Summary This podcast episode focuses on unintentional injury prevention in young children, discussing the leading causes of injuries such as falls, poisoning, and drowning. Dr. Alisa Vasileva shares insights on the importance of supervision, creating safe environments, and educating families on preventive measures. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and proactive strategies to protect children from common hazards. Takeaways Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death an...
Jun 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 96
Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host discusses the importance of pediatric care and community support with Dr. Joe Wilson, a first-year pediatric resident at ETSU. They explore the Reach Out and Read program, which promotes literacy by providing books to children during medical visits. The conversation highlights the impact of reading on child development, the role of community engagement in healthcare, and personal experiences that shape a love for reading. Dr. Wilson shar...
Jun 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 95
Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host Kim Hale and guest Luann Davis discuss the importance of literacy for children in Appalachia, the unique cultural dynamics of the region, and practical strategies for families to support literacy development. They emphasize the need for community engagement, access to resources, and the preservation of Appalachian culture in education. The conversation highlights the role of storytelling, music, and practical teaching strategies that can...
May 30, 2025•38 min•Ep. 94
Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host Kim Hale welcomes back Kim Thornhill to discuss the critical topics of child development, literacy, and the challenges faced by young children, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. They explore the role of Child Care Resource and Referral, the impact of stress and anxiety on children's behavior, and the importance of understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviors. The conversation emphasizes the need for parents and educat...
May 23, 2025•55 min•Ep. 93
Summary In this episode of the Growing Stronger Together podcast, host Dr. Karen Schetzina welcomes Heather Watson, Vice President of Education and Exhibits at Hands On Discovery Center. They discuss the evolution of the museum, its role in the community, and the importance of educational experiences for families. Heather shares insights on membership benefits, community engagement, and the collaborative efforts with other organizations to support children and families in the region. The convers...
May 12, 2025•21 min•Ep. 92
Summary In this episode of the Growing Stronger Together podcast, host Kim Hale engages with Dr. Renee Lyons, a professor at ETSU, discussing the vital role of literacy and storytelling in child development. They explore the significance of school librarianship, the need for more Appalachian literature, and the impact of technology on reading. The conversation emphasizes the importance of early literacy skills, the debate between print and digital reading, and innovative approaches to engage rel...
May 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 91
Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host Kim Hale engages with early interventionists Stephanie Cowan and Kirstin Tipton to explore the vital role of early intervention in child development. They discuss the responsibilities of early interventionists, the eligibility criteria for services, and the importance of coaching caregivers to support their children's growth. The conversation highlights personal experiences as new mothers, the significance of building long-term relations...
Apr 25, 2025•42 min•Ep. 90
Dr. Richard Sander, who is just “Doc” at ETSU, began his career as a head basketball coach at Howard High School in Chattanooga, TN in 1970-1971 and later became as an assistant coach at the University of TN – Chattanooga. He moved to Cincinnati Ohio in 1972 to serve as head basketball coach at Anderson High School, which was a rival school when he played basketball in high school. He continued in that role for 10 years and then took the assistant athletic director at Memphis State University (n...
Apr 18, 2025•44 min•Ep. 89
Dr. Kimberly Sanders Austin is a professor of early childhood education at Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands, Virginia. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, a master’s and doctoral degree in early childhood education from East Tennessee State University. Dr. Austin is a lifelong resident of southwest Virginia and is a strong advocate for high-quality early education for children. She is an author of the book “Early Child...
Apr 11, 2025•45 min•Ep. 88
During our Teens on Tuesday's segments with host Dr. William Dodd, learn more about ways to support adolescents' well-being during their journey to adulthood. Join us today for a discussion about a dangerous condition that usually develops during adolescence, eating disorders. Financial support for Growing Stronger Together is provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and through competitive funding from Tennessee Departm...
Feb 04, 2025•38 min•Ep. 87
Mental Health Resources with Dr. Twisha Shukla During our Teens on Tuesday's segments with host Dr. William Dodd, learn more about ways to support adolescents' well-being during their journey to adulthood. Join us today for a discussion about mental health resources for adolescents. Financial support for Growing Stronger Together is provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and through competitive funding from Tennessee D...
