The Power of Giving Kids a Voice: Katie Stone on Leadership, Agency & Inclusion
The Power of Giving Kids a Voice: Katie Stone on Leadership, Agency & Inclusion  
Podcast: Expressions of Leadership
Published On: Tue Oct 06 2026
Description: In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry speaks with Katie Stone, Executive Director and Executive Producer of The Children's Hour, a nationally syndicated public radio program created with and for kids. Katie shares her unconventional path from teenage radio producer to a career in technology and eventually back to radio, where she transformed a local volunteer project into a nationally syndicated program. She talks about giving young people meaningful agency and responsibility, from researching and producing stories to directing, voicing, and editing, and how creating space for kids to contribute has shaped her own approach to leadership. Katie also shares how her personal experiences shaped her commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and challenging systems that leave people out. She discusses the values behind The Children's Hour, including her decision not to market products directly to children, her approach to mentoring young producers, and her vision for expanding the program's educational resources. It's a conversation about giving young people a voice, leading with purpose, challenging assumptions, and building something designed to make a lasting impact. Learn more about The Children's Radio Hour at https://www.childrenshour.org. You can also follow on Facebook and Instagram @TCHRadio and subscribe to their YouTube channel @thechildrenshourpodcast. Find The Children's Radio Hour on your favorite podcast app.  Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Expressions of Leadership and Katie Stone 00:15 Katie Stone's Beginnings in Radio 02:42 Finding Her Way Back to Radio 05:26 Taking Risks and Finding Confidence 10:06 Building The Children's Hour Beyond Radio 15:39 What Kids Can Teach Us About Leadership 19:14 Giving Children Voice, Agency, and Responsibility 27:19 Mentoring Kids and Building Leadership Skills 32:10 Katie Stone on Disability Advocacy and Inclusion 41:43 Leading With Values and Protecting the Mission 51:28 The Future and Legacy of The Children's Hour 54:42 Wisdom & Whimsy: Advice and a Trip Through History