The Drop Off: EPIC Conversations About the Workforce of Today and the Talent of Tomorrow

Executives Partnering to Invest in Children
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The Drop Off: EPIC Conversations About the Future of Business and Child Care Executives Partnering to Invest in Childcare (EPIC) enables the business community to foster the talent of tomorrow while supporting the workforce of today. On our monthly podcast “The Drop Off” we feature candid, pointed conversations with influential business leaders who have brought positive change to our communities, the workforce and the economy through their innovative solutions to the largest child care and education crisis ever. Without game-changing ideas for the future of business and child care, our prosperity faces a frightening drop off. New episodes drop on the 29th of every month.

  1. MAR 6

    Ep. 28: A Quartet of Childcare Bills (Colorado Chamber Office Hours Crossover Episode)

    Our President & CEO Nicole Riehl was recently a guest on the Colorado Chamber's Office Hours Podcast where she discussed four bills currently making their way through the Colorado legislature, and issues pertinent to child care in general. You can find that original episode here. Below is the description from this episode's landing page. If one figure tells the story of why childcare is so intertwined with business, it is this: The lack of available care slots keeps so many caregivers from working in Colorado that it costs the economy $3.3 billion annually. And this week’s “Colorado Chamber Office Hours” episode features an in-depth look at exactly how that impact manifests itself in Colorado and what the Legislature, typically in partnership with business groups, is looking to do to ameliorate the crisis. Nicole Riehl — president/CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children, a business-backed advocacy group — explains what’s been done in recent years to help boost the number of childcare slots, which still remains about 70,000 slots short of need in Colorado. And she discusses four bills that are moving forward this year in the Legislature, including efforts to loosen regulations around childcare providers and extend an important tax credit for businesses and individuals who contribute to childcare centers. While many of the bills we discuss this week have overwhelming bipartisan support, some observers argue that the best thing the state government can do to make childcare more accessible is to back away altogether from control over the sector. And to that end, Sen. Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, discusses that idea with us, even as he supports private-sector efforts to open more childcare centers. Thanks to the Colorado Chamber Office Hours podcast for sharing with us. Please visit their website here. Their podcast can be found here. This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    29 min
  2. Ep. 27: PNC Is The Early Childhood Education Bank with Nicole Dorsey and Sally McCrady

    11/29/2025

    Ep. 27: PNC Is The Early Childhood Education Bank with Nicole Dorsey and Sally McCrady

    Nicole Dorsey is Vice President of Client & Community Relations at PNC and Sally McCrady is Chair and President of the PNC Foundation. PNC is constantly innovating to help their clients succeed and to have a big impact in Denver and beyond. They provide their customers with new ideas, offer valuable insights and create customized solutions to help propel businesses forward. The PNC Foundation's priority is to form partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations in order to enhance educational opportunities, with an emphasis on early childhood education, and to promote the growth of communities through economic development initiatives. On this episode of The Drop Off, Nicole and Sally join Nicole Riehl to discuss PNC's deep commitment to early childhood education, why they became known as "the early childhood education bank," and how PNC works as part of a larger ecosystem of businesses and organizations that seek to enhance the understanding of how investing in early childhood education is an investment in the future of the workforce and economic prosperity for all. This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    26 min

  3. 09/29/2025

    Ep. 26: A Live Fireside Chat with Barbara Grogan and Steve ErkenBrack

    On September 9th, EPIC brought together Colorado business leaders to celebrate our 16th Annual Business Leaders Dinner in Glendale, CO. We always have an educational discussion as part of our dinner program to hear from leaders and partners as they share their own perspectives and work related to child care and early education.   This year we welcomed the ever-amazing Barbara Grogan, whom we honored with the 2025 EPIC Award, and Steve ErkenBrack, President and CEO of Buell Foundation.  This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    49 min

  4. 07/29/2025

    Ep. 25: Why Is Childcare So Expensive? (Wooden Teeth Crossover Episode Event!)

