Episodios

  • Dr. Liz Marnik Empowers Parents to Cut Through Health Misinformation

    Dr. Liz Marnik Empowers Parents to Cut Through Health Misinformation
    Oct 1 2025
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe talks with Elisabeth Marnik, PhD about bridging the gap between science and everyday life, especially when it comes to kids’ health. Dr. Liz is a scientist, mom, and powerful science communicator who grew up in a fundamentalist, anti-science household and is now a trained immunologist translating research for everyday families. Together, Selley and Dr. Liz discuss why empathy works better than facts alone, how to navigate vaccine hesitancy with understanding, and ways parents can cut through misinformation to make informed choices. This conversation highlights the power of trust, curiosity, and compassion in keeping families healthy and connected. To learn more about Dr. Liz Marnik and her work, you can check out her website, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: The Kid Angle: The Vaccine Vortex Chaos and Confusion: The Future of Childhood Vaccines in an Anti-Vax Administration Trump Administrations Removal of COVID-19 From Recommended Childhood Vaccines Endanger Children, Families, and Confidence in All Vaccinations To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Send us comments on thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
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    39 m
  • Tracy Kaplan Says Kids Deserve News They Can Trust!

    Tracy Kaplan Says Kids Deserve News They Can Trust!
    Sep 17 2025
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe chats with Tracy Kaplan about why kids deserve honest, age-appropriate news, and the importance of slowing down in a world full of misinformation. Kaplan is the creator of The Ten News, a podcast that makes current events accessible for curious kids and their families. Together, Abebe and Kaplan discuss how to navigate misinformation, why fairness is at the heart of what kids care about, and the ways parents and educators can guide tough conversations. This conversation highlights the power of listening to kids—and trusting them to ask the questions that matter most. To learn more about Tracy Kaplan and her work, you can check out her podcast The Ten News, and follow her on Instagram, and Twitter. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: Three Ways That The Reconciliation Bill’s School Voucher Program Hurts Public Schools How Funding Cuts Threaten The Future of Early Childhood Education H.R. 1 Puts Children Last: An Unprecedented Betrayal of America’s Future To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Send us comments on thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
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    26 m
  • Kim Kelly Exposes the Hidden Reality of Child Labor!

    Kim Kelly Exposes the Hidden Reality of Child Labor!
    Sep 3 2025
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe chats with Kim Kelly about the ongoing fight against child labor, the vital role unions play in protecting families, and why labor rights are children’s rights. Kelly is a journalist, organizer, and author whose work highlights the often-overlooked struggles of young workers. Together, Abebe and Kelly explore how historical and modern labor movements have shaped protections for kids, the dangers that remain in workplaces across the country, and how families and communities can advocate for safer, fairer futures. This conversation emphasizes the importance of awareness, solidarity, and action to ensure every child can grow up free from exploitation. To learn more about Kim Kelly and her work, you can check out her book Fight to Win, and follow her on Instagram, and Twitter. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: Testifying for Children Before a House Committee That, Far Too Often, Ignores Them Against the Public Will: How Policymakers Are Failing Our Nation’s Children The Unprecedented War on Children To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ LinkedIn⁠, and⁠ Twitter⁠. Send us comments on thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: ⁠@SpeakingOfKids⁠ and⁠ @First_Focus⁠ Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children ⁠here⁠. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children ⁠here⁠.
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    35 m
  • Mychal Threets Believes Every Child Deserves Access to Books!

    Mychal Threets Believes Every Child Deserves Access to Books!
    Aug 20 2025
    Mychal Threets Believes Every Child Deserves Access to Books! In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe chats with Mychal Threets about why every child deserves access to books, what it means when libraries are defunded, and how joy shows up—even on the hardest days. Threets is a literary advocate, former librarian, and the current Resident Librarian for PBS. Together, Abebe and Threets dive into the vital role libraries play in our communities, especially for children. This conversation explores the impact of book bans, the need for libraries to adapt to modern needs, and how they serve not just as spaces for learning, but as sanctuaries of safety, possibility, and belonging. To learn more about Mychal Threets and his work, you can follow him on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: Three Ways That The Reconciliation Bill’s School Voucher Program Hurts Public Schools How Funding Cuts Threaten The Future of Early Childhood Education H.R. 1 Puts Children Last: An Unprecedented Betrayal of America’s Future To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Send us comments on thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
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    38 m
  • Maria Davis-Pierre and Cheryl Poe Empower Black Neurodivergent Kids!

