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Speaking of Kids...

First Focus on Children

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Who speaks for kids when decisions about their education, health, and safety are being made? You do! Children need our collective attention and voice. You’ve found Speaking of Kids…, a podcast series from First Focus on Children, that uncovers why children are an afterthought in politics. We'll discuss how we can unify our efforts to demand change that will improve the well-being of all our kids. Your hosts are Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby of First Focus on Children, a bipartis ...
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We are past Labor Day and just 62 days from the 2024 election and children are on the ballot. We wanted to bring back this very relevant podcast for a SECOND LOOK. In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with pediatrician and former congressional candidate Dr. Annie Andrews and political strategist Renee Harvey ab…
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This week I am joined by HOLLY AITCHISON: THE Comics Professional! Listen in as we chat about her experience and drive to translate the amazing Graphic Novel HANAMI: You, Me, & 200 Sq Ft in Japan by Julia Cejas, KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD, coffee origins, making comics, and MORE COMICS! Find HANAMI Here: https://www.humanoids.com/book/1449 …
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In this episode, hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech Looby chat with Dr. Glenn Flores, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Glenn Flores explains that the most important lesson in child health research and policy is that children are not little adults - they have vastly different anatomy and phys…
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This week I am joined by KODY OKAMOTO, the creator of the great webcomic KEEPING TIME! Listen in as we chat about the band MOON TOOTH, Kody's approach to depicting the early 2000's, the origins of KEEPING TIME, and ALL the social media questions! Check out KEEPING TIME here: https://www.keepingtimecomic.com/ Kody's Socials Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/k…
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In this episode, hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech Looby chat with Dr. Cynthia Osborne, founder and executive director of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, about the importance in investing in our youngest: infants and toddlers. Bruce and Selley also highlight the recent vote on the child tax credit and their disappointment with the bill fail…
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This week I'm joined Artist TOM FOWLER (Gamemasters, Quantum and Woody, Dungeon and Dragons and Doodles), we have a big ol' chat about prog rock, fancy paper, the origins of his new book with Fred Van Lente GAMEMASTERS: The Comic Book History of Role Playing Games, and a very...unique find in his old art cabinet! Check out GAMEMASTERS: https://www.…
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In this episode, hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech Looby chat with Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, a nonprofit watchdog for Kentucky's kids. Dr. Brooks has successfully worked with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to make necessary improvements for the lives of children across the state, such as supporting …
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This week I'm joined Artist/Writer FELL HOUND (S.I.R., Commander Rao, And We Love You), We chat about the origins of her new romance/drama/motorcycle jousting book S.I.R. from BOOM STUDIOS, her developing art style , a ton of q's from social media, and a bunch more! Check out Fell Hound: https://www.fellhoundart.com/ Fell Hound's Socials Twitter: ⁠…
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Check out one of our favorite episodes! Our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby welcome Dr. C. Kirabo Jackson, a researcher, professor, journal editor, and member of President Biden’s Council of Economic Advisors. Dr. Jackson discusses his findings that research with respect to investing in both early childhood and K-12 education consi…
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This week I'm joined Artist MARIE ENGER (Upcoming: DEATH TO THE WIZARD KINGS, FEN, FHTAGN AND LOATHING, THE BONES OF THIS PLACE), We chat about Nightwish, Fancy coffee makers, art style evolutions, b-stock books and a whole bunch more! Check out Marie's Website Here: https://www.so-engery.com/ Marie's Socials Twitter: https://twitter.com/so_engery …
