Little Moments Count Radio Podcast

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  Developmental Screenings & Early Support with guest Andre Dukes 14.08.2026 8min

  Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features Andre Dukes, Vice President of Community Power and Impact Programs at NorthAchievement Zone, assistant pastor at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, and a University of Minnesota instructor in infant mental health. Andre explains developmental screenings for children ages 0–3 as a quick check-in of milestones across communication, movement, problem-solving, social-emotionaldevelopment, and everyday skills, emphasizing they are not tests or diagnoses and can help families celebrate strengths and identify supports early. He discusses how screenings can lead to evaluations and early interventionservices such as speech, occupational, and physical therapy or developmental coaching, and encourages parents to trust their instincts, ask questions, anduse everyday talking, reading, singing, playing, counting, and the environment to prepare children for school. This episode was recorded live on the radio program TheAfternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Representation, Reading, and Raising Confident Kids with guest Isaiah Allen 14.08.2026 24min

  In this episode, hosted by Mike “Big Mic” Brooks of KRSM Radio, is joined by Isaiah Allen, a 25-year-old St. Paul author, community leader, and activist, who shares his path from earning a leadership and management degree at the University of St. Thomas and working in tech to becoming an author after being laid off at 23. Allen discusses the importance of representation and joyful,healthy images of Black people in children’s media, highlights his first book "Smile" (rooted in his family, experiences, and living with type 1 diabetes), and explains his involvement with the Rondo Renaissance anthologyproduced by Planting People, Growing Justice. He emphasizes respectful communication with kids, answering “why,” and taking interest in children’sinfluences and interests.This episode was recorded live on the radio program For The Culture, which airs on KRSM Radio at 98.9 FM in Minneapolis. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts
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  Trauma-Responsive Care with guest Carrie Zelin Johnson 14.08.2026 10min

  Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, thisconversation features early childhood advocate  Carrie Zelin Johnson, who explains about trauma-informed care.She discusses shifts adults can take, from asking children “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”. She emphasizes that young children’s big emotions and behaviors communicate needs that caregivers should respond to through presence, flexibility, and relationship-building. She discusses learning a child’s individual temperament, reducing distractions, and reflectingon how adults were raised, and  highlights Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families training opportunities.This episode was recorded live on the radio program TheAfternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Books Build Brains with guest Liam Mackin 14.08.2026 23min

  In this episode, Native Roots Radio host Robert Pilot interviewsLiam Mackin, communications and development manager at Reach Out and Read Minnesota. Liam discusses supporting brain development from birth to age five through everyday reading and language-rich interactions. He explains theprogram’s origins with pediatricians who give children a free, new book at well-child visits to spark parent-child bonding, encourage reading, and help clinicians assess development and screen for concerns like excessive screen time. He highlights Minnesota’s network of over 300 participating clinics since1997, including strong partnerships with Indian Health Services and tribally affiliated clinics, and the importance of culturally relevant, high-quality multilingual books, including Dakota and Ojibwe. He also shares where to learn more and emphasizes simple, loving interaction as key for families. This episode was recorded live on the radio program NativeRoots Radio: I’m Awake, which airs on multiple stations throughout the Midwest. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Por qué los primeros cinco años importan con Alicia García González 14.08.2026 7min

  En este episodio de Little Moments Count, la presentadora Maya Santamaria de KMNV La Raza Radio da la bienvenida a Alicia García González de CLUES. Las primeras experienciasde un niño ayudan a moldear su cerebro, sus relaciones y su éxito futuro. Alicia explica por qué los primeros cinco años de vida son tan importantes y cómo momentos cotidianos como hablar, leer, cantar y jugar favorecen un desarrollo saludable.Este episodio se emitió en marzo de 2026 en La Raza Radio, en las frecuencias 95.7 FM y 1400 AM en las Ciudades Gemelas. Para más información, visite littlemomentscount.org/podcastsWhy the First Five Years Matter with Alicia Garcia GonzalezOn this episode of Little Moments Count, host MayaSantamaria of KMNV La Raza Radio welcomes Alicia.  García González from CLUES. A child’s earliest experiences help shape their brain, relationships, and future success. Alicia discusses why the first five years of life are so important and howeveryday moments like talking, reading, singing, and playing support healthy development.This episode was aired in March of 2026, on La Raza Radio at 95.7 FM and 1400 AM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Why the First 1,000 Days Matter with guest Dr. Roger Sheldon 14.08.2026 25min

