Shows
Stumbling Through WorkChild Care Math Is RudeSend us a textWe call out the broken childcare math, the lazy myths about greedy centers, and the way policy failure pushes women and caretakers out of the workforce. Then we go inside preschool life under immigration fear, answer tough listener questions, and lay out practical policies that keep programs sane.• Why childcare costs more than rent yet underpays educators• The harm of treating a public good like a luxury• Real fixes: public investment, wages, and employer flexibility• How ICE fear disrupts drop-off, enrollment, and trust• Trauma signs in preschoolers and staff...
2025-12-1640 minStumbling Through WorkInside A Preschool Scandal: Abuse, Oversight Failures, And The Fight For Safer ChildcareSend us a textWe confront a big-brand preschool scandal, then widen the lens to expose how staffing, oversight, and culture create the conditions for harm—and how to fix them with real accountability, funding, and courage. Along the way we answer listener questions, call out hiring red flags, and argue for licensing that measures safety culture, not just binders.• abuse allegations at a brand-name preschool and bleach-water incident• systemic causes: staffing crisis, weak oversight, corporate optics• fear and silence that block whistleblowing• parents’ tools: unannounced visits, incident logs, clear questions• educator survi...
2025-12-0941 minStumbling Through WorkWe Came For Goldfish And Got Bleach InsteadSend us a textA water pitcher, a cleaning bottle, and a rushed routine turned snack time into a health scare—then a bland corporate statement tried to make it disappear. We pull back the curtain on how incidents like this happen in real programs: thin ratios, frantic handoffs, vague labeling, and a pace that makes errors inevitable. Safety isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s a culture built from boring consistency—clear systems, ongoing training, locked storage, separate prep zones, and immediate, honest communication with families.From there, we widen the lens to a pol...
2025-12-0241 minStumbling Through WorkChildcare Math Doesn’t Add UpSend us a textChildcare isn’t expensive because anyone’s getting rich; it’s expensive because keeping tiny humans safe, fed, and learning costs real money. We open the books on rent, insurance, payroll, licensing, curriculum, food, and the constant stream of supplies that make a classroom run. Then we connect the dots to the bigger truth: parents can’t pay more, centers can’t charge less, and teachers can’t live on wages that don’t match the work. Without public investment—like K–12 receives—the math will always fail the people doing the caring and the families dep...
2025-11-1827 minStumbling Through WorkSNAP!: How A Shutdown Hits Childcare, Families, And TeachersSend us a textA shutdown stalls SNAP and shakes childcare, leaving families, teachers and programs scrambling for stability while kids lose consistency. We also confront bias against male ECE teachers, name red flags in constant staff reassignments, unpack real answers to stress interviews, and explain why harassment policies protect everyone.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2025-11-0429 minStumbling Through WorkGrandma Is Not Helping And One Glove Is Not For EveryoneSend us a textA daycare sends a Saturday-night email announcing it’s closed effective immediately, and by Monday morning parents, teachers, and an entire neighborhood are scrambling. We dig into what sudden closures reveal about the state of childcare: budgets stretched to breaking, staff underpaid and undervalued, and families forced to choose between a paycheck and their kids. We tackle a grim hygiene shortcut—reusing gloves during diaper changes—and lay out the non-negotiables for health and licensing. We also share a clear playbook for leaving an unstable job with professionalism and zero guilt when your hours...
2025-10-2828 minStumbling Through WorkPass the Collection Plate for Childcare?Send us a textThe day a state slices $225 million from childcare and 45 centers go dark, the ripple doesn’t stop at the classroom door—it hits every shift, every meeting, every bottom line. We dig into why asking local businesses to “chip in” can’t replace public responsibility, and we map out what real fixes look like: permanent funding that doesn’t vanish after a grant cycle, practitioner voices at the decision table, and pay that matches the professional weight of early education.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www...
2025-10-1435 minStumbling Through WorkBubble Sheets and Here We AreSend us a textFollow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2025-10-0725 minStumbling Through WorkKids Say...Send us a textEver wonder what keeps educators up at night? Spoiler alert: it's rarely the children. In this refreshingly candid episode, we dive into the real challenges that make working in education both hilarious and maddening.From the three-year-old who perfectly uses profanity in a sentence during rhyme time to the parent who sends their child to school with Tylenol-laced milk, these stories highlight a fundamental truth in education: children are predictably unpredictable, but adults are chaos incarnate.Ready for a dose of educational reality served with a side of...
