Books as a Force for Change: Author Christy Mihaly's Adventures in Learning

11/09/22 • 33 min

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Author Christy Mihaly talks water, insect eating, and the first amendment as inspiration for her writing. We share ideas for kids (and their grown ups) about everyday steps that can make an impact for climate change. And we discuss Christy's fascinating adventures in learning.

“And I think that making kids feel empowered and helping them channel the energy that they have is what we want to do. Because kids do care. Kids have an immediate, visceral, emotional reaction when they see dirty water and when they see suffering animals. They want to help. And that's where I want to go. It's like, here's the information you need, and here's how we can be active in making things better.”

— Author Christy Mihaly (@19:20 Adventures in Learning podcast)

Author Christy Mihaly is a nature lover, a former lawyer, and a poet. She writes for kids because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising young people who love to read and giving them the knowledge and skills to lead. Christy has written more than 30 children's nonfiction titles on topics from hayfields to free speech to food. Her fall 2021 picture book with Barefoot Books Water: A Deep Dive of Discovery, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa was awarded a Kirkus Star and a gold in the Nautilus Book Awards. I’m a huge fan of Christy’s work, particularly the nonfiction she writes that helps educate kids about the environment and about the importance of making their voices heard. Please listen, subscribe, and leave your comments. You can check out the full show notes here.

[02:07] Connecting Past and Present — From Environmental Lawyer to Children’s Book Author

[05:17] Taking on Big Issues and Making Them Accessible and Fun for Young Readers Free for You and Me and The Supreme Court and Us

[08:08] Building connections with Water. A Deep Dive of Discovery.

[14:02] How Eating Insects Might Help Combat Climate Change (And other ideas for you to digest with Diet for a Changing Planet: Food for Thought)

[17:20] Action Steps for Reducing Carbon Footprints

[24:34] A Writer's Process

[24:34] Dr. Diane: So what are you currently working on? Are you able to share?

[27:34] A Possible Hint to Christy's Next Project?

[28:55] What Brings You Joy?

What Brings You Hope?

Hope. I find hope comes from the kids. Again, talking with kids about these issues and just seeing them and seeing their emotional reactions to nature, to the world,

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— Author Christy Mihaly (@19:20 Adventures in Learning podcast)

[02:07] Connecting Past and Present — From Environmental Lawyer to Children’s Book Author

[05:17] Taking on Big Issues and Making Them Accessible and Fun for Young Readers Free for You and Me and The Supreme Court and Us

[08:08] Building connections with Water. A Deep Dive of Discovery.

[14:02] How Eating Insects Might Help Combat Climate Change (And other ideas for you to digest with Diet for a Changing Planet: Food for Thought)

[17:20] Action Steps for Reducing Carbon Footprints

[24:34] A Writer's Process

[24:34] Dr. Diane: So what are you currently working on? Are you able to share?

[27:34] A Possible Hint to Christy's Next Project?

[28:55] What Brings You Joy?

What Brings You Hope?

Hope. I find hope comes from the kids. Again, talking with kids about these issues and just seeing them and seeing their emotional reactions to nature, to the world,

Support the show

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Putting the A in STEAM -- Actor and Activist Gavin Lodge's Adventures in Learning

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Gavin Lodge -- Broadway actor, small business entrepreneur, TikTok influencer, and Executive Director of the American Alliance of Artists and Audiences -- dishes on the importance of the arts, activism, and education. He also shares some of his favorite diverse LGBTQ friendly picture books that speak to the power of identity and family love.
Gavin and I go way back (we were practically kids) when we performed together in TriArts Sharon Playhouse's production of The Music Man. He was the dynamic Harold Hill and I picked a little and talked a lot. Backstage, we became friends in the kind of friendship that endures. Over the years, we've talked politics, literature, raising kids. And it's been so much fun to be a part of his journey from the Broadway stage to launching his own business, to become a social media influencer, and now, most recently the Executive Director of 4A, the American Alliance of Artists and Audiences. In the conversation that follows, we explore the importance of the arts as part of STEAM education and as an important aspect of American society. We also delve deeply into picture books that help foster positive images of LGBTQ families and children. And there's a lot of laughter as well.

[01:37] What is 4A Arts, the American Alliance of Artists and Audiences?

[05:36] Connecting the A in STEAM (That's Arts)

[07:32] Adventures in Learning: Gavin's Journey from Broadway to 4A Arts Executive Director

[11:02] Gavin has established a successful social media presence on TikTok and has created an entertaining and thought provoking parenting blog, which I highly recommend. In addition, he launched the ECKnox brand. He's been sharing very openly his adventures as a dad since Ellison was born. I asked him to share a little more about the business and the other side of his artistic life.

[17:18] Force Feeding Culture? Or Strategies for Promoting Playful Learning

[20:07] Diverse LGBTQ-Friendly Picture Books That Speak to the Power of Identity and Family Love. Seriously check this section out. There is a lot of power and goodness embedded here.

[32:40] Advice for Our Kids: Applying Our Adventures In Learning
For pictures, book recommendations, and more, check out the full show notes.

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Curiosity Creates STEM Connections -- Adventures in Learning with Brad Herring

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How can we harness curiosity to engage learners in STEM and in the world around them? Swift Creek Media CEO Brad Herring shares thoughts on storytelling, building STEM connections, and approaching the world from a new perspective. Plus, learn about the NISENetwork and its many STEM resources.

While Brad’s career began by serving overseas in Panama with the United States Peace Corps, his passion for filmmaking began with the birth of his daughter. What started as a hobby, quickly grew into his job and eventually led him to start his own production company, Swift Creek Media. He has over 17 years of experience in project management, creating and producing over 150 videos for one of the largest science museum networks in the United States. Brad previously worked at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC and led NISE Network online workshops while serving as NISENet's Earth & Space project-based professional learning community leader and as the Southeast regional hub leader.

I first met Brad when we were both deeply ensconced in the museum world. Through our collaboration together, I learned how to tap into STEM resources and community professionals to enhance the wow factor of the STEAM Night programs I developed for the children's museum where I was working at the time. I also gained access to the creative collaborative energy of a nationwide network of informal educators seeking to get the public excited about science and hands-on learning.

[00:40] Wonder, curiosity, connection -- building engaging STEM/STEAM programs

[5:13] The challenges of grabbing and keeping attention when building engaging programs.

[10:06] What is NISE Network (National Informal STEM Education Network) and how can it help build engaged learning?

[14:17] Taking Curiosity On The Road: Brad shares details about his recent summer trip of a lifetime and the perspective it gave him.

[21:25] How do we tell the stories? Filmmaking as storytelling through Swift Creek Media

[27:25] Strategies for connecting storytelling and engaged STEM/STEAM learning? Horton Senses Something Small, Breakfast Moon, Moonbear’s Shadow, Hide and Seek Moon, Frankenstein

[33:17] What Brings You Hope?

It (camping) really gave me hope that there are good people out there and we just need to get outside of our own walls and travel more and experi

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Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning - Books as a Force for Change: Author Christy Mihaly's Adventures in Learning

Transcript

[00:00] Dr. Diane: Welcome to the Adventures In Learning, podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Diane, and I am so excited to welcome author Christy Mihaly to the show today. Christy Mihaly is a nature lover, a former lawyer, and a poet. She writes for kids because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising young people who love to read and giving them the knowledge and skills to lead. Christy has