Nicia Fullwood and Shannon Riley, the founders of Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy (BELA) join me for a conversation about the potential of partnership and the power of sisterhood. BELA is an all-girls charter high school in Brooklyn NY. At BELA, girls receive more than an education, they find a home. They are challenged by a rigorous curriculum w…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region is a regionally-operated and locally-funded non-profit organization that serves New York's Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties. They create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Lisa O'Sullivan joins me on the podcast today to shar…

In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie Fronk, the executive director at Wellspring. Wellspring supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Saratoga County, offering a comprehensive range of services and support, Maggie has been working in social service organizations for a very long time, and with her extensive experience and profo…

After-school care, homelessness prevention and support, emergency assistance, free summer meals, and so much more! CAPTAIN is a beehive of activity with folks working endlessly to support the Capital Region. Fern Hurley is the Executive Director and an incredibly kind leader. She has tons of experience in non-profit work and is deeply passionate ab…

The Franklin Community Center has been a steadfast support pillar for the Saratoga community providing a diverse range of services to assist those in need. I'm joined by Abbie Aldrich who shares about their food pantry, afterschool support (Project Lift), holiday assistance, housing support, and so many more ways Franklin Community Center is provid…

The Ali Forney Center is one of our newest partnerships, this will be the first summer they send youth to camp. The Ali Forney Center's mission is to support LGBTQ+ homeless youth in New York City. The Ali Forney Center is the largest LGBT community center helping LGBTQ homeless youth in the United States. They both manage and develop transitional …

The Rochester City School District is a public school district that serves approximately 24,900 students in the city of Rochester, New York, which is where Stomping Ground's founders are from! We have been partnering with folks from RCSD since the very beginning of camp and have met so many genuine, kind, and passionate people. In this episode, we’…

George Jackson Academy is New York City's only independent middle school for academically talented boys from families of all incomes. They challenge their boys’ minds, nurture their hearts, and empower them to be leaders and change-makers. In this episode, Ramon Javier, Head of School, shares heartwarming and powerful stories. Discover how a simple…

Why are partnerships integral to Stomping Grounds mission? How did they start and how have they evolved? How do we build reciprocal relationships? What is a partnership mindset and what kind of impact can it have? Join Laura in the first episode of our new season as she unravels the story behind our partnerships – how they began, evolved, and the p…

In this episode, we chat with a remarkable Stomping Ground camper, Jujube, who has a gift for inspiring others through her outspokenness and confidence. She shares with us the importance of finding your voice and how Stomping Ground has provided a space for her to be open and authentic. Join us for an engaging conversation on the power of vulnerabi…

In this episode, we speak with Ray, the former host of the Building A Stomping Ground Podcast, about his new non-profit organization, The Local Sound Collaborative. Ray shares his motivation for starting a non-profit and the challenges he has faced along the way. We also discuss the role of community and collaboration in the success of a non-profit…

We speak with Adam Feldman, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in the community surrounding Stomping Ground. Adam discusses his long-term experience going to and working at summer camp and how it shaped his philosophy on community building and play-based learning environments. We also talk about the impact of Habitat for Humanity on the…

Well we had to do it. We HAD to bring in the best story teller we know and love, they have been doing it all the way since 2015. Laura is the co-founder and executive director of Stomping Ground. She drives the idea that story telling can be a powerful tool to create connection and understanding. Join us as she rounds off what we hope was an incred…

You didn't think we would forget the kitchen did you?! For our 9th episode we bring on our head chef, Nina Roberts, to tell you how it all goes down back there behind the kitchen wall curtain. Nina absolutely knocked it out of the park this summer, completely leveling up the way we see and make food at camp. She tells us the best camp meals, and wh…

So you sign up to work for camp, and you know you will interact with some kids. But you also might lead a photography class, or clean a bunch of dishes. You might work in the office for half a day, jump on the lawn mower, sit with a sick camper, or even plunge a toilet! It takes a lot to make our small little organization run and there are two peop…

