Talking About Kids
Talking About Kids is a weekly podcast for parents, educators, and direct service providers that explores the latest information on issues impacting children and adolescents, from preventing bullying to unlocking creativity. Hosted by R. Bradley Snyder, author of The 5 Simple Truths of Raising Kids, each episode presents a new topic and introduces listeners to authors, academics, and visionaries from around the globe.
Episodes
Indigenous People's Day Episode: What kids need to know about migration
Send us Fan MailThis episode is being released on Indigenous Peoples Day or Columbus Day, depending on which you observe. Humans have always migrated. Out of desperation, ambition, and captivity, individuals and groups of individuals have and continue to try to start their lives anew. Sometimes the humans in one location benefit from the newcomers, and sometimes they are irreparably harmed. What i
What you need to know children’s exposure to plastics (part 2 of 2) with Imogen Napper
Send us Fan MailMy guest for the second part of Talking About Kids’ miniseries on children and plastics is Imogen Napper. Imogen is a Post Doctoral Researcher at The University of Plymouth, where she studies plastic pollution in the environment. Imogen is a National Geographic Explorer and Sky Ocean Rescue Scholar. Her influential research has been reported by news outlets like The Guardian, cited
What you need to know children’s exposure to plastics (part 1 of 2) with Chris DeArmitt
Send us Fan MailAs people who care about kids, we are ripe for exploitation by all sorts of bad actors who use fear to peddle products, sell books, and get clicks. Countering such exploitation with research and science is one of the guiding principles of Taking About Kids, so I listened when Chris DeArmitt – materials scientist; author of Shattering the Plastics Illusion: Exposing Environmental My
How an AI-powered app can help you co-parent with Sol Kennedy
Send us Fan MailBusiness taglines featuring phrases like “AI” and “AI powered” are everywhere, as are stories about AI errors, its harmful impact on education, its bad counsel, and the natural resources it consumes. This is why I was excited to talk to Sol Kennedy. The app Sol founded, BestInterest, uses AI to improve communication between co-parents in ways that benefit their children and their o
Why be useless, be empty, and live a better story might be good advice for kids with Curtis White
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Curtis White returns to discuss his latest book, On Resistance: A Manifesto, and to explain why his advice to “make yourself useless,” “take back your emptiness,” and “live better stories” might be the best advice we can give kids today. More information about Curtis and his book is at talkingaboutkids.com.
What young people can teach us all about resilience and how to flourish with Lawrence C Harris
Send us Fan MailWhen Lawrence C. Harris was 14, he was failing in school, playing videogames all day, and existing on junk food. He was unhappy and unhealthy, and, as Lawrence recalls, he felt like he “didn’t deserve to feel better.” Then Lawrence decided to turn his life around, and (spoiler alert) he did. Now, at the ripe old age of 20, Lawrence is a successful author, personal coach, and public
What parents need to know about AI chatbots with Jeremy Heffner
Send us Fan MailJeremy Heffner is a successful trauma surgeon, entrepreneur, and self-described systems thinker. To vet some of his ideas about complex systems, Jeremy started a dialogue with an AI chatbot. What happened next is chronicled in great detail and with supporting documentation in Jeremy’s book Proof of the Impossible: What the AIs Are Really “Thinking.” It is a cautionary tale, one Jer
How mindfulness, meditation, and intuitive learning benefit children and families with Veronica Moya
Send us Fan MailToday on Talking About Kids, I am joined by Veronica Moya, a children's emotional wellness expert, mindfulness educator, author, and entertainer. Veronica and I explore her journey into teaching mindfulness, meditation, and intuitive learning; we clarify common misconceptions about these practices; and we discuss how they support children's well-being and family relations
What chess reveals about kids with Daniel Shapiro
Send us Fan MailWhen Daniel Shapiro’s son demonstrated a passion for chess, Dan found himself learning alongside his son, playing games, attending tournaments, and exploring the rich history of chess and its champions. The result is his new book, Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club, which is an exploration of how chess develops the mind and why its lessons extend fa
How speech-language pathologists help children and families with Luba Patlakh
Send us Fan MailAlthough it is difficult to admit, most of us need help with our kids at one time or another. Thankfully, there are trained professionals. I am not just talking about therapists or pediatricians. I am talking about speech-language pathologists. Through her firm, Kidology, Luba Patlakh is bringing the speech-language pathologist lens to issues that disrupt families but might not req
