Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 18 Podcast Guest: Katie Condit, Early Education TeacherMy name is Katie Condit and I am a preschool co-lead teacher at Cultivate Mankato. I graduated from MSU Moorhead with a BS in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. I’m so grateful to share my passion and knowledge of young children at Cultivate Mankato, Child Development and Resource Center, a place where ones vision and values can grow from a seed into something authentically beautiful.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Topic: OT and the Sensory Development from the Parent PerspectiveEpisode 17 Podcast Guests: Candice Deal-Bartell - parent of Lawson, Jordyn Erickson - parent of LiamEpisode 17 Podcast Host: Laura Walser, Cultivate Mankato Early Education Coordinator

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 16 Podcast Guest: Sam Olsen, OTD, OTR/L, Owner/Founder of Persist TherapyMy name is Dr. Sam Olsen and I am the founder of Persist Therapy. We have been in business for a little over a year and we are so excited to be partnering with Cultivate--a company that shares the same passion as we do for working with children. Currently, our Persist Therapy team consists of Occupational Therapists (we hope to continue to grow our team in the future). The thing that I love most about being an occupational therapist is all the different things that we can work on and the unique lens that we bring to the professional table. An overarching definition of occupational therapy (OT) is allowing people of all ages to feel accomplished in their lives. We help people to be independent, find joy and success within the activities that we do daily and find meaning and value within their roles and routine. For children in (OT), that can mean so many different things—helping improve independence level with daily cares, assisting with coordination that impacts play, dressing, sports or academics, modifying environments to fit sensory needs, teaching emotional regulation, and the list goes on and on (and on). Our goal is for kids to feel motivated, confident and capable in completing the things that matter most.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 17 Podcast Guest: Nick Frentz, MN State Senator, District 19"During my years in the Senate I’ve fought for education, health care, transportation, public safety, agriculture, and more. I’m proud of my voting record and the work we’ve done together to help our area and it’s citizens. I’m very proud to serve our area as a state senator. I look forward to working with you to continue to bring a strong voice for District 19 to the Minnesota State Capitol."Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 16 Podcast Guest: Sam Olsen, OTD, OTR/L, Owner/Founder of Persist TherapyMy name is Dr. Sam Olsen and I am the founder of Persist Therapy. We have been in business for a little over a year and we are so excited to be partnering with Cultivate--a company that shares the same passion as we do for working with children. Currently, our Persist Therapy team consists of Occupational Therapists (we hope to continue to grow our team in the future). The thing that I love most about being an occupational therapist is all the different things that we can work on and the unique lens that we bring to the professional table. An overarching definition of occupational therapy (OT) is allowing people of all ages to feel accomplished in their lives. We help people to be independent, find joy and success within the activities that we do daily and find meaning and value within their roles and routine. For children in (OT), that can mean so many different things—helping improve independence level with daily cares, assisting with coordination that impacts play, dressing, sports or academics, modifying environments to fit sensory needs, teaching emotional regulation, and the list goes on and on (and on). Our goal is for kids to feel motivated, confident and capable in completing the things that matter most.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 15 Podcast Guest: Payton Merritt, Early Education TeacherMy name is Payton Merritt and I am a preschool co-lead teacher at Cultivate Mankato. I grew up in Austin MN and went to school here at MSU. I recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Social Work. I have always had a strong passion for working with children. I am excited to be working at a place where their beliefs and values are so strong. Community is important to me and I love the passion Cultivate has not only for the Mankato community but also for the work community. I’m excited to be at Cultivate and watch children grow each and every day!Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 14 Podcast Guest: Jamie Bonczyk an awarded early childhood education leader.Jamie Bonczyk (she/her) is an awarded early childhood education leader known for creating social-impact networks, change initiatives, and partnerships that create sustainable health and education outcomes for children, families, and educators. Jamie has held the titles of Executive Director, Director of Health and Nutrition, college instructor, and preschool teacher. She is a systems-level thinker adept at translating vision and strategy into operational plans. To close the stress cycle, Jamie has regular pilates and meditation practices. For community care, she uses her voice to call attention to issues that are within her circle of influence and concern. At the time of this recording Jamie was working as a consultant supporting early childhood education and care professional development and advocacy organizations. She has recently taken a position with the Greater Twin Cities United leading the 80X3 initiative. 