2025-09-2326 minStumbling Through WorkBeyond Talk: When States Actually Solve the Child Care CrisisSend us a textNew Mexico has just achieved what many thought impossible – implementing truly universal, free child care for all residents regardless of income. Follow this podcast to stay updated on this groundbreaking initiative and share this episode with anyone interested in how states can transform early childhood education from aspiration to reality. Visit jarekhuff.com for more resources and to connect with me directly.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2025-09-1630 minStumbling Through WorkWho Will Care for Us Tomorrow? The True Cost of Education PolicySend us a textThe political weaponization of early childhood education takes center stage, as these children will take care of us when we get older. The stay-at-home mom is considering childcare employment for the wrong reasons, while the school administrator is dealing with an employee whose child's father violated a protection order by impersonating a social worker. Subscribe to Stumbling Through Work wherever you get your podcasts.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2025-09-0927 minStumbling Through WorkStickers and Sleepy KidsSend us a textWhen four-year-old Lane smuggled home a mysterious sticker, the episode dives deep into the ethical boundaries being crossed in early childhood settings and why even challenging classroom behaviors never justify administering substances without parental consent.Through real-world scenarios and practical advice, this conversation provides a compassionate yet honest look at the complexities educators navigate daily while advocating for both children's wellbeing and teacher support systems. This episode delivers a compelling mixture of shocking realities, practical solutions, and the reassurance that you're not alone in stumbling through the complex world of education.
2025-09-0227 minStumbling Through WorkWhen New Hires Ghost: Tales of Professional Disappearing ActsSend us a textHave you ever spent weeks interviewing candidates, finally found "the one," only to have them quit within 24 hours? How do you stand firm on your planned departure date when a director tries to guilt you into staying? Share your own workplace disappearing act stories with us – we know you've got them!Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2025-08-2625 minStumbling Through WorkBonnets & Boundaries, Should we Judge Parents?Send us a textProfessional standards in educational environments matter, from dress codes to qualifications, as we explore how expectations shape children's experiences and learning environments. • Parent dress codes at schools spark debate about setting examples for children• Principal resigned over controversial dress code comments, but school board later adopted similar policy• Different circumstances exist but basic presentation standards are reasonable expectations• ECE teacher strikes aren't viable solutions due to private funding model constraints• Many ECE teachers lack appropriate qualifications or understanding of educational requirements• Parents often prefer teachers who neglect class...
2025-08-1928 minStumbling Through WorkExploitation, Fraud, Weed, and Late PickupsSend us a textFollow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2025-08-1224 minStumbling Through WorkNot a Felony and Parental AmbushesSend us a textA man received just one month in jail for allegedly holding down a four-year-old so another child could "retaliate" against them. From unproductive staff who waste valuable nap time scrolling on phones to the complicated dynamics when workplace relationships turn personal, the episode concludes with practical hiring advice centered on identifying candidates who can effectively prioritize tasks when faced with overwhelming workloads. Whether you're an educator seeking solidarity in shared struggles or a parent wanting to understand the challenges faced by those caring for your children, this episode delivers unfiltered truths ab...
2025-08-0628 minStumbling Through WorkFiring, Hiring, and Not Pulling HairSend us a textWhether you're a seasoned educator or new to the field, this episode offers honest perspective on navigating workplace challenges with integrity. Follow the podcast to join this ongoing conversation about the realities of education work.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2025-07-2923 minStumbling Through WorkNaptime Narcotics: When Teachers Turn to BenadrylSend us a textA troubling case from Georgia reveals how a daycare lost its license after staff administered Benadryl to toddlers without consent, raising serious questions about trust and safety in childcare settings. Meanwhile, nearly $6.8 billion in federal education funding is being withheld, affecting critical programs for vulnerable student populations. Through a candid exploration of real-world scenarios, we offer practical guidance for keeping outside drama where it belongs - outside - and strategies for handling challenging situations with family members who may attempt to override parents' decisions. Follow me :Website: https://www.a...
2025-07-1731 minStumbling Through WorkDangerous Preschools, Woke Tests, and the Walmart Bag Exit StrategySend us a textThe alarming realities of unregulated childcare facilities operating with twice its maximum occupancy, this facility housed infants in a windowless basement alongside propane tanks, creating what authorities described as "nightmarish, hellish conditions." The conversation shifts to Oklahoma's peculiar response to teacher shortages—creating additional barriers rather than incentives and professional approach to firing employees that maintains dignity while protecting children and programs from unnecessary drama. The episode concludes with a thoughtful response to an educator contemplating leaving the field due to burnout. Rather than seeing this as an indictment of early childhood education as...
