Best Childdevelopment Podcasts (2025)

1
Heart Health for Older Adults 14:51

1d ago14:51

14:51

February is National Heart Month. This year’s theme is “Know Your Numbers, Own Your Heart” which emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing key cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States and around…

1
Kansas Health Foundation Teams with Extension 14:51

8d ago14:51

14:51

Kansas State University and the Kansas Health Foundation are combining efforts to drive meaningful change in Kansas through anti-hunger and other initiatives to promote health, well-being and economic prosperity for Kansans. A key piece of the partnership involves collaborative efforts to ignite innovative and experimental projects at the local lev…

1
Focusing Care Close to Home in Southeast Kansas 14:51

16d ago14:51

14:51

Community members in Southwind Extension District in southeast Kansas are working to improve access to rural health care. Tara Solomon-Smith, a family and community wellness agent in the Southwind Extension District – which includes Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties – applied for and received support to establish a rural community health …

1
Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Habits 14:51

23d ago14:51

14:51

Walk Kansas, an eight-week health and wellness program from K-State Research and Extension, celebrates its 25th year as a statewide program this spring. It begins March 30th and continues through May 24th. Walk Kansas State Leader and Northeast Area Family and Consumer Sciences specialist, Sharolyn Jackson, says each year, Walk Kansas brings a rene…

1
Researching Alpha-Gal Syndrome 14:51

1M ago14:51

14:51

Kansas State University is actively supporting efforts to cultivate awareness and resilience against AGS – Alpha-Gal Syndrome – a potentially life-changing allergy to red meat and other mammal-derived products, triggered by a bite from the Lone Star tick. K-State professor in the department of entomology, Yoonseong Park, associate professor in anim…

1
Episode 79: Building a Blended PreK Model (with Machelle Scogin) 52:21

1M ago52:21

52:21

This episode explores the transformative blended pre-K program at Prosper Independent School District in Texas, championed by Michelle Scogin, Director of Early Childhood and Learning Services. Discover how this program successfully merges special and general education along with joy, wonder, and compassion. Machelle and her amazing team are commit…

1
A Financial Focus to Living Better 14:51

1M ago14:51

14:51

Climate-proofing our finances, saving money on groceries, and thinking about our habits and attitudes toward money, highlight K-State Research and Extension’s Living Well Wednesday spring webinar series. The series, which begins February 12th, is hosted by Extension specialists and agents. Sharolyn Jackson, the family and consumer sciences speciali…

1
Understanding Employee Benefits 14:51

1M ago14:51

14:51

Surveys continue to show that the top benefits employees want from employers are health insurance, paid time off, retirement, vision, dental and life insurance, parental leave and health savings accounts. The three primary employee benefits are vacation or paid time off, health insurance and retirement. K-State Research and Extension family resourc…

1
A Healthier Future for Wyandotte County 14:51

2M ago14:51

14:51

Wyandotte County residents and K-State Research and Extension staff are working to secure funding for improvements that benefit the community. This includes cleaning up rundown neighborhoods, building walking trails and establishing community gardens. Denise Dias (die-us), director of the Extension office in Wyandotte County, and Elaine Johannes, t…

1
Sharing Holiday Memories and Family Traditions 14:51

2M ago14:51

14:51

Getting together for the holidays can be more than exchanging gifts and eating a lot of food. K-State Research and Extension aging specialist Erin Martinez says it can be a time for building memories, strengthening relationships, learning about family traditions and setting the foundation for new traditions. She says a successful multi-generational…

1
Double Up Food Bucks Help Reduce Food Insecurity 14:51

2M ago14:51

14:51

A program that helps reduce food insecurity and encourage low-income Kansans to purchase and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables from farmer’s markets and local grocery stores topped 1-point-1 million dollars last year. Erin Bishop, manager of the Double Up Food Bucks program coordinated through K-State Research and Extension, and Extension nu…

1
Focus on Building Holiday Memories 14:51

3M ago14:51

14:51

Christmas, while officially just a one day holiday, often becomes much longer, especially if you have travel to be with friends and relatives. Christmas is an exciting time for children as well as an opportunity for adults to help them learn about family traditions, understand the importance of giving and receiving gifts, and reassure them that thi…

1
Holiday Stress Can Help Build Resilience 14:51

3M ago14:51

14:51

Family gatherings sometimes take the joy out of the holidays. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Health Kansas State University, says that family get-togethers often become exercises in patience, particularly when family members have differing opinions on various topics. However, at this time of the year, she…

