Skimm This

Latest Episodes:

Breaking the Cycle: School as a Social Environment Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

1 in 3 students are chronically absent from school.* One surprising reason? A lack of access to clean clothes. We teamed up with Whirlpool to explore this hidden educational crisis.

For the second episode in our three-part series, our host, psychologist and parent educator Dr. Jazmine McCoy, will cover: how chronic absenteeism affects a student’s social-emotional learning experience; how chronic absenteeism impacts their mental health; and the signs you can look for in your own child. In this episode you’ll hear from: Dr. Richard Rende, a developmental science psychologist and researcher, and McKenzie Roney, the managing director of national corporate partnerships at Teach For America.

Sources: *Based on “Monitoring Data Matters Even More: A Review of State Attendance Data Policy and Practice in School Year 2022-23,” updated June 2023. Dr. Jazmine, [2:27 - 2:43], based on “A Theory of Human Motivation” in Psychological Review, 1943. Dr. Rende, [6:16 - 6:28], based on the Department of Education Report "Chronic Absenteeism in the Nation's Schools," updated 2019. Care Counts™ program metrics consider only 2022–2023 school year results according to Impact YOY data.

This miniseries was Skimm’d by Dr. Jazmine McCoy, along with our producers Monica Perry and Lizzy Bryce, and scriptwriter Sarah Title. This episode was created in partnership with Ginni Media.

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Breaking the Cycle: Exposing a Hidden Educational Crisis Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

1 in 3 students are chronically absent from school.* One surprising reason? A lack of access to clean clothes. We teamed up with Whirlpool to explore this hidden educational crisis.

For the first episode in our three-part series, our host, psychologist and parent educator Dr. Jazmine McCoy, will cover: what chronic absenteeism is and why it matters; what typically causes it; and what Whirlpool is doing to help break the cycle. In this episode you’ll hear from: Dr. Richard Rende, a developmental science psychologist and researcher; Damon Carraby, the director of national corporate partnerships at Teach For America; McKenzie Roney, the managing director of national corporate partnerships at Teach For America; and Nelly Cecila Martinez, senior brand leader at Whirlpool.

Sources: *Based on “Monitoring Data Matters Even More: A Review of State Attendance Data Policy and Practice in School Year 2022-23,” updated June 2023. Dr. Jazmine, [2:14 - 2:24] based on “Higher Chronic Absenteeism Threatens Academic Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” updated October 2023. Dr. Jazmine, [2:24 - 2:28] based on NCEO report “Students with Disabilities and Chronic Absenteeism”. Dr. Rende, [2:33 - 3:02], based on Department of Education Report "Chronic Absenteeism in the Nation's Schools," updated 2019. Dr. Rende, [3:31 - 3:38], Based on “Monitoring Data Matters Even More: A Review of State Attendance Data Policy and Practice in School Year 2022-23,” updated June 2023.

This miniseries was Skimm’d by Dr. Jazmine McCoy, along with our producers Monica Perry and Lizzy Bryce, and scriptwriter Sarah Title. This episode was created in partnership with Ginni Media.

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Jen Psaki on Working at the White House, Seeking Feedback Throughout Her Career, and Raising Her Kids Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

This is an episode of the podcast "9 to 5ish with theSkimm". Listen to the show wherever you get your podcasts.

When Jen Psaki became President Obama’s White House Communications Director, she was pregnant. Later, she became President Biden’s Press Secretary, and she had to navigate her role as a mom and as the White House’s chief spokesperson. A big challenge, considering when you work for the president, you’re expected to be on call 24/7. Today, we spoke to Jen about what doing both actually looked like for her – from the hard realities to the help she got along the way.

In this episode, Jen shares:

What a job interview with the president is like
Why she regrets not seeking feedback early in her career
Her non-traditional approach to mentoring
What she learned from not getting the job she wanted the first time
How she set boundaries, even when on call 24/7

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Seriously Good News: Making Recess More Accessible Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

The news cycle can be exhausting (trust us, we know). But it’s important for all our mental health to take a break from the negativity — even if it’s just for a few minutes. So together with Ford, we set out to find good news to help us do just that.

For the final episode of our three-part mini-series, we feature an elementary school determined to build an accessible playground so all students can play — and they've almost raised $1 million.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Betsy Julien, the Minnesota teacher leading this project, and several of her fifth- and sixth-grade students. Plus, hear about some more good news that made us smile.

