First Coast Spotlight: Gas up, Dow down

Financial realities can be crazy-making for ordinary folk buffeted by tariffs, inflation and 401(k) rollercoasters. But the bigger challenge facing many is debt, typically in the form of credit cards but increasingly through “buy now, pay later” deals. We talk about navigating the rocky realities of the present economy, as well as a new report finding that debt is the No. 1 “life stressor” for Northeast Florida residents — more than family concerns, medical issues, work pressures or politics. Guests: Jonathan Hanson, senior vice president of marketing strategy and member engagement, VyStar Credit Union Titus Pittman, managing partner, Genesis Financial Partners Helping teachers help kids After years of efforts to “mainstream” kids with disabilities, roughly two-thirds of these students spend most of their school day in general education classrooms. But that doesn’t necessarily mean teachers are prepared to meet their needs. Many educators lack training in how best to guide behavioral and academic outcomes. But a local program, Duval IDEAS: Inclusion Diversifies Education for All Students, aims to fill that gap, building teachers’ skill sets, focusing on teachers in K-5 classrooms. Funded by a $4 million federal grant, the program is a collaboration between the Duval County Public Schools and the University of North Florida, and provides a $1,500 stipend to participating teachers. We discuss how the program works in practice and who is eligible to join the 2026-27 cohort. Guests: David Hoppey, associate professor of education, University of North Florida Schantel Minton-Jones, ESE specialist, Duval County Public Schools LaTasha Frison, third grade teacher at Andrew Robinson Elementary Mind games It’s not quite Freaky Friday, but a new board game created by students in the I’m A Star enrichment program offers a point of view shift for kids and parents. Called “Perspective Switch,” the game offers a change in outlook designed to help teens and adults “step into each others’ shoes” to facilitate conversations about mental health. The game is being unveiled at an upcoming youth-led mental health summit this weekend at UF Health Jacksonville. We talk to two participants about addressing the often unspoken challenges to psychological resilience experienced by middle and high school students. Guests:   Joshua Smiley, senior at Ed White High School and I’m a Star scholar See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.