Careers in childhood go far beyond the classroom. Listen to learn about early childhood career paths, mentorship, and shaping a meaningful life.
When most people think about a career in early childhood, they picture a classroom. 
That’s only the tip of the iceberg.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with longtime friend and educator Betsy Spiker to explore the many directions a career in early childhood can take.
Over four decades, Betsy has served as a kindergarten teacher, accreditation specialist, college instructor, coach and high school career and technical education teacher. 
[00:35:12] “All of the principles that I know to be true about early childhood—building a community, connection before correction, setting the tone, making them feel seen and heard—I apply to the high school classroom.”
Along the way, she has discovered that meaningful careers are built through relationships, curiosity and a willingness to ask for opportunities.
Betsy speaks about the value of mentorship, professional organizations, career setbacks and the courage to keep moving forward when plans change.
[00:43:57] “Whatever you're gonna do, do it because it fills you up.”
Whether you're just beginning your career or wondering what comes next, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful opportunities often start with a conversation.

More Than a Classroom: The Paths to Early Childhood

Learn how to maintain balance and work toward kindergarten-readiness this summer with Mary Jo Cloutier.
Everything seems to happen during the last month of school.
After all of the field days, performances and graduations, this time of year can feel more like drowning than thriving.
Mary Jo Cloutier joins Rhonda for another episode to share three ways to bring more sanity to summer and help your child get ready for kindergarten.
 
1. Create a predictable routine together
Children thrive on predictability. Mary Jo recommends creating a visual schedule children can refer to throughout the day. It helps them develop a sense of time and build the executive functioning skills needed to plan ahead.
[00:14:25] Rhonda: “Children need to know they are capable."
Routines also give children the opportunity to be leaders. It’s amazing to see them take charge when they know what’s coming next.
 
2. Practice fine motor skills
No extra materials needed! Mary Jo and Rhonda share at-home activities to try. The important thing is to think about how to help the child use their whole body. Mary Jo points out that an important part of growing in fine motor skills is growing in patience, both for children and parents.
[00:15:25] Mary Jo: “We live in a microwave society. . . . We’re so used to everything being instant.”
 
3. Enjoy books together
This is a big one: Go to the library. Utilize the kid-friendly space, activities and programs. Mary Jo and Rhonda also recommend putting books in every room of your house and share practical tips for helping your child begin to fall in love with reading.
Summer is a chance to take a breath and remember that you are exactly who your child needs.

School’s Out: Three Tips for Summer Sanity

Children are shaped by every relationship. Learn how each adult has the power to help children feel valued, noticed and safe with Ryan Tedesco.
When we think about the adults who shape children, we often picture family members and teachers. 
But children are paying attention to everyone. 
They notice who smiles at them. Who remembers their name. Who waves goodbye.
And who makes them feel safe.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with Ryan Tedesco, a member of Heartfelt’s maintenance team and transportation staff, to explore the impact of the relationships children build with the adults they encounter every day.
Drawing from his experiences as a bus driver and volunteer firefighter, Ryan shares that trust forms through noticing — things, people, conversations — consistently.
[00:15:22] “One of the greatest privileges that I've ever had is when a parent says, ‘I trust you with my child.’ There's no greater gift to me than that.”
Whether he is helping a child buckle a seatbelt for the first time, asking about a treasured toy or listening after a difficult day at school, Ryan dedicates space for children’s needs and curiosity. For others to feel seen, you have to slow down.
[00:21:44] “Never pass up the opportunity when a child comes up to you and wants to know about something. Never pass that up. Your day is never too busy for a child. It never, ever is.”
Children remind us that every relationship matters, every interaction, and every person. 
And when a child grows up surrounded by adults who care, those moments become a part of who they are. And that's a real privilege.

More Than Maintenance: The Impact You Don’t Always See

Miss Charlene shares what 20 years in infant care has taught her about responsiveness, trust and knowing every baby deeply.
Infant care is relationship work. Every bottle, every diaper change, every moment on the floor is a chance to build trust.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with Miss Charlene, an infant teacher with 20 years of experience in the first year of life. Together they walk through what quality infant care looks like from the inside: responsive caregiving, individualized routines, calm presence in the chaos, and the kind of deep knowing that only comes from paying close attention.
 
[00:07:39] "Infant teaching, you are on the floor 95% of your day. You are on the floor with the children."
 
