Quick look: A new podcast and video series from Orange County Business Council and the Orange County Department of Education is giving local families practical guidance on their children’s educational paths. Based on the 10 Education Essentials framework, the series features trusted educators, community leaders and parents sharing insights and real-world experiences.
From choosing the right classes to planning for college and balancing academic demands, Orange County students and their families face a wide range of decisions throughout their educational journeys.
A new podcast and video series from the Orange County Business Council is offering another way to help families navigate those choices.
The Leading Educational Attainment Podcast and Video Series brings the 10 Education Essentials to life through conversations with educators, community leaders and families, by giving students and caregivers practical guidance for supporting educational success.
Developed by OCBC’s Leading Educational Attainment Initiative in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, the series builds on the 10 Education Essentials, a collection of workbooks and online modules designed to answer parents’ most common questions about the skills and knowledge they need to advocate for their children’s education. The conversations are hosted by OCBC Business Initiatives Manager Maria Linares and OCDE Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Janis Price.
Each of the series’ 10 episodes is available in English and Spanish and focuses on an essential area of education, including college and career preparation, financial aid, grading systems, and honors and Advanced Placement courses. Episodes feature educators and experts from OCDE, local school districts, colleges, universities and community organizations, along with parents sharing their firsthand experiences.
“These podcasts will help families understand the complexities of education,” said Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools. “It’s not just as simple as students going into a classroom and learning reading, writing and math. It’s ‘how do we prepare our students to be the future workforce in our community?’ These podcasts are going to educate, inform and give lots of recommendations for families to help their child navigate through that system.”
Connecting families with academic resources
The series also demonstrates how accessible, trusted information can help families become more connected to their children’s education.
In the first episode, co-host Janis Price speaks with Katelyn Brazer-Aceves, an OCDE community liaison, about ways families can become more involved in their children’s education and connect with important academic resources.
Brazer-Aceves discusses how the importance of school can look different in every household and shares examples of how family workshops and parent outreach can help remove barriers to engagement. She also describes how stronger connections between families and schools can contribute to increased student success.
“Our goal is to support families with the tools, knowledge and real-life guidance so you can feel confident in supporting your child’s educational journey,” said Price.
The corresponding Spanish-language episode features OCBC Business Initiatives Manager Maria Linares in conversation with Carmen Maria Pérez de Carlos, a district school community outreach liaison with the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The episode offers approachable strategies for families looking to become more involved in their children’s education.
The podcast expands the reach of the 10 Education Essentials by providing another way for families to access information and hear directly from the educators and community partners who support Orange County students.
“Investing in educational attainment is an investment in Orange County’s economic future,” said OCBC President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Ball. “LEA equips families with the tools and knowledge to support student success, helping develop the talent pipeline our employers and industries depend upon. By expanding these resources through podcasts, we can reach more families and further strengthen the workforce that will power our region’s continued growth and competitiveness.”
The 10 Education Essentials Podcast and Video Series is available on Spotify and YouTube. Episode 0, featuring Ball and Dr. Bean, and Episode 1, featuring Brazer-Aceves, are currently available. Episode 2 is scheduled for release Tuesday, Oct. 6, with new episodes following every other Tuesday through Jan. 26, 2027.
More information about the LEA initiative and the 10 Education Essentials resources is available through the Orange County Business Council website.