The Everything ECE Podcast

Scissors.
Such a simple tool… until it’s not.
In this episode, we’re digging into the hesitation so many educators feel when it comes to offering scissors during free play. Is it about safety? Trust? Or something deeper?
Because when scissors aren’t part of the environment, we might be holding children back in ways we don’t always see - from fine motor development to creativity and confidence.
This episode isn’t about forcing one way of doing things. It’s about asking better questions, shifting our language, and rethinking how we support children in building real skills.
If you’ve ever said “be careful” (we all have), this one’s for you.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.
CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece

What if the change we keep waiting for… is actually us?
In this powerful and honest conversation, I’m joined again by the incredible Kisa Marx to talk about her new book We Are Who We’re Waiting For and the deeper truths behind it.
Together, we explore what’s really holding education back, why neutrality might be our biggest barrier, and how systems can be working exactly as designed… even when they’re not serving children.
We also get into:
The hidden impact of perfectionism in education

Why “getting it right” might be doing more harm than good

How the system shapes “worker bees” instead of thinkers

The power of small steps and shifting your mindset

What it really means to advocate for children (even when it feels uncomfortable)

This episode is a mix of real talk, reflection, and a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t come from waiting… it comes from us.
If you’ve ever felt like something in education is off but couldn’t quite name it, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

KISA MARX
Kisa Marx is an author, anti-racist curriculum developer, and founder of The Play Lab Foundation, a nonprofit offering play- and nature-based childcare to families who face barriers to access in Oak Park, Illinois. With over 20 years in the field, Kisa is anchored in the belief that childhood is sacred, nature is restorative, and play is revolutionary. Her newest book just came out, called We Are Who We're Waiting For. When not advocating for equitable early learning or supporting her “crew” of young learners, she spends time with her partner of 26 years, tending to their garden of adult children, pets, and plants. Kisa has also included a pre-workshop reflection for you to do prior to starting her session today that you can find just below the video. SO go ahead and fill that out and then come back to join Kisa in her session. 
 

LINKS
Grab Kisa’s book here: RedLeaf (US)  or Login
Website: https://theplaylabnfpoakpark.org/
Substack: https://kisamarx.substack.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_still_learning/  and https://www.instagram.com/theplaylabfoundation/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmarxoftheplaylab/ 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.

CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ 
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece

Feeling alone in your role as an early childhood educator… even when you’re surrounded by others?
In this short episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward reflects on a powerful takeaway from The Everything ECE Summit: so many educators are craving connection with people who truly get it.
If you’ve ever felt unsupported, unseen, or like no one fully understands the work you do, this episode is your reminder that you are not alone, and that finding your people in ECE is possible.
Carla shares 5 simple, real-life ways to build meaningful connections beyond your workplace, from online communities to social media conversations to in-person events.
This is a quick listen with a big message: you deserve support in this profession.
In this episode:
Why so many educators are feeling alone (even in busy environments)

The importance of finding like-minded educators

5 practical ways to build your ECE community

A reminder that connection doesn’t just happen, sometimes you have to start it

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.
CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece

In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with Danyah Miller, an international award-winning storyteller and author of Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling, to explore the power of storytelling beyond the book.
Together, they discuss:
What oral storytelling is and how it differs from reading

Why storytelling supports language, connection, and imagination

How educators can build confidence in storytelling

Simple ways to start using storytelling in the classroom

This episode is perfect for early childhood educators looking to deepen their practice, build stronger connections with children, and bring more creativity into their programs.
🎧 Listen now and discover how storytelling can transform your classroom.
Danyah Miller
Danyah Miller is an international, award-winning storyteller, trainer, and author of ‘Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling’. 
She shares stories and story training in a range of settings from Royal Opera House Covent Garden to local libraries, RHS Wisley to schools across the country. Danyah was a workshop leader at The International School of Storytelling for over 10 years and is a trustee for The Society for Storytelling.
As Artistic Director of DMS Productions she co-produces, co-writes and performs in solo theatrical storytelling shows, including award-winning I Believe in Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo, which has toured extensively, including 3 West End summer seasons, and most recently The Mystery of…. Show, which won Best Family Arts Activity in the 2025 Fantastic for Families Awards.
In 2025 Danyah took part in BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Great Influencer Experiment’ series, creating a YouTube channel for those working in EYFS. 
Danyah supports people to become more curious, creative and connected. Her work is imagination-rich and often life changing. 

LINKS
Website: https://danyahmillerstoryteller.co.uk/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@danyahmillerthestoryteller 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/DanyahMillerTheStoryteller 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danyah.miller1 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danyah-miller-4b33101b/ 
Book: 
🍁Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling 
US- Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling
UK- Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling
Summit: The Everything ECE Summit

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.
CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠ 
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece

We often talk about curiosity in early childhood education. how we encourage it in children, how we observe it, and how we support it through play and learning.
But what about educator curiosity?
In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, we explore the shift from focusing solely on children’s curiosity to reconnecting with our own. Carla shares a personal story about following curiosity outside of early childhood education and how it transformed her perspective, practice, and professional growth.
You’ll also walk away with simple, realistic ways to start leaning into your own curiosity as an educator, without adding more to your already full plate.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or just going through the motions, this episode will invite you to think differently.
Because the best educators aren’t the ones who know the most… they’re the ones who never stop wondering.
LINKS
Summit: The Everything ECE Summit
Sponsor: Ratio Staffing- https://ratiostaffing.com/ 

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more ECEs who are in the thick of it!. Thanks for tuning in to The Everything ECE.  See you next week! shape their early years.
CONNECT WITH CARLA
The ECE Latte Lounge
Email Newsletter: ⁠⁠Click Here⁠
Website: carlatheece.com
Instagram: @carlatheece