This episode is Skimm’d by Alex Carr and our producers Monica Perry, Pam Segall, and Liz Smith. This episode was created in partnership with Wonder Media Network.

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Seriously Good News: The Science Behind A Feel-Good Hit Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

For the second episode of our three-part mini-series, we chatted with the artist behind the feel-good viral hit, “If I Were A Fish.” Plus, we asked a music psychologist why songs like this one make us feel so seen.

In this episode, you’ll hear from corook, who wrote the trending tune, and Dr. Susan Rogers, a professor at Berklee College of Music who holds a PhD in music perception and cognition. Plus, hear about some other headlines that made us smile.

This episode is Skimm’d by Alex Carr and our producers Monica Perry, Pam Segall, and Liz Smith. This episode was created in partnership with Wonder Media Network.

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Seriously Good News: A Restaurant Run By Grandmas Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

For the first episode of our three-part mini-series, we visited Enoteca Maria, a Staten Island restaurant where the food is cooked by grandmas — affectionately called “nonnas” — from all around the world.

In this episode, you’ll hear from owner Joe Scaravella, resident nonnas Kathy and Anna, and a couple of very satisfied customers. Plus, hear about some other good news that made us smile.

This episode is Skimm’d by Alex Carr and our producers Monica Perry, Pam Segall, and Liz Smith. This episode was created in partnership with Wonder Media Network.

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Skimm This: State of Women… and Career May 04, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to Skimm This. We're back in your feeds to bring you fresh episodes that help you live smarter. This time, instead of weekly episodes, we’ll be dropping miniseries throughout the year that will focus on your wellbeing. And to kick things off, we’re taking a look at the state of women in America, with a series that offers a look into the realities that millennial women in the US face today.

In this final episode, we’re talking about the state of women and their careers.

First up: We’ll start with the data – and why women are concerned about career setbacks
Then: We’ll explain how women are taking action to shore up their careers, despite being weighed down by societal norms and economic realities
Finally: We interviewed an expert about how to start a side-hustle, or secondary income stream

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Jannese Torres, creator and host, Yo Quiero Dinero

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Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts
Listen to our other podcast, 9 to 5ish with theSkimm

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Andrew Callaway, Elie McAfee Hahn.

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Skimm This: State of Women… and Health Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

In this third episode, we’re talking about the state of women and their health.

First up: We’ll start with the data – and why women’s well-being is in crisis
Then: We’ll explain how women are starting to advocate for their health in order to navigate a broken system
Later: We interviewed an expert about how you can advocate for yourself before, during, and after your appointments
Finally: We’ve got a script you can use to find a therapist

P.S. Learn more about the different types of therapy here.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

LaTasha Seliby Perkins, physician, assistant professor of medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Want more Skimm?

Sign up for our free daily newsletter
Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts
Listen to our other podcast, 9 to 5ish with theSkimm

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Andrew Callaway, Elie McAfee Hahn.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skimm This: State of Women… and Money Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

In this second episode, we’re talking about the state of women and money.

First up: We’ll start with the data, and explain how women are feeling about their finances right now
Then: We’ll explain how women are securing their financial futures, despite a rocky economy
Later: We interviewed an expert about how women can create a more resilient financial future by paying off their debt, and freeing themselves of financial shame
Finally: We’ve got a script you can use if you’re thinking about hiring a financial planner

P.S. Learn more about different types of financial pros here. And here’s a useful debt tracker.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, founder of the Fiscal Femme

Want more Skimm?

Sign up for our free daily newsletter
Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts
Listen to our other podcast, 9 to 5ish with theSkimm

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Andrew Callaway, Elie McAfee Hahn.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skimm This: State of Women... and Society Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to Skimm This. We're back in your feeds to bring you fresh episodes that help you live smarter. This time, instead of weekly episodes, we’ll be dropping miniseries throughout the year that will focus on your wellbeing. And to kick things off, we’re taking about the state of women in America, with a series that will offer a look into the realities that millennial women in the US face today.

In this first episode, we’re talking about the state of women and society.

First up: We’ll start with the data – and why 74% of millennial women agree, “Society treats women like second-class citizens”
Then: We’ll explain how women are starting to reclaim their power, and rewrite the rules of being a woman in America
Later: We interviewed an expert about how you can start to reclaim your time, and rebalance the invisible labor at home
Finally: We’ve got a script you can use to delegate your responsibilities at home

P.S. Send this to a man.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: