unEDited chatter

What if the secret to supporting young children isn't another program, strategy, or checklist, but something much simpler? Human connection.In this episode, Stephanie and Tisha sit down with Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs at ZERO TO THREE, to explore the incredible power of relationships in early childhood education. With more than 20 years of experience supporting infants, toddlers, families, and early childhood professionals, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and real-world perspective to the conversation.Together, we dive into the importance of meaningful relationships, the magic of learning through play, what we might be getting wrong about early childhood development, and why supporting the adults who care for children matters just as much as supporting the children themselves.And, of course, we ask some of the questions that don't always get asked!

An enlightening episode on "Leading with Purpose and Empathy." We’ll interview Bill Davis, Program Chair in the College of Professional Studies at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Bill will explain the critical need for leaders to exemplify care, empathy, and compassion by taking initiative and embracing servant leadership. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting your leadership journey, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools to lead more effectively and compassionately. Tune in to discover how you can make a lasting impact by leading with heart and vision. Bill will also discuss the power of EQ and Purpose and how to boost your credibilityBill Davis is the Program Chair for the BA Operations Management and Analysis program and oversees the Sports and Recreation Management emphasis. He brings over three decades of business and academic experience, combining practical leadership with a commitment to student success. His career spans consulting, management, leadership, sales, marketing, strategic planning, and organizational change, including 30+ years, mostly with PepsiCo in front-line, middle, and executive leadership roles.A true pracademic, Bill transitioned into higher education after a successful career in industry. He has taught more than 300 courses, developed over 20 curricula, and served in leadership roles including Program Chair, Lead Faculty, Assistant Professor, and Instructional Specialist Manager. Bill leads with passion, purpose, empathy, and compassion, modeling a student-first approach as the hallmark of online education. He is dedicated to empowering, supporting, enriching, and guiding every student toward graduation, and he finds great fulfillment in coaching and mentoring both in and beyond the classroom to help students become their best selves. Bill serves on the Executive Board and Board of Regents for the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM) and has been recognized nationally for excellence in teaching, leadership, and scholarship. He also served on the ADEIL Board - the Association for Distance Education and Independent Learning,  earning its Excellence in Leadership Award. In 2025, he was named a Faculty Fellow at the University of Arizona Global Campus and serves as Co-Chair of the 2025–2026 Culture of Care Summit.He recently collaborated with IGI Global Scientific Publishing, co-editing and publishing  two books, Fostering Collaborative Learning Communities to Drive Student Success and Fostering Educational Culture for Student Success, and co-authored Harnessing Technology. The Future of Online Learning Communities, a scholarly chapter article and was selected as an Ambassador for IGI Global. He holds a CM - Certified Manager Certification from the Institute of Certified Professional Managers, a C.Mgr – Certified Manager from the Canadian Institute of Professional Managers, a CPL - Certified Positive Leader from Jon Gordon Certified Leader, a Certified Leader-Coach in the PepsiCo System and holds numerous certifications and certificates from John Maxwell Company, Dale Carnegie Training, PepsiCo and Toastmasters. Bill has published over 160 articles, presented at numerous academic conferences,  and co-authored the book Stay Engaged… It’s Essential! Chunks of Leadership Wisdom and Knowledge to Improve Your Leadership Effectiveness. In 2008, he received the Distinguished CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of only three educators nationwide to earn this honor.

In this conversation, Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne shares the heart behind the books she’s been launching—each one rooted in a deeper mission to help people grow, regulate, and lead with intention.Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne is an author, speaker, and the founder of Enriched Learning Academy. With almost three decades of experience in education and leadership, she has served as a teacher, principal, and higher education program chair.She brings a unique blend of expertise in early childhood education, wellness, and human performance—including her background as a yoga instructor and martial artist—to her writing and speaking.Her work bridges the gap between science, spirituality, and real-life application, helping women, educators, and leaders regulate their nervous systems, build sustainable habits, and lead with clarity and purpose.

Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne shares how she created The Magic Bag™, a simple, hands-on tool that helps educators spark curiosity, increase engagement, and stop competing with screens. Rooted in play-based, standards-aligned learning, this approach makes lesson planning easier while creating meaningful, memorable experiences for young children.Dr. Nichole Rich-Byrne is an author, speaker, and the founder of Enriched Learning Academy in Sandwich, Massachusetts. With almost 3 decades of experience in education, she holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and has served as a teacher, principal, and higher education leader. She is the creator of The Magic Bag™, an innovative system designed to simplify teaching and bring learning to life through hands-on, engaging experiences.

We have a chat with education reporter Kavitha Cardoza, who was recently named the recipient of the 2026 American Mosaic Journalism Prize for elevating stories of underrepresented school children and educators in the US.Kavitha Cardoza is a Washington, D.C.–based journalist known for deep reporting on children, education, and poverty. Cardoza is widely recognized for seeing education not as a standalone beat, but as inseparable from poverty and inequality. Her work has appeared in NPR, The Hechinger Report, and The Guardian, among other outlets. Cardoza’s international upbringing and cross-cultural education strongly shape both the topics she covers and the way she covers them.Cardoza holds a master’s in broadcast journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, as well as a master’s from the Manipal Institute of Communication in India. In her early career, Cardoza worked as bureau chief for the NPR affiliate in Springfield, Illinois, and later in Washington, D.C., eventually becoming a special correspondent covering children, education, and poverty. In 2022, Cardoza became a public editor at the Education Writers Association (EWA) and host of the EWA Radio podcast, helping train and support education reporters.Cardoza has been a keynote speaker and moderator at various national education and poverty conferences, including The Aspen Institute, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, United Way, Committee of Education Funding, and American Institutes of Research.“My life’s mantra can be summed up by the saying, ‘a society will be judged by how it treats its last, its least and its littlest’- which is why I am so passionate about covering populations that are overlooked and underrepresented.  Children and teens often don’t have a voice in matters that affect them, and I am so grateful that this Prize will enable me to continue shedding light on their stories.”  — Kavitha Cardoza, 2026 American Mosaic Journalism Prize Recipient