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.

Mid-terms elections, AI in education, the Superbowl and bold predictions for the new year! This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, host Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) is joined by Dr. Chris Kulesza (Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University) for a special look ahead at 2026.

Together with a panel of national and Texas-based experts, this episode explores pediatric health and vaccination trends, AI integration, major cultural moments in sports and entertainment, and what lies ahead for Texas and national politics. Guests include Dr. Michael L. Chang, pediatric infectious disease expert at McGovern Medical School and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital; Dr. Arturo Brito, President and CEO of Children’s Health Fund; Jason Sabo, Founder of Frontera Strategy; Megan Menchaca, Senior Education Reporter at the Houston Chronicle; Nadia Salibi, Chief Impact Officer (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Mandi Kimball, Vice President & Chief Government Affairs Officer (CHILDREN AT RISK).

Immigration policy, public education, and childcare stability take center stage this week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is. Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Holly Durham (Texas A+ Challenge, CHILDREN AT RISK) start off the new year with a conversation on how Texas laws, education systems, and early childhood infrastructure are shaping the lives of children and families across the state.

This episode features Krystal Gomez, Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Legal Council, Senior education reporter Megan Menchaca of The Houston Chronicle and Lyn Lucas, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education at CHILDREN AT RISK.

Plus, tune in for Hip Speak with our guest Gen Z culture expert Anya Osundwa!

Co-hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Brian Greene are joined on this special holiday episode by some of our favorite 'friends of the pod'! Tune in for holiday jingles, memories, and surprise guests.

On this episode of Growing Up in America, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Brian Greene, President & CEO of the Houston Food Bank, explore Texas immigration policy and loneliness as a public health crisis. Krystal Gomez, Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Legal Council, breaks down major immigration law developments and how ICE activities are impacting children and families. Stephen Ives, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston, discusses loneliness, how social service workers and non-profits like the YMCA can foster connection and build community.

On this episode of Growing Up in America, Dr. Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK and Owala discuss mental health, education, and child welfare in Texas. Guests include Naomi Madrid, Executive Director of Crisis Intervention Houston, Caroline Roberts, General Counsel and Senior Director of Public Policy, CHILDREN AT RISK, Dr. Valerie Jackson, Founder and CEO, Monarch Family Services and Policy to People, and Megan Menchaca, Senior Education Reporter, the Houston Chronicle. Tune in for expert insights on the challenges and opportunities facing Texas youth.

Flu season, the future of U.S. healthcare, and rising food insecurity. This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, our hosts unpack the most pressing issues facing children and families. Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Brian Greene (Houston Food Bank) speak with experts from Houston and New York City about how policy shifts, public health trends, and community challenges are shaping childhood in America.

Featured guests include Dr. Michael L. Chang, pediatric infectious disease physician at McGovern Medical School and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Dr. Arturo Brito, President and CEO of Children's Health Fund, and Dr. Sejal Mistry, researcher at Rice University's Kinder Institute, Center for Community and Public Health.

This week on Growing Up in America: The Way It Is, our hosts explore the latest issues affecting children and families across Texas. Hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn (CHILDREN AT RISK) and Brian Greene (Houston Food Bank) dive into education, mental health, early childhood, and community well-being with experts from Houston, Dallas, and statewide child-serving systems.

Featured guests include Megan Menchaca of the Houston Chronicle on Houston school updates, Dr. Valerie D. Jackson of Monarch Family Services on kinship care and mental health, Nakia Douglas of the Dallas Education Collective on North Texas education, and Elizabeth Carlson of YES Prep on early childhood readiness.