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

Dr. Dan welcomes author/CEO of The Wonder Weeks book and app Xaviera Plas-Plooij to today’s episode.  Listeners will love this informative discussion about the just released sixth edition of the internationally bestselling book THE WONDER WEEKS: A STRESS-FREE GUIDE TO YOUR BABY’S BEHAVIOR. 

Xaviera Plas-Plooij, mother of three, has one mission: to give parents the tools they need in order to fully understand their baby’s mental and emotional development. Daughter of Dr. Frans X. Plooij and Dr. Hetty van de Rijt, founding authors of The Wonder Weeks, Plas-Plooij has significantly revised and modernized the sixth edition of THE WONDER WEEKS. This award-winning book offers a refreshing new paradigm for parenting, one in which fussy phases can be viewed positively. In addition, she launched a bestselling app so parents can track the ten magical leaps that their baby makes, on a personalized schedule. With more than two million copies sold of the book, and more than four million downloads of the companion app, THE WONDER WEEKS has struck a chord. 

After listening to today’s episode and Xaviera’s Parent Footprint moment, every parent will want to know more about the phenomenon that has been embraced by celebrities, social media influencers, and parents, worldwide.

As a writer, columnist, and a popular speaker, Xaviera Plas is in 24/7 contact with parents around the globe. Plas-Plooij is a trusted member of the Lumi by Pampers Expert Advisory Panel. For more information on Xaviera and The Wonder Weeks visit:https://www.thewonderweeks.com/

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

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Dr. Dan welcomes Dr. Valerie Crabtree of the acclaimed St. Jude’s Research Hospital to Episode 68 to discuss the importance of sleep for young people. Dr. Valerie Crabtree has a bold statement for Dr. Dan and all parents: “Sleep is the third pillar of health, along with nutrition and movement, that keeps us healthy and balanced.”  Dr. Crabtree is the Chief of Psychosocial Services at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and her critical advice for young people on the importance of getting enough sleep is eye-opening: 

“Insufficient sleep contributes to making us overweight, sick and sluggish. We literally clean our brains while we sleep, washing away harmful toxins and making room for memories to be stored. In children and teenagers, poor or insufficient sleep is related to poorer organization, poorer memory, and academic difficulties,” Dr. Crabtree writes in a recent and widely shared article for Your Teen Magazine.

As the lead researcher on sleep and fatigue in children undergoing cancer treatment and brain tumor survivors, sleep is a major focus for Dr. Crabtree, which she highlights in her recent TedX Talk (Memphis) on how very early school start times are detrimental to the health of teenagers as well as those around them.  She suggests teens aren’t lazy, rather they are just sleepy – and explores the questions: why do we follow CDC guidelines and AAP recommendations when it comes to vaccinations and washing our hands, but not their guidance when it comes to school start times?

Dr. Crabtree, who is also a parent of two teens, indicates that sleepy, grumpy, overtired teenagers are a hallmark of American schools – but we must ensure our children get adequate sleep.

In this episode of the Parent Footprint podcast and in Dr. Crabtree’s work (and her recent Your Teen article) she addresses and answers many questions including:

How she got interested in sleep and studying sleep.

How does sleep relate to childhood cancer research?

Why is sleep called on of the pillars of health?

Does she think we take sleep for granted in our culture? Why?

What the APA recommends regarding sleep in adolescents and teens and school start times.

Her own experience raising teenage boys and trying to get them to learn the importance of health sleep?

Does she think there are many school systems not following these guidelines of the APA?

And is it starting to change? What are some examples of successful school districts that have enacted later school start times?  What positive benefits are they seeing? Her experience trying to make this change in her own district and how can parents advocate for later school start times?

Dr. Dan and Dr. Crabtree’s interview will wake up all listeners when it comes to sleep!

For more information on Dr. Crabtree and her work visit:  https://www.stjude.org/directory/c/valerie-crabtree.html

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. St. Jude is ranked the No. 1 pediatric cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.

