Episodes

Send us Fan Mail Sue Straughn may be the most recognizable news anchor in Pensacola, but she has also been an outstanding advocate for children and education—earning a spot in the 100 Most Influential People by INWeekly, the Martin Luther King Junior "Living the Dream" Award, the Ambassador for Education by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation and more. Listen as Sue, an Escambia High graduate, shares her unique vantage point into the community from both the news desk and her front p...

Send us Fan Mail Hassan Hills is the founder and Director of Youths Left Behind, a nonprofit working to build up at-risk kids in Escambia County. In this episode, he shares his own story of incarceration & how he’s working to reduce gang violence & increase opportunities for youths in Escambia County & meet one of the young teens positively impacted by organization, Michael Jeter. Learn more about Youth Left behind on Facebook or apply today. Guests: Hassan Hills & Michael J...

Send us Fan Mail Jasmine Simms is a Tobacco Prevention Specialist for Tobacco Free Florida. In this episode, she shares vaping myths, why you may not recognize a vape pen if you saw it & practical strategies to talk to your kids about it. Guest: Jasmine Simms Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps connect local families with the resources they need & the stories that get missed. Le...

Send us Fan Mail This trio of guests are leveraging a school elective that turns creative problem solving into a competition. Melissa Hughes, Cheri Stoker and Sophia Worley are part of the Ferry Pass Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind Program where seven of their eight teams advanced to the state level. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program designed to help students grow as confident learners and team members. Listen as they share five benefits this program brings to the classroom ...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Kimberly Thomas and Mr. Derrick Thomas are both principals at Escambia County Public Schools on the rise—C.A Weis Elementary School and Workman Middle School. They share their work/home relationship dynamic & their unique perspectives on successful school outcomes. Guests: Dr. Kimberly Thomas & Derrick Thomas Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps connect...

Send us Fan Mail According to Boeing, the pilot shortage means that over the next 20 years, we will need 200K new pilots in the US alone. Escambia High School has a unique solution facilitated by a unique leader. Greg Pyle is a flight academy instructor. After 20 years in the United States Air Force, six of which spent as a navigator flying a FB1-11 fighter jet, he has combined his love of aviation with his passion for teaching a special dual enrollment program—created in partnership with Emb...

Send us Fan Mail A House Bill passed in 2021 requires all public school students receive basic first aid training, including CPR. Although simply watching a video satisfies this requirement, Dr. Mary Mehta, pediatric cardiologist, VP & Chief Medical Officer of Nemours Children’s Health Pensacola, explains why they are suppor`ting hands-on training throughout the county. Hear the scenarios that this training prepares families for & why it’s the right combo of practical and empowering. ...

Send us Fan Mail Kenneth Jordan II is an award-winning artist, graduate of WFHS and alumni of McArthur Elementary School who is lending his brilliance back to his old classroom. Known for his highly realistic portraits using crayons, he’s helping students recognize their feelings and do what he calls, “see their own hand.” Listen to how he illuminates the connection between art, uniqueness and resourcefulness for students in Escambia County. Learn more about Crayola Sensei on Instagram. Guest...

Send us Fan Mail Theory of knowledge asks International Baccalaureate students, "How do you know what you know?" Dylan Patterson and Audrey Foss are recent IB graduates of Pensacola High School. They used their final CAS project as a way to bring civic education to middle schoolers. Together with Gloria Eligio, the IB college counselor, hear what inspired them, how IB works and what’s next. Guest: Gloria Eligio, Audrey Foss & Dylan Patterson https://www.youngcitizensdevelopment.org/ | htt...

Send us Fan Mail Chad Cherry is the Building Construction teacher at Northview High School. In this episode, he shares how the building technologies academy is getting the next generation prepared for employment and homeownership through hands-on application of math, safety, critical thinking & interpersonal skills. Guest: Chad Cherry https://hbi.org/ Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This h...

Send us Fan Mail 45% of Escambia County households are below the ALICE threshold - ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income, Constrained, Employed. This squeeze is sharply felt for families during back to school time when expenses pile up quickly. In this episode, Chris McFarland, the Coordinator of Student Services for Escambia County Public Schools and Laura Gilliam, the President of the United Way of West Florida, share why Stuff the Bus is more than a feel-good event for those involved an...

Send us Fan Mail West Florida High’s Juniors went from shock to awe when they found out their AP English teacher is in a band! Joey Truncale is the lead singer of the alternative rock band, Unicorn Wranglers. Grab a spot by the stage to hear how his unusual hobby has helped him better connect with and educate his students. Guest: Joey Truncale Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps c...

