Expert Episode: Follow the Child: Raising Independent Learners in the Infant/Toddler, and Primary Classrooms with Liliana Lemos, Educational Coordinator, Blanca Rincon, Toddler Teacher, and Joni Linch, Primary Teacher from Milton Montessori

Expert Episode: Follow the Child: Raising Independent Learners in the Infant/Toddler, and Primary Classrooms with Liliana Lemos, Educational Coordinator, Blanca Rincon, Toddler Teacher, and Joni Linch, Primary Teacher from Milton Montessori

Expert Episode: Follow the Child: Raising Independent Learners in the Infant/Toddler, and Primary Classrooms with Liliana Lemos, Educational Coordinator, Blanca Rincon, Toddler Teacher, and Joni Linch, Primary Teacher from Milton Montessori https://miltonmontessori.org/ [https://miltonmontessori.org/] Host Stacey Poehler interviews Milton Montessori educational coordinator Liliana Lemos, toddler teacher Blanca Rincon, and primary teacher Joni Lynch about Montessori philosophy and programs. They describe Montessori’s mission of supporting the whole child beyond academics through independence, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth, with Liliana explaining how she observes classrooms and aligns curriculum across age groups. Blanca outlines the infant-toddler environment, emphasizing emotional security, a two-hour work cycle, practical life skills, language and motor development, and strategies for self-regulation such as naming and validating feelings, clear boundaries, consistency, and offering choices. Joni explains the benefits of mixed-age primary classrooms and gives an example of tactile learning using red rods and number rods. They discuss intentional toddler-to-primary transitions, home strategies like organizing for independence and rotating fewer toys, and how Montessori prepares children for other school settings. Families can tour and enroll via miltonmontessori.org, with a waitlist for infants and immediate enrollment available in Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Middle School classrooms. 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:14 Meet the Montessori Team 03:09 Why Montessori Matters 04:41 Infant Toddler Classroom 06:36 Toddler Emotions and Boundaries 08:45 Primary Mixed Age Benefits 10:24 Hands On Learning Materials 12:27 Transitioning Between Programs 16:33 Montessori at Home Tips 19:45 Preparing for Future School 22:32 Measuring Progress Without Tests 24:26 Tours and Enrollment Steps 27:19 Final Thanks and Sign Off

Expert Episode: Where Summer Lives on Stories Connection & Care with Dori Laack, Community Sales Director of Arbor Terrace Crabapple

Expert Episode: Arbor Terrace Crabapple: Using Summer Memories and Sensory Experiences to Support Seniors with Dori Laack https://www.arborcompany.com/locations/georgia/alpharetta-crabapple [https://www.arborcompany.com/locations/georgia/alpharetta-crabapple] Host Stacey Poehler interviews Dori Laack, community sales director at Arbor Terrace Crabapple, about how sharing “good old days” stories supports seniors’ emotional well-being, especially in assisted living, memory care, and the Bridges cognitive program. Laack explains how multi-sensory triggers—smells, touch, nature, music, food, and visuals—can unlock long-term memories as short-term memory declines, and how outdoor courtyards, intentional conversations, and “story circles” build belonging for residents who may have been isolated. She describes tools like memory boxes, personalized doors, and a resident spotlight cabinet, plus “armchair travel” experiences with themed education, cuisine, and resident storytelling. The episode emphasizes listening, using personal history to guide care and redirection, and shares contact info for tours (770)-649-1009; arborcompany.com/crabapple. 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:27 Why Memories Matter 01:59 Sensory Memory Triggers 04:44 Road Trips as Icebreakers 06:26 Outdoor Spaces and Nature 08:44 Story Circles Community 10:30 Visual Memory Tools 13:13 Armchair Travel Adventures 15:49 Music and Movement Memories 19:46 Listening and Daily Connection 21:26 Personal History in Care 23:53 Tour Info and Wrap Up 25:02 Final Thanks and Outro