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Dr. Dan welcomes dyslexia advocate and author Don Winn to Episode 67. Don has struggled with dyslexia for his entire life and also deals with dysgraphia (trouble with writing) and dyscalculia (trouble with numbers, math, and sequencing). School—because it involved reading, writing, math, and memorizing things in sequence (the alphabet, multiplication tables, etc.)—was a nightmare for him but the happy ending that will resonate will all listeners of the Parent Footprint podcast with Dr. Dan is that not only did Don survive school (and growing up) -- he thrived! 

Today, Don Winn is an author, speaker, blogger and advocate who shares helpful information so that parents and educators can help their dyslexic children and students to understand the condition and guide kids with patience, optimism, and perseverance.   

On this episode, Dr. Dan and Don talk about many important subjects including:

  Don’s dyslexia journey as a child and as an adult  

  The importance of parents understanding dyslexia and what it means for their child

  Dyslexic strengths

  What happens when children, teens, adults accept their dyslexia challenges?  

  The importance of parents examining what worked/ didn't work for them in their own childhood

  Don Winn’s Parent Footprint Moment

Don Winn’s forthcoming non-fiction book, Raising a Child with Dyslexia: What Every Parent Needs To Know, addresses all aspects of dyslexia, including social and emotional learning. Using current, cutting edge research, this user-friendly guide for parents and educators will help prepare their child to be a reader from infancy. These tools and techniques are proven to help all children, not just those with dyslexia.  Don is also the author of the award-winning four-book Sir Kaye the Boy Knight series of chapter books for middle readers and of thirteen picture books for young readers and his articles about dyslexia and reading have appeared on TODAY Parenting, Fostering Families Today and MD Monthly, among many others.

For more information about Don Winn visit: https://donwinn.blog/about-childrens-author-don-m-winn/.

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

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Dr. Dan welcomes life/parent coach and expert (and mom to two boys) Deb Blum to the podcast today for a meaningful conversation about the "Boy Crisis" and raising healthy boys.

Deb lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and their 15 and 17 year old boys. She’s been a management & technology consultant for over 25 years. Ten years ago, Deb found herself at a personal crisis point – suffering the consequences of unhealed trauma, completely disconnected from herself, on the brink of divorce – bitter, blaming and hopeless. Deb learned that to be a good leader, parent and partner – she needed to show up for herself first which is aligned with the Parent Footprint mission and eventually led to her life’s work.

After reading the book The Boy Crisis, Deb’s life changed dramatically and drastically as she learned that it's a myth that boys and men are doing fine. In fact, she discovered that all humans are facing an impending epic catastrophe if our boys continue to struggle and then grow into men who aren't engaged and positively contributing to our society. Deb passionately tells Dr. Dan that this is not a zero sum game -- she believes we're all in this together and when any group isn't doing well, it impacts everyone. 

Dr. Dan and Deb agree that our boys need us and discuss provocative topics in today’s podcast including -- 

What are some of the ways that boys are in crisis?

Three ways parents/moms can help boys

Why boys need dads and positive male role models

Why it is time to wake up and listen and why they need help in all areas: schools, relationships, families, the media - even the government!

How to have a real relationship with your son

Deb’s compelling Parent Footprint moment and what it can teach every parent

In addition to her coaching and consulting work, Deb Blum is the co-founder of a large local parent community, Redwood Parents Connect; the founder of the Center for the Well-being of Boys; and a strategic advisor for the Marin County Restorative Youth Court.  She is also the official moderator Dr. Warren Farrell’s Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/boycrisisforum/ (Dr. Warren Farrell is the author of The Boy Crisis and one of the original advocates for boys and men).  Finally, Deb Blum is part of the coalition to create a White House Council for Boys and Men: http://whitehouseboysmen.org/

For  more information visit www.DebBlum.com and https://www.facebook.com/DebBlumCoach/.

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

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Dr. Dan welcomes Wendy Gossett, M. Ed. (an author, Temperament Specialist and Founder of Temperament Coaching) to today’s show to discuss temperament and parenting.

Wendy is a child temperament specialist who helps parents learn how to “see” their kids, not through their own biased lens, but through the lens of their child’s natural temperament.   Wendy starts off the show discussing her own parenting journey and how her own daughter inspired her life’s work.

Wendy Gossett’s Child Temperament test will help parents everywhere to understand their child or children (and her adult test will help parents understand themselves). 

Her work with parents shows parents how to uncover their "true type” so they can be self-aware and differentiate their strengths from their kids. Many times parents have unrealistic expectations that come from their own temperament biases.  

Today’s show tackles many topics including: 

How Wendy started using temperament psychology with families

(Hint: she was a corporate trainer using Myers Briggs, Keirsey and Carl Jung.)

What is temperament exactly?

Is temperament determined by nature or nurture?

How early can a parent  tell a child’s temperament? 

Wendy’s viral video and why you should watch it today!

And more including Wendy’s Parent Footprint Moment. 

Wendy Gossett, MA, is a Parenting and Relationship Specialist based in Denver, Colorado. She has worked with countless parents helping them to understand their children better by using temperament psychology. EEG maps in Neuroscience validate temperament as a tool for comprehending the eight psychological functions of the brain, which help people see and understand each other from the inside out. She has also worked with many Fortune 500 companies as a trainer and facilitator. In addition to her expertise in the field of temperament psychology, Wendy has a master’s degree with over twenty years of experience in all areas of training including parenting her own daughter who is her complete opposite. She is a contributing writer for Denver Parent and Mile High Mamas and for the past decade, she has been compiling all her acquired knowledge and experience with families into a comprehensive parenting textbook YOUR CHILD’S INNER DRIVE to help parents have a “User Manual” for their children, which will be published soon. Watch this free video to learn more about Dr. Dan and Parent Footprint Awareness Training®.

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Dr. Dan welcomes the incredibly inspiring author and leadership consultant Katy McQuaid to the Parent Footprint podcast today. Katy McQuaid spent more than three decades in the CIA, including 12 years living abroad. Her work in communities all over the world and the endearing, unconditional love of her four-legged muse Grace inspired her to write the “Everybody Loves Grace” series of illustrated books. Parents, kids of all ages, executives, and organizational leaders hail the series as a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone navigating change or challenging circumstances.

Through her children’s book series, Katy introduces us to Grace, her loving, wise, and fluffy Finnish Lapphund who is the central character in this illustrated children’s book series aimed at giving kids hope and courage as they face life’s many challenges. The series “Everybody Loves Grace,” and the newest book – “Everybody Loves Grace: An Amazing True Story of Grace’s Adventure to the Grand Canyon” is out now. Through Grace (the character and the real dog), Katy teaches us life lessons including:

Uncertainty can be wonderful.

Simple acts of kindness really make a difference.

If you make direct eye contact and you will really connect.

Every day is an adventure!

Dr. Dan and Katy discuss many relatable topics in today’s episode and they offer advice listeners can start to implement today. This interview will change the way every family sees the world and lives in it -- all thanks to Grace.

More about Katy:

Katy is the founder of McQuaid Corporate Performance, LLC and a graduate of Penn State University where she attended on a full scholarship, lettered all four years as a swimmer, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. She is also a graduate of the Vanguard Executive Development Program at Duke University, the Pinnacle Executive Leader Program at Kellogg’s School of Management, and is currently finalizing her studies to become a certified trainer for Conscious Transformation. Katy’s goal is to support people and organizations in experiencing successful, meaningful, and empowered transformations. 