How cooking activities benefit kids and families with Maegan Zelner
Send us Fan MailThe benefits of preparing and sharing homecooked meals with kids are many. Unfortunately, our schedules and other pressures often prevent us from doing it deliberately and more frequently. My guest this episode, Maegan Zelner, is the Chief Operating Officer of Raddish Kids, a company committed to bringing cooking and baking activities to all families. Maegan and I discuss her persp
Summer Episode 4: What to watch or listen to this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the fourth and final summer vacation episode of Talking About Kids for 2026. For the second year in a row, I am devoting these mini episodes to movies, TV shows, or songs that inspire us as people who care about kids. Last year, I asked some previous guests for recommendations, but this year I asked listeners. This recommendation comes from Jeff Kirchler. A link to informat
Summer Episode 3: What to watch or listen to this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the third summer vacation episode of Talking About Kids. For the second year in a row, I am devoting these mini episodes to movies, TV shows, or songs that inspire us as people who care about kids. Last year, I asked some previous guests for recommendations, but this year I asked listeners. This recommendation comes from Jessica Flowers. Links to information about Jessica a
Summer Episode 2: What to watch or listen to this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the second summer vacation episode of Talking About Kids. For the second year in a row, I am devoting these mini episodes to movies, TV shows, or songs that inspire us as people who care about kids. Last year, I asked some previous guests for recommendations, but this year I asked listeners. This recommendation comes from Tom Reardon. Links to information about Tom and his
Summer Episode 1: What to watch or listen to this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the first summer vacation episode of Talking About Kids, and, for the second year in a row, I am devoting these mini episodes to movies, TV shows, or songs that inspire us as people who care about kids. Last year, I asked some previous guests for recommendations, but this year I asked listeners. The first recommendation comes from Mary Arredondo. A link to it is at talkinga
How to organize your photos to bring your family closer together with Megan O’Hare
Send us Fan MailFamily photos can help build resilience in kids by connecting them with their heritages or reminding them of times when they felt competent, safe, and loved. In the digital age, we create more family photos than ever, but, ironically, we seem to be appreciating them less. My guest this episode, Megan O’Hare, teaches adults how to organize and keep their photos safe and how to conve
How 12 years of mentoring benefits kids with Jorie Das
Send us Fan MailResearch shows that mentoring improves health, mental health, and other outcomes for mentees. But these outcomes can be compromised and even worsened when mentor relationships are brief, inconsistent, or inadequately supported. Jorie Das, my guest this episode, is the Executive Director of Friends LA. Like all Friends of the Children chapters, the mission of Friends LA is to provid
How to bring the benefits of camp experiences to more kids with Shawna Rosenzweig
Send us Fan MailIt is Shawna Rosenzweig’s vision to bring the benefits of structured outdoor experiences to all kids. If she is seeing farther than some, it is because she stands on the shoulders of the benevolent 100-year-old giant that is Camp Fire. Shawna and I discuss how outdoor experiences boost self-efficacy and equality, Camp Fire’s pioneering legacy, the hallmarks of great outdoor program
How correcting clubfoot improves the lives of kids with Daphne Sorensen
Send us Fan MailI have spent decades trying to help kids thrive. Unfortunately, the adversities children and youth face are varied and persistent, and the victories over them are few and far between. Consequently, when I encounter an intervention that dramatically improves the lives of kids efficiently and universally, I get excited because we all need a win sometimes. MiracleFeet provides technic
How executive functioning coaches help neurodivergent kids with Norrine Russell
Send us Fan MailInterest in executive functioning coaches for neurodivergent kids has grown considerably over the last five years, which is both exciting and worrisome. It is exciting because coaches promise to help students plan, organize, focus, and manage their emotions and tasks. It is worrisome because there are no degree, training, or licensing requirements to be an executive functioning coa
Memorial Day Episode: Poppies for remembrance
Send us Fan MailIn this mini Memorial Day episode, I look at poppies as a symbol of remembrance that you can share with the kids in your life. A link to “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae is at talkingaboutkids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes return next week (June 1, 2026).
How homeopathy can help families with Marcus Fernandez
Send us Fan MailThe science is clear: A one-size-fits-all approach to education or mental health does not work. But what about physical health? I am hearing more and more parents complain about the healthcare their children receive. At the same time, I am being overwhelmed with ads for potions, diets and supplements that promise to cure everything instantly. This is why I was eager to speak with M
How storytelling builds resilience in kids with Candace Lee and Eric Newman
Send us Fan MailThe children’s middle grade action and adventure novel, George Goodwin, Dragon Slayer: A Scouting Legend, was written by long-term collaborators Candace Lee and Eric Newman. Bringing it to fruition was an act of resilience, so it is not surprising that resilience is theme in the book and a skill the authors hope the book fosters in its readers. Candace, Eric, and I discuss this, th
What quality out-of-school-time programming does for kids with Kevin Cripe
Send us Fan MailKevin Cripe changed the culture of his under-resourced school in Modesto, California, with an afterschool program devoted to…chess. Kevin and I discuss his motivation for starting the program, how he did it, and, importantly, why he chose chess. I believe the lessons Kevin learned in the process can benefit all out-of-school time (OST) programs. More information about Kevin – inclu
Why we need to rethink how we teach grammar with Patty McGee
Send us Fan MailGrammar. If the thought of it makes you anxious, you are not alone. My guest this episode, Patty McGee, wants to change that by changing how we teach the subject. The pedagogy that she prescribes in her excellent book, Not Your Granny’s Grammar, is not necessarily new (Patty bases her recommendations on evidence-informed practices). However, solid pedagogy, like Patty’s, is rarely
What you need to know about trends in childcare affordability with Meghan Salas Atwell
Send us Fan MailIf we want to improve the economy, if we want to make the population healthier, or even if we want to reduce the deficit, leading economists tell us that we should invest in early childhood development. Unfortunately, the opposite is happening, and, as new research from National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) reveals, childcare providers are feeling pinched
How to redefine childcare practices with Antoinette Elliott
Send us Fan MailWhen it comes to programs and services for children and families, researchers and practitioners should work hand-in-hand: research should guide practice and, in turn, study what is working to inform the rest of the field. By all accounts, All Our Children Elite Childcare Academy, the beloved program founded by Antoinette Elliott, exemplifies this relationship. Antoinette incorporat
Why independent tutoring and assessment might benefit your neurodivergent kid with Kait Feriante
Send us Fan MailThe research is conclusive: strong public education systems benefit individuals, communities, and, ultimately, society in myriad ways. Unfortunately, public education systems across the U.S.A. are facing pressures that, some believe, impede them from providing all the services that kids, and neurodivergent kids in particular, need. My guest this episode, Kait Feriante, supports pub
Why early reading interventions are important with Faye Bankler Casell
Send us Fan MailFaye Bankler Casell wants your child to read, and she is doing all she can to make that happen. Faye is a Special Educator, Certified Academic Language Therapist, and Dyslexia Therapist; she has a master’s degree from the Teachers College at Columbia University; she hosts the “Teach My Child to Read” YouTube Channel; and she is the founder of HomeReadingCoach.com. As you will hear
How to bring dignity and hope to youth in foster care with Rob Scheer
Send us Fan MailThe black garbage bag. You may or may not know its significance in the foster care system. Either way, my guest this episode will inspire you. Among other things, Rob Scheer is the author of A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time and the founder of Comfort Cases, a nonprofit with the #BAGBUSTERS rallying cry and the mission to “inspire communities to bring dignity a
How to know when you need an attorney to advocate for your kid with Paula Yost
Send us Fan MailAs we have discussed in previous episodes, trained advocates can help protect the rights of kids in IEP meetings and other legal proceedings. Unfortunately, there are times when additional help is required, times when a lawyer is needed. My guest this episode is Paula Yost. Paula is an attorney who is committed to, what she calls, “legal social work,” which is advocating for kids a
What you need to know about the IEP process with Vicki Christensen
Send us Fan MailDo you have questions about the IEP process or even what an IEP is? You are not alone. Thankfully, my guest this episode can help. Vicki Christensen is an experienced, certified IEP advocate. As she describes in her forthcoming book – Uniquely, Fully, Enough: The Neurodivergent Parenting Journey, a Memoir and Handbook – Vicki has seen it all as a parent and as a professional. She a
How to help neurodivergent kids succeed in college with Tara Williams
Send us Fan MailThe challenges of transitioning from high school to college are difficult for everyone. For neurodivergent kids, these challenges can be overwhelming. My guest this episode is Tara Williams, owner and founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants. As you will hear, Tara believes that by selecting the right school, connecting with the right services, and getting the right executive f
What you can learn from summer camps to benefit the kids in your life with Matthew Kaufman
Send us Fan MailThere are summer camp fanatics, individuals who attribute their best qualities to the counselors they had, the songs they sang, the skits they performed, and the friendships they made in mosquito-infested cabins in the woods near a lake. My guest this episode, Matthew Kaufman, is one such individual. Matt attended summer camp, was a counselor, and, eventually, became a camp directo