  Hosted by Katey DeCelle of  WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, this conversation features Dr. Roger Sheldon, a former neonatologist and early childhood advocate. Sheldon discusses Doctors for Early Childhood, a group of retired pediatricians formed after the George Floyd disaster to support earlybrain development through policy and public education. He emphasizes that nearly 80% of brain growth happens in the first 1,000 days and urges caregivers to talk, read, sing, and play with children, noting kids learn language best from people, not screens. He discusses early relational health, the importanceof touch and oxytocin, toxic stress and ACEs, and concerns about low reading proficiency in Minnesota, childcare workforce pay, and support for families from pregnancythrough age four.This episode was recorded live on the radio program So SaintPaul, which airs on WFNU at 94.1 FM in Saint Paul. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Brain Development and Kindergarten Readiness with guest Andre Dukes 08.07.2026 11min

  Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features Andre Dukes with the Northside Achievement Zone. Andre explains that kindergarten readiness goes beyond ABCs and 123s to include social-emotionaldevelopment shaped by everyday “serve and return” interactions. He encourages caregivers to talk, read, sing, and play, emphasizing vocabulary growth through descriptive language and the value of one-to-one engagement over screens.He stresses that love and tone build trust, noting “no correction without connection”. You can learn more at northsideachievementzone.org and 612-594-8360. This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Early Literacy and Representation with guest Dr. Artika Tyner 08.07.2026 17min

  Hosted by Katey DeCelle of  WFNU Frogtown Community Radio,this conversation features Dr. Artika Tyner, Rondo native, civil rights attorney and law professor, and author of 40 books. She shares why she focuses on early literacy after seeing manyclients learn to read in prison and noting reading failure as an indicator of future incarceration. She explains how literacy begins in the womb, how families can build learning into everyday life, and how summer can become a season of learning gains through intentional community-based activities. Tynerdiscusses the importance of diverse books as “mirrors and windows,” and highlights Planting People Growing Justice’s NEA Big Read work and ways to get involved through resources, columns, and the Leaders or Readers program. This episode was recorded live on the radio program So Saint Paul, which airs on WFNU at 94.1 FM in Saint Paul. For moreinformation, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  El poder de las visitas familiares a domicilio con Alicia García González 08.07.2026 7min

  En este episodio de Little Moments Count, la presentadora Maya Santamaria de KMNV La Raza Radio da la bienvenida a Alicia García González de CLUES. Ella comparte cómo losprogramas de visitas familiares a domicilio apoyan a padres y cuidadores durante los primeros años de vida de un niño. Explica cómo el apoyo personalizado y culturalmente sensible puede fortalecer la relación entre padres e hijos, promover un desarrollo saludable y conectar a las familias con recursos valiosos.Este episodio se transmitió en marzo de 2026 en La Raza Radio, a través de las frecuencias 95.7 FM y 1400 AM en las CiudadesGemelas. Para más información, visite littlemomentscount.org/podcasts.The Power of Family Home Visiting with Alicia Garcia GonzalezOn this episode of Little Moments Count, host Maya Santamaria of KMNV La Raza Radio welcomes Alicia García González fromCLUES. She shares how family home visiting programs support parents and caregivers during a child’s earliest years. She discusses how personalized, culturally responsive support can strengthen parent-child relationships, promote healthy development, and connect families with valuable resources.This episode was aired in March of 2026, on La Raza Radio at 95.7 FM and 1400 AM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts
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  Multi-Sensory Books and Early Brain Development with guest Crystal Stein 08.07.2026 31min

