Best Ece Program Podcasts (2026)

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Ep. 218 - Stamp Your Center's Footprint in the Community with Megan Ferring 41:11

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7h ago41:11

41:11

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! In this episode, Kris sits down with Megan Ferring, a dynamic regional director at Hamilton Heights Child Development Center, where her 16-year journey began as a preschool teacher. Megan's deep commitment to both operational excellence and playful leadership recently earned her the Director of the Year award. Kr…

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Ep. 217 - Not Your Typical Childcare Center with LaVonda Paul 40:28

19d ago40:28

40:28

This week, Kris welcomes LaVonda Paul, a trailblazing early childhood leader and fourth-generation entrepreneur, for an inspiring conversation about legacy, leadership, and the power of showing up. As the owner of Small Impressions Child Development Center in Taylors, South Carolina, LaVonda has spent 19 years building a community-first program. In…

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Child Care Math Is Rude 40:28

21d ago40:28

40:28

Send us a text We call out the broken childcare math, the lazy myths about greedy centers, and the way policy failure pushes women and caretakers out of the workforce. Then we go inside preschool life under immigration fear, answer tough listener questions, and lay out practical policies that keep programs sane. • Why childcare costs more than rent…

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Inside A Preschool Scandal: Abuse, Oversight Failures, And The Fight For Safer Childcare 41:20

28d ago41:20

41:20

Send us a text We confront a big-brand preschool scandal, then widen the lens to expose how staffing, oversight, and culture create the conditions for harm—and how to fix them with real accountability, funding, and courage. Along the way we answer listener questions, call out hiring red flags, and argue for licensing that measures safety culture, n…

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Ep. 216 - What "Trust the Process" Really Means with Kris Murray 39:07

1M ago39:07

39:07

It's solo episode time! Kris shares insights from her new book, The Antidote to Fear, and outlines three practical ways to trust yourself and the process. She talks about embracing fear and self-doubt, including her "yoga mat" moment that changed her career direction. Kris discusses manifestation as a giving process and highlights the importance of…

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We Came For Goldfish And Got Bleach Instead 41:58

1M ago41:58

41:58

Send us a text A water pitcher, a cleaning bottle, and a rushed routine turned snack time into a health scare—then a bland corporate statement tried to make it disappear. We pull back the curtain on how incidents like this happen in real programs: thin ratios, frantic handoffs, vague labeling, and a pace that makes errors inevitable. Safety isn’t a…

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Ep. 215 - How Disney's Service Values Can WOW Your Customer with Vance Morris 52:43

2M ago52:43

52:43

Kris welcomes Vance Morris, former security guard turned Disney leader and successful entrepreneur, for a trip to the happiest place on earth — great customer service! Vance helps business owners get, serve, and keep clients for life through creating experiences and response-required marketing. He shares real-world strategies to delight customers, …

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Childcare Math Doesn’t Add Up 27:09

2M ago27:09

27:09

Send us a text Childcare isn’t expensive because anyone’s getting rich; it’s expensive because keeping tiny humans safe, fed, and learning costs real money. We open the books on rent, insurance, payroll, licensing, curriculum, food, and the constant stream of supplies that make a classroom run. Then we connect the dots to the bigger truth: parents …

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Season 5, Episode 12: Financial Tips from a CPA Who Owns Multiple Centers, with Michael Blanco 34:24

2M ago34:24

34:24

Learn how to take charge of your child care program’s finances in this episode! Michael Blanco, CPA, multisite owner and founder of Radius Childcare Solutions, shares his expert tips on streamlining tuition collection, identifying financial red flags and creating a budget for your center. To learn more about Michael and his work at Radius Childcare…

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Ep. 214 - Fixing a Broken Culture with Intentional Leadership with Ashanti Ordone 49:36

