Meet college senior Elizabeth Lane, who is performed at our August 8, 2026 book fair and 1st Birthday Bash, noon to 4pm: Elaine’s, 208 Queen Street in Old Town Alexandria

Hello Inkandescent Kids and families! We are so excited to bring you the first episode of our new podcast and video show where we shine a light on truly amazing children's book authors and their stories.

I’m Hope Katz Gibbs, proud founder and publisher of the magazine, podcast and video show. With our Inkandescent Kids magazine editor, Ellen Smith, we are on a mission to help kids build critical thinking skills, boost creativity, and learn to think like a reporter. read more...

Meet the musician: Elizabeth Lane is an award-winning 21-year-old Singer-Songwriter born & raised in Alexandria, Virginia. At 15, she started writing songs after her vocal coach from Rock of Ages Music, Taisha Estrada, encouraged her to do so. She has recorded and released 18 original songs since then, including a full-length album, and has garnered over 300,000 streams worldwide.

In 2023, Elizabeth was awarded the Bernard/Ebb Young Songwriter Award, recognizing the best youth songwriter across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. When she’s not writing songs or performing, Elizabeth is a busy college student at UC Santa Barbara, where she is double-majoring in Communication and Political Science. read more...

Hello Inkandescent Kids! We are so excited to bring you another episode of our podcast and video show where we shine a light on the work being done by kids, for kids, and about kids!

I’m Hope Katz Gibbs, proud founder and publisher of the magazine, podcast and video show. With my editor, Ellen Smith, we are on a mission to help kids maximize their critical thinking skills, creativity, and learn to think like a reporter.

Today is an exciting day because one of our favorite children’s book authors, Alexandra Kuehn, is being interviewed by her daughter Harper about her first book, Libby the Lunchbuddy. read more...

A note from Hope Katz Gibbs, producer, Inkandescent Radio — Renee Carleson is a mom to two special needs kids, and that experience has helped her understand the importance of working with other families who need her love and support.

Indeed, she is one of those truly amazing women whose story is so powerful that you have no choice but to say, “Tell me more.”

Fortunately, we’ll be working closely with Renee and her tribe in 2021, as she is one of Inkandescent™ Inc.‘s newest Professional Members. She’ll be offering coaching classes, seminars, and more — in addition to having our Inkandescent Publishing Co. work on her series of powerful children’s books geared to help special needs families. read more...

March 26, 2021: A Note from Marguerita Cheng, CFP® — Welcome to my new radio show, “Diary of a CFP® Pro,” where I’ll be sharing insight into how women will learn how to improve their knowledge of financial matters so they can gain financial security.

This show is a companion to my upcoming book of the same title. I’ll be doing webinars on the last Friday of the month, where I invite you to join me for “Margaritas with Marguerita” on the Inkandescent Radio network. Pour a glass of your favorite beverage, and download the worksheet for this month’s session. In 15 minutes, I’ll share the month’s topic’s details and take any questions that you might have! Scroll down for a preview of what you can expect! read more...

January 10, 2021: A Note from Tony Farmer, host, Black Lives Matter Radio Show — It’s a pleasure to introduce our listeners to entrepreneur and tech guru Angela Mitchell, CEO of the Washington, DC-based company CASE Management Consulting.

A multi-million, 8(a) Certified, Minority Woman-owned Small Business founded in 2016, CASE delivers secure, high-quality web-based process automation tools and knowledge management solutions. CASE guides an organization through change, focusing on business process and technology. “Our mission is to provide leaders with real data to make better business decisions,” Angela says. read more...

Dec. 20, 2020: A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, producer, Black Lives Matter Radio Show — How does a young woman go from a small town in Southern CA to rock stardom in Sweden? What makes her trade that in for a career as an educator and academic?

You’ll learn about all that and more on tonight’s episode!