  In this episode, hosted by Mike “Big Miic” Brooks of KRSM Radio, is joined by Crystal Stein, founder and CEO of Beret Publishing, a Minnesota-based children’s media company creating multi-sensory board books that integrate original music, poetry, Grade 2 braille, and storytelling to support early interactions between children and caregivers. Stein shares her transition from a 16+ year finance and consulting career to launching Beret during COVID after becoming a parent and realizing a lack of diverse classical composers represented in children’s materials. She discusses the importance of reading, singing, and being present in the first 1,000 days, accessibility as a baselinefor all children, and “windows and mirrors” representation through Beret’s Echoes of Excellence collection, which highlights historically overlooked composers such as Vicente Lusitano and George Bridgetower.This episode was recorded live on the radio program For The Culture, which airs on KRSM Radio at 98.9 FM in Minneapolis. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts
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  Bonding Builds Brains with guest Jamesetta Diggs 08.07.2026 8min

  Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features early childhood educator JamesettaDiggs, who trains educators and works with families and communities on early development. Diggs explains early relational health as a wellbeing rooted in everyday “serve and return” interactions that benefit both children and caregivers, supported by a broader community. She discusses Beyond EarlyInitiatives and a parent-child interaction series inspired by community needs, emphasizing simple daily connection moments, and shares her website beyondearlyinitiatives.com This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Brain Development & Culture Restoration - with guest Barb Fabre 08.07.2026 22min

  In this episode, Native Roots Radio host Robert Pilot speaks with Barb Fabre, CEO of Indigenous Visioning and All Nations Rise and a White Earth Ojibwe Nation member, about a new report, “A National Agenda for Tribal Early Childhood Development,” created with representatives from 40–50 tribal nations to guide tribal leaders in building high-quality early childhood systems in reservation and urban communities. Fabre explains why the first five years are critical for brain development, language, self-regulation, and school readiness, noting ROI estimates of $13–$17 for every dollar invested. She emphasizes restoring language and culture through early childhood as a way to heal historical trauma from colonization and boarding schools, address vocabulary gaps, and confrontschildcare and funding challenges in urban Native communities. The report is available at childcaretrust.org. This episode was recorded live on the radio program Native Roots Radio: I’m Awake, which airs on multiple stationsthroughout the Midwest. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Turning Summer Learning Loss Into Gains with guest Dr. Artika Tyner 08.07.2026 9min

  Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, this conversation features lifelong educator Dr. Artika Tyner. Dr. Tyner reframes summer learning loss, often cited as a 25–30% loss of school-year learning, as a chance for summer learning gains by making learning fun and using community resources such as Freedom Schools and library programs. She highlights NEA Big Read, hosted by her nonprofit Planting People, Growing Justice and shares family learning ideas at home andin the community. She promotes the organization’s events, including a first-Saturday family learning festival at Jimmy Lee Rec Center, and suggests summer reading incentives and low-cost educational outings. This episode was recorded live on the radio program The Afternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Fortaleciendo a las familias latinas con el invitado Xavier Vásquez 10.06.2026 13min