80x3 refers to the research that shows that 80 percent of brain growth happens by a child's third birthday. This program is housed within the Community Impact department and aims to build stronger capacities for childcare partners to provide trauma sensitive care.Reference:Course Title: Well-being: A Call for Self and Community CareKCF VI: Professionalism, 2 hoursCourse Description:  Learn the difference between stress and stressors. Explore your own well-being through a brief guided meditation and reflecting on your own self-care. Discover elements of community care. Child Care professionals are best prepared to take care of others when they have first taken care of themselves. To register: https://app.developtoolmn.org/register.aspx?evid=367374Anyone can download 5 articles for free:https://www.childcareexchange.com/catalog/articles/  Bonczyk, J. &  Riddle de Rojas, H. (2019. January). Building Our Capacity for Curiosity, Compassion and Courage - Exchange.  Bonczyk, J. (2016. July) Caring for Ourselves So That We Can Care for Others.Exchange. Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 13 Podcast Guest: Jeff Brand, Former MN State Representative 2019-2020 (running to be MN's State Representative in 2022)I'm a fifth generation Minnesotan that grew up on a dairy in a township near Howard Lake, MN. Now Genevieve and I are small business owners specializing in native landscaping, garden design and ecological services. I've been active in the community as a Saint Peter City Council member from 2012-2019, member of the Region 9 commission, and as a board member for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.I was elected State Representative in 2018. I relying upon my abilities and reputation as an elected official to bring citizens and officials together in order to build on the concept of a stronger community. As an advocate for Greater Minnesota, I've already proven to be a representative that provided for constituents. Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 12 Podcast Guest: Ashley Kuemper, Certified Nutrition Coach with Fit and Grit TrainingI am a Grit Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach with Fit and Grit Training. Since a young age I have found myself fascinated by the inner workings of the brain and, more recently, the way our nutrition affects our well-being. My recent obsession with nutrition was born from a years long battle to discover what was behind my own health issues and how to manage them.Now, I love to share my knowledge of healthy eating with others. I am a firm believer that healthy eating doesn't have to be flavorless, boring, and limp. As a parent myself, I know the struggles of introducing healthy eating to littles and making healthy eating a part of every day life while working within time constraints and a budget. I am passionate about helping people find ways to enjoy the food they eat while also promoting their health, without feeling like they are eating on restriction.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 11 Podcast Guest: Candice Deal-Bartell, Founder and Director of Cultivate MankatoCandice Deal-Bartell is an Early Education Advocate, mother of two young children (Norah and Lawson), Founder and Director of Cultivate Mankato Child Development and Resource Center, Founding Board Member of CultivateMN, and Leadership Development Specialist at NuLifestyle Co. Candice is passionate about connecting people, communities, and resources together to support and promote high quality early education experiences. She is also passionate about changing old narratives around child care by raising the bar of professionalism in the early education field, particularly in community based child care programs. She believes that all teachers and child care team members should be held in high regard, get paid an honorable wage, have access to benefits and other resources that promote quality of life, and be able to gain professional development experiences that enhance their expertise in the field. Candice holds a MN teaching license, a double MA in Education and English Lit, and many leadership development certificates that has helped her to lead high performing teams. She loves the simple pleasures in life, such as cheese, chocolate, and coffee. In her free time, she loves helping her partner, Nathan, with his eBike rental company, Fun Bike Rides. Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 10 Podcast Guest: Beth Menninga, Relationship Based Professional Development (RBPD) ManagerBeth Menninga is the Relationship Based Professional Development (RBPD) Manager at the Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC). In that role, she supports the team of CICC RBPD Specialists, overseeing and coordinating coaching service delivery with other CICC team members. Her work over the past twenty years has focused on professional growth and development for early childhood educators, with an emphasis on coaching and training. Prior to joining CICC, she worked at CEED and while there was lead author of The Minnesota Credential for RBPD Specialists and the Minnesota Knowledge and Competency Framework for RBPD Specialists. Her previous positions include leading early math and literacy professional development initiatives for The Saint Paul Foundation and as Minnesota Infant Toddler Training Initiative Coordinator for Child Care Aware Minnesota. She has been a childcare center director and began her early childhood journey as a preschool teacher. She is co-author of the Free Spirit/Redleaf Press book Intentional Teaching In Early Childhood. She is inspired by the creativity and commitment of early childhood educators and sees her work in the field as a commitment to social justice.