Jonathan Kozol has spent more than sixty years making sure children who were overlooked would not remain invisible. As another school year begins, this Morning Cuppa Joy is a tribute to Kozol, to teachers everywhere—and to every child whose story deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
Giving the Gift of Being Seen
A podcast listener’s unexpected message led me to reflect on The Rabbi’s Gift, Theo of Golden, and the life-changing power of helping others feel truly heard and seen.
Before and After
Author Robyn DeLong reflects on life’s defining before-and-after moments, grief, resilience, and the healing power of asking better questions.
Our Little Corner
A story about Sacramento’s beloved Flower Lady and a reflection on community, volunteerism, gardening, and the small acts that leave lasting legacies.
Make Room for Play
How do you define play? Does it require a court, a fairway, or a field to count? What if your playground is your kitchen…your sewing room…or your garage workshop?
Our Enduring Promise
What do a 250-year-old nation, a worn Thanksgiving tablecloth, and a neighborhood Fourth of July celebration have in common? More than I realized. Sometimes the most ordinary things remind us of the promises we inherit—and the ones we choose to pass along.
More Than Just Memories
What stories do you hope your children or grandchildren will remember long after you’re gone? What wisdom and values would you like to know you passed down to them?
No Instruction Manual
Father’s Day can stir up a wide range of emotions. In this week’s Cuppa Joy, I reflect on how babies arrive with no instruction manual, on the parenting lessons we inherit—be they good or bad, and the wisdom that age can bring.
Lessons in Kindness
Why do stories of kindness touch us so deeply? And what happens when children are invited to put those lessons into action? This week I’m sharing the story behind Steve Hartman’s Kindness 101 project and the unexpected ripple effect it has created in classrooms across America.
The Gift of Belonging
What helps a child survive life’s hardest seasons? A story about orphan trains led me down an unexpected path—through the childhood experiences of my grandparents, the beloved pages of Anne of Green Gables, and memories of my own family.