  En este episodio de Little Moments Count, lapresentadora Maya Santamaria de KMNV La Raza Radio da la bienvenida a Xavier Vásquez, Director Ejecutivo del Centro Tyrone Guzmán, una agencia multiservicios que atiende a la comunidad latina en las Ciudades Gemelas. Xavier explica cómo la educación comunitaria fortalece a las familias latinasen todo Minnesota. El Centro se distingue por su enfoque intergeneracional inspirado en la pedagogía Montessori, que apoya a las personas desde la infancia hasta la edad adulta. Vásquez resalta el papel fundamental de los educadores comunitarios, líderes de confianza que comparten el idioma y las experiencias culturales de las familias y brindan apoyo a domicilio en temas como el desarrollo infantil, la salud materna y la orientación en los sistemas de atención a la primera infancia. Este episodio se emitió en mayo de 2026 en La Raza Radio, en las frecuencias 95.7 FM y 1400 AM en las Ciudades Gemelas. Para más información,visita littlemomentscount.org/podcastsStrengthening Latino Families with guest XavierVasquezOn this episode of Little Moments Count, host Maya Santamaria of KMNV La Raza Radio welcomes XavierVasquez, Executive Director of Centro Tyrone Guzman, a multi-service agency serving the Latine community in the Twin Cities. Xavier discusses how community-rooted education strengthens Latino families across Minnesota. Centrostands out for its Montessori-inspired, intergenerational approach that supports individuals from infancy through older adulthood. He highlights the vital role of community educators who are trusted leaders that share families’ language and cultural experiences and provide home-based support around child development, maternal health, and navigating early childhood systems. This episode was aired in May of 2026, on La Raza Radio at 95.7 FM and 1400 AM in the Twin Cities. For more information,visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Educate, Inspire, Achieve with guest Andre Dukes 10.06.2026 11min

  Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, thisconversation features Andre Dukes, Vice President of Community Power and Impact Programs at Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), which has served residents since2010 and supports 2,200 scholars and about 1,000 families to help end multi-generational poverty in North Minneapolis by building a culture of achievement. Dukes describes NAZ’s Read-In events launched in 2021 during distance learning, bringing Northside African American children’s book authorsto read at UROC, providing books for kids to build home libraries, and partnering monthly with the North Regional Library to distribute books and encourage library card sign-ups. He explains why representation in books boostsengagement and language development, emphasizes creating supportive ecosystems for children, and discusses raising expectations for graduation and post-secondary success, including college and other pathways.This episode was recorded live on the radio program TheAfternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Celebrating Indigenous Parenting and Community- with guests Shashana Skippingday and Joe Tahdooahnippah 10.06.2026 22min

  In this episode, Native Roots Radio host Robert Pilot speaks with Shashana Skippingday, Director of Maternal Child Health Programs at the Division of Indian Work, and Joe Tahdooahnippah, a Family Spirit home visitor. They explain the Family Spirit Home Visiting Program, a culturally tailored,tribally developed curriculum created with the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, consisting of 65 lessons from pregnancy to age three to support children’s physical, cognitive, social-emotional, language, and self-help development. The guests discuss why pregnancy through age three is acritical window for brain development, the importance of consistent, nonjudgmental relationship-building and trust, and what a typical home visit includes. They describe evidence-based outcomes such as increased maternal knowledge and self-efficacy and reductions in stress, depression, substanceuse, and behavioral problems, and they emphasize reclaiming Indigenous parenting knowledge, culture, language, and storytelling disrupted by colonization and boarding schools. This episode was recorded live on the radio program Native Roots Radio: I’m Awake, which airs on multiple stations throughout the Midwest. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  El poder de la educación temprana bilingüe con el invitado Xavier Vásquez 11.05.2026 11min

