Breakfast Epiphanies

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer

Mont Criddle is the residential director and also works as a therapist at Logan River Academy, an adolescent treatment center here in the valley.  Mont and his colleagues work with these teenagers through a variety of challenges from depression and anxiety to anger, trauma, and addiction. One of the therapies available at Logan River Academy is what they call the “DART” program- Digital Addiction Recovery Therapy.  

Looking for a way to help educate and support the local community of parents and families, the Academy paired up with The Family Place to put on a presentation called, “Teens and Screens,” addressing digital addiction.  We spoke with Mont about some of the things he presented there and what kinds of solutions there are for parents like us who aren’t always sure if we are doing this right but want to protect our children from too much screen time.

The tech tips for parents that Mont mentions in the interview are available here on our website.

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 20: Mont Criddle appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer

Joel Allred is the director of special education for Cache County School District. A father, grandfather, and educator for going on 37 years, Joel has seen children with all abilities navigate the school system. He loves children and even chose a career path focused on helping them succeed. We discuss how the special education system functions from the home to the classroom to each individual Instructional Educational Plan and some of the challenges parents encounter in the process. I particularly love the compassionate way he addresses advice for parents dealing with difficult emotions through the IEP process, and the importance of reading to and with our children as early as in the womb.

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 19: Joel Allred appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer

Becoming a certified mental health counselor specializing in blended families was not a random decision.  Heather and her husband DJ Ballingham blended their families five and a half years ago and now have eight children and a lot of experience with the challenges blended families encounter.  In this interview, Heather shares her experiences as a young mom with 3 small children, facing divorce and raising her son with severe autism. She offers advice for all families and couples, but especially those who come from death or divorce and blend their families.  We discuss blending traditions and rules, trying to create a cohesive unit and how to prioritize the marriage. We also get Heather’s take on the importance of self-care.

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 18: Heather Ballingham appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

It wasn’t what they ever expected, but as Andrea and Collin welcomed their new baby boy, Case, they soon learned he had Downs Syndrome.  As fears and questions flooded their mind, they couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for the three of them. Now, two years later, Case’s big blue eyes and bright smile light up instagram as the star of “In Case You’re Down” @incaseyouredown where Andrea posts updates, some of what shes learned along their journey, and touches lives with her inspiring thoughts.  “Our lives are what we make it,” and “There’s no lemon so sour that you can’t make something resembling lemonade,” she quoted recently and she seems to practice what she preaches.

We spoke with Andrea and little Case about some of the things they’ve learned as they’ve walked this path.  She sees the future for them all is a lot brighter than she once thought and life with her Downs Syndrome son is not only wonderful, but easier than she thought it would be!

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 17: Andrea Roberts appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Current republican candidate for United States Senate in Utah, Mitt Romney was the 2012 Republican nominee for President of the United States and served as the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. Prior to that, he led the 2002 Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Winter Olympics. Professionally, he was the co-founder of Bain Capital, a leading investment company, and the turnaround CEO of Bain & Company, an international management consulting firm.

He and his wife, Ann, celebrated 49 years of marriage this year, and are the parents of five sons and 24 grandchildren. Since announcing his bid for Utah Senate in February, Mitt has put 11,000 miles on his 2002 Chevy truck visiting all 29 counties in Utah, including Cache County this week.

While in town, Mitt stopped by STACKED pancakes to visit with us about things from what kind of product he uses in his hair, his favorite car to drive, and his perfect date night with his wife, to how we can keep our kids safe in schools, why people should vote, and why it is important to instill strong values in our children at home.

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 16: Mitt Romney appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer

Cache Valley native Troy Oldham has had quite the career path. His adventures have taken him from Arizona to Seattle to Australia and all over the world . . . and back again.  He now resides in North Logan with his wife, Anita, and their children. Troy is the force behind the Cache Gran Fondo bike race and the founder of Headspin Events. When the opportunity came up to create an event that would encourage healthy lifestyles, bring the community together, and raise money for a great cause, he never imagined he would end up with the overwhelming support, participation, and enthusiasm that has made the Cache Gran Fondo the ultimate northern Utah race experience. Not only that, but the race has recently become a part of the National Gran Fondo Series with strong potential for international recognition in the near future.

Troy credits the success of Gran Fondo to an ideal location, amazing people and businesses, and his commitment to the power of positivity.  

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 15: Troy Oldham appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer

Whitney Crimefighter is a #momboss with a cool name, a cool job, and a passion for creativity. She runs her business, Little Dreamers Tutus, from her home in Mendon with her husband, Cameron, and their three children. Years ago, Whitney’s young daughter saw a tutu in the window of a children’s boutique and fell in love. Not able to afford the boutique price tag, Whitney made one herself and estimates having sold somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 dresses and tutus since!