They cover the green flags parents should look for when touring a program and the red flags that deserve a second look. Charlene shares what it means to follow a baby’s lead, why containers limit development and how honest communication with families builds the trust every parent needs.
 
[00:38:00] "Babies don’t need perfect adults. They need responsive ones, predictable ones, and present ones."
 
Whether you're touring a program or reflecting on your own classroom, Charlene's perspective will stay with you.

On the Floor with Them: What Infant Care Should Feel Like

Early childhood leaders carry invisible pressure every day. Learn how to avoid burnout through rhythms and sustainable leadership with Chanie Wilschanski.
Behind every staffing call, difficult conversation and licensing visit, early childhood leaders carry an immense emotional weight that’s often invisible.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with leadership coach, speaker and author Chanie Wilschanski to talk about burnout, relational leadership and the rhythms that help leaders stay grounded.
Chanie shares how years of caregiving and high-achievement led her to confront the exhaustion so many leaders normalize.
[00:08:24] "Leaders are not addicted to control. You are allergic to collapse. You are terrified of what will collapse if you stop." 
Things started to change when Chanie’s business mentor asked her: What if you don’t need to protect your energy; what if you can create it? She realized that leaders normalize the exhaustion they feel because they’ve decided that it’s the cost of success.  
Rhonda and Chanie discuss practical ways leaders can create rhythms of connection, gratitude and communication that strengthen teams and outperform traditional “standards” many schools set:
[00:23:55] “Your standards have to be able to be pressure-tested and not renegotiated in real time when things are tiring and overwhelming.”
This conversation is a reminder to leaders that building a sustainable culture while avoiding burnout is possible with the right perspective and support.
Resources mentioned in this episode
<a href="https://thiscantbenormal.com/">“This Can’t Be Normal”</a> by Chanie Wilschanski
*Email cw@chanie.me after purchasing the book for bonus training on the top five rhythms to install in your school
<a href="https://schoolsofexcellence.com/podcast/">Schools of Excellence podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Way-Through-Conflict/dp/1631984942">“Finding Your Way Through Conflict”</a> by Chris Amirault and Christine Snyder

Leadership, Burnout, and Creating Rhythms That Restore

Rhonda reflects on the beauty of motherhood, its emotional labor and the longing to feel seen.
Mothers notice things. They’re always scanning the room’s emotions, ready if someone’s in need.
In this solo episode, Rhonda reflects on the tension many mothers experience between trying to care for everyone around them and desiring to feel seen. 
Drawing from her own experiences as a mother and grandmother, she shares honest stories about balancing work, family, overwhelm, and the pressure to “do enough.”
[00:17:38] “Your children do not need a burned-out version of you to prove [you] love [them].”
Rhonda reminds listeners that children remember connection, emotional safety and presence more than extravagance or perfection.

You Matter Too: A Message for Mothers

Learn tools for responding to children’s grief and loss with Heidi Friedel.
It takes a quiet kind of courage to accompany a child who’s grieving.
We adults just want to make their pain go away. But we can’t. 
So, the work of just being with them starts. It’s hard, important work.
In this conversation, Heidi Friedel joins Rhonda Meyers to talk about how grief and loss show up in young children and what they need from the adults in their lives in those moments.
Children experience grief beyond the death of a loved one. It can come from the loss of a caregiver, a routine or even a beloved object. Rhonda explains that because many children don’t have the language to express what they’re feeling yet, their grief can show up in unexpected ways.
[00:15:07] “Grief doesn't always show up like sadness. Loss doesn't always show up like sadness. It sometimes shows up as defiance. It sometimes shows up as [behavioral] regression.”
Guiding children through loss means choosing to be present, connected and communicative. Heidi urges adults to use clear and honest language, acknowledge the child’s feelings and avoid trying to fix their grief.
[00:23:00] “When we deal with any kind of loss, . . . we have to make sure that we're present and that we don't shut ourselves down.”
This conversation is a reminder that when children are grieving, they’re asking if they’re safe to feel the way they’re feeling.

