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  • Maury Mendenhall Confronts the Collapse of Global Aid for Kids!

    Maury Mendenhall Confronts the Collapse of Global Aid for Kids!
    2025/12/10
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe sits down with Maury Mendenhall to discuss what happened when USAID - the United States Agency for International Development - was suddenly dismantled, how that decision rippled into the daily lives of children around the world, and what it means for families who lost life-saving support overnight. Mendenhall is a longtime humanitarian and former USAID leader who spent nearly two decades helping communities access food, safety, and critical HIV care. Together, Abebe and Mendenhall explore the human cost of abrupt policy change, the resilience of local partners who continue the work against all odds, and why protecting global child welfare remains urgent and essential. To learn more about Maury Mendenhall and her work, you can keep up with her emergency campaign A Crisis in Care. 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: Remembering, Reflecting, and Acting: Supporting Children Affected by HIV/AIDS What the “America First Global Strategy” Means for the World’s Children Social Security Advisory Board Recommends Improved Access and Increased Awareness of Survivor Benefits for 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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    36 分
  • Kai Kung Creates Pathways that Let Every Child Thrive

    Kai Kung Creates Pathways that Let Every Child Thrive
    2025/11/26
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe talks with Kai Kung about what it means to help every child find purpose, possibility, and pride in their future. Kung is the CEO of San Joaquin A+, a community organization reimagining what education and opportunity can look like for young people in the Central Valley of California. Together, Abebe and Kung discuss why traditional pathways don’t work for every student, how paid internships and local partnerships are opening new doors, and why listening to kids — and believing in their dreams — is the foundation for lasting change. To learn more about Kai Kung and his work, you can visit the San Joaquin A+ website, and follow him on Instagram. 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 Alliance For Student Liberty: How Trump’s Executive Orders Undermine Public Education Clawbacks From Education Funding Would Help Disable Department 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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    43 分
  • Juana Silverio Celebrates the Village Behind Every Child!

    Juana Silverio Celebrates the Village Behind Every Child!
    2025/11/12
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe sits down with Juana Silverio to talk about what happens when systems claim to protect kids—but don’t. Silverio is a civil rights strategist, political organizer, and leadership coach who spent years inside the federal government and now works to help others lead with alignment, honesty, and rest. By leading with rest, she emphasizes sustainable leadership, self-care, and setting boundaries so you can show up fully for your community. Together, Abebe and Silverio explore what real advocacy looks like, why community matters, and how “aunties” everywhere step in when the system falls short. This conversation dives into generational trauma, radical self-trust, and the joy of seeing children dream for themselves—reminding us that rest, love, and showing up for one another are all forms of resistance. To learn more about Juana Silverio and her work, you can visit the VIP Coaching website, listen to her podcast JinTransit, and follow her on Instagram. 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 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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    29 分
  • Kate Wilson Fights for Siblings to Stay Together in Foster Care!

    Kate Wilson Fights for Siblings to Stay Together in Foster Care!
    2025/10/29
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe talks with Kate Wilson about how she’s working to keep siblings in foster care under the same roof, why stable housing is key to family bonds, and what community support can look like in action. Wilson is the founder of Foster + Heart, a grassroots movement that builds homes designed for siblings to stay together and feel a true sense of belonging. Together, Abebe and Wilson explore the challenges of the foster care system, the power of neighbors rallying to create safe spaces, and how love—and a well-built home—can transform a child’s future. To learn more about Kate Wilson and her work, you can check out her website Foster + Heart and follow her on Instagram. 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: Congress: Don’t Forget the Orphans and Vulnerable Children DOGE and the White House Have Turned Their Backs on Orphans and Vulnerable Children Seeing Children: Why the Family Frame Isn’t Enough 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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    31 分
  • Precious Tate Shows Parents How to Protect Kids From AI Dangers!

    Precious Tate Shows Parents How to Protect Kids From AI Dangers!
    2025/10/15
    In this episode, Messellech “Selley” Abebe chats with Precious about how parents can raise confident, critical thinkers in a world shaped by artificial intelligence. They talk about why it’s important to guide kids toward curiosity instead of fear, how families can set simple guardrails around new technologies, and what it takes to help children become creators rather than just consumers of tech. Tate is a parenting advocate and digital literacy educator who works with families to build healthy relationships with technology. Together, Abebe and Tate explore the opportunities and challenges AI brings to childhood, offering practical tips for protecting kids’ privacy, sparking creativity, and keeping human connection at the heart of parenting in the digital age. To learn more about Precious Tate and her work, you can follow her on Instagram. 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: Alliance for Student Liberty: How the ECCA Hurts Public Schools and Benefits the Wealthy The Heist: How the Powerful Are Robbing America’s Children Saying ‘No’ to Culture Wars, Crumbs, or Capitulation: Building a Child Advocacy Movement 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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    43 分
  • Dr. Liz Marnik Empowers Parents to Cut Through Health Misinformation

    Dr. Liz Marnik Empowers Parents to Cut Through Health Misinformation
    2025/10/01
    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 分
  • Tracy Kaplan Says Kids Deserve News They Can Trust!

    Tracy Kaplan Says Kids Deserve News They Can Trust!
    2025/09/17
    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 分
  • Kim Kelly Exposes the Hidden Reality of Child Labor!

    Kim Kelly Exposes the Hidden Reality of Child Labor!
    2025/09/03
    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. 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 分