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The show taking the lead on catalytic conversations spurring listeners to think critically about some of our world’s most pressing issues and be compelled to take action. We have plenty...
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The show taking the lead on catalytic conversations spurring listeners to think critically about some of our world’s most pressing issues and be compelled to take action. We have plenty of gaps in America and right here in San Diego—educational, racial, wealth, health, literacy, and more. Welcome to The Gap Minders, the podcast taking on these GAPS—one conversation at a time.
To tackle these gaps and lift lives, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego Council on Literacy have joined forces. The Gap Minders weekly episodes will inform, inspire, and illuminate the gaps and the solutions. Through insightful conversations with a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures dedicated to improving our region, and influential changemakers passionate about equity for all children and families, we will make a difference.
Thank you for your time, attention, heart, and mind.
show less
To tackle these gaps and lift lives, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego Council on Literacy have joined forces. The Gap Minders weekly episodes will inform, inspire, and illuminate the gaps and the solutions. Through insightful conversations with a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures dedicated to improving our region, and influential changemakers passionate about equity for all children and families, we will make a difference.
Thank you for your time, attention, heart, and mind.
18 SEP 2024 · The Gap Minders is proudly reposting this excellent episode features a riveting discussion between Nancy Sasaki, the CEO of United Way of San Diego County, and Jose Cruz, CEO of the San Diego Council on Literacy. Throughout this episode, Nancy and Jose reflect on their journey during the collaboration on closing gaps, celebrating their milestones and reminiscing on their favorite moments.
The discussion covers a wide range of subjects, including the effects of dyslexia on learning and the difficulties in addressing juvenile mental health, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They share their aspirations for the podcast's future, stressing the value of problem-solving conversations and encouraging cooperation across various agencies and organizations.
Additionally, Nancy and Jose discuss the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can affect problem-solving and communication. They convey their appreciation for the chance to interact with enthusiastic people committed to improving their areas of passion and expertise.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Nancy Sasaki and Jose Cruz. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- Nancy and Jose remember notable conversations with influential figures in education, like Shirley Weber, Tony Thurmond, Cindy Martin, and Kelly Sam Ann Hurley.
- The hosts share their ambitions for the podcast's future, highlighting the need for groups to work together and explore solutions.
- Going forward, Nancy and Jose hope to keep talking about important topics, forming deep connections, and igniting change in the world.
- The answers to the warm-up questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Nancy and Jose, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
10 SEP 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Ryan Norr, the Owner of San Diego Audio Visual, the recording studio for each and every episode of The Gap Minders. Ryan has been there listening to each and every guest, so this is a very reflective episode on what he has heard through 121 prior episodes!
What we hear right out of the gate from this husband, father of two young children, and native San Diegan is his love for and appreciation of his family and the family business. Started in 1987 by his parents, Ryan talks about the passion for taking care of his family and continuing the legacy by running and growing San Diego Audio Visual. And, since this show is The Gap Minders, it's a great conversation to be having as starting and owning a small family business is one of the best ways to close the wealth gap in America.
Listeners will also hear a few words from Ryan as to what he has learned from sitting in on 100+ episodes and how he has new perspective on literacy. Really great to hear how parents can learn from this show and apply with their own children.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder, family business owner, and an important part of all our conversations. Thank you, Ryan, for your contributions and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
30 AUG 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Catharine Kaufman, an author, columnist, and educator. Listeners are treated to an oral charcuterie board of thoughts, discussion on healthy eating, books she's written and even bone health from "The Kitchen Shrink" (and recovering attorney!).
We hear right out of the gate through her voice that Catharine is uber-passionate about reading, writing, and helping everyone learn more about food and its healing powers. Whether it is foods that are good for bone health or hydration, Catharine serves up one antipasto after another! She also discusses her upcoming book "The Honeybee Sorcerer," co-written with San Diego's internationally renowned chef, the one and only Bernard Guillas.
An excellent and fun episode on filling in some knowledge gaps about food with Catharine. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- The importance of serendipity in life
- Some thoughts on foods that might good or bad for bone health!
- The value of having an attitude of gratitude
- The "C" method for helping young adults become great writers in lieu of AI tools
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Catharine, for your contributions to helping humanity and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
20 AUG 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Sue Parks, the President and CEO of Orange County United Way. Parks has a long history with Orange County United Way, having served as a board member and a founding member of the Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Prior to leading Orange County United Way, Parks was an executive at several Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies such as US West, Gateway, and Kinko's. She has also had experience as an entrepreneur for many years, bringing a very well rounded perspective to serving the needs of Orange County.
Under her leadership, the nonprofit organization has launched three key initiatives (United to End Homelessness, United for Financial Security, and United for Student Success), which tackle the Orange County community’s most critical issues and seek to provide long-term solutions that break cycles of inequity. Parks also spearheaded the organization's acquisition of 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), an essential service that connects thousands of the community's most vulnerable residents with health and human service resources via a free, 24-hour emergency contact center (over 500,000 contacts last year alone).
