Nest Programs

09/28/2026

Our Human Voices is launching in Dallas October 7th, with the first ever Community Screening.

Event RSVP link in Bio. Join us to hear more from Ayush and other Dallas residents.

03/03/2026

The Jeffrey Epstein case is not an isolated scandal. It offers a view into a wider system that allows violence by powerful men to continue with little accountability. The revelations point to an elite social world where money, status, and influence circulate through tight networks and where women are treated as disposable.

The focus should not be on one individual, but on the deeper structure that protects extreme wealth and male dominance. Three forces help sustain this impunity: exclusive male networks that shield one another, the wealthy retreating into private spaces and jurisdictions beyond ordinary rules, and the use of legal, media, and political power to silence victims and limit public scrutiny.

The takeaway is clear. Real accountability requires confronting the systems that enable exploitation and protect those at the top.

The Epstein case points beyond an individual scandal to a broader system of elites in which capital, insularity, and impunity underpin male domination.

09/18/2025

NEST educational advisor Niobe Way, PhD is featured on the latest Speaking of Psychology podcast discussing the crisis of connection in "boy" culture.

Dr. Way explores how boys naturally form deep friendships in childhood but lose these meaningful connections as they become teens and what we can do about it.

Her insights on emotional intelligence, societal pressures, and teaching students to listen with curiosity align perfectly with our upcoming "Blueprint for Connection" curriculum.

This conversation dives deep into reimagining how we support boys (and all students) in maintaining rich, authentic friendships throughout their development.

Link in bio to listen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrHW7oE2ufw

08/29/2025

Conflict is like fire: avoid it, and it builds into catastrophe. Embrace it with care, and it can spark growth, resilience, and renewal.

Research shows that leaders, schools, and communities thrive when they create safe spaces for healthy disagreement, much like the Yurok Tribe’s cultural burns prevent destructive wildfires.

At Nest, we teach young people the skills to navigate conflict constructively, turning tension into connection. When we learn to burn well, we do more than prevent harm. We build stronger communities.

It's tempting to avoid or suppress conflict in our relationships, workplaces, and society. But that often leads to bigger problems in the future.

02/25/2025

Free Nest Speaker Series:

Join us for a reflective conversation with Susan Shapiro, author of The Forgiveness Tour: How to Find the Perfect Apology. In this session, Susan will explore the key themes of her book, delving into her personal journey with forgiveness and the insights that emerged along the way.

Thursday, March 6th, 2025
4:30pmPST | 5:30pmMST | 6:30pmCST | 7:30pmEST

FREE REGISTRATION:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ljgwsu8QQPmqiYMPpGEXvA #/registration

This session WILL be recorded - please register if you are unable to attend live but would like to receive a recording.

A better approach to violence education that helps youth build healthy relationships, and reduce harm to themselves and others.

01/25/2025

Polarization in American history is nothing new. We know that. But throwing AI’s gas on the fire changes the calculus. Polarization could become an uncontrollable blaze. Fears of another civil war and the decline of democracy demonstrate this, a sense that polarization is so out of control that we might never be able to claw civility back.

Experts I talked to didn’t want to make predictions about where this is all headed, but they did agree that schools have a role to play countering polarization and ensuring a healthy democracy.

And here’s what I also heard: Schools should teach media literacy and critical-thinking skills so students can evaluate on their own any information they read or hear. Schools need to emphasize civics education; our future leaders and voters should have a common knowledge about the basics of the U.S. political system and democracy. Lastly, schools should develop students’ ability to engage with different perspectives. But this seems like it might be a steep hill to climb, especially when even the adults in the room are having a hard time engaging with different perspectives. EdWeek Research Center survey data show that more than 30 percent of teachers changed their approach to a lesson in the past year because they were concerned it could be controversial and result in complaints.

So yes, it might be difficult for schools to counter polarization in the current political climate that’s already scrutinizing public schools, but our democracy depends on it.

U.S. history is filled with moments of polarization. What’s different about today?

12/20/2024

Honoring Gisèle Pelicot: A Beacon of Courage

At the Nest Foundation, we stand in awe of Gisèle Pelicot, a woman whose unfathomable courage has ignited a global conversation about justice, resilience, and the treatment of women in our societies.

This week, a French court convicted Gisèle’s ex-husband and 49 other men for the unimaginable crimes committed against her over the course of a decade. By waiving her right to anonymity, Gisèle chose to make her story public—not for herself, but for every woman, every survivor, and every victim whose pain is too often hidden in the shadows.

