November 7, 2025 • 30 mins
WASH-FM's Jenni Chase visits with Nicole Nilsson from the non-profit organization, Every Child A Swimmer, about the importance of kids learning to swim In the DMV, drowning is the leading cause of death of our youngest children...find out about this program which ensures that under-served kids learn vital water safety skills at everychildaswimmer.org
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hi there, good morning, Thank you so much for listening
to this iHeartRadio station.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
I'm Jinny Chase.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
This morning, we're going to talk about swimming and how
crucial it is for our kids especially, but for everyone
in general to know how to swim. The organization we're
going to focus on is called Every Child a Swimmer.
Nicole Nilsen with the organization, is going to join us here. Nicole,
thanks in advance so much for your time today, looking
(00:28):
forward to all the information you have to give us.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Good morning, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Nicole.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
What is your title your role there with Every Child
a Swimmer?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
My title is a Capter Coordinator. And but my role
is I work with all the swim schools in our program,
and I am the liaison between us and them and
talk to work with them on you know, on vetting
them and making sure that they have they have any
(00:57):
questions with three imbursement and and just building that relationship between.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Gotcha, Well, let's jump right in.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Tell us all about e c as for folks who
maybe have never heard of what you guys do, the
great things you do, So tell us about the program
and basically, like, what is your goal, what's the reasoning
the purpose behind all this.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Okay, So every child a swimmer or ECAs right is
under the International Swimming Hall of Fame or the spiritual
mission of the International Hall of Fame. We're a nonprofit
and our mission is that we're trying to get every
child the access and the ability to learn how to swim,
(01:42):
get swimming lessons, no matter of their financial situation. So
we work with partners in the swimming industry, our school industry.
We work with swim schools and partner with swim schools
across the United States about forty four states with schools
(02:03):
in those states that we have set up the program in,
including the DC, Maryland and Virginia area, and our goal
is drowning prevention. I can go into a little bit
more as we keep going, but basically, we provide up
to a five hundred dollars scholarship to help children learn
(02:25):
how to send.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Okay, And I do want to add that you guys,
if I'm seeing this correctly, you advocate for legislation for
water safety, and that is such.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
We do do that as well.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
That is such a huge thing.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
So I hope we're going to be able to touch
on that a little bit a little bit later on
tell us why this mission is so important to every
child of swimmer ECAs.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
So one of the things that makes us different. There
are other programs out there that do the same thing.
But one thing that I like and that is very
dear to my heart, is that our executive director, Casey McGovern,
she is her daughter Ground and the May in two
(03:07):
thousand and nine and she made it her life long mission.
You know when she said goodbye to and the May
that she would never let this. She's going to work
to not let this happen to another family again. So
she made her mission to help with journey prevention. And
(03:28):
she started out in the Department of Health and worked
many years in the Department of Health. And then Bill Kent,
who is part of the International Swimming Hall of Fame,
he and her work on some legislation together and eventually
he's like, you know what your passion you need to
(03:48):
you need to run this program for us. So he
got her on board and she's been just making ways
ever since. So I think it's that makes us very
special that we have some skin in the game because
she is passionate, she knows both sides, she knows how
it feels to lose someone. And she knows how to
(04:13):
make the swimming lessons and the education, the water education priority.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
And you said her daughter was in the may and.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
The may and the government. Yep.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
And do you mind if I ask when did that happen?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
That tragedy? Totally?
Speaker 3 (04:28):
She was actually And the reason that I'm involved to
and I know her is because we were in a
playgroup together with our daughters. So it was in two
thousand and nine. She's about eighteen months old. Just real quick,
I always knew Casey. She's just an amazing mom, hands
on and just pointing this out that it can happen
(04:51):
to anyone at any time because things just align a
lineup and that would have it never happened before, and
things aligned that day. And that's a tragic accident that happened.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
So there were just it sounds like there was just
there was a multitude of things that went wrong in
that instance.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
There was a multitude of things that went wrong with
you know, you never you never think of things like
the child being able to open the door, okay, you know,
making sure your doors are locked, making sure the gates
are closed on the pool, making sure that you know
you don't have full floats in the pool where a
child's going to want to get in there and get
(05:34):
something like that. Because again, she was, she's she is
the best mom ever and it just everything aligned.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
To have the have it happen.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Oh, Nicole, it is really uh tragic and unfortunate that
we have to have this conversation. Sadly, as much as
we'd like to wish that things like this did not occur,
they do. It is the reality of life. Can you
tell us maybe give us some insight into the drowning
statistics locally, like for I don't know what all you
(06:09):
have there, but just any spots in the DMV that
you can share some of that info with this would
be I think would be helpful to kind of really
drive home how important this is.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Yeah. Well, first of all, drowning is the number one
cause of death and children ages one to four across
the United States got so that is and that's been
that way for a while. Also, if you didn't know,
ages five through fourteen, it's the number two cause of
(06:41):
death across the nation. So and then fifteen through nineteen
that still ranks up in the top three per three
reasons and causes of death across the nation. So another
thing that I think is important is to say is
there's about fifty five percent of all adults I've never
(07:02):
taken a swimming lesson. So it's generational. We see that,
you know, kids are not in getting lessons because maybe
their parents didn't take lessons or their parents are afraid
of the water. So I think that's a good statistic
to throw out there. I did do some research in
(07:22):
the DMB area. DROWNNY remains the leading cause again for
ages one to four, And this was interesting. In Virginia
in twenty twenty five, there was an article that was
put out by the department. It was on July seventeenth.