1
Episode 78: We Could All Use the Science of JOY 21:03

3M ago21:03

21:03

I had an experience a few months ago that began with a fantastic workshop with one of my favorite schools, and *seemed* to end with a broken down, broken into truck. But the real ending came full circle when I found that what I had been teaching that early childhood team the day before, was *exactly* what I needed to remember in that moment. File t…

1
The Science of Making Holiday Candy 14:51

3M ago14:51

14:51

For many, the holidays aren’t the holidays without homemade fudge and peanut brittle. However, making those holiday treats can be challenging. A Kansas State University food scientist says that’s because making candy is a science. Karen Blakeslee says the ingredients, temperature and even humidity can impact how well fudge and peanut brittle turn o…

1
Comfort Food and the Holidays 14:51

3M ago14:51

14:51

As we get deeper into fall and winter, the foods we eat and crave are often comfort foods, such as soups, stews and casseroles. While a little comfort food is known to improve or sustain our mood in the short term, eating too many foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt can increase the risk for health problems over time. It’s also the holiday s…

1
Dining With Diabetes Course Promotes Good Health 14:51

4M ago14:51

14:51

November is National Diabetes Month and K-State Research and Extension has a program designed to help those with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, caregivers and family members manage diabetes through nutrition and physical activity. Christina Holmes, coordinator of the Dining with Diabetes program and the family and consumer sciences specialist in the…

1
Episode 77: Why Play? (With Rae Pica) 41:59

4M ago41:59

41:59

Rae Pica has been a fierce advocate for children and childhood for over 40 years. And during that time she’s written a whole bookshelf full of books on the topic. Today, she’s sharing her latest addition to that bookshelf, it came out just last week, Why Play?: How to Make Play an Essential Part of Early Education. In this newest book, Rae dives in…

1
Connecting Communities with Community Health Workers 14:51

4M ago14:51

14:51

Improving access to health care information and services is the driving force behind the Rural Ag Health Community Worker project being piloted by the state’s Extension system in more than a dozen counties in northeast and southeast Kansas. Financial support from K-State 105, which was established to support economic growth and workforce advancemen…

1
Improving Access to Health Care Information and Services 14:51

4M ago14:51

14:51

K-State Research and Extension is involved in a K-State 105 project to improve agriculture-connected health access the state. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health and a state specialist with K-State Research and Extension, and Susie Latta, family and consumer sciences agent for Marshall County …

1
Navigating The "Season of Eating" 14:51

4M ago14:51

14:51

The K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences specialist for the northeast region, Sharolyn Jackson, says Halloween marks the beginning of what some refer to as a food and party marathon that won’t end until after the Super Bowl. While many may gain just a pound or two, some will gain five pounds or more. According to Jackson, for…

1
Understanding the Stages of Retirement 14:51

5M ago14:51

14:51

Kansas State University Extension adult development and aging specialist, Erin Martinez, says retirement is one of life’s most stressful events – and it’s not all tied to how much you’ve saved. Researchers have been focusing on more than just managing retirement accounts and are exploring retiree’s life experiences and they’ve found several distinc…

1
Living Well Wednesday: Making Our Lives better 14:51

5M ago14:51

14:51

The fall K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Living Well Wednesday webinar series will cover how to distribute personal possessions without harming relationships, reducing the risk of falls, and ways to declutter and downsize. Sharolyn Jackson, the family and consumer sciences specialist for the northeast region, has an over…

1
Understanding Consumer Rights 14:51

5M ago14:51

14:51

Regardless of the price of an item or product, there’s nothing more frustrating than being a disappointed consumer. This is especially true if it’s difficult to get any kind of satisfaction from the retailer or seller. However, consumers have rights, and K-State Research and Extension family resource specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) says she’s on a…

1
Improving Mental Health Care in Kansas 14:51

5M ago14:51

14:51

A national report on the state of mental health in the United States indicates that Kansas has made significant progress – moving from 51st in the 2022 rankings – essentially last among all 50 states and the District of Columbia – to 22nd in the 2024 rankings. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Heal…

1
Bonding with Children Through Daily Activities 14:51

5M ago14:51

14:51

Like any relationship, the bond between a parent and child can be made stronger. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist, Bradford Wiles, says it starts with being intentional about spending quality time together. He says that can include eating together, talking about your day, working on projects or playing together. Sound Liv…