Business Spotlight: Alsies of Alpharetta with Ron Bain

Ron Bain on Launching Alsies Ice Cream Trucks in Alpharetta: Modern Tech, Events, and Community Fun http://alsies.com/alpharetta [http://alsies.com/alpharetta] Host Stacey Poehler interviews Ron Bain, owner of Alsies of Alpharetta and also Bar-B-Clean, about why he added an ice cream truck franchise after his wife took over the day-to-day Bar-B-Clean operations. Ron explains being drawn to Alsies’ fun, updated take on the traditional ice cream truck: clean professional branding, classic treats plus gourmet Nightingale ice cream sandwiches, and “ambassadors” focused on customer experience. He highlights the Alsies app that notifies customers of neighborhood visits, shows live truck tracking, lets users request a stop, and helps optimize routes using download and sales data. Ron shares event booking details and pricing, notes they avoid gated neighborhoods without HOA approval, and discusses expansion plans from two trucks toward six or seven across Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, and Forsyth County. He also describes a school voting contest won by Blacks Mill Elementary and upcoming neighborhood giveaway promotions, plus contact info via website, phone, and email. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:27 Why an Ice Cream Truck 02:16 Franchise Leap of Faith 03:16 Memories and Outdoor Joy 04:18 Modern Truck Makeover 06:06 App Tracking and Routes 09:10 Favorite Treats Spotlight 10:50 Ambassador Experience 12:01 Booking Events and Pricing 16:24 Growth Plans and More Trucks 18:01 School Contest and Giveaways 20:47 Contact Info and Wrap Up 21:59 Podcast Closing Credits

Business Spotlight: DentalTown Milton with Dr. Eric San Diego & Dr. Steven Ricci

Dental Town Milton: Comprehensive Family Dentistry and Modern Orthodontics with Dr. Eric San Diego and Dr. Steven Ricci https://dentaltownsmiles.com/ [https://dentaltownsmiles.com/] Host Stacey Poehler interviews Dental Town Milton dentist Dr. Eric San Diego and orthodontist Dr. Steven Ricci about their backgrounds, how they joined Dental Town, and the benefits of an in-house, team-based practice. Dr. Ricci describes his long orthodontic career, free evaluations around age seven, and modern advances such as digital scanning and Invisalign alongside traditional braces. Dr. San Diego explains his comprehensive, prevention-focused approach, helping both children and adults manage dental anxiety, and coordinating early development topics like airway space and habits with orthodontic referrals. They highlight close collaboration among general dentistry, orthodontics, hygienists, and in-house oral surgeon, Dr. Cho, to reduce delays and improve outcomes, plus Dental Town’s annual Day of Caring that provides free dental care through volunteers and community partnerships. 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:14 Meet the Dentaltown Doctors 00:50 Dr Ricci Origin Story 01:30 Dr San Diego Journey 03:16 Why Dental Town Milton 06:13 Helping Nervous Patients 08:51 When to See Ortho 12:40 Modern Ortho Tech 14:11 Adult Ortho Options 17:13 Conservative Dental Care 21:33 All in One Dental Team 25:33 Synergy Case Example 28:22 Switching Dentists Advice 30:12 Community First Philosophy 31:08 Day of Caring Event 32:40 Team Culture and Wrap Up 33:48 Podcast Outro and Contact

Business Spotlight: Meet Ashish Bajpai of Elite Finishes GA

Balancing Corporate Structure and Family Values in the Painting Industry This episode highlights how a unique painting company blends corporate structure with local, family-run business values. The discussion covers the company's innovative features, such as a six-month touch-up program, a seven-year exterior warranty, and a two-hour color consultation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of professional project management in an industry that often lacks it. The company prides itself on thorough surface preparation, which is key to successful painting projects. The accessibility of the painting trade compared to others, like plumbing and electricity, is also discussed. 00:00 Introduction to Unique Company Structure 10:23 Corporate Program Structure and Family Business Blend 11:06 Professionalism in the Painting Industry 11:18 Accessibility and Perception of Painting 11:46 Importance of Surface Preparation