Jan 28, 2025•16 min•Ep. 86
Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) with Dr. Soumya Jena During our Teens on Tuesday's segments with host Dr. William Dodd, learn more about ways to support adolescents' well-being during their journey to adulthood. Join us today for a discussion about the gold standard of contraception, LARCs. Financial support for Growing Stronger Together is provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and through competitive fund...
Jan 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 85
About the Guest: Meagan Meisenzahl is a dedicated health professional currently serving as the Director of the Strong Starts Program at Ballad Health's Niswonger Children's Network. With a master's degree in public health, Meisenzahl has built a robust career grounded in trauma injury prevention and population health. She previously managed the Strong Starts Program and served as the Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator at Niswonger Children's Hospital. Meisenzahl is committed to improving healt...
Jan 13, 2025•26 min•Ep. 84
Depression Medication with Dr. William Dodd, guest host Caylyn Yost During our Teens on Tuesday's segments with host Dr. William Dodd, learn more about ways to support adolescents' well-being during their journey to adulthood. Join us today for a discussion about medical aspects of treatment of depression in teenagers. Financial support for Growing Stronger Together is provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and through...
Jan 07, 2025•25 min•Ep. 83
About the Guest: Donna Shope: Donna Shope is the Senior Director of Early Literacy for the Department of Education in Tennessee. With over 20 years of experience in education, Donna has held various roles including Head Start teacher, kindergarten to fourth-grade teacher, assistant principal, and literacy coach. Her extensive background in literacy and dedication to serving young learners has equipped her as a vital contributor to Tennessee's educational landscape, advocating for early literacy ...
Jan 03, 2025•55 min•Ep. 82
Chronic Illness and Mental Health with Dr. Haley Bradshaw During our Teens on Tuesday's segments with host Dr. William Dodd, learn more about ways to support adolescents' well-being during their journey to adulthood. Join us today for a discussion about chronic illness and mental health. Financial support for Growing Stronger Together is provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and through competitive funding from Tennes...
Dec 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 81
About the Guest: Dr. Cynthia Thomas is a primary care physician and assistant health officer at the Tennessee Department of Health's Northeast Regional Health Office. With 13 years of service at the Department of Health, Dr. Thomas provides primary care services to uninsured patients and oversees clinical STI and family planning services. She also supervises nurse practitioners and engages in the development and implementation of prevention initiatives, specifically focusing on maternal and chil...
Dec 09, 2024•22 min•Ep. 80
About the Guest: Jennifer Havens serves as the Head Start Director for Telamon Corporation in Tennessee. Her role involves orchestrating Head Start programs, which provide educational and developmental services to children and families. With extensive experience and passion for early childhood education, Jen focuses on creating opportunities for children's growth and supporting families to overcome poverty. Telamon Corporation, a nonprofit with a focus on community development and educational se...
Nov 15, 2024•48 min•Ep. 79
About the Guest: Gloria Dudney is a highly experienced registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant. With over 31 years in perinatal care and 20 years specializing in lactation consultation, Gloria currently serves as the Director of Lactation Services at ETSU Health. She provides patient care in obstetrics and pediatric clinics and has been a pivotal figure in training additional lactation care providers. Gloria also contributed to the statewide task force aimed at developing the l...
Nov 04, 2024•32 min•Ep. 78
About the Guest: Gabriella Smith is the Northeast Regional Coordinator for the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY). With a career trajectory that spans victim services and child advocacy, she initially worked in criminology, focusing on domestic violence and sex trafficking. Her transition to TCCY allowed her to expand her impact on child welfare issues. Gabriella's passion is evident in her active role in community partnerships, including Strong Accountable Care Community (ACC), a...
Oct 28, 2024•11 min•Ep. 77
About the Guest: Mark Cruise is the Director of the Strong Accountable Care Community (ACC), a bi-state collaborative aimed at improving the physical, social, and economic health in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. With over 30 years of experience in health and human services, Mark has been influential in connecting more than 400 partner organizations to work collaboratively on various regional health initiatives. His professional journey includes a significant tenure in the free and ...