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 9 Podcast Guest: Molly Jones, Licensed Independent Clinical Social WorkerMolly Jones, MSW, LICSW is a practicing psychotherapist at Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota who specializes in working with infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children and their caregivers. She utilizes a developmentally based and relationship focused framework with an emphasis in attachment theory, trauma-informed interventions, and restoring and strengthening the caregiver-child relationship to repair social and emotional development. Molly is trained in DC:0-5 diagnostic assessments and certified in the evidence-based interventions of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC) Infant, and ABC Toddler. She is currently working towards rostering in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). In addition to her therapist role, Molly is a Board Approved Supervisor for the MN Board of Social Work and enjoys providing clinical supervision to local providers and unlicensed social workers in the State of MN. She also enjoys collaborating with preschools and local childcare centers to provide consultation and/or presentations related to infant and early childhood development and mental health. She lives in Mankato with her husband and baby.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 8 Podcast Guest: Elizabeth Harstad, United Way Community Impact DirectorElizabeth Harstad is the Director of Community Impact at Greater Mankato Area United Way where she provides staff leadership to United Way’s community investment process to create community impact in the areas of basic needs, health and education. Elizabeth works with community partners to develop new initiatives that provide human development opportunities and address unmet needs in our community. Through this role, she facilitates the local Success by Six Initiative which is a nation-wide United Way framework used to build public-private partnerships with community leaders to mobilize early childhood efforts to ensure that all children are ready to succeed when they enter school.Elizabeth grew up in Mankato MN, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2008 and received a Master of Social Work degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2011. She has been with Greater Mankato Area United Way for 10 years.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 7 Podcast Guest: Jamie Bonczyk, Professional Child Advocate, MA, CCPMJamie Bonczyk, MA, CPPM was the closing Executive Director of Hopkins Early Learning Center in Hopkins, MN. Jamie started her journey as a Pre-k teacher, where she discovered the wonders that intentional anti-bias experiences can bring to children. Ms. Bonczyk has presented on wellness in the workplace including how staff beliefs and values impact Early Childhood Learning Centers locally and nationally. Jamie completed a Head Start management Fellowship at UCLA, a Masters degree at Rosevelt university in Chicago and a certification in Project Management from the University of Saint Thomas. She has participated in the Early Childhood Leadership Initiative by Exchange Magazine since 2015. In 2020, the MN start Early funders coalition honored Ms. Bonczyk with a provider advocacy award. Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 6 Podcast Guest: Heather Von Bank, Professor, Department of Family Consumer Science at MSUDr. Heather Von Bank is a Professor in the Department of Family Consumer Science at Minnesota State University-Mankato. She teaches courses in the area of Child Development and Family Studies. Dr. Von Bank received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Educational Psychology and she is currently the Chair of the Department of Family Consumer Science. In 2013 Dr. Von Bank, co-authored her first book, "The Power of Playful Learning: The Green Edition.” She has given presentation about and promoted the power of play at local, regional, national and international conferences.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 5 Podcast Guest: Erin Gonzalez, Registered and Licensed DietitianA native of Fairmont, Minnesota, Erin Gonzalez joined the Mankato Clinic in 2007. Her clinical interests include intuitive eating, mindful eating, disordered eating, family feeding and GI health. Erin practices utilizing a non-diet, intuitive eating, health at every size perspective. She believes that the size of our body does not define our health. She works with each person to understand the drivers influencing their eating behaviors. Erin's passion lies in helping others naturally create balance between eating for enjoyment and nourishment, while finding a way of eating and moving that feels best to each individual. Her goal is to help each person learn how to be the expert of their own body utilizing internal cues. She helps people to redefine health for their body and work together to improve their overall health.