Michele and Mandy, a grandma and a mother, explore themes interweaving child development, social justice, parenting, and presence.
Mandy reads "The Spring Baskets," a sweet seasonal tale referenced in Episode 9.
Michele and Mandy explore young children's social connections in homeschooling and sibling interactions.
In Episode 8, Michele and Mandy explore thoughts on compulsory sharing, the best thing to do when siblings are antagonistic to one another, and practices of peacemaking in the household.
Michele and Mandy explore how reverence for animals and early connections to the animal kingdom develop a foundation of compassion in young children.
Michele and Mandy weave the threads connecting grappling with hard parenting moments, struggling with our expectations as social justice workers, and living in a way that makes freedom for all more possible.
Michele and Mandy touch on the modern movement for Black lives, telling stories of Black history beyond the narrative of slavery, and how claiming racism as white history is the generational healing work of white people.
Michele and Mandy hear from guest Tytianna Wells, founder of Honey Tree Publishing and author-illustrator of "Sweet Pea and Sugar Tea's Country Family Adventures," volumes 1-4. She reflects on the importance of telling and hearing representative stories, and the role these stories play both in healing communities of color and in dismantling white supremacy.
Michele offers resources and guidelines for honoring Dr. King with children of varying ages.
In Episode 2, Michele and Mandy explore facets of learning to be human, touching on Santa Claus, just laws, and how to know when to move or when to pause.
Meet Michele and Mandy! In this inaugural episode, we introduce ourselves and the pressing questions that have led us to this collaboration. What does it mean to be asleep, or awake, both in terms of early childhood development AND in movements for social change?