Growing Up in America

Growing Up in America is weekly radio show produced by KPFT Pacifica Radio. The show airs live from 3-4 PM CST every Monday across Greater Houston and Galveston. Growing Up in America features weekly discussions on the status of American children, public policy, and politics. Dr. Bob Sanborn, Founder and CEO of Children at Risk, co-hosts the show alongside Children at Risk's Policy Director, Mandi Kimball. Guest speakers include public officials, child advocates, and experts on a large variety of issues affecting American children. Topics addressed on the show include, but are not limited to, human trafficking, food insecurity, education, juvenile justice, parenting, health care, childhood obesity, and immigration.
Background
Growing Up in America programming combines news, analysis, commentary, interviews and special features related to children's issues. The show originated as an open journal show, but eventually evolved to a weekly hour long program. The show was first aired in March of 2010 on KPFT. KPFT serves the Greater Houston and Galveston population of nearly six million people, reaching almost 150,000 listeners every week.
Format
The format of Growing Up in America is relatively flexible, incorporating a wide variety of material. The show is generally broken down into five segments, although this can vary from week to week.
The program begins with the familiar theme song and a short overview of the stories to be covered during the hour.
After a brief introduction from hosts Dr. Bob Sanborn and Mandi Kimball, the first segment, "Data Head" begins. During Data Head, listeners are presented with the "number of the week" and then receive an explanation of the numbers' significance from a guest speaker. For instance, on the first ever Data Head segment, the number of the week was 51, which, as explained by Dr. Claire Bocchini, was 2012 ranking for health care quality as compared to the other 50 states and Washington, D.C.
The next segment is called "Hot Topic." During this segment, the hosts discuss a major current event pertaining to children. Often, journalists or advocates who broke the story to the mainstream press are invited on the segment to comment.
About halfway through the show, Dr. Sanborn and Mandi Kimball introduce the show's popular "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" social conscience scale. There is a new "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" issue each week, and listeners can either call in to voice their opinion on air or vote on Facebook page.
Apart from these segments, the remainder of the show consists of in-depth interviews with child advocacy experts. Topics of these interviews include human trafficking, food insecurity, health coverage, obesity, legislation, and juvenile justice. Notable past guests include Mayor Annise Parker, Representative Ted Poe, and Senator Leticia R. Van de Putte.

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