Libsyn Directory

Ep. 222 — When Loving Kids Isn’t Enough with Michael Ingram

Release Date: 03/05/2026

Ep. 225 — The Real Reason You Can’t Let Go with Barbara Tedrow

Child Care Rockstar Radio

In this episode, Jennifer opens with an honest reflection on control and the emotional weight so many child care owners carry without even realizing it. That sets the stage for a real conversation with Barbara Tedrow, owner of A Gold Star Academy and a multi-site child care leader in New Mexico, about what it looks like to build a strong team on paper and yet still feel like too much of the business is resting on your shoulders. Barbara shares what came up during a recent VIP Day at the Child Care Success Company’s corporate office in New Orleans, where a deeper truth started to...

Ep. 224 — This is Why It Still Keeps Coming Back To You with Toni Bedford

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Real leadership takes time, clarity, and the willingness to slow down and lead with intention. In this episode, Jennifer reflects on a recent VIP Day at the Child Care Success Company’s new corporate office in New Orleans, and the perspective owners can gain when they step out of the daily rush long enough to think differently about how they lead. That sets up her conversation with Toni Bedford, owner of Bedford Learning Programs, a network of six family child care homes, about what it takes to stop being the person everything keeps coming back to. Toni shares how a strong team...

Ep. 223 — Protect What You’ve Built with Sharita Brown

Child Care Rockstar Radio

In this episode, Jennifer shares a personal moment that slowed her down and clarified what matters most: impact, leadership, and protecting what’s been entrusted to you. That framing sets the tone for a grounded conversation with Sharita “Rita” Brown, a long-time early childhood leader and Child Care Success Company coach, about one of the fears many owners carry quietly — the allegation that can shake everything. Rita walks Jennifer through a season where her centers faced a false report, and they couldn’t immediately produce the proof they needed. Instead of spiraling,...

Ep. 222 — When Loving Kids Isn’t Enough with Michael Ingram

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Ep. 221 — Happier Mamas, Happier Babies with Camille St. Martin

Child Care Rockstar Radio

In this heartfelt sendoff episode, Kris sits down with her very first hire, Camille St. Martin, for a deeply meaningful conversation about the postpartum experience, nervous system regulation, and the importance of truly seeing and supporting new moms. Camille, now a mother of two and the founder of Ritual Movement Mama, shares how her own experience of isolation and identity loss after childbirth sparked a mission to help mothers reconnect with their bodies, their breath, and their inner wisdom, one slow movement at a time. Together, Kris and Camille explore what it means to return...

Ep. 220 - Becoming Stronger and Getting Better Each Day with Cynthia Maher

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Are you ready to grow stronger as a leader and show up bigger for your center? This week, Kris sits down with Cynthia Maher, owner and founder of Bedford Child Development Center in Michigan, and a proud finalist in the 2025 Child Care Rockstar Contest. Cynthia shares what it felt like to be on that big stage, the personal breakthroughs she experienced, and the mindset shifts that are helping her move forward with more clarity and confidence than ever before. With over 20 years in the field, Cynthia opens up about her team culture, marketing strategies, and why her center’s...

Ep. 219 - Having a Seat at the Right Table Is Everything with Kyleigh Tolman and Keaton Ross

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Kyleigh Tolman and Keaton Ross are the powerhouse sister duo behind Klever Kidz Academy in rural Southeast Oklahoma. With three centers and over 300 children served, Kyleigh and Keaton have built something deeply rooted in family, community, and intentional leadership. During their chat with Kris, they share how they’ve infused fun, core values, and heart into their culture, from heart-shaped tattoos with their leadership team to parent survival kits and walkout-proof staff meetings. They also open up about enrollment challenges in rural areas, personal development routines, and...

Ep. 218 - Stamp Your Center’s Footprint in the Community with Megan Ferring

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! In this episode, Kris sits down with Megan Ferring, a dynamic regional director at Hamilton Heights Child Development Center, where her 16-year journey began as a preschool teacher. Megan’s deep commitment to both operational excellence and playful leadership recently earned her the Director of the Year award. Kris and Megan talk about how Hamilton Heights approaches leadership structure, branding, and enrollment strategy across its six locations. Megan shares her perspective on centering community connections, building team culture, and...