(07:45):
They said that eight children under the age of five
accidentally drowned in Virginia pools since Memorial Day. So that's
more children the drowned in each of the last three years.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
So my gosh, that is that is like that is
a very sobering thing to try to try to grasp.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
It's a crisis everywhere. So the other things that I
found in the Maryland, Washington, d C, in the Virginia
areas is that these these these drownings are occurring not
just in the pools, but they are occurring in the
map the spas the outside ponds. So it's just you know,
(08:31):
it doesn't matter where the water is, it can happen anywhere.
Montgomery County again is the same. It's got it's it's
the number two cause of death for children zero to
four at this time. And then this is one other
statistic that I found. The children with autism are one
(08:52):
hundred and sixty times more likely to drown than their peers,
so they're neurotypical. So that's another big thing that I've
been getting a lot of information on, or a lot
of leading for us to have funding for special needs
autistic children. So it's called adaptive lessons. And we do
(09:15):
have locations that do offer that. Hudson Valley Swim is
one of them.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yes, shout out to Hudson Valley Swim, two locations in Gaithersburg.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
That's something that we really need to start looking at,
I believe, because it's it's serious. They are those children.
I don't know what it is, but it's something with
the they love that, they're fascinated with water and I'm
drawn to it, so.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Not know that, oh my gosh, yes, that is certainly
a whole another piece of the discussion.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
We're actually going to be having a discussion about that
with some local hospitals talking about what else we can
do on that topic with autism.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Wow, again, learning so much here. Let's talk about you
mentioned the swim scholarships. Let's talk about every child a swimmer,
providing these scholarships to income qualifying students. Tell us more
about this aspect of your program.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
The program, we provide learn to Swim scholarship up to
five hundred dollars, and we require our swim schools to
make sure that they give at least twelve lessons. They
have to be thirty minutes long, and they have to
be if they're in a class size. They are in
a group setting, they have to be in a class
size of no more than one to six ratio, So
(10:35):
that's one instructor to six children. That's a little high,
and most of our swim schools they are about one
to four.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
It's a ratio.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Again, this is a learned to swim program, we hope,
and we require actually the child to be able to
get in and out of the water safely and unassisted.
That's what we want them to know by the end
of their lessons. So if that child, after twelve lessons
can't do those things, then we expect the swim schools
(11:05):
to give them more lessons.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
This isn't like your a parent and you want your
child to have a perfect freestyle or breaststroke. This is
more about basic safety and service, learning to swim and
surviving when you are in a water environment. Okay, got it? Yeah,
now I know you. I know there are some qualifications
to receive a swim scholarship through every child a swimmer.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Can you run down some of those for us?
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Okay, So what I'm going to tell you is, if
you are a parent, you're going to go to our
website and you're going to put in your address and
see if there is a swim school partner of ours
located near you, and you'll see that and know that
by a emblem that's on the side of it. Online.
We have a huge list of swim schools online, but
(11:52):
they may not be our partner and set up yet
to give the scholarship. So once you go in, you
find one of those partners that are nearest to the
only requirement that we have is that you it's a
financial need qualification and that is, the child has to
come from a household income of fifty thousand dollars or less.
(12:14):
We can give you a scholarship for three of your kids.
You know, it doesn't matter how many kids, but the
financial need with is the biggest qualification. So as long
as you're you know, in that need base, they should
be able to take you at the swim school. You're
going to have to provide them income information so that
(12:34):
they can qualify you with that. The other thing for
our scholarship, we want the child to be at least
one year old, and that's so that they will be
able to have the muscle memory to really get something
out of the scholarship and the lessons and stuff. And
again this is just to learn to swim scholarship. We're
not trying to reach those kids that already know how
(12:56):
to swim. We're trying to reach the ones that don't.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
And again we're talking life saving skills here. We just
cannot stress that aspect of what you do enough. Just
again to reiterate, where are the lessons held.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
So they are held that are highly qualified and experienced,
a swim school that we have partnered with, embedded with
and they understand the program and understand what we have
wanted the child to get out of the lessons, which
was again to be able to have those basic fundamentals
of getting in and out of the water safety and
(13:32):
holding a resting ploat or learning treading water. So you
have to be income based for fifty thousand dollars or
less household income. And so in order to show that,
you will need to provide documentation and you can use
either foster care information, you can do a WIT card,
(13:54):
snap card, any income based programs like that. Unfortunately, and
reduced school lunches does not qualify because sometimes that's just
a given in a certain area. So we do we
are more specific that we want you to either provide
a text form or a social services program card.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Understood, and that's it. Let me put your website out there.
It is every Child a Swimmer all together, Every Child
a Swimmer dot org. And that's where anybody needs to start.
They if they are hearing this information, they go, wow,
I am taking steps today.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yes, okay, that.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
Is our website. And on the website you would just
go to find lessons.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Once again, today we are talking with Nicole Nilsen. She's
the chapter coordinator for the nonprofit organization Every Child a Swimmer.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Let's continue.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
I'm curious as far as the total number of swim
schools in our area, the area that participate in the DMV.
Do you know roughly how many that you have that
are part of the network I.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Do throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia area. We do have
about twenty five to thirty participating in schools there partner schools.
They are located in the Montgomery, Fairfax, Prince George counties
as well as the district. Most notably we have Hudson
Valley Swim. They do a great job.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
I really want to talk about five hundred dollars scholarships.
