Empowering Young Minds, the Association of Children’s Museums Podcast

In this episode, Arthur is joined by Michele Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at UNICEF USA, where she serves as a principal advisor to the CEO and leads the philanthropy team which is set to deliver $1B of impact value for children annually.

Over the past 15 years, Michele has been a driving force behind initiatives that have reshaped the organization and mobilized hundreds of millions of philanthropic dollars. 

Listen in as Arthur and Michele discuss the role that all of us can play in creating and supporting communities where every child is healthy, educated, protected, and respected. 

In this episode, Arthur is joined by Dr. Calvin Mackie, an award-winning mentor, inventor, author, former engineering professor, internationally renowned speaker, and successful entrepreneur.

Join Arthur and Dr. Mackie as they discuss methods for impacting the lives of young people and the importance of getting kids to believe in themselves. 

On this episode, Arthur is joined by Sarah Johnson, Chief Education Officer at Carnegie Hall, where she directs the Hall’s Weill Music Institute, the illustrious concert venue’s education and social impact arm. 

Over the past 17 years, Ms. Johnson has led WMI in enormous programmatic growth as she and her team have launched numerous major initiatives including the Lullaby Project. 

Join Arthur and Sarah as they discuss how music can help parents uplift their children and how it supports people's lives. 

Welcome back to Empowering Young Minds! On today's episode, Arthur is joined by Anne Snyder, editor-in-chief of Comment magazine and founder of Breaking Ground, a growing institutional irrigation system seeking to leaven our common life with a Christian humanist lens.

Anne is also the host of The Whole Person Revolution podcast, co-editor of Breaking Ground: Charting Our Future in a Pandemic Year, and author of The Fabric of Character: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Renewing our Social and Moral Landscape.

Join Arthur and Anne as they talk about learning from the past and imagining a positive and hopeful future for the children and families we seek to serve. 

On this episode, Arthur is joined by Bo Stjerne Thomsen, Head of Educational Impact at LEGO Education.

He is an executive leader, learning expert, and global advocate with over 20 years of international experience in education, technology, and design, dedicated to creating significant, sustainable, and lasting impact. Arthur and Bo discuss the power of playful learning and share how play is celebrated globally through the International Day of Play.

Arthur welcomes two ACM member museum leaders, Center of Science and Industry’s Dr. Frederic Bertley and Museum of Discovery and Science’s Joe Cox to talk about building future leaders and how children’s museums are pillars in their communities.

Both COSI and MODS were honored with the 2023 IMLS Medal of Honor.

Dr. Leah Austin is an accomplished, multi-faceted and visionary leader who has been working on behalf of Black children and their families for over two decades. Today, she serves as President/CEO of the National Black Child Development Institute. 

Join Arthur and Leah as they talk about how adults can lift up children with an asset-based approach and the challenges that come with framing this mindset for Black children.

On the inaugural episode of Empowering Young Minds, Arthur Affleck talks to Jean Margaret Smith, senior vice president for public affairs and administration at Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group (New York). She is responsible for managing the networks’ strategic relationships with social advocates, policymakers and public opinion leaders, as well as handling the company’s overall public affairs agenda.  Her initiatives at Nickelodeon include Beyond the Backpack and Worldwide Day of Play.