Big problems need audacious solutions. This hour, TED speakers use data and common sense to make laws more effective, reform the foster care system and hold environmental offenders accountable. Guests include criminal justice reform activist Sheena Meade, child welfare advocates Sixto Cancel and Marquan Teetz, and ocean monitoring expert Tony Long. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind the scenes look with our producers. A Plus subscription also lets you listen to regular episodes (like this one!) without sponsors. Sign-up at: plus.npr.org/tedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sixto Cancel, founder of Think of Us, shares his transformative journey from being placed in foster care at 11 months to advocating for systemic reforms. He highlights the emotional toll of traditional foster care and discusses the urgent need for kinship care, which connects children with familiar family members or caregivers. Sixto's ambitious plan aims to create loving homes for thousands of children, challenging the status quo and inspiring hope with a simple yet powerful switch in the child welfare system.

Sixto Cancel, the CEO and founder of Think of Us, is on a mission to revolutionize the child welfare system, drawing from his personal experiences in foster care. He discusses the intersection of technology and social reform, highlighting the need for better data and innovative care models. The conversation also touches on significant political shifts, like George Santos' expulsion from Congress, and the challenges of homeownership faced by younger generations amidst rising prices. It's a blend of humor and serious discourse on foster youth well-being.