How is this program funded? I would imagine you are
constantly in the need for more donations.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yes. Yes, we are funded completely by generous donations. So
we work very hard to get our program known and
get it out there. And we have a bunch of
wonderful generous partners and donors within the pool industry without
out of the pool industry. So we have our website
(15:51):
that anyone can go on and there's a there's a
location on our website to donate as well.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Okay, and again, Every Child a swimmer dot org. Can
you tell us a little bit about your advocacy efforts
as far as legislation goes, What's what's really behind that
we are now in we.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
Passed the Every Child of Swimmer bill. It's now a
law in several states. And basically what that is is
that requires all the school districts and school communities to
put out at the beginning of the school year information
on water safety and information on where they can find lessons. Okay,
(16:32):
so in those packets every in the beginning of the year,
which we all hate to fill out that paperwork, some
of it is very.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Important, absolutely, Nicole, you said a couple of states. Obviously,
we need this type of campaign to expand nationwide water education.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Water safety education is the key.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
So the more people that are, you know, educated about
the risks and how to behave around the water, then
the more I think life that we can save. I mean,
because not everybody will have access to the swimming lessons,
but they will have the education about what to do
around the water.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Now I would imagine too being fully funded by donations.
You do fundraising events. Can you maybe tell us about
a few of those real quick?
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Yes, we have a fun little thing on our website
or if you contact us that we can help you with.
It's kind of like a go fundme, but it's called
give butter, and we kind of we will set up
like let's say you have a maybe a business, you
could actually have a contest on who can raise the
most money online doing that, So we have something like that.
(17:40):
We also ask everybody to just go out into their
communities and you know, if anybody wants to donate to
the school, their local school, they can do that using
us as their non provide nonprofit excellent, and we will
earmark the funds to the school.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Is it true that you have businesses some sponsors that
do donation matching.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Yes, they match, then we would match as well, so
they could maybe triple their impact.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Wow, that is outstanding. A couple of those sponsors. Let's
give them some recognition. Goldfish Swim School also the American
Red Cross, the American Swimming Coaches Association, along with the
DPA that is the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
I do just want to say that if there is
anybody out there that has any kind of contacts in
the you know, in the political realm in their local
area and in their state. We would love to be
introduced to them talk about this bill that we're trying
to get in every state. So if anybody has those contacts,
(18:51):
we would love to be in front of them give
them a presentation about our program and about how important
it is to get that bill pass.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yeah. Is there anything else you want to add in
the before we wrap up this morning?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
One thing I want to tell you about the fundraising
and how we can help. How you guys can help
us raise money is you know, sometimes it's as simple
as We had a lady that did a swim across
the English Channel. She did her own thing. She went online.
She said, I'm going to swim across the English Channel
and I want all my if you want to support me,
(19:22):
support me by fundraising for every child a swimmer. Right.
We had another boy that was a YouTuber and he said, Hey,
I'm gonna for today. We're going to have everybody. Let's
raise money for this site every every child a swimmer.
Now we didn't know him, he didn't know us, but
he raised four thousand dollars in twenty four hours, so
(19:42):
it was really cool. And then lastly we have the
women in the industry up in NESPA, which is are
out of NESPA, which is the Northeast Bahn School Association.
They are having a witty walk they call it. They
are raising funds for us as well, and very simple
to do. They just you know, put it out there. Hey,
(20:02):
we're gonna we're gonna walk, We're gonna we're gonna walk
or run. You can do it virtually. And they are
going to put all the funds towards us or give
all of us the funds. So I think that's great.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Well, I do too, big kudos to them. Nicole Nielsen,
Chapter coordinator for Every Child a Swimmer, thank you so much.
You have given us so much important information. Honestly, we
always say the goal with our with our public affairs segments.
If one in this case, if one parent here's this
and decides to really prioritize this as far as things
(20:39):
that their children learn as they are growing up, you know,
swimming needs to be top of mind. And it's so
great what you guys are doing, and you're making that
possible for folks that might not be able to, you know,
to do it without your help. So thank you, thank you,
thank you for what you do. I'm sure all the
parents listening appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
And I really want you all to be as inspired
as I am every day, and I want you to
be part of our impact in drowning prevention. So come
alongside us and help.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Us join the cause again. Our topic this morning has
been water safety for kids and drowning prevention. I feel
like I just can't say this enough. Drowning, whether it
be in a pool, a hot tub, a bathtub, any
body of water, drowning is the leading cause of death
for kids ages one to four in the DMV.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
You can get involved.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
You can start spreading the message by going to every
Childaswimmer dot org. Thank you again for listening to this.
iHeartRadio station. I'm Jenny Chase. I hope you have a
wonderful rest of your weekend. Take care.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
Our thanks to Jenny Chase, who does Middays at WASHFM
and does such a terrific job with this interview. Always fun,
entertaining and insightful. So thank you, Jenny. Since we have
a few minutes left in the program, I want to
play a bit of an upcoming interview that we're really
proud of that we'll be having with one of our
regulars on the program. Denise Corbo, who is the founder
of Storybook Treasures. They're nonprofit in Northern Virginia that provides
(22:04):
customizable literacy kids to schools that foster a love of
reading in children and support their families. The program aims
to boost academic achievement by giving children books to build
their home libraries, engaging families in literacy, and offering professional
development for teachers. The kids include books, treasures related to stories,
and activities designed to grow a child's a grade level. Now,
(22:24):
Denise and Storybook Treasures has chosen their inaugural Teacher of
the Year, along with one thousand dollars to Caroline Onneia,
who teaches kindergarten at Parkridge Elementary and Stafford, Virginia. Here's
a tease of that outcoming show and my conversation with
Carolyn and being chosen as Storybook treasures first ever Teacher
of the Year.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Good morning, Carolyn Goodning Tennis.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
Congratulations on winning the inaugural awardess Teacher of the Year
for Storybook Treasures. I imagine that you're honored, may be surprised.
