This week on the podcast, we’re joined by special guest Aleta Mechtel for an honest conversation about what the headlines don’t show when it comes to child care. 🎙️

While news stories often focus on surface-level issues, Aleta helps unpack the deeper realities facing providers, educators, and families — from the daily operational challenges to the long-term impacts of policy and funding decisions. This episode offers important context, nuance, and lived experience that rarely make it into mainstream coverage.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful discussion that goes beyond the soundbites and into the real story of child care today.
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In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Bri McCarty, educator and TikTok creator, for an inside look at what’s happening right now in New Jersey’s early childhood education landscape. 📚✨

Bri shares insights from the front lines — from policy changes and funding challenges to how these shifts are affecting providers, educators, and families across the state. This conversation blends real-world experience with honest discussion, offering perspective on how statewide decisions are playing out day to day.

🎧 Tune in for an informative and timely conversation about early childhood education in New Jersey.
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Today’s episode features a special guest, Latroya Barnes, joining us for an insightful and engaging conversation on the issues shaping early childhood education today. 🌱

Latroya brings valuable perspective, experience, and thoughtful discussion as we explore key challenges, opportunities, and real-life impacts within the child care landscape. This episode offers meaningful dialogue for providers, leaders, and advocates who care deeply about the future of early learning.

🎧 Tune in for a conversation grounded in experience, honesty, and purpose.
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Early childhood education is facing a growing crisis — and funding is at the center of it. In this episode, we take a closer look at the financial challenges impacting child care programs, educators, and families across the country.

From shrinking budgets to difficult staffing decisions, we discuss how inadequate funding affects program quality, access, and sustainability — and what these challenges mean for the future of early learning. This conversation highlights the realities providers are navigating every day and why meaningful investment in early childhood education matters now more than ever.

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Katy is flying solo — and she’s spilling the secrets. ✨
In this playful, laugh-filled episode, she breaks down the moments, habits, and hilarious triggers that send Jessica straight into “Jaron mode” (yes… full Karen energy 😅).

From inside jokes to real-life stories, Katie gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at their dynamic, their friendship, and the quirks that make their partnership one-of-a-kind. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens off-mic… this is your episode. 🎙️💛

👇 Tell us: what sends you into Jaron mode?

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Doing the right thing should feel good… but right now, it mostly feels exhausting. 😅
In this episode, we’re talking about why being responsible in child care isn’t always fun — especially as new Indiana regulations and funding cuts make it harder for providers to support their staff and the children they care for.

From shifting rules to shrinking budgets, we break down the very real frustrations happening inside child care programs across the state. But we also get honest, a little humorous, and totally relatable about what it feels like to try to “do things right” in a system that keeps moving the finish line.

🎧 Join us for a candid look at responsibility, reality, and how these changes are impacting everyday operations.
👇 Share your experiences — we know many of you are feeling the same!
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What do CCDF cuts really look like on the ground? In this episode, we sit down with Arkansas child-care leader Cristin Beene to unpack the ripple effects of funding reductions, shifting policies, and the day-to-day realities providers now face. 💬

From staffing challenges to family impact, Cristin offers an honest and insightful look at how Arkansas is navigating this moment of uncertainty — and what resilience looks like in the midst of chaos. 🌱

This is a candid, thoughtful conversation for anyone working in early childhood education, policy, or advocacy who wants to understand how these national shifts are being felt at the state and community level.

👇 Share your perspective in the comments — how are CCDF changes affecting your state?
🔔 Subscribe to follow our full CCDF series and upcoming state-focused discussions.

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Through real examples and relatable stories, we explore how these rules impact daily operations, why they’re so frustrating, and how child-care leaders stay compliant while keeping their sanity. 🎙️💼

If you’ve ever worked in early childhood and thought, “Who wrote this rule?” — this one’s for you.

👇 Drop your own “you won’t believe this regulation” stories in the comments!
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