    Maria Davis-Pierre and Cheryl Poe Empower Black Neurodivergent Kids!
    Aug 6 2025
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe chats with Maria Davis-Pierre and Cheryl Poe to explore what it means to be a culturally responsive advocate for Black neurodivergent children. Both mothers and passionate advocates, Davis-Pierre is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the President & CEO of Autism in Black INC, and Poe, who holds an M.A. in Urban Education and Counseling, is the Founder and Executive Director of Advocating 4 Kids, Inc. Together, they discuss the challenges that Black families face in education and health care, the emotional toll of advocacy, and how they transformed their frustration into a movement—creating spaces where parents, professionals, and advocates can connect, stay informed, and feel empowered. To learn more about Maria Davis-Pierre’s work, visit the Autism in Black website, or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. To learn more about Cherly Poe’s work, visit the Advocating 4 Kids website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: Cuts to School Mental Health Funding and Threats to MEDICAID/CHIP: A Growing Crisis for Children MEDICAID, CHIP, and Budget Reconciliation: One Choice Will Save Children’s Lives MAHA Moms: What Say You? To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Send us comments on thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
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    42 m
  • Kathryn Edwards Imagines a Better Economy for Kids!

    Kathryn Edwards Imagines a Better Economy for Kids!
    Jul 23 2025
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe sits down with economist Kathryn Edwards to unpack the economic challenges facing children and families, particularly in child care and education. Edwards is a labor economist and independent policy consultant whose research focuses on the intersection of labor markets and public policy. She joins us to break down complex economic ideas, connecting the dots between big-picture policy and everyday life. This conversation offers both practical knowledge and a sense of hope for those working to build a better economic future for children and families. To learn more about Kathryn Edwards’ work, visit kathrynanneedwards.com. You can follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Lastly, be sure to check out her podcast Optimist Economy. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: How H.R. 1 Will Harm Children Now and Far Into the Future Three Ways that the Reconciliation Bill’s School Voucher Program Hurts Public Schools How Funding Cuts Threaten the Future of Early Childhood Education To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Send us comments on thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
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    38 m
  • Jered Bruzas Believes Fatherhood is Advocacy!

    Jered Bruzas Believes Fatherhood is Advocacy!
    Jul 9 2025
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe speaks with Jered Bruzas about the importance of engaging fathers as advocates and how their involvement can help build stronger systems for children and families. Bruzas is a father of four, a passionate community advocate, and the Chief Impact Officer at United Way of Greater Waterbury. He brings firsthand insight into the societal and systemic barriers families face, particularly in education, food insecurity, and access to opportunity. This conversation highlights the real-life impact of policy decisions — and the critical role fathers can play in creating meaningful change. To learn more about Jered Bruzas’ work with United Way of Greater Waterbury, visit unitedwaygw.org. You can follow UWGW on Instagram and Facebook. Want to keep digging into the real-life impact policy decisions have on children? Here’s some of what First Focus on Children has published recently: Privatizing Public School Funds: Threats to Equity, Access, and Educational Quality H.R. 1 Puts Children Last: An Unprecedented Betrayal of America’s Future How Funding Cuts Threaten the Future of Early Childhood Education To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Send us comments or thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
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    31 m
  • Messellech Abebe Believes YOU are an Ambassador for Kids!

    Messellech Abebe Believes YOU are an Ambassador for Kids!
    Jul 9 2025
    Speaking of Kids is back for Season 2! Join host Messellech “Selley” Abebe as she explores what it means to be an ambassador for children — and why children’s voices, needs, and futures must be at the center of our policies and budgets. This season, you’ll hear from an inspiring lineup of guests: an economist, a librarian, a labor journalist, parents, teachers, and organizers. Together, Selley and her guests will explore their unique perspectives, name what’s broken, highlight what’s working, and share tools to help you speak up and take action. To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Send us comments or thoughts via email: SpeakingOfKids@firstfocus.org Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here. To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.
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    11 m