2025-07-1533 min
Quantum Leadership CodesMastering the Invisible: Holistic Quantum Mastery in LeadershipIn this episode of Quantum Leadership Codes, Halie & Jerek welcome Ram Salman, a leader in the green and sustainable energy space, to discuss the intersection of spirituality & leadership through the lens of quantum law. The conversation explores the shift from Newtonian to quantum leadership, emphasizing the importance of creating conditions for growth & the power of visualization. Ram shares insights on the torus field & its implications for team dynamics & coherence, highlighting the potential for a more interconnected & empowered approach to leadership. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of naming experiences & fostering a culture of possibility within organizations.
2025-05-1842 minQuantum Leadership CodesBeyond Burnout: Leading from an Organized Nervous SystemIn this episode, Halie & Jerek explore the essential relationship between nervous system healing & leadership development. Drawing from lived experience, somatic practice, & organizational insight, they unpack what it means to lead from an organized nervous system—where coherence, attunement, & agency take the place of burnout, reactivity, & self-abandonment.They discuss the difference between regulation & attunement, how urgency is often a nervous system state (not just a scheduling issue), & how trauma patterns like fawning, freezing, or overachieving quietly impact how leaders show up. The conversation also touches on many other themes & practices incl...
2025-04-2053 minQuantum Leadership CodesCoherence Begins with Commitment: What Are You Devoted To?In this episode, Halie & Jerek introduce their Quantum C.O.H.E.R.E.N.C.E. Method™—a transformative leadership coaching framework rooted in quantum physics, somatics, & consciousness. They explore the first core capacity: Commitment to Evolution, inspired by Generative Somatics & Strozzi somatics, & discuss why devotion to growth is the energetic foundation of all transformation.Through personal stories & reflections, they share what coherence means in leadership, how this method came into being, & what readiness looks like for this path. Together, they explore how nervous system safety, spiritual connection, & practice support leaders in meeting transfo...
2025-04-1355 minQuantum Leadership CodesWhat We Avoid Holds the Key to Transformation: Leadership as Spiritual EvolutionIn this conversation, Jerek & Halie explore the theme of avoidance, particularly in the context of leadership & personal growth. They discuss how avoidance is an adaptive strategy developed in childhood, the importance of creating safe spaces for vulnerability, & the role of personal work in fostering compassionate organizational cultures. This exploration emphasizes the need for awareness & intentionality in addressing avoidance patterns, as well as the significance of open communication & emotional intelligence in leadership. Through personal anecdotes & insights, they provide practical strategies for navigating avoidance & cultivating a more authentic & connected leadership style.Cultivate your leadership presence by...
2025-04-0639 minQuantum Leadership CodesArchetypes in Leadership: Living into Your EssenceIn this episode of Quantum Leadership Codes, we explore the concept of archetypes — how they emerge & center us in leadership & support personal & organizational transformation. Whether you’re a sage, a rebel, an explorer, or something else, understanding your leadership archetypes helps you align more fully with your authentic essence. Through stories, reflections, & actionable practices, we discuss how to recognize your own archetypal energies, embrace your essence, & leverage community support to deepen coherence & connection.Join the Quantum Leadership Community: https://atmusphere.mn.co/ 0:00 — Somatic practice to arrive 2:01 — Exploring archetypes as energies a...
2025-03-3045 minQuantum Leadership CodesService as an Anchor: Finding Clarity Through ContributionIn this thought-provoking episode, Halie & Jerek explore the concept of service as an anchoring force in leadership & life. They discuss how orienting towards service can guide right action, create clarity, & foster intimacy & more authentic connections. Through personal stories, reflections, & practices, they highlight how service can shape leadership, the power of reciprocity, & how they navigate the shadow side of service: over-giving. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how being of service can both ground & elevate our path forward.Join the Quantum Leadership Community: https://atmusphere.mn.co/TIMESTAMPS:...
2025-03-2343 minQuantum Leadership CodesUnlearning Hustle Culture: How to Lead with More Ease & ImpactIn this episode, we explore the radical topic of rest as leaders. As recovering hustlers, we unpack the journey of slowing down, dismantling the myth that productivity equals worth, & redefining rest as a regenerative force for leadership & creativity. From nervous system regulation to embodied leadership, we explore how honoring our natural rhythms cultivates deeper well-being, innovation, & authentic self-expression.Join us in a candid, heart-centered conversation filled with personal insights, paradoxes, & laughter (yes, energy drinks & rest can coexist!). Plus, we share simple yet powerful practices to attune to your body’s wisdom, integrate pauses into da...
