Listen to the Helpers

Join Sarah Goehring and Kenzee Knott for a reflection on the 2026 Work of Fred Rogers Conference. Learn more about the Work of Fred Rogers Conference at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/the-work-of-fred-rogers-a-conference-on-his-context-and-legacy . Explore resources mentioned in this episode at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/files/resources/160/sn2ep10.pdf.

Alecko Fekos, graduating senior from Saint Vincent College, joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to share about his experience as a Fred Rogers Scholar and his plans to become a helper in law enforcement post-graduation. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Scholars Program at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/fred-rogers-scholars-program .

Dr. Clarence E. Wright joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to share his experiences as the Fred Rogers Institute and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Fellow in Theology and Ministry, along with his many other roles as a helper. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Archive at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/archive Explore blog posts from Dr. Clarence E. Wright and other helpers at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/fred-rogers-institute-publications

On this episode of Listen to the Helpers, Nathaniel Pettit explains his experiences as a researcher and Montessori educator, and explores ways that Fred Rogers has inspired his own work. Learn more about Educators’ Neighborhood at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/educators-neighborhood .

On this episode of Listen to the Helpers, Fred Rogers Archivist Emily Uhrin joins us for a conversation around creative energy inspired by an artifact from the Fred Rogers Archive. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Archive and contact Emily Uhrin with research requests at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/archive

Jennifer Sims joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to explore what it means to be a play therapist and opens up about her personal connection to the life and work of Fred Rogers. Learn more about The Redwood Center for Children and Families at https://www.theredwoodcenter.org/

Michael Tusay, Executive Director of Latrobe Art Center, joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to talk about his role as a helper in the Latrobe community. Learn more about Latrobe Art Center at https://www.latrobeartcenter.org/ . Learn more about visiting Latrobe during Mister Rogers Family Days at https://misterrogersfamilyday.org/ . Find the Fred Rogers Trail at https://www.latrobeartcenter.org/fred-rogers-trail . Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IGWEDJo32b6YdMoXskP6w?si=GHNmz_15SmacfsVpMOqjJg Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-to-the-helpers/id1853905504

On this episode of Listen to the Helpers, Sarah and Kenzee are joined by Rob Nunn, elementary school teacher and participant in Educators’ Neighborhood, for a discussion around Fred Rogers’ influence in his teaching. Learn more about Educators’ Neighborhood at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/educators-neighborhood .

Jessica Caraos joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to share about her role as a virtual kindergarten teacher and her experience as a participant in Educators’ Neighborhood. Learn more about Educators’ Neighborhood at https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/educators-neighborhood .

Join Sarah Goehring and Kenzee Knott to kick off Season 2 of Listen to the Helpers with Emma Swift Lee, Director of the Fred Rogers Institute, for a deeper dive into Fred’s idea of looking for the helpers. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

The Fred Rogers Institute’s Archivist Emily Uhrin joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to discuss the Fred Rogers Archive, and what her role as Archivist entails. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

Malkia Singleton Ofori-Agyekum, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of ParentChild+, joins Sarah and Kenzee on this episode of Listen to the Helpers to talk about her role as a helper to the families in her community, which is far more than just one thing. Learn more about ParentChild+ here: https://parentchildplus.org/ Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

On this episode of Listen to the Helpers, undergraduate student Kayla McClucas talks about her hopes of entering a helping profession, and shares practical tips for being a helper to yourself. Check out the FRI’s resource on Compassion Fatigue here: https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/files/resources/129/compassion-fatigue.pdf Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

Kevin Talbert, Education Professor at the College of Idaho and PNC Fellow with the Fred Rogers Institute, joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to share how the core of his work is inspired by the work of Fred Rogers, and how he aims to extend that legacy in his own way. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

On this episode of Listen to the Helpers, Amanda Sullivan joins Sarah and Kenzee to discuss her role as a Social Worker, and what inspires her to do this important work as a helper. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

Dr. Drew Petersen, an ENT Physician, joins Sarah and Kenzee on this episode of Listen to the Helpers to talk about being a helper in his hometown and his journey to finding his helping profession. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IGWEDJo32b6YdMoXskP6w?si=f7adbe3d3cd049e8 Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org.

Early Childhood Educator Russell Boaz joins Sarah and Kenzee on this episode of Listen to the Helpers to share what being a helper means to him, and how the life and work of Fred Rogers inspires him both in and out of the classroom. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

Cassie Velasco, Director of Children’s Services at Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, joins this episode of Listen to the Helpers to talk about the important work she does in supporting children and families experiencing domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is confidential and available 24/7 by calling 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or texting “START” to 88788. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can help with safety planning and connecting with local resources. Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

On this episode of Listen to the Helpers, Sarah and Kenzee are joined by Mallory Mbalia, Director of Learning and Education at Fred Rogers Productions, who shares her role in sharing high quality children’s media that extends the legacy of Fred Rogers. Explore all that Fred Rogers Productions has to offer here: https://www.fredrogers.org/ Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org .

Just as Fred Rogers encouraged us to look for the helpers, Listen to the Helpers is a podcast created by the Fred Rogers Institute to elevate the voices of helpers everywhere. Join co-hosts Sarah Goehring and Kenzee Knott for an introduction to Listen to the Helpers and the Six Fundamentals of Learning and Growing.Learn more about the Fred Rogers Institute at www.fredrogersinstitute.org.