I don't know we can talk about that, but congratulations.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
Thank you so much. Yes, I was very surprised.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Tell me about what this award means to you. I
know there's a thousand dollars. It's always cool when teachers
in schools get money. That's always a big bonus. But
what does it mean to you?
Speaker 6 (23:06):
Just the involvement with Storybout Treasures has been amazing and
such an experience to go through and then to be.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Acknowledged as someone that.
Speaker 6 (23:17):
Does well with it was extra special and it was wonderful.
They did the award in front of the whole school
during the kindergarten graduation ceremony or celebration ceremony, and I
actually gave back even though it was a wonderful amount,
I gave some of that back to Storybook Treasures because
I really believe in this program and wanted to help
(23:41):
keep it going.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
And it was just extra special.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
And then I put the rest into classroom supplies and
took my family.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Out to dinner.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
That is wonderful.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
I love that. So everybody wins, and you paid it
back forward too, so that is wonderful. You know, I'd
love to hear your opinion, because you know how we
all feel about teachers, especially on community seeing this program
is that you're underpaid. Your overworked blah blah blah. You
know the story. But we love what you do. And
I know you work with kindergartens, which is a real
special age. But reading is so important, and we've heard
(24:13):
over the years about you know, how people aren't reading
books as much as it used to tell me about
what Storybook Treasures means to you, this teacher of the year,
your children and the age that you teach. I know
that could be its own podcast for thirty minutes, but
tell us a little bit about that.
Speaker 6 (24:29):
Sure, Yes, kindergarteners come in, some from preschools, some not,
some head start. It's just all kinds of backgrounds, and
we give them a survey at the beginning of the
year of the parents that they fill out, and one
of the questions is how many books do you have
at home? And some of them have the area zero
(24:50):
to five checked. So many of the students at this school,
or my previous school especially it didn't have a home library.
And so Storybook Treasures brings classic and also current books
that are just wonderful and engaging to the home. So
we teach it for a week in school and with
(25:12):
those five year olds, they end up experts on the
book on the standards. It's hitting every one of our lessons,
hits either art or science, different types of literacy lessons,
all combined to make the students experts by.
Speaker 5 (25:29):
The end of the week.
Speaker 6 (25:31):
The best for the classroom use is the program is
set up using PowerPoint slides and it just walks the
teachers in the class right through.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
It's super engaging.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
The students when they see it's a storybook Treasures week
get so excited and the treasure, especially at the end
of the week when they get to take home, really
seals the deal for them. The boxes that Denise sends
to us, huge boxes full of every kind of supply
and the kids you would think it was their birthday
(26:04):
the way they react when these supplies come in. Once
they realize after the first fact that we do what's coming.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
It enhances any literacy program. But I mean, I wish
we just had it every day. But yeah, it's just amazing.
Speaker 4 (26:21):
Well that's huge, And I also would love to hear
about feedback. And I don't know how much you've heard
from the faculty and parents on this award, and I know,
like everybody else and you guys know it. Intimately we're
talking to Denise about this, about she's feeling a really
large gap that's missing, probably in every school in America,
about more books, more reading, having these kind of partnerships.
What kind of feedback are you getting from everybody?
Speaker 6 (26:42):
Yes, my team and my team at my other school
too loved it and said that they notice because the
students are so engaged, and because the lessons bring out
student discourse and ways to teach that to five year olds.
How do you have a conversation about your opinion or
(27:03):
about your connection And it's completely built into the lessons,
and that teaches these little kids to engage with each
other about that.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
And then the parents see that at home because.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
There's even a parent bookmark and a bilingual one for
parents to be able to talk to their children about it.
Speaker 5 (27:21):
And then we hear from parents all the time.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
How kids are revisiting this book throughout the year years later.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
It's just fantastic.
Speaker 6 (27:29):
And everyone gets a shirt, a T shirt that says
Storybook Treasures.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
I love that cute.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
Graphic and kids wear them forever because you know, for years, kindergarten,
first grade, second grade, and they're so proud of it.
And when they see any of the kindergarten teachers.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
In the hall.
Speaker 6 (27:43):
You know, they're big smiles and thumbs up, like, yep,
I'm still rocking Storybook Treasures.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Well, they're so proud.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
That's huge. Well, listen, I'm glad you were featured on
this program but also acknowledged as teacher of the Year
for Storybook Treasures in this inaugural Teacher of the Year ward.
And I know you know this, and so does Deniece.
There are thousands of Carolyn's out there that are working
their tails off but needing that extra help, and that
your acknowledged and the kids and the parents and the
faculty when and the school too, is just wonderful. So
(28:10):
congratulations on the award, and thank you so much for
joining us at Community DC. We really appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
Don't let biased algorithms or degree screens, or exclusive professional
networks or stereotypes. Don't let anything keep you from discovering
the half of the workforce who are stars, workers skilled
through alternative rops rather than a bachelor's degree. It's time
to tear the paper ceiling and see the stars beyond it.
(28:37):
Find out how you can make stars part of your
talent strategy. At tear Thepaperseiling dot org brought to you
by Opportunity at Work in the AD Council.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Kill clean the oceans and make the world a better place.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Learn more at she Can Stamps, a message brought to
you by the AD Council.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
For some children, a single surgery can turn an untreated
cleft into a smile for life.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
But at smile Train, we understand that most children need
a little extra care. They need nourishment to ensure they
grow healthy and strong. They need a confident voice so
they can express themselves clearly. They need emotional support and
(29:30):
counseling to help them navigate the challenges of school and
home life. And they need orthodonic and dental care to
make sure their smiles light up the room as brightly
as possible.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Visit SmileTrain dot org to learn how smile Train.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
Is supporting the cleft community with lifelong smiles.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Smile Train changing the world, one smile at a time.
