Libsyn Directory

Ep. 193: Tameenah Adams — Feeling Alive in ’25

Release Date: 01/30/2025

Episode 200 with Vernon Mason — Every Day Is A Gift

Child Care Rockstar Radio

He’s back! The great Vernon Mason returns as one of the podcast’s most popular guests to help celebrate this milestone 200th episode. He and Kris reflect on leadership, legacy, and what it really means to be present. In this episode, Vernon shares his beautiful wisdom and journey from growing up in an in-home child care program to building and selling a five-site child care business, and now helping grow The Nest into a 52-location powerhouse. Together, he and Kris chat about the realities of leadership today including accountability, toxic positivity, turnover trends, universal...

Episode 199 with Rachel Davis — Follow Your True Calling

Child Care Rockstar Radio

This is an inspiring and impactful episode with Rachel Davis, founder of Children’s Promise Centers, an early childhood program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Operating 20 hours daily, her centers provide critical support for working families often overlooked by traditional child care models. Rachel chats with Kris about her journey from the Denver Rescue Mission to creating a faith-driven, community-focused child care network where high standards, deep relationships, and genuine care intersect. She shares the heart behind her mission to support nontraditional working...

Episode 198 with Jessica Harris: Be The CEO of Your Life

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Jessica Harris is the owner of Four Sisters Childcare in Linden, Utah — a thriving center named after her four daughters. Alongside her husband, she’s built a program that’s now serving 91 full-time equivalent students with a capacity of 86 and a waitlist. But her real work goes beyond enrollment. In this episode, Jessica shares her journey from running a home daycare to leading a full-blown center, all while growing as a leader, navigating fear, and learning how to truly step into her power. She opens up about the deep personal habits that ground her, the way she teaches...

Ep 197 with Neshanta Linson: Creating an Extended Family In Her Community

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Neshanta Linson is the owner of Hermes Enchanted Garden, a boutique early childhood program in Lower Alabama. Starting as a home-based daycare, her center has grown into a thriving, community-driven school that blends classical education, family values, and a strong sense of connection. Beyond her role as a business owner, Neshanta is deeply committed to servant leadership, fostering an environment where families, staff, and children feel like an extended family. In this episode, she shares how she built a family-centered school culture where staff and parents feel truly connected. Neshanta...

Ep. 196 with The Sisters (M. Mercedes & Maria Consuela): What Does ECE Stand For? Empathy-Courage-Excellence

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Kris welcomes The Sisters, Sister M. Mercedes Diaz and Sister Maria Consuela Garzón of St. Francis Daycare Center in Alton, Illinois, who also just happen to be the winners of the 2024 Child Care Rockstar Contest! In this episode, the sisters share their journey of leading a 45‑year‑old institution, discussing their leap into early childhood education without prior daycare experience, transforming systems post‑COVID, and embracing a “whatever it takes” mindset. Their story reveals the heart, courage, and excellence that define a true ECE rockstar. Key Takeaways: ...

Ep. 195 — Jacob Jensen: Stack Your WINS for Massive Momentum

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Jacob Jensen is the Executive Director of The Learning Station, a Christian-based child care organization in Myrtle Beach, and a coach for the Child Care Success Company. As a husband and father of two boys, Jacob is dedicated to providing exceptional early education while upholding core values like positivity, family, and excellence. With three schools serving nearly 500 children, Jacob focuses on empowering leaders and driving success in the child care industry. He is passionate about building strong communities and helping child care businesses thrive. In this episode, Jacob...

Ep. 194 — Creating Beauty From Tragedy with Michelle Masjedi

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Michelle Masjedi is a dedicated early childhood educator and business owner in Los Angeles. As the founder of The Journey Begins and the soon-to-open The Journey Continues, she has spent over 30 years shaping the future of child care. In this episode, Michelle shares how she and her community have rallied together in the wake of the devastating California fires, working to provide emergency child care, support families in crisis, and address the gaps in disaster infrastructure for young children. Beyond that, she goes more into the systems and leadership strategies that have transformed her...

Ep. 193: Tameenah Adams — Feeling Alive in ’25

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Tameenah Adams is a Certified Child Care Success Academy (CCSA) Business Coach and a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully owned and operated multiple childcare centers in the DC Metro area. As a coach, she helps childcare owners streamline operations, build high-performing teams, and achieve sustainable growth. With over 25 years of experience in HR, business management, and leadership development, Tameenah launched ChildcareHR to support childcare owners with HR, compliance, and scaling their businesses. In this episode, Tameenah and Kris dive into the feelings wheel and discuss...

Ep. 192: Thomas Brawner - Build a Great Team Around You

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Kris welcomes Thomas Brawner, Owner and CFO of Alta Schoolhouse, a Montessori-inspired preschool located in Lakeland, Florida. Thomas first talks about his and his wife's journey to Lakeland - his wife had previous experience as a director at a childcare center, while Thomas came from a business background but shared a passion for working with kids. Thomas provides an inspiring glimpse into the strategies he and his wife used to successfully open Alta Schoolhouse, after facing challenges with their first two location attempts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dynamics of their...

Ep. 191: The Power of Story with Brenda and Geordie McClay

Child Care Rockstar Radio

In this episode, host Kris Murray welcomes Brenda and Geordie McClay, the dynamic husband-wife team behind Bright Ideas Child Care and Learning Center. Brenda and Geordie share their remarkable journey, from Brenda's initial desire to be an elementary school teacher to opening their first childcare center in 2009 and expanding to a second location in 2020. The McClays discuss the challenges they’ve faced, particularly with hiring quality staff during the pandemic, and the strategies they’ve employed to overcome these hurdles. This includes partnering with local high schools to develop an...

More Episodes

Key Takeaways:

[8:46] Learning to surrender and taking it one day at a time.

[11:26] The biggest lesson learned from the pandemic.

[13:07] Tameenah shares how she’s shifted to a reward system based on how her heart, mind, and body feel, rather than material things.

[19:04] The connection between self-love and effective leadership.

[20:40] Strategies for managing overwhelm and staying present.

[25:52] The importance of surrounding yourself with the right community.

[29:43] How outsourcing can create more time and efficiency.

[35:17] Practical strategies for financial recovery and smart money management.

[38:06] Overcoming fear and leading with confidence.

[42:07] Transparent leadership and leading with grace.

[44:48] Exploring the power of the Feelings Wheel.

Quotes:

“I was at the intersection of my life. I had to make a choice because, quite honestly, there were times I didn’t even know if I could make it another day. What kept me hanging on was knowing my children needed me.” — Tameenah [7:56]
“I’m learning now that there is a different reward system. My reward comes in how my heart feels, how my mind feels, how my body feels. Am I able to sleep well? Rewarding myself really doesn’t cost anything.” — Tameenah [13:07]
“I’ve started the journey to really look and love me. I’m healing from the hurt in my life and how I hurt myself. Self-love is being kind to yourself.” — Tameenah [18:33]
“I stay plugged into a community that can serve me and understand me, where I feel safe.” — Tameenah [25:00]
“Your intentions have to equal your impact.” — Tameenah [35:22]
“It’s all about the energy you bring into your leadership decisions.” — Kris [40:08]
“I’m leading differently because I’m leading even more transparently.” — Tameenah [42:18]
“I’ve taken my power back. There is nothing anyone can say about me that I haven’t transparently shared myself. I’m not going to walk around in shame for anything.” — Tameenah [43:47]
“What people think of me is none of my business. What I think about me is my business.” — Tameenah [48:20]

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