Come along for the ride as we introduce you to Andrew Van Leuven, Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics. With degrees from The Ohio State University, and institutions in Pennsylvania and Utah, Erin & Andrew talk about the forces that shape local economic vitality and community well-being in rural and small town America and how these aspects intertwine with childcare. Like your host Erin, they both geek out on the data side of things that inform so many thoughts and perspectives.

At Hula in Burlington, Lucia Campriello is helping shape the future of Vermont’s entrepreneurial and innovation economy. As CEO of one of the region’s most vibrant hubs for founders, creatives, investors, remote workers and community leaders, Lucia is a driving force behind the connections and collaborations fueling regional momentum. Known for her visionary leadership and community-first approach, Lucia is cultivating an ecosystem where businesses grow, partnerships form, and people feel inspired to belong and contribute. Erin and Lucia first connected while working together at Let's Grow Kids, and their shared passion for meaningful change - and friendship - has only grown since. Tune in for an energizing conversation about Lucia’s journey, the power of authentic community building, what makes Hula such a magnetic force in Vermont right now, and why surrounding yourself with passionate people matters.

Champlain College student Kassim joins Erin for a thoughtful conversation about the challenges of child care, and the importance of staying calm, grounded, and confident through them. Kassim shares his personal journey from Somalia to the United States, reflecting on culture, identity, and what it has meant to navigate child care while raising a young child.

He opens up about moments of feeling different and not always like he belonged, and how those experiences have shaped who he is today. Through reflection and growth, Kassim describes a deep curiosity about life and a desire to better understand the path that brought him here.

The takeaway is simple but powerful: tell your story—because everyone has one worth sharing.

Janet McLaughlin, the eyes and ears of the Vermont Department of Children and Families. Making big time decisions in the best interest of littlest Vermonters and their families. A leader who is not afraid to take a stand for what matters, she does what she does out of a commitment to public service. Join Erin and Janet as they chat about all things child care, memorable commuting and carpool stories and most importantly, dinner-time decisions.

Join FCF's Erin Roche for a neighborly, on-the-road conversation with her neighbor and former colleague, Zoe Kaslow. Deeply rooted in her community, Zoe has served on numerous civic and nonprofit boards and brings both personal and professional connections to the world of child care.

Together, Erin and Zoe catch up on all things child care, swap business insights, share carpool and commute stories, and—of course—talk dinner plans. Hop in for a ride with these two energized leaders as they blend real-life conversation with meaningful perspective.

Is your inbox swamped with emails and newsletters? Would you rather listen to what First Children's Finance Vermont has been up to? Use this episode to catch up on all of the happenings in Vermont's ECE world from April and a look into what’s to come for May. From business sustainability to updates from the field, your hosts Erin & Tess have a lot to say and reflect on this month. Tune in to this spirited version of the FCF VT monthly newsletter for the news you didn’t know you needed.

Like Loretta Lynn, Rebecca is a real life coal miner’s daughter from West Virginia-but with a background in historic preservation and the many historic buildings in Vermont, it’s destiny that Rebecca ended up in Vermont. Join Erin in this entertaining and enlightening conversation with Rebecca as they chat all things family, early childhood education, the intricacies of human interaction and much more. Buckle up because this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Go back in time to 2017 and learn about Sherry Carlson and all of the groundbreaking work she steered through the Vermont Community Preschool Collaborative to Universal PreK. Navigating policy twists and turns, Carlson stepped into building capacity for infants and toddlers with the now Make Way for Kids Infant/Toddler Capacity Grant Program. Fast forward to today, Sherry continues to be inspiring, dedicated, fast-paced and exemplifies what can happen during a ten year long friendship-can episodes get better than that?