How a positive financial mindset benefits kids with Darla Bishop
Send us Fan MailDarla Bishop likes to talk about a family’s relationship with money, like money is a person. The more I listened to her and thought about it, the more I recognized the parallels. A negative relationship with money, like negative interpersonal relationships, creates anxiety and fear, but a positive relationship is associated with health and longevity. In this episode, Darla and I di
How communities can promote child oral health with Shelly Buckholz
Send us Fan MailThe guest for Talking About Kids’ second episode of National Children’s Dental Health Month is Shelly Buckholz. Shelly is the Sealant Program Manager for the Arizona Department of Health Services, and she is going to describe what Arizona is doing to promote children’s oral health. Similar programs are available throughout the United States and in other countries. More information
Why children’s oral health is a public health concern with David Krol
Send us Fan MailFebruary is National Children’s Dental Health Month. To kick it off, I asked David Krol on the podcast to provide an overview of children’s oral health. David is former Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Oral Health; the lead author of AAP's clinical report, Maintaining and Improving the Oral Health of Young Children; and an eloquent and passionate advocate
How grandparents play a crucial role in supporting kids with autism with Theresa Lyons
Send us Fan MailAutism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it is a defined by a variety of conditions that, themselves, may exist on continuums. This can make it difficult…and anxiety provoking…for parents of kids with autism spectrum disorder and their care teams to find the optimal combination of interventions. Thankfully, there are sources like, Theresa Lyons’s Navigating AWEtism websites, tha
Holiday Break Episode 5: What the poetry of Audre Lorde can teach us about kids
Send us Fan MailIn honor of Audre Lorde’s 1985 essay, "Poetry Is Not a Luxury," I devoted the mini Holiday Break episodes of Talking About Kids to poetry about the holiday season and issues related to kids. For this final mini episode, I read a poem by Lorde, titled “Hanging Fire,” which is an honest and moving portrayal of adolescence. A link to the poem is at talkingaboutkids.com.
Holiday Break Episode 4: What the poetry of Robert Frost can teach us about kids
Send us Fan MailI am devoting the mini Holiday Break episodes of Talking About Kids to poetry about the holiday season and issues related to kids. In this fourth mini episode, I read a classic: “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. I am sure it is familiar to you, but, as you listen, please consider whether the narrator is finding emotional regulation in the moment being describe
Holiday Break Episode 3: What the poetry of Joy Harjo can teach us about kids
Send us Fan MailI am devoting the mini Holiday Break episodes of Talking About Kids to poetry about the holiday season and issues related to kids. In this third mini episode, I will read “Perhaps the World Ends Here” by Joy Harjo. It is a poem about the table around which a family gathers. A link to the poem is at talkingaboutkids.com.
Holiday Break Episode 2: What the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow can teach us about kids
Send us Fan MailI am devoting these mini Holiday Break episodes of Talking About Kids to poetry about the holiday season and issues related to kids. In this second mini episode, I will read “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In it, Longfellow struggles to reconcile the feelings of peace and goodwill associated with the Holiday season with the American Civil War, which was waging at t
Holiday Break Episode 1: What the poetry of Edgar Guest can teach us about kids
Send us Fan MailIn her 1985 essay, "Poetry Is Not a Luxury," Audre Lorde argues that poetry gives form to ideas that are "formless" but none-the-less "felt," ideas that precede "understanding." I have always believed that Lorde is describing, among other things, historic and childhood trauma. In honor of this, I am devoting these mini Holiday Break episodes
How art can transform a kid’s trauma into resilience with Matt Sandoval
Send us Fan MailMatt Sandoval is in the business of transforming kids’ trauma. To accomplish this, he and Free Arts, the organization he leads, employ a simple formula: art + mentors = resilience. Matt and I discuss how this equation works, as well as his tips for using art to build resilience in your home, in your classroom, or in your program. More information about Matt and Free Arts is at talk
How to help kids overcome math anxiety with Aditya Nagrath
Send us Fan MailAditya Nagrath believes that math anxiety is real and that one of its chief instigators is memorization. This is why his book, Treating Mathematics Anxiety, and the system he created at Elephant Learning focus on fostering an understanding of math concepts. He believes in it so much that he guarantees that students learn one year of mathematics in three months using his system. Adi
How kids benefit from being entrepreneurs with Leah Ellis
Send us Fan MailLeah Ellis says that she created The Society of Child Entrepreneurs to help kids develop capacities like resilience and problem solving. The society currently offers workshops and coaching and is piloting a full curriculum with lessons on topics such as turning a passion into a plan. From what I have seen, Leah is doing great things, and the curriculum aligns with evidence-based pr
Thanksgiving Episode: James Baldwin's and James Baldwin's perspectives on the holiday
Send us Fan MailIn this mini Thanksgiving episode, I investigate what James Baldwin and the other James Baldwin have to say about the holiday. More information is at talkingaboutkids.com. Full-length Talking About Kids episodes return next week (December 1, 2025).
What a child of deaf parents can teach you about communication and connection with Maria Gallucci
Send us Fan MailMaria Gallucci is a CODA, which stands for a Child of Deaf Adults. As she chronicles in her new book, Raised in Silence: Lessons on Listening, Love, and Loud Family Dinners from a Child of Deaf Adults, being raised by two deaf parents, learning American Sign Language (ASL) as her primary language, and, while still a child, helping her parents navigate the hearing world was often ch
How organized sports should benefit kids with Harvey Araton
Send us Fan MailHarvey Araton is an award-winning reporter and best-selling author whose journalism and fiction expertly explore both the best and worst of sports. Harvey’s forthcoming work, The Goal of the Game, is his first written for middle readers, and the title is both a declaration and a question. As you will hear in our discussion, Harvey’s career has afforded him unique insights into what
How to protect kids from trafficking and exploitation with Erin Williamson
Send us Fan MailIs it possible to foster in kids the skills and knowledge needed to avoid trafficking and exploitation without needlessly exposing them, even in small way, to the devasting ugliness of those worlds? My guest today, Erin Williamson, believes that it is possible. Erin is the Chief Programs & Strategy Officer at Love146, an organization that has been fighting to end child traffick
How to break generational cycles to parent better with Harper Bailey
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a public health leader writes a memoir? In Harper Bailey’s case the resulting work is as instructional as it is engaging. As you will hear in our discussion, this was intentional. Harper wanted It Was Her: A Memoir, her debut book, to inspire readers to do the “inner work so children don’t inherit unhealed wounds.” As you will also hear, that inner work is demandi
How to support the language and cognitive development of deaf children with Donna Jo Napoli (part 2)
Send us Fan MailThis is the second part of my episode on the cognitive health of deaf children. My guest is Donna Jo Napoli, Professor of Linguistics and Social Justice at Swarthmore College, author of fiction and science books, and co-director of Rise Videobooks. The first part focused on early language and cognitive development. This second part focusses on what Donna Jo and her colleagues are d
How to support the language and cognitive development of deaf children with Donna Jo Napoli (part 1)
Send us Fan MailMore than half of all deaf students who graduate from high school have reading skills at or below fourth grade level. Research indicates that low literacy makes it difficult for individuals to obtain or maintain any employment, let alone the kind of employment that affords independence, a house, and a family. For well over a decade, Donna Jo Napoli – my guest this episode – and her
Why mental-health lessons in schools might be a great idea with Kevin Runions
Send us Fan MailRecently, Lucy Foulkes, a Research Fellow in the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, wrote an opinion piece for The Guardian newspaper titled, “Mental-health lessons in schools sound a like a great idea. The trouble is, they don’t work,” in which she asserts, “the only information we should teach en masse is where a young person should get help.” My g
How better staffing improves preschool with Paul Buckley
Send us Fan MailDo you know where the substitute teachers for your child’s preschool come from? If you are like me, you might imagine that potential substitutes and administrators sit down and get to know each other, possibly over tea and finger sandwiches. My guest this episode, Paul Buckley, will tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. Paul explains that current staffing practices
How to help a child with Tourette’s navigate school with Piper Gibson
Send us Fan MailPiper Gibson is a Doctor of Functional Medicine; the Founder of the Tic Disorder Institute: Regenerating Health; and the author of Tic Talk: Common Misconceptions, Natural Approaches, and Real Conversations about Tic Disorders. Piper is on a mission to counter the narrative that we should ignore kids’ motor or vocal tics and hope that they grow out them. Instead, as she and I discu
What you need to know about the latest divorce trends with Kelly Scott
Send us Fan MailFamily law is complicated. There are prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, custody petitions, visitation petitions, and post judgment matters, among other issues. Moreover, family law exists within an evolving society where perspectives, opportunities, and technologies are constantly changing and influencing the outcomes. This is why I was excited to have Kelly Scott on th
What fathers need to know about family court with David Pisarra
Send us Fan MailDavid Pisarra wants to help fathers navigate their custody and divorce cases to secure more time with their kids. Like several previous Talking About Kids guests, David believes that the processes and systems can be easily biased against fathers, and David wants to help fathers overcome the obstacles. David and I discuss his perspective, his experience as a family law attorney, the
