Ep: 90 - Preparing for September in Before & After School
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Jamie Wagler, RECE, OCT, to explore the unique world of school-age programs and the educators who help bring them to life. School-age care is shaped by relationships, transitions, routines, play, and the many professionals who work together to support children before school, after school, and during full-day programs like camps. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Ep: 89 - Evolving Pedagogies in Practice
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, once again hosts Marcia Nicole, RECE, OCT, MPED, PhD (Student) of Ispyr to Educate, in a follow-up to Ep: 61 - In Conversation with a Black Educator. They discuss Marcia’s research on the experiences of Black educators and leadership, how her perspectives on professional learning continue to evolve, and the power of making sure your voice is heard to create meaningful change. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Minisode: 45 - August 2026 Professional Learning Update
In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she shares our professional learning update for August 2026.
Ep: 88 - A Conversation on “Quality”
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, sits down with Kayla Bartlett, Strive Professional Learning Lead, to chat about “quality”. They examine how the word “quality” is used in the early childhood care and education sector and break down the nuances of “quality” for licensing, professional practice, care, and more. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Ep: 87 - Finding Your ‘Well’: One Change, Infinite Results
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Mary Hewitt, MPEd (ECE), RECE, BEd, BA (Psychology), to explore the question: what if one small pivot could redefine your entire career? Mary shares the 'missing piece' of the Well-Being puzzle and moves beyond the surface-level talk of educator, child, and family wellness to explore a deep, life-altering shift that changes everything. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Minisode: 44 - July 2026 Professional Learning Update
In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for July 2026.
Ep: 86 - Exploring Food in Sensory Play
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Strive’s Resource Centre Specialists, Liz Gannon and Lena Haider, to discuss using food in sensory play. They reflect on our Food for Thought professional learning session, things they’ve learned about using food and natural materials in sensory play for child care, and share tips for creating sustainable practices that may or may not include food. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Ep: 85 - Getting Outside: Summer Day Camp & Nature Connection
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Nicole Van Beers, WILD CHILD Program Lead at Childreach, to talk all about getting outside this summer, summer day camp programming, and the unique ways WILD CHILD melds the two! Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Minisode: 43 - June 2026 Professional Learning Update
In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for June 2026.
Ep: 84 - Professional Learning that Counts: Leadership, Systems, and Support
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Erika Murray, RECE, to share her perspective on how professional learning can be meaningfully supported in early childhood settings. They explore the role of leadership in ensuring professional learning truly counts through aligned systems, including intentional planning, protected time, and fair compensation. This episode invites leaders to reflect on how thoughtful leadership practices can remove barriers, honour educators’ professionalism, embed learning into the culture of their organization, and how authentic investment supports educator growth, retention, and quality practice. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Ep: 83 - Built For Play: Child-led Design
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Jessie Collins and Vanessa Eastmure from the London Children's Museum to reflect on what it means to create a museum built for children, by children. They share how children and their caregivers were consulted throughout the museum design process and how children’s feedback continues to shape exhibits, programs, and learning experiences today. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Minisode: 42 - May 2026 Professional Learning Update
In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for May 2026.
Ep: 82 - Stress & Power Dynamics Between RECEs and OCTs
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Sara Hassan to discuss Sara’s master's thesis, which examines how stress affects power dynamics between OCTs and RECEs in kindergarten classrooms and how this impacts collaboration between educators. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Ep: 81 - The Value of Relationship-Building
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Carolyn Little, Program Manager from All Kids Belong (AKB). They myth-bust some common misconceptions about AKB’s role, explore how Special Needs Resourcing works, and discuss the true value of relationship-building among community partners, educators, and families. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Ep: 80 - Demystifying Home Childcare
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Michelle Marks, a home childcare provider based in London. They discuss the misconceptions around home childcare, its unique challenges, and Michelle’s journey to finding her home in home childcare. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Minisode: 41 - April 2026 Professional Learning Update
In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for April 2026.
Ep: 79 - Supporting Children’s Multilingualism
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Lena Haider, Strive Resource Centre Specialist, and Nyiel Nhial, Strive Community Animator, to explore their experiences learning English as a second language. Alongside this, they discuss how they're navigating teaching multiple languages to their children, and ways educators can support children who are multilingual or whose primary language isn't English. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Ep: 78 - Journey Towards Authenticity
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Stevie Bees, a nonbinary/trans-masc activist and community member, to discuss their journey, their new book "What is a Safe Space?", and how educators can create safe spaces through authentic interactions with children and families. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!
Minisode: 40 - March 2026 Professional Learning Update
In this minisode, join Andera, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Strive, as she outlines upcoming professional learning events for March 2026.
Ep: 77 - Approaching Uncomfortable Conversations
Welcome to Leading Inspired Learning: A Strive Podcast! In this episode, Ally, Strive Manager, hosts Lindsay Lapaquette, Workplace Communications Expert, to explore how ECEC leaders and educators can authentically approach uncomfortable conversations to build trust with one another and the families they work with. Listen, learn, reflect, enjoy!