Guiding Young Children through Grief and Loss

Co-teacher alignment changes outcomes for kids. Rhonda and her guests speak about what a strong teaching team looks like and how to cultivate it.
When a strong teaching team is in action, you can feel it. 
It’s in the care with which the kids put away toys, how things are labeled and in the teachers’ attunement to the other’s needs.
Rhonda sits down with Brittany Reaume and Geanene Chalut in this episode to talk about the importance of co-teacher alignment, how it happens and the impact it has on children.
Brittany and Miss G. (Geanene) worked as co-teachers at Heartfelt Impressions, and they emphasize that being in lockstep is essential.
[00:00:00] Miss G.: “The big word is consistency. [Kids] need to have the same two teachers in that room that know them and that they’re not hearing [different] things from the other teacher.”
Rhonda adds that consistency is vital for the teachers, too. Co-teachers learn to anticipate and read each other and step up when the other is feeling stretched.
That relationship happens through intentionality. Brittany recalls meeting Miss G. for dinner early on to talk about their needs and ideas for the classroom. 
[00:00:00] Brittany: “It was really fun and very comforting knowing that we could bounce ideas off each other and not be like, ‘No, that’s a dumb idea. Don’t do that.’”
If you’re a teacher who feels isolated or is struggling to be in lockstep with your teammate, this episode is for you.

Better Together: The Power of Strong Teaching Team

Joy is possible even in the hardest moments. Carissa Orr shares how educators can cultivate it through curiosity and care.
This work is heavy sometimes. In the middle of behaviors, breakdowns and things happening in our personal lives, joy can feel impossible some days.
In this episode, Carissa Orr joins me to talk about what it really looks like to find joy when things are hard. She shares stories from her early days in the classroom and the challenges that tested her resilience. 
Through it all, she learned that you have to create joy; waiting for it isn’t practical enough.
We talk about how our brains are wired to focus on what’s difficult and how we can intentionally shift that focus. 
Carissa shares a great example. She bought a car in a shade of green she never really saw before. But once she bought it, she saw it everywhere. 
[00:16:48] “What we focus on, we get more of.”
The same is true with joy. We can retrain our brains to stay curious, even in the hardest moments. This conversation is a reminder that joy doesn’t come from the absence of difficulty.
[00:42:10] “We just need to remember that we do what matters, even when it’s messy. And we gotta keep showing up and staying curious and find a tribe.”

Choosing Joy Amidst Challenges

Rhonda shares what to look for—and what to feel for—when choosing infant care that’s right for your family.
Choosing care for your infant is one of the most personal decisions you’ll make as a parent.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers draws on 35 years in early childhood education—and her own experience as a new mom and now a grandmother—to walk through what families should look for when touring an infant program. From the feeling in the room to the details of health and safety practices, she shares what quality infant care looks like day to day.
[00:01:33] "That feeling, it matters."
Rhonda explains why infant care is all about trust, attachment and safety. She covers what to watch for in caregiver interactions, why individualized routines matter more than classroom schedules, and how strong communication between teachers and families builds the partnership every parent deserves.
She also gets honest about the hard parts such as illness, cost and the guilt that comes with leaving your baby in someone else’s care.
[00:33:44] "The goal is to walk away knowing my baby is seen, my baby is safe, my baby is nurtured and cared for the way I would care for them."
Whether you’re touring your first program or revisiting a decision that still doesn’t feel settled, this episode is a guide and a reassurance: trust what you feel.

That Feeling Matters: Finding the Right Infant Care

Learn how children build confidence through independence, risk and real experiences with Morgan Chartier.
It’s natural to want to shield our children from risk. 
But that’s where growth happens.
In this episode, I sit down with Morgan Chartier to talk about the tension so many parents and educators feel between keeping children safe and allowing them to grow. We explore how independence, risk and real-world problem solving shape confident, capable learners.
Toddlers are so capable. They can wash their hands, hang their jackets up when they get to school and put toys away. Morgan stresses that we adults shouldn’t do for children what they can do for themselves.
[00:14:21] “A lot of times I feel like we as parents want to cradle them so they don't fall and hurt themselves.”
Morgan shares how climbing, navigating conflict, trying and failing build resilience over time. She urges parents to shift from “How do I keep this from happening?” to “Is this a safe risk or a true hazard?”
I share some of my thoughts, too.
[00:40:49] “Your child doesn't need to do more. They need you to do less, on purpose.”
There's something so powerful about watching a child do something the first time, and not because we taught them, but because we trusted them.

