Growing Up In America: The Way It Is

Hosted by Dr. Robert Sanborn

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174

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Growing Up in America is a production of Children at Risk: The Voice of Texas’ Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to research, public policy, law and collaborative action on behalf of Texas’ Youth. Each episode, we aim to fill these same 60 minutes with lively discussion on the children of Texas with experts on the quality of life for our children.

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October 14, 202657 min

Texas State Takeovers, Services for Immigrant Children, & Kid Centered Urban Planning

On this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn and Owala Maima explore public education, support for immigrant children, and how communities can create safer, more welcoming spaces for children and families. Texas Education Updates: Megan Menchaca , K-12 Education Reporter at The Texas Tribune, discusses proposed changes to Texas school takeovers, including greater community involvement and limits on state-appointed leadership. She also examines the rise in STAAR reading test rescoring requests, the role of automated scoring, and how revised scores can affect school accountability ratings. Wraparound Services for Immigrant Children: Krystal Gomez , Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Law Council, explains why immigrant children and families may need coordinated legal, educational, health, and social services. She discusses how schools and communities can help families access support and ensure children feel welcomed and included. Parks & Urban Planning for Children: Jay Blazek Crossley , Executive Director of Farm&City, explores how parks, sidewalks, safer streets, and accessible recreational spaces can improve children’s everyday lives. He discusses how Houston can plan and invest in neighborhoods with the needs of children and families in mind. Plus, hear Hip Speak with Natalie Gonzalez (Children At Risk) and Data of the Day with Dr. Jeff Temple (UT Health Houston). Tune in every Wednesday from 9–10 a.m. on 90.1 KPFT Houston and kpft.org , and listen to new podcast episodes each Thursday morning!

October 7, 202656 min

Halloween & Pedestrian Safety, School Vouchers and Public Schools, & Building Quality Early Learning

On this episode, Owala Maima and co-host Dr. Erica Hattery explore pedestrian safety, school vouchers, and early learning quality across Houston and Texas. Halloween & Pedestrian Safety: Dr. Zoabe Hafeez , pediatrician and Associate Professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, shares practical tips for keeping children safe while walking, trick-or-treating, and navigating neighborhoods on Halloween. School Vouchers & Public Schools: Elizabeth Sander , Education Reporter at the Houston Chronicle, discusses reporting that Houston-area school districts could lose an estimated $68 million in funding this school year as more than 8,100 students leave public schools through Texas’ school voucher program. Building Quality Early Learning: Mike Nguyen , Executive Director of VN TeamWork, discusses the Early Learning Quality Network, a Harris County initiative designed to strengthen early learning and child care through community-led planning and input from families, providers, and local organizations. Tune in every Wednesday from 9–10 a.m. on 90.1 KPFT Houston and kpft.org , and listen to new podcast episodes each Thursday morning!

October 1, 202656 min

Immigrant Motherhood, ICE in Austin, & Community Storytelling

On this episode, Owala Maima and co-host Brian Greene , President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, explore immigrant family health, immigration enforcement, and the power of community storytelling. Immigrant Mothers & Family Health: Dr. Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba , Executive Director of Children’s HealthWatch and Research Associate Professor at Boston University School of Public Health, discusses her research on immigrant mothers, structural vulnerability, immigration status as a social determinant of health, and how these experiences can affect children and families. Immigration Updates: Krystal Gomez , Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Law Council, provides an update on recent immigration enforcement in Texas, including the ICE shooting in Austin, community arrests, and what families should know about Texas’ SB 4 law. Community Storytelling: Laura Gomez , Communications Manager at Woori Juntos, shares how the organization is amplifying stories from Houston’s immigrant communities and what these personal experiences can teach us about immigration, family, and community. Tune in every Wednesday from 9–10 a.m. on 90.1 KPFT Houston, and listen to new podcast episodes each Thursday morning!

September 24, 202657 min

State of Public Education, Hispanic Heritage Month, & Food Insecurity in Harris County

On this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Mandi Kimball , Vice President & Chief Government Affairs Officer at CHILDREN AT RISK, explore public education, Hispanic heritage, and food insecurity affecting children and families across Houston and Texas. Public Education: Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora , Superintendent of Tomball ISD, discusses the district’s seventh consecutive A rating, how schools measure success beyond state accountability, changes to Texas’ education system, and what families expect from public schools. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Patricia Gaitán , Executive Director of the Institute for Hispanic Culture in Houston, explores what Hispanic Heritage Month means for Houston families and young people, the meaning of Hispanic and Latino identities, and ways communities can celebrate and stay connected to their heritage. Food Insecurity in Harris County: Dr. Luz Garcini , Director of the Center for Community and Public Health at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, discusses new research showing that half of Harris County households with children experienced food insecurity. Tune in every Wednesday from 9–10 a.m. on 90.1 KPFT Houston, and listen to new podcast episodes each Thursday morning!

September 17, 202656 min

Texas Education & the Governor’s Race, HISD Takeover & School Closures, Preventative Care for Men

On this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Dr. Erica Hattery , physician and Executive Strategy Consultant, explore education, health, and issues affecting children and families across Texas. Texas Education & the Governor’s Race: Megan Menchaca, K-12 Education Reporter at the Texas Tribune, breaks down the education priorities of the candidates for Texas governor, including STAAR and accountability ratings and school takeovers. HISD Updates: Claire Partain, HISD Reporter at the Houston Chronicle, discusses declining enrollment, school closures and consolidations, and the end of the state takeover. Men’s Health: Texas State Representative Senfronia Thompson discusses men’s physical and mental health, access to care, preventative health, and how fathers’ and caregivers’ health can affect children and families. Plus, hear Hip Speak with Natalie Gonzalez and Data of the Day with Sarosh Nandwani. Tune in every Wednesday from 9–10 a.m. on 90.1 KPFT Houston, and listen to new podcast episodes each Thursday morning!