Katy was the first female Senior Executive in the CIA’s Logistics Career Service as well as the first Senior Executive Support Officer in the South Asia War Theater (and the first and only female to date in the position). She also held a key Support Officer position during the transition of US intelligence activities from one city to another in one of the largest European offices. Katy served as an Elder at Pathways Church in Denver, Colorado and currently serves as Chair of the Dorcas Aid America Board of Directors. Learn more at www.EverybodyLovesGrace.com.

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Dr. Dan welcomes Alison Morrow to today’s show to discuss homeschooling and her work as a  homeschool coach and founder of Goodschooling.net. Alison Morrow is a former classroom teacher and veteran homeschool mom of two. Alison and her husband Dan created Good Schooling to provide resources designed to empower, equip, and encourage those wanting to homeschool.

Alison’s one-of-a-kind program gives parents important information about the homeschooling choice and also helps families transition to homeschooling. Alison explains to Dr. Dan that our own educational experiences as children influence the choices we make for our own children's educations, and discusses how homeschooling can help parents to create a better parenting footprint by increasing and deepening their connection with their children.  

Alison’s interview reveals that what matters for all children is “Good Schooling” -- and the path to that is one parents can choose and shape and customize for their child.

For many families the conventional school system isn't the best fit for them. In Episode 63, Dr. Dan discusses many important topics with Alison including:

- The myths of homeschooling - what is it and how does it work?

-Why do families choose homeschooling?

- How can homeschooling help children begin to form their own healthy self-concept?

- Can homeschooled children be healthily socialized?

- Can homeschooled children get into college (and be eligible for academic or athletic scholarships)?

- Aren’t most homeschoolers conservative Christians? What if parents aren’t religious?

- If a child is a different learner – can he or she still homeschooled?

- How does homeschooling address conventional learning?

-What are some examples of unconventional and creative learning children can experience as a result of homeschooling?

Dr. Dan wraps up today’s interview with the Parent Footprint question. Alison’s heartfelt answer will lead listeners to reflect on their own parenting journey.

For more information about Alison and GoodSchooling, visit https://goodschooling.net/about-goodschooling/.

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

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Just in time for summer, Dr. Dan interviews Michelle Lang (swim instructor to the stars and so much more!) about swimming, water safety, empowered living, and much more in this timely interview.

Did you know drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for kids ages 1-4?

Did you also know drowning is -- in most cases -- totally preventable?

Michelle Lang, author of the new book A MERMAID’S GUIDE: Empower Your Child in Water and in Life, tells Dr. Dan and the Parent Footprint podcast listeners how to keep children safe this summer (and anytime kids are around water).  Dr. Dan and Michelle discuss the Relaxation Based Swimming Method, the three phases of swimming, how to be a better swimmer at any age, Michelle’s Golden Rules, and the lessons swimming can teach us all about life and success.

Michelle travels the globe teaching kids how to swim and has given over 10,000 swim lessons (including lessons to Kim Kardashian’s children as well as Simon Cowell’s and Sarah Michelle Geller’s!). Her tips and calm approach to swimming will allow all families to enjoy a summer without anxiety and fear about drowning.

There are so many life lessons from today’s interview (useful both inside and outside of the water) listeners will take away many lessons from today’s show about topics ranging from water safety, anxiety, empowerment, courage, awareness, to how to “Be The Buddha” in your life!  The show ends with Michelle’s wonderful and inspiring Parent Footprint Moment. 

Author Michelle Lang is a modern spiritualist, certified Reiki practitioner, black belt martial artist and childhood swim prodigy. Michelle is a thought leader when it comes to keeping your sanity while giving your child the tools they need to achieve greatness. Her work goes beyond the pool!  Michelle graduated from Northwestern University before moving to Los Angeles. She used her prestigious education, training from the American Red Cross, and experience teaching over ten thousand swim lessons to create her highly effective and revolutionary method, RELAXATION BASED SWIMMING. Michelle works with Hollywood's biggest celebrities and travels internationally teaching lessons and educating parents about what they can do to help their child succeed, both in water and in life. Michelle's husband, Ian Nelms, is a critically acclaimed filmmaker and co-creator of Relaxation Based Swimming. Michelle and Ian live with their two children in Los Angeles. For more information go to:  www.RelaxationBasedLifestyle.com.

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Dr. Dan welcomes author and parenting expert Maureen Healy of Growing Happy Kids.com to discuss her new and inspiring book The Emotionally Healthy Child: Helping Your Child Calm, Center, and Make Smarter Choices.

Growing up has never been easy, but today’s world presents kids and their parents with unprecedented challenges. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 25 percent of children experience anxiety and 14 percent have a mood disorder, and National Public Radio shared that as many as five million public school students have mental-emotional issues such as depression and anxiety. Today Dr. Dan talks to award-winning author and international speaker Maureen Healy about emotional health and much more. 

In her book The Emotionally Healthy Child, Maureen Healy explains that emotional health is the ability identify emotions and to make better choices, even when feeling anger or another big emotion. She explains to Dr. Dan that the ability to — Stop, Calm, and Make a Smarter Choice — are key to expressing emotions constructively. During today’s podcast interview listeners will hear about what children need to know, what children need to do, and what speeds up the process of emotional health.

In addition, Dr. Dan and Maureen Healy discuss what age to start working on emotional health, the feeling brain vs. the thinking brain, mindfulness tools, the inspiring words the Dalai Lama wrote about Maureen’s book ( "I hope Maureen Healy's book - The Emotionally Healthy Child - will contribute to a more wholesome education for future generations"), her studies with happiness teachers globally, the concept of wholeness, and much more -- including Maureen’s Parent Footprint Moment. 

Maureen Healy is an award-winning author, speaker and leader in the field of children’s emotional health. Maureen writes a popular blog for Psychology Today and her first book Growing Happy Kids won the Nautilus and Readers’ Favorite book awards.

With over fifteen years of years of experience, Maureen has counseled thousands of parents and their children, worked with educators globally, taught in the classroom, and given keynote talks throughout North America, Europe and Asia. She’s also appeared across all media outlets including AOL’s “The Fatherhood Project” with Hank Azaria, Forbes.com and Scholastic magazine.

Maureen’s earned a BA and MBA from Clark University in Worcester, MA and a PhD in Child Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, CA.

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

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Dr. Dan is excited to speak to Joshua David Stein, a Dad and the editor-at-large at Fatherly.com.

A prolific writer, Joshua David Stein is responsible for editorial initiatives across the company and serves as the host of The Fatherly Podcast. A popular children’s book author, Joshua David Stein’s writing has appeared in The Guardian, GQ, The New York Times, New York and many more publications. 

Dr. Dan is thrilled to talk all things Dad, fathers, and even grandfathers with Joshua David Stein in episode 60. Fatherly’s mission is to empower men to raise great kids and lead more fulfilling adult lives. It’s the premiere destination for Dads today. From original video series and deep dive reports to podcasts and events, Fatherly offers original reporting, expert parenting advice, and hard-won insights into a challenging, but profoundly rewarding stage of life. 

Dr. Dan and Joshua discuss: 

What it means to be a modern father

Dad Guilt (yes it exists!)

Advice for Dads to be more present/involved with their children/families

The best advice for fathers (and how that advice aligns with the philosophy of Parent Footprint)

The Fatherly Podcast

Why Dads should spend enough time with their kids so that the children ignore you!

And more!

Dr. Dan and Joshua passionately agree on the importance of equitably sharing in the labor (and joys!) of child-rearing with your co-parent and the value of being present as much as possible. Joshua’s deeply honest and vulnerable Parent Footprint Moment helps to wrap up this remarkable show which redefines fatherhood and will inspire Dads everywhere to explore their own personal journey.

For more information on Joshua and podcast information:  

https://www.instagram.com/joshuadavidstein/?hl=en

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fatherly-podcast/id1297360596

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

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