Let Them Try the Power of Toddler Independence

What happens when we truly see people? This episode explores belonging, inclusion, and the power of being known with Jessica Loxley-Smith.
Amazing things happen when we truly see people — when we believe in them first instead focusing on their limitations.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with Jessica Loxley-Smith, a cook assistant and classroom aide at Heartfelt Impressions, whose story is about perseverance, belonging, and what is possible when someone is given the right environment to grow.
Jessica shares her journey navigating workplaces where she felt misunderstood because of her autism. 
[00:05:32] I have a little disability. I'm just a little different, but not too different. I'm still like you guys, but I just have these challenges. 
Jessica’s found that Heartfelt’s scaffolded approach to learning — her detailed schedule, regular progress check-ins, clear expectations and supports — and the friendships she’s made at work have transformed her confidence and sense of purpose, allowing her giving personality to shine.
[00:09:25] “I feel like I’m loved and I feel like this is a job for me 'cause they wanna know that they care about me and that if I have anything to say they can listen.”
When leaders create spaces where people are known, supported and given the opportunity to contribute, they unlock potential that might otherwise be overlooked.
Jessica’s story challenges us to lead with belief, extend patience and create environments where every person feels they belong.

When Work Feels Like a Place You Belong

How educators can recognize triggers, respond with intention, and stay grounded during challenging behavior.
Challenging behavior doesn’t just test strategies. It tests us. 
Rhonda Meyers and Beth Pierson-Ringer, a HighScope curriculum expert and ECE Subhub co-owner, explore the deeply human side of teaching—what happens when a child’s behavior pushes you to your limit.
Even experienced educators are not immune to emotional responses. Beth shares a powerful moment from the classroom that surfaced one of her biggest personal triggers. 
[00:03:14] “Early on I probably would've got really loud [and] put the kid in a timeout. . . . I know [now] that a lot of challenging behaviors with consistent support can be overcome.”
Together, they unpack what it means to recognize those triggers without shame, respond as adults and help children “repair” after bad behavior.
The conversation also touches on schools’ responsibility to support early childhood teachers when big behaviors happen.
[00:30:44] “It is so important that you create a culture, not of perfection, but permission. If a teacher calls us and says, ‘I need help’ [and] we measure their need for help by our barometer, we are doing them such a disservice.”
Every challenging behavior that you navigate is building something in you. If you’re a teacher or parent whose patience or resilience is being tested, you are not alone.
You are still the adult that the child needs.
 
Mentioned Resources:

 
<a href="https://www.challengingbehavior.org/training/conference/">Center for Pyramid Model Innovations: Addressing Challenging Behavior conference</a>

 
<a href="https://www.pbis.org/">Center on Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)</a>

 
<a href="https://mtss4success.org/essential-components">Center on Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)</a>

 
“<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unpacking-Pyramid-Model-Practical-Preschool/dp/1681253909">Unpacking the Pyramid Model</a>” by Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter

 
<a href="https://www.challengingbehavior.org/document-category/scripted-story/">Pyramid Model Practice social stories</a>

 
Jennifer Champagne’s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-champagne-ab8ba2b/">LinkedIn</a>

 
<a href="https://developingchild.harvard.edu/">Center on the Developing Child at Harvard</a>

 
<a href="https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/">Michigan Alliance for Families</a>

 
<a href="https://miaeyc.org/professional-development/annual-early-childhood-conference/">Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference </a>

From Triggered to Transformed: Navigating Behaviors that Test Us

Simple, playful activities that build fine motor skills—and confidence—in young children.
Sometimes the most powerful learning starts with the simplest moments.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers reflects on the everyday realities of parenting and teaching and how small, creative moments can make a lasting difference in a child’s development. From a simple shaving cream “mom hack” to hands-on classroom activities, she reminds us that learning doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
The episode centers on fine motor development, the small muscles in children’s hands that support writing, independence and confidence. But as Rhonda explains, those skills don’t begin with worksheets or pencils. They begin with movement, exploration and play.
[00:01:30] “It doesn’t start with pencils and pens and worksheets. It starts with the tiny muscles in those little hands getting stronger through play.”
Through five simple, accessible activities—from sponge squeezing to pasta threading—Rhonda offers practical ways parents and educators can support children using materials they likely already have at home or in the classroom.
When adults join children in playful exploration, something deeper happens. Confidence grows, curiosity expands and children begin to see themselves as capable.
Because when we nurture little hands, we’re nurturing so much more.