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 4 Podcast Guest: Andrew Archer, Mindfulness-Based Practitioner Andrew Archer, LICSW is the owner of Minnesota Mental Health Services. He is a clinical social worker, writer, instructor and national speaking. Andrew practices Zen Psychoanalysis, which is a co-emergent, fusion of psychodynamic theories of mind and Zen Buddhism. Through meditation and psychosocial analysis, the practice is emptiness of attachment to concepts (Zen) as well as executive control of one’s state of mind (Transactional Analysis). Andrew has held academic positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 3 Podcast Guest: Laura Walser, Early Education CoordinatorPodcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing"My name is Laura Walser and I am the Early Education Coordinator at Cultivate Mankato and an Inclusion Coach with Center for Inclusive Child Care. I am from Minnesota Lake. I graduated from Maple River Schools, then got my Early Childhood Education degree from Minnesota State University Mankato. I worked at Maple River for 14 years as a Kindergarten teacher and then as the Early Childhood Director. Through my experience in working with children and being a parent, I have established a passion for social/emotional development and the important role it plays in laying the foundation for a child's life. It is so incredible to think of the impact we as early childhood care providers can have on children. It's an amazing feeling to know that our work truly makes a difference! I am thrilled to be part of curriculum development and ensure best practices with the team at Cultivate Mankato and CICC. I strive to provide the staff with the competencies, support and confidence they need to create a positive learning environment! I also enjoy collaborating with families and the community to empower them as well, in meeting the needs of young children."

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 1 Podcast Guest: Dana Sikkila, 410 Project Dana Sikkila received her Master of Arts in Printmaking as well as her Non Profit Leadership Certificate from Minnesota State University, Mankato. At just 34 years old, Sikkila has been named as one of the most well-known creative leaders of Southern Minnesota. As a creative administrator, educator, and public speaker Sikkila is noted for her theory development within creative educational research and her formation of numerous grassroots cultural projects and exhibitions throughout the state.First known as a visual artist, Sikkila's practice combines printmaking, sculpture, and site specific installations with an impressive sense of scale and playfulness that push new ideas of contemporary art. Her work has been viewed and discussed all over the state in places such as the Minnesota Museum of American Art, Macy's Department Store, Hennipen Theatre Trust, University of Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota Children's Museum, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.Over the past eight years of being Executive Director of the 410 Project Community Art Space Sikkila has introduced numerous art programs and special events for both children and adults to help strike creativity, positive self esteem, and art awareness in all of Southern Minnesota.Besides these duties Sikkila has received numerous awards including 2017 Women's Center and President's Commission on the Status of Women's “ Women's Courage and Vision Award”, Mankato Free Press 2016 “Outstanding Woman in Business”, 2015-2016 Art Educators of Minnesota "Distinguished Service Outside the Field" Recognition, 2015 Mankato's YWCA Young Woman of Distinction, and featured artist on PBS's Off 90 in 2017, and Post Cards, Pioneer's PBS Art TV Program in 2016.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing

Cultivate MN is a non-profit advocacy group dedicated to promoting awareness within early childhood programs, family services organizations, and child welfare programs. We believe sharing stories promotes awareness and cultivates connection.Episode 1 Podcast Guest: Bukata Hayes, Mankato Diversity Council Bukata serves as Executive Director of the Greater Mankato Diversity Council, which has provided diversity education to approximately 15,000 adults and youth in the greater Mankato area.He previously served as the diversity support services program coordinator for Mankato Area Public Schools, and as multi-ethnic center coordinator, admissions counselor and instructor of sociology at Bethany Lutheran College, where he created the first-ever, multi-ethnic center on campus.He is the founder of Love & Struggle, a consulting company that works with organizations and communities on issues of race, inclusion and equity. He also developed WRITE on RACE, a two-year curriculum and process designed to raise community awareness of racism.Bukata earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from The College of St. Scholastica. He has membership and/or is on the board of numerous organizations such as the Mankato Chapter of the NAACP (President), Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Board (President), Latin American Multicultural Association for Networking and Opportunity – LA MANO (Board), and Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation Board.Podcast edited by: Jordyn Erickson  |  Meraki Marketingwww.nulifestyleco.com/meraki-marketing