Growing Up in America: The Way it Is | January 21, 2026

Childhood obesity, social media literacy and education policy. This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, our guest hosts Bri Derry, Director of Media Activism (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Owala Maima, Producer on Growing Up in America, explore the policies and systems shaping children’s health and learning in Texas. Featuring Dr. Jaimie Davis (Acting Director of the School of Human Ecology at UT Austin) on nutrition and obesity, Jane Kim (Educator and Founder of KindEd) on social media literacy and AI and the Houston Chronicle's Senior Education reporter Megan Menchaca on local education trends. Together, we examine how policy, community, and lived experience intersect to support child welfare and opportunity.