Research shows that a 15-minute mindfulness reset can help a student to return to the classroom more focused and better prepared to learn. Through a partnership between Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), four WellSpaces opened on secondary school campuses in the Irvine Unified School District during the 2022-23 school year. Sunny Shen and Tammy Blakely join the show to share how WellSpaces are assisting students in prioritizing mental health, develop positive coping skills, manage stress, and fully access social and emotional learning.

Carl Hankey K-8 Academy is one of the few schools in the state that offers a Primary Music program for grades K-3. Music teacher Sara Pedroza shares about the music program and her hopes for how schools will use Prop 28 arts funds for schools. Music students Jaylen, Nikos, Nolan, and Christopher are in the studio to talk about what they love about learning to play an instrument, why music is important to them, and play a little live music.

Former Saddleback College student and California State Senate candidate Alex Mohajer shares the influence of his mother on becoming a youth activist and political candidate, campaign financing, supporting small businesses in Orange County, and building bridges between political differences. Mohajer dives into the ongoing weekly protests in Irvine supporting the women-led revolution in Iran and why paying attention to the movement in Iran matters in the U.S. Hosted by Karyn Bower and Nicholas Reese.