2M ago49:36

49:36

Kris welcomes Ashanti Ordone, the Founder and CEO of Gifted & Talented Academy, and the 2025/26 Child Care Rock Star Award winner! They talk about expanding from a home daycare to three locations, transforming her school's culture, and overcoming challenges in the early childhood education landscape. Ashanti shares her powerful story of building a …

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SNAP!: How A Shutdown Hits Childcare, Families, And Teachers 29:09

2M ago29:09

29:09

Send us a text A shutdown stalls SNAP and shakes childcare, leaving families, teachers and programs scrambling for stability while kids lose consistency. We also confront bias against male ECE teachers, name red flags in constant staff reassignments, unpack real answers to stress interviews, and explain why harassment policies protect everyone. Fol…

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Grandma Is Not Helping And One Glove Is Not For Everyone 28:39

2M ago28:39

28:39

Send us a text A daycare sends a Saturday-night email announcing it’s closed effective immediately, and by Monday morning parents, teachers, and an entire neighborhood are scrambling. We dig into what sudden closures reveal about the state of childcare: budgets stretched to breaking, staff underpaid and undervalued, and families forced to choose be…

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Season 5, Episode 11: How Centers, Teachers and Families Benefit from Enrichment Programs, with Megan Bowling 18:23

2M ago18:23

18:23

Looking to boost enrollment and stand out in a competitive market? Enrichment programs might be the game-changer your child care center needs. Megan Bowling is the director of franchise development at Stretch-n-Grow, a well-known children’s fitness business with 125 locations around the world. In this episode, she shares how child care centers can …

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Introducing Child Care Matters: Built to Break 1:31

2M ago1:31

1:31

Why is it so hard to find high-quality, affordable child care in the United States? And what would it take to fix it? Child Care Matters: Built to Break is a new narrative podcast from BridgeCare that shines a light on America’s early education system and what it will take to rebuild it. Across eight episodes, host and CEO of BridgeCare, Jamee Herb…

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Ep. 213 - Getting Your Operational "Stuff" Together with Jami Hartmann 47:40

3M ago47:40

47:40

Want to stop the revolving door of teachers and create a rock-solid childcare team? Kris talks with Jami Hartmann from Trainual about how the right systems can transform your center's operations. They dig into practical strategies for finding great staff, training them effectively, and keeping them motivated. Jami shares some great insights on gett…

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Pass the Collection Plate for Childcare? 35:26

3M ago35:26

35:26

Send us a text The day a state slices $225 million from childcare and 45 centers go dark, the ripple doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it hits every shift, every meeting, every bottom line. We dig into why asking local businesses to “chip in” can’t replace public responsibility, and we map out what real fixes look like: permanent funding that does…

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Ep. 212 - Leveraging Word of Mouth Marketing for Fast Growth with Josh and Pamela Hernandez 42:07

3M ago42:07

42:07

Kris welcomes Josh and Pamela Hernandez, owners of Montessori Kids Universe Stone Oak. The duo talks about their path into early childhood education and opening up MKU, tips for starting out with cash flow out of the gate, and enrollment strategies that worked for them. They also chat with Kris about using referral rewards, how they balance family …

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Bubble Sheets and Here We Are 25:27

3M ago25:27

25:27

Send us a text Follow me : Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearning Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearningBy Jerek Hough

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Ep. 211 - Chasing Cows and Building Dreams Into a 12-Center Empire with Jennifer House and Jenni Grawvunder 43:39

4M ago43:39

43:39

Kris welcomes "The Jens", aka Jennifer House (CEO) and Jenni Grawvunder (COO) of Children's Choice Preschool, to share the remarkable story behind their 12-center child care empire in San Diego County. What started as a nonprofit program with 25 children has grown into a thriving operation serving nearly 1,300 kids across 11 centers (with a 12th on…

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Kids Say... 26:42

4M ago26:42

26:42

Send us a text Ever wonder what keeps educators up at night? Spoiler alert: it's rarely the children. In this refreshingly candid episode, we dive into the real challenges that make working in education both hilarious and maddening. From the three-year-old who perfectly uses profanity in a sentence during rhyme time to the parent who sends their ch…