Hi there, good morning, Thank you so much for listening
to this iHeartRadio station.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
I'm Jinny Chase.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
This morning, we're going to talk about swimming and how
crucial it is for our kids especially, but for everyone
in general to know how to swim. The organization we're
going to focus on is called Every Child a Swimmer.
Nicole Nilsen with the organization, is going to join us here. Nicole,
thanks in advance so much for your time today, looking
(00:28):
forward to all the information you have to give us.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Good morning, Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Nicole.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
What is your title your role there with Every Child
a Swimmer?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
My title is a Capter Coordinator. And but my role
is I work with all the swim schools in our program,
and I am the liaison between us and them and
talk to work with them on you know, on vetting
them and making sure that they have they have any
(00:57):
questions with three imbursement and and just building that relationship between.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Gotcha, Well, let's jump right in.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Tell us all about e c as for folks who
maybe have never heard of what you guys do, the
great things you do, So tell us about the program
and basically, like, what is your goal, what's the reasoning
the purpose behind all this.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Okay, So every child a swimmer or ECAs right is
under the International Swimming Hall of Fame or the spiritual
mission of the International Hall of Fame. We're a nonprofit
and our mission is that we're trying to get every
child the access and the ability to learn how to swim,
(01:42):
get swimming lessons, no matter of their financial situation. So
we work with partners in the swimming industry, our school industry.
We work with swim schools and partner with swim schools
across the United States about forty four states with schools
(02:03):
in those states that we have set up the program in,
including the DC, Maryland and Virginia area, and our goal
is drowning prevention. I can go into a little bit
more as we keep going, but basically, we provide up
to a five hundred dollars scholarship to help children learn
(02:25):
how to send.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Okay, And I do want to add that you guys,
if I'm seeing this correctly, you advocate for legislation for
water safety, and that is such.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
We do do that as well.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
That is such a huge thing.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
So I hope we're going to be able to touch
on that a little bit a little bit later on
tell us why this mission is so important to every
child of swimmer ECAs.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
So one of the things that makes us different. There
are other programs out there that do the same thing.
But one thing that I like and that is very
dear to my heart, is that our executive director, Casey McGovern,
she is her daughter Ground and the May in two
(03:07):
thousand and nine and she made it her life long mission.
You know when she said goodbye to and the May
that she would never let this. She's going to work
to not let this happen to another family again. So
she made her mission to help with journey prevention. And
(03:28):
she started out in the Department of Health and worked
many years in the Department of Health. And then Bill Kent,
who is part of the International Swimming Hall of Fame,
he and her work on some legislation together and eventually
he's like, you know what your passion you need to
(03:48):
you need to run this program for us. So he
got her on board and she's been just making ways
ever since. So I think it's that makes us very
special that we have some skin in the game because
she is passionate, she knows both sides, she knows how
it feels to lose someone. And she knows how to
(04:13):
make the swimming lessons and the education, the water education priority.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
And you said her daughter was in the may and.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
The may and the government. Yep.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
And do you mind if I ask when did that happen?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
That tragedy? Totally?
Speaker 3 (04:28):
She was actually And the reason that I'm involved to
and I know her is because we were in a
playgroup together with our daughters. So it was in two
thousand and nine. She's about eighteen months old. Just real quick,
I always knew Casey. She's just an amazing mom, hands
on and just pointing this out that it can happen
(04:51):
to anyone at any time because things just align a
lineup and that would have it never happened before, and
things aligned that day. And that's a tragic accident that happened.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
So there were just it sounds like there was just
there was a multitude of things that went wrong in
that instance.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
There was a multitude of things that went wrong with
you know, you never you never think of things like
the child being able to open the door, okay, you know,
making sure your doors are locked, making sure the gates
are closed on the pool, making sure that you know
you don't have full floats in the pool where a
child's going to want to get in there and get
(05:34):
something like that. Because again, she was, she's she is
the best mom ever and it just everything aligned.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
To have the have it happen.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Oh, Nicole, it is really uh tragic and unfortunate that
we have to have this conversation. Sadly, as much as
we'd like to wish that things like this did not occur,
they do. It is the reality of life. Can you
tell us maybe give us some insight into the drowning
statistics locally, like for I don't know what all you
(06:09):
have there, but just any spots in the DMV that
you can share some of that info with this would
be I think would be helpful to kind of really
drive home how important this is.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Yeah. Well, first of all, drowning is the number one
cause of death and children ages one to four across
the United States got so that is and that's been
that way for a while. Also, if you didn't know,
ages five through fourteen, it's the number two cause of
(06:41):
death across the nation. So and then fifteen through nineteen
that still ranks up in the top three per three
reasons and causes of death across the nation. So another
thing that I think is important is to say is
there's about fifty five percent of all adults I've never
(07:02):
taken a swimming lesson. So it's generational. We see that,
you know, kids are not in getting lessons because maybe
their parents didn't take lessons or their parents are afraid
of the water. So I think that's a good statistic
to throw out there. I did do some research in
(07:22):
the DMB area. DROWNNY remains the leading cause again for
ages one to four, And this was interesting. In Virginia
in twenty twenty five, there was an article that was
put out by the department. It was on July seventeenth.
(07:45):
They said that eight children under the age of five
accidentally drowned in Virginia pools since Memorial Day. So that's
more children the drowned in each of the last three years.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
So my gosh, that is that is like that is
a very sobering thing to try to try to grasp.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
It's a crisis everywhere. So the other things that I
found in the Maryland, Washington, d C, in the Virginia
areas is that these these these drownings are occurring not
just in the pools, but they are occurring in the
map the spas the outside ponds. So it's just you know,
(08:31):
it doesn't matter where the water is, it can happen anywhere.
Montgomery County again is the same. It's got it's it's
the number two cause of death for children zero to
four at this time. And then this is one other
statistic that I found. The children with autism are one
(08:52):
hundred and sixty times more likely to drown than their peers,
so they're neurotypical. So that's another big thing that I've
been getting a lot of information on, or a lot
of leading for us to have funding for special needs
autistic children. So it's called adaptive lessons. And we do
(09:15):
have locations that do offer that. Hudson Valley Swim is
one of them.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yes, shout out to Hudson Valley Swim, two locations in Gaithersburg.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
That's something that we really need to start looking at,
I believe, because it's it's serious. They are those children.
I don't know what it is, but it's something with
the they love that, they're fascinated with water and I'm
drawn to it, so.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Not know that, oh my gosh, yes, that is certainly
a whole another piece of the discussion.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
We're actually going to be having a discussion about that
with some local hospitals talking about what else we can
do on that topic with autism.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Wow, again, learning so much here. Let's talk about you
mentioned the swim scholarships. Let's talk about every child a swimmer,
providing these scholarships to income qualifying students. Tell us more
about this aspect of your program.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
The program, we provide learn to Swim scholarship up to
five hundred dollars, and we require our swim schools to
make sure that they give at least twelve lessons. They
have to be thirty minutes long, and they have to
be if they're in a class size. They are in
a group setting, they have to be in a class
size of no more than one to six ratio, So
(10:35):
that's one instructor to six children. That's a little high,
and most of our swim schools they are about one
to four.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
It's a ratio.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Again, this is a learned to swim program, we hope,
and we require actually the child to be able to
get in and out of the water safely and unassisted.
That's what we want them to know by the end
of their lessons. So if that child, after twelve lessons
can't do those things, then we expect the swim schools
(11:05):
to give them more lessons.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
This isn't like your a parent and you want your
child to have a perfect freestyle or breaststroke. This is
more about basic safety and service, learning to swim and
surviving when you are in a water environment. Okay, got it? Yeah,
now I know you. I know there are some qualifications
to receive a swim scholarship through every child a swimmer.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Can you run down some of those for us?
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Okay, So what I'm going to tell you is, if
you are a parent, you're going to go to our
website and you're going to put in your address and
see if there is a swim school partner of ours
located near you, and you'll see that and know that
by a emblem that's on the side of it. Online.
We have a huge list of swim schools online, but
(11:52):
they may not be our partner and set up yet
to give the scholarship. So once you go in, you
find one of those partners that are nearest to the
only requirement that we have is that you it's a
financial need qualification and that is, the child has to
come from a household income of fifty thousand dollars or less.
(12:14):
We can give you a scholarship for three of your kids.
You know, it doesn't matter how many kids, but the
financial need with is the biggest qualification. So as long
as you're you know, in that need base, they should
be able to take you at the swim school. You're
going to have to provide them income information so that
(12:34):
they can qualify you with that. The other thing for
our scholarship, we want the child to be at least
one year old, and that's so that they will be
able to have the muscle memory to really get something
out of the scholarship and the lessons and stuff. And
again this is just to learn to swim scholarship. We're
not trying to reach those kids that already know how
(12:56):
to swim. We're trying to reach the ones that don't.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
And again we're talking life saving skills here. We just
cannot stress that aspect of what you do enough. Just
again to reiterate, where are the lessons held.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
So they are held that are highly qualified and experienced,
a swim school that we have partnered with, embedded with
and they understand the program and understand what we have
wanted the child to get out of the lessons, which
was again to be able to have those basic fundamentals
of getting in and out of the water safety and
(13:32):
holding a resting ploat or learning treading water. So you
have to be income based for fifty thousand dollars or
less household income. And so in order to show that,
you will need to provide documentation and you can use
either foster care information, you can do a WIT card,
(13:54):
snap card, any income based programs like that. Unfortunately, and
reduced school lunches does not qualify because sometimes that's just
a given in a certain area. So we do we
are more specific that we want you to either provide
a text form or a social services program card.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Understood, and that's it. Let me put your website out there.
It is every Child a Swimmer all together, Every Child
a Swimmer dot org. And that's where anybody needs to start.
They if they are hearing this information, they go, wow,
I am taking steps today.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yes, okay, that.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
Is our website. And on the website you would just
go to find lessons.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Once again, today we are talking with Nicole Nilsen. She's
the chapter coordinator for the nonprofit organization Every Child a Swimmer.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Let's continue.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
I'm curious as far as the total number of swim
schools in our area, the area that participate in the DMV.
Do you know roughly how many that you have that
are part of the network I.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Do throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia area. We do have
about twenty five to thirty participating in schools there partner schools.
They are located in the Montgomery, Fairfax, Prince George counties
as well as the district. Most notably we have Hudson
Valley Swim. They do a great job.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
I really want to talk about five hundred dollars scholarships.
