An Interview with Kids First! CEO RANNY LEVY (Part 1)

Leadership begins long before someone enters the workplace.In this episode of JD & The Brain: The Praxis of Business, Dr. Timothy "Dr. T" Fowler and JD Sicilia welcome Ranny Levy, Founder and President of Kids First!, for an engaging conversation on how media, education, and intentional leadership shape the next generation of thinkers.As part of our ongoing TRAIN Model series, we explore the Tell/Teach phase—the foundational stage of leadership where knowledge, values, and critical thinking are intentionally transferred before performance can ever be expected.With more than three decades of experience empowering children and families through media literacy, Ranny shares how Kids First! equips young people to think critically, evaluate information thoughtfully, and develop the confidence to form their own opinions. From interviewing celebrities on the red carpet to leading film festivals around the world, her organization is preparing tomorrow's leaders by teaching them how to think—not what to think.Together we discuss:Why leadership starts with intentional teachingDeveloping critical thinking in an age of information overloadCreating psychological safety where learning can flourishMeasuring growth through meaningful feedbackCoaching versus managingEncouraging respectful disagreement and independent thinkingThe growing role of AI in children's media and educationBuilding leaders who influence culture with wisdom and discernmentWhether you're an executive, educator, HR professional, parent, coach, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers practical insights into developing people before expecting performance.Leadership isn't simply about giving direction—it begins by teaching people how to think.