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Season 5, Episode 10: How to Incorporate Social Emotional Development in ECE, with Wendy Turcott and Dani Svantner 34:43

4M ago34:43

34:43

Ready to build a culture of well-being in your early childhood program? In this episode of the Child Care Business Podcast, we sit down with Wendy Turcotte and Dani Svantner, the dynamic duo known as The Play Coaches who have become leaders in implementing social-emotional learning from infancy. They share why SEL should be the foundation of your c…

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Beyond Talk: When States Actually Solve the Child Care Crisis 30:17

4M ago30:17

30:17

Send us a text New Mexico has just achieved what many thought impossible – implementing truly universal, free child care for all residents regardless of income. Follow this podcast to stay updated on this groundbreaking initiative and share this episode with anyone interested in how states can transform early childhood education from aspiration to …

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Ep. 210 - When You Love Kids This Much, Success Comes Naturally with Dominique Gill 39:30

4M ago39:30

39:30

Kris welcomes Dominique Gill, heart-centered leader and owner of Unique Kids Childcare in Nashville and Smyrna, Tennessee, to share her journey to multi-site child care leader. Dominique opens up about starting as a young mother seeking affordable child care, working in exchange for tuition, and eventually moving from home-based care to two thrivin…

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Who Will Care for Us Tomorrow? The True Cost of Education Policy 27:34

4M ago27:34

27:34

Send us a text The political weaponization of early childhood education takes center stage, as these children will take care of us when we get older. The stay-at-home mom is considering childcare employment for the wrong reasons, while the school administrator is dealing with an employee whose child's father violated a protection order by impersona…

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Stickers and Sleepy Kids 27:22

4M ago27:22

27:22

Send us a text When four-year-old Lane smuggled home a mysterious sticker, the episode dives deep into the ethical boundaries being crossed in early childhood settings and why even challenging classroom behaviors never justify administering substances without parental consent. Through real-world scenarios and practical advice, this conversation pro…

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Ep. 209 - A Family Affair! Tales of a Multi-Generational ECE Company with Tea Shong and Trina Romanowski 46:40

5M ago46:40

46:40

Kris sits down with Tea Shong and Trina Romanowski, the powerhouse mother-daughter duo behind a thriving, multi-site early childhood business in Michigan. Winners of the Partnership of the Year Award at the Child Care Success Summit, Tea and Trina share how they scaled from an in-home daycare to three high-quality centers, all rooted in purpose and…

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When New Hires Ghost: Tales of Professional Disappearing Acts 25:20

5M ago25:20

25:20

Send us a text Have you ever spent weeks interviewing candidates, finally found "the one," only to have them quit within 24 hours? How do you stand firm on your planned departure date when a director tries to guilt you into staying? Share your own workplace disappearing act stories with us – we know you've got them! Follow me : Website: https://www…

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Bonnets & Boundaries, Should we Judge Parents? 28:11

5M ago28:11

28:11

Send us a text Professional standards in educational environments matter, from dress codes to qualifications, as we explore how expectations shape children's experiences and learning environments. • Parent dress codes at schools spark debate about setting examples for children • Principal resigned over controversial dress code comments, but school …

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Season 5, Episode 9: Why ECE Programs Need Child-Led Play, with Stacy Benge 32:13

5M ago32:13

32:13

Literacy begins with embracing the whole child, says Stacy Benge, an expert on early literacy and a proponent of child-led play. Her mission to help educators approach literacy in a way that builds confident, curious, lifelong learners. In this podcast, Stacy defines child-led play (and dispels myths about it), including the difference between chil…

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Ep. 208 - Creating Leadership Magic In Her Ruby Slippers with Rachel Supalla 46:31

5M ago46:31

46:31

Kris is joined by longtime friend, business visionary, and rockstar early childhood leader Rachel Supalla. Rachel is the founder of Vision Tree, a TEDx speaker, and the author of The Playful Leader's Toolkit, a book packed with wisdom on leading with joy, grounding, and energy. With 10 schools across Montana and Utah, Rachel shares how she's scaled…