Little Hands, Big Skills: 5 Simple Fine Motor Activities Using Everyday Items

Rhonda reflects on impact, resilience and the lasting influence of her friend, Dr. Crystal Sanford-Brown.
Sometimes the moments that shape us most are the ones we don’t fully recognize until years later.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers reflects on the ripple effect of influence in early childhood education. Fresh from the energy of the Michigan AEYC conference, she shares how simple moments—a hallway conversation, a listener sharing their story, or a word of encouragement—can remind us that our impact often travels further than we ever see.
This episode is also a tribute to Dr. Crystal Sanford-Brown, a beloved friend and advocate in the field who dedicated her life to protecting and uplifting early childhood education. Through stories of their friendship, Rhonda reflects on the courage it takes to share our truth, the strength found in faith, and the lasting influence we have on one another.
[00:03:13] “Impact doesn't always come from a big stage. Sometimes impact comes from a conversation in the hallway, a moment that someone believed in you.”
Through stories of friendship, mentorship and resilience, Rhonda reflects on how a single message—I am enough—became a turning point in Crystal’s life and a reminder of the unseen ways our words and actions shape others.
[00:05:58] “Resilience is not pretending something didn’t happen. It’s choosing not to let it define the rest of your story.”
Whether you’re an educator, a leader or someone showing up each day to support others: never underestimate the ripple effect of your presence. The way we lead, speak and care for one another creates impact far beyond what we may ever see.
Sometimes the most meaningful legacy is simply showing up with heart.

I am Enough: The Impact of Dr. Crystal Sandford-Brown

Outdoor play helps children build confidence, empathy, and resilience. Learn about outdoor exploration and risk with Arianne Condrick-Bettazzi.
When we give children space to dig, build, test, and imagine outdoors, we're not just letting them play. 
We're building thinkers, risk-takers and confident learners.
In this episode, Arianne Condrick-Bettazzi shares how creating thoughtful outdoor spaces gives children opportunities to test their abilities and grow. 
[00:28:45] “When children are bored, that's when they're rascally. You want to get rid of the rascalliness? Then create engaging [spaces] and places that create age-appropriate risk.” 
This conversation offers encouragement and practical insight for parents and educators who want to support confident, courageous learners.
 
Resources

 
<a href="https://carmelmountainpreschool.com/play-practice-purpose/">Carmel Mountain Preschool Play Practice Purpose Conference</a>

 
<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/playpracticepurpose-a-carmel-mountain-preschool-experience-april-16-18-tickets-1511124416809?aff=oddtdtcreator">Buy Your Tickets to the Play Practice Purpose Conference</a>

 
<a href="https://www.outdoorclassroomproject.org/">Outdoor Classroom Project</a>

 
<a href="https://consciousdiscipline.com/">Conscious Discipline</a>

 
<a href="https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/">The Anxious Generation</a> by Jonathan Haidt

 
<a href="https://www.michaeleaster.com/comfort-crisis">The Comfort Crisis</a> by Michael Easter

 
<a href="https://drdansiegel.com/book/the-whole-brain-child/">The Whole Brain Child</a> by Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

 
<a href="https://richardlouv.com/books/last-child">The Last Child in the Woods</a> by Richard Louv

 
<a href="https://www.goodinside.com/book/">Good Inside</a> by Dr. Becky Kennedy

 
<a href="https://www.tinabryson.com/the-way-of-play">The Way of Play</a> by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

 
<a href="https://www.simplicityparentinginstitute.com/sp-book-home">Simplicity Parenting</a> by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross

 
<a href="https://theselfdrivenchild.com/">The Self-Driven Child</a> by Ned Johnson and Dr. William Stixrud 

 
<a href="https://rustykeeler.com/product/adventures-in-risky-play/">Adventures in Risky Play</a> by Rusty Keeler

 
<a href="https://natureexplore.org/">Nature Explore Classroom Program</a>

 
<a href="https://www.communityplaythings.com/">Community Playthings</a>

 
<a href="https://www.bienenstockplaygrounds.com/">Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds</a>