How is this program funded? I would imagine you are
constantly in the need for more donations.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yes. Yes, we are funded completely by generous donations. So
we work very hard to get our program known and
get it out there. And we have a bunch of
wonderful generous partners and donors within the pool industry without
out of the pool industry. So we have our website
(15:51):
that anyone can go on and there's a there's a
location on our website to donate as well.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Okay, and again, Every Child a swimmer dot org. Can
you tell us a little bit about your advocacy efforts
as far as legislation goes, What's what's really behind that
we are now in we.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
Passed the Every Child of Swimmer bill. It's now a
law in several states. And basically what that is is
that requires all the school districts and school communities to
put out at the beginning of the school year information
on water safety and information on where they can find lessons. Okay,
(16:32):
so in those packets every in the beginning of the year,
which we all hate to fill out that paperwork, some
of it is very.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Important, absolutely, Nicole, you said a couple of states. Obviously,
we need this type of campaign to expand nationwide water education.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Water safety education is the key.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
So the more people that are, you know, educated about
the risks and how to behave around the water, then
the more I think life that we can save. I mean,
because not everybody will have access to the swimming lessons,
but they will have the education about what to do
around the water.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Now I would imagine too being fully funded by donations.
You do fundraising events. Can you maybe tell us about
a few of those real quick?
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Yes, we have a fun little thing on our website
or if you contact us that we can help you with.
It's kind of like a go fundme, but it's called
give butter, and we kind of we will set up
like let's say you have a maybe a business, you
could actually have a contest on who can raise the
most money online doing that, So we have something like that.
(17:40):
We also ask everybody to just go out into their
communities and you know, if anybody wants to donate to
the school, their local school, they can do that using
us as their non provide nonprofit excellent, and we will
earmark the funds to the school.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Is it true that you have businesses some sponsors that
do donation matching.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Yes, they match, then we would match as well, so
they could maybe triple their impact.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Wow, that is outstanding. A couple of those sponsors. Let's
give them some recognition. Goldfish Swim School also the American
Red Cross, the American Swimming Coaches Association, along with the
DPA that is the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
I do just want to say that if there is
anybody out there that has any kind of contacts in
the you know, in the political realm in their local
area and in their state. We would love to be
introduced to them talk about this bill that we're trying
to get in every state. So if anybody has those contacts,
(18:51):
we would love to be in front of them give
them a presentation about our program and about how important
it is to get that bill pass.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yeah. Is there anything else you want to add in
the before we wrap up this morning?
Speaker 3 (19:01):
One thing I want to tell you about the fundraising
and how we can help. How you guys can help
us raise money is you know, sometimes it's as simple
as We had a lady that did a swim across
the English Channel. She did her own thing. She went online.
She said, I'm going to swim across the English Channel
and I want all my if you want to support me,
(19:22):
support me by fundraising for every child a swimmer. Right.
We had another boy that was a YouTuber and he said, Hey,
I'm gonna for today. We're going to have everybody. Let's
raise money for this site every every child a swimmer.
Now we didn't know him, he didn't know us, but
he raised four thousand dollars in twenty four hours, so
(19:42):
it was really cool. And then lastly we have the
women in the industry up in NESPA, which is are
out of NESPA, which is the Northeast Bahn School Association.
They are having a witty walk they call it. They
are raising funds for us as well, and very simple
to do. They just you know, put it out there. Hey,
(20:02):
we're gonna we're gonna walk, We're gonna we're gonna walk
or run. You can do it virtually. And they are
going to put all the funds towards us or give
all of us the funds. So I think that's great.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
Well, I do too, big kudos to them. Nicole Nielsen,
Chapter coordinator for Every Child a Swimmer, thank you so much.
You have given us so much important information. Honestly, we
always say the goal with our with our public affairs segments.
If one in this case, if one parent here's this
and decides to really prioritize this as far as things
(20:39):
that their children learn as they are growing up, you know,
swimming needs to be top of mind. And it's so
great what you guys are doing, and you're making that
possible for folks that might not be able to, you know,
to do it without your help. So thank you, thank you,
thank you for what you do. I'm sure all the
parents listening appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
And I really want you all to be as inspired
as I am every day, and I want you to
be part of our impact in drowning prevention. So come
alongside us and help.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Us join the cause again. Our topic this morning has
been water safety for kids and drowning prevention. I feel
like I just can't say this enough. Drowning, whether it
be in a pool, a hot tub, a bathtub, any
body of water, drowning is the leading cause of death
for kids ages one to four in the DMV.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
You can get involved.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
You can start spreading the message by going to every
Childaswimmer dot org. Thank you again for listening to this.
iHeartRadio station. I'm Jenny Chase. I hope you have a
wonderful rest of your weekend. Take care.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
Our thanks to Jenny Chase, who does Middays at WASHFM
and does such a terrific job with this interview. Always fun,
entertaining and insightful. So thank you, Jenny. Since we have
a few minutes left in the program, I want to
play a bit of an upcoming interview that we're really
proud of that we'll be having with one of our
regulars on the program. Denise Corbo, who is the founder
of Storybook Treasures. They're nonprofit in Northern Virginia that provides
(22:04):
customizable literacy kids to schools that foster a love of
reading in children and support their families. The program aims
to boost academic achievement by giving children books to build
their home libraries, engaging families in literacy, and offering professional
development for teachers. The kids include books, treasures related to stories,
and activities designed to grow a child's a grade level. Now,
(22:24):
Denise and Storybook Treasures has chosen their inaugural Teacher of
the Year, along with one thousand dollars to Caroline Onneia,
who teaches kindergarten at Parkridge Elementary and Stafford, Virginia. Here's
a tease of that outcoming show and my conversation with
Carolyn and being chosen as Storybook treasures first ever Teacher
of the Year.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Good morning, Carolyn Goodning Tennis.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
Congratulations on winning the inaugural awardess Teacher of the Year
for Storybook Treasures. I imagine that you're honored, may be surprised.
I don't know we can talk about that, but congratulations.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
Thank you so much. Yes, I was very surprised.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Tell me about what this award means to you. I
know there's a thousand dollars. It's always cool when teachers
in schools get money. That's always a big bonus. But
what does it mean to you?