1
The Seriousness of Falls for Older Adults 14:51

6M ago14:51

14:51

Statistics show that nearly 30% of older adults in Kansas experience at least one fall every single year – often resulting in serious injuries. Kansas State University Extension aging specialist, Erin Martinez, says Extension invests a great deal of its resources on programs to help older adults increase their confidence in maintaining their balanc…

1
Routines Help Youth Manage Stress and Anxiety 14:51

6M ago14:51

14:51

With fall classes getting underway, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, says there are a lot of things that can create anxiety and stress for students. Elaine Johannes says the way middle school and high school students do school today is different from what she did many years ago w…

1
The Changing Dynamics of Becoming a Grandparent 14:51

6M ago14:51

14:51

When it comes to being a grandparent, Kansas State University aging and adult development specialist, Erin Martinez, suggests trying not to take the grandparent “fun card” too far. Instead, stay within the boundaries and expectations of the parent and spend time with grandchildren in a meaningful and purposeful way. Martinez says there are some uni…

1
Episode 76: A Play-Based Evolution (with Amber Unger) 36:26

6M ago36:26

36:26

When Amber Unger (also known as the Cream City Teacher) began her career in education, she thought she'd be working with teenagers. As her path led her to a 4K public school classroom in the middle of a shift toward play-based learning, she discovered a new passion! Today, she helps other teachers on their own journeys to better understand and impl…

1
Supporting Local Food Systems 14:51

6M ago14:51

14:51

The first-ever Kansas Local Food Summit, an event highlighting the state’s challenges in accessing nutritious foods, is being held August 27th and 28th in Wichita. According to K-State Research and Extension Local Food System program coordinator, Amanda Lindahl, this summit is designed to help Kansas communities fill gaps in local food systems by e…

1
Back-to-School Budgeting: Ways to Avoid Overspending 14:51

7M ago14:51

14:51

Summer has nearly come-and-gone and for students of all ages it’s time to start purchasing the required school supplies. While not required, new clothes, backpacks, lunch bags, and technology are often part of the back-to-school expenses. The National Retail Federation reports that families of kindergarten through 12th grade students are expected t…

1
Time, Money and Talent: Teaching Children About Finances 14:51

7M ago14:51

14:51

Teaching children about earning, spending, sharing, borrowing, and saving helps them learn about the ways their time, money and talents are valued. K-State Research and Extension child development specialist Bradford Wiles and family resource management specialist Elizabeth Kiss (kish) have co-authored the publication, Through a Child’s Eyes: Helpi…

1
Diet Habits Are Improving, But... 14:51

7M ago14:51

14:51

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows the American diet – once given a grade of ‘F’ – has improved to a ‘D’ but there is still a lot of work to do to improve our diet. K-State Research and Extension nutrition and wellness educator, Priscilla Brenes, says we need to increase our consu…

1
Extreme Heat and its Impact on Mental health 14:51

7M ago14:51

14:51

The American Psychological Association has done quite a bit of research on what extreme heat does to us and how we respond to extreme heat. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University, says the findings show that extreme heat puts mental health at risk. She says prolonged ex…

1
Ways to Eat Healthy This Summer 14:51

8M ago14:51

14:51

An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables make summer the perfect time to add something we rarely get enough of in our daily diet. We can also fight the summer heat by using alternative ways to prepare meals that reduce the heat in the kitchen. And, we can combat the boredom that’s setting in for kids by getting them involved in preparing healthy…

1
Ep. 230 Can you Trust Yourself? 5:52

8M ago5:52

5:52

This week let’s dive into one of my favorite topics. I always aimed to create an environment where my daughter could trust herself. But that became challenging when I wanted her to trust my experience, too. Like many of you, I have a lot of life experience, but making it the only truth made it hard for her to have her own experiences. Growing up wi…

1
Fun Summer Activities for Kids 14:51

8M ago14:51

14:51

When summer boredom starts to set in and kids are getting restless, it’s time to find something new for them to do – but what? K-State Research and Extension has some ideas. In a series of publications called, Suddenly in Charge, Extension family and consumer science agents created a resource that parents and caregivers can turn to for quick recipe…