Send us Fan Mail Christie Costello owns Costello’s Butcher Shop & Deli in Pensacola. In this episode she shares not about what she’s selling, but what she is giving away – 100-150 sandwiches to hungry neighborhood kids. She also shares the unusual way this idea came to her, her history with the Pensacola food scene & how she’s also setting up the next generation of chefs & entrepreneurs to give back. Learn more about the Kimberly Tauer Foundation on Facebook. Guest: Christie Coste...

Send us Fan Mail Scottlin Williams is a meteorologist and the program manager for HERicane Escambia, a free summer camp that is a positive force for girls. In this episode, she shares who inspired her into meteorology, what the camp entails & how broadening representation in emergency management and public safety is good for everyone. Guest: Scottlin Williams Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/26118575442515...

Send us Fan Mail Esi Shannon never expected to be Principal of the Year, but she always expected to be a teacher. In this episode, she shares the story of her career, reluctant leadership, creating joyous learning & the misunderstood struggles of educational leadership. Guest: Esi Shannon Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps connect local families with the resources they need & t...

Send us Fan Mail Information is moving at the speed of technology and our kids are learning it all, but how do we keep them safe? Brian Johnson is the Information Systems Security Manager for Escambia County Public Schools. In this episode, he shares insights into how we can support smart internet use for our kids & how the school system is supporting families. Guest: Brian Johnson Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://fo...

Send us Fan Mail In 2022, Stephanie Shepard’s son died from a fentanyl overdose. Unfortunately, this is not unusual, as Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties has the highest opioid overdose rate in the state. Vowing that his death not be in vain, she founded Hope Above Fear, a non-profit dedicated to help educate, de-stigmatize and overcome addiction in youth. In this episode, she shares what you need to know as a parent, what you can do and why there is hope. Learn more on Faceb...

Send us Fan Mail If kids could learn leadership skills, why would it matter? Amy McCrory and Shonna Gilmore have firsthand experience with student leadership. They are the principal and librarian at Bratt Elementary. In this episode, they share how their "Leader in Me" animal shelter drive not only made a concept a reality, but elevated academic performance. Guests: Amy McCrory & Shonna Gilmore Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! htt...

Send us Fan Mail Morgan White is the special needs teacher & cheer coach at Tate Highschool. In this episode she shares how she has taken the Aggies cheer team to number 1 in the state three times, overcomes outdated stereotypes of cheerleading & shares how cheer is not just a sport, but a distinctive system to set kids up to be stellar members of the community. Guest: Morgan White Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https...

Send us Fan Mail We all fondly remember that teacher who made a positive impact on us during our formative years. For many at Pine Meadow, I’ts 4th grade teacher, Cassi McGee, the 2025 ECPS Teacher of the Year. She returned to her first love of teaching after working as a stock broker & is now in her 21st year of teaching thriving in her element. Guest: Cassi McGee Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/26...

Send us Fan Mail Where can kids with physical disabilities go to exercise both their mindset and their bodies? Tara Blackwell was a softball superstar at Pine Forest High School in the late 90s-early 2000's. In her sophomore year of college, an accident left her paralyzed. Unable to find accessible fitness options, she made her own, founding Project 7, Pensacola’s only adaptive gym. Listen as she shares the importance of pursuing physical fitness regardless of ability and how she is making th...

Send us Fan Mail It’s safe to say there are two things everyone likes: options and money. So how do you help your kid have both after they graduate from high school? College is expensive and time consuming, and job options are entry level with no upward trajectory. Rob Wise and Ben Weldon are in the talent acquisition department of the Ingalls shipbuilding employment program in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Listen as they share how students can get paid to learn a trade to become skilled in a craf...

Send us Fan Mail Esports programs are quickly becoming the number one requested program for new student enrollment. Monica Willis, the Grants Management Specialist and District Military Liaison for the county shares why esports may not be what you think it is. In this episode, she shares what esports teams, coaches & practice look like, how it’s facilitating relationships & team building & (importantly) how your kid can get a college scholarship. She is the Grants Management Speci...

Send us Fan Mail Kids are a mystery. One day you can’t get them to sit still. The next day you can’t get them out of bed. Some homework is a breeze. Other homework is a battle. What is the best way to set goals with kids who are more focused on learning the latest TikTok dance than getting good grades? Larry Knight knows a thing or two about both kids and goals. He’s the principal at N.B. Cook Elementary School, a parent, and someone who has achieved admirable fitness milestones. Learn about ...