. Support community radio by donating to Pacifica Radio at kpft.org [http://kpft.org]!

Growing Up Abroad, 'Chronic' Child Care Deserts, How TikTok is Changing Our Brains

This week, Owala and Natalie (CHILDREN AT RISK) explore the systems impacting children from Houston to Central Europe. In this episode: * Growing Up in Slovenia & Czech Republic: Dr. Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK, calls in from the Czech Republic to discuss European birth rates, family leave policies, and what Texas can learn from international models. * The Child Care Crisis: Kim Kofron [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kofron-252a1a17/], Executive Director of Early Childhood Education at CHILDREN AT RISK, breaks down the "chronic" child care desert and shares findings from the new Paving the Way [https://childrenatrisk.org/paving-the-way-to-quality-2026/] report. * Short Form Content & Our Brains: Holly Durham [https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-durham-20352b21b/], Executive Director of K-12 Education at CHILDREN AT RISK, dives into the science of short-form content like TikTok and its real impact on students' ability to focus and process information.