First, a little back story: I had the privilege of meeting Suzette Love when we took a graduate class in the fall of 2019 at Claremont Graduate University . Called “Good Work,” it was taught by world-renowned positive psychologist Dr. Jeanne Nakamura. Since we were two of the oldest students in the class (by far), we’d huddle together when it came time for break-out class discussions. I was always fascinated to hear Suzie’s perspective on topics ranging from “what is good work?” to her term paper’s presentation on black educators’ history and powerful impact in America. Tonight, we have the privilege of interviewing Suzette for our show! read more...

Sunday, December 6, 2020 — A Note from Tony Farmer, your host, Black Lives Matter Radio Show — Say hello to James A. Samuel, Jr., the Founder & CEO of Pluribus Inc., a big data, geospatial analytics company headquartered in McLean, VA. “I founded Pluribus to lead the world in an entirely new industry: Identity-Based Navigation™,” explains the entrepreneur who has the skills and life experiences that uniquely qualify him to fulfill his vision.

On tonight’s show, we talk not only about the groundbreaking technology ANJEL.tech that he launched this year, but how his experience as a fighter pilot and the decades he spent in high-level positions in the Department of Defense set the stage for the company he is now growing. read more...

January 2021: A note from Hope, publisher, BeInkandescent Health & Wellness magazine — It is a pleasure to launch 2021 to look to the future. With that goal in mind, we are honored to feature two dynamic young architects who have an eye on the future.

Meet Weijia Song and Alex Yuen, founders of Collective Operations, an architectural and urban design, research, and development firm seeking to do things differently.

“We focus on design, research, and development because we think that each is most powerful when working in tandem with the others. Often, research focuses on the past, development has an eye to the future, and architecture focuses on space here and now. As designers trying to make a positive impact, it is important that we consider all of these moments together,” explains Weijia, a native of New Zealand who partnered with Alex in founding Collective Operations and setting up an office in 2021 in San Francisco, CA. “We balance work between private and public clients while also keeping an eye out to initiate projects ourselves or with partners.” read more...

The Home Educators Association of Virginia is a member-supported, statewide, 501©3 non-profit homeschool association founded in 1983, and in the decades since HEAV has successfully worked to promote and protect home education in Virginia by working with the Department of Education and legislators, having a presence during the General Assembly sessions, and providing up-to-date information to homeschooling families, the media, and officials.

HEAV, coming from a biblical worldview, serves all homeschoolers—regardless of religious or philosophical beliefs. Membership is, and always has been, open to all. read more...

As the Convention Director at Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV), Lauren Bell is responsible for organizing an annual event that attracts nearly 13,000 people who want to learn about homeschooling.

In our podcast interview, you’ll learn why she knew she’d homeschool her kids before they were born, and how she’s been effective in helping other parents along the way.

Be sure to download our podcast interview! read more...

Answers to the 3 Big Questions about Homeschooling, with guides to getting started and assessing your progress and success

By Hope Katz Gibbs

About the book project: It’s the decision of a lifetime to homeschool your kids. Will they get the education they deserve? How will it impact their social life? Will they get into college? And that’s just the start of the investigation.

In this playbook, podcast and documentary video series, our mission and vision is to provide case studies of families that are going through the process — from asking themselves if homeschooling is right for them, to assessing how they did in the end. We’ll share case studies of the challenges and successes, and advice these parents and kids have for others going through the process? read more...

David Bruce Smith’s Grateful American™ Foundation is dedicated to restoring enthusiasm in American history for kids, and adults.

Founded on President’s Day 2014, the mission of the organization is to provide insight and increase interest in the people and events that helped establish the United States. And the first phase of the project will highlight the work and lives of the founding presidents, from George Washington to Abraham Lincoln.

On July 4, 2016, David launched a new website that is 100% for kids, by kids: www.GratefulAmericanKids.com. read more...

Are you hungry to eat healthy? Do you want your kids to learn to cook well? Do you have a secret desire to become a professional chef? Have you always wanted to work in the restaurant business? Or, are you stumped about how to boil water? Do you live to eat, or eat to live?

Then you’ll want to meet Ann Butler, CEO and founder of Edible Education. The former high school cooking teacher took her skills to new heights in 2011 when she opened a commercial kitchen in Midlothian, VA (a suburb of Richmond), and began teaching after-school classes in schools and in her shop, as well as running what is now the most popular C.H.E.F. summer camp in the region. read more...