  En este episodio de "Pequeños Momentos Cuentan", la presentadora Maya Santamaria de KMNV La Raza Radio da la bienvenida a Xavier Vásquez, Director Ejecutivo del Centro Tyrone Guzmán, una agencia multiservicios que atiende a la comunidad latina en las CiudadesGemelas. Xavier habla sobre el importante papel de la educación temprana bilingüe y por qué los primeros cinco años de vida son cruciales para el desarrollo infantil. Explica que durante estos primeros años se está formando el cerebro del niño. Anima a los padres a no preocuparse por su inglés, sino a proteger y cultivar su lengua materna como base de la identidad, la confianza y la conexión. Haciendo hincapié en que el lenguaje abre mundos, Vásquez destacacómo los niños bilingües pueden unir generaciones y comunidades, y recuerda a los cuidadores que las herramientas más importantes que tienen son sencillas: hablar, leer, contar cuentos y estar presentes con sus hijos. Este episodio se emitió en abril de 2026 en La Raza Radio, en las frecuencias 95.7 FM y 1400 AM en las Ciudades Gemelas. Para más información, visite littlemomentscount.org/podcasts The Power of Bilingual Early Education with guest Xavier VasquezOn this episode of Little Moments Count, host Maya Santamaria of KMNV La Raza Radio welcomes Xavier Vasquez, Executive Director of Centro Tyrone Guzman, a multi-serviceagency serving the Latine community in the Twin Cities. Xavier discusses the powerfulrole of bilingual early education and why the first five years of life are so critical to a child’s development. He explains that during these early years, a child’s brain is being built. He encourages parents not to worry about their English, but instead to protect and nurture their home language as the foundation of identity, confidence, and connection. Emphasizing that language opens worlds, Vazquez highlights how bilingual children can bridge generationsand communities, and reminds caregivers that the most important tools they have are simple: talking, reading, storytelling, and being present with their children.This episode was aired in April of 2026, on La Raza Radio at 95.7 FM and 1400 AM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Reviving Culture with Language and Storytelling with guest Nicholas DeShaw 11.05.2026 22min

  In this episode, Native Roots Radio host Robert Pilot speakswith Nicholas DeShaw, a Bois Forte Ojibwe descendant, educator, author, and aspiring Ojibwe language speaker. DeShaw explains how reading with very young children builds connection, supports abstract thinking, and becomes a shareddaily experience. He discusses writing Loaf the Cat Goes to a Powwow to center contemporary Native life and offer both Native and non-Native children an accessible, joyful view of powwow culture. They explore storytelling’s role in teaching values, language revitalization at home and through immersion, the impact of representation in schools, and how traditional games like lacrosse strengthen identity and wellbeing.This episode was recorded live on the radio program NativeRoots Radio: I’m Awake, which airs on multiple stations throughout the Midwest. For more information, visitlittlemomentscount.org/podcasts 
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  Early Learning with History, Music and Accessibility with guest Crystal Stein 11.05.2026 30min

  Hosted by Katey DeCelle of  WFNU Frogtown Community Radio, this conversation features Crystal Stein, founder and CEO of Minnesota-based Beret Publishing. Stein explains leaving a 16-year finance career after becoming a first-time mom during COVID and not finding children’s books about celebratedcomposers who looked like her, inspiring her to create Beret Books: multisensory board books integrating original music, poetry, and Grade 2 braille. She highlights the Winifred Atwell title and discusses how touch, sound, and visuals support early brain development, retention, and inclusive learning. Stein describes her research-driven mission to counter historicalerasure by featuring Black classical composers such as Vicente Lusitano, George Bridgetower, Chevalier, Florence Price, and Atwell. This episode was recorded live on the radio program So SaintPaul, which airs on WFNU at 94.1 FM in Saint Paul. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts
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  Early Childhood Literacy with guest Sarah Warren 11.05.2026 12min

  Hosted by Walter “Q Bear” Banks Jr. of KMOJ Radio, thisconversation features Minnesota author and nonprofitleader Sarah Warren, who began as a preschool and Head Start teacher and started writing because many classroom books lacked characters who shared her scholars’ backgrounds. Warren discusses her picture book biographies about women including Beyoncé, Stacey Abrams, Dolores Huerta, and an upcoming book on Majora Carter, emphasizing the importance of children seeing themselves reflected in books amid book bans targeting books by and about people of color. She shares her nonprofit Picture Book Parade, which brings authors, illustrators, story strolls, and story times into communities at the Midtown Farmers Market and a gallery display at MSP Airport, and lists upcoming events and websites to connect.This episode was recorded live on the radio program TheAfternoon Drive, which airs on KMOJ at 89.9 FM in the Twin Cities. For more information, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts