Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan: #1 Podcast for Inspiring Conversations to Live and Lead On Purpose

Dr. Dan interviews bestselling author and TODAY show contributor

Michele Borba, Ed. D. to discuss her new book THRIVERS:The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine.

Michele Borba, Ed. D., is the bestselling author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About Me World, and is an internationally renowned educational psychologist and an expert in parenting, bullying, and character development who has spoken to over one million participants on five continents. She is a regular NBC contributor who appears regularly on Today and has been featured as an expert on Dateline, The View, Dr. Phil, NBC Nightly News, Fox & Friends, Dr. Oz, and The Early Show, among many others. 

As a teacher, educational consultant, and parent for 40 years, Dr. Borba has never been more worried for young people than she is about this current generation of kids.  THRIVERS helps parents and educators teach the essential character strengths kids need to become “thrivers”-- young people who flourish in a rapidly changing, digitally- driven, and uncertain world. Dr. Borba discovered seven essential character strengths that set Thrivers apart (and set them up for happiness and greater accomplishment later in life): Self-confidence, Empathy, Self-control, Integrity, Curiosity, Perseverance, and Optimism.

Dr. Borba ends the interview with her incredible and powerful Parent Footprint Moment which will stay with listeners for a long time.

Michele Borba lives in Palm Springs, California, with her husband, and she is the mother of three grown sons. For more information visit:   www.MicheleBorba.com

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Dr. Dan welcomes author and parent Kristin Bair to discuss her poignant, revealing, and popular essay published on Scary Mommy about Facebook Mom groups, kindness, empathy, bullying, and parenting in the digital age. Dr. Dan and Kristin also speak about fear and anxiety and her new novel AGATHA ARCH IS AFRAID OF EVERYTHING (named a best book by PEOPLE magazine).

Kristin’s Scary Mommy essay Why Some Women Wield Exclusion Like A Superpower instantly resonates with all parents everywhere because it deals with Facebook Mom Groups, exclusion, bullying, kindness, friendship, empathy, mean girls, and more.        

Today’s episode encourages parents and families to discuss how to be kind and why kindness matters more than ever.  Kristin shares a lovely Parent Footprint Moment about her daughter that will make listeners smile to wrap up the show.

Kristin Bair is the author of the novel Agatha Arch Is Afraid of Everything as well as The Art of Floating and Thirsty plus numerous essays about China, adoption, parenting, and more. Her work has appeared in The Gettysburg Review, The Baltimore Review, The Manifest-Station, Scary Mommy, The Christian Science Monitor, Poets & Writers Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and more.

Kristin has an MFA from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in English and journalism from Indiana University, Bloomington. Kristin is also a writing instructor and she has taught in classrooms and conferences around the globe, from Chicago to Boston to Shanghai, China, and many places in between. A native Pittsburgher, Kristin now lives north of Boston with her husband and two children.  For more information and to read her writing visit: http://www.kristinbairokeeffe.com/

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Dr. Dan speaks to Benjamin “Benny” Nachman, entrepreneur, Dad and cofounder of  Jassby, a mobile wallet for families. In this new episode, Dr. Dan and Benny discuss how to raise money-smart kids.

Jassby is a free iOS app for both parents and kids to share real money digitally. Parents can manage chores, pay allowances, and send money to their kids when they need it. Children can spend their allowance and learn in real time.

As the CEO of Jassby, Benjamin Nachman has always been a strong advocate for hands-on learning when it comes to his own kids' money management skills. When he faced the early years of giving his own children an allowance, he was inspired to start Jassby.  

In this episode, Benny discusses topics with Dr. Dan including

Finance/personal finance is not taught in schools so when and how should parents start talking to kids about money?

Raising financially confident kids by training them to handle money and make spending decisions on their own.

Today, our child's banking future is cashless, how can we train them to be ready for digital banking?

Why concepts of saving, giving back, budgeting are the essential three keys parents must teach their kids because these are life skills

Listeners will all learn from Benny’s very honest Parent Footprint Moment.

For more information about Benny and Jassby visit https://jassby.com/.

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Dr. Dan welcomes author, popular podcast host, and parent Zibby Owens to discuss her new book Moms Don’t Have Time To : A Quarantine Anthology.  

Zibby Owens is mom of four and the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, as well as her newly launched podcast “Moms Don’t Have Time to Lose Weight.” She is a regular contributor to ABC’s Good Morning America and her writing has appeared in The Washington Post,  Real Simple, Parents, Marie Claire, Redbook, the New York Times online, and many other publications.

In this episode Dr. Dan and Zibby discuss the pandemic, podcasts, Zibby’s parenting journey during the COVID-19, and how, ultimately, we all have much more in common than we think we do.

Zibby’s book (and podcast) features bestselling and award-winning authors (Chris Bohjalian, Sonali Dev, Gretchen Rubin, Jill Santopolo, Evangeline Lilly, Christina Geist, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Bill Dameron, John Kenney, Mary Laura Philpott, and Reema Zaman) and is divided into relatable sections: Read, Workout, Eat, Breathe, Have Sex.  

The show ends with Zibby’s “Stay where your feet are” advice and her real and honest Parent Footprint Moment.

Zibby Owens serves on the boards of the Mount Sinai Health System, the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, the Child Mind Institute, and co-chairs the Library Council of the New York Public Library. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Zibby currently lives in New York with her husband and her four children ages 5-13.

For more information visit Zibby at: www.zibbyowens.com; @zibbyowens; @momsdonthavetimetoreadbooks; @momsdonthavetimetoloseweight

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Dr. Dan talks to author, journalist, and parenting expert Bobbi Conner about the power of play and unplugging from technology in the new episode of the Parent Footprint podcast.  Bobbi Conner created the award-winning, nationwide public radio series The Parents Journal and hosted the program for twenty-four years. She is author of The Giant Book of Creativity for Kids (Parents’ Choice Recommended Seal) and Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting and the new series Unplugged Play.  Bobbi’s public radio program, audio interviews, books, and articles have been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Parade, Parents, Parenting, CBS This Morning, PBS Parents.org, and more.

In this inspiring (and playful!) episode, Bobbi joins Dr. Dan to talk about her three new, screen-free children’s activity books Unplugged Play: Toddler, Unplugged Play: Preschool, and Unplugged Play: Grade School. During the pandemic families have faced disruption in their young children’s lives in a significant way.

In this episode, Dr. Dan interviews Bobbi Conner about various creative activities, games, and puzzles for children spanning the ages 1-10 years old. Each book in the Unplugged Play series offers a wealth of diverse and active games, from solo play to group play, indoor play to outdoor play, from parent and child play to birthday party games, and loads of busy-body play activities.  Bobbi’s advice and her books will help parents and children -- especially during the pandemic.

Finding activities for kids that do not involve tablets or screens can bring joy and stress relief for the entire family:

Build a fort

Play tag

Hike

Ball or bean bag games (inside or outside as needed for safety)

Question and answer guessing games

Floor drawings on large paper sheets 

Run around outside

Dr. Dan and Bobbi end the show with Bobbi's Parent Footprint Moment and a call to action to all parents and kids: Shut off the screens, turn off the TV, and rediscover the power of play today!

For more information on Bobbi, unplugging, and her books visit:   https://unpluggedplay.com/

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Episode 104 Elizabeth Sautter

Ep. 104 Making Social and Emotional Learning Stick with Elizabeth Sautter

Dr. Dan welcomes back colleague, speech-language pathologist, author, and parenting expert Elizabeth Sautter for her second interview on the Parent Footprint podcast. Dr. Dan and Elizabeth discuss her current work, her new course and her new book MAKE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING STICK! - Practical Activities to Help Your Child Manage Emotions, Navigate Social Situations & Reduce Anxiety.

Elizabeth’s passion is to help children thrive socially and emotionally—without either kids or parents getting frustrated or overwhelmed. As a parent, she shares how she is also navigating challenges with her own children and her honesty will resonate with listeners.

The Mom’s Choice Award winner, Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! shows families how to manage their child’s emotions, increase positive behavior and social skills, reduce anxiety, and much more. Both the book and the related new course feature the *WISE model and the make social learning **STICK model.

The WISE model-which stands for W-wisdom (knowing what is going on with your child with their strengths and areas of challenges) I-Intentional-being intentional with the support that you provide and being purposeful with parenting S-Self care/compassion and E-Every day strategies. This could lead into the daily teachable moments.

How to make social learning STICK:

S-see,

T-Think,

I-Interprete,

C-Connect,

K-Know

In this encore episode, Dr. Dan and Elizabeth explain how our children learn the most from US, their parents and caregivers. They are always watching and observing and as parents we can find teachable moments to help our children deal with anxiety, to build social skills, to master emotional regulation, to learn empathy, and to build resilience.

Elizabeth’s wise Parent Footprint moment wraps up this wonderful, educational episode.

Elizabeth A. Sautter, MA, CCC is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist who has been working with clients and their families since 1996. She has worked with individuals ranging from preschoolers to adults in private practice, schools, and hospitals. Elizabeth has particular expertise in the areas of social communication, self-regulation, and executive functioning. She was the Clinical Director for the CW Center for 10 years and she has extensive training in Social Thinking and has completed a mentorship and internship with Michelle Garcia Winner, Stephanie Madrigal, and Pamela Crooke. She has also been trained by Mindful Schools and she is a collaborative Zones of Regulation® trainer and has co-authored articles and materials related to the Zones curriculum.

Elizabeth is the author of MAKE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING STICK! - Practical Activities to Help Your Child Manage Emotions, Navigate Social Situations & Reduce Anxiety (2nd edition) and co-authored two popular children’s books with Kristen Willson: Whole Body Listening Larry at Home and Whole Body Listening Larry at School. In her blog Make Social Learning Stick, she shares her own parenting and life experiences raising two boys, one with learning and attentional differences. Elizabeth is a member of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and is actively involved with the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA). Elizabeth received her master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from San Jose State University. Her relationships with her sons, her sister, and extended family members with special needs have made her work a lifelong endeavor.

For more information about Elizabeth, her work, and the new book please visit: https://www.makesociallearningstick.com/

Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.

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Dr. Dan welcomes back authors Carol Zeavin and Rhona Silverbush to discuss three new books in their popular Terrific Toddler series:  Potty!, New Baby!, Time to Go!as well as their ongoing work with parents and families.

Dr. Dan is delighted to speak to experts Carol and Rhona again (they first appeared as guests on Episode 56) to give parents, educators and caregivers even more ways to help toddlers overcome their daily dramas and challenges.  Published by the American Psychological Association/Magination Press, the entire series will help families struggling with parenting during the toddler years.

The lively and engaging co-authors explain to Dr. Dan and parents how they used groundbreaking research to craft age-appropriate stories that take into account the language level and comprehension level of a toddler.  Dr. Dan agrees these books will empower parents because they all include a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” that provides parents with important guidelines for navigating challenges and helping their toddlers understand their toddler world.

Carol Zeavin earned her B.A. in music from UCLA and became a successful freelance orchestral violinist and chamber musician in New York City. She earned Masters degrees in Education and Special Education from Bank Street College and worked with infants and toddlers from 1992 to 2010. She was Headteacher at Rockefeller University’s Child and Family Center and Barnard’s Toddler Development Center, and worked as a Special Educator employed by Y.A.I. and Theracare. She continues to perform classical music in NYC and teaches violin and piano to kids and grownups of all ages and abilities. Rhona Silverbush puts her own eclectic background to good use by wearing many hats throughout the course of any given day. She studied psychology and theatre at Brandeis University and holds a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. After practicing immigration law, primarily representing asylum seekers, she returned to her first loves, writing and theatre. Rhona is the co-author of Speak the Speech! Shakespeare’s Monologues Illuminated (Faber and Faber, 2002) and has taught theatre to all age groups from tots to adults, currently coaching actors in Shakespeare. She has taught at Columbia University Teachers College and wrote ‘wichcraft: craft a sandwich into a meal–and a meal into a sandwich with chefs Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortuzar (Clarkson Potter, 2009). She is also a freelance writer and editor, a consultant for families of children and teens with learning differences and special needs, a tutor, and a smitten parent and step-parent.

The three new books explain and explore these common topics:Time to Go! -- how to teach toddlers about having to stop what they're doing and transition to another activity Potty! -- reassures toddlers and parents alike that we all use the potty when we're ready New Baby! -- helps toddlers expecting a new sibling navigate this very major transition in their lives

The show ends with each author answering the Parent Footprint Moment question and Dr. Dan’s invitation for the guests to return when they next publish new titles in the series.

Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.

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Episode 102 - Teaching Your Kids About Money with Tony Walker

Dr. Dan welcomes Tony Walker, financial expert, author, and host of The WorryFree Retirement® to the podcast.

Growing up as a lower middle-class kid of divorced parents during the 1960s, Tony Walker had little knowledge or hope of learning about money and how best to manage it. Yet, his unique life experiences, 35 years in the field of finance, and meeting in person with over 15,000 “Savers” formed a unique perspective about money and ways others can better use and enjoy it while they can.

A fiduciary, six-time author (Don't Follow the Herd 7 Costly Mistakes People Make with Their Money and Live Well, Die Broke), podcast host, and host of his own television show, The WorryFree Retirement®, Tony teaches a new and positive perspective on money, savings, and retirement.

