Joyfull Parenting

Today my guest is the brilliant, Jordan. Sharpiro. Jordan Shapiro, PhD is a globally celebrated American thought leader. He's senior fellow for the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop , and Nonresident Fellow in the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution . His Forbes' column (2012-17) on global education, learning through digital play, kids and culture was read by over 5 million people around the world. He is an international speaker and consultant whose fresh perspective combines psychology, philosophy, and economics in unexpected ways. His book, The New Childhood: Raising Kids To Thrive in a Connected World (Little, Brown Spark 2018) changed the cultural conversation about parenting and screen time.

Shapiro has worked an adviser and strategist to the United States Air Force, helping Air University’s eSchool develop pedagogical practices that promote sophisticated 21st century “habits of mind.” He created Thomas Edison State University’s flagship online course, “Critical Thinking with Video Games,” an interdisciplinary learning experience designed for adult learners, that draws connections between the classic texts of the Western academic tradition and the narrative and mechanic components of today’s most popular video games. During the week, you can find him in the classroom at Temple University, where he teaches in the Intellectual Heritage Program and developed the online version of the university's core curriculum. Asked to list his favorite texts to teach, he doesn’t hesitate, “Plato’s Republic and Freud’s Civilization and its Discontents. It’s amazing to see young adults discover how old ideas can remain so relevant even in such a new world.”

A Philadelphia native, Jordan is a graduate of Friends Select School, a small Quaker college preparatory school. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Bard College, where he studied closely with Lithuanian filmmaker/artist Adolfas Mekas and Judaism/religion scholar Jacob Neusner. He earned his doctorate in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA, where he studied phenomenology with legendary American philosopher Edward S. Casey (former president of the American Philosophical Association).

Find out more about Jordan on his website https://www.jordanshapiro.org

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Today my guests are Hannah and Kelty of Upbringing.

Hannah & Kelty’s top-ranked podcast, Live Q&As, courses + guides call parents in with humor and honesty, giving them permission to align their personal values with their parenting practices in the name of sanity + social change. Hannah & Kelty co-parent on an organic veggie farm outside Portland, OR that they share with their partners and kids, ages 4, 5, 6 and

To find out more about these fabulous women go to 

To find out more about all things Joyful Beginnings go to:

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Ashley is a certified cooperative childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula, and lactation counselor. She is the founder of Birthsmarter, which provides relevant and inclusive education for expectant parents living in NYC and virtually, across the world. With over a decade of experience supporting new parents, Ashley provides one-on-one support, group classes, lectures, and distance learning for the perinatal population and the professionals who serve them. After the birth of her first child in 2014, Ashley became driven to understand birth physiology on a deeper level. Better for it, she coined The Three Actions™; the core of Birthsmarter’s curriculum. Her fresh perspective on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting is now sought after by individuals, brands, and media outlets. Ashley sits on the board of CEA/MNY and ProNatal Fitness.

To find out more about Ashley and her team at Birthsmarter follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/birthsmarter/

 To find out more about all things Joyful Beginnings go to:

The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

My guest today is  Dr. Debbie Laurin. Dr Laurin  is an international presenter and author about child wellbeing, child mental health, and childcare routines.

Debbie uniquely interweaves information from mainstream research with the principles of Waldorf Early Childhood Education to create a unique tapestry to support child wellbeing. She embraces an approach based on anti-bias education and respectful childcare practices grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Debbie brings experience as a former Waldorf Kindergarten and Parent and Child teacher, and her curiosity and wonder of the young child continue to grow joyfully through her experiences as a grandmother to three. Debbie is involved with an international group working towards their Pikler® Pedagogue certification and she trains in the U.S. and at the Emmi Pikler Daycare in Budapest, Hungary.

Dr. Laurin is Director of the Birth to Three West Coast Institute Waldorf Teacher Training, she is a member of the Scientific committee with Pikler®/USA and works with the WECAN Birth-to-Three advisory group.

To find out more about Dr. Laurin all things Joyful Beginnings go to:

https://www.joyful-beginnings.org

And to follow them on Instagram click here

 https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/

The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!

I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Today my guest is Nita Sharda. Nita is a Registered Dietitian, proud South Asian woman, #boymom and cofounder of Happy Healthy Eaters  and sole proprietor for Carrots and Cake Balanced Nutrition Consultin g. Her interest in food was sparked when she was a little girl. She would often spend time in the kitchen admiring her mother’s touch with Indian cuisine. It was the time she spent working at her family’s convenience store that eventually led her to pursuing a career in Dietetics.  

After years of counseling clients in a variety of areas, it was only when she had her first son that she really started to develop a keen interest in childhood nutrition and recognized the need for innovative and millennial friendly content. With her partner, Jessica, the aim of Happy Healthy Eaters  is to ensure parents feel confident feeding their children and to experience joy in the feeding relationship. 

You can learn more about Nita by visiting @nita_sharda  or @happyhealthyeaters  over on Instagram. 

To find out more about  all things Joyful Beginnings go to:

https://www.joyful-beginnings.org

And to follow them on Instagram click here

 https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/

The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!

I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Today my guest is Sarah Baldwin. Sarah’s whole life changed in an instant when she gave birth for the first time in 1992. Soon she realized that children were meant to be her life's work. Prior to that, she had been pursuing a career as an actress, but the moment her son Harper was born, she experienced the profound spiritual transformation that comes when, suddenly, one puts another’s needs ahead of one’s own. She discovered my incredible love for children.

Soon afterward, she discovered Waldorf education, to which she felt drawn like a moth to a flame. She enrolled in Waldorf teacher training while he son was still in preschool and his brother  was just a baby. Being in a Waldorf kindergarten felt like a natural progression for her (with its emphasis on storytelling, singing and puppetry) and not as much like a career change from acting. Educating young children gave her a sense of purpose and felt like the work she was born to do.

After 15 years of working with young children in the classroom, and with her two boys now grown, she made another big life transition. As the owner of Bella Luna Toys, she is excited to share her experience and knowledge of children, play and Waldorf toys in a new way. 

She looks forward to continuing her mission to support parents and families, as well as to continue offering the beautiful, natural playthings that have been available online at Bella Luna Toys since 2002.

To find out more about BLT go to https://www.bellalunatoys.com and for daily inspiration follow them on IG https://www.instagram.com/bellalunatoys/ 

Order Sarah’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Nurturing-Children-Families-Program-Waldorf/dp/0972223835

To find out more about  all things Joyful Beginnings go to:

https://www.joyful-beginnings.org

And to follow them on Instagram click here

 https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/

The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!

I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Today my guest is Meagan Wilson. Meagan is a parent educator and author of the now-retired seasonal series of Whole Family Rhythms Guides. As a parent coach and educator she has supported hundreds of parents to create a strong family rhythm unique to their own values and culture. Meagan provides resources, support and information to parents who are looking for a bridge to cross between their unique family life and their children’s (often but not always Waldorf-inspired) school.

Education, Certifications and Professional Development

•McGill University, Montreal: BA in International Development Studies, Philosophy and World Religions, 2004.

•Education Canada, Montreal: TESOL Certificate, 2003.

•American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York City: Certificate in Performing Arts, 2006.

•Samadhi Yoga and Simply Kids Yoga, Sydney: Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Specialty in Kids Yoga, 2007.

•Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney: Certificate in Foundations of Rudolf Steiner Education, 2012.

•The Center for Social Sustainability, Ashfield: Certificate as a Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach, 2017.

•Lifeways, Toronto: Workshop- Celebrating Festivals in the Cycle of the Year, 2017.

•The Center for Social Sustainability, Ashfield: Simplicity Parenting for Care Professionals, 2018.

•Rudolf Steiner Center, Toronto: Foundations in Anthroposophy, 2018.

•Rudolf Steiner Center, Toronto: Certification in Waldorf Early Childhood Education, 2020.

•Rooted: Framework and Education for Creating an Antiracist Home, virtual course led by Laleña Garcia.

•Honours Marks in Psychology1010, York University, Toronto: 2021.

•Oh Baby Academy, Master Certification in Pregnancy, Postpartum and Baby Nutrition, work towards certification currently in progress.

•Masters in Education, York University, Toronto: work towards Masters in progress from Fall 2021

Teaching, Coaching and Waldorf Experience 

•ESL Teacher, Ehwa Language School, South Korea: 2006.

•ESL Teacher, Milton College, Sydney: 2006-2008

•Founder, Author & Educator, Whole Family Rhythms, 2012- 2020

•Parent Coach & Educator, Whole Family Rhythms/Meagan Rose Wilson, 2017- present.

•Farmsong Parent-and-Child Leader, Bolton: 2019-2020.

•Parent Workshop Facilitator for various Canadian Waldorf Schools on topic "Return to Rhythm", 2019-present.

•Toronto Waldorf School IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Committee Member, 2019-present

•WECAN Conference Workshop Presenter on the topic of Critical Consciousness in Waldorf Early Childhood Classrooms

•WECAN Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Committee member, 2020-present

To learn more about her go to her website: https://meaganrosewilson.com/about/ and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganrosewilson/

To find out more about  all things Joyful Beginnings go to:

https://www.joyful-beginnings.org

And to follow them on Instagram click here

 https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/

The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!

