Mojo Mom Podcast

Internet safety expert Linda Criddle, president of the Safe Internet Alliance and founder of iLookBothWays.com, returns to the Mojo Mom Podcast to talk about two crucial issues:  first, what parents need to know about Facebook's new privacy policies (or lack thereof, as they sell user data to an ever-widening circle or marketers) and second, an introduction to the risks of technology in the context of teen relationship violence.

Host Amy Tiemann was motivated to invite Linda on the podcast to talk about technology and relationship violence after hearing the May 10 episode of The Diane Rehm Show, which took a broader look at teen relationship violence but also honed in on technology as a tool that abusers can use to control and keep tabs on their partners.  Linda Criddle is an excellent expert to continue this conversation, as she has deep knowledge and professional experience in the areas of relationship violence and technology.

Linda is currently working on a guide wtih specific strategeis on Internet Safety for Victims of Violence.  When it comes out this summer, the guide will be made available free through Linda's Website, www.iLookBothWays.com

Linda also contributed a chapter to Amy Tiemann's latest book, Courageous Parents, Confident Kids, teaching parents how to guide their children through the early stages of internet use.

Amy Tiemann talks with Ellen Galinsky, President of the Families and Work Institute about her new book Mind in the Making:  The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs.

Mind in the Making takes parents on an engaging tour of the science of early learning, including many classic experiments that still have relevance today.  And, Ellen Galinsky emphasizes, it's never too late to start incorporating this knowledge into your family's life!  You can learn more and see videos of experiments at the Mind in the Making website, www.mindinthemaking.org

Every parent wants to learn how to raise happier kids.  Listen in this week as Mojo Mom talks with Christine Carter, Ph.D., author of Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.  In her work wtih the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, Christine has gathered the best scientifically-validated research into her book and translated in into practical and strategic advice that parents can understand! She draws on the field of positive psychology, which studies what works in people's lives rather than what is wrong. A refreshing approach for today's complicated times.

Christine's advice resonates strongly with my work as Mojo Mom, such as the Raising Happiness chapters "Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First," "Build a Village," and "Expect Effort and Enjoyment, not Perfection."

We're down to the last few days to register for the free digital download of Amy Tiemann's new book, Courageous Parents, Confident Kids:  Letting Go So You Both Can Grow.  Sign up on MojoMom.com by April 18th to receive a free copy of the e-book when it's released on April 19th. 

This week Amy Tiemann welcomes Karen Maezen Miller back to The Mojo Mom Podcast. Karen has described herself as an "errant mother, delinquent wife, reluctant dog walker, expert laundress, and stationmaster of the full catastrophe."  She's a Buddhist priest--but she could also be the Mom next to you in the school carpool line.  You may already know Karen as the author of "Momma Zen" and now she has  a brand new book "Hand Wash Cold--Care Instructions for an Ordinary Life."  Her writing will help you enjoy the life you already have, which is such a wonderfully sane and comforting concept--just what we need in today's overscheduled, distracted world.

This week's Amy Tiemann talks to kindred spirit Lenore Skenazy, author of the book Free-Range Kids and founder of FreeRangeKids.com.

Lenore has been at the forefront advancing the trend of giving kids more independence and ability to roam and explore.  Her work was one of the inspirations for Amy Tiemann to join this cultural conversation wtih the creation of Courageous Parents, Confident Kids.

So join Amy and Lenore for a wide-ranging discussion! 

One more bit of resonance: next month on April 19th, the new paperback edition of Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) will be published the same day as the launch of Amy's special free digital download offer for Courageous Parents, Confident Kids:  Letting Go So You Both Can Grow.  Visit MojoMom.com to learn more about Amy's limited-time offer.

We continue our ongoing series of interviews with "Courageous Parents, Confident Kids" book contributors as podcast host Amy Tiemann talks to Renee Trudeau about the absolutely essential need for mothers to practice self-care.

Renee has written extensively about this issue in her book "The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal," and her training that teaches women how to form and facilitate their own Personal Renewal Groups.  Amy has also written about self-care as a core principle in her book "Mojo Mom:  Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family."  So these two have a lot to talk about!

Listen in to find out why mothers in particular have a hard time claiming their own self care as a top priority,  why it's really important to learn how to do so, and how to get started.  Then make sure you register on MojoMom.com to reserve a free digital download of the new book that is a collaboration between  Amy, Renee, and 12 other experts, "Courageous Parents, Confident Kids--Letting Go So You Both Can Grow." 

Sign up now and we'll send you a free digital download of the new book when it's released on April 19, 2010.

This week Mojo Mom is talking career strategies with Kella Hatcher, who along with Maryanne Perrin is a principal in Balancing Professionals consulting, advocating or a flexible, strategic, sustainable workplace.  Kella and Maryanne have also contributed a chapter on career development to the new anthology that Amy Tiemann is editing, Courageous Parents, Confident Kids -- Letting Go So You Both Can Grow.

Kella and Amy talk about strategies for lifelong career development, on-ramping, putting your best foot forward and getting your confidence back as you craft your own path, which may go "off-road" rather than follow a career ladder.  Fortunately, these days more employees and entrepreneurs are advocating for alternative, flexible work, and that will benefit both Moms and Dads.  Workplace change is coming, and we are the pioneers!

Get a digital download of our new book Courageous Parents, Confident Kids for free!  Sign up now on www.MojoMom.com

The Mojo Mom Podcast is all about providing parents with valuable information that applies to all aspects of life. Parents are leaders and change agents.  So this week Amy Tiemann welcomes Dan Heath back to the podcast to talk about his brand-new bestseller co-authored with Chip Heath, "Switch:  How to Change Things When Change is Hard."

Whether you are a PTA volunteer, community organizer, or CEO, "Switch" will change the way you look at change.  Dan explains the guiding metaphor of "Switch" and inspiriging examples of people creating big change in difficult situations.

Listen in, check out the Heath Brothers' website for more information, and read Amy Tiemann's full review of "Switch." 

Amy Tiemann continues her series of interviews wtih "Courageous Parents, Confident Kids" anthology contributors, this week by talking politics with Joanne Bamberger, creator of PunditMom blog.

In Joanne's book chapter, she talks about what it means for parents to connect with their political voices, and proclaim their opinions, often using blogs as an outlet.  Here Joanne and Amy get right into it, sharing their own opinions about their frustrations with the Democratic Party, politics, and the seeming inablity to get anything done, even when one party has the Presidency and majorities in the House and Senate.

Hear what's on Amy and Joanne's minds, and then feel free to stop by the Mojo Mom and PunditMom blogs to let us know what is on yours!

When Marc and Amy Vachon married and started a family, they could not have predicted that their personal commitment to each other to act as equal parenting partners would contribute to a growing social movement.  But it has grown into a movement that Marc and Amy cover thorugh their blog and their new book, Equally Shared Parenting.  On this week's Mojo Mom Podcast, the Vachons talk to Amy Tiemann about their co-parenting strategies and the benefits--for both Moms and Dads--that come from developing an egalitarian parenting partnership.