2025-03-1644 minQuantum Leadership CodesNavigating Fear in LeadershipIn this heartfelt episode, Jerek & Halie continue their conversation from episode 3 & more deeply explore the relationship between fear & saying "yes." They reflect on some of their personal practices for meeting fear & intentionally orienting toward a more centered, trust-based way of moving through the world. Listen to this episode to explore how somatic awareness, community support, & connecting with your "True North" can help you navigate fear while making aligned leadership decisions.Join us in the Quantum Leadership Community, where we offer workshops, community practice spaces, self-paced learning, strategy & more to help you build purpose-driven ventures & deve...
2025-03-0538 minQuantum Leadership Codes4 Questions We Ask Ourselves Before Making Any Business DecisionIn this candid conversation, we dive deep into four essential questions we ask ourselves before making any major business decision. Moving beyond traditional business metrics, we explore how to align choices with our deepest values, honor our actual capacity & consider the ripple effects of our decisions on the entire ecosystem of our lives & businesses. Through sharing personal experiences, we discuss the art of saying both 'yes' & 'no', the importance of slowing down to tune into our body's wisdom, & how to navigate decisions from a place of authentic alignment rather than obligation or fear.Episode...
2025-02-2630 minQuantum Leadership CodesLeading through Hard Conversations [Part 2]In Episode 2, we continue the conversation about the delicate dance of giving and receiving feedback. Through vulnerable sharing and practical wisdom, we unpack why feedback—both positive and challenging—can feel vulnerable, how our earliest experiences shape our leadership patterns, and what it takes to stay present when we want to withdraw. We share about how to practice nonviolent communication, and even model how to give feedback by offering feedback to one another in real-time. Whether you're building team cultures or deepening personal relationships, this episode offers both practical tools and spiritual wisdom to help you transform challenging conversations into...
2025-02-1948 minQuantum Leadership CodesLeading through Hard Conversations [Part 1]Episode 1: Leading through Hard Conversations (Part 1)Join us as we explore one of leadership's greatest challenges: navigating feedback and conflict. Through personal stories and quantum principles, we unpack how to create genuine safety in relationships and transform difficult conversations into opportunities for growth.Learn practical strategies for:-Giving and receiving feedback with grace-Building psychological safety in teams-Turning conflict into creative potentialAtmusphere bridges spiritual wisdom with business innovation, guiding visionary leaders to create extraordinary impact through elevated consciousness.Visit atmusphere.coFollow us @atm.us.phereLoved this episode?
2025-02-0536 minQuantum Leadership CodesTrailer: A New Paradigm of Leadership - Quantum Leadership CodesIn Episode 1 of Quantum Leadership Codes, we explore the paradigm shift from Newtonian to quantum leadership. Discover how moving beyond linear thinking opens infinite possibilities in business and personal growth.Through candid conversation, we share our experiences of integrating spiritual wisdom with practical business applications, creating more sustainable, human-centered approaches to leadership. Learn how to lead from wholeness rather than force, and transform your relationship with success.Atmusphere bridges spiritual wisdom with business innovation, guiding visionary leaders to create extraordinary impact through elevated consciousness....
2025-02-0328 minStumbling Through WorkDrop Off Mistakes, Transitions, and Overtime ChallengesSend us a textA young girl was accidentally dropped off at the wrong preschool. What do you do? Shifting gears, I share insights into how observing and coaching can be more impactful than immediate critiques or corrective actions. Finally, we tackle a common workplace conundrum: managing unauthorized overtime. Don't miss this engaging episode filled with valuable insights and practical advice, and feel free to share your thoughts or get in touch through my website.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.i...
2024-12-1041 minStumbling Through WorkExtended Play: Wine and OverqualifiedSend us a textCan a simple bottle of wine transform the way we show appreciation to educators? Join me in this extended play episode as we explore the art of meaningful recognition, venturing beyond the standard pizza party. Whether you’re an educator or an employer, these insights promise to guide you in navigating the often tricky world of hiring and workplace appreciation.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbreviatedlearning
2024-11-0507 minStumbling Through WorkPreschool Blunders: Locked Babies and Naptime DilemmasSend us a textIn this episode of Stumbling Through Work, we unravel an incident in Philadelphia where three daycare workers face charges after leaving a seven-month-old baby locked inside a closed facility. Shifting gears, we examine how the underlying culture and climate of a school can drastically shape the educational experience. Finally, we tackle a policy of keeping lights on during naptime. Join me in considering these critical issues and share your thoughts.Follow me :Website: https://www.abbreviatedlearning.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbreviatedlearningInstagram: https://www.instagram...
2024-10-2929 min