In this episode, we hear the story of Gideon Wanyama’s arduous journey from small farm to college to joining the hundreds of millions of fellow African youths entering the job market – a generation yearning to contribute to the continent’s growth.  It is a journey of ambition, hard work, tremendous family sacrifice, mighty struggles, and hope.  “We are moving forward,” Gideon says.  For this is his mantra: “Forward ever, backward never.”

Outrage and Inspire

Gideon’s Journey: Forward Ever, Backward Never

In this episode, we learn how even the best nutrition projects can be undermined by bad water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and lousy infrastructure.  From northern Uganda, we hear a mother’s agony when her healthy, robust child suddenly falls ill after a few sips of water… unclean water, it turned out.  A narrative tale from The First 1,000 Days book.

Am I about to Lose My Second Child, Too?

In this episode, we hear the power of agriculture to move people from "neither/nor" lives to "and" lives - nutrition AND school, home improvements AND new clothes. This is a narrative from the First 1,000 Days book. 

The Power of Three Little Words

In this episode, we discover how poor health care infrastructure can turn what should be the happiest day (the birth of a child) into the most perilous day.  From northern Uganda, we hear from new mom Esther as she prays for her child to be born before the clinic’s electricity fades away at night.  Meanwhile, the midwife prepares for birth by cellphone light.  A narrative tale from The First 1,000 Days book.

The Most Perilous Day

In this episode, we hear from new moms and moms-to-be about the universal craving for nutrition knowledge.  From the western highlands in Guatemala, we learn how knowledge can be both power, and a burden.  A narrative tale from The First 1,000 Days book.

A Craving for Nutrition Knowledge

In this episode, we hear the story of HarvestPlus and biofortification as told by moms in Uganda who discover the nutritious benefits of crops fortified with higher levels of vitamins and minerals.  A narrative from The First 1,000 Days book that introduces us to a new generation of biofortified babies.

This Child is Brilliant

In this episode, we hear the story of a mother in India who gives birth to a healthy baby girl and, instead of celebration and congratulations, receives a round of condolences.  A narrative from The First 1,000 Days book.

A Child is Born. Discrimination Begins.

In this episode, we hear about how the costs of a malnourished, stunted child ripple around the world.  For a stunted child anywhere becomes a stunted child everywhere, and a lost chance at greatness for one child becomes a lost chance for us all.

A Poem Not Written, a Cure Not Discovered

Roger Thurow recounts the story of mothers in northern Uganda. 

Your Child Can Achieve Great Things

Roger Thurow tells the story of a child named Hagirso to describe the lasting damage of hunger and stunting.

What Have I Done to My Child?

Podcast from the food and agriculture team at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.