In her own words:
"I trust in our capacity collectively to find a better future where women and men alike can live together with mutual respect."

Gisèle’s bravery is a gift to us all. By demanding an open trial, she shifted the shame of sexual violence away from survivors and onto perpetrators. She has become a symbol of strength for women and men worldwide, proving that silence can be broken and justice pursued, no matter how daunting the fight.

As Blandine Deverlanges of Les Amazones d’Avignon so beautifully said, “She’s a hero because she refused to be silenced. She gave us her story, so now it’s our story.”

This trial is a monumental step in dismantling the stigma and secrecy that surround sexual violence. Gisèle’s courage has inspired countless others to speak up and demand justice. It has changed the narrative, proving that survivors can find their voices and that society can—and must—listen.

We extend our deepest respect and admiration to Gisèle Pelicot and every individual standing beside her. You are not alone, and your strength is reshaping our world.

Let Gisèle’s story remind us that change begins with courage and that together, we can build a future rooted in dignity, respect, and equality.

Share your thoughts and messages of support for Gisèle and all survivors below.

A French court found dozens of men guilty of ra**ng Gisèle Pelicot, whose then-husband repeatedly drugged her unconscious over the course of a decade. Her ex-husband was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

12/20/2024

Inclusion Benefits Everyone: A Tale of Two Classrooms

Did you know that inclusive classrooms—where students with disabilities learn alongside their non-disabled peers—benefit all students? Decades of research prove this, yet many children with severe disabilities are still educated separately. This disparity sends the wrong message and limits potential for growth, belonging, and connection.

✨ Meet Adaline and Kellen, two bright elementary schoolers with Down syndrome from Oklahoma. Their experiences in the classroom couldn’t be more different.

➡️ Adaline spends less than half her day in general education, facing challenges of segregation and fewer opportunities to connect with peers. Her mom fights for her right to inclusion, knowing it could unlock her full potential.

➡️ Kellen thrives in an inclusive classroom where accommodations support his unique needs. His reading has skyrocketed, and he’s forging friendships that build skills for a lifetime.

Research shows that inclusion isn’t just good for students with disabilities—it enhances social and academic outcomes for everyone. Let’s continue advocating for a future where ALL children belong in classrooms that celebrate diversity, foster growth, and create opportunities for every learner to shine.

What does inclusion mean to you? Share your thoughts below!

Students with certain disabilities are often excluded from general education classrooms. Two children with Down syndrome show what can be gained from more inclusion.

12/20/2024

Supporting Sick Students: What Parents and Teachers Can Do

Every parent or teacher who has worked with a seriously ill child knows how challenging it is to balance their educational, physical, and emotional needs.

Melanie Brady, a lecturer at USC’s Rossier School of Education, reminds us that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for supporting students with chronic conditions or those undergoing intensive medical treatments. But with the right tools and understanding, we can create environments where these students don’t just cope — they thrive.

Here are some takeaways from our conversation with Brady:

✅ Plan Ahead: Reach out to teachers and collaborate with doctors to create a support system tailored to the child’s unique needs.
✅ Explore Options: Whether it’s a 504 plan, IEP, or alternative programs like home study or virtual academies, resources are available.
✅ Focus on Strengths: Help students build confidence by encouraging activities or subjects they excel in — from math to art to chess.
✅ Embrace Flexibility: Adjust teaching methods, assignments, and expectations to meet students where they are.

Chronic illnesses can also take a toll on a student’s mental health, with feelings of isolation, loss of autonomy, and social-emotional struggles often surfacing. Brady stresses the importance of fostering connection and maintaining a sense of normalcy to help students stay engaged in school and connected to their peers.

Key Takeaway for Educators: When in doubt, choose yes. Saying “yes” to small adjustments — like modifying assignments or offering social-emotional support — can make a world of difference to a student navigating the weight of a serious medical condition.

Together, let’s ensure that every child knows they belong here, no matter their circumstances. 💛

Melanie Brady, a lecturer at USC, weighs in on supporting the health and education of students who are struggling with chronic illnesses.

11/26/2024

The Most Dangerous Place for Women is Their Own Home

Every day, 140 women and girls worldwide lose their lives at the hands of their partner or family member. In 2023 alone, 60% of the 85,000 women intentionally killed by men were murdered by someone they trusted and lived with.

This staggering reality, revealed in a new UN report, highlights the silent epidemic of femicide—a gender-related killing of women and girls. Homes should be sanctuaries, but for too many, they are places of deadly violence.

Of the 85,000 women killed by men in 2023, 60% died at the hands of a partner or family member, new UN figures show