In this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn is joined by co-host Brian Greene, President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, to discuss the latest issues impacting children and families. We’re diving into:

• HISD Updates: Megan Menchaca, Senior Reporter at the Houston Chronicle shares insights on Superintendent Mike Miles’ State of the District and new nonprofit partnerships in Houston ISD.
• Restorative Justice Practices: Dr. Maricela Alarcon (CAST Med in San Antonio) and Tyler Radwin (UP Partnership) break down how restorative approaches are transforming school discipline and student outcomes.
• Texas Proposition 2 & Child Care: Santrice Jones (Strong Start, CHILDREN AT RISK) breaks down what Proposition 2 means for child care access, families, and the Texas economy.

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In this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn is joined by co-host Natalie González, Development Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK. Between swapping stories about the evolving world of education and investigating the soft v. hard “looksmaxxing'' trend on social media, we’re diving into:

Empowering Educators in 2026: Jessica Dirks, Partnership Director at K12 Coalition, brings her unique background in law and teaching to the conversation, unpacking the biggest challenges facing educators today, from burnout and retention to AI technology.

Texas Charter School Growth: Dr. David DeMatthews, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at UT Austin, breaks down new research on charter school expansion across Texas and the consequences for special education services, funding and lower income students.

Plyler v. Doe & Children of Immigrants: Krystal Gomez, Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Law Council, explains why this landmark Supreme Court decision is back in the spotlight, what’s at stake for children of immigrants, and how shifting policies around deportation and family separation is affecting families.

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In this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn and guest host Dr. Erica Hattery cover some of the most pressing issues in Houston and across Texas, from the future of artificial intelligence to major changes in public education and youth policy.

• How AI companies are making AI safer: AI safety expert and Houston City Council District C candidate Patrick Oathout joins to break down how AI systems are tested, the risks they pose, and why this matters at the local level.
• HISD Closes 12 schools: Senior education reporter at the Houston Chronicle Megan Menchaca discusses the recent decision by Houston ISD to close 12 campuses, including the impact on students, families, and educators.
• Empowering Opportunity Youth: Shannon Epner, Project Coordinator at CHILDREN AT RISK explains the Texas Sunset Review process and highlights policy recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for “Opportunity Youth” across the state.

Tune in for expert insights on technology, education, and the future of Texas communities.