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Exploitation, Fraud, Weed, and Late Pickups 24:38

5M ago24:38

24:38

Send us a text Follow me : Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearning Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearningBy Jerek Hough

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Not a Felony and Parental Ambushes 28:21

5M ago28:21

28:21

Send us a text A man received just one month in jail for allegedly holding down a four-year-old so another child could "retaliate" against them. From unproductive staff who waste valuable nap time scrolling on phones to the complicated dynamics when workplace relationships turn personal, the episode concludes with practical hiring advice centered o…

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Ep. 207 - You Can't Save Your Way to Success with Gigi Schweikert 43:19

5M ago43:19

43:19

Kris welcomes Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy, to explore what it takes to lead at scale and stay grounded in the human side of early childhood education. With 85 centers across the U.S., Gigi shares how she thinks about quality, culture, and decision-making at the organizational level, and why trust is still the best metric. They discu…

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Firing, Hiring, and Not Pulling Hair 23:06

6M ago23:06

23:06

Send us a text Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the field, this episode offers honest perspective on navigating workplace challenges with integrity. Follow the podcast to join this ongoing conversation about the realities of education work. Follow me : Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbre…

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Naptime Narcotics: When Teachers Turn to Benadryl 31:08

6M ago31:08

31:08

Send us a text A troubling case from Georgia reveals how a daycare lost its license after staff administered Benadryl to toddlers without consent, raising serious questions about trust and safety in childcare settings. Meanwhile, nearly $6.8 billion in federal education funding is being withheld, affecting critical programs for vulnerable student p…

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Ep. 206 - Leadership Lessons in Child Care with Regina Miller 49:05

6M ago49:05

49:05

Kris welcomes the joy-inducing and magnetic Regina Miller, a nationally recognized trainer, author, and owner of Trailblazers Academy in Wichita, Kansas. With nearly five decades in early childhood education and 35 years in leadership, Regina shares fantastic insight into what it really takes to lead a team, stay connected as an owner, and build la…

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Dangerous Preschools, Woke Tests, and the Walmart Bag Exit Strategy 33:09

6M ago33:09

33:09

Send us a text The alarming realities of unregulated childcare facilities operating with twice its maximum occupancy, this facility housed infants in a windowless basement alongside propane tanks, creating what authorities described as "nightmarish, hellish conditions." The conversation shifts to Oklahoma's peculiar response to teacher shortages—cr…

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Season 5, Episode 8: Building Loyalty: Strategies for Family Retention in Child Care, with Jaime Rechkemmer 35:45

6M ago35:45

35:45

Jaime Rechkemmer is the founder of Aim4Impact Consulting and her work in early childhood education includes helping child care centers with QRIS, compliance, professional development, curriculum, assessments, technology and more. She has worked at some of the largest child care organizations in the country, and she chairs the AI and Machine Learnin…

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Ep. 204 - From Home to Center: Young Leadership in Action with Whitney Burkman 51:11

6M ago51:11

51:11

Kris welcomes young inspiration and rising leader Whitney Burkman, owner of Magnolia Academy in Payson, Utah. Whitney shares more about her journey from in-home childcare to a full 125-spot center before age 30. She talks about building confidence as a young business owner, gives some great advice for hiring, marketing strategies, leadership challe…

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Ep. 203 - What's Your Customer Journey? (And Why You Should Care) with Brett Nelle 49:43

7M ago49:43

49:43

Kris welcomes Brett Neller, CEO of LineLeader by ChildcareCRM, to explore the real meaning of the customer journey in child care, and why it's critical for sustainable growth. Brett shares insights from his professional evolution, including how dropping his kids off at care centers helped him deeply understand the needs of operators. He and Kris ta…

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Season 5, Episode 7: The Six Professional Pillars of Child Care, with Heather White 46:30

