Episodes

  • S3E8:Supporting Childcare Dreams- Inside NECC’s Licensing Toolkit

    S3E8:Supporting Childcare Dreams- Inside NECC’s Licensing Toolkit
    Feb 10 2026
    Starting a childcare business begins with a passion for children — and often a lot of questions about licensing. Emily is joined by Gina Ewing from the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) to explore what it really takes to become a licensed childcare provider in Nebraska. Together, they discuss the benefits of licensure for providers and families, walk through key steps in the licensing process, and highlight common challenges and surprises along the way. Listeners will hear how NECC’s Licensing Toolkit offers mentoring, guidance, and practical tools to support providers from preparation through their first year of operation, helping turn big dreams into sustainable, high-quality childcare programs. Resource: https://nebraskaearly.org/toolkit-program/ The following music was used for this media project: Music: Afterparty Review by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2962-afterparty-review License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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  • S3E7: Winter Wonders: Holiday Approaches in Childcare

    S3E7: Winter Wonders: Holiday Approaches in Childcare
    Dec 16 2025
    When holidays arrive in early childhood settings, they bring more than decorations and traditions; they bring stories, identities, and learning opportunities. Emily explores thoughtful approaches to navigating holidays with the director of Ruth Staples Child Development Lab, Jennifer Leeper Miller. Together, they discuss ways to support children’s development while honoring the diverse traditions, cultures, and knowledge families bring to the classroom. Listeners will hear practical ideas for engaging families as partners, creating developmentally appropriate experiences for children, and approaching the holiday season with intention, respect, and care. The following music was used for this media project: Music: Afterparty Review by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2962-afterparty-review License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license "Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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  • S3E6: The Power of Gratitude in our Work and Relationships

    S3E6: The Power of Gratitude in our Work and Relationships
    Nov 25 2025
    Gratitude is a powerful tool for strengthening relationships, boosting well-being, and creating healthier workplaces. Emily Manning and guest Dr. Holly Hatton dive into what gratitude looks like in action, especially when it’s woven into a program at the system level rather than left to chance. Together, they discuss how gratitude can strengthen relationships, reduce stress, and create more positive, connected environments for educators, children, and families. Listeners will walk away with tangible ideas for nurturing a more supportive, joyful, and resilient workplace grounded in gratitude.
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  • S3E5: From Tension to Teamwork- Adult Conflict in Early Childhood Settings

    S3E5: From Tension to Teamwork- Adult Conflict in Early Childhood Settings
    Nov 18 2025
    In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, Emily is joined by returning guest and statewide Extension Educator Linda Reddish to explore how early childhood professionals can navigate conflict in the workplace with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Linda breaks down the four common types of conflict: task, process, interpersonal, and status. Then, she shares practical insights on why conflict arises, how our personal experiences shape our responses, and what it takes to approach difficult conversations effectively. Together, they discuss the importance of self-reflection, building strong professional relationships, and communicating with both accountability and kindness. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies for engaging in healthier conversations that strengthen teamwork and promote positive work environments. Resources Managing Conflict in Everyday Life: https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1696/2007/html/view Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott Nebraska Mediation Centers https://nebraskajudicial.gov/programs-services/mediation-restorative-justice/mediation-centers The following music was used for this media project:  Music: Afterparty Review by Sascha Ende  Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2962-afterparty-review  License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license     "Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
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  • S3E4: Media as a Learning Tool

    S3E4: Media as a Learning Tool
    Oct 28 2025
    In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, host Emily Manning is joined by Dr. Jessica Mitchell-McCullough, Senior Director of Education at Nebraska Public Media, to explore how parents and educators can thoughtfully select and use media with young children. Jessica shares insights on media literacy, the developmental benefits of co-viewing, and how trusted, research-based programs like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood can support children’s social-emotional growth. Together, they discuss practical ways to approach “spooky season” media, helping children distinguish between what’s real and pretend while building comfort and connection. The following music was used for this media project:  Music: Afterparty Review by Sascha Ende  Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2962-afterparty-review  License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license     "Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
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  • S3E3: You Don’t Have to Do It All: Embracing ‘Good Enough’ Parenting

    S3E3: You Don’t Have to Do It All: Embracing ‘Good Enough’ Parenting
    Oct 14 2025
    In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, we examine the concept of “good enough” parenting and what is needed to support healthy child development. Shannon Carr joins us to discuss strategies for fostering independence, creativity, and exploration in young children without succumbing to unrealistic expectations or over-scheduling. The following music was used for this media project:  Music: Afterparty Review by Sascha Ende  Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2962-afterparty-review  License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license     "Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
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  • S3E2: Supporting Children Through Trauma: A Conversation with Dave Miers

    S3E2: Supporting Children Through Trauma: A Conversation with Dave Miers
    Oct 1 2025
    In this episode, we sit down with Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Bryan, Dave Miers, to explore how adults can support children who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. From navigating difficult conversations to managing the impact of school shootings in the news, Dave offers practical guidance for helping kids feel safe, understood, and resilient. This episode provides thoughtful strategies for parents, educators, and caregivers facing challenging conversations with children about trauma. References and Resources: SAMHSA-https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/trauma-violence/trauma-informed-approaches-programs American Psychological Association-https://www.apa.org/ Bryan Mental Health Screenings- https://www.bryanhealth.com/services/counseling-mental-health/mental-health-online-screenings/ 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline Nebraska Family Helpline- (888) 866-8660 Read for Resilience- https://child.unl.edu/read4resilience/ Sources: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/interactive/school-shootings-database/ https://www.cnn.com/us/school-shootings-fast-facts-dg https://doi.org/10.1177/000992282311807 The following music was used for this media project:  Music: Afterparty Review by Sascha Ende  Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2962-afterparty-review  License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license     "Wholesome" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 
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  • S3E1: Supporting the Workforce- A New Approach to Substitutes in Early Childhood

    S3E1: Supporting the Workforce- A New Approach to Substitutes in Early Childhood
    Sep 9 2025
    In this episode of The Good Life in Early Life, we explore an innovative solution to one of early childhood education's most persistent challenges: finding qualified substitutes when educators and providers need time away from work. Host Emily Manning speaks with Jonathan Jank, President and CEO of the Seward County Chamber & Development Partnernship, and Tracy Gordon, Executive Director of the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children, about their collaboration to create a statewide substitute network tailored for Nebraska’s early childhood programs.
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