1
The Keys to Estate Planning 14:51

8M ago14:51

14:51

Estate planning is defined as the process of arranging your affairs to meet your objectives regarding the use, conservation, and disposal of your property. However, a K-State Research and Extension family resource management and wellness agent says it’s also a gift that you can give your family. Renae Riedy is working on new Extension publications …

1
Improving Access to Maternal Care 14:51

8M ago14:51

14:51

According to a 2023 annual report by the March of Dimes, Kansas received a low grade in care before, during and after birth. The report found that 45.7% of Kansas counties are defined as maternity care deserts – indicating a lack of obstetric providers, and lack of hospitals and birth centers with obstetric care. Elaine Johannes, Kansas Health Foun…

1
Walk Kansas Participants Logged the Miles 14:51

8M ago14:51

14:51

The goal of Walk Kansas is to keep moving – and that’s what the coordinator of the K-State Research and Extension health initiative is doing. Walk Kansas 2024 wrapped up May 25th and Sharolyn Jackson is already looking ahead to programs for 2025 – the program’s 25th year. During this year’s eight-week program, participants logged enough minutes to …

1
Episode 75: Empowering Parents as Teachers - Mobile Early Education Outreach Team (With Play Smart Literacy) 47:52

9M ago47:52

47:52

In episode 74, I introduced you to Michele Dineen-White, the creator of Play Smart Literacy in Chicago. Play Smart Literacy is a truly mobile outreach program, meaning that rather than hoping parents can overcome the burden of traveling to a specific location to receive services, Play Smart Literacy goes out into the community, particularly in vuln…

1
Episode 74: Innovative Early Education Outreach that Actually Reaches the Children - Play Smart Literacy (With Michelle Dineen-White & Talmage Steele) 58:03

9M ago58:03

58:03

Michele Dinneen-White was working in an early education outreach program when she realized something. The program wasn’t actually reaching out to the families who needed it most. Those families were still required to find the time and the means to get their child to the center in order to receive services. And for many, that barrier was just too mu…

1
A Men's Health Guide: Defending Against Cancer 14:51

9M ago14:51

14:51

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men, accounting for one in every four deaths. After that, according to the CDC, are lung, prostate and colorectal cancers. The good news is that these health threats men face are largely preventable. However, a K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences agent says early detection is ke…

1
Ep. 229 Summer is Almost Here! 5:06

9M ago5:06

5:06

As summer approaches, I can't help but feel nostalgic for the free, open summers of my childhood in Mississippi. 🌞 Back then, we'd hang out, ride our bikes, and our parents trusted us to be okay. Nowadays, times are different - with cell phones and constant tracking, there's a lot more structure and perhaps less freedom for kids. This summer, I'm c…

1
Understanding Hospice Care 14:51

9M ago14:51

14:51

After receiving a lot of questions about what hospice care is, K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences developed a four-page Fact Sheet, Understanding Hospice. K-State Extension specialist in adult development and aging, Erin Martinez, one of the authors of the Fact Sheet, says it helps answer the questions people have about how…

1
Ep. 228 Shaming and Blaming 6:02

9M ago6:02

6:02

In this week's episode of Parenting Paused, I found myself reflecting on the different approaches to parenting I've seen and experienced. I noticed a backlash against gentle and conscious parenting, as if kindness to children prevents them from behaving appropriately. I believe these perceptions stem from the ways we were parented ourselves. I chos…

1
Addressing Workforce Health 14:51

9M ago14:51

14:51

Whether it’s in a physical location, remote or hybrid, work can be stressful. A 2024 report from Lyra (leer-uh) Health concluded that people in remote work situations are facing a post-pandemic surge in serious and complex mental health conditions. Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health and a sta…

1
Tips for Stretching the Family Budget 14:51

9M ago14:51

14:51

Having to pay higher prices for goods and services affects families in many ways, often straining a family’s budget. When this occurs, paying attention to your finances and making cuts where necessary can help combat higher prices. When your income, for whatever reason, isn’t meeting your needs or financial goals, K-State Extension family resource …

1
Ep. 227 Overprotecting Your Child 5:39

10M ago5:39

5:39

This week on Parenting Paused I dive deep into the topic of overprotection. It's a parenting trait that's close to my heart and one I see many struggling with. Of course, you want your children to be safe, but are you shielding them too much? Are you preventing them from experiencing their feelings and thoughts, both good and bad, to avoid discomfo…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Childdevelopment Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide

zproxy.org