We had to dedicate one whole episode to working and hanging with our teen campers, so it only made sense to bring on our talented teen expert: Squeaks! She has worked at many camps before finding her way to SG, and you will arguably learn a little about yourself while listening to her reflect on summer 2021 (I know I did). Plus, if you want a camp …

Do you ever have those people in your life that are just so reliable? That is our next guest, Maddy. She ran the buddy board, she led so many different activities, and she connected so well with every cabin she worked with. Maddy joins us today to share her experience with Stomping Ground after working at other summer camps for several years before…

Well what a delight this episode was. Patrick Days is an energizer bunny that makes all of the other bunnies look tired. During summer 2021 you could find him leading all camp cheers, going hard on the basketball court, or playing 1000 games of magic. He is an example of loving your job so much that sometimes it might not even feel like work, and h…

You know her and you love her, it's time for Nana!! Nana, AKA Alex Vaillancourt, is a parent coach/educator during the school year, and the Makerspace Maven during the summer. She has worked with children and families for over 30 years. Experiences have included working in a castle in the middle of Central Park, teaching English in Japan, and being…

MK Conner in the building!! They were a cabin counselor turned panda in just one summer, and after you listen to this episode you will understand why. MK is incredible at making connections with staff/campers, and is always looking to level up the fun and creativity that happens at camp. Looking to emulate your fav staff member? Well look no furthe…

Up next in our staff reflections and stories from summer 2021: the channel 27 news anchor himself, Quarius Loucas! This guy can do it all. He makes announcements from the picnic table, leads dance parties, and recognizes the fun in making new traditions. Tune in to hear just how he makes it happen.Di Stomping Ground

We are beyond thrilled to bring you our SECOND season of the Building A Stomping Ground Podcast. This run will focus all on summer 2021, our first summer in our new home, and we will hear stories from all staff crossing all Stomping Ground departments and areas. There is a power in story telling that transcends any theory or idea we can try to conv…

If don't know her yet, you will now. Shani Carrington is a beacon of human kindness and empathy. And we are beyond thrilled to welcome her to the squad. Sit down with us as we learn more about who she is and how she got to SG.Di Stomping Ground

Our other new year round camp director, Shani Carrington, graces us with her depiction of what Stomping Ground is like through a beautiful spoken word poem. Take a listen!Di Stomping Ground

In this second bonus episode, Ray sits down with Nelson to hear more about why he loves camp, what his favorite passions are outside of camp, and his amazing takes on how/when meetings should run.Di Stomping Ground

Join us as we sit down with our two new year round staff members, the very first listeners of this podcast. Enjoy this first of four bonus episodes getting to know our new directors, Nelson Strickland and Shani Carrington.Di Stomping Ground

This weeks episode is with one of my favourite newer comics Celya AB. Being a French-Algerian living in this country has offered her a really unique outsider view on British culture which makes for some really great observational comedy, but she is also a very sharp joke writer too. Find out all about her upbringing in Paris on Stomping Grounds.…

Probably my most exotic guest so far, is Australia exotic? It is if you aren't from there or have never been there. Have a listen if that's your bag.

Find out today what it's like growing up as the only half-Spanish-son-of-a-landlord gay in the village/town of Red Ruth.

Today's episode is with fellow comedian and podcaster Helen Bauer. You may know her from her fantastic podcast with Rosie Jones "Daddy Look at me" or from various television appearances. Helen is a real power house of comedy, or should I say Bauer house. Come find out about her humble beginnings in Fleet.…

My first guest on the podcast is Angela Barnes. You may have seen her on Mock The Week, House of Games or Live at the Apollo! We chat about her humble beginnings in Kent.