September 9, 202657 min

Teen Dating & Pregnancy, Mobilizing Immigrant and Young Voters, Early Childhood, Kids & Energy Drinks

On this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Brian Greene , President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, explore issues affecting children, families, and communities across America. Teen Dating & Pregnancy: Dr. Jeff Temple , Director of the Texas Violence and Injury Prevention Research Center, explores trends in teen dating, healthy and unhealthy relationships, pregnancy, and how parents can talk with teens about sex, consent, and pregnancy prevention. Immigrant & Young Voters: Vy Pham , Organizing and Policy Director and Interim Executive Director at Woori Juntos, discusses voter engagement among Asian and Latine immigrant communities, the impact of immigration enforcement on civic participation, and what young people should know about getting involved and voting. Early Learning Quality: Martha Gonzales , Associate Director, Early Quality Learning Network at CHILDREN AT RISK provides an update on the Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN), reflecting on the project’s key issues and lessons learned, and what’s next for the initiative. Kids & Energy Drinks: Dr. John P. Higgins , cardiologist at UT McGovern Medical School, explains the risks energy drinks may pose for children and teens, how they affect the heart and body, and safer ways for young people to stay energized. Thank you for joining us on the air! Join us next Wednesday on 90.1 KPFT Houston or kpft.org .

September 4, 202657 min

Sustainable Texas Cities, COVID Updates, & Children in Immigration Detention

On this episode, Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Rusty Bienvenue, Executive Director of AIA Houston, explore: Sustainable Texas Cities: Jay Blazek Crossley, Executive Director of Farm&City, discusses how Houston and other Texas cities can become more walkable, affordable, sustainable, and accessible. COVID Updates: Dr. Michael Chang, Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician and Professor at McGovern Medical School at UT Health, provides an update on rising COVID activity, wastewater monitoring, school precautions, and other viruses to watch as children return to school. Children in Immigration Detention: Krystal Gomez, Managing Attorney at the Texas Immigration Law Council, discusses reports of children being held for extended periods at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center and the potential effects of prolonged detention on children's health, development, education, and well-being. Thank you for joining us on the air! Join us next Wednesday on 90.1 KPFT Houston or kpft.org .

August 27, 202655 min

Home-Based Child Care, Childhood Vaccinations & Texas School Choice

On this episode of Growing Up in America , Owala Maima and co-host Lucy Lusk (Media Activism Intern at CHILDREN AT RISK) discuss: Home-Based Child Care: Mieko Carter , Early Childhood Education Specialist and Advocate with the National Association for Family Child Care, joins us to talk about the challenges facing home-based child care providers and the families who rely on them. Childhood Vaccinations and Health Care Access: Dr. Sanghamitra Misra , Medical Director of the Texas Children’s Mobile Clinic Program, discusses barriers to pediatric care and the importance of preventive health services for children. Texas School Choice: Colleen Dippel , Co-Founder and CEO of Families Empowered, shares her perspective on Texas’ Education Savings Account program and the experiences of families navigating their educational options. Tune in live every Wednesday on 90.1 KPFT in Houston or stream online at kpft.org !

August 19, 202658 min

Childhood Hunger, Texas College Curriculum Changes & A-F Ratings

On this episode of Growing Up in America , Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Liza Gomez (Deputy CEO at CHILDREN AT RISK) discuss: Childhood Hunger: John Day , Chief Operations and Programs Officer at Kids’ Meals Inc., discusses childhood hunger in Harris County, what food insecurity looks like for young children and their families, and how Kids’ Meals is working to provide nutritious meals to children ages five and under. Higher Education: Samantha Ketterer , Higher Education Reporter at the Houston Chronicle , breaks down the latest developments at the University of Houston and other Texas universities as they respond to Senate Bill 37. Future of Texas Education: Commissioner Mike Morath of the Texas Education Agency discusses this year’s A–F school accountability ratings, what the results tell us about student outcomes across Texas and where schools are making progress. Listen live every Wednesday, live on 90.1 KPFT in Houston or stream at https://kpft.org/listen-live-hd1/ !

August 13, 202657 min

Gen Z and Activism, Proposed Changes to Head Start & Fighting Food Insecurity in NYC

On this episode of Growing Up in America , Dr. Bob Sanborn and co-host Abby Antoun discuss: Gen Z and Activism: Houston-based activist Iqra Tariq breaks down how Gen Z engages in activism, the role of social media and voting, the challenges of organizing in Houston, and what gives young people hope for the future. Head Start: Lyn Lucas , Associate Director of Early Childhood Education at CHILDREN AT RISK, explains proposed changes to Head Start and what they could mean for children, families, teachers, and the broader child care crisis. Food Insecurity: Stephen Grimaldi , Executive Director of NY Common Pantry, discusses food insecurity in New York City, rising costs, access to SNAP, and the policies and investments that can help families achieve greater economic security. Tune in every Wednesday, live on 90.1 KPFT in Houston or stream at https://kpft.org/listen-live-hd1/ !