The Power of Outdoor Play: Building Confidence Through Courageous Risk

Learn how to create a classroom culture of kindness and empathy with Brooke Lewandowski.
Kindness and empathy are built through repetition, patience and connection. 
Brooke Lewandowski, Lead Teacher and Team Lead at Heartfelt Impressions, joins Rhonda Meyers to talk about the tools and humanity needed to nurture empathy in the classroom.
Brooke shares that one of the most rewarding aspects of her job is helping young children learn social-emotional skills. She shares practical tips for helping children feel known and seen, especially when emotions are running high.
[00:10:43] “The best way we understand the feelings is when we talk about them.”
Tone, language and posture play a big role in communicating empathetically, too. Brooke recommends connecting with kids by meeting them at their eye-level, making eye contact, and using their name.
When kids are in conflict, Brooke urges that it's important to stay calm, be curious and help them acknowledge their feelings. 
[00:20:07] “Noticing how they’re feeling can help to solve problems. . . It can help you get to that solution that you’re working toward.”
Brooke reminds listeners that fostering empathy requires modeling, mistakes and humility. Whether you’re an educator navigating a busy classroom or a parent working through big emotions at home, the way you show up matters more than perfection ever will.

Planting Seeds of Empathy and Kindness in Early Childhood

Learn practical steps to help children navigate conflict resolution with Beth Pierson-Ringer.
Conflict is common in early education classrooms. 
For many children, the classroom is their first experience of being part of a community and learning to share — and sometimes, emotions run high. 
In this episode, Beth Pierson-Ringer, a HighScope curriculum expert and ECE Subhub co-owner, joins Rhonda Meyers to discuss how to guide children through healthy conflict resolution.
Beth explains that adults often feel guilty or embarrassed that children are exhibiting “bad” behavior when a conflict arises. She provides a helpful way to re-frame that thinking:
[00:07:48] “I think if we just switch our lens to ‘This is absolutely normal . . . and these are misbehaviors of kids, not bad behavior’ it helps us think of [conflict resolution] as more of a teachable skill.”
Beth highlights the importance of patience, empathy, and modeling language when teaching kids to solve problems. She walks through HighScope’s 6-step conflict resolution framework, and emphasizes that children become capable problem-solvers when adults act as partners rather than judges.
[00:10:19] “When we rush to come up with a solution . . . we don't get to teach those skills. What we’re teaching is . . . compliancy rather than the life skills that we need to be successful.”
Beth urges parents and educators to give themselves plenty of grace. It’s ok to be an adult and have big feelings too. Conflict isn’t a problem but a practice.

Practicing Conflict Resolution

Explore how simple family traditions create belonging, safety and connection with Mary Jo Cloutier.
Often, the simple moments matter most.
In this episode, Mary Jo Cloutier, longtime lead Great Start Readiness Program teacher at Heartfelt Impressions, joins host Rhonda Meyers to reflect on how family traditions shape children’s sense of belonging.
Mary Jo shares memories of growing up in a busy household where birthdays felt special because each child got to choose the meal and cake. The simplicity made the event feel meaningful.
[00:07:06] “[With] all the different things we do, sometimes we’re making it bigger, harder work for ourselves where[as with] the children, [traditions] really can be about that simplicity.”
In the classroom, daily routines become traditions children rely on, especially in stressful times. Familiar patterns help children feel capable and secure.
Traditions work best when they are grounded in what already happens everyday, rather than in perfection. Consistency and connection matter more than complexity.
[00:28:47] “When we think back to parties or traditions or holidays, the things we remember probably weren’t necessarily big things. So just [start] small.”
This episode offers reassurance that small, repeated moments build confidence, strengthen relationships and leave a lasting impression on children.

The Traditions Children Remember Most

Hear hard-won lessons on post-pandemic leadership, accountability and how courage and values shape healthy teams with Beth Cannon.
Leadership is messy. Courage, compassion and accountability collide.
In this episode, Beth Cannon, Stretch-n-Grow in Greater Dallas-Fort Worth’s CEO and owner, joins host Rhonda Meyers to discuss leading through change. They reflect on how the pandemic reshaped leadership, exposed blind spots and forced even seasoned leaders to confront what no longer worked.
Beth shares how years of accumulated stress, personal loss and professional challenges pushed her to examine her own leadership impact. She discovered that transformation has to start with leaders.
[00:11:25] “I had to own my impact. . . . it’s not necessarily about what you need to fix on your team. It starts with you. . . . We are messy people working with messy people.”
Beth and Rhonda explore the tension leaders feel between compassion and accountability. They’ve learned hesitation and avoiding hard conversations can harm teams and organizations. 
[00:15:22] “[Due to] the high cost of hesitation, I nearly sacrificed my company on the sacred altar of my comfort zone.”
Leadership growth requires courage and community. Beth and Rhonda encourage listeners to use reflection as a mirror, accountability as a magnifying glass and values as a map forward.

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