Shows
Freedom to RiseEmployer Provided Childcare with Molly Grant and Madeleine ThankurIn this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, host Bronwyn Beightol welcomes Molly Grant, Executive Director of the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and Madeleine Thakur, President and CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida. Together, they explore Florida’s new 2024 tax credit designed to incentivize employer-supported childcare—whether through on-site facilities or partnerships with community-based providers. This policy aims to support working families, strengthen the state’s workforce, and improve outcomes for children. Join us as we delve into what this means for Florida’s future and how employers can play a critical role in early le...2025-04-1432 minFreedom to RiseThe State of the Florida Economy with Florida Trend's Mike Brassfield & United Way Suncoast's Aaron NealSome present a rosy picture of the Florida economy, but on the latest episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve deeper into the data and explain why all is not well for the state's ALICE families. Florida Trend associate editor Mike Brassfield and United Way Suncoast Data Analysis Director Aaron Neal join United Way Suncoast Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol to give a true picture of the highs and lows of the state economy. Listen in.2024-02-0523 minFreedom to RiseGet Centennialized with CEO Jessica MuroffIn our region, only a handful of philanthropic organizations have thrived over the course of decades, marching with time and evolving to keep pace. At United Way Suncoast, we're proud to be in that group and eager to celebrate our success as we move into our second century of service. Here to tell us more about the centennial celebration is our very own CEO Jessica Muroff. Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol discusses our recent Centennial Celebration Kickoff and the magnitude of looking back on our first 100 years of achievement and looking ahead to our second ce...2024-01-2324 minFreedom to RiseThe Impact of Suncoast 2-1-1The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners recently voted to slash its funding for Suncoast 2-1-1, a vital service that provides a 24/7 path to support for community members in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto. What's the potential impact of losing that funding? Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1 vice president Catherine Rea and Glasser/Schoenbaum executive director Charlene Altenhain join United Way Suncoast's Bronwyn Beightol to discuss the life-saving work of Suncoast 2-1-1, and how it's been a cornerstone in the community for more than 30 years.2023-10-1629 minFreedom to RiseFlorida Center for Early Childhood CEO Kristie SkoglundAll across the Suncoast region, early learning educators and parents find themselves dealing with a crisis within a crisis: children acting out the emotional trauma of their lives, disrupting learning and creating an issue that results in parents losing their jobs. It’s a trauma that often begins in the home, and the pandemic has only served to exacerbate the issue. United Way Suncoast has partnered with the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation and Florida Center for Early Learning to take on this issue. Listen in as United Way Suncoast CEO Bronwyn Beightol and Florida Center CEO Kristie Skoglund ex...2023-09-1129 minFreedom to RiseThe Florida Policy Project with Jeff BrandesJeff Brandes makes his second appearance on the Freedom To Rise podcast, but his first after ending a 12-year run in Tallahassee. The former senator and state representative from St. Petersburg has launched the Florida Policy Project, a policy bank (don't call it a think tank) to continue tackling some of the state's most pressing issues. Listen up as he tells host Bronwyn Beightol about his actionable plans regarding property insurance, criminal justice reform and two subjects directly impacting United Way Suncoast's ALICE families: housing and transportation.2023-07-0530 minFreedom to RiseAtlanta Federal Reserve's Community and Economic Director Brittany BirkenBrittany Birken, the Atlanta Federal Reserve's Community and Economic Director, joins United Way Suncoast Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol for a deep dive into the fiscal benefits cliff issue, the sudden and often unexpected decrease in public benefits due to a small increase in earnings. 2023-04-0334 minFreedom to RiseThe Aftermath of Hurricane Ian with United Way of Florida CEO Melissa NelsonThe devastation left in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian leaves all of us heartbroken. We hope that recovery efforts bring comfort to those impacted by the storm, but as we've said before - hope requires more than empathetic emotions, it requires action. On this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast Bronwyn Beightol is joined by United Way of Florida CEO Melissa Nelson to discuss how United Way Suncoast, and all the local United Ways in Florida, will play a role in the mid-and-long term recovery of our communities. 2022-10-0619 minFreedom to RiseChildren First CEO Philip TavillBronwyn Beightol welcomes Children First CEO and Executive Director Philip Tavill. Philip discusses the pandemic’s impact on Children First, access and equity in early learning, the importance of mental health support at Children First, what it means to be in the top 1% of all Head Start programs, and more. 2022-05-2334 minFreedom to RiseChancellor of Early Learning Matthew MearsHost Bronwyn Beightol is back to talk with Chancellor Matthew Mears on the role of the Chancellor of Education, emerging from the pandemic, helping early learning educators ‘ salaries, the importance of early learning, the engagement of the business community, and more.2022-05-0331 min