7M ago46:30

46:30

Heather White is a multi-site owner who is part of The PREP Schools franchise, and she’s a licensed director and speaker. Finding ways to help fellow child care leaders find joy in their jobs and lives is a huge passion of hers. In this podcast, Heather shares her six professional pillars of child care success and delves into how each matters in be…

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Ep. 202 - A Great Story of Scaling Up and Growth with Adrianne Agulla 45:31

7M ago45:31

45:31

In this episode, Adrianne Agulla, CEO of Hamilton Heights Child Development Centers in Nebraska and the true definition of an education entrepreneur, joins Kris. Adrianne shares how she went from working in the corporate world to owning six successful daycares and a catering business called Milton's Amazing Kitchen. Together, she and Kris talk abou…

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Ep. 201 - Gamification in Parenting AND Business with Zac Alcampo 1:05:01

8M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

Zac Alcampo, Creative Director at Grow Your Center, brings a fresh perspective to leadership, culture, and creativity in early education. With two decades of experience in the gaming industry, Zac is a dynamic entrepreneur and inventive strategist who has helped build immersive digital experiences that merge gamification, artificial intelligence, a…

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Season 5, Episode 6: How to Create a Family Handbook for Your Child Care Center, with Kelly Matthews and Paula Drew 49:30

8M ago49:30

49:30

In this episode, Kelly Matthews and Paula Drew of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association describe how to create a family handbook for your child care center. This handbook is key to your bottom line, your reputation and ultimately, your business. They give the following writing tips: Use a consistent font and formatting throughout. Review carefu…

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Season 5, Episode 5: Mr. Ty Answers Your Child Care Business Questions 53:25

8M ago53:25

53:25

Mr. Ty, the Childcare Whisperer, has the answers to your child care questions! Among the questions he answers in this podcast: How can you encourage middle management to not be friends or overly friendly, causing a divide between teachers? How can I encourage staff to take initiative and feel empowered in their roles while maintaining consistency i…

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Ep. 200 - Every Day Is A Gift with Vernon Mason 49:04

8M ago49:04

49:04

He's back! The great Vernon Mason returns as one of the podcast's most popular guests to help celebrate this milestone 200th episode. He and Kris reflect on leadership, legacy, and what it really means to be present. In this episode, Vernon shares his beautiful wisdom and journey from growing up in an in-home child care program to building and sell…

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Ep. 199 - Follow Your True Calling with Rachel Davis 56:09

9M ago56:09

56:09

This is an inspiring and impactful episode with Rachel Davis, founder of Children's Promise Centers, an early childhood program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Operating 20 hours daily, her centers provide critical support for working families often overlooked by traditional child care models. Rachel chats with Kris about her journey from the Denver Re…

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Season 5, Episode 4: Using Videos Effectively in ECE Classrooms, with Nermeen Dashoush 40:55

9M ago40:55

40:55

Dr. Nermeen Dashoush is the chief learning officer of MarcoPolo Learning, the award-winning global developer of educational products and instructional resources, and she's also a clinical associate professor of early childhood education at Boston University. In this episode, she shares her insights about how early childhood education programs can u…

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Ep. 198 - Be The CEO of Your Life with Jessica Harris 49:00

9M ago49:00

49:00

Jessica Harris is the owner of Four Sisters Childcare in Linden, Utah — a thriving center named after her four daughters. Alongside her husband, she's built a program that's now serving 91 full-time equivalent students with a capacity of 86 and a waitlist. But her real work goes beyond enrollment. In this episode, Jessica shares her journey from ru…

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Season 5, Episode 3: Advocating for ECE in Washington and Closer to Home, with Michele Schmitt 37:32

9M ago37:32

37:32

Michele Schmitt is the senior director of government relations and business development for Procare Solutions. In this role, she meets with legislators and other stakeholders in early childhood education to advocate for the industry and stay on top of what's happening in government, both at the federal and local levels, in policy and proposals. In …