When the 2015 awards were presented for the 41st annual National History Day Contest on June 15, Cathy Gorn was grinning from ear to ear. “These are my kids,” says the woman who has been at the helm of the international organization for decades.

Indeed, more than 600,000 students from around the world competed in five categories: documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites.

Why did nearly 3,000 middle and high school students present their work related to the 2015 theme, Leadership and Legacy in History? What inspires a passion in history in the contestants from 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and international schools in Central America, China, Korea, and South Asia? read more...

Much has been written about the cost of a college education and the debt burden being placed on our children. In fact, 2014 college graduates have the dubious distinction of carrying the highest student loan debt in history.

According to the “Wall Street Journal,” today’s grads are saddled with, on average, $33,000 in student loans — nearly twice the amount of just 20 years ago. Start factoring in advanced degrees or more expensive schools, and you can see how the cost can quickly spiral out of control. read more...

Much has been written about the cost of a college education, and the debt burden being placed on our children. In fact, 2014 college graduates have the dubious distinction of carrying the highest student loan debt in history.

According to the “Wall Street Journal,” today’s grads are saddled with, on average, $33,000 in student loans — nearly twice the amount of just 20 years ago. Start factoring in advanced degrees or more expensive schools, and you can see how the cost can quickly spiral out of control. read more...

Shining a light on the stars of American history is the focus of the Grateful American™ Foundation.

In this podcast for David Bruce Smith’s Grateful American ™ Radio Show, Smith and co-host Hope Katz Gibbs interview John Gray, the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and Bruce Cole, the former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities — two men who have spent their careers bringing history to life.

In this podcast you’ll learn:

Research shows how little too many Americans know about the topic. Why is that? What can be done to get people interested in American history? Is there more the government can do? How can teachers be more empowered to bring history to life? What can parents and grandparents do to educate kids about American history? Download or stream the podcast now! read more...

Colleen Mudlaff is the president of the DC-based Women’s Diplomatic Series (WDS), an organization that she and a handful other women founded in the fall of 2009. The goal is to encourage women to be better global citizens, through exposure to Washington’s distinguished diplomatic community. And they are certainly hitting their target.

We were honored to join the group in the fall of 2014, and have already visited with the ambassador of Pakistan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, and his wife, Shaista Jilani, as well as the ambassador of Botswana, Tebelelo Mazile Seretse. read more...

Doug Bradburn is the founding director of Mount Vernon’s Fred W. Smith National Library.

In this episode of the Grateful American™ Radio Show, co-hosts David Bruce Smith and Hope Katz Gibbs interview the specialist on George Washington, who provides insights in the man behind the myth.

Before coming to run the library at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Doug was a professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the History Department at Binghamton University. He taught college-level classes at a variety of institutions, held two yearlong fellowships, earned a PhD in History from the University of Chicago, and got his BA in History and Economics from the University of Virginia. read more...

When it comes to teaching American history, James G. Basker is known for being able to bring to life the stories, facts, and events of the past.

As president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History since 1997, Basker has overseen the development of history education initiatives nationwide—including history high schools, teacher seminars, traveling exhibitions, digital archives, and the National History Teacher of the Year Award program.

In this podcast interview you’ll learn:

What excites Basker most about American history. The mission, goals, and accomplishments of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. What makes kids passionate about learning about the past—and why it’s so important. Why such a large swath of people in the United States don’t know enough about American history—and what can be done to change that. Why Basker started the National History Teacher of the Year award, and the impact it makes today on students and teachers who are passionate about history. And that’s just for starters. Download the podcast now! read more...

What were James and Dolley Madison really like?

For insights into the lives of these founders of the country, we visited with Kat Imhoff, who has been president of The Montpelier Foundation since January 2013.

You’ll be fascinated and delighted to learn more about this couple, including how quickly they married.

