Latest Episode
Welcome back to Empowering Young Minds!
In today’s episode, Arthur is joined by Laura Huerta Migus, Deputy Director of Museum Services at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), who’s insights reflect not only her impressive career but also the ongoing efforts to make museums more accessible, inclusive, and resilient.
Join Arthur and Laura as they dive into the challenges and opportunities facing museums today.
Welcome to Empowering Young Minds, the ACM podcast that sparks curiosity and celebrates hands-on, interactive, and playful learning in children’s museums and childhood education. Hosted by Arthur G. Affleck, III, the Executive Director of ACM
Here’s what awaits you on Empowering Young Minds:
Inspiring conversations: We’ll chat with educators, museum curators, researchers, and passionate advocates who champion the rights of all children to a healthy, safe, and equitable future.
Deep dives into playful learning: Discover how museums ignite curiosity, spark critical thinking, and nurture creativity through interactive exhibits and engaging programs.
Actionable insights: Learn practical tips and strategies to bring playful learning experiences into your own homes, communities, and classrooms.
Celebrating diverse voices: We’ll amplify the voices of children and families from all backgrounds, ensuring every child’s unique perspectives and experiences are heard.
The future of early learning: Exploring innovative trends and technologies shaping the way we engage young minds.
Let’s take this spark of conversation and ignite a lifetime of wonder together!
“When kids are playing… it is fun for everyone. Being around that play energy is what I think all of us need.”
– Jean Margaret Smith
Episode 1
On the inaugural episode of Empowering Young Minds, Arthur Affleck talks to Jean Margaret Smith, senior vice president for public affairs and administration at Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group (New York). She is responsible for managing the networks’ strategic relationships with social advocates, policymakers and public opinion leaders, as well as handling the company’s overall public affairs agenda. Her initiatives at Nickelodeon include Beyond the Backpack and Worldwide Day of Play.”
“We believe all people bring to this world, innate, brilliant genius and curiosity … we believe in the power and role of the adults in a child’s life to unleash their genius”
– Dr. Leah Austin
Episode 2
Dr. Leah Austin is an accomplished, multi-faceted and visionary leader who has been working on behalf of Black children and their families for over two decades. Today, she serves as President/CEO of the National Black Child Development Institute.
Join Arthur and Leah as they talk about how adults can lift up children with an asset-based approach and the challenges that come with framing this mindset for Black children.
Show Notes:
“With all the new widgets and gadgets and cool tech and interactive and digital and immersive and all those fun things that change, at the end of the day the core of our DNA is ensuring the guests have a fantastic, transformative experience.”
– Dr. Frederic Bertley
Episode 3
Arthur welcomes two ACM member museum leaders, Center of Science and Industry’s Dr. Frederic Bertley and Museum of Discovery and Science’s Joe Cox to talk about building future leaders and how children’s museums are pillars in their communities.
Both COSI and MODS were honored with the 2023 IMLS Medal of Honor.
Show Notes:
Hand to Hand Power of Play Issue – COSI and MODS Feature
IMLS Medal of Honor
COSI Website
MODS Website
“Adults and parents are often very hard on themselves and take themselves very seriously sometimes… start to be open and do one new thing each day… embrace the curiosity and wonder that comes along with play.”
– Bo Stjerne Thomsen
Episode 4
On this episode, Arthur is joined by Bo Stjerne Thomsen, Head of Educational Impact at LEGO Education.
He is an executive leader, learning expert, and global advocate with over 20 years of international experience in education, technology, and design, dedicated to creating significant, sustainable, and lasting impact. Arthur and Bo discuss the power of playful learning and share how play is celebrated globally through the International Day of Play.
Show Notes:
International Day of Play
LEGO Education
“There is a human desire to embody the change we seek.”
– Anne Snyder
Episode 5
In this episode, Arthur is joined by Anne Snyder, editor-in-chief of Comment magazine and founder of Breaking Ground, a growing institutional irrigation system seeking to leaven our common life with a Christian humanist lens.
Anne is also the host of The Whole Person Revolution podcast, co-editor of Breaking Ground: Charting Our Future in a Pandemic Year, and author of The Fabric of Character: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Renewing our Social and Moral Landscape.
Join Arthur and Anne as they talk about learning from the past and imagining a positive and hopeful future for the children and families we seek to serve.
Show Notes:
The Whole Person Revolution Podcast
“Sing with your children. Sing silly songs, sing along with the radio, sing in the shower, sing about anything you care about. Model that with your kids and it’ll go a long way”
– Sarah Johnson
On this episode, Arthur is joined by Sarah Johnson, Chief Education Officer at Carnegie Hall, where she directs the Hall’s Weill Music Institute, the illustrious concert venue’s education and social impact arm.
Over the past 17 years, Ms. Johnson has led WMI in enormous programmatic growth as she and her team have launched numerous major initiatives including the Lullaby Project.
Join Arthur and Sarah as they discuss how music can help parents uplift their children and how it supports people’s lives.
“What the world needs right now and what our children need more than ever, is hope.“
– Dr. Calvin Mackie
In this episode, Arthur is joined by Dr. Calvin Mackie, an award-winning mentor, inventor, author, former engineering professor, internationally renowned speaker, and successful entrepreneur.
Join Arthur and Dr. Mackie as they discuss methods for impacting the lives of young people and the importance of getting kids to believe in themselves.
Make sure to check out Dr. Mackie’s two award-winning books: A View from the Roof: Lessons for Life and Business and Grandma’s Hands: Cherished Moments of Faith and Wisdom.
Listen to Dr. Mackie’s podcast series, “Let’s Talk Stem with Dr. Calvin Mackie.”
Show Notes:
Let’s Talk Stem with Dr. Calvin Mackie
“Talk with your kids, not at them, and listen, really listen. To quote Hamilton, ‘talk less, listen more.'”
– Michele Walsh
In this episode, Arthur is joined by Michele Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at UNICEF USA, where she serves as a principal advisor to the CEO and leads the philanthropy team which is set to deliver $1B of impact value for children annually.
Over the past 15 years, Michele has been a driving force behind initiatives that have reshaped the organization and mobilized hundreds of millions of philanthropic dollars.
Listen in as Arthur and Michele discuss the role that all of us can play in creating and supporting communities where every child is healthy, educated, protected, and respected.
Show Notes:
UNICEF USA
“Say yes to playing”
– Laura Huerta Migus
Welcome back to Empowering Young Minds!
In today’s episode, Arthur is joined by Laura Huerta Migus, Deputy Director of Museum Services at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), who’s insights reflect not only her impressive career but also the ongoing efforts to make museums more accessible, inclusive, and resilient.
Join Arthur and Laura as they dive into the challenges and opportunities facing museums today.
Show Notes:
Institute For Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Museums For All
MuseumLab for Museum Professionals
Prefer reading to listening? Check out the summary of this episode on our Blog!
The Empowering Young Minds podcast is developed and produced by the Association of Children’s Museums led by Gaby Gallagher, Director, Communications, Halie Haskell, Content Marketing & Publications Specialist, and Uswa Ahmed, Special Assistant to the Executive Director. For information about the podcast, or to make recommendations for future guests, please contact Halie.Haskell@ChildrensMuseums.org.