    Our President & CEO Nicole Riehl was recently a guest on the Wooden Teeth Show, where she joined host Jake Williams to discuss the business challenges of childcare and how they impact price and availability for families. We're grateful for the opportunity to appear on Wooden Teeth, and to share the episode here on our platform.  You can find Wooden Teeth at their website and on their YouTube channel. This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    19 min

  5. 05/29/2025

    Ep. 24: How to Support Providers in Community-Wide or Non-Traditional Solutions

    In December 2024, EPIC partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the National Child Care Innovation Summit. This invite-only event, presented by the David and Laura Merage Foundation, brought together business leaders in Washington, D.C. for an intimate, engaging environment of workshops, panels, and networking—designed to turn inspiration into action in their own communities.  In this episode, we’re proud to share the panel “How to Support Providers in Community-Wide or Non-Traditional Solutions.” Hosted by Michelle Kang, CEO of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and featuring Erica Phillips of the National Association for Family Child Care, Dr. Calvin Moore, Jr. of Council for Professional Recognition, Lucy Recio of Third Bloom Consulting, and Ellicia Lanier of Urban Sprouts.  This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    42 min

  6. 03/29/2025

    Ep. 23: From the National Child Care Innovation Summit: Paying Dividends: Employer Investments & Community Impacts

    In December 2024, EPIC partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the National Child Care Innovation Summit. This invite-only event, presented by the David and Laura Merage Foundation, brought together business leaders in Washington, D.C. for an intimate, engaging environment of workshops, panels, and networking—designed to turn inspiration into action in their own communities.  On this episode of The Drop Off, we’re proud to share “Paying Dividends: Employer Investments & Community Impacts.” Hosted by Aaron Merchen of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and featuring Kathy Szenda Wilson and Maria Ortiz Borden of Pulse, Ananda Sweet of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber, and David Duro of the Treasure Valley Family YMCA,” this conversation highlights how investments in child care benefit both the business community, and the community at-large. This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    35 min

  7. 01/29/2025

    Ep. 22: From the National Child Care Innovation Summit: How Providers & Employers Can Build Successful Relationships

    In December 2024, EPIC partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the National Child Care Innovation Summit. This invite-only event, presented by the David and Laura Merage Foundation, brought together business leaders in Washington, D.C. for an intimate, engaging environment of workshops, panels, and networking—designed to turn inspiration into action in their own communities. On this episode of The Drop Off, we’re proud to share “How Providers & Employers Can Build Successful Relationships.” Hosted by Adam Alson of Appleseed Childhood Education, and featuring Ella Zander of Yellow Hen Child Care and Jennifer Knott of Access Early Education Foundation, the conversation sheds light on how to foster dialogue and partnership in each unique business environment. Anecdotes, insights, and useful information abound in this dynamic conversation among three leaders in the field.   This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    33 min
  8. Ep. 21: The Partnership of Clayton Early Learning and PNC Bank featuring William Browning and Ryan Beiser

    10/29/2024

    Ep. 21: The Partnership of Clayton Early Learning and PNC Bank featuring William Browning and Ryan Beiser

    William Browning is President & CEO of Clayton Early Learning. He passionately leads Clayton’s work to build opportunities for children and families to live to their endless potential. With more than 30 years of distinguished leadership experience in strategic social impact development, program development, fundraising, change management, and business operations, he brings deep connections to the local and national philanthropy communities. Ryan Beiser is Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking for PNC. PNC is constantly innovating to help their clients succeed and to have a big impact in Denver. They provide their customers with new ideas, offer valuable insight and create customized solutions that will help propel a business forward. Ryan is also Chairman of the Board for EPIC.  On this episode of The Drop Off, William and Ryan join Nicole Riehl to discuss how these two organizations have forged a partnership that marries PNC's deep commitment to the cause of early childhood education with Clayton's innovative and robust model of helping the community meet its need for good options in this space. They discuss the current lay of the land as it pertains to workforce, how programs like these will help to shape the workforce of tomorrow, and much more.  This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.

    25 min
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About

The Drop Off: EPIC Conversations About the Future of Business and Child Care Executives Partnering to Invest in Childcare (EPIC) enables the business community to foster the talent of tomorrow while supporting the workforce of today. On our monthly podcast “The Drop Off” we feature candid, pointed conversations with influential business leaders who have brought positive change to our communities, the workforce and the economy through their innovative solutions to the largest child care and education crisis ever. Without game-changing ideas for the future of business and child care, our prosperity faces a frightening drop off. New episodes drop on the 29th of every month.

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