The season one finale dives into the most important aspect of camp - you. The staff, campers, donors, and supporters who we partner with to grow Stomping Ground's mission. You are now a part of the community, and you can play a critical role in camp's future.Di Stomping Ground

The final quick hitters! Say it ain't so! Join George and Ray in their last attempt to cover a boat load of SG terms, this time focusing on the big ideas that have shaped camp over the years.Di Stomping Ground

This episode of the BASG pod focuses on the world around us right now, the political climate and the intersecting movements shaping society. At Stomping Ground we take seriously the opportunity we have to inspire kids to think critically about the role they play in these movements.Di Stomping Ground

Did you know Laura has her MSW? Join us as we get all sorts of academic in the BASG pod. Laura schools us on the youth development theories and practices that drive camp and influence our programming.Di Stomping Ground

We all make mistakes and it can suck when we mess up. Join Jack and Ray as we talk about some bumps in the road at SG, and how we support each other to move forward.Di Stomping Ground

George is back! Sit back for another segment of quick hitters, this time focusing on the systems of camp. The clock keeps ticking as we grow the SG glossary!Di Stomping Ground

Put your engineer hats on! Jack talks us through the business and operation sides of camp. This episode paints a picture of how this whole machine works, and we have a little fun along the way.Di Stomping Ground

We are back this episode with Klee as she breaks down all of the essentials you need to know about in packing for camp. Learn about the amenities camp has to offer, and even hear about the stellar food menu at Stomping Ground.Di Stomping Ground

Join us for our first "quick hitters" segment with George and Ray! Each of these episodes will feel like a sprint, as these two hooligans try to name and explain a wide variety of SG terms. Tune in as we build out the Stomping Ground glossary.Di Stomping Ground

Camp is a weird place. In this episode we talk through some of the stereotypes of a “traditional camp counselor” as we acknowledge that working at camps is unlike any other job. It then becomes our job to let people know you don’t have to fit a specific mold to be a staff member at Stomping Ground.Di Stomping Ground

Ever wondered what really happens in a day of working for a summer camp? Join Klee, Stomping Ground's Camp Director, as she gets down to brass tax about what the day to day life of an SG employee is really like.Di Stomping Ground

In this episode we are joined by the other SG co-founder, Jack Schott. He picks up where we left off in the Stomping Ground origin story, talking about the new camp property acquired in 2020 and the excitement about our new forever home in Saratoga Springs.Di Stomping Ground

Episode two takes us back to the beginning. You will hear the origin story of how Stomping Ground all came together. Tune in as Laura covers Jack and Laura's cross country road trip, camp's first summer in 2015, and so much more!Di Stomping Ground

Join Laura and Ray as they introduce the brand new Building A Stomping Ground Podcast. This first season will be focused on illuminating our hidden curriculum at camp, as we welcome new folks to our community. Episode one starts with the simple question: what is the hidden curriculum?Di Stomping Ground

Welcome to Stomping Ground, a short series covering the everyday lives of a small Philadelphia community. Each episode will interview a new member of the neighborhood and discuss their lives, occupations, struggles, and insight.Di Kate Kopf

Heath lives at the end of my block. She works as a grief counselor and assists mourning family members of in understanding, coping, and transitioning. In this episode we discuss her job, its toll on her, and how to truly take advantage of your time on earth.Di Kate Kopf

Alex lives two doors down from me. He works as a substance abuse counselor and helps mainly mothers or pregnant women in overcoming their addiction and prospering after the fact. In this episode we discuss his job and work history, the struggles of counseling, and the tremendous life lessons he's learned on the way.…

Rona lives one street over and I've been visiting her house since I was a kid. She works with refugees as a coordinator for HIAS PA, a non-profit that provides a multitude of services to immigrants. In this episode we discuss her job, how she got into it, and how closely immigrants and the american dream are related.…

I always remembered where Ray lived by the fact that we had the same deep red colored door - or at least used to. Ray was one of the founders of TLA video which put a spotlight on alternative and LGBTQ cinema like never before. In this episode we discuss his journey in the film industry, his experience being gay, and the importance of being out and…