Ep. 217 - Not Your Typical Childcare Center with LaVonda Paul

Child Care Rockstar Radio

This week, Kris welcomes LaVonda Paul, a trailblazing early childhood leader and fourth-generation entrepreneur, for an inspiring conversation about legacy, leadership, and the power of showing up. As the owner of Small Impressions Child Development Center in Taylors, South Carolina, LaVonda has spent 19 years building a community-first program. In the episode, LaVonda talks with Kris about how she’s cultivated deep trust with families, built a rock-solid team culture, and gone all-in on advocacy, helping shape policy while showing up for children, parents, and educators alike. She opens...

Ep. 216 - What “Trust the Process” Really Means with Kris Murray

Child Care Rockstar Radio

It’s solo episode time! Kris shares insights from her new book, The Antidote to Fear, and outlines three practical ways to trust yourself and the process. She talks about embracing fear and self-doubt, including her “yoga mat” moment that changed her career direction. Kris discusses manifestation as a giving process and highlights the importance of creating quiet spaces for intuition and growth. She also gives an update on her recent women’s retreat in Maui. Key Takeaways: [2:22] Kris explains the concept of “trust the process” from the Success Academy’s guiding...

More Episodes

A new season of Child Care Rockstar Radio begins with Jennifer Conner, CEO of the Child Care Success company, stepping in as host! Jennifer shares the real behind-the-scenes of her own journey: buying a struggling center, realizing “love and passion” alone won’t sustain a business long-term, and learning how systems, finances, and leadership create the stability that protects your mission. Then Jennifer welcomes Michael Ingram, a legacy child care leader and school owner with multi-generational roots, to talk about the kind of leadership growth that doesn’t show up on an org chart. Michael reflects on moving from defensiveness to connection, mentorship and choosing community over isolation, and learning how to create space. Michael also shares how mentorship changed his leadership, and why being the one everyone calls for answers can be a signal that it’s time to find your own room of mentors.

Key Takeaways:

[1:10] Jennifer shares her journey from childcare owner to building a strong leadership team and moving to Mexico.

[1:25] She highlights how systems, finances, and leadership are critical to a sustainable childcare business.

[2:28] Jennifer talks about shifting from running schools remotely to becoming a coach and CEO rooted in love for children and families.

[9:32] Michael reflects on taking feedback too personally early on and learning to get comfortable with discomfort.

[16:20] Michael explains how stepping aside from his own ego and seeking mentorship transformed his leadership.

[20:22] He describes his school’s model, which includes on-site OT, speech, and ABA therapy for children with higher needs.

[22:31] The challenges that Michael faces in his school, and how he works to overcome them.

[26:02] Michael’s passion for advocacy and advice for someone who wants to get involved but doesn’t exactly know how.

[29:11] Finding the right group that advocates for your cause.

[31:17] QTIP - Quit Taking It Personal, and how Michael learned to not take things so personally.

[35:23] Learning how to give and take space as a leader, and embracing the mantra “just for today”.

Quotes:

“The version of you that started your center isn't necessarily the version of you that sustains it or carries it forward.” [4:44] - Jennifer

“I had to get out of the way of knowing all the answers and allow the people who I am here to serve and work with to help me figure out those answers.” [10:05] – Michael

“Where there's uncomfortability, that's where growth is. You know, that's the innovation of growth. And so, I had to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” [11:04] - Michael

“You just have to embrace the uncomfortability, and then you can step into greatness.” [11:20] - Michael

“We are doing great things, and we are ready to accept families and support families where they're at. And I think when you have a voice, and you use that voice, other people often will hear it, and it will energize them to rally around a cause that you're passionate about.” [29:43] - Michael

“When you operate out of space, that’s when things fall into line.” [35:09] - Michael

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