Episode Details

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, hosts Brian Greene and Kevin Hattery led an inspiring and informative conversation centered on breaking cycles of poverty and boosting early childhood success, one of our most vital missions.

First up, Nadia Salibi, Chief Impact Officer at CHILDREN AT RISK, kicked off the show with a deep dive into anti-poverty strategies. She shared powerful insights on the systemic barriers keeping families in poverty and the bold, data-driven policies needed to create real change for kids and communities.

Then we turned the spotlight on early literacy and education, a theme echoed by two passionate experts. Lyn Lucas, also from CHILDREN AT RISK, broke down the importance of early childhood education in laying the foundation for lifelong success. She emphasized how reading readiness, access, and support systems can transform a child’s future.

Closing out the show was Stacy Benge, respected speaker and author, who shared both research and real-world experiences on how families, educators, and communities can ignite a love of reading and learning in the earliest years of a child’s life.

It was a rich, solutions-focused conversation, filled with practical ideas, policy talk, and a shared belief that early investments in children are the key to lasting impact.