How to navigate the college admissions process with ease with Lee Norwood
Send us Fan MailLee Norwood is passionate about helping families find the “perfect college fit.” As the founder of Annapolis College Consulting and a member of the CounselMore Executive Board, Lee spends a lot of her time dispelling myths about college admissions, testing, tuition, and the role of a college consultant. Lee recently launched College Sharks, which offers on-demand virtual college co
Summer Episode 6: What to watch this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the final mini summer vacation episode of Talking About Kids. In the previous five episodes, I asked some past guests to recommend movies or episodes of TV shows to inspire parents, educators, and direct service providers. This final recommendation comes from me. More information is at talkingaboutkids.com.
Summer Episode 5: What to watch this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the fifth of six mini summer vacation episodes of Talking About Kids. To help listeners have a rejuvenating summer, I asked some previous guests to recommend movies or episodes of TV shows to inspire parents, educators, and direct service providers. This fifth recommendation comes from Seanna Leath, Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Affiliated Facu
Summer Episode 4: What to watch this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the fourth of six mini summer vacation episodes of Talking About Kids. To help listeners have a rejuvenating summer, I asked some previous guests to recommend movies or episodes of TV shows to inspire parents, educators, and direct service providers. This final recommendation comes from Stanley Krippner, the celebrated humanistic psychologist who was recognized by the Ameri
Summer Episode 3: What to watch this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the third of six mini summer vacation episodes of Talking About Kids. To help listeners have a rejuvenating summer, I asked some previous guests to recommend movies or episodes of TV shows to inspire parents, educators, and direct service providers. This third recommendation comes from David Riedman, the founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database and an Assistant Professo
Summer Episode 2: What to watch this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the second of six mini summer vacation episodes of Talking About Kids. To help listeners have a rejuvenating summer, I asked some previous guests to recommend movies or episodes of TV shows to inspire parents, educators, and direct service providers. This second recommendation comes from Sarah Lindstrom Johnson, Associate Professor in the T. Denny Sanford School of Social a
Summer Episode 1: What to watch this summer
Send us Fan MailThis is the first of six mini summer vacation episodes of Talking About Kids. Summer is a time for relaxation and, hopefully, rejuvenation. It is in that spirit that I asked some previous guests to recommend movies or episodes of TV shows to that they find inspirational for their positive depictions of relationships between parents, educators, or direct service providers and kids.
Why it is important to recruit more Latinx adults into the field of education with Edgar Palacios
Send us Fan MailLike my previous guest, Ulric Shannon, my guest this episode, Edgar Palacios, believes that students are more successful when they see themselves reflected in their teachers, and, like Ulric, Edgar is a graduate of the Surge Institute. Today, Edgar is the CEO of the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC), an organization he founded to support Latinx students by supporting Latinx educ
Why it is important to support emerging education leaders of color with Ulric Shannon
Send us Fan MailUlric Shannon believes that students who do not see themselves reflected in their teachers and in the educational leadership develop harmful beliefs about authority, power, and value. Indeed, statistics show that the faculty in many school districts do not share the demographics or the backgrounds of the student bodies they serve. Ulric set out to change this. In this episode, Ulri
Why safe spaces are important to kids
Send us Fan MailTo succeed, to be happy and healthy, kids need safety and support. Unfortunately, too many kids do not feel safe or supported at school or in out-of-school-time programs (OST) because they do not share the dominant culture’s abilities, race, religion, orientation, identity or identity expression. For the third year in a row, Talking About Kids was granted media access to all of NYC
How Eleanor Roosevelt can inspire kids today to be allies with Kelly Mangan and Lee Wind
Send us Fan MailThere is a richness to the new children’s book, Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally by writer Lee Wind and illustrator Kelly Mangan, that affords a caregiver and a child myriad opportunities for discussion, exploration, and, ultimately, connection. It weaves history lessons with contemporary, school scenarios that young children will recognize in a way that entert
Why you need Norway’s antibullying ombudsmen initiative with Kaja Asmyhr, Bodil Houg and Jon Lenning