Her designs are extraordinary and have attracted the attention of photographers, magazines, and celebrities, and they just keep getting better.Despite the fact that Whitney is basically at it all the waking hours of the day, she loves what she does and that she has been able to have her family work this business together. Through this process, she has not only learned how to sew tutus up to couture gowns, develop business and market strategies, design her own patterns and more, she has learned that she is tough and it’s OK to say “no.”

Check out Whitney’s products at littledreamerscouture.com, Little Dreamers Inc. on Etsy, Little Dreamers Tutus on Facebook, and @Whitney_littledreamerstutus on Instagram. 

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 14: Whitney Crimefighter appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer 

Cache Valley’s very own Tyler Whitesides is an author, performer, drummer, fisherman, husband, father, and really imaginative guy. His dream of becoming a “book writer” began at a very young age and his youth was spent developing idea after idea. It wasn’t until he was working as a janitor at a middle school that his first real smash hit book series began to take shape in his mind. The Janitors is a five-book series geared toward young readers but entertaining for any age group. The Wishmakers is his most recent release, also for young readers, and his brand new book —The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn — is available next week.

Tyler feels so fortunate to be doing what he loves and really enjoys sharing his talents with his readers. In this interview, we learn more about how his dream became a reality, how he structures his work days, how he develops his ideas, and a truly thought-provoking theory on the virtues of boredom.  

You can meet Tyler and spend an entertaining evening at the Logan Library for his upcoming book signing event on May 19 at 6:30 p.m.  There will be sword fighting demonstrations, live music, mini escape rooms, and, of course, he will be selling and signing books, including his brand new release!

We want to especially thank our sponsors Stacked at 31 N Main for hosting the podcast and bringing the breakfast to Breakfast Epiphanies, as well as Isabel and Eric Jones for making this episode possible! Visit cachehomerealty.com or call (435) 764-1740 for more information. 

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 13: Tyler Whitesides appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer

Cache Valley natives Wil and Lauren Wood are the owners of Love To Cook, a local specialty kitchen store. In this first year of ownership, the couple has revitalized and modernized the store without sacrificing the vast inventory, convenience, classes, and customer service which have made it a local treasure for almost 30 years. Besides being just bright and sunny individuals, Wil and Lauren are two super sharp business minds. They have a passion for people-making connections instead of assumptions and putting their heart and soul into the relationships in their lives. We talk a lot about what it’s like to run a small business as a couple and what it has been like to learn to manage the challenge of their daughter’s special needs.

Wil and Lauren and the team at Love to Cook are celebrating the first anniversary of ownership and revitalization on this Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a ton of free food and amazing giveaways! Check out their website at luvtocook.com and follow them on Instagram (@lovetocooklogan) or Facebook (@Love to Cook Logan) to get all the delicious details!

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N. Main, and Eric and Isabel Jones with the Cache Home Realty Team. Visit cachehomerealty.com for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 12: Wil and Lauren Wood appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.

Jenny Mathews, contributing writer 

A Hope Squad is a team made up of advisers and students who are trained to know how to help others with mental health issues. Our interview with Hailey Maire, a MSW practicum intern for Green Canyon High School, as well as two student members, Rachel Gunther and Ruby Vejar, covers all the ins and outs of what it means to be in a Hope Squad and why they are needed now more than ever. The students are trained to practice self care and learn skills to help them help others who may be struggling with things, like anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. They call themselves “gatekeepers,” because it describes their intentions—not to be responsible for healing or counseling their fellow students, but to be a support for them as they guide them to adults who can get them the help they need.

Hope Squads in Cache Valley are putting on “Hope Week” the second week in May and coming together to “Walk for Hope” on May 12 at 11 a.m. at the Green Canyon High School track. For more information, you can see our community calendar, or visit the Green Canyon High School homepage.

Thanks to our sponsors Stacked at 31 N. Main, and Eric and Isabel Jones with the Cache Home Realty Team. Visit cachehomerealty.com for more information.

Breakfast Epiphanies is a podcast hosted by Jenny Mathews and Emily Buckley that follows up on families featured in the print issue of Cache Valley Family Magazine and features local guests who are experts in their fields, who will share epiphanies on family life and raising kids, education, health, culture, business, philanthropy, and more. Do you know someone with an interesting story or perspective? Email us at [email protected].

The post Episode 11: Hope Squad appeared first on Cache Valley Family Magazine.