Little Moments Count Radio Podcast

Little Moments Count
  • 4.8 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Monthly

Little moments count. When you talk, play, read and sing to an infant daily, the smarter their brain becomes. This is the Little Moments Count Radio podcast, created in partnership with community radio stations throughout Minnesota. Each episode, you'll hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

  1. Jun 10

    Fortaleciendo a las familias latinas con el invitado Xavier Vásquez

    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/podcasts Strengthening Latino Families with guest XavierVasquez On 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

    13 min

  2. Jun 10

    Educate, Inspire, Achieve with guest Andre Dukes

    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

    12 min

  3. Jun 10

    Celebrating Indigenous Parenting and Community- with guests Shashana Skippingday and Joe Tahdooahnippah

    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

    23 min

  4. May 11

    El poder de la educación temprana bilingüe con el invitado Xavier Vásquez

    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 Vasquez On 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

    12 min

  5. May 11

    Reviving Culture with Language and Storytelling with guest Nicholas DeShaw

    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

    23 min

  6. May 11

    Early Learning with History, Music and Accessibility with guest Crystal Stein

    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

    31 min

  7. May 11

    Early Childhood Literacy with guest Sarah Warren

    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

    12 min

  8. May 11

    How Home Visiting Supports Families Experiencing Homelessness, with guest Jocelyn Pickreign

    In this episode, hosted by Mike “Big Mic” Brooks of KRSM Radio, is joined by Jocelyn Pickreign of Simpson Housing Services discussing early childhood development and home visiting for families impacted by homelessness. Jocelyn explains Simpson’s mission to house, support, and empower people experiencinghomelessness and describes their team-based approach, including early childhood home visitors for children under five. She outlines why the first 1,000 days and early years are critical, how responsive interactions like talking and playing build brain connections, and how reducing isolation and boosting parental confidence can lower stress and support secure attachment. Jocelyn also describes the Family Spirit curriculum and how early intervention can reduce adverse childhood experiences by building positive, protective experiences, sharing a story of a mother gaining confidence in her parenting. 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, visit littlemomentscount.org/podcasts

    25 min
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About

Little moments count. When you talk, play, read and sing to an infant daily, the smarter their brain becomes. This is the Little Moments Count Radio podcast, created in partnership with community radio stations throughout Minnesota. Each episode, you'll hear interviews with early childhood experts on how to support the important brain development that takes place in the first 1000 days of life – just through little moments every day. Learn more at littlemomentscount.org/podcast

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