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Sue. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- The importance of taking a research-driven approach to identifying needs and solutions
- Focusing on prevention as a strategy when it comes to homelessness
- "Sparkpoint" and a collaboration with United Way of San Diego County
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Sue, for your contributions to helping humanity and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
14 AUG 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Kazeem Omidiji, theDirector of Community Relations at San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Kazeem talks about how his journey from Nigeria to the US impacted his life. He remembers how the middle school library turned into a haven where he discovered a love for reading, grew knowledgeable about global flags, and adapted to his new surroundings. These formative encounters ignited a lifelong love of learning and a natural curiosity for the outside world.
In addition, Kazeem discusses his love for STEM fields and the need of encouraging people from marginalized backgrounds to seek jobs in science and engineering. He talks on the value of getting a head start and stresses how exposure to STEM subjects can transform lives. As part of his job at SDG&E, Kazeem describes how the company makes investments in community programs and NGOs in the area to make a difference, especially for low-income families and energy affordability.
In addition, Kazeem considers his trips to Nigeria, highlighting the cultural contrasts and the lessons he has taken away from them. He places a strong emphasis on the value of representation and mentoring in inspiring young people to seek careers in STEM, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through his professional and personal experiences, Kazeem emphasizes the need of mentorship in forming the next generation of STEM professionals and the necessity for improved communication regarding SDG&E's services to the community.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Kazeem. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- Kazeem's transition from Nigeria to the US and how that has affected the trajectory of his life and career
- Kazeem's passion for STEM and why he values the importance of inspiring underrepresented communities
- Kazeem's commitment to his community and the importance of mentorship
- The importance of cultural differences and diversity
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Kazeem, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
6 AUG 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Dr. Maria Murray, Founder, President, and CEO of the Reading League. They discuss the mission and impact of The Reading League, a nonprofit focused on advancing the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction, commonly referred to as the science of reading.
Maria emphasizes the significance of this purpose and the need for educators and stakeholders to possess an understanding of good strategies for teaching reading. She draws attention to the substantial deficiency in teacher preparation that existed before the League was founded and describes the steps the organization is taking to close this gap with resources and training.
The topic of reading proficiency's wider ramifications is discussed, along with the importance of systemic change and parents' roles. Maria urges increased participation and awareness from all spheres of society in order to bolster this educational initiative. She also talks about the Reading League's initiatives to reduce the reading proficiency gap and guarantee improved results for all students by offering parents and teachers resources and training.
Maria's observations highlight that although there has been improvement, there is still a long way to go before good reading education is widely adopted. The Reading League is still leading the charge in this endeavor to improve reading instruction by utilizing community involvement and evidence-based methods.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Dr Murray. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- The Reading League focuses on bridging the knowledge gap in literacy education, especially by training educators and stakeholders on the science of reading.
- The Reading League has grown significantly since its inception in 2015, now comprising 33 state chapters involved in national and state-level educational conversations.
- Dr. Murray stresses that the science of reading is not a temporary trend but a crucial, evidence-based approach that requires long-term commitment and systemic implementation.
- Overcoming resistance to change within the education system, particularly at the university level, is crucial for widespread adoption of effective reading instruction methods.
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Dr. Murray, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
30 JUL 2024 · In yet another excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by John Thill, an author, a learning and development specialist, and a literacy advocate.
When we say author, we mean storyteller. A story of love, family, California history and how families are made. "A California Love Story" starts in the 1920s with John's grandparents, future husband and wife Ray and Dora and their 205 letters back and forth from Wichita, KS to Oceanside, CA. What we hear from John is how the letters reflect the love between his grandparents, their hopes, their dreams and Ray's incredible optimism about California and Oceanside in particular. John was particularly moved by the promises made by his grandfather to his grandmother as to the life he would give her - and he followed through and ended up building a very succesful real estate company while also serving as Mayor of Oceanside. We also hear why John painstakingly typed out the letters on his IBM Selectric in 1986 as a book for his family. Not only was it inspiring, it was also partly how it handled the grief of losing his grandfather.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, John, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
23 JUL 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Gregory Smith, the Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District .
What a journey. The feeling that Gregory Smith must have when he visits any of the four colleges within the District. The feeling of once having been a community college student to now running four community colleges which serve over 90,000 San Diegans each year. Had it not been for the "entry point" to higher education he enjoyed, he likely would have never graced the campuses of Arizona State and USC.
We also learn from Gregory the difference in public perception between four-year universities and community colleges, with community colleges enjoying an upward trend. In general, perhaps because of access, affordability, and connection to workforce needs, the San Diego Community College District enjoys a strong public perception.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Gregory Smith. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- SDCCD has four colleges: City College, Mesa College, San Diego Miramar, and the College for Continuing Education, each offering different programs
- They became a living wage employer as of January 1, 2024
- His view that while community colleges have always been culturally responsive, he wants to expand the cultures they are responding to
- How humility informs their growth plans
- The growing list of four year degree programs offered by SDCCD, including new ones either coming or under development in cybersecurity, public safety administration, PT Assistant, and possibly nursing
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Gregory, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
16 JUL 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Allison Ohle, the Executive Director of the Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership (DEEP).