Oct 14, 2024•38 min•Ep. 76
About the Guest: Elizabeth Stringer is an English Learner Lead and official interpreter for Galax City Schools in Galax, Virginia. With over 20 years of experience teaching high school ESL, Elizabeth has spearheaded several innovative programs, including early literacy initiatives for Spanish-speaking families. Her work focuses on empowering parents to support their children's literacy and educational journeys. Elizabeth holds a pivotal role in her community, fostering an inclusive and supportiv...
Sep 20, 2024•40 min•Ep. 75
About the Guest: Elandriel Lewis Elandriel Lewis serves as the Senior Manager of Early Learning and Training at the United Way of Greater Nashville. With a robust background in early childhood education, Elandriel manages the "Read to Succeed" program, supports various childcare centers, and provides extensive professional development and training for educators and parents. Renowned for her creativity and dedication, she advocates passionately for high-quality early education. Episode Summary: I...
Sep 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 74
About the Guests: Miles Burdine : Miles is the CEO of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and a retired Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. He has an extensive background in community engagement, leadership, and mentoring. Miles is also known for being a co-author of the children's book "Live Like Grunt," reflecting his efforts in promoting early literacy and imparting life lessons. Nikki Burdine : Nikki is a morning news anchor in Nashville, Tennessee. With a passion for storytelling, she ...
Sep 06, 2024•35 min•Ep. 73
Dr. Amanda Witte is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Her research is focused on family-school partnerships, early learning, and rural education. She has been involved in several projects related to early learning and development – particularly the experience of children ranging in age from preschool through third grade. She also serves as a family-school consultant, training supervisor and project manager for Teachers and Parents as Partners (TAPP). She has...
Aug 16, 2024•49 min•Ep. 72
About the Guest: Chapple Osborne-Arnold: Chapple Osborne-Arnold is the Director of Save the Children for the State of Tennessee. With a profound passion for early childhood development and family support, Chapple leads numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting children in rural and under-resourced areas. She has dedicated over 13 years to Save the Children, driving significant impact and fostering strong community relationships. Episode Summary: Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Growing ...
Aug 09, 2024•43 min•Ep. 71
About the Guests: Tish Jones- Tish Jones is the dedicated Coordinator of the Ready by 6 initiative in Hamblen County, Morristown, Tennessee. With a fervent passion for early childhood education and community development, Tish has been instrumental in spearheading various programs aimed at ensuring children are prepared to excel in school. Her assertive and enterprising personality has been a key driver in the success of Ready by 6. Barbara Simmons- Barbara Simmons is the Family Resource Center C...
Jul 26, 2024•44 min•Ep. 70
About the Guest: Patti Woodby is the esteemed Mayor of Carter County, located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Tennessee. With demonstrated dedication towards enhancing her community's quality of life, Mayor Woodby has been pivotal in numerous initiatives from early literacy programs to transformative regional projects. Known for her hands-on leadership and ability to foster important partnerships, Mayor Woodby has contributed significantly to regional recovery centers and co...
Jul 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 69
Uniting Tennessee for Early Literacy: A Collaborative Effort In this episode of the Growing Stronger Together podcast, host Kim Hale, a faculty member at East Tennessee State University and director at the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development, welcomes Katie Elam from the statewide early literacy education collaborative, Select, associated with the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF). They discuss Select's aim to break down barriers, facilitate collaboration a...
May 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 68
Nutritional Guidelines and WIC Program Updates: Empowering Families for Better Health This podcast episode, hosted by Dr. Karen Schatzina from East Tennessee State University, features guest Dr. Michelle Johnson, an associate professor and dietetic internship program director. They explore the vital role of nutrition in the health and wellbeing of mothers and families, discussing dietary guidelines, the impacts of nutrition on health, and upcoming enhancements to the WIC program. These enhanceme...
May 06, 2024•40 min•Ep. 67
