Wes and Shelly Share

In this episode from July 23, 2026, we are joined by our youngest daughter, Rachel, to reflect on the past summer as well as the past few years that have taken all of us from Oklahoma City to North Carolina, Virginia, and Colorado. Lots of background noise, but that’s because we recorded this thing at a wonderful Manitou Springs motel! Shelly shared about her experiences at Wild Heart Teacher Retreat #36 this summer in Divide, Colorado. We also talked about our “Space Education Camp” for teachers in Stilwell, Oklahoma. Links to these events and resources are included in our show notes and description below.Wild Heart Teacher Retreatshttps://sites.google.com/wildheartteacher.org/wild-heart-teacher/retreats-2026July 2026 Space Education Camp” for teachershttps://www.astrokidsclub.org/for-teachers/july-2026Contact us with feedback for this episode and our podcast!https://wesfryer.com/contact/

On May 16, 2026, Wes and Shelly Fryer discuss why they run summer STEM camps and what they’re offering in summer 2026, noting they’re teaching 16 half-day camps (Shelly 9, Wes 7). They emphasize camps as passion projects and a “sandbox” for learning through play, curiosity, wonder, and computational thinking, with structure, community-building, partner work, and parent communication. They share reflections from past camps (including COVID-era online Minecraft camps) and lessons learned at Providence Day’s extensive summer program, including the importance of streamlined logins and student helpers. They point listeners to camps.shellyfryer.com for updated enrollment, astrokidsclub.org for Minecraft content, and mention sites like classroom.shellyfryer.com. Shelly outlines LEGO, rocket/design, Artemis innovation, and a new “Super Sleuths” forensics/breakout camp; Wes previews animal websites, space-themed Minecraft coding, wizarding builds, mini-game coding, and game coding with AI, plus upcoming STEM PD in July with Cherokee immersion teachers in Oklahoma.00:00 Welcome and Camp Overview00:51 Why We Run STEM Camps02:42 Where to Find Camp Info04:24 Curiosity Wonder and Play05:56 Shelly’s Lego Camp Philosophy08:44 Wes’s Minecraft Camp Journey14:42 Shelly’s Coding and STEM Roots18:50 Lessons From Last Summer21:54 Shelly’s Camp Structure and Community26:38 Computational Thinking Teaser27:16 Coding Social Skills27:26 Computational Thinking Basics28:08 AI Iteration Milestone29:40 Screen Time Hard Fun30:40 News Feed Sponsor31:39 Shelly Lego Camps32:23 Rocket Design Camp33:59 Innovation Design Artemis35:11 Super Sleuths Forensics36:18 Camp Sites Resources38:24 Wes Minecraft Space40:38 Wizarding Minecraft Build42:30 Minecraft Minigame Coding44:49 Game Coding With AI46:05 Cherokee STEM Teacher Camp48:55 Design Thinking With Teachers50:43 Contact Subscribe Wrap

Wes and Shelly record outside on a warm April evening in Matthews, North Carolina, reflecting on spring break 2026 and how life feels nearly four years after their move from Oklahoma City. They describe a two-day drive to Kansas to visit Wildcat, including an award-winning multi-course meal at the Freight House in Paducah, Kentucky, and arriving to a sudden blizzard and 13-degree weather. They spent time organizing Wildcat’s apartment, then Shelly flew from Kansas City to Amarillo for her Aunt Kay’s memorial. Wes recounts a stressful oil leak from a recent oil change, a major I-70 crash, and multiple airport pickups as Sarah, Rachel, and Shelly arrived, leading to a relaxed week at home together. They share updates on work, church and community connections, Wes’s teaching and activism, excitement about the Artemis crewed mission, and summer plans including camps, family trips, and potential mountain travel. Please visit shellyfryer.com/podcast for links to all past episodes of “Wes and Shelly Share,” and subscribe to us on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts!https://www.shellyfryer.com/podcast/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcCkQ9mj_ok96Coo3a0QWNgHu9Q5-15Fz 00:00 Spring Evening Setup00:57 Azaleas and Settling In01:30 Road Trip to Kansas02:23 Cold Front Blizzard Arrival03:06 Wildcat Visit and Unpacking03:48 Aunt Kay Memorial Trip05:51 Paducah and Freight House07:54 Oil Leak and Highway Drama10:10 Girls Home for Break12:12 Midroll Newsfeed Plug13:10 Four Years in Carolina15:16 Artemis Mission Excitement16:20 Wes Reflections and Friends18:11 Media Literacy Unit19:14 Community and Church Life20:15 Volunteering and Civic Work21:33 Doing What You're Encoded For22:26 Loss and Life Perspective23:46 Summer Plans and Camps25:41 Family Trips and Milestones29:39 Wonder and Wander Links32:27 Artemis and Space Values33:47 Closing and Sign Off

In Episode 39 of 'Wes and Shelly Share,' recorded on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, Wes and Shelly discuss a recent snowstorm in Charlotte, North Carolina, and reminisce on snow day memories from their childhoods and adulthood. They recount their experiences and reflections on the impact of snow days, discuss the fun of sledding with family and friends, and share their enjoyment of simple, home-centered activities during the snowy weather.In the second half of the podcast, they transition to more serious topics, discussing the current political climate, their concerns about rising fascism, and the state of immigration control enforcement in the United States. They talk about their engagement in community support activities through their church, school, and local organizations, and the importance of staying well and building supportive networks during these troubling times. The episode ends on a hopeful note with Shelly sharing her excitement about space exploration and upcoming events she is involved in, reflecting their commitment to finding joy and connection even in challenging times.00:00 Introduction and Snow Day Setup01:18 Weather Recap and Snowstorm Impact03:14 Shelly's Snow Day Memories07:09 Wes's Snow Day Memories09:42 Snow Days in Manhattan, Kansas11:46 Modern Snow Days and Remote Learning13:48 Family Snow Day Adventures17:56 Sledding Memories and Reflections20:03 Halftime Break20:16 Ad Break: News with Wes22:07 Political Climate and Personal Reflections24:08 ICE and Immigration Issues33:44 Community Support and Activism45:04 Concluding Thoughts and Positive Notes

In episode 37 of 'Wes and Shelly Share,' recorded on Monday, November 24th, 2025, Wes and Shelly reflect on their recent trip to the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC. They discuss their experiences and insights gained from the visit, including the importance of acknowledging and understanding the history of racism in the United States. They also share personal memories of their mothers and the traditions they upheld, particularly around Thanksgiving. With a mix of humor and heartfelt storytelling, they provide a glimpse into their lives, family history, and the values they cherish. Join them as they share both their reflections on history and the warmth of family traditions.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:25 Thanksgiving Week Plans01:39 Reflecting on Professional Development02:36 Church Retreats and Community Engagement03:33 Trip to the International African American Museum06:41 Museum Experience and Reflections23:03 Gullah People and Cultural Insights30:12 Thanksgiving Memories and Family Traditions33:27 Thanksgiving Memories and Traditions33:59 Family Cooking and Mishaps35:37 Thanksgiving at Your House38:37 Mother's Baking and Holiday Treats41:12 Reflections on Mother's Personality41:49 Aunt Pauline and Family Connections42:41 Mother's Homemaking and Family Time43:16 Piddling and Shopping Memories44:10 Mother's Retirement and Family Gatherings44:54 Contrasts Between Our Mothers45:49 Gourmet Cooking and Holiday Experiments47:11 Memories of the Leavenworth House51:51 Creating New Traditions52:35 Podcast Conclusion and Holiday Wishes