Listen to Ohle talk about the efforts her group is making to raise the literacy rates in San Diego Unified's elementary schools. The three primary goals of Deep, also known as the Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership, are to support families and community members in preparing young children for kindergarten, guarantee that reading instruction is delivered effectively in schools, and offer additional after-school programs to students who require extra assistance. Deep seeks to establish a thorough support system for literacy development by reducing obstacles for families, allowing parents to serve as their children's first instructors, and giving teachers the tools and training they need. Allison highlights the value of early language development and assists parents in coming up with plans to help their kids become proficient readers.
Allison draws attention to the achievements of Deep's programs, pointing out that partner schools do better than their peers in the same demographic. She credits the organization's strong community ties and data-driven approach for its success. Deep's work include recruiting community liaisons to cultivate ties with families, decodable books for individual practice, and teacher training and support.
Hear Allison discuss the importance and value of evidence-based approaches, community engagement, and the conviction that all families and educators are doing the best they can with the tools at their disposal.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Allison Ohle. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- Deep San Diego focuses on improving literacy rates in elementary schools through community support, effective reading instruction, and additional out-of-school programming.
- The organization uses a data-driven approach and strong community partnerships to help their partner schools outperform their demographic peers.
- Key initiatives include training teachers, providing decodable books, and hiring community liaisons to build relationships with families.
- Allison Ohle emphasizes the importance of early language development and the collective effort of families, teachers, and the community in supporting children's literacy.
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Allison, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.
9 JUL 2024 · In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by children's book author RaShonne Darling who published the book, The Curl Girls: Every Curl is Magic. RaShonne was inspired to teach her daughter Olivia to value her natural curls since she wanted straight hair. Four curly-haired superheroes in the story empower Olivia by revealing the magical powers hidden within her curls. RaShonne talks about how she wants the book to help kids embrace who they are and have confidence in themselves. She also shares her plans for more books and goods, like a line of paper dolls.
RaShonne also discusses her book's impending Spanish version, honoring her varied ethnic upbringing. She uses her own experiences as a multiracial child to highlight the value of representation and self-love. RaShonne emphasizes the value of volunteering and community involvement by sharing her experience juggling a full-time job, writing, and book promotion.
The episode concludes with RaShonne encouraging others to recognize and harness their unique abilities to make a positive impact. She reflects on the importance of representation in literature and how her book can help children feel seen and valued. RaShonne's dedication to creating empowering stories for children is evident, and she hopes to inspire others to fill gaps they see in their communities, just as she has done with her books.
RaShonne encourages others to acknowledge and use their special talents to have a positive influence as the episode comes to a close. She considers the value of representation in literature and the ways in which her book might provide kids a sense of belonging and recognition. RaShonne's commitment to telling children's stories that are uplifting is clear, and she believes that by doing so, her books will encourage people to close the gaps they observe in their communities.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with RaShonne Darling. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
- The story features curly-haired superheroes who reveal the magical powers of their curls. RaShonne plans to expand this concept with future books and related merchandise, such as a paper doll series, to further promote empowerment among children.
- RaShonne is working on a Spanish translation of her book, reflecting her diverse cultural background and aiming to reach and resonate with a broader audience, particularly the Spanish-speaking community.
- RaShonne emphasizes the importance of community involvement and volunteerism.
- RaShonne stresses the importance of filling gaps in communities and creating resources that help children feel seen, valued, and empowered.
- The answers to the rapid-fire questions.
An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, RaShonne, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.
Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.
If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.
The show taking the lead on catalytic conversations spurring listeners to think critically about some of our world’s most pressing issues and be compelled to take action. We have plenty...
show more
The show taking the lead on catalytic conversations spurring listeners to think critically about some of our world’s most pressing issues and be compelled to take action. We have plenty of gaps in America and right here in San Diego—educational, racial, wealth, health, literacy, and more. Welcome to The Gap Minders, the podcast taking on these GAPS—one conversation at a time.
To tackle these gaps and lift lives, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego Council on Literacy have joined forces. The Gap Minders weekly episodes will inform, inspire, and illuminate the gaps and the solutions. Through insightful conversations with a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures dedicated to improving our region, and influential changemakers passionate about equity for all children and families, we will make a difference.
Thank you for your time, attention, heart, and mind.
show less
To tackle these gaps and lift lives, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego Council on Literacy have joined forces. The Gap Minders weekly episodes will inform, inspire, and illuminate the gaps and the solutions. Through insightful conversations with a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures dedicated to improving our region, and influential changemakers passionate about equity for all children and families, we will make a difference.
Thank you for your time, attention, heart, and mind.
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| Author | Cloudcast |
| Organization | CloudCast |
| Categories | Society & Culture |
| Website | - |
| charles@cloudcast.us |
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