Speaker 6 (23:06):
Just the involvement with Storybout Treasures has been amazing and
such an experience to go through and then to be.
Speaker 5 (23:15):
Acknowledged as someone that.
Speaker 6 (23:17):
Does well with it was extra special and it was wonderful.
They did the award in front of the whole school
during the kindergarten graduation ceremony or celebration ceremony, and I
actually gave back even though it was a wonderful amount,
I gave some of that back to Storybook Treasures because
I really believe in this program and wanted to help
(23:41):
keep it going.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
And it was just extra special.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
And then I put the rest into classroom supplies and
took my family.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
Out to dinner.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
That is wonderful.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
I love that. So everybody wins, and you paid it
back forward too, so that is wonderful. You know, I'd
love to hear your opinion, because you know how we
all feel about teachers, especially on community seeing this program
is that you're underpaid. Your overworked blah blah blah. You
know the story. But we love what you do. And
I know you work with kindergartens, which is a real
special age. But reading is so important, and we've heard
(24:13):
over the years about you know, how people aren't reading
books as much as it used to tell me about
what Storybook Treasures means to you, this teacher of the year,
your children and the age that you teach. I know
that could be its own podcast for thirty minutes, but
tell us a little bit about that.
Speaker 6 (24:29):
Sure, Yes, kindergarteners come in, some from preschools, some not,
some head start. It's just all kinds of backgrounds, and
we give them a survey at the beginning of the
year of the parents that they fill out, and one
of the questions is how many books do you have
at home? And some of them have the area zero
(24:50):
to five checked. So many of the students at this school,
or my previous school especially it didn't have a home library.
And so Storybook Treasures brings classic and also current books
that are just wonderful and engaging to the home. So
we teach it for a week in school and with
(25:12):
those five year olds, they end up experts on the
book on the standards. It's hitting every one of our lessons,
hits either art or science, different types of literacy lessons,
all combined to make the students experts by.
Speaker 5 (25:29):
The end of the week.
Speaker 6 (25:31):
The best for the classroom use is the program is
set up using PowerPoint slides and it just walks the
teachers in the class right through.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
It's super engaging.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
The students when they see it's a storybook Treasures week
get so excited and the treasure, especially at the end
of the week when they get to take home, really
seals the deal for them. The boxes that Denise sends
to us, huge boxes full of every kind of supply
and the kids you would think it was their birthday
(26:04):
the way they react when these supplies come in. Once
they realize after the first fact that we do what's coming.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
It enhances any literacy program. But I mean, I wish
we just had it every day. But yeah, it's just amazing.
Speaker 4 (26:21):
Well that's huge, And I also would love to hear
about feedback. And I don't know how much you've heard
from the faculty and parents on this award, and I know,
like everybody else and you guys know it. Intimately we're
talking to Denise about this, about she's feeling a really
large gap that's missing, probably in every school in America,
about more books, more reading, having these kind of partnerships.
What kind of feedback are you getting from everybody?
Speaker 6 (26:42):
Yes, my team and my team at my other school
too loved it and said that they notice because the
students are so engaged, and because the lessons bring out
student discourse and ways to teach that to five year olds.
How do you have a conversation about your opinion or
(27:03):
about your connection And it's completely built into the lessons,
and that teaches these little kids to engage with each
other about that.
Speaker 5 (27:13):
And then the parents see that at home because.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
There's even a parent bookmark and a bilingual one for
parents to be able to talk to their children about it.
Speaker 5 (27:21):
And then we hear from parents all the time.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
How kids are revisiting this book throughout the year years later.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
It's just fantastic.
Speaker 6 (27:29):
And everyone gets a shirt, a T shirt that says
Storybook Treasures.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
I love that cute.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
Graphic and kids wear them forever because you know, for years, kindergarten,
first grade, second grade, and they're so proud of it.
And when they see any of the kindergarten teachers.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
In the hall.
Speaker 6 (27:43):
You know, they're big smiles and thumbs up, like, yep,
I'm still rocking Storybook Treasures.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Well, they're so proud.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
That's huge. Well, listen, I'm glad you were featured on
this program but also acknowledged as teacher of the Year
for Storybook Treasures in this inaugural Teacher of the Year ward.
And I know you know this, and so does Deniece.
There are thousands of Carolyn's out there that are working
their tails off but needing that extra help, and that
your acknowledged and the kids and the parents and the
faculty when and the school too, is just wonderful. So
(28:10):
congratulations on the award, and thank you so much for
joining us at Community DC. We really appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
Don't let biased algorithms or degree screens, or exclusive professional
networks or stereotypes. Don't let anything keep you from discovering
the half of the workforce who are stars, workers skilled
through alternative rops rather than a bachelor's degree. It's time
to tear the paper ceiling and see the stars beyond it.
(28:37):
Find out how you can make stars part of your
talent strategy. At tear Thepaperseiling dot org brought to you
by Opportunity at Work in the AD Council.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
Kill clean the oceans and make the world a better place.
Speaker 6 (28:55):
Learn more at she Can Stamps, a message brought to
you by the AD Council.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
For some children, a single surgery can turn an untreated
cleft into a smile for life.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
But at smile Train, we understand that most children need
a little extra care. They need nourishment to ensure they
grow healthy and strong. They need a confident voice so
they can express themselves clearly. They need emotional support and
(29:30):
counseling to help them navigate the challenges of school and
home life. And they need orthodonic and dental care to
make sure their smiles light up the room as brightly
as possible.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Visit SmileTrain dot org to learn how smile Train.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
Is supporting the cleft community with lifelong smiles.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Smile Train changing the world, one smile at a time.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.