I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Today my guest is Kerry Ingram. Kerry helps postpartum professionals, community caregivers and folks who care about new parents create multi-generational supportive gatherings for parents and babies in the postpartum year without re-inventing the wheel. 

Here are a few highlights of her education and life experience which has prepared her for this work: 

*Mother (biological mother, mother of loss, foster mother) 

*SUNY Oswego Liberal Arts, minor in Women's Studies 

LifeWays North America (ECE caregiver certification and former board member) 

*Doula DONA 

*StillBirthday Doula (bereavement and loss support-certification pending) 

*Foster Parent (this includes trauma informed parenting education) 

*INNATE Postpartum Care- Certified Provider 

*Kindergarten teacher, playgarden teacher, parent-child class teacher (over 20 years experience)

*PSI maternal mental health certification

To find out more about the work she does in the world go to:

https://communitysupportedpostpartum.com

To find out more about  all things Joyful Beginnings go to:

https://www.joyful-beginnings.org

And to follow them on Instagram click here

 https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/

The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!

I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Today my  guest is Sara Norris. Sara has been working with parents since 2015 when she acted as a Parent Educator at Winterberry Charter School in Anchorage, Alaska.  She earned her certification as a Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach in 2016 and has led more than 100 parents in workshops and group work based on the book, Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne.

Sara has been working in Waldorf Early Childhood since 2017 and received her Waldorf Birth to 3 Certification from Sophia's Hearth in 2018.  She has worked as Afternoon assistant at Upper Valley Waldorf School and is currently the Parent-Child teacher and Lead Teacher of the Nursery Program at Monadnock Waldorf School.   Sara is pursuing further certification in Attachment Theory through the Neufeld Institute and in Forest Bathing through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.

Sara is the mother of two wonderful daughters and enjoys reading, hiking and time in nature in her free time.

To find out more about Sara Norris all things Joyful Beginnings, 

go to https://www.joyful-beginnings.org 

and follow them on Instagram here 

https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/

I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting

Today is the 8th and final episode of season 1 of my collaboration with Joyful Beginnings. Joyful Beginnings is a welcoming, inclusive online community for families with young children pre-birth to three. As partners in parenting, Joyful Beginnings is devoted to providing  loving guidance and expert advice to all parents, freely and without judgment.

Joyful Beginnings in rooted in the work begun at Sophia’s Hearth,  a center for teachers and families in southern Nh and inspired by the work of Dr. Emmi Pikler and Rudolf Steiner. Through many years of working with children and families, we have developed a unique way of working that honors the innate dignity and development of the child, while also striving to meet the children and the families where they are. 

My guests today are Karen Lamoureux and Laura Betty. 

Karen  joined Sophia’s Hearth as Executive Director in July, 2019. Karen brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership of services to children and families. She graduated from Boston College and completed her master’s degree at New England College.  She has served as Vice President of Children’s services at Lutheran Social Services of NH and later as the Chief Executive Officer of Pace School in Pittsburgh PA.

Karen says,“It is the joy of my professional life to work at Sophia’s Hearth surrounded by very young children.” Karen is the proud mother of 2 grown daughters. 

Laura has been at Sophia’s Hearth since 2017. Before coming to Sophia’s Hearth, Laura worked at a co-teacher in the Kindergarten classroom at the Garlnad School in Brattleboro, VT and was also a class teacher at the Waldorf School of Princeton in Princeton, NJ. In her time at Sophia’s Hearth, Laura has worked in all the classrooms and with all the age groups. Laura also served as the Parent Outreach Coordinator and now has the role of Program Director for Joyful Beginnings. Laura has an undergraduate degree in Classical Civilizations and English. Laura received her Waldorf teaching certificate from Antioch University. Laura holds an Early Childhood Level I teaching certificate from River Valley Community College. She is also currently in the teacher training at Sophia’s Hearth where she will receive a WECAN recognized Birth-Three certificate. Laura is a mother of two, with one on the way! 

To find out more about  all things Joyful Beginnings, click here

 https://www.instagram.com/joyful_beginnings/

The website is in the works as you read this, so stay in close touch as we create this bountiful online resource, just for you!!

I have so much gratitude for everyone who has been listening to the Joyfull Parenting Podcast and joining the community of supporters at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525 !

If you haven’t already,  please subscribe to the podcast. It’s also super duper helpful to me if you rate it, review it and share it with others! 

If you are looking  to work with me one-on-one as your parenting/caregiving coach you can do so  by clicking on this link with  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=40232525. You can also find me on Facebook and IG @joyfullparenting