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This week I'm joined XANDER ARNOT and ANDREW LEAMON, the creative team behind the stellar comics CAMERAMAN! we chat the creation of the book, how their collaboration works, their individual work processes, and a bunch more! Link to the CAMERAMAN Campaign⁠: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/xanderflicks/camera-man-1 Xanders YouTube Channel: https…
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In this episode, hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech Looby chat with Phyllis Rabinowitz, Co-Founder and Co-President of the R Baby Foundation. Phyllis co-founded the R Baby Foundation with her husband, Andrew, after the loss of their nine-day-old daughter, Rebecca Ava, due to a misdiagnosis in the emergency room. The R Baby Foundation is the first an…
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This week I'm joined by JP AHONEN, the writer/artist behind the hilariovs comic, Belzebubs! We talk the newly release 2nd Volume, NO REST FOR THE WICKED, EVERGREY, some chat about the upcoming BELZEBUBS animated series, and a bunch more! Check out ⁠⁠BELZBUBS VOL. 2 HERE⁠: https://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/belzebubs-vol-2-no-rest-for-the-wicked/…
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This week I'm joined by BALAZS LORINCZI, the writer/artist behind the amazing new Jazz Playing Werewolf Band RomCom Graphic Novel WOLFPITCH! We chat the origins of the book, bass guitars, making color choices for the book, and a whole bunch more!Check out ⁠Wolfpitch HERELinks to Balazs Socials/Website HERECOMICS-COFFEE-METAL is hosted by DON CARDEN…
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In this episode, co-host Bruce Lesley chats with Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), chair of the Dads Caucus. Rep. Gomez launched the Dads Caucus after a photo of him holding and caring for his son Hodge on the House floor went viral. Rep. Gomez talks about moms have been the “default parent” and the importance of fathers stepping up for kids both at home an…
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This week I'm joined by the epic duo of GAVIN SMITH (Dead Legends, TMNT) and RICH DOUEK (Drive Like Hell, Wailing Blade) who chat about the debut issue of their new Dark Horse Comic HEARTPIERCER! Check out Heartpiercer! Website: Rich - https://linktr.ee/rdouekGavin - https://t.co/YZTpNmiCnLCOMICS-COFFEE-METAL is hosted by DON CARDENASTwitter: https…
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In this episode, co-host Bruce Lesley chats with Mike Hixenbaugh, a senior investigative reporter for NBC News about the ongoing attacks on public schools across the country. They discuss Hixenbaugh’s new book, “They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms,” which documents the culture…
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In this episode, co-host Messellech Looby chats with Academy Award-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson about the complexities and opportunities around supporting Black youth in the midst of the country’s current mental health crisis. Henson created The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in memory of her late father, who struggled with mental health chal…
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To celebrate Mother’s Day, we’re showcasing the voices and stories of some of our moms at First Focus on Children. Host Messellech Looby shares the mic with First Focus on Children’s Vice President for Early Childhood and Public Health Policy Averi Pakulis, Vice President of Operations Trenessa Freeman, and Vice President of Advocacy and Mobilizati…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with Abby McCloskey, who directed the Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families, a project bringing together 31 family policy leaders of diverse ideologies and included our co-host Bruce Lesley. The Convergence process issued a final report entitled In This …
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This week I'm joined by the talented LESLY JULIEN who returns to the the show to chat about the second issue of his fantastic Barbarian turned Wizard book SAVAGE WIZARD! Back SAVAGE WIZARD here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leswrite/savage-wizard-1-2Follow Lesly Here:Twitter: https://twitter.com/LesWriteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with Representative Rosa DeLauro, a top champion for children in Congress and the chair of the babies caucus. Rep. DeLauro, who is the ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, has spent decades in Congress and consistently advocated for kids to be a priority in …