In today’s episode Dr. Dan and Tony discuss:

How to talk to your kids about finances and retirement from a young age to prepare them for life

It is never too early to start saving 

It is okay if your kids don't look at finances the same way you do

Kids are always watching their parents - even with money

In addition to teaching children about money, it is also important to let children come up with their own methods and beliefs

A retirement vision is important

It is never too late to save

The one piece of advice all parents and families need to know now (Tony’s Parent Footprint moment)

For more information about Tony Walker, his books, and his busy Tony Walker Financial please visit:  https://tonywalkerfinancial.com/

Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.

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In the newest episode of the Parent Footprint podcast, Dr. Dan welcomes author Helena Dea Bala to discuss her new book CRAIGSLIST CONFESSIONAL: A Collection of Secrets from Anonymous Strangers.  This episode is filled with heart and hope about the human experience.

An Albanian immigrant, Helena Dea Bala came to the U.S. at twelve years old and spent her weekends helping her mother clean houses to make ends meet. She later graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The George Washington University, and also from its law school. Unfulfilled at her day job, she gave herself one year—one year to just listen. Five years in, CraigslistConfessional.com is her full-time project. She has written for The Washington Post and Vogue. 

Helena spent five years documenting people’s secrets through “Craigslist Confessional,” a personal project which became a Quartz column and the book CRAIGSLIST CONFESSIONAL: A Collection of Secrets from Anonymous Strangers.  

Helena’s work challenges us to treat the strangers among us with empathy and respect.  She explains, “This experience has taught me about what it means to be human, about genuine connection. It has taught me how to listen to learn. Not to change. Not to fix. Not to respond. To learn. It brings me back to that quote by Socrates: ‘The more I know, the more I realize I know nothing.’ These stories really put things into perspective—they make you realize the futility of passing judgment, and the utility of empathy.”

During today’s interview, Dr. Dan and Helena talk about moving and teachable moments in her life that listeners will immediately connect to including:

Helena’s parents and their sacrifices to create a new life in America for the family

The inspiration for Helena’s Craigslist Confessional series 

The stories about parenthood in the book and which ones she will always remember

Practicing empathy and compassion - both for yourself as well as others

Helena’s very personal and honest essay about challenges in her own parenting journey

The episode concludes with Helena’s sweet Parent Footprint moment about music and motherhood. 

For more information about Helena and her book please visit:  https://craigslistconfessional.com/

Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.

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Happy 100th episode to the Parent Footprint podcast!  

We have a very special guest for our 100th episode:  Dr. Dan welcomes back the only guest who has appeared on the Parent Footprint podcast three (!) times: bestselling author and parenting expert Dr. Tina Payne Bryson -- the perfect colleague to help Dr. Dan celebrate his 100-episode milestone.

Today Dr. Dan and Dr. Bryson focus on her newest book The Bottom Line for Baby as well as the timely The Power of Showing Up (co-authored with Dan Siegel) and her pioneering work with brain-based parenting.

Dr. Dan and Dr. Bryson tackle compelling topics including:

Making sense of our own parenting history 

Attachment in parenting (based on the “4 S” rules that kids feel Safe, Seen, Soothed, Secure)

Why the parenting concept of “empowering yourself with knowledge” really is the key to all parenting (along with trusting yourself and showing up for your child)

When parents practice awareness then they have a choice in how they parent in any moment (Dr. Bryon’s advice:  pay attention on purpose!)

The importance of parents being a safe harbor instead of a storm for our kids

Tina’s third inspiring Parent Footprint Moment 

Tina Payne Bryson is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and of the Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopmental lens.  In addition, Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for kids, parents, educators, clinicians, and industry leaders all over the world, and she makes frequent media appearances for media such as TIME, “Good Morning America,” Huffington Post,Redbook, The New York Times, and Real Simple.  

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson is also co-author (with Dan Siegel) of The Yes Brain as well as two New York Times bestsellers -- The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline -- each of which has been translated into over forty languages.  Dr. Bryson is a graduate of Baylor University and earned her LCSW and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, where her research explored attachment science, child rearing theory, and the emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology.  Finally, Tina emphasizes that before she’s a parenting educator, or a researcher, she’s a mom.  She limits her clinical practice and speaking engagements so that she can spend time with her family.  Alongside her husband of 25 years, parenting her three boys is what makes her happiest.

For more information visit:  https://www.tinabryson.com/

Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.

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