Send us Fan MailMy guests this episode to talk about Norway’s antibullying ombudspersons, what they do, their value, and tips for bringing this important initiative to your community are three of Norway’s most experienced ombuds: Kaja Vintervold Asmyhr, Bodil Jenssen Houg, and Jon Halvdan Lenning. Our conversation was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2025 World Anti-Bullying Forum, in S
How to support single and divorced parents with Ronald Platt
Send us Fan MailIt is not uncommon to hear divorces and adoptions described as “finalized.” However, if you have been through either, you know that the most difficult parenting begins after the legal documents are executed. My guest this episode is Ronald Platt, co-founder of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF). NASDF exists to support parents with vetted resources th
How to promote kids' digital wellness with Michael Rich
Send us Fan MailThis episode is about digital wellness, and my guest is Michael Rich. Michael is a pediatrician, the Founder and Director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital (a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital) and the author of The Mediatrician’s Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World. In his book, Michael writes, “T
How to promote safety and emotional regulation in the classroom with Bethany Bilodeau
Send us Fan MailEmotional regulation comes up a lot on Talking About Kids. That is because a growing number of experts believe that it is fundamental to a child or adolescent’s health and well-being. My guest this episode, Bethany Bilodeau – or “Dr. B” as she is known to her fans – is one of those experts. Dr. B and I discuss her insights from her book, Ease the Pain in the Classroom: A Guide to S
What you need to know about underdeveloped jaws in children with Ben Miraglia
Send us Fan MailI get excited when I learn about new or innovative ways to address any of the many adversities that kids face, but I get more excited when I learn about ways to prevent adversities from occurring in the first place. In a previous episode of Talking About Kids, a guest and I discussed sleep apnea in children, its terrible consequences, how to treat it, and how it often results from
How to connect with your newborn with Joanna Parga-Belinkie
Send us Fan MailAs its title implies, Joanna Parga-Belinkie’s new book – The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting With Your Newborn – is centered on the connection between the infant and the primary caregiver. The book is thoughtful, smart, practical, and a pleasure to read. It is no wonder that the American Academy of Pediatrics selected Joanna as an official spokesperson and the co-host of its flagship
What you need to know about sibling sexual abuse with Tanya Whitworth
Send us Fan MailWhen it comes to understanding the terrible adversities that some kids face, like sibling sexual abuse, it is important to separate the facts from the hyperbole and the anecdotes that get used to generate fear or to gain attention. Trusted and proven sources of information are critical, and there is no more trusted source for this topic than the Sibling Aggression and Abuse Researc
How to have a child-centered divorce with Karen McNenny
Send us Fan MailJust under a year ago on Talking About Kids, the attorney Charles Jamieson recommend mediation, not litigation, to protect kids’ well-being during a divorce. My guest today, Karen McNenny, is a mediator and more. Karen is a Certified Divorce Coach, CoParenting Specialist, Crucial Conversations trainer, and Gracious Space facilitator. As you will hear, Karen is passionate about shif
How to help young children appreciate being alone with Scott Casperson
Send us Fan MailWhere’s the Party, the latest children’s book from Scott Casperson, is described as the story of a cupcake rediscovering “joy within its community and the comfort of being alone.” That intrigued me, especially the part about finding comfort in being alone, so I read it. In this episode, Scott and I discuss his motivation for the book, my reaction, and the skills kids need to be con
What you need to know about PANDAS and its treatment with Ethan Pompeo
Send us Fan MailTalking About Kids is committed to the science of raising happy and healthy children and adolescents. Unfortunately, there are times when the best research seems out of sync with the needs of families. For example, it is rare for me to encounter the parent of a neurodivergent kid who is completely satisfied with their child’s diagnosis or the care their child is receiving. This is
How to take a developmental-relational approach in community programs and policy with Debra Pepler
Send us Fan MailThis is the fifth and final episode in a series of discussions I was lucky enough to have with esteemed developmental psychologist Debra Pepler in which she reflects on her research, experiences, and her approach to fostering positive outcomes for kids. In this episode, Deb talks about applying her developmental-relational approach in out-of-schooltime programs and in public policy
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