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This week I am joined by writers and creators of the new Image Comic's series THE CABINET, David Ebeltoft and Jordan Hart! Awesome dudes who can write one hell of a book! Check it! Additionally I check out some great coffee from RUSTY DOG COFFEE, great new LP's by AMARANTHE and LODESTAR, and a fun new comics series by Alex Osbourne and Hugio A.R.T.…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, co-founder and executive director of MomsRising, an organization that champions workforce issues facing women, mothers and families. Rowe-Finkbeiner co-founded MomsRising in 2006 after a family health crisis pushed her out of the labor force and…
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Check out one of our favorite episodes! Hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Professor Luke Shaefer about “Rx Kids,” their innovative program to support pregnant women and infants in Flint, Michigan. Dr. Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and activist best known for leading studies that exposed the dead…
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This week I have returning guests HEATHER ANTOS (Editor-IDW, MARVEL) and MICHELE ABOUNADER (Sharp Wit and the Company of Women, The Color Of Always) jump on to discuss the LGBTQIA+ Charity Comic Anthology, WHEN I WAS YOUNG (all profits going to the Trevor Project), as well as the landscape of crowdfunding, trying to bully Michele into making a news…
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This week I am joined by modern master Phil Hester (The Wretch, The Anchor, Mythic, Green Arrow, Irredeemable Ant-Man)! We chat about original art collecting, Industrial Metal, the indie boom of the 80's, why the industry should listen to Phil about new artists, questions from social media, and much more! Also, I finally get back to some intros and…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with poverty experts Megan Curran and Sophie Collyer about the Child Tax Credit. As top researchers at Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy, Collyer and Curran produce groundbreaking work on poverty and the child tax credit. In this episode, they explain…
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Dave Jordan returns to the podcast to chat about his awesome pedal company, NON-HUMAN AUDIO, and we go in about his journey to making pedals, why having lots of guitars is cool, some questions from social media and a whole bunch more!Follow Dave Here:https://www.nonhumanaudio.com/Twitter:⁠⁠https://twitter.com/thatdavejordanInstagram:⁠⁠https://insta…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with Representative Suzanne Bonamici. Rep. Bonamici, who has represented Oregon’s 1st district in Congress since 2012, has been an avid Champion for children throughout her career and achieved the #1 slot on First Focus Campaign for Children’s 2023 Legislative Scorecard. The…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Professor Luke Shaefer about “Rx Kids,” their innovative program to support pregnant women and infants in Flint, Michigan. Dr. Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and activist best known for leading studies that exposed the deadly levels of lead i…
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This week I am joined by Writer SCOTT BRYAN WILSON (TRVE KVLT, PENNYWORTH, KILL MORE)! Join us as we chat about Dungeon Synth, making comics, Scott's work and approach to his new book KILL MORE, and a bunch more!Follow Scott Here:www.scottbryanwilson.comTwitter:⁠https://twitter.com/scottbrwilsonInstagram:⁠https://instagram.com/scottbrwilsonCOMICS-C…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with pediatrician and former congressional candidate Dr. Annie Andrews and political strategist Renee Harvey about their new political action committee (PAC) for children, Their Future. Our Vote. Dr. Andrews, a children’s hospital doctor, highlighted the invisibility of chil…
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This week I am joined by Artist/Musician NELSON BLAKE II (BYTE-SIZED, THE DARKNESS, VARIOUS MARVEL/DC, LOCKED IN A VACANCY)! We have an in depth chat about Nelson's passion for guitar, working with Marc Silvestri at TOP COW, his journey back to LOCKED IN A VACANCY and making their killer new EP, and of course, a ton of gear chat!Locked In A Vacancy…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby speak with Nell Menefee-Libey, public policy manager for the National WIC Association. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, better known as WIC, supports healthy pregnancy, healthy postpartum recovery and optimal child development. The Nati…
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This week I am joined by Artist/Instructor SHADIA AMIN (SPIDER-HAM, SHINY MISFITS, AGGRETSUKO)! We chat about the band MAXIMUM THE HORMONE, the comics of Fabien Vehlmann and Marie Pommepuy (Beautiful Darkness), common pitfalls of beginning creators, and a whole heap more! Shadia's Store Pre-Order SHINY MISFITS ⁠Check out MONKEYGONG here!⁠ Follow Sh…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby speak with leading children’s rights expert Jonathan Todres. Todres, a professor at Georgia University College of Law, says rejecting children's rights is an attack on human rights. He explains the divisiveness around children's rights as the result of pitting them against parent…
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This week I am joined by ultra rad artist/writer KRAIG RASMUSSEN! We chat about his new comics subscription service MONKEYGONG, and a ton of great art, coffee, and metal chat! Kraig is great and you're gonna dig this convo! Check out MONKEYGONG here! Follow Kraig Here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/kraigcomx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krai…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby welcome Dr. C. Kirabo Jackson, a researcher, professor, journal editor, and member of President Biden’s Council of Economic Advisors. Dr. Jackson discusses his findings that research with respect to investing in both early childhood and K-12 education consistently demonstrates a …
  continue reading
 
Are you afraid of the Dark Universe? No, that's not a question, it's the name of the amazing Podcast hosted by my 2 talented guests, Dylan Roth and Dalton Deschain! Join us as we chat about the behind the scenes work it takes to construct pitches for a cinematic universe (in podcast form), Dalton's now no so secret coffee shame, Dylan's process for…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with children’s activist Arnold “Arnie” Fege about the importance of defending public education against attacks both past and present. As a longtime teacher, principal, superintendent and now president of Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), a national organization devoted to edu…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with law professor Adam Benforado about the lack of attention paid to children in the policymaking process. Benforado, who focuses on criminal justice and children’s rights, argues that many of the societal problems we see all around us - incarceration, homelessness — are pr…
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This week I am joined by actor and creator TYLER MANE (HALLOWEEN, X-MEN, TROY)! After kicking butt on screen for over two decades he's setting his sights on comics with the adaptation of the John F. Saunder's THE LAST SPARTAN:RED TAPE! Come along as we chat Tyler's long history and love of comics, working with comics legends CHRISTOPHER PRIEST and …
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This week I am joined by the artist/writer duo of JIMMY KUCAJ and EDDIE KLINKER! We talk about their new KICKSTARTER book THE DEVIL PAID MEN! Check it out now! THE DEVIL PAID MEN (CAMPAIGN ENDS 10/26/23) Find Jimmy and Eddie at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimmykucajart https://twitter.com/EddieKlink Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/jimmykucaj⁠ C…
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In this episode, our hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby chat with pollster and political strategist Celinda Lake. Lake is President and Founder of Lake Research Partners, a national public opinion and political strategy research firm. Lake walks our hosts through public polling that shows voters strongly favor investing in children an…
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In this introductory episode of Speaking of Kids, co-hosts Bruce Lesley and Messellech “Selley” Looby discuss the fact that children are often an afterthought in public policy. While most people care deeply about the children in their lives, there is a clear disconnect between personal opinions and policy goals. Children can’t vote, they don’t have…
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This week on the Podcast I am joined by the duo behind the amazing new book, THE DEAD AND THE DAMNED, writer SEBASTIAN GIRNER and artist KELLY WILLIAMS! Join us as we chat about the book and a bunch more! Before that, I have a quick Q & A with MARK BOUCHARD (Leaf Peepers, I Killed Luke) about their KILLER new book, THE SUMMER IN YOUR BLOOD! Also I …
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Greetings! This week I have the talented writer of COOKING WITH MONSTERS and THE RELENTLESS ADVENTURE, JORDAN ALSAQA! THE RELENTLESS ADVENTURE KICKSTARTER! COOKING WITH MONSTERS VOL.1 Check Jordan out at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/endigomaster Instagram: https://instagram.com/jordanalsaqa COMICS-COFFEE-METAL is hosted by DON CARDENAS Twitter: @d…
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Welcome to a quick mini episode where I have a bunch of Kickstarter related stuff! First up, a couple Q and A's with Jon Westhoff and Steven Urena about their respective campaigns for CPS,BULLETPROOF CHICKEN, and DEPOWERED and FOUL MOUTH! Then! I give a quick post mortem on the Evie and The Helsings #2 campaign. Finally! We end with my thoughts on …
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