Did you know:

After a brief courtship spanning the spring and summer—26-year-old widow Dolley Payne Todd married 43-year-old Congressman James Madison on September 15, 1794. Her first husband, John Todd, died of yellow fever in 1793. As Madison continued to rise in the political ranks, first as Thomas Jefferson’s secretary of state and then as two-term president of the United States, from 1809-1817, Dolley served as a dynamic political partner, national hostess, and first lady. Since Thomas Jefferson was a widower when he was president of the United States, Dolley assisted him with the social functions of the administration. After Madison’s stint as president, James and Dolley retired to Montpelier in 1817 where they managed a large plantation, entertained hundreds of visitors, and jointly edited Madison’s significant political papers—including his notes on the Constitutional Convention. Madison predeceased Dolley by 13 years, after which she traveled back and forth between Montpelier and Washington, DC, before permanently settling in the nation’s capital in 1844. read more...

On this episode of David Bruce Smith’s Grateful American™ Series, you’ll head inside the home of founding father Alexander Hamilton.

The Hamilton Grange National Memorial is a National Park Service site in upper New York City. And to talk about the home, Hamilton, and the impact he made on American history is Liam Strain — who currently serves as District Ranger for a collection of individually legislated units of the National Park System that also includes Grant’s Tomb and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace N. Memorial. read more...

For American history buffs, there’s nothing quite like visiting the home of a former president. And when that president is one of the nation’s most revered and beloved, as is Abraham Lincoln, it’s especially meaningful to meander through his summer home in Washington, DC.

David Bruce Smith and Hope Katz Gibbs were thrilled to sit down for an interview with Erin Carlson Mast, executive director of President Lincoln’s Cottage at The Soldiers’ Home, which stands just 3.5 miles from the White House. read more...

We are here today at the hq of SeriousFun in Westport, CT with Alyson Fox, Director of Global Partnership Program of the SeriousFun Children’s Network.

Founded in 1988 by actor Paul Newman, this incredible program serves more than 440,000 children who are suffering from illnesses in more than 50 countries. It has 30 initiatives worldwide, including 14 full member camps, 13 Global Partnership Programs, and 3 new camps in development.

Alyson (aka: Aly) has been with the organization since 2005, first as part of the New Camp Development team, supporting camp founders from their first inspiration of building a camp all the way to opening their doors for their first campers. In 2008, she transitioned to the new Global Partnership Program (GPP), building it from a pilot of three camp partnerships to a network of 13 camps and growing. She took on the role of Director of GPP in November 2012. read more...

Do you have a budding entrepreneur in the house?

The founders of Tomorrow’s Lemonade Stand (TLS) think you do — and their community of little ladies and mini men promote and instill the spirit of entrepreneurship for girls and boys in America.

“We empower them at an early age to become confident, self-reliant and capable individuals,” explains Amanda Antico, an entrepreneur herself, who saw a spark in her daughter Kylee — and was determined to keep it alive.

“Our focus is to instill the joys of being creative, taking a risk and finding a passion for children ages 7-11 (2nd-4th graders). read more...

Reading Partners is a national nonprofit organization that provides volunteer-led, one-on-one literacy tutoring to more than 5,500 elementary school students in 103 schools in low-income communities across six states and the District of Columbia.

It delivers a highly effective, research-validated program that has helped thousands of children master the fundamental reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

We are here today in Oakland, CA with the organization’s CEO, Michael Lombardo, to learn more about this exciting initiative, and how across the country, more and more leaders are recognizing how critically important it is for children to master reading in elementary school. read more...

AUGUST 18, 2012

TODAY ON THE INKANDESCENT RADIO SHOW

Our spotlight is on: Danielle Goldstone, the Change Leader at Ashoka.

Our hot topic: How can you become more empathetic?

Your host: Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher of Be Inkandescent magazine, and founder & president of The Inkandescent Group, LLC

We are excited to be talking today to Danielle Goldstone on this episode of The Inkandescent Radio Show.

As a Change Leader at Ashoka, Goldstone heads up the international organization’s Start Empathy Initiative.. The mission, she explains, is to create a world where every child masters empathy. That is, they foster the